Voters Guide to the 2020 Preferential Primary

Super Tuesday is only two days away. Three local races will be decided in the primary election – two that will appear on Republican ballots, and one that will appear on Democratic ballots. To give voters an idea of where candidates for these offices stand, the News-Times compiled a questionnaire for each candidate whose race will be decided next week. The candidates’ answers are listed in order of their ballot order. Some have been edited for length and clarity. Some candidates did not answer every question on the questionnaire. Two candidates did not return a questionnaire in time for publication; the News-Times compiled information that those candidates have shared with us in the past for their profiles.

Democratic ballot – Strong Recorder/Treasurer

Ballot position 1

Name: Allison A. Howell

From: Strong, Arkansas

Occupation: Third shift production manager at Milbank Manufacturing for almost 34 years, and Pastor at St. Phillip AME Church of Magnolia, Arkansas, for over 30 years

Education: Strong High School Class of 1985; Basic Studies at South Arkansas Community College; United Theological Seminary; Labor Management at University of Arkansas at Little Rock; OSHA training

Past political experience: Served as President and Business Manager for local Union 2284 for almost 20 years and as Recorder/Treasurer for the City of Strong for 14 years

Does anyone in your family have past/current political experience? Yes (Editor’s note: Daryell Howell, Allison Howell’s husband, is Mayor of Strong)

Why did you choose to run? I chose to seek re-election because I want the vision of “Strong Forward” to become a reality. Downtown Renovations, Youth Development Center, Side Walk and Park Developments are all a part of “Strong Forward.”

What are the key issues you are particularly interested in addressing? I plan to continue to work with the Mayor, Council and the wonderful citizens of Strong to address Economic Development, Community Events and the Beautification of our City and to move Strong Forward as best we can with the Lord being our Helper.

Ballot position 2

Name: Latosha Gatson

Hometown: Strong, Arkansas

Occupation: Accounting Assistant at Murphy Oil Corporation

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Does anyone in your family have past/current political experience? No.

Why did you choose to run? I have decided to run for Recorder/Treasurer to be more involved with the economic standings and well-being of our city and to help make a difference in the lives of the concerned citizens of Strong, Arkansas.

What are the key issues you are particularly interested in addressing? It’s about the future and not the past and the opportunity of growth for our City. One concern I share with the citizens of Strong is the economic standing of our City. I believe a change can be made to how the citizens feel about our City.

Republican ballot – El Dorado City Council, Ward 1, Position 2

Ballot position 1

Name: Billy Earl Blann

Hometown: El Dorado

Occupation: Real estate investor; owner of Delta Press, LTD; owner of Alma Apartments

Education: Associate degree in Electronics and Instrumentation

Past political experience: Served on the City of El Dorado Historic Commission for eight years; have served as an El Dorado City Council member for 11 years

Does anyone in your family have past/current political experience? My father served on the Hampton City Council. My grandfather served as the Calhoun County Treasurer.

Position being sought: El Dorado City Council, Ward 1, Position 2 seat

Why did you choose to run? Get involved so as to make a positive difference for my family, community and the citizens of El Dorado.

Describe your political platform: Conservative independent. I fully support the Festivals and Events project and their efforts to address the quality-of-life issues. I fully support the widening of Hillsboro Street, completion of four miles of Hillsboro Street project and believe it will bring a renewed spirit to El Dorado. The pothole issue must be addressed and come up with a new solution for city streets. During the past 10 years no noticeable improvements have been made, even though the city has increased spending by $3 million from the statewide one half cent sales tax.

Ballot position 2

(Editor’s note: Frank Hash did not return the questionnaire provided to him by the News-Times. Information for the following profile was drawn from a News-Times questionnaire he answered for the 2018 mayoral race. Some answers have been edited for format. The original questionnaire, headlined “Candidate Profile - El Dorado mayoral race,” from April 22, 2018 can be found on eldoradonews.com.)

Name: Frank Hash

Hometown: El Dorado

Education: El Dorado High School; Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Chemistry from Ouachita Baptist University; Master’s in Business from Webster University; Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Army War College, Carlyle Barracks, Carlyle, Pennsylvania; Army Medical Service Corps School Advanced Course, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and U.S. Army Inspector General Course, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Family: One daughter, two grandsons and three dogs

Past political experience: Lifelong Republican. Formerly Mayor of El Dorado.

Why did you choose to run? There are many major exciting and game changing developments on the horizon for El Dorado and I would welcome the opportunity to help bring the to fruition.

What accomplishments can you point to? Renovation of the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium; replacement of all downtown sidewalks, light trees, etc.; and assisting El Dorado Festivals and Events/Murphy Arts District to become a reality.

Republican ballots – District 8 Justice of the Peace for the Union County Quorum Court

Name: Donnie D. Crawford

Hometown: El Dorado

Occupation: Master plumber and owner of Crawford Plumbing

Past political experience: Served as Justice of the Peace for District 8 from Jan. 1, 2000 through December 2010

Does anyone in your family have past/current political experience? My father, Donald Crawford, served for 10 years as a JP

Why did you choose to run? I have been contacted by several people in my district who think it is time for a change. El Dorado and Union County have been good to me and I feel a responsibility to give back to the community in this way.

Describe your political platform: I will work to keep our county clean and the roads in good condition. I will communicate well with the county judge, sheriff’s department and my constituents. I am all over the county in my line of work and often see things as they are happening. I know the judge and most of his employees and call them whenever I see something I can’t remove or repair myself.

(Editor’s note: William Crowder did not return the questionnaire provided to him by the News-Times. Information for the following profile was drawn from a News-Times questionnaire he answered for the 2012 JP race. Some questions will vary in phrasing and have been edited for format. The original questionnaire, headlined “County JP seat in District 8 draws contested race,” from Nov. 1, 2012, can be found on eldoradonews.com.)

Name: William Crowder

Home: El Dorado

Occupation: Owner of Treo Tree Service

Education: El Dorado High School; Associate’s degree in Industrial Electronics Technology

Past political experience: Served on Union County Quorum Court as District 8 JP since being elected in 2012

Why did you choose to run? I care about people and I would love to serve them in my District 8.

What do you feel are the most important issues facing the voters in this race? Improving the economy by bringing new jobs; empowering and offering help to new startups

What are the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the area you hope to represent? Construction of large corporations, small businesses and quality of life and good schools; improving transportation system

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