New faces vie for JP seats

District 5 primary race draws two GOP candidates

FAYETTEVILLE — Voters in two districts will see some new Republican candidates running for positions on the Washington Court Quorum Court.

Patrick Deakins will face Denny Upton for District 5 justice of the peace, which covers land east of Springdale. Whoever wins the primary will face Democrat Jessica Stone in the general election Nov. 6. Joe Patterson, a Republican and the incumbent, did not seek re-election.

Joel Maxwell, 47, justice of the peace for District 13, decided after ballots were printed he is not seeking re-election for personal reasons. He will serve the remainder of his term that ends Dec. 31. Willie Leming is running to represent the district that covers western Washington County. No other candidate filed for the position.

If voters elect Maxwell the seat will be declared vacant and the governor will appoint someone to fill the position for the full two-year term, according to Election Commission staff.

Early voting starts May 7. The party primary will be May 22, along with the nonpartisan judicial election and some school board elections.

The Quorum Court has 15 justices of the peace and is the legislative branch of county government. Justices of the peace are elected to two-year terms and earn about $200 per meeting.

Leming, 53, is the Lincoln fire chief, a former Lincoln alderman, a military veteran and longtime volunteer firefighter. He said he supports farmers and rural residents. He is a farmer who owns cows and operates chicken houses on about 300 acres.

Leming said he wants to prioritize county funding for replacing the county’s 911 radio system and needs at the ambulance service, he said. He said he is concerned about the county’s budget.

County reserves have shrunk to about $5 million and there is a $5 million gap between forecast revenue and expenditures in this year’s $68 million budget.

“I want to see our county and our countywide people get our money issues back in order,” he said. “We all know your banking account goes dry if you don’t put the plug in it.”

The budget also is a concern for Upton and Deakins, both of whom said the county’s practices need to be re-evaluated.

Every department’s budget should be looked at thoroughly, not just those asking for an increase, Deakins said. Typically, the Quorum Court only reviews budgets where significant changes are requested.

Upton said the Quorum Court needs a better plan to address county needs.

“We need to look at the budget from the perspective of what we are trying to accomplish with it,” Upton said. “I’m one of those that don’t believe that throwing money at a problem is the best answer.”

Upton, 65, is a retired law enforcement officer, military veteran and a business co-owner. He said he supports helping rural fire departments and fixing infrastructure quickly. For example, the county recently opened bids to fix Blue Springs Road even though the road was damaged by flooding in April 2017, he said.

The county shouldn’t have to wait on federal or state funding before fixing infrastructure, Upton and Deakins said.

Deakins, 31, who is an accountant and vice chairman of the county Republican Committee, said he wants to make roads, bridges, first responders and law enforcement issues funding priorities. The county should build up reserve and use that money for immediate disaster relief, he said.

Deakins said he wants the Quorum Court to facilitate county growth, including helping businesses. That means justices of the peace need a better dialogue with city leaders and state representatives, he said.

Upton said the Quorum Court must talk with city leaders to find ways to benefit county residents and city and county governments, he said.

All candidates said they are running because they want to serve and give back to their communities.

“All the people up here know me,” Leming said. “They know I’m pulling for them.”