Candidate focused on next generation

FAYETTEVILLE — Lisa Ecke, a Republican and the incumbent, is facing Jessica Stone, a Democrat, for the District 6 seat on the Washington County Quorum Court.

The district encompasses southeast Springdale and a small part of northeast Fayetteville.

Stone filed to run against Justice of the Peace Ecke. Stone said she was unavailable for an interview last week.

Ecke said she isn’t a politically minded person and was reluctant to run in 2014, but after two terms, she believes it is a way to serve others.

“It’s cheesy but true: My life’s mission statement has always been serving others and investing in the next generation,” Ecke said. “I have met some of the most amazing people serving as JP. I find great satisfaction serving the people of Washington County. They are wonderful to work with and work for.”

She said she takes the time to meet with residents, listen and find those with answers.

Ecke is invested in helping the 4-H youth program in the area. She has worked on finding funding for the program since it lost state funding.

“The 4-H youth are Washington County’s 401K, and they are worthy of our attention,” she said. “It’s amazing what kind of leaders are produced in this organization.”

Ecke serves as chairwoman of the Quorum Court Personnel Committee. The county’s employee handbook was confusing and disorganized when she joined the court, she said.

“It wasn’t updated. It was a patchwork of information tagged together,” she said. “When I was elected as chairman,

that was my first item — to restructure and rewrite the personnel handbook.”

When it comes to the county’s crowded jail, Ecke said she isn’t convinced raising the sales tax is the right solution.

“The crisis stabilization center is moving forward, and getting those with mental illnesses out of the county jail will help us get a clearer picture,” she said. “If the state will pay us what it costs to house their inmates, we will be in great shape.”

The state pays about half of the $62 it costs to house a state prisoner each day at the Washington County Detention Center.

This is not “kicking the can down the road,” she said, but ensuring the court understands what funds are necessary before jumping to raise taxes.

The Quorum Court is a team effort with no one JP in charge, Ecke said.

“The chairman of each department is showing leadership with the mindset of teamwork. We are all working to move forward in a positive light,” she said.

Justices of the peace serve two-year terms and are paid $200 per meeting.

The election is Nov. 6. Early voting begins Oct. 22.