2 GOP JP candidates take similar positions
District 12 incumbent has held seat 12 years
Republican candidates running for Pulaski County justice of the peace in District 12 agree the Quorum Court should focus on road improvements and stop frivolous spending, but differ on who has the time and is most qualified to tackle the job.
Incumbent Jeff Rollins, 51, a lifelong resident of Sherwood, will face off against Karilyn Brown, 64, who has lived in Sherwood for 27 years, in the May 22 primary.
Rollins, who has held the seat for 12 years, said that when he was elected in 2000, the county was in “talks of bankruptcy.”
“I’d like to see what we got started finished,” Rollins said. “We made cuts and everything we could to save money and right now Pulaski County is in the best shape it’s been in years.”
Brown said the county has at times spent money frivolously, citing the widening and beautification of Mcmath Avenue.
“Our county roads and bridges are in need of repair and I think, f rom what I’m listening to, what I’m observing, [the court] is spending money wasteful ly on windowdressing type projects in Little Rock,” Brown said. “Those are not the priorities for the county government.”
Brown, who has been a technical writer for two civil engineering design firms in Little Rock, said she has written specifications for projects that include streets, bridges, airports and water and waste treatment plants.
“I have the education, I
have a minor in urban planning and design. I have a master’s degree in professional and technical writing,” Brown said. “I have the experience working for civil engineering companies and environmental consultants to give me a little insight into problems we are facing.”
Brown said though she’s never held any municipal positions, she’s worked for the state for 45 years and is a member of several organizations, including treasurer for the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Beautification Foundation.
“I want to give a voice to our district. I was asked to run and I was just concerned that our current justice is not able to give the job the time that it needs,” Brown said, referring to Rollins. “He was absent from all budget committee meetings this year ... that’s an extremely important process on the quorum court.”
Rollins said he agreed that “people are tired of us giving money,” and that the court should stop supporting certain programs, but declined to name which ones.
Rollins labeled himself “one of the common guys,” who served on the Sherwood City Council for seven years.
“Everything I’ve done in Pulaski County is helping the economy here and helping the people here,” Rollins said.
Rollins said he did not serve on the budget committee in 2011, but had for 10 years. Since starting a job at Mckimmey Associates, Realtors, the meetings did not fit with his schedule.
“I still get all the materials and still go over everything,” Rollins said.
Rollins said if he were reelected, he’d like to see more improvements to the Pulaski County sheriff’s office and the Pulaski County jail and see more crime prevention groups like the Our Kids Program.
“If we educate the parents and get the parents to understand what’s going on with crime ... I think that’s a big thing. To have the parents work with the children,” Rollins said.