Republican Reagan Jones seeks District 4 seat on Quorum Court
Reagan Jones of Alexander is one of three Republican candidates seeking the District 4 seat on the Saline County Quorum Court in the upcoming March 5 primary election.
The seat is currently held by Justice of the Peace Barbara Howell, who is also a Republican and who is seeking re-election.
Jones has lived in Saline County for over 17 years and graduated high school from Benton in 2018.
“I have been married to my beautiful wife, Brittney, for two years. In high school, I was a member of the Teenage Republicans of Saline County where I was able to be a part of the first Teenage Republicans Veterans Day Dinner. We served over 200 Saline County veterans that night,” Jones said.
“In college, I was a member of the College Republicans at UCA. I am currently a member of the Arkansas Young Republicans and the Greater Saline Young Republicans. My wife and I attend First Baptist Church in Benton.”
Jones said that for too long, Saline County has been run by the same officials. “In the seat I am running for, the incumbent has been in office for 20 years. Almost as long as I have been alive,” Jones said. “Whether you are good or bad for the county, 20 years in the same seat is just too long.
“I also believe I have productive and cost friendly ideas on improving our infrastructure, cleaning our community, and promoting a safer Saline County,” he said.
Jones said Ronald Reagan is his role model as a public servant.
“His stances on limited government and the promotion of free will made him stand out,” Jones said.
The most influential people in Jones’ life were his parents. “They led me to be the person I am today. My morals, values, and beliefs all shape around what I grew up with. I am thankful for them in all they have done for me,” he said.
Government spending and tax dollars are the upmost important issue that Saline County residents face.
“When I take office, I will look into the radical rate hikes from the Bryant Water Department, Salem Water Users, and Benton Utilities. When residents can’t
“They might not be aware,” Rowlan said. “If we catch it early, they may not need services by the time they’re in kindergarten.”
The lessons usually last an hour; if there are multiple children in the home, educators add on an extra 15 minutes. They will also leave activities for families to do together. Rowlan said the goal is to get the whole family involved in learning, which increases the child’s school readiness and success.
“Children learn through play,” she said. “Learning is fun, interacting, talking while you’re doing it.”
Any parent with children up to age five is eligible to apply. Parents as Teachers is free to the public, and receives funding in two different areas: one for low-income families, and one for children who struggle in some way, such as being part of physical therapy or speech.
“I don’t want anybody not to call, because there might be a way to enroll them,” Rowlan said. “Once they qualify, they’re in the program until kindergarten.”
While the core of
PAT is that of child development and school readiness, there are other benefits to the program. Rowlan said that the educators spend just as much time supporting parents as they do teaching them.
“Sometimes we might be the only people who talk to them that week,” she said. “I see a lot of moms who are struggling.”
Rowlan recognizes that building the parents up is crucial to ensuring child development. Parents
as Teachers has a list of resources on hand — such as food pantries and places to secure help — for those who need it.
“Times are hard and many parents are struggling just to keep food on the table,” she said. “If you’re in survival mode, child education is the last thing on your list. We have to support the parents.”
Rowlan also said they are willing to accommodate
parents who don’t want meet at home or are embarrassed about their situation. Educators can hold meetings in the park, or at the library — even on the front porch of the home. However, she stressed that PAT is a judgement-free zone.
“If you are welcoming us into the home, we don’t care if you’re in pajamas, or toys are on the floor. We’re not there to judge,” Rowlan said.
Parents as Teachers also strives to help parents support each other. Each month, they host a parent connection meeting, so that families can mingle and the kids can become friends. From that, she said, mothers are grouping together and branching off to do playdates. Rowlan said some families have joined just for the socialization.
“I’ve had families who told me, ‘Why not get involved in this?’” she said. “I have never walked away from a visit where I wasn’t elated. My heart grew.” Slots are open for 112 children per year, and enrollment is open yearround. To schedule a visit, call Cindy Rowlan at 501-653-5611 or email crowlan@bryantschools. org. You can also visit the group’s Facebook page at Dawson Parents as Teachers.