By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A crowd of about 200 people were at the Forrest City Civic Center Saturday to visit with candidates in the May Democratic Primary. The event was sponsored by the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee.
Candidates for local, state and national offices were on hand, attempting to solicit votes with a little over a month left before ballots are cast. According to DCC Chairperson Bettye Proctor, the turnout for Saturday's event was more than expected by the committee.
"We had a lot of people come out this time around, which was something that we were happy to see. We tripled the number of people that came out to hear the candidates, and that was great. We were also happy with the candidates who came out. Quite a few of our local candidates were here, and we were extremely happy with Charlie Daniels and Marion Berry showing up. This gave the voters an excellent opportunity to meet the candidates in a laid back forum, and everyone was happy with the event," said Proctor.
In a strongly partisan speech, Congressman Marion Berry told the audience that the upcoming elections in May and November could be the most important elections in recent memory.
"I know that for every candidate, the next election is always the most important, but in this case that fact is really true. In 2000 we turned over the Presidency, the House and the Senate to the Republicans and now this country is paying for it. When they took over, we had a surplus and Social Security and Medicaid were both safe and were set up to be sound for years to come. They changed that, and now the surplus is gone, and we're getting deeper and deeper in debt. Any funding that is not allocated for Social Security or Medicaid is being spent as soon as it gets in. We're going to build $100 billion in debt this year, and $300 billion next year and the year after. It's not going to get any better. This is a problem that we're building for our children because we won't be here to help fix it," Berry said.
Berry also touched on the races for Governor and Secretary of State. Those races involve Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife Janet. "We all know what's going on in Little Rock. I'm surprised that they didn't have the children run for Land Commissioner and Attorney General so Arkansas could have a royal family. We all know where the state stands financially. Here, we have a governor that gets $3 million in renovations to the governor's mansion when we don't have enough money to pay our teachers, and we're having to let criminals out of jail because there isn't money to keep them there. All I know is that mansion was good enough for Bill Clinton, David Pryor and Dale Bumpers, and it should have been good enough for them. The last time I was in it, it seemed to be pretty nice."
Secretary of State candidate Charlie Daniels was also at Saturday's rally. Daniels, who currently serves as Land Commissioner, touched on the need for increased participation from the Democratic Party.
"When Jimmie Lou Fisher announced on April 2, there was an excitement in the Rotunda that I haven't seen in awhile. Newspaper columnist John Brummett wrote that it was either 'the last gasp of the old guard or a return to tradition.' I think that it was the return to tradition. Democrats in this state have never lost an election. We may have given a few away, but we've never lost an election, and I don't think that we should start now. There's an energy across this state in the Democratic Party that I'm happy to see back, and all I'm asking is for your support in this race for Secretary of State," Daniels said.
Several candidates in local elections also spoke at Saturday's rally.
Incumbents, Sheriff Dave Parkman, County Judge Carl Cisco, County Clerk Elizabeth Smith and County Treasurer Ann Harbin all addressed the crowd as did their opponents, George Cochran, seeking the Sheriff's position, Justice of the Peace Author Witherspoon, who is facing Cisco, former County Clerk Dick Krablin, in an attempt to regain his former position, and Tammy Talley who will face Harbin in the primary election.
Also speaking at the rally were candidates seeking the House seat for District 16 including incumbent Senator Alvin Simes of West Helena, as well as his opposition, Gordon McCoy of Forrest City and Steve Higginbothom of Marianna. In judicial races, District 1, Division 5, Judge Baird Kinney of Forrest City and his opponent, Todd Murray of West Helena, also spoke.
Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, May 21, with early voting opening on May 6, in the County Clerk's office.
The St. Francis County Election Commission has drawn for ballot positions in the upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries.
The ballot positions for the Democratic Primary are as follows:
* Governor, Joe Holmes, Dr. Jim Billie and Jimmie Lou Fisher;
* Lt. Governor, Kurt Dilday and Ronald Lee Sheffield;
* Auditor of State, Martha A. Shaffner and Jim Wood;
* State Land Commissioner, Stephen A. Kovack Jr, George Robert French and Mark Wilcox;
* State Senate District 16, Sen. Alvin Simes, Steve Higginbothom and Gordon McCoy;
* State Senate District 17, Jim Luker and Marvin Steele;
* St. Francis County Judge, Author Witherspoon and Carl Cisco;
* County Sheriff, Dave Parkman and George Cochran Sr.;
* County and Probate Clerk, Elizabeth Smith and Dick Krablin;
* County Treasurer, Tammy Talley and Ann Harbin;
* J.P District 1, Cliff Wise and Charles Jones;
* J.P. District 2, B. McCollum and T.J. McCrary;
* J.P. District 11, J.P. Donald Cagle and Lure "Boo" Darnell Jr.;
* Constable, Madison Township, Robert Smith, Lowel Best, Johnny Ruffin, Billy Gene Ray and Calvin Chism;
* Constable, Telico Township, James L. Thomas and Murray Walls;
* Widener Mayor, Dot Halford and Arvin Billingsley;
* Circuit Judge, Judge Baird Kinney and Todd Hughes Murray.
The ballot positions for Republican candidates are as follows:
* Governor, Doyle Canady and Mike Huckabee;
* U.S. Senate, Jim Bob Duggan and Tim Hutchinson.
A one-vehicle accident claimed the life of a Hickory Ridge woman near the Cross-St. Francis county line Friday night.
According to the Arkansas State Police report, Teal Suzanne Boone, 40, of Hickory Ridge in Cross County, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer north on Ark. Highway 193 at about 11:57 p.m.
The report states that Boone failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the road on the west side. The vehicle struck a culvert and overturned. Boone was ejected from the vehicle.
The accident took place about 1.8 miles north of the county line.
Plans are being made for Widener Day, which will be held Saturday, May 4.
According to Mayor Dot Halford, a number of activities are planned.
Festivities will begin at 10 a.m.
"We're going to have senior citizens bingo for sure this time," said Halford. "We've got games for the little ones to play."
That afternoon, a softball game is planned. There will also be live entertainment.
Clubs and churches are invited to have booths. For more information, contact Widener City Hall at 633-8239.
Three meetings are scheduled for Tuesday in Forrest City.
The St. Francis County Museum Board will meet at 5 p.m. at the museum.
The St. Francis County Quorum Court will meet at 6 p.m. in the QC meeting room at the courthouse.
The Forrest City City Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. That meeting will be held at city hall.
All meetings are open to the public.