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Political forum: Candidates for county judge cite water, efficiency as concerns |
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
Securing a long-term water source for Saline County will be his top priority if he is elected to a sixth term, County Judge Lanny Fite said Sunday.
“Water supplies are not going to become more plentiful in time,” Fite said during Political Forum 2008. “It’s vital that we secure an adequate source now.”
Ann Sanders, Fite’s Republican opponent, said she would work to operate county government more efficiently.
“I also would pursue economic development and enhance the county’s recycling efforts,” Sanders said.
The winner in the May 20 primary election will serve as county judge because there is no Democrat candidate.
Fite, 57, is a native of Benton and is serving his 10th year as county judge. The Vietnam War veteran owned Arkansas Asphalt for almost 20 years prior to entering public service.
He said recent accomplishments during his tenure as county judge include a county detention center, which was constructed under budget; a $16 million county airport, which was funded through grants; the implementation of an emergency weather radio program for residents; and the addition of heart defibrilators in each county department.
Sanders, 45, of Bryant is president of the Humane Society of Saline County. She is among proponents of a county-funded animal shelter but she did not mention the issue during the forum.
She has lived in the county for 35 years. Her political experience includes eight years on the Bryant City Council. She is a management project analyst for the Arkansas Department of Labor and will retire this summer after 27 years with the agency.
Fite said he makes decisions affecting county residents “based on what I believe is right and wrong.” He said he forms ad hoc committees and hold public hearings to gain insight on important issues.
“I try to make everything I do transparent,” Fite said, “so there never is a question about honesty.”
Sanders said the county road system “is key to economic development. Building and maintaining roads requires balance. You have to look at other needs and decide what is important. You have to be flexible to meet the needs of residents.”
Fite pointed to the “diverse responsibilities” of a county judge and said he knows that he cannot please everybody when he makes decisions.
“By nature, I’m a pleaser,” Fite said. “But I know that when I make decisions, I am bound to make someone mad. I make decisions based on what I believe is best for the county.”
Sanders agreed that decisions cannot always be popular. She recalled a particular vote as a Bryant City Council member.
“I voted based on what I felt was right and best for everybody,” she said. “The vote cost my children their best friend because I did not vote the way that child’s parents wanted.”
Fite said economic development continues to be a priority. He said the county should be part of a regional effort.
Fite was named Benton Citizen of the Year in 2003. The previous year, he received the Jack Evans Regional Leadership Award.
Neither candidate elected to ask the other a question during the forum, which was held at the historic Royal Theatre in Downtown Benton.
The forum is co-sponsored by the Courier and Courier TV 95.
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