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Political forum: Economic growth is discussed |
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
A pair of small business owners pointed to continued economic growth during Political Forum 2008 on Tuesday night.
Mike Beckwith, who lives near Arkansas 5, and Scott Smith of Bryant are Democrat candidates for the Arkansas House of Representatives District 29 position.
The winner of the May 20 primary will face the Republican primary victor — Ann Clemmer, Brett Hooton or Bud Lidzy — in the November general election.
The District 29 seat is being vacated by Rep. Janet Johnson, D-Bryant, who is term limited.
District 29 includes Bryant, part of the Salem community and a portion of Saline County east of Benton and Haskell.
Beckwith, 47, owns an Internet marketing business. The Hot Springs native is a graduate of Benton High School. He is a political newcomer.
Smith, 34, is senior managing partner of SKB Partners of Bryant. The Harding University graduate has lived in Bryant for 12 years. He also is a political newcomer.
“I want to see this district continue to grow,” Smith said. “We’ve had a lot of economic development growth.”
Beckwith said people have told him that they want to see strong infrastructure and they want officials to secure a long-term water source for the area.
“The retention of industry and the addition of infrastructure is important to this district,” Beckwith said.
He also said education is vital.
“Better education means better jobs,” Beckwith said, adding: “I am tired of our state being 46th, 47th and 48th in everything. Our state has the resources to do better and a strong legislator can help us do better.”
“Our responsibility as a legislator is to serve the district and be a very strong voice,” Smith said, adding: “I have values and I have morals, and I believe that to be effective, you have to be able to cross party lines.”
He said he will “work hard to bring jobs to our area. I want to help with economic development.”
The forum is co-sponsored by the Courier and Courier TV 95.
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