THORNTON WANTS FEDERAL FOCUS ON WHITE COUNTY DRUGS

Rhetoric was high but attendance was low Saturday morning during a
candidate forum sponsored by the White County Farm Bureau. Only 50
were in attendance, including Asa Hutchinson, the Republican
candidate for governor, and Andy Mayberry, the Republican candidate
for the third Congressional district. Ginger Beebe represented her
husband, Mike Beebe, the Democratic candidate for governor, while Ed
Fry represented Congressman Vic Snyder, the Democratic incumbent.

Stanley Hill with the Farm Bureau spoke for Preferred Question One,
saying the investment of $250 in Arkansas' higher education was
necessary. The states of Mississippi and Tennessee have invested
$600 million and $1 billion respectively in recent years, Hill said.

The candidate forum will be replayed Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. on
White County Cable channel three between now and the election.

White County sheriff's race

Ed Thornton, independent candidate for White County Sheriff, wants
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to begin seizing real
estate from drug dealers in the county.

The sheriff's department needs to look at the bigger picture,
Thornton said in an interview. Thorton said he has achieved results
by seeing property seized during his work in a southern Florida law
enforcement career, where he said he helped stop drugs coming into
the country.

"That's the kind of thing this drug task force should be doing,"
Thornton said. "Local prosecutors are reluctant to seize real
property. When you team up with a federal agency, the seizures are federal."

Democrat incumbent Pat Garrett said in his speech that "80 percent
of drug arrests in White County were made by your sheriff's office."

Thornton called for a new emphasis on drug education and
intervention, proposing an after-school program on the elementary
and junior-high levels.

"This will make the environment uncomfortable for drug dealers,"
Thornton said, declining to name neighborhoods or towns in the
county where the program is needed. "It would work anywhere the
socio-economic environment is right."

A zero-tolerance stance on drugs will be part of his administration,
Thornton said.

Garrett said he had inherited a bad situation with the jail and
other equipment, but has made progress.

"We've passed every inspection since I've been sheriff," Garrett
said. "We had about four or five cars that ran, but now we have
better-equipped and better-trained officers."

Republican candidate for sheriff Ricky Shourd did not attend, but
spokesman Jeremy Clark spoke for him.

"When you have a family-oriented community like we do, Ricky fits
like a glove," Clark said.

County judge's race

Waylon Heathscott, a Democrat, challenged independent Dennis Gillam
and Republican Michael Lincoln in remarks he made from the podium.

"Look beyond the muscadines. Look beyond where you go to church.
Look beyond whether you are a Democrat or Republican," Heathscott
said as he asked for votes.

Gillam is a retired berry farmer who arrived with a large box of
muscadines to give away. Lincoln is the manager of Camp Wyldewood, a
Church of Christ camp in Searcy.

Leading local reaction to natural gas exploration was the focus of
Gillam's remarks.

"The No. 1 problem we're dealing with in White County today is the
land problems dealing with gas exploration," Gillam said.

Local farmers need protection during this time, Gillam said.

Lincoln's remarks were focused on his promotion of faith and
integrity as vital characteristics needed for the county's next
judge, who will replace retiring Republican Bob Parish. Giving his
testimony as a follower of Jesus Christ, Lincoln said meetings with
citizens and their justices of the peace will be a central part of
his administration, working toward resolution of problems.

Searcy mayor's race

"Petty bickering and bad publicity" should be left behind, according
to Nelson Ruscin, a representative of Philip Williams, the
independent candidate for Searcy mayor. Ruscin spoke on behalf of
Williams, who did not attend.

Democratic incumbent Belinda LaForce agreed.

"We need to put party affiliation and personal agendas and leave
them at the door," LaForce said in an interview. "There's not a
place for that in local government. There needs to be a spirit of
cooperation between the city council and the mayor's office.
I've tried to do that and will continue."

Republican candidate Dale Brewer proposed a three-prong approach to
leadership in the city: Fighting illegal drugs, promoting economic
development and building infrastructure.

The drug problem is "worse than it's ever been in our county, and
specifically in Searcy," Brewer said, calling for joint efforts
between the Searcy Police Department, the sheriff's department and
the state police.

Looking to high-tech industries is the answer to losing jobs and
factories, Brewer said, adding the city needs a systematic street
resurfacing program.

Ruscin said Williams had experience working as a supervisor for
Wal-Mart, where he once led a store that was destroyed by fire to
reopen at a new location in just 21 days.

LaForce said she had experience of her own reacting to a fire,
referring to a blaze that destroyed the city's central fire station
and district court.

She referred to her plan to resurface city streets and said economic
development is on her agenda as well.

"We're looking at ways we can attract new industry, maybe with small
industries," LaForce said. "We're working hand in hand and side by
side with the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission."

LaForce said she had recently traveled to Chicago to help one Searcy
factory react to the impending closure of the Whirlpool plant.

Accusations that the city was using deficit spending were strongly
rebuffed by LaForce.

"I have 28 years experience working in the city, drafting budgets,"
LaForce said. "That's illegal. We have had glowing audits."