FAYETTEVILLE — Two political newcomers are vying for the District 3 seat on the Washington County Quorum Court in the Nov. 6 general election.
Money is a central theme in the campaigns of Republican Harvey Bowman, 71, and Democrat Meredith Mashburn, 36.
Profiles
Washington County Justice Of The Peace District 3
Harvey Bowman
Republican
Age: 71
Employment: Retired
Residency: Springdale. Northwest Arkansas resident since 1963
Family: Wife, Bobbie; two children; three grandchildren
Education: Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia
Military Experience: None
Political Experience: None
Meredith M. Mashburn
Democrat
Age: 36
Employment: Business owner, Meredith Mashburn Photography; and First State Bank
Residency: Springdale. Lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas
Family: Single, one child
Education: Bachelor of arts, University of Arkansas
Military Experience: None
Political Experience: None
District 3 encompasses a northern section of Springdale, west of Thompson Avenue.
Bowman wants to bring his business experience to the Quorum Court, and he is most concerned about Ozark Regional Transit, especially because the transit agency asked voters for a quarter-cent sales tax increase to expand the bus system in Washington County.
That tax, if it had been approved, would have generated an estimated $7.5 million to purchase more buses when few people ride the buses in the first place, Bowman said, noting his concern a special election was called on the issue.
As a former financial representative for Northwest Mutual, Bowman said he knows about the economic problems facing families.
“I have had good life exposure to real life finances,” Bowman said. “I’ve had huge exposure to budgeting and finance. I bring a lot to the table.”
Mashburn’s goal is to be a “great public servant,” she said.
“We can’t unilaterally raise taxes or cut budgets without considering the consequences,” she said. “We have to look at both sides of the coin.”
The county budget would not be unlike her own as a single mother, Mashburn said.
“I take care of the needs first and then look at the wants, and I have to have something left for emergencies,” she said.
Mashburn said she is not afraid to dig into an issue to make the right decisions.
At A Glance
Early Voting
Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election begins Oct. 22 at two rooms in the Washington County Courthouse and one polling place in Springdale. Hours at each site are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Nov. 3. The locations:
• Washington County Clerk’s Office, paper ballots only
• Washington County Quorum Court Room, touchscreen voting machines only
• Springdale Rodeo Center, touchscreen voting machines only
On Nov. 5, hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the courthouse, and the Rodeo Center will be closed.
Voters should call the Clerk’s Office at 479-444-1711 or visit the website, voterview.org, for information about polling places. Sample ballots are available on the website.
Source: Staff Report
“We really have to look at the consequences of our actions,” she said.
Neither candidate said they had a good handle on how much in reserves the county should hold in its budget.
And, neither is sure the county should impose a lien on property that property owners refuse to clean up.
Mashburn said there may be two sides of the issue. The cleanup may be a hardship on the property owner, but in some cases, action needs to be taken.
Bowman said he is not aware of existing county regulations but said he understands the need for appropriate action in some cases.
Early voting opens Oct. 22 and continues until Nov. 5 at the Washington County Clerk’s Office, the Quorum Court Room at the Washington County Courthouse and at the Springdale Rodeo Center.