Benton County Candidates Focus On Service

BENTONVILLE -- The four candidates in the race for the District 1 seat on the Benton County Quorum Court are focused on public service.

Mike McKenzie, 63, the first-term incumbent in the district, faces challengers Elizabeth Bowen, Ron Easley and Mary Gardner in the May 20 Republican Party primary election. If no single candidate garners more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary there will be a runoff election June 10.

The knowledge and experience he's gained in his time on the court make him a better justice of the peace now than when he first took office, McKenzie said.

"I think I've gained a lot of experience in my first term," he said. "In addition to that, I've got a career of business experience. I think I have an understanding of how government works. I'd like to put that experience to use in solving some of these big issues."

The Quorum Court's first priority should be to resolve the rural ambulance service problem, McKenzie said. Benton County is working on how to provide service to the unincorporated areas of the county. Voters rejected a proposed emergency medical services district and annual fee in February. County roads always are an issue, but shouldn't be placed ahead of emergency services, McKenzie said.

"Let's reach closure on the ambulance issue so we can move on to other things," he said. "The No. 1 priority right now has to be the ambulance service. Roads are important, but the ambulance is life and death."

McKenzie said he favors working with local groups, including volunteer fire departments, interested in the ambulance issue. He said he doesn't see the county coming up with a single solution for all of the unincorporated areas. He's been working with the Rocky Branch Fire Department on a plan to provide ambulance service to areas east of Rogers, for example, with other fire districts possibly contracting with Rocky Branch for the service to their areas.

Bowen, 43, agreed ambulance service to the rural areas is a top priority. She said her work with the Northeast Benton County Fire Department Board gives her experience in that area.

"We merged with the Volunteer Ambulance Service four years ago," Bowen said. "That gives me a little insight into what works."

Bowen said she's also interested in the county's finances. The county may pay for ambulance service out of its general revenue for now, but a new, dedicated revenue source has to be considered in any long-term plan, she said.

"I want to ensure we're using our tax dollars to the maximum benefit possible," she said. "I don't have any special agenda or projects. "

Easley, 49, said he thought about running for the Quorum Court two years ago, but didn't. He said he's now ready to offer his services. He said he wants to see county government work well and the Quorum Court can set an example.

"I think you're always going to have opportunities that face the Quorum Court," he said. "There are 15 members so you're really a team. I have experience working with teams, objectives and budgets. What I would bring to it is my work experience."

The county needs to find a permanent solution for the ambulance problem and he's willing to listen to any suggestions, Easley said.

"Why is this still around? It's not new," he said. "Obviously, there's no easy solution because it's still around. But for all of the citizens of Benton County that needs to be resolved and put behind us."

Roads will be an ongoing topic of discussion, but the roads he's personally familiar with are in good condition, Easley said. He said he's heard of the proposal for a new courts building, but he needs more information on the project.

"I know there's been an analysis and I've heard the price is $50 million to $52 million," he said. "That's a pretty steep price tag. I don't know what other options are available. With the county courthouse on the square in Bentonville I think you can do a lot of rebuilding. It boils down to what would be nice to have versus what you need to have. If we need to have it, we need to be mindful of what we spend."

Gardner, 60, said she's not interested in politics, but she's interested in serving her community.

"I'm just a concerned citizen, not interested in a life of politics," she said. "I think the Quorum Court's issues are more important than most people realize. I'm interested in helping the county be accountable and spend wisely."

The county has to solve the ambulance problem, but can't do it by making the rural residents alone pay for the service, as the county proposed in February, Gardner said.

"I don't think it needs to be on the rural citizen's property taxes," she said. "Lots of people travel the rural roads to the cities. In my opinion, it wasn't the appropriate answer."

Gardner said her other major concern is making county government efficient and taxes as low as possible.

"In general, the county needs to be given the taxes the county needs to have and in return people expect the county to be run efficiently," she said.

District 1 covers the easternmost part of Benton County, with the district extending both north and south of Beaver Lake.

NW News on 04/30/2014