Today in our editorial board recommendation for voters, we visit the contested races within Benton County government minus the county judge.
Early voting in the Nov. 8 General Election starts Monday.
SHERIFF
Shawn Holloway (R) vs. Glenn Latham (I)
Last spring, when an incumbent sheriff had proven his inadequate leadership of an agency vital to the people of Benton County, we endorsed challenger Shawn Holloway in the GOP primary. The sheriff's response was an accusation we in the "liberal media" were pushing a weak contender with the hope that, come November, the independent candidate in the race would be elected.
Holloway won the GOP nomination, and that sheriff eventually resigned from office. Now, Holloway faces independent challenger Glenn Latham for a two-year term at the helm of the sheriff's office. Again, we recommend a vote for Holloway.
When the previous sheriff resigned, the Quorum Court appointed Meyer Gilbert to serve as interim sheriff. He then named Holloway to serve as his chief deputy. Holloway has pledged to name Gilbert as his chief deputy if he should be elected.
That may seem a little comfy cozy, but in the months the two have been leading the agency, county residents have witnessed a steady series of course adjustments that continue the sheriff's office's journey toward a more professional environment the county residents may one day even say they're proud of.
Changes to uniforms and cars and a push for deputies to make frequent positive contacts with citizens may seem superficial, but change has to start somewhere, and the physical appearance of deputies needed a shift from the military-style uniforms and unmarked cars to clothing and cars that raise visibility in a good way. Gilbert and Holloway have focused on getting more enforcement activity in the rural areas where no other law enforcement is charged with patrolling. They've retooled patrol zones to east-west areas to reduce the occurrences of deputies having to speed through Bentonville or Rogers to respond to incidents. They've implemented a nationally accredited test for promotions to help take the "good ol' boy" out of the system, Holloway said. And they've begun the process to re-establish improved relationships with mayors, other law enforcement agencies and county leaders. Holloway pledges monthly meetings with the county comptroller to ensure the agency stays on top of controlling the budget and the agency now has an internal affairs unit to investigate claims made against jailers or other deputies.
We respect Latham's experience and desire to be sheriff, but the agency looks to be in good hands and Holloway ought to get a two-year chance to continue those improvements.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
District 2 -- Joshua P. Bryant (R) vs. Rey Hernandez (D)
Joshua Bryant, who defeated incumbent Sue Shadlow in the GOP primary last spring, is a commercial contractor who spent 12 years, including five in senior-level management, with the Federal Aviation Administration. He cites experience in budgeting for a federal agency, negotiating with federal unions and building working relationships as skills that will help him represent District 2. He promises attention to spending to determine what is "true" necessary spending vs. just spending the same as last year. That's the kind of scrutiny we think the Quorum Court should offer.
Rey Hernandez previously served as member of the Quorum Court by gubernatorial appointment to fill a vacancy. He's a former Marine and former executive director of the Workers Justice Center, and now provides security for an area hospital and is a cattle rancher. "I think we need some diversity on the Quorum Court," Hernandez said, "and by that I mean Democrats." It's a great line, but an unlikely outcome.
Hernandez suggests he's more mature and experienced than Bryant, but Bryant made a convincing case that he's energized to provide leadership on the Quorum Court that matches up well with the constituents of District 2. We recommend voters choose Bryant.
Today in our editorial board recommendation for voters, we visit the contested races within Benton County government.
Early voting in the Nov. 8 General Election starts Monday.