BENTONVILLE -- Pat Adams has announced he will run for a fourth term as justice of the peace for District 6 on the Benton County Quorum Court.
Adams, a Republican, said he doesn't want to leave before the county finds a new home for the circuit courts.
"I'm a firm believer in term limits," Adams said. "I don't believe anybody should be a professional politician. But on this level of government I can see where people might need to stay a little longer. It takes a while to get things done."
Adams, 62, of Rogers, has lived in Benton County and in District 6 since 1986. He was first elected to the Quorum Court in 2012. He self-employed as a general contractor.
He said the Quorum Court has been debating what to do about a new courts building since before he was elected and he wants to see the project through to a successful conclusion.
"I have accomplished most of the things I set out to do, But there is this unfinished business. I want to see the courts facility completed or close to completion."
Adams said when he first ran for office he wanted to see that the Sheriff's Office and jail were on a solid footing, along with the Road Department.
"I had a big thing with the way the Road Department did business," he said. "If there was a problem with a county road, they ran out and put a band aid on it. It was OK until the next rain, and then they ran out and put another band aid on it. I pushed for a county engineer since I got on the court. Someone who can engineer these road projects and some smaller bridges. We've got that now. The Road Department has come into the 21st century."
Adams said he thinks the county jail will need to be expanded soon. He said the courts facility has to come first but the jail can't be put off too long after that.
He has no announced opposition.
Candidate filing for party primaries begins Feb. 22 and ends March 1. The primary is set for May 22 with the general election Nov. 6. Arkansas House members serve two-year terms and have an annual salary of $39,400. Members can serve 16 years in the Legislature under the state constitution's limit on terms.
NW News on 02/10/2018