Quorum candidates discuss courthouse space at forum
Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008
What to do about the courthouse kept coming up Wednesday during the Washington County Republican Women's candidate forum featuring contested Quorum Court races within the local GOP.
Incumbent Joe Patterson of Springdale and challenger Stacy Cavender of Hindsville were among the participants. They are vying for the District 13 seat that represents the northeast corner of the county. Also participating were incumbent Micah Neal and challenger David Quin, who are vying for the District 2 seat in Springdale.
They will face each other in the primary on May 20.
The candidates were asked Wednesday what they see as the three most pressing issues the county faces in the next two years and, if they require funding, how do they propose to fund them.
Cavender said he is firmly against raising taxes, that the county should be able to manage with funds it has.
"There's a lot of issues," he said.
He said the recent passage of county-wide zoning laws is one of them, and he is not sure there is the staff to enforce it.
Preventing pollution in the Illinois watershed is another key issue, along with building roads, he said.
Neal said he sees the number-one issue as the need for more space at the Washington County Detention Center.
He said it is a 700-bed jail and is continuously pushing 600 inmates; more space is needed along with money for staffing and operating it.
The second issue is the courthouse and figuring out what to do about space issues, he said. He said he thinks the courthouse will say put.
He also mentioned the potential of $ 1. 5 million to $ 2. 5 million in revenue losses by 2011.
Patterson said the main issues are saving energy costs, courthouse space and the jail needs.
Quin said he thinks roads are the most important need, with the court system space issues also a problem.
He said the $ 15 million available to take care of some of the needs of the county is not enough to address all of them.
Candidates were asked if they support the zoning legislation passed in November. The legislation zoned all unincorporated portions of the county as single-family residential and agricultural.
"I do support the zoning," Neal said.
He said he pushed for it because people were coming to the Quorum Court for help concerning big operations, such as a dirt pit, moving next to them.
"With zoning, it gives these people a voice in what goes in beside them," he said. "Without zoning, they have no voice."
Patterson said he voted against it and his constituents did not want it.
He said he thought it put too many restrictions on people.
Quin said he would have voted against it because it hurts rural people.
"It limits what they can and cannot do with that land," he said.
He quoted Ronald Reagan. "Trust the people," Quin said. "Let them make the decision. It's their land."
Cavender said he sees why the zoning was passed to protect against commercial development, but also said people do not need the government interfering with their private property.
"I've kind of been in the middle of it," he said.
The candidates were asked if the county court system should remain in downtown Fayetteville or be moved.
Patterson, who chairs the county's Public Works Committee, said officials are trying to determine that right now. He said they need to look at facts and process information before making a decision.
Building a judicial complex in south Fayetteville, one of the suggestions, would use up the $ 15 million, which is money available for such projects, he said.
"I'm not for raising taxes at all," he said.
Quin said there are no easy answers but that the courthouse needs to remain where it is and officials need to continue to listen and take advice.
Neal talked about the idea of building an allencompassing courthouse in north Fayetteville that would be centrally located between Fayetteville and Springdale.
"I'm not tied to downtown Fayetteville," he said.
Cavender said he would be in favor of upgrading the courthouse with what is available and possibly leasing some space.
The candidates also talked about their qualifications to serve.
If elected, Cavender said, he would "get to work"to get things done.
"I'm really hard-working. I'm always honest," he said. "I will always do what I feel in my heart is right. I will not waver on that."
Quin said," I listen to people. I want to do the best thing I can for the county."
Neal talked about his experience on the Quorum Court.
He also talked about growing up at his family's business, Neal's Cafe in Springdale, and listening to people talk about issues.
He said he talks to those people in the coffee shop and people "all over the city of Springdale. "He said he wants to know what they think.
Patterson touted his business and Quorum Court experience.
"I meet a lot of people. I know a lot of people," he said.
He said he takes the job on the Quorum Court seriously.
"I really have an interest in this, and I think I would do a really good job and I appreciate your votes," he said.
Cavender said his experience with Future Business Leaders of America has prepared him for political life.
"If elected, I'll work as hard as I can," he said.
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