Candidates give views at forum

An even 10 Faulkner County political candidates spoke at a political forum at the Faulkner County Senior Citizen's Center Monday afternoon.

The event wasn't a debate, but rather a chance for established and aspiring politicians to spend five minutes explaining their motivation and, as political candidates must, asking for votes.

First up was David Hogue, candidate for District 20 Division Five Circuit Judge.

Hogue said in his first case as a lawyer he represented a 13-year-old boy accused of sexually molesting a 12-year-old developmentally disabled boy.

"I did not want to take that case," Hogue said, explaining that he found the facts of the case "stomach churning."

He took it anyway, and over the course of the trial it became clear that the developmentally disabled boy's stepfather had, in fact, been the one abusing the child and had tried to "pin it" on Hogue's young client. Hogue said he can now "stomach those facts a little better," and has directed his law career and education toward handling such cases.

As Division Five handles all cases involving child abuse, child custody and adoption, he said, his specialist knowledge makes him the candidate best suited.

Next up was Lynn Plemmons, a general practice attorney who said he's handled cases involving "every aspect of circuit court." Plemmons said he was the first in his family to graduate from a four-year college, and the first to graduate from a professional school, law school.

"I got into law because I wanted to change the world," he said. "I don't think I have achieved that yet, ... but I have changed the world for a lot of people.

"I am proud of my profession and what we can accomplish, myself and my brothers and sisters in law."

Plemmons went on to say that the scope of Division Five could be expanded to include more types of cases after the first of the year, and that "my experience has prepared me to be circuit judge."

District 20 Division Four Circuit Judge Rhonda Wood, who is running for Division Five judge, was up next. Wood summarized her career's successes, including the founding of Teen Court and Drug Court and securing $65,000 in grants for Faulkner County and increasing court revenue to the county by over 100 percent. Wood said she also provided drug education to schools that were unable to afford it and made anger management and parenting courses available to those in the courts system. She also arranged free dental exams through the court.

Wood said she has become known as "the tough judge," because she is willing to do "whatever it takes to make sure a young person does not become an offender as an adult."

Incumbent District 20 Division Two Circuit Judge Mike Maggio told the audience that he had stood in the same room asking for their vote six years ago, and displayed his 11-page, 64-case Monday afternoon docket.

"It is a long and hard day," Maggio said, "and I start again tomorrow with an eight-hour hearing and there's a jury trial Wednesday that will go to 10 or 12 at night.

"It's a long hard job that I enjoy doing. I made the promise six years ago to treat every case professionally and ethically."

Maggio challenged those in attendance to pick up a phone book and call "any five people" or ask any five lawyers or clerks or firemen their opinion of him.

Maggio's opponent, John Petruccelli, told the audience that he has practiced law for 47 years in California, New York and now Faulkner County, and joked that some have questioned if he, at 77 years of age, may be too young to be judge.

Petruccelli said his career includes some "tough" cases, including his service on a commission headed by New York University Law School Dean Robert McKay to examine the Attica Correctional Facility riot.

The commission's final report initially resulted, disappointingly, only in the construction of a new machine gun tower, Petruccelli said, but he would continue to strive for a court and penal system that "actually rehabilitates people so you don't have a revolving door situation, and they're always worse coming out than going in."

Petruccelli took a playful jab at Maggio, challenging the audience to call "10 people, 10 firemen" to ask about him and said he'd like to relieve the sitting judge of his heavy workload.

The state House of Representatives candidates were next, with District 45 Candidate Dr. Terry Fiddler (D-Conway) saying he would take the office with the belief that "giving back to the people who have given to you is an absolute must."

A 22-year member of the Conway School Board, the last 14 of those years served as board president, Fiddler said he has "a passion for education," and as a 33-year volunteer at Conway Regional Medical Center, he has given much of himself back to the community and will "continue to be a volunteer in Conway" if elected.

He also said that in his dentistry career, he has learned to negotiate "the insurance maze" and would take his knowledge of the health care system to Little Rock.

"I have been here ... I will be here in the future," he said. "Conway is the best kept secret in Arkansas, but it's not much of a secret anymore."

Fiddler's Democratic opponent, Linda Tyler (D-Conway), recounted her childhood working in her family's caf from age 6 until "I decided I didn't want to wait tables anymore," and her and her husband, Hugh Tyler's decision to earn college degrees she said enabled the couple "to do what we have done in our careers."

Tyler said she has served in many organizations, including the Conway Regional Board of Directors and her current position on the Conway Regional Foundation Board, and always in a leadership role.

Tyler said her service at Conway Regional and "leading leaders" at other organizations has given her much experience she can take to Little Rock.

She also said she strives to take a hands-on approach to difficult situations, giving the example of her joining the National Kidney Board when her daughter was diagnosed with a kidney disease.

"I called the (board) and said 'I've got to get involved; I want to learn,'" she said.

Bill Fechtelkotter (R-Conway), who recently threw his hat into the ring for District 45, told the audience that he has a passion for elder care, a field of medicine and social science he said is full of compassionate individuals, but lacking in passionate ones.

He said he will work toward a society in which elders are given a greater opportunity to use their life's experience and earned wisdom to serve younger generations.

"We've got to change the way we look at you," he said to the audience, most of whom were over 65, "My generation needs you at this hour; we need you to give back to us because if you don't give back to us, my generation is going to mess it up."

Fechtelkotter said he recently had lunch at a local caf with former Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Steele Hays, and "just soaked it in."

He also said he is disappointed in the nationwide health care practice of "spending 99 percent on sickness and 1 percent on prevention."

The candidates vying for Arkansas Senate District 30, were saved for last.

Sen. Gilbert Baker (R-Conway), said that with voter support and term limits imposed on senators in 2004, he could become "in a worst-case scenario" the fourth most senior member of the Senate.

Baker also told "my funny story" on term limits, saying that when the term limit legislation appeared before voters, it shared the ballot with a measure banning same sex marriage. Both passed, Baker said jokingly, "but if you study the votes carefully, you'll find that the people of Arkansas are more open to me marrying a man than extending my term."

Speaking seriously, Baker said that in his time in the Senate he has formed relationships with his fellow senators and has endeavored to "find out what's important to them, what their priorities are," because such relationships, better the chances of accomplishing the tasks set forth by his constituents.

His efforts to lower the grocery tax, he said, represent one of the proudest moments of his term, and if re-elected, he will strive to "go in there and eradicate that sales tax on food."

Joe White (D-Conway), said he has been a small business owner in Conway for years and a lifelong resident of Faulkner County.

"I'm running as an independent voice and tireless advocate for Faulkner County," White said. "For too long our votes have been pushed to the side. As Senator, my only allegiance will be to the citizens of this district."

White said he would promote "independence, dignity and purpose for our older persons," work to increase the quality of life for the elderly and "encourage older persons to serve and not be served."

"It's important that we have a voice in Little Rock that understands the needs of our seniors," he said," though the health care needs of younger generations require attention also.

"Almost 20 percent live without health insurance and the cost (of insurance) is skyrocketing. With the cost of living going up in all areas, we must get healthcare costs under control."

Another forum was held Monday evening at the True Holiness Saint's Center in Conway. Check Wednesday's Log Cabin to find out what was said there.

The circuit judge elections will be held separately from the general election. To vote for circuit judge positions, get to the polling locations on May 20.

(Staff writer Joe Lamb can be reached by e-mail at joe.lamb@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1238. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)