Ricky Ash, District 8 candidate (Republican)

Ash has lived and worked in Mississippi County his entire life, and holds an associate's degree in criminal justice, as well as a completion of the School of Law Enforcement Supervision. He currently holds a plumbing and HVAC inspector license and is the flood plan manager for the city of Blytheville. Ash's early years were spent working as an emergency medical technician in Osceola and Blytheville, and he is retired from a 25 year career in law enforcement. He currently serves as the building inspector for the city of Blytheville.

On the county's current financial situation:

The county's financial situation is the result of a shrinking population and a decrease in revenue. The county should only plan to spend what they know will be receive from the tax base. I bring years of budget experience. My wife and I raised five kids on a budget and I have been responsible for a $2 million budget within the police department. I want to apply what I know to helping the county improve their financial situation.

On population loss in Mississippi County:

The population loss is driven by quality of life issues. I have four adult children that have chosen to live in larger communities. They didn't leave Mississippi County because they didn't want to live here; they left because of job opportunities and quality of life. Economic development is more than factories. Economic development has to include quality of life aspects to entice the people who work in Mississippi County to live in Mississippi County. I have seen the county be its own worst enemy, bickering about who gets what. As whole the county has to remember that economic development is good for everyone in the county regardless of where the development occurs.

On relations and communication between the county and its municipalities:

Building relationships is about communication. Judge Carney is on the right track by holding meetings with the mayors. It takes a village to raise a child; it takes a county willing to work together to survive the current economic times.

On crime reduction in Mississippi County:

Crime is about more than law enforcement. Crime increases when unemployment goes up and when children have nothing to occupy their time. Like any other department in the county, the Sheriff's department has a budget that they must work within. Criminals do not have budget. It is the Quorum Courts duty to the citizens to support the elected Sheriff within their means. As a police officer I managed every major division (patrol, criminal investigations, and records) within a police department. I bring an open mind and experience to the table as the county looks at ways to decrease crime.

On the responsibilities of a Quorum Court representative:

The justice of the peace is an elected official in county government, who is part of the Quorum Court. The Quorum Court is the legislative body of county government, similar to a city council. The Quorum court's role is to assign the number and compensation of county employees and deputies; fill vacancies in elective county offices; and adopt ordinances necessary for the government of the county. I live in the county, as do a large part of the Quorum Court District 8 voters. As a Justice of the Peace for District 8, I will be the voice of the people.

Campaign statement:

Having raised a family in Mississippi County, I believe I understand the needs of the residents of Mississippi County. I believe Mississippi County residents have big hearts and strong beliefs; they make Mississippi County a great place to live. My goal is to give residents of Mississippi County a voice in their future and to help make Mississippi County an even better place to live.