Andy LaGrone
Miller County
Justice of the Peace District 8/incumbent
Biographical
Spouse and children: Roberta-for 54 years -2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren
Years a Miller County resident: 32
Political party: Republican
Highlight top three degrees and/or educational achievements: high school with honors
Army specialist school with highest honors
some college
List current job/employer and top three occupational achievements: I will soon finish my second term as justice of the peace, am a self-employed farmer/rancher and operate a trenching business. I am retired from Arkansas Best Freight and as a contract poultry grower.
Highlight top three examples of your civic or community service :
I served in the U.S. Army over 25 years as a volunteer firefighter as assistant chief of Genoa VFD, about 15 years as Miller County fire services coordinator and volunteer at ag learning center
Highlight top three examples of your political experience:
I have only been a justice of the peace for four years-no other political.
Political
Why did you run for office? I feel I can continue to do a service for the public by using my experience, knowledge and common sense to represent the citizens of Miller County.
What are your top three goals, if elected? I would continue to try to get the most value for the tax dollar, keep the budget under control and try to attract new industry and/or help existing businesses enlarge so more citizens could be employed with good-paying jobs.
What are the three greatest issues facing the county? The county has a drug problem that won't go away. The courthouse needs some more repair and updating. The volunteer fire departments could use some help.
How should these be addressed? Miller County Sheriff's Office could use more input from the public as to suspected activity. The courthouse is being updated as we can, mostly with grant money. The VFD could use donations, They could also use some more volunteers.
The Issues
Under what circumstances, if any, would you support a tax increase? I have vowed to never vote for a tax increase unless and until it is approved by a vote from the taxpayers.
Under what circumstances, if any, would you support a bond issue? A bond issue is another thing. If a situation arose that would be benefical to the county, I would agree only if approved by the voters.
Do you have any opinions regarding operations at the Miller County fire department? Yes , I have several opinions, having served many years. I am proud of the VFD and think they do a great job. They could still use some more equipment and volunteers. We in the Genoa area now have "city water" and several fire plugs and plans for a new fire station in Genoa.
Where do you believe the county stands financially and what, if anything, would you like to see changed? I serve on the budget and finance committee, and we have a balanced budget and some money in reserve in case something comes up that is unexpected. We can only authorize spending money that is anticipated, so we use the previous year budget, requests from department heads and reports of how much remains in the current year.
Do you believe any county departments are getting too much or too little funding, and how do you propose changing that? I would like to be able to let them have everything they ask for, but we can only, in good faith and fairness to the public, authorize amounts that will not exceed the income that is expected to come in. We are not like the feds and cannot print money.
If casino gambling is approved by Arkansas voters, what challenges and benefits do you believe it would bring for the county? We are told that casinos will increase employment and tax revenue. I personally am against gambling, but the voters will have the final say on the balot in November.