Jackie Rymer has announced his intention to run for Miller County's District 4 justice of the peace post.
"I've lived here all my life. At this time in my life, I would like to serve the people of Miller County, Arkansas and see what I can do for them," he said. "What I'd like to see is the county continue to run at a smooth pace like it is now. Judge (Cathy Hardin) Harrison has the county going in the right direction, in my opinion. I want to see the county progress and go forward, not backwards."
He said he would like to see the county modernized to the point of other Arkansas counties.
Economic growth in Texarkana, Ark., and Miller County are also priorities for Rymer.
"There's no reason why we can't grow. We have three interstates, once 69 is built, and four major highways: 82, 71, 59 and 67. We are a regional hub," he said.
Road and bridge replacements are also high on his list of things he would like to accomplish.
He said if elected he would serve all the residents of Miller County, not just those in District 4.
District 4's boundaries are State Line Avenue to the west, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East 24th Street to the south and East 50th Street to the north.
He believes his career experiences will help him if elected to the Quorum Court.
Rymer, 76, is a retired from federal and state service with a combined 48 years of public servant work.
In the federal realm, Rymer was in facilities and utilities. He was also an inspector for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
"I was in management and as an inspector for the state, I had responsibilities to inspect industries: all types of plants, paper mills and tire manufacturers. I had to have a working knowledge of industry to do that job," he said.
He is running as a Republican. The District 4 seat is currently held by Carl Standridge.
Rymer is a Texarkana, Ark., School District graduate and has attended several technical schools in the utilities field. He also has 67 hours of college credit.
He attends Beech Street Baptist Church.
He has been married to his wife, Carolyn, for 56 years. They have two children, son Jackie Paul and daughter Sherry Judd, and three grandchildren.
Filing for local offices opens at noon Nov. 4.