By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Two Republicans are squaring off in the May 20 primary for the open House of Representatives District 43 seat. The primary winner will face Democrat Jim Nickels in November.
Tom Raley and Steven Meckfessel, both Sherwood residents, want a shot at the position and both for different reasons.
Raley wants to be a part of the state legislature because of his involvement in the state foster care program. Raley and his wife have fostered dozens of children and have adopted four of them.
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I’d like to see the state become more proactive than reactive after abuse has occurred,” Raley said.
He also believes the program can operate better and at a lower cost.
Meckfessel confesses that he’s just got tired of being overtaxed, and decided the best way to alleviated the problem was from inside the system.
“I talked to friends and family and decided it was time to put my money where my mouth is,” he said.
Meckfessel wants to see the state income tax lowered. “I don’t have an exact amount in mind, but with the state surplus we have I know we have the ability to cut the tax,” he explained.
Raley, a senior manager for Leisure Arts, has 17 years of management experience and has been responsible for multi-million budgets and inventories. “I’m use to being held accountable,” he said.
Raley would also like to enhance the DWI penalties and work to make Arkansas more business friendly. If elected, he’d also like to see more done for spouses and families of fallen law enforcement officers and increase student scholarships for the underprivileged.
Meckfessel has spent the last 18 years self-employed.
For 17 of those years, he was in the dry cleaning industry and owned up to 21 locations.
“But I sold out about a year ago and now work as an independent builder,” he explained. Meckfessel is currently building duplexes in Jacksonville.
Meckfessel admits he doesn’t have the answers to the state’s problems, but “I do have common sense.” “With my 18 years of business experience I know there are places the state can cut spending and areas it can improve its productivity,” he said.
Raley has been married for 16 years and has lived in Sherwood for the past seven or eight years.
Meckfessel has been married for 13 years, has a 5-year-old son and has lived in Sherwood for the past 10 years.
J
eff Wood, who has been term limited and is deployed to Iraq, currently occupies the District 43 seat.
