Carroll County voters will choose from three candidates for county judge – David Writer, Rusty Rusterholz, and Kelly Wood. In recent interviews, all the candidates agreed that they have maintained a positive approach during the campaign. And all agree that they are more than ready for the long process to end on Nov. 8, barring a run-off election.
Wood said Writer stopped by his house not long after the candidates filed. They spent a couple of hours together and came away with a determination to avoid filling their campaigns with negative ads. Almost 10 months later, all three have stayed to the high road.
The county judge primarily oversees the county’s roads, but some other responsibilities of the office have come into focus during recent quorum court meetings. If the justices of the peace proceed with buying the old AP&L building on the east side of Berryville, the new judge would decide how the county would use the space.
The county judge presides over meetings of the quorum court, and has other administrative duties, but the county’s road system makes up the largest share of the job. Former county judge Sam Barr held the position since 2009, until he resigned earlier this year. Administrative Assistant Ronda Griffin was selected by the quorum court to fill the last year on Barr’s term.
Whoever takes office in January will face some new challenges. Higher gas prices will take a big bite out of an already-tight budget. Rising asphalt prices will limit the paving projects the county can undertake. The three candidates agree that whoever wins the election will have to find ways to do more with less.
Rusty Rusterholz filed as a Democrat and did not have an opponent in the primary. “I’ve lived or visited here my whole life, and I have family all over the county,” he said. He retired from law enforcement after 28 years, and also retired from the National Guard. During his time in the National Guard, Rusterholz spent part of his time working in finance, budgeting, and payroll, and that experience helped him prepare for the challenges he would face as county judge. In his law enforcement career, he rose to the position of assistant chief, giving him additional skill in budgeting and scheduling employees. His current work as a Realtor has given him many opportunities to guide people through the complicated process of buying and selling property.
Rusterholz acknowledged the burdens of campaigning, and found a positive side to the experience. “I’ve met a lot of nice people,” he said. “I enjoy visiting with them, or I wouldn’t do this.” He has pledged to set new priorities for county roads.
Rusterholz also said he would work to improve relationships between all county offices. Although roads are the county judge’s primary responsibility, he said, “There’s so much more to the job,” and that’s where his background in finance and administration will make a difference. “I’ll fight for more money, even if I have to go to Little Rock,” he said, also mentioned seeking grants and state and federal funding.
Independent Kelly Wood grew up in Carroll County and went to school in Berryville. For the past 25 years, he has driven a dump truck and worked in all phases of road construction. “We travel all these roads, from Hogscald to Green Forest,” he said. He said many county roads are in good shape, “but others need lots of repairs.”
He would like to see better clearing of rights-of-way. “With so many miles of county roads, it’s a time-consuming job,” he said. As county judge, he would bring a positive spirit to the job. “People know me, and they know I’m honest and level-headed. I don’t think of myself as a politician. This is a job, and I’m ready to work hard for the people of Carroll County.”
Despite the work involved in running for the office, Wood said he can help improve the roads. “It will be an uphill battle, but we can do it over time,” he pledged. He described a commitment to an open door policy “always, for everybody.” If elected, he will find room in the budget for more employees in the Road Dept. Wood said he will also do a better job in maintaining roads for the level of traffic they will handle.
David Writer won the Republican primary in May. He grew up near Carr Lane, Mo., but moved to Carroll County almost 40 years ago. During his 14 years with the County Road Department, Writer “started at the bottom” and worked his way into positions of more responsibility. He served four years as assistant road foreman and became foreman at the start of the year.
He has already seen sharp increases in costs, and as an example, he noted that metal culverts have doubled in price. The county judge will have to prioritize, and have to be prepared to respond to complaints. Writer said he began dealing with complaints at the Road Department even before becoming the assistant foreman. “If you go talk to people, and you’re straight with them, they’ll usually understand,” he said. “It’s important to acknowledge their concerns and discuss options.”
Writer said campaigning has taken a lot of extra effort and energy, but talking to people “really makes it worthwhile, even when you think you just can’t go.” Writer has made some changes in the Road Department since becoming foreman, and has plans to continue improving the department’s services. “It won’t get better overnight, but I’ll always treat people like I want to be treated,” he said. “And I’ll work for all the people of Carroll County.”