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Haskell Mayor Jeff Arey, 51, officially filed for the office of Saline County Judge this week. Arey is seeking the Republican nomination in the May primary.
“It has been a pleasure working alongside Judge Fite during my 16 years as mayor, and my primary goal as County Judge will be to continue to guide the county with the same steady, professional leadership that Lanny has demonstrated,” Arey said.
Incumbent County Judge Lanny Fite is running for state representative instead of seeking re-election.
In addition to noting similarities in their temperaments, Arey highlighted their similar goals and accomplishments.
“Judge Fite and I both have proven records of making responsible choices in governing,” he said. “Our positive relationship would mean a smooth transition in 2015 and keep Saline County on the right track moving forward. We must make wise decisions to help our community continue healthy growth while keeping a lid on taxes and doing everything in our power to encourage and attract new business opportunities.”
Arey said his time as mayor has prepared him well to serve as county judge.
“The county judge is the county’s chief executive officer and is responsible for county roads, grant administration, maintaining county facilities, and regional planning,” he explained. “As mayor, I have been successfully handling those exact same duties for my hometown for the past 15 years. I have a deep understanding of the role maintaining a solid infrastructure plays in keeping our families safe and in growing the local economy. In my time as mayor, the population of Haskell has increased by more than 50 percent, and we have met every challenge on or under budget while also developing common sense plans for future growth.
“The County Judge also presides over the Quorum Court which serves as the county’s legislative body,” he added. “I have a tremendous amount of experience working with a city council and developing consensus among a wide variety of personalities. The key to success is to listen and always treat the other elected officials and our citizens with respect. I will have an open door as County Judge, and I am committed to maintaining strong lines of communication.”
Arey continued, “I love Saline County. I grew up here. Betsy and I have raised our family here. I have a proven commitment to putting my experience and common sense to work every day to make this a stronger, safer community for our citizens.”
Under Arey’s leadership, he said, the City of Haskell has improved police, fire, and emergency first responder services. Before he took office, the police department could not fill all shifts, but Arey has expanded the department and the City now has 24/7 police protection. Arey said he also successfully expanded the Haskell City Court by arranging for a larger court facility and entering into an agreement with the Saline County District Court system for Judge Curtis Rickard to preside over the court rather than having a part-time attorney serve as judge.
Arey has worked to improve the Haskell Fire Department and has applied for and received numerous grants for improved equipment and facilities totaling over half million dollars. He has arranged to provide the volunteer firefighters with disability insurance in case they are injured while volunteering during an emergency; established more equitable reimbursement procedures; and created a paid on-call system to ensure 24-hour first responder service for the City. These improvements have resulted in increased fire protection, higher volunteer morale, improved emergency services and a two-point rate decrease on ISO insurance ratings which have brought significant savings to Haskell homeowners on their fire insurance premiums.
Arey added that he also made improvements to vital City infrastructure such as streets, sewer and water systems, and the parks department, and has saved the City hundreds of thousands of dollars through sound fiscal policies such as re-financing bonds and creating Capital Improvements Funds. The City of Haskell has made significant investments in infrastructure in the last decade and has maintained healthy account balances for future needs, he noted. Arey points to the creation of the Haskell Animal Control Program in 2003 as an example of his leadership style, noting that he implemented the program without raising taxes or hiring additional employees.
“I believe that developing common sense ideas, building a consensus, and working hard to achieve our common goals are the keys to success in government,” he said. “We have accomplished a great deal in my time as Mayor, and I am excited about putting that experience to work for Saline County.”.
The Mayor owned and operated Arey’s General Store for 16 years before selling the business in 2008. He is a 1981 graduate of Harmony Grove High School. He attended North Arkansas Community College in Harrison, and later studied business at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he met his wife, Betsy, who is now a realtor with Crye-Leike in Benton. She is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, was an officer on the Executive Board of Directors at the Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2006, and was named as Volunteer of the Year in 2005 by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Areys have been married for 27 years and have two children, Jacob and Rachel, both 25 years old. Mayor and Mrs. Arey are members of Celebration Baptist Church in Haskell.
MAYOR AREY’S FIRE DEPARTMENT IMPROVEMENTS:
–2001 joined the ARML Firefighters Income Protection Plan, giving benefits to our volunteer firefighters if injured while responding to an emergency.
–2002 ISO rating was lowered to a 5 from a 7, giving a substantial savings to home insurance premiums.
–2005 Awarded a $50,000 ADRS Block Grant to build al 2nd Haskell Fire Station located on Grand Ave.
–2005 Awarded $95,000 General Improvement funds from the Legislature to remodel Main Fire Station.
–2008 Awarded a $50,000 ADRS Block Grant to purchase a new Rescue Truck.
–2009 Awarded $49,800 ADRS Block Grant to purchase new turnouts and a Thermal Image Camera.
–2009 Helped develop a plan that provides 24 hour 7 day a week fire and first responder coverage for Haskell, with an on-call, paid per run system, using volunteer firefighters.
–2010 Awarded $157,000 FEMA Grant to purchase a new Tanker Truck.
–2010 Awarded $50,000 ADRS Block Grant to purchase Haskell Fire Department’s first Ladder Truck.
MAYOR AREY’S PUBLIC WORKS IMPROVEMENTS:
–1999 obtained grant for $92,123.00 for standby power generators at the sewer plant and pump stations.
–2000 initiated Capitol Improvement Fund for Sewer and a Capitol Improvement Fund for Water, which has been used for over $500,000 in improvements and has a current balance of $290,000.
–2001 Refinanced Water & Sewer Bonds at lower interest rates, giving a net savings of $427,000
–2002 Successfully negotiated the purchase of water mains from South West Water Association that were located inside the City limits, and negotiated a contract with SWA for the purchase of water, giving Haskell two dependable sources of water.
–2002 Completed improvements to intersection of Hwy 229 and Vulcan Road, and the widening and resurfacing of Vulcan Road to industrial park area using $398,000 grant funds from ADEC.
–2005 Refinanced Water & Sewer Bonds saving $102,000.
–2008 Made $800,000 worth of sewer improvements, replacing all of the old sewer mains between Vulcan Road and Creek Road and building a new pump station.
–2010 Awarded a $70,000 Hazard Mitigation Program Grant to improve drainage on Valderrama Drive.
–2010 Haskell was awarded the Four Star Municipality Award by the Arkansas Municipal League for excellence in loss control in the areas of employee safety, wellness, vehicle safety, and prevention of legal liability.
–2010 Awarded a $174,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant to improve drainage on Trace Creek.
–2012 Completed Construction of a new $1.6 million sewer treatment facility which doubled the sewer capacity for Haskell’s future.
PARK AND COMMUNITY FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS UNDER AREY
–2001 Awarded $75,000 grant from the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Department for installation of underground service and lighting at the Haskell Parks Ball fields.
–2002 Negotiated the purchase of two acres of land adjacent to the park property to be used in future expansion.
–2002 Partnered with Haskell’s Suburban Club (Volunteer Organization), and using donations, remodeled the Old City Hall and transformed it into a Community Center to be used as free meeting space or volunteer organizations and rented out for private use.
–2007 Negotiated the purchase of approximately 1.5 acres of property adjacent to the park to be used for parking and other purposes, notably the future Haskell Museum.
–2008 Developed a Parks Committee to prepare plans and goals and seek funds to make future improvements to Haskell Parks and Recreation facilities.
–2009 Awarded a $86,000 grant from the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department for a Safe Routes to School program, constructing sidewalks along Hwy. 229 near Harmony Grove School.
–2010 Partnered with the Haskell Historical Society utilizing and securing finances to remodel a vacant home that is now the Haskell Museum.
–2012 Awarded a $31,000 grant from the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Department for installation of a asphalt walking trail and sidewalks making all of the ball fields handicapped accessible at the Haskell Ball Park.
–2012 Awarded a $30,000 grant from the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department for a Safe Routes to School program, constructing sidewalks from Mitchell Street to Vulcan Road.
–2013 Expanded Haskell’s Safe Routes to School program constructing over 2,500 feet of sidewalk from Harmony Grove School to Kennedy Street.
–2014Awarded a $58,000 grant from the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department for a Safe Routes to School program to construct sidewalks from Vulcan Road to Mary Kennely Park.
–2014 Awarded 74,970 grant funds from the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Department and Arkansas Department of Rural Services to construct new bathrooms and playground at the Haskell Ball Park.
