RISON - State Sen. Ben Gilmore of Crossett discussed a variety of issues ranging from education and crime to forestry and economic development during a community breakfast meeting held last Wednesday morning at the Main Street Cafe in downtown Rison.
Gilmore, who currently represents roughly the eastern half of Cleveland County as the District 26 state senator, will represent all of the county next year since the county, as a whole, is being moved into District 1 through redistricting. Gilmore, a Republican, is unopposed in the upcoming general election.
The newly designated District 1 includes all or part of eight counties in southeast Arkansas. In addition to all of Cleveland County, the district also includes all of Ashley, Bradley and Chicot Counties as well as the majority of Drew County. The district also includes Lincoln County roughly south of Bayou Barthlomew, much of eastern Grant County and the southwest corner of Jefferson County.
Geographically, Gilmore said District 1 is the third largest senate district by territory.
A native of Crossett, Gilmore said he graduated of the University of Arkansas at Monticello and worked for Fourth District Congressman Bruce Westerman and Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin before being elected to the state senate in 2020.
Among those attending the breakfast were District 10 State Rep. Mike Holcomb as well as County Tax Collector Patti Wilson, County Treasurer Wanda Leopard, Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, Justice of the Peace Charles Rodgers and Cleveland County School Board President Harrell Wilson.
With about two dozen people gathered inside the Main Street Cafe, Gilmore spoke on a variety of issues as well as took questions from those at the meeting.
Regional Issues
In an interview with the Herald before the meeting, Gilmore said two of the biggest issues he has encountered from constituents during his first two years in office ha...
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