Voters To Elect New County Judge

RISON - Democrat Jimmy Dale Adair and Republican Jimmy Cummings will be going against one another this Tuesday to become Cleveland County Judge. The winner will begin a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Current County Judge Melody Spears of New Edinburg is ineligible to run due to a state law that prohibits persons appointed to county government positions from running for that same seat. Spears was appointed as county judge in February 2021 following the death of her husband, the late County Judge Gary Spears, in January 2021. While Melody Spears could not run for county judge, she did run unopposed for District 2 Justice of the Peace after the sitting justice, Donald Triplett, did not seek re-election. All justices of the peace will begin their new terms on Jan. 1. The Herald reached out to both county judge candidates for their views on issues facing the county. Here are their responses in alphabetical order by the last name of each candidate: Jimmy Dale Adair Age: 65 Occupation: Assistant road foreman/grader operator (for the Cleveland County Road Department) Educational Background (high school, trade school, college, etc.): Warren High School graduate. Civic groups, church, etc. you belong to: I am an active member of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church in Rye Family: spouse: Cindy (married 44 years); children: Derek Adair and wife Simone; Megan Watt and husband, the late Alan Watt What do you see as the three primary challenges facing Cleveland County? 1. County roads 2. Increasing cost of fuel and materials to maintain those roads 3. Economic development How will you address those challenges? I will address these challenges by listening to the people of Cleveland County and staying within the budget to make the most impact with the available resources. Describe the approach you will take maintaining county roads...