Robert Akin To Seek 4th Term as County Judge
January 13th, 2018 by iPhoneDrew County Judge Robert Akin has announced that he will be seeking a 4th term in the 2018 election. Akin, was first elected in November of 2012.
Since becoming judge, Akin has taken a proactive approach to many of the issues facing the county including working to eliminate mold in the 1930s-era courthouse, implemented a policy of clearing right-of-ways on county roads, and had a plan to pave or chip-and-seal more county roads .
Sanitation has also been a focus for Akin,shown by the addition of a scale to ensure fair distribution of expenses to all county residents, and the recent purchase of two new trash trucks.
He also was instrumental to the installation of the tornado warning system,and is currently working to get a regional jail in Southeast Arkansas, to improve the expense/benefit ratio of county funds being spent on inmate housing.
Akin believes that the county should operate more like a business, and that its leaders should make every effort to use the people’s money wisely. Example: since he has been in office, health insurance paid by the county has decreased from $516/month/employee down to $457/month for 88 employees, for an annual savings of approximately $60,000.
“I don’t mind a hands-on approach if that’s what it takes,” he said. “Sometimes the only way to find out what works and what doesn’t is to get out on the roads or in the ditches and see for yourself.”
Akin currently serves on the the executive board of Arkansas County Judges, And his vice President of the solid waste district and the Southeast Arkansas economic development district.
A Drew County native, Akin is the son of George and Pat Akin and the grandson of the late Dr. A.K. and Louise Busby and Cecil and Christine Akin. He and his wife, Cindy, a math facilitator at Monticello Elementary School, have been married for 36 years. They have two daughters. Britni, who lives in Colorado, has a 13 year-old son, Boston. Kinsley attends Bowen School of Law in Little Rock.
Before becoming county judge, Akin worked in the construction and logistics industries. He was elected to the Monticello City Council in 2000 and served nearly a full term there before a move outside the city limits required him to give up his seat.
“I have worked hard and tried to do my best for the residents of Drew County,” said Akin. “I have gotten to know a lot of you, and have learned a lot about meeting the challenges the county faces. I hope the voters will give me a chance to continue the good things we have started and to keep the county moving forward. I want to ask everyone for their vote and support in the 2018 election.”
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