President’s Perspective

Time to get to the peoples’ business

President’s Perspective

The elections are over and for so many successful candidates, whether they were incumbents or challengers, it is time to get to the peoples’ business. No matter what level or branch of government you are involved in; we all now share a common goal of serving the public.

Once elected, it ceases to be about “you” and the focus should be about the office you hold and doing the very best job and being a team player, because we are all cogs in the wheel that make city, county, state and national government work.

Some of you newly elected public servants will soon find yourself “drinking from a fire hose” as we often refer to the process of taking public office for the first time. The knowledge and details of your respective role will come, but what really matters is how and why you serve. I have a code of ethics hanging in my office in the beautiful Clark County Courthouse.

I personally think this could be something that each elected official could personalize, frame and hang in their office as a constant reminder of their obligation to the people who elected them.

I truly believe if we all tried to stay true to these words and standards, the “base” of our elected service would stay in our hearts and actions — a good thing in this world today.

Clark County Treasurer, Code of Ethics

Honored to serve the people of Clark County, I willingly and voluntarily pledge to uphold the following Code of Ethics:

To Demonstrate my faith in the Constitution of the United States of America and my state, which I have sworn to uphold, I pledge to conduct myself at all times in an honorable manner so that I may uphold the dignity of this office.

I will Seek to Serve the State of Arkansas and Clark County with honor and unselfish service remembering that government should be of laws rather than of men and women; to accept no profit at the price of my self-respect, lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part.

I will Strive to Remember, that whether in competition with my fellow public officials or in an election contest, it is not necessary to demean another in order to be true to myself.

As a Servant of the People, I will endeavor to be courteous at all times and to maintain an attitude of respect.

As a Leader, I will do all I can to train and motivate my staff to provide courteous, efficient and effective service.

As a Professional, I will continue my education in areas such as law, technology, management and finance in order to improve office efficiency by initiating economical practices and procedures.

In my Fiduciary Duties, I will keep confidential information received in an official capacity while maintaining the public’s right to access information according to the laws of the state of Arkansas.

In Camaraderie, Deliberation or Negotiation with other public officials, I will hold friendship as an end and not a means. I will hold that the true execution of my duties calls for independent action predicated on that which is in the best interests of the people of my state and Clark County.

As a Citizen of the United States of America, and an official of my state and Clark County, I will endeavor to bear in mind that my obligation each day of rededicating my loyalty and allegiance to the people of Clark County who elected me to a position of leadership and service and to give freely of my time, labor and talents in service to those who come to me for assistance and advice.

In every Personal Action, I will be mindful that every action is subject to scrutiny; that what I do or say will tend to build up or destroy confidence in my government; and I will be cognizant of what I say or do at any place or at any time.

I willingly Acknowledge that when I accepted this office, I ceased to be responsible only to myself but pledged to be a true servant of the people of Clark County, my state and my country.

Judy Beth Hutcherson AAC Board President; Clark County Treasurer

Judy Beth Hutcherson

Judy Beth Hutcherson Clark County Treasurer / AAC Board President

We want your news

Did an aspect of county government “make news” recently in your county? Did any of your county officials or staff get an award, appointment or pat on the back? Please let us know about it for the next edition of County Lines magazine. You can write up a couple of paragraphs about it, or if something ran in your local paper, call and ask them to forward the story to us. We encourage you or your newspaper to attach a good quality photo, too: e-mail csmith@arcounties.org.