55 minute read
Arkansas Co. Judges conduct business at annual fall meeting
Above: Crittenden County Judge Melton Holt accepts a framed copy of the summer edition of County Lines magazine where his life and recovery after a tragic motorcycle accident was chronicled. Holt was the host judge for the County Judges Association of Arkansas meeting in West memphis in September. Wes Fowler (left), AAC government affairs director, Preston Scroggin, CJAA president, and Chris Villines, AAC executive director, all provided comments thanking Holt for his service. Right: Lindsey Williams, state fire marshal, explains Arkansas law concerning burn bans.
Wes Fowler (standing), AAC government relations director, addresses judges in an executive committee meeting while Mark Whitmore (from left), AAC chief legal counsel, Preston Scroggin, CJAA president, and Jeff Phillips, Jackson County Judge, look on. John Robinson, warning coordinator meteorologist for the National Weather Service, explains the various factors that impact notification and warning of a weather event in the state of Arkansas. He described the time line of events concerning the Albert Pike flooding tragedy. Arkansas Co. judges conduct business at annual fall meeting
The County Judges Association of Arkansas met for its annual fall meeting in West Memphis in late September and attendees were treated to an appearance from the host judge that a year ago seemed to be impossible.
Crittenden County Judge Melton Holt, who suffered extensive critical injuries in a motorcycle accident in July 2011 attended Thursday’s meeting welcoming the judges to his county. He also received a token of appreciation for his service as he decided not to seek re-election. He was met with a standing ovation when he was introduced.
“It is very nice to be here. There were times when I didn’t think I would be back,” Holt said. “The Lord is a beautiful thing and if it wasn’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t be here. My family stood by me and I was never alone. I appreciate all of you ... so keep on keeping on.”
Lindsey Williams, state fire marshal, explained that the county judge is the only entity that can order a burn ban.
Williams, who was a volunteer firefighter for 32 years in White County, said the fire code dictates that fireworks can only be sold and set off from June 20 - July 10 and from Dec. 10 - Jan. 5. Joe Fox, state forester with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, told judges that prescribed burning is the single best tool against wildfires and forestry efforts saved about 18 million in property last year.
David Maxwell, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management director, also spoke about emergency response and mutual aid agreements.
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Keepin’ up with the Joneses in Dallas County
Dallas County was the destination for the County Lines cover story for this fall edition. Keeping up with the Joneses is a tall task in Dallas County. Jimmy and Donna Jones are the only husband and wife who also serve as the county judge and assessor in the state of Arkansas. They have influenced their county in many ways and both say they are proud to serve the community that has given them so much.
They have been married for 41 years and both take their roles as public servants passionately. They not only serve in their respective offices but the Jones have also taken the lead on several community projects and efforts to help give the residents of their county as high of a quality of life as possible.
Only a door that is usually open separates their offices in the courthouse and one doesn’t have to spend much time there to know these two are on the same page.
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Jimmy Jones
Dallas County Judge
Donna Jones
Dallas County Assessor
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Left: Dallas County Judge Jimmy Jones works with Vickey Selman, administrative assistant, in his office. Above: Jones addresses the crowd at the Dallas County Courthouse during its centennial celebration in 2011.
At home & in office in
By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
Dallas County Judge Jimmy Jones wears boots and some might say that is his trademark. They fit his work ethic and management of the county to a tee.
Jones was born and raised in Ramsey in Dallas County and has served as its county judge since 2001. He’s a family man who applies those values to his community service as well.
“My parents deserve a lot of the credit for where I’m at today,” Jones said. “I probably had the most honest set of parents on the planet. I come from humble beginnings and have been blessed in many ways. They would give you the shirt off their back if they could. They left me a good name.”
Jones’ parents ran and operated the Ramsey country store in the late 1940s and early 1950s and they taught a young Jones to work hard and respect others.
Receiving respect from a 90-year-old constituent, Mr. Lacey Evans, one April afternoon has stayed with Jones as he continues to define his legacy as judge.
“This man’s son told me it was his father’s birthday and he was turning 90,” Jones recalled. “So I headed out to his house to visit with him and take him and his son to dinner. When he got in the truck, he told me, ‘You know I have been paying taxes all my life and I have never had a county judge ask me to get in the vehicle with them.” Jones said elected officials don’t really know whose lives they are touching and that day has always stuck with him.
He was sworn-in in 2001 during an ice storm and said his county was ravaged with floods the next two years as well. His first term was dominated by managing and recovering from acts of nature and trying to help his community save its hospital. Dallas County passed two separate 1-cent sales taxes to support the hospital, and eventually passed a permanent 1-cent sales tax in 2011 to secure the hospital’s future impact on the quality of life in Dallas County.
“I’m very proud of the hospital and realized early on just how critical local healthcare is to our community,” Jones said. “If you don’t have healthcare and don’t have this hospital, our community suffers greatly.” He also said Dr. Hugh Albert Nutt and Brian Miller, Dallas County Hospital administrator, have been and continue to be instrumental in the hospital’s vitality. The courthouse has been improved tremendously since Jones has been at the helm. Improvements to the structure that was built in 1911 include a new roof, new gas and water lines and new paint throughout. “We had a roof that was in bad shape and all those internal lines had to be replaced,” Jones said.
About 90 percent of those projects were funded through grants obtained through the Arkansas Historical Preservation Program.
“We try to do the best we can with our state aid money in our road department as well and have realized that chip-and-seal roadways are not going to hold up under the volume of truck traffic we have in our county,” Jones said. “It costs more but when we overlay a roadway it is there and can hold up much longer.”
Jones said there is a major misconception among the public concerning the county judge’s role in county government.
“A lot of folks think the county judge’s main job is to keep the roads repaired and cleaned up,” Jones said. “However, that is a very small part of the county judge’s role.”
Jones cited County Road 206 that connects Sparkman to Fordyce as a major infrastructural improvement during his tenure.
“The people of Sparkman had to either drive way out of their way or only on a gravel road to get to Fordyce,” Jones said. “Paving that road was my first state-aid project in Dallas County and gave Sparkman residents a much more efficient path to the courthouse.”
Jones summarized some of the accomplishments throughout the county as well and said Vickey Selman, administrative assistant, has been crucial to his office running smoothly.
Jones takes a phone call from a constituent this October in his office.
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in Dallas County
“We built a new health center, a new senior citizens’ center, walking trails in the Sparkman area, a new fire department in Sparkman and in Manning, remodeled a pavilion for community events in Princeton, and in Carthage, we secured a new fire station, and helped administer the opening of a new jail,” Jones quickly said as he tried to remember the highlights of improvements.
Rural water systems have been developed in the Lea’s Ridge area, Sparkman and Bucksnort as well. Rural fire stations have also been improved to greatly enhance fire protection in rural Dallas County.
“I have seen those firefighters in action in the last two years especially and they deserve to be commended,” Jones said.
Downtown Fordyce was also placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2008 and Jones said that has been a significant positive for the community.
“We’re also very proud of our wonderful museum,” Jones said. “It has been honored as one of the best museums in the state.”
A big homecoming, so to speak, for Dallas County was when Steam Engine 101 came back home from the Little Rock Zoo. Fordyce Lumber Company used the engine in the 1930s but it had been located in the Little Rock Zoo for many years.
“I was asked if the county wanted it and I talked to several people and everyone thought it would be a big asset for it to come back home where it belonged,” Jones said.
Steam Engine 101 Fordyce-Princeton sits in downtown Fordyce today.
Jones said going forward he would like to see continued improvements in rural water and he is working diligently to attract more industries because Dallas County “needs jobs just like any other county.”
The economic downturn has been rough on the community and Jones said he wants to continue to focus on economic development and improving the infrastructure.
“We’re also excited about the expansion of U.S. Highway 167 North to four lanes that we hope will make us more attractive for new businesses to locate in our county, such as the new Jet Asphalt Plant located along that new highway improvement. We are very excited that they chose Dallas County to locate their plant,” Jones added.
The man behind the chair
After he returned home from the guard he worked in the construction industry for a stint and then he “made one of the best decisions in his life” when he went to work for Allied Telephone Company in 1969.
“I was a field engineer for 26 years and worked in several different departments in the company,” Jones said. “They educated me and provided training that I couldn’t receive any where else. Allied was very good to me.”
Allied Telephone Company had about 100 employees when Jones was hired in 1969. In 2000, when he left the company, it was then known as Alltel and boasted more than 26,000 employees.
“I was fortunate to be able to attend several schools and training,” Jones said. “The training they gave me was a big plus for me and has helped me as county judge.”
He married Donna in 1971 and said “that was yet another one of the best decisions in my life.”
Jones said there’s not a day that goes by that he’s not humbled and credits his parents and Donna for helping make him who he is today.
“We worked on the farm when I was growing up from daylight to dark,” Jones said. “I was about 7 years old and already working farm equipment. I was walking with my daddy one day and I was dragging my right foot. Daddy whapped me pretty good and I asked him why he did that. He said, ‘Those heals cost just as much as the soles … Pick your feet up.’”
Jones said he has picked up his feet ever since.
After 32 years with the telephone company, Jones said his desire to help people and certain factors in the business called him to make a change in his professional life.
“I talked with many friends and people in the county and decided to
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together. We started with $500 and
a motorcycle. We just
— Donna Jones, Dallas County Assessor,
speaking about working with her husband, Jimmy Jones, Dallas County Judge.
AssessingDallas County Assessor Donna Jones impacts her county by understanding its various needs and taking action. the situation By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
Her accomplishments and service to her community are seeded in her graceful and passionate heart for others. However, she says her greatest accomplishment is raising her two children.
Dallas County Assessor Donna Jones was born in Los Angeles, Calif., but her family, the Atchleys and the Williams, were originally from the Jacinto and Ramsey communities in Dallas County. They often came back for vacation during her childhood and that’s where Donna and Jimmy met. She said with a smile, “I went to town one evening with my cousins and there he was.”
In 1971, they were married and moved to the Ramsey Community, northwest of Fordyce, where they have called home for 41 years.
“We have always done everything together. We’re used to working together,” Jones said. “We’ve built things together. We started with $500 and a motorcycle. We just learned that you work and try to manage and do it together. And we have tried to teach our children the same thing.”
Jones began her professional career with Fordyce Bank & Trust where she worked for 10 years before she served four years as the secretary at Fordyce Grammar School. She then returned to the banking industry, worked for the prosecuting attorney and also owned and operated the Fabric & Gift Shop in Fordyce for four years. Jones joined the Dallas County Assessor’s office as its chief deputy tax assessor in 1997.
When the assessor’s position became vacant, she decided to run for the office and is in her second term as Dallas County Assessor.
Jones said when she was young she worked with her mom who was in real estate and would help type up legal descriptions.
“I remember saying, I don’t know what I’m going to do when I grow up, but I am not going to do anything that has to do with legal descriptions,” Jones said. “So, I have worked for the attorney that did deeds, worked at the bank where I did home mortgages where I dealt with legal descriptions, had dealings with the courthouse, where I did title searches, so I learned about that and thought, ‘I think I could be helpful in that area.’ That’s what spurred me to want the job in the assessor’s office.”
Jones said there have been days in her life that she has almost dreaded going to work, but not in the assessor’s office.
“I love it, I don’t ever dread coming to work. My staff is wonderful. I enjoy everyday and I especially enjoy helping people,” Jones said.
Jones said some of the main misconceptions concerning the assessor’s office is that “timber companies don’t pay taxes on their land, which they do, and taxpayers sometimes feel that their property is valued higher than someone else’s and shouldn’t be. We work very hard along with our appraisers, to stay in compliance with the State to maintain
Donna Jones (from left), Dallas County Assessor, looks over parcel information with Vanessa Peirce, deputy assessor, while Becky Miller, chief deputy assessor, answers a tax payer’s questions on the phone.
Fordyce, the Dallas County seat, is a mecca for fans of football, rock and roll, and historic architecture. Football fans make the pilgrimage to Fordyce to see the boyhood home of Paul W. “Bear” Bryant and Redbug Field, where Bryant learned the skills that would eventually make him the winningest coach in college football history. Rockers go there to see where Rolling Stones guitarists Ron Wood and Keith Richards were famously arrested in 1975. And architecture aficionados visit Fordyce to see the Dallas County Courthouse.
Monumental in scale and proportion, the 1911 Dallas County Courthouse, the largest and finest Classical Revival structure in the county, symbolizes Fordyce’s rapid growth as a railroad and trade center that culminated in its replacing Princeton as county seat in 1908. The Classical Revival style is uncommon in Dallas County, but its democratic style was often used for government and bank buildings in the first quarter of the 20th century.
The Dallas County Courthouse is also an outstanding example of architect Frank W. Gibb’s early designs. Experienced as an engineer and surveyor, Gibb apparently had no formal training in architecture, which did not stop him from moving from Chicago to Arkansas and establishing a healthy practice. Gibb frequently designed classically-inspired structures, including the Yell County Courthouse in Dardanelle, which shares several characteristics with its cousin in Fordyce. The price of this magnificent structure was a mere $65,000.
As the traveler enters downtown Fordyce, one of the first things seen is the octagonal clock tower that looms above the Dallas County Courthouse, still keeping perfect time. The craftsmanship of the architect, as well as builder Edgar Koonce, is apparent in the classical pediments atop the building’s entrances. The primary façade, facing Third Street, features soaring Doric columns supporting the triangular pediment, the name DALLAS boldly emblazoned on a panel between the trim and cornice.
The interior of the Dallas County Courthouse is also striking, with rich, dark woodwork, marble wainscoting and octagonal tile floors. According to Leslie Nutt, currently entering her third term as Dallas County treasurer, the sterling condition of the interior can be largely attributed to her predecessor, Lowana Brumley, who served as treasurer from 1983 to 2008 and absolutely loved the building.
“In the mid ‘90s, Lowana pushed to renovate the courthouse and that’s what we did: from the top floor, to the courtrooms, to the second floor and the landscaping outdoors,” Nutt said. “In years past people would chew tobacco and for whatever reason spit on the marble walls and it would run down to the floor. The walls were stained yellow from this and age. The marble and floors were stripped and restored.”
At the same time, artist JoAnne Diffie of Bismarck repainted the stenciling on the doors of the county offices, paying particular attention to the entrances to the vault between the offices of the county clerk and treasurer. The vault contains a trove of records dating to Dallas County’s founding in 1845 – a rarity among counties, many
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Assessing the situation
fair and equal values throughout the county.”
Jones said Dallas County has received grants for its GPS mapping and 911 addressing.
“We have had a large undertaking in combining parcels,” Jones said. “We’ve combined about 3,000 parcels because we have a lot of rural property and ACD [Assessment Coordination Department] wanted us to combine those parcels and we’re down to half of that and I expect that to be finished by the end of 2013.”
Jones helped to place Prosperity Baptist Church in Ramsey on the Arkansas Historical Registry of Historic Places and then the national registry. She has also obtained grants for new windows, structural improvements and a new roof for the building.
“It’s just beautiful,” Jones said about the church she has attended for 41 years.
Jones is also a member of the State Review Board for Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
Donna and Jimmy’s offices in the courthouse are joined by a door that stays open most of the time.
“I always reminded him that I was here first,” Jones laughingly said. “At first, I worried that people would think we were trying to run things. The only thing I’ve tried to run is my office the way the people would like it run and I know he does the same thing. Everything that is here is the peoples’. It isn’t ours. We’re here to serve them.” In her spare time, Jones said she spends time with her grandchildren every chance she gets and she also enjoys fishing and sewing. “Live each day to the fullest and treat others like you want to be treated,” Jones said in regard to her personal philosophy. “The older you get the more you realize how blessed you are to have parents Donna Jones shows who want you to strive and to do well. off her attire for Dallas Jimmy is an overachiever and he has County’s centennial cel- taught me a lot of that over the years as ebration in 2011. well. We don’t stop at what you are supposed to do, we’re supposed to do more than what is expected of us.”
Jones is the daughter of William Lyle and Armon Williams Atchley. She and Jimmy have two children — Tommy and Lavonne. Tommy graduated from Arkansas State University and Lavonne is a graduate from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. They have four grandchildren and are happy to report they recently found out they have the fifth one on the way — Braden and Kathryn Claire Jones and Nathan and Lauren Juhl.
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Brian Miller, (from left) CEO and administrator of the Dallas County Hospital, Dr. Hugh Albert Nutt, M.D. and Dallas County Judge Jimmy Jones browse new equipment in the new lab in the hospital. Jones said Miller and Nutt have been instrumental in the hospital’s success.
run for the job [county judge’s office],” Jones said. “I didn’t run for the position. I ran to do the job and do it well.”
Jones grandfather worked for Travy Hillman, former county judge, and Hillman was a figure who Jones said had an impact on him. Hillman gave Jones a job as a kid cutting bushes and other various tasks.
“He was a big man in more than one sense. He was always helping people and that’s something I’ve tried to do as judge. I’ve watched most judges in this county help people, many of them were my friends and they have all inspired me. I try to make everyone at ease and when they come into this courthouse. I want them to feel at home.”
Jones is always looking out for Dallas County, but in his spare time enjoys spending time with his two children and their families, especially his grandchildren, as well as spending time on his place.
“I really enjoy hunting and the outdoors and take pride in taking some community children who might not have the opportunity otherwise to enjoy the outdoors,” Jones said.
When asked about the dynamic of working in the same office as his wife, Assessor Donna Jones, he said, “We’ve always been able to work together. She’s here to do the same as I am, and that is to serve the public. We’re honored for the people of this county to allow us to serve. We appreciate the opportunity to give back to a community that has been good to us.”
Jones is a member of Prosperity Baptist Church in Ramsey, a member of EM Lodge No. 363 in Fordyce and is a founding member of Tricounty Shrine Club in Fordyce. He was also appointed to the Arkansas Motor Vehicle commission by Gov. Mike Beebe in 2008. He serves on the Southwest Planning and Development Executive Board and the County Judges Association of Arkansas Executive Board. He was also honored as the 1993 Dallas County Farm Family of the Year and was chosen as Boss of the Year by the Fordyce Chamber of Commerce in 2007.
“I hope people say that when they came to me for help as judge that I certainly helped if I could,” Jones said. “I’ve tried to take care of healthcare, our senior citizens, our youth and the working people of Dallas County. I also want to help support the existing businesses in our county in doing whatever I can to insure their success.”
Jimmy and Donna
Jones take a moment to pose for a photo opportunity in front of Steam Engine 101 in downtown Fordyce. Jimmy made the decision to have the steam engine moved back to Fordyce where most of the citizens thought it belonged. The engine ran the rails in Dallas County in the 1930s in the lumber industry.
Continued From Page 31 <<< of which suffered courthouse fires during the years.
As with most historic buildings, the Dallas County Courthouse has had to adapt to modern needs, including the installation of elevators to make the building accessible to all of the county’s citizens. The entrances to the elevators are framed by wooden openings hand-made by local craftsman Clayton Cochran, and most visitors would not realize that they did not date from the courthouse’s 1911 construction.
The second floor courtrooms have been modernized, but even there careful attention has been paid to details, as with the dropped ceilings that feature panels engraved with geometric designs. Historic wood railings do survive in the courtrooms, though, as reminders of the rooms’ historic design.
The records in the vault are not the only artifacts from Dallas County’s history to greet courthouse visitors. A photograph of Sheriff F.M. Pearson gazes sternly from the wall of the lobby, across from the cornerstone of the 1898 Princeton jail that was stripped during World War II so that its bars and cells could be melted down for the war effort. In the treasurer’s office, photos of treasurers dating back to George W. Mallett, who served from 1854 to 1856, line the wall. One man, E.H. Green, who served from 1872-1874, was married several times and had many children – Treasurer Nutt said his photo is the most-copied in the courthouse.
Other, more modern items share space with the historic artifacts. A large canvas mural, painted by the same artist who did the courthouse stenciling, shows historic buildings from throughout the county, with the Dallas County Courthouse as its centerpiece. Across from it, carved from wood, is a large version of the Dallas County seal, which was designed by Rachna Patel, a Fordyce School District student in a contest sponsored by County Judge Jimmy Jones. The members of the quorum court selected the winners, and Dallas County had its first official seal.
Past and present merge seamlessly at the Dallas County Courthouse as it moves into its second century of serving the county’s citizens, preserving the memories of generations of county officials and their stories. “She’s our little jewel,” Treasurer Nutt said affectionately.
Editor’s note: The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program has graciously agreed to partner with County Lines magazine and submit various historical stories like this one about our state’s courthouses, their communities and their people.
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Dallas Co. Treasurer Leslie Nutt: Stories told in the courthouse
For County Lines Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
Editor’s note: Dallas County Treasurer Leslie Nutt shared memories of some of the people who have served Dallas County during the years, among them:
Lowana Brumley was Dallas County. She started working part time for the Dallas County Treasurer’s Office in 1956 under Treasurer Floyd Edwards. She would work for Dallas County for 53 years, 25 of those as County Treasurer. Lowana was also the historian for Dallas County – I always said she came with the Courthouse back in 1911. She knew everything from the time the courthouse was established in Princeton to it being stolen and moved to Fordyce in the middle of the night in 1908. She loved to listen to the older people of the county and had a real love of the place she called home. Lowana would tell of the times that Sheriff Clay Atkinson and his part-time deputy Dan Burford ran the sheriff’s office from the treasurer’s office. They would sit in the office and talk to Treasurer Jack Crowder and solve all the problems of the county. If someone needed help or if someone had committed a crime Sheriff Atkinson would leave on his horse and go take care of the situation. There wasn’t much crime that the sheriff couldn’t handle all by himself. She loved the Dallas County Courthouse. She was a wonderful advocate for Dallas County and the best friend a person could ask for.
Jack Crowder, Dallas County Treasurer from 1962-1982, was a character. He was the State Farm agent and county treasurer. His nickname was “St. Jack.” It was known that if you had a problem you could come to his office and talk to him and he would act like he was turning his collar from back to front, meaning the preacher was in. He was a good Christian man and a deacon in his church. He loved everyone and had sound advice and you knew nothing you said would be repeated.
Brenda Williams Black is the first collector separately elected in Dallas County. She started part time in 1983 and was elected to office in 2002. The office was run manually before Brenda took office. She totally automated the collector’s office, and customers are now able to pay their taxes online.
Lee Hornaday was the Dallas County Sheriff from 1979-1990. Lee died in office and his daughter, Sylvia Heatherly, finished out his term.
Donny Ford is the Dallas County Sheriff. He took office in 1991. He is the longest serving sheriff in Dallas County history.
County Judge Jimmy Jones came to office in 2001. Jimmy is a very in-touch and hands-on judge. He is very community minded and has done a lot for our county. He is very easy to talk to and cares about all entities of the county. He is another reason our courthouse has remained in mint condition. He has worked hard to make sure it stands for another 100 years.
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Dallas County was formed Jan. 1, 1845, from Bradley and Clark counties and named in honor of George M. Dallas, who had been elected Vice President of the United States in 1844. Dallas County is known for its rolling hills and pine forests. The world’s first southern pine plywood plant was built in Fordyce, and timber resources still drive its economy. Tri-County Lake, where Dallas, Calhoun, and Cleveland counties meet, offers water recreation activities. The Ouachita River, the longest and largest river in the Ouachita Mountain region, forms the western county line and provides floating and fishing. The Cotton Belt route through the town of Fordyce, the county seat, brought prosperity when it arrived in Dallas County in 1882. Fordyce is Arkansas’ only single county seat to have been moved from a central location when the railroads bypassed its original site of Princeton. In April of each year, the weeklong “Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival” is held which draws not only the local citizens but many tourists as well.
Dallas County Courthouse Third and Oak Streets, Fordyce. Ar.
Dallas County Quick Facts
Courthouse
n Courthouse built: 1911 n Architect: Frank W. Gibb n Style: Classical Revival n Materials: brick, concrete,
shingle, stone
n Cost: $65,000 n Listed on National Register of
Historic Places March 27, 1984
n Since 1997, Dallas County has
received 10 courthouse grants from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council through Arkansas Historic Preservation Program totaling $350,475 for the restoration and preservation of the Dallas County Courthouse.
Justices of the Peace
Wendell Lee Florence Moore Gerald Totty John B. Meador Clark Brent Walter L. Hawkins, Jr. Alfred Fite Roy Butler J.C. Freer, Jr.
Dallas County Elected Officials
Jimmy Jones
County Judge Leslie Nutt
Treasurer
Susie Williams
County/Circuit Clerk Donna Jones
Assessor
Donny Ford
Sheriff Brenda Williams
Collector
Trina Jones
Van Buren County Assessor n Born in Leslie, Ark., in
Searcy County
n Graduated from
Clinton High School in 1984
n Began working for the county
in high school for the sheriff/collector
n In 2003, started first mapping
program in assessor’s office
n Elected assessor in 2006 n Volunteers for CASA, The Call
Jones engages values in Van Buren County
Diligently working is a trait that she came by honestly. She learned that from her Granny Page. Her life was built on working hard in her professional and personal lives as she always strived to do the job right and treat people as she would want to be treated. When the passion for getting the job done brings a little extra stress, she finds relief in a peaceful setting nestled in the beauty of Van Buren County.
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Pictured are (front row, from left) Trina and Ronnie Jones; (back row, from left) Megan, daughter; Jeremy, son; Tyler, son-in-law; who is married to Whitney, daughter. The Jones hike to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain every Memorial Day to enjoy the beauty of Van Buren County.
Jones balances work, family, community
By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
Trina Jones, who is in her third term as Van Buren County Assessor, was born and raised in the county she serves today.
“Hard work was a way of life for my family growing up. We worked in the fields during the summer and helped dad cut wood in the fall,” Jones said. “We didn’t have much growing up but we were always thankful for what we did have. My Granny Page taught me ‘to always work hard and do your best at everything you do.’”
Jones lost her grandmother when she was only 15 years old in an automobile accident.
“She was a true lady and a very hard worker,” Jones said. “She made all of her own clothes and grew and raised her own food. I can remember when I was about 12 years old picking ‘Tommy Toes,’ strawberries and potatoes. Granny Page would pull a quarter out of her change purse for me every time I weeded her flower bed.”
Jones said she is most proud of her faith, her family and her work family “in that order.”
“I have been very blessed to have a loving family not only at home but at work as well,” Jones said. “I have always tried to treat others the way I want to be treated. If we all remembered that one thing then this world would be a better place for every one.”
Career journey — “I never thought of myself as a politician.”
In high school Jones worked for the Van Buren Sheriff and Collector Gus Anglin.
“I loved it. Working in the courthouse was exciting. There was always something going on … But never in a million years would I have thought I would ever be an elected official. To me, that would have been such an honor and I thought it was way out of my reach.”
In 1995, Jones began a five-year working relationship with Collector Lisa Nunley. Nunley was the first elected collector in Van Buren County after the county made the decision to separate the sheriff and collector positions.
While not straying far from the inner workings of the county, Jones accepted a position in the appraisal department for Assessor C.L. Mackey in 2000.
In 2003, Jones started the first mapping program in Van Buren County.
“We had never had anything computerized. We only drew out our legal by hand or on deed plotter but no aerial views. It was amazing to see the faces of our taxpayers when they came in and I could show them on the computer where their houses and land was,” Jones recalled. “Coming to work every day mapping was like getting to put a puzzle together and getting paid to do it. I loved it.”
Jones said she would still be mapping if Mackey hadn’t retired in 2006. Mackey was the longest serving county official in Van Buren county at 28 years of service, and his retirement left a void in the assessor’s office. That void allowed Jones to make a decision to step into the world of elected service.
“I’m terrified to speak in public. I really had to come out of my comfort zone to run for office,” Jones said. “Being able to walk up to a total stranger and ask for their vote was a major accomplishment for me.”
Jones emerged victorious in 2006 as Van Buren County’s Assessor and has served in that position for six years; however, she has worked for the county for almost 18 years.
“I love this work and my county and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” Jones said. “The people here are part of my family and a lot of them are. I am so grateful that all of our county officials work so well together. Our county has a great group of county officials who are all dedicated to making our county run as efficiently as we can.”
When asked what has held her interest in county government for all these years she said, “The work is interesting all in all and it’s a good job. I enjoy the assessment process and going to the gas wells. You know if it wasn’t for the natural gas industry, there would be no jobs in our county.”
The natural gas industry has had an explosive impact on Van Buren County, its residents and their quality of life.
In 2005, Van Buren County assessed about 6,000 parcels with nonproducing mineral values at $375,150. That was before any natural gas exploration had begun in the county. In 2012, the county assessed
Trina Jones works with Tess Tumbleson in the Van Buren Royalty Department which is located in the Van Buren County Annex.
n What time do you get up most mornings? 6:00 a.m. n What is your favorite TV show? NCIS n If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Dauphin Island, Ala. n What is your favorite cuisine? Chicken Alfredo n Favorite dessert? Snickers Cheese Cake n What kind of vehicle do you drive? Corvette n Where would you visit if you had the chance? France n Favorite time of day? I love to get up early before anyone is up and set on the back porch and have my first cup of coffee. n Favorite sport to watch? Football. n Are you a morning person or night? Morning. n Do you have any pets? Yes, 2 Pomeranian: Spud and Gigi; 2 English
Bull Dogs: Samson and Hoss; 1 horse: Gracie n What did you want to be when you were little? Veterinarian. n What is your best childhood memory? The day my neighbor gave me a horse after I had returned it to him. Every time it would get out of his field it would come to our house. So he told me to keep it.
So I did and loved that little mare. Her name was Sugar even though she was solid black. n Any pet peeves? Being late for work and having to step over shoes to get in the front door of my house because my kids and husband don’t put them up. n Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The Grand Showroom in Dennard, an antique furniture store. n What was your favorite vacation? Cancun with Ronnie. n Do anything spontaneous lately? My husband and I renewed our wedding vows while on a family vacation in August. n Have a motto or personal philosophy? “Hard work never hurt anyone,” and “If you are going to do a job, do it to the best of your ability.”
87,157 mineral-producing parcels at $296,716,398.
Jones said mineral values are about three times more than real estate values in Van Buren County. She also said the arrival of the natural gas industry has also increased business and personal property values from about $8 million in 2005 to $154 million today. The county now employs three full-time positions in the mineral department alone.
In 2008, just three years after the natural gas industry came to town, Van Buren County would endure adversity that was brought home by mother nature.
An EF4 tornado ripped a path of destruction 122 miles long in Arkansas on Feb. 5, 2008, and Van Buren County sustained significant damage.
“This storm changed every one in our county,” Jones said. “We no longer take our homes for granted. We are grateful to have our homes to come home to because it can be taken away in seconds just like so many homes were that day.”
The storm claimed several lives in Arkansas that day and three were Van Buren County residents.
“Our county annex building was hit that day with only minor damage compared to houses all around us,” Jones said.
As the community forged onward and continued rebuilding their homes and their lives, another storm hit the community only three months later.
“It was so heart wrenching having to go from house to house taking pictures of the devastation of people’s homes knowing that some of them didn’t have insurance at all,” Jones said. “My heart broke for those families.”
Jones’ passion for family and children spans much further than her role in county government. Those values direct her volunteering as well.
Giving back
In her spare time, Jones volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and a new local nonprofit, The Call, which stands for Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime.
“I am a voice for abused and neglected children in my county,” Jones said. “I go to court with them. I visit them when they are at home or in a foster home. I make sure they are getting the help they need with school, emotional issues, supplies and clothing.”
CASA advocates, in most cases, are the only person that will stay consistent during the whole process until adoption or reuniting with family.
“Sometimes it is sad and is very difficult,” Jones said. “My heart goes out to those kids and parents. I’m there to be their voice and share what their needs are.”
Jones also serves as the fundraising coordinator for The Call. She said they recruit, train and equip foster parents.
“There are only two foster homes in Van Buren County and about 36 foster kids,” Jones said. “The Call has four sets of parents in training right now so we hope to add four Van Buren County foster homes this year. Our overall goal is to establish 25 foster homes in our county.”
The Call hosted its grand opening in September.
Jones also serves Pleasant Valley Baptist Church where she has attended for 26 years. She has been the church treasurer for the last two years and church clerk for eight years.
Family and leisure
When the demands of the job, volunteering and life in general put a little extra stress on Jones, she said she finds peace in nature.
“I walk out into the field where my horse, Gracie, is and sit down in the grass and just watch her,” Jones said. “I just sit there and look at the beauty she is and the trust she has with me and I know every thing will just fall into place. She gives me peace when I need it the most and she doesn’t even know she’s doing it.”
Jones was born in Leslie during a snow storm in February. Her family lived in Crabtree which is a small area west of Clinton.
Jones said she married the love of her life, Ronnie Jones, in 1984 just after graduating high school. Their first child, Megan, 26, was born on their second wedding anniversary. They have two other children. Whitney is 24 and they call her their “miracle baby” because she was born at five months. Whitney is set to graduate from pharmacy school soon. Jeremy, 20, “the baby,” is attending registered nursing school in Morrilton. The Jones live in the fourth house that they built together.
“I take great pride in my work and I want my office to be known for its efficiency and fairness to everyone,” Jones said. “I want to be able to look back at my time as assessor and say, ‘I did my best.’”
More than 500 members and vendors gathered in Washington County to attend the 44th annual Association of Arkansas Counties Conference Aug. 8-10 in Springdale. Sixty-nine counties were represented at the conference.
From tee off for the Randy Kemp Memorial Golf Tournament to the closing session on Friday, elected county officials and county employees again came together to learn, share and collectively make county government better for the people of Arkansas.
“The AAC staff, led by Jeanne Hunt, once again organized and executed an excellent conference,” said Chris Villines, AAC executive director. “Our speakers’ topics were varied and all did a wonderful job. The breakout sessions were high quality and all member associations reported effective and productive meetings during our conference. We thank all our sponsors and vendors for their support and passion for county government.”
The theme was “County Government ... It’s a Jungle Out there.”
n Complete list of conference SPONSORS AND VENDORS >>> 40-41 n Summary of SPEAKERS AND PRESENTATIONS >>> 42-45 n AAC ANNUAL SAFETY AWARDS >>> 44 n RANDY KEMP MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT >>> 45 n MEMBER ASSOCIATION MEETINGS >>> 46-47
2012 Exhibitors & Sponsors
Thank you for your continued support of county government
AAC Member Benefit Services (501) 372-7550 www.arcounties.org
AAC Risk Management Services (501) 375-8805 www.arcounties.org
ADEM/Federal Surplus Property (501) 683-6700 www.adem.arkansas.gov
AEP-SWEPCO (501) 379-1127 www.aep.com www.swepco.com
A-Lert Roof Systems (800) 344-0609 www.centurionind.com
American Municipal Services (888) 290-5660 www.amsltd.us
American Stamp & Marking Products, Inc. (800) 872-7840 www.americanstamp.com
Apprentice Information Systems, Inc. (479) 631-8054 www.apprenticeis.com
Arkansas Auditor of State (501) 682-6030 www.auditor.ar.gov
Arkansas Bankers Bank (501) 371-0535 www.bankers-bank.com
Arkansas Broadcasters Association (501) 227-7564 www.arkbroadcasters.org
Arkansas CAMA Technology, Inc. (501) 771-2985 www.arcamatech.com
Arkansas Coalition for Affordable & Reliable Electricity – ACARE (318) 673-3394 www.aep.com Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training (870) 574-1810 www.clest.org
Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands (501) 683-3031 www.cosl.org
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (501) 682-0609 www.adeq.state.ar.us
Arkansas Department of Information Systems (501) 682-2701 www.dis.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (501) 570-2200 www.aecc.com
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation (501) 224-4400 www.arfb.com
Arkansas Federal Credit Union (501) 982-1000 www.afcu.org
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (501) 223-6301 www.agfc.com Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council (501) 375-8566 www.arkansasgoodroads.com
Arkansas Insurance Department (501) 371-2640 www.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Lt. Governor (501) 682-2144 www.ltgovernor.arkansas.gov Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission (501) 907-2400 www.arlpc.ar.gov
Arkansas Secretary of State (501) 682-1010 www.sos.arkansas.gov
Asphalt Zipper, Inc. (801) 847-3200 www.asphaltzipper.com AT&T (501) 373-8084 www.att.com
Atlas Asphalt, Inc. (870) 251-2371 www.atlasasphaltinc.com
Crews & Associates (501) 978-7953 www.crewsfs.com
Barbara Townsend (lower left), Chicot County Assessor, and Adria, her husband, stroll through the vendor area.
Austin McCullough with the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, plays a game at the AAC Risk Management Services booth. Cindy Calvert (left), claims examiner, looks on while Denise Glenn, claims adjuster, moves the coconuts.
AAC staffers work at the registration table in the lobby.
The Rockets entertain the crowd during Thursday night’s dinner and dance.
DataPath Administrative Services (877) 685-0655 www.idpas.com
DataScout, LLC (479) 521-5607 www.datascoutpro.com
Democrat Party of Arkansas (501) 374-2361 www.arkdems.org
Duro-Last, Inc. (618) 407-7330 www.duro-last.com EFSGeoTechnologies (870) 460-9994 www.efsgeotech.com
Election Administrators (314) 226-1643 www.eavote.com
Employer Support of the Guard & Reserves (501) 412-4018 www.esgr.org
Engineering Services, Inc. (479) 751-8733 www.engineeringservices.com Glen Ward, humorist and inspirational speaker, greets Haze Hudson, Miller County Justice of the Peace.
Fibrebond Corporation (318) 377-1030 www.fibrebond.com
Fidlar Technologies (309) 794-3225 www.fidlar.com
Financial Intelligence (501) 276-4213 www.financial-intel.com
Friday, Eldredge & Clark Law Firm (501) 370-1517 www.fridayfirm.com
GovDeals, Inc. (334) 387-0532 www.govdeals.com
Group Insurance Consultants (479) 783-2255 www.gicfs.com
HMN Architects (913) 451-9075 www.hmnarchitects.com
Information Capital (501) 246-8060 www.gowithtaxpro.com
Information Network of Arkansas (501) 324-8908 www.arkansas.gov
Institute for Building Technology & Safety (IBTS) (703) 481-2000 www.ibts.org
Justice Solutions (800) 614-6361 www.badgetogavel.com
LGS - Local Government Solutions (281) 858-8555 www.us-lgs.com Liberty National Life Insurance Company (501) 225-5556 www.libertynational.com
Metro Disaster Specialists (501) 758-2845 www.metrodisaster.com
National Association of Counties (202) 393-6226 www.naco.org
Nationwide Retirement Solutions (405) 282-3577 www.nrsforu.com
Pictometry (636) 443-5779 www.pictometry.com
PNMit (888) 399-2453 www.pnmit.com
Potlatch Corporation (870) 226-1177 www.potlatchcorp.com
Purcell Tire & Rubber Company (501) 455-0091 www.purcelltire.com
Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, PA (501) 868-2500 www.callrainwater.com
Raymond James / Morgan Keegan (501) 666-1566 www.morgankeegan.com
Republican Party of Arkansas (501) 372-7301 www.arkansasgop.org Ricoh USA, Inc. (501) 227-8170 www.ricoh-usa.com
Ryburn Law Firm (501) 228-8100
Shred-It Arkansas (501) 912-5809 www.shredit-ar.com
Southwest Solutions Group (972) 250-1970 www.southwestsolutions.com
Southwestern Energy Company (501) 548-6819 www.swn.com
Stephanie’s Selections (405) 361-2200 www.stephaniesselections.com
Stephens, Inc. (501) 377-2000 www.stephens.com
Surdex Corporation (636) 368-4400 www.surdex.com
Sutterfield Technologies, LLC (580) 786-4390
www.sutterfieldtechnologies.com
Systemedic Corporation (501) 227-5553 www.systemedic.com
TaxPro (501) 246-8060 www.gowithtaxpro.com
Time Striping, Inc. (479) 806-3411 www.timestriping.com
Total Assessment Solutions Corporation (TASC) (870) 356-4511 www.totalassessments.com
United Systems of Arkansas (501) 374-0812 www.unitedsystems.com
Warrior of Arkansas (501) 455-2540 www.warriorark.com
Gov. Mike Beebe addresses the AAC delegation as the lead-off speaker at the 44th annual Conference in Springdale. Chris Villines, AAC executive director, looks on while Beebe talks about troubling trends in Washington, D.C., and about Medicaid expansion. Beebe said he hasn’t made up his mind about Medicaid expansion in Arkansas, but he is weighing all the facts and trying to encourage Arkansans to have an educated conversation.
Lenny Eliason, National Association of Counties past president, talks about his president’s initiative, “Healthy Counties.” He said Americans should live healthier lifestyles and break the trend of little or no exercise.
AAC Conference speakers shine at Springdale
By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
The 44th annual AAC Conference was peppered with educational, insightful and entertaining speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds. As usual, Gov. Mike Beebe gave a rousing speech that was met with numerous rounds of applause.
Gov. Beebe told members that the American form of government is still the best on the planet during the opening general session on Wednesday. He spoke for several moments about the trends in partisanship in Washington, D.C., and he specifically shared “food for thought” on Medicaid expansion.
“We don’t need to get caught up in Arkansas in the same kind of stalemate and rhetoric that is going on in Washington. I’m not calling any specific names and I’m not blaming one party or another. I think there is enough blame to go around for everybody in terms of the lack of cooperation … the lack of civility and the lack of accomplishments that we see in Washington, D.C.,” Beebe said. “That’s not going to change people until the voters require it to change. Because as bad as things are, ultimately the people are still the boss. Ultimately, we will get the government that the people decide we’re going to have.”
Beebe explained that Medicaid expansion would add about 200,000 to 230,000 people in the “working poor” demographic. He talked about the ad-
AAC Board members Danny Hickman (from left) Jim Crawford, and Debbie Wise visit with Attorney General Dustin McDaniel before McDaniel addresses the AAC general session.
Glen Ward, humorist and motivational speaker, entertains the audience with multiple stories. His messages are comical and thought provoking.
verse effects of uncompensated care on the health care industry as well.
“The bad news is if Arkansas opts to participate in this [expanded Medicaid], are we buying into something we aren’t going to be able to afford?” Beebe asked. “My inclination is there is more good than bad on the expansion of Medicaid for our people. I have an obligation to all of our people that whatever decision we make that we don’t seed our own autonomy … our own authority .. our own ability to be masters of our own fiscal house going forward.”
Beebe said his mind wasn’t made about Medicaid expansion yet and that he was putting all the facts in front of Arkansans so the people can be informed and have a conversation about what’s best for Arkansas.
“This is still the greatest form of government ever invented by mankind on the earth and it has to be preserved and the way you preserve it is with an intelligent, informed, committed electorate where people still are the boss and where they make decisions and elect good people based on what’s in the best interest of all us.”
Lenny Eliason, National Association of Counties past president, began his speech by telling the audience that Gov. Mike Beebe should run for the United States Senate because, “we need people like him in Washington.”
Eliason delivered the keynote address Wednesday and he focused his message on his president’s initiative “Healthy Counties.”
“We spend 80 percent of our health care dollar on the treatment of chronic and preventable diseases,” Eliason said. “These diseases are a direct result of what we eat, how we eat and lack of exercise.”
Eliason noted society’s admiration and access to processed food during the last 100 years as a main factor in the country’s collective health.
“Thank you for taking the time to stand and serve … because without you we wouldn’t be the great country we are today,” Eliason said. “It’s important to recognize the fact that you’ve been serving us and continue to serve us.”
On Thursday, a former Presidential candidate and retired commander took the podium to encourage county leaders to take part in devising America’s strategy.
Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and former United States Presidential candidate, provided the keynote address during lunch Thursday.
Wesley Clark, former NATO Allied Supreme Commander Europe, asks county officials to help America find its strategy during his speech during the AAC conference.
Conference speakers shine
“What is America’s economic strategy in the world?” Clark asked. “You can’t describe it because the truth is we don’t have one. We had one in the 19th century.”
Clark briefly described the country’s military history, the Cold War, dependence on foreign oil and said that America lost its plan or strategy after emerging from the Cold War victorious.
“Some of you are Democrats and some of you are Republicans,” Clark said. “It doesn’t matter what party you are. This country has to come together. We have to have a strategy. We have to focus on the so-called low-hanging fruit [domestic fuel].”
Clark said county officials are at the “leadership pivot point” in America.
“When county government starts demanding of our elected representatives, not only in the state Capitol but in the national Capitol, to stop talking about things that divide us and start coming up with a real plan that takes America forward. I’m here to ask you to do that.”
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On the last day of conference, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel explained his perspective of Arkansas’ success compared to the majority of other states that haven’t fared as well in this economic downturn. He said Arkansas is one of only four states to balance its budget every time. He also repeatedly gave credit to the county officials.
“I know that our counties are filled with dedicated, hard working, competent people who strive for excellence each and every day,” McDaniel said. “Every courthouse in this state is filled with people who do the very best for the people who live in their counties and every single one of you should be applauded and thanked and thanked and thanked.”
McDaniel told the audience he loves being attorney general and is proud of his office’s accomplishments.
“This is where the rubber meets the road. You deserve as much credit as any governor, any legislator or attorney general for all the good things that are going on in our state,” McDaniel said.
AAC Board Member Leonard Krout, Pope County Coroner, testifies on behalf of coroners during the Senate and House City, County and Local Affairs Committee meeting at the AAC Conference.
2012 AAC safety award winners
The Association of Arkansas Counties awarded its annual safety awards during the AAC’s annual conference in Springdale Aug, 8-10.
Pike and Calhoun counties received the only two certificates in the state for no reportable injuries in 2011.
Counties that were honored scored at least 80 percent on the AAC’s safety survey, had a loss ratio of less than 50 percent and had not been in the hazardous employer program during 2011 or 2012.
The 2012 AAC safety award recipients are: Arkansas, Baxter, Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, Chicot, Clark, Clay, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Desha, Drew, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Lonoke, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Saline, Sevier, Sharp, Stone, Union, Washington and White.
Golfers hit the greens at Oakridge Golf Course in Huntsville for the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship.
Bill Gipson, AAC board member and Perry County Justice of the Peace, browses the vendor area.
Cathy Perry, AACRMS admin. assistant, runs the AAC’s photo identification machine for Georgia Henderson, Poinsett County Justice of the Peace.
AAC Board President
Mike Jacobs, Johnson County Judge, presides over the opening general session. David and Peggy Kemp address the players at Oakridge Golf Course before tee off of the Randy Kemp Memorial Golf Tournament. Randy Kemp, former AAC communications director, died in a tragic motorcycle accident in August 2011. In his honor, AAC renamed its annual tournament. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarships.
Randy Kemp Memorial tournament swings at Oakridge Golf Course
About 30 golfers teed off at Oakridge Golf Course on Aug. 7 to fund raise for the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarships. Kemp was the AAC’s first communications director and he joined the AAC in 2008 after a successful career in newspapers. He died in a motorcycle accident in August 2011.
“It was easy to help raise money for a cause that has Randy’s name,” said Wes Fowler, AAC governmental affairs director. “He was a good man who loved what he did.”
The Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship aims to raise funds for scholarships for descendents of county officials or employees who intend to pursue a college degree in communications.
Fowler organized the event and donated his golf course in Huntsville for the tournament. The first Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Karen Ricketts, who is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism at Arkansas Tech University.
Fowler recognized Arkansas CAMA Technology for making a donation of $2,500 to the scholarship fund. He also recognized Madison County Judge Frank Weaver for Madison County’s fund-raising efforts of $500 for the fund.
The AAC appreciates all who supported the fund and the golfers who participated.
Tournament results
First flight
Scott Moody and Max Tackett – 63
Tony Washington and Zac Bradley – 63
Cory Scott and Will Jones – 64
Second flight
Kevin Tucker and Buddy Villines – 67
Don Baker and Chic Phillips – 70
David Rivera and Larry Crone – 71
Closest to the Pin No. 1 – Scott Moody
Closest to the Pin No. 4 – Max Tackett
Closest to the Pin No. 7– Scott Moody
Closest to the Pin No. 15 – Zac Bradley
Gift cards were earned for the top three in each flight and for closet to the pins.
Tate McCotter, administrator National Institute for Jail Operations, presents jail operations information to members of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association and jail administrators at conference.
Phyllis Villines, first vice president of the Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association, takes notes during the association’s meeting during the AAC conference. Sharon Blount, second vice president, also follows along with the agenda. Rita Chandler, Arkansas County Tax Collectors Association president, concludes her association’s meeting during the AAC Conference.
David Maxwell, director of Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, updates the County Judge’s Association of Arkansas during its meeting at the AAC Conference. Pictured are (sitting, from left) President Preston Scroggin, Faulkner County; Lanny Fite, Saline County; Rick Davis, Garland County; and Sonny Cox, Arkansas County.
The Quorum Court Association conducts a meeting during the AAC Conference. Pictured are (from left) Jeanne Andrews, Logan County, Gene Raible, Johnson County, Carole Bullock, Drew County and Elwanda Templeton, Jackson County.
Secretary of State Mark Martin fields questions from the Arkansas County Clerks Association during its meeting at the AAC annual conference.
Monty Davenport, property assessment coordination manager, talks with the Arkansas County Assessor’s Association. The AAC Conference theme, “County Government ... It’s a Jungle Out There!” provided some colorful scenes for the dinner and dance. Pictured above is Claire Davis, Little River County administrative assistant.
