51 minute read
Calorie Cru$her$ cruise to victory
Calorie Cru$her$ cruise to victory Pulaski County team meets AAC challenge
They’re not what they used to be.
Not if one considers their former collective weight, that is. And that was the determining factor in the Pulaski County Calorie Crushers victory in the Association of Arkansas Counties first “Take a Load Off Weightloss Challenge.”
The Calorie Crushers lost a combined 2.83 percent of their collective weight from Jan. 3 to April 3.
The team was treated to lunch at the AAC and enjoyed a celebratory presentation to the tune of “We Are the Champions,” by Queen. They will also be recognized at the 44th annual AAC Conference in Springdale on Aug. 8-10.
“We wanted to do something fun with county officials and employees across the state, and at the same time, we thought organizing a weight-loss challenge could make a positive impact on those we serve and ourselves,” Chris Villines, AAC executive director, said. “We all benefit from a team concept to help keep a weight-loss plan successful and longer lasting than the national statistics. Way to go, Calorie Crushers.”
The challenge hinged on county officials and employees across the state forming teams to participate in the 90-day contest.
Teams were encouraged to share email addresses so that everyone taking the challenge could share recipes, tips, funny quotes, thoughts of the day, etc.
Cathy Perry, AACRMS administrative assistant, organized and facilitated the challenge.
Before they crushed calories
The Pulaski County Calorie Crushers lost a total of 2.83 percent of their combined weight in the AAC’s first “Take a Load Off Weight-Loss Challenge” held from Jan. 3 to April 3. Pictured are (back row, from left) Ron, Laquita, Angie, Alma, Becky, Pat, Janet (front row, from left) Kim, C.J., Jean, Debra and Christy. Look at them now!
Association of Arkansas Counties
board members Danny Hickman (from left), Boone County Sheriff; Roger Haney, Washington County Treasurer; and Mike Jacobs, Johnson County Judge and AAC board president, react to a comment from one of the presenters during the board’s meeting in June at the AAC in Little Rock.
Chris Villines, AAC executive director, reports to the board concerning association property, current AAC projects and upcoming events for the association. Villines spoke about the ensuing AAC conference in Springdale and updated the board of directors on County Lines magazine and other marketing efforts. He also introduced new AAC staffers.
AAC Board conducts bi-monthly meeting
The Association of Arkansas Counties Board of Directors met for its regular meeting in June at the AAC facilities in Little Rock.
President Mike Jacobs called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. June 13 and a roll-call attendance was taken.
Jeanne Hunt, AAC executive assistant, read the minutes from the previous meeting and they were approved.
Chris Villines, AAC executive director, welcomed new staff members and presented various association business, including the property and director’s report.
Villines told the board the AAC legislative committee has requested expanded membership this year and expects the change to be a positive one for the 89th Arkansas General Assembly, which convenes in January.
“County government is facing tough times like many are in this economy,” Villines told the board. “We will continue to advocate and work toward improving the collective county situation across our state. The 2013 session will pose many challenges and opportunities for all counties in the Natural State.”
Cars, guns, money and junk
purpose for the seizing law enforcement agency or for the prosecuting attorney, the court may order that the agency may retain the property, for law enforcement or prosecutorial purposes only, for no longer than two years.
If the agency wishes to use the property in an official capacity for longer than two years, it must seek court approval on an annual basis. When property that is retained is finally sold, 80 percent of the proceeds should go into the retaining law enforcement agency’s drug control fund and 20 percent should be paid to the State Crime Lab Equipment Fund. If the court finds that retained property was used for personal or inappropriate purposes, it can order the entire proceeds of the sale of the property to be paid to the state crime lab and declare the agency ineligible to receive further forfeited assets.
Regarding the sale of confiscated guns specifically, A.C.A. § 16-90119 requires that any weapons confiscated during the commission of a felony involving a weapon be sold in accordance with certain guidelines if not retained by the appropriate law enforcement agency for official use. Weapons not suitable for sale to the public must be destroyed, and if the weapon may be sold by a state or local law enforcement agency, they must sell the weapons by public auction or competitive bid, subject to a background check of the purchaser. There is no mandatory waiting period for such sale, but no federal or state laws governing the sale of weapons may be violated.
There is no state or federal law specifically regulating the sale of weapons by a law enforcement agency that were purchased by the agency for official use rather than obtained by confiscation or seizure and forfeiture. There is no law that mandates how such weapons are to be sold or that a background check should be administered. However, because the federal law prohibits the sale of firearms to certain classes of individuals under any circumstances, the sale of a firearm by a state or local law enforcement agency, no matter how the weapon was obtained, should only be conducted after a criminal background check has been administered as is required for the sale of confiscated weapons.
The Association of Arkansas Counties will soon release a county compliance guidebook further detailing the requirements of seizures, forfeitures, asset inventory and expenditures of forfeited assets.
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n The Association of
In the works at
Roger Haney
Washington County Treasurer
Washington County was the destination for the County Lines cover story for this summer edition. We sat down with a couple of longtime elected officials working in the courthouse in an effort to share their story and perspective of Washington County.
As you will find across the great state of Arkansas, county people differ but also share commonalities, just like every one else. But a common current found in courthouses is one of caring for the public’s business and treating people how you would like to be treated. Washington County was no different.
We caught up with AAC vice president and Washington County Treasurer Roger Haney, who has been working in the county since 1979. We also had a chance to visit with the only female county judge in the state in Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards, who has served Washington County voters for 43 years.
COUNTY liNeS WashingtonCounty’s stories from the hill
Read moRe >>>>>>
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I had a good education since I had older brothers. I also went to school in a one-room schoolhouse until I was in the seventh grade, so I learned a lot from listening to the other grades.
— Roger Haney
Washington County Treasurer
Love for education
drives public servant to serve
By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
He was the fifth of six boys raised on a family farm in Saline County, Ill. He remembers the intimacy of a one-room schoolhouse and farm life as his initial character-creating experiences. His educational pursuits in college would land him in Fayetteville at the the University of Arkansas. Higher education brought him to the Northwest Arkansas community where he would eventually settle down to serve the community and raise a family.
Roger Haney, Washington County Treasurer and vice president of the AAC board of directors, has journeyed through a varied and successful political service career sparked by a love for education.
“I had a good education since I had older brothers,” Haney said laughingly. “I went to school in a one-room schoolhouse until I was in the seventh grade, so I learned a lot from listening to the other grades. I learned a lot of what they were doing in class as well.”
Haney was born Jan. 30, 1946, on a family farm in Illinois near the town of Harrisburg. He says he caught the learning bug early in life and it strengthened as he pursued his own career path.
“When I was in elementary school, being in that one-room schoolhouse environment, I learned to like learning,” Haney said. “My dad was that way, he read to me when I was a kid. He liked to read all the time, and loved language and crossword puzzles.”
The boy from a small farming community in the midwest would go on to earn a bachelor’s of science in history and political science from Murray State University in Kentucky. He taught school in Kentucky for a couple of years before his pursuit of a master’s degree would bring him to Fayetteville to the University of Arkansas.
“When I started teaching school or even at the university, I ran into all kinds people from all parts the country and when I started teaching, all different places. I saw the diversity of the country and it was a big awakening for me to experience different people, different ideas and view points. That was really exciting.”
Haney says the broader perspective and the diversity of collegiate classes only strengthened his admiration for learning and education.
He still usually takes one class a semester at the university. He also just completed a community iPad class.
“I really enjoy being around other students,” Haney said.
After graduating with his master’s degree, he went to work at Springdale High School, teaching history for two years before he would eventually assume administrator roles with the Springdale Public School District for three years.
Politics was another one of Haney’s interests and the opportunity to pursue it manifested in then-Gov. David Pryor’s bid for the United States Senate in 1978, when Haney was hired as a campaign aide.
At the end of the successful campaign Haney was hired by Pryor to be the education liaison for his office before Pryor took his seat in Washington, D.C. During the campaign, Haney also met Charles Johnson, whom he would later join in the Washington County Judges’ Office.
Haney said he became a speech writer as well after writing a speech for Pryor.
“They came back after the speech and told me I was it,” Haney said.
Haney was appointed as assistant to Washington County Judge Charles Johnson in 1979 and remained in that capacity for 20 years.
Haney said he had fun in the judge’s office and was able to see many county projects go from the drawing board all the way to fruition.
Haney cited roads, bridges, drainage issues and lack of equipment and resources as his and Johnson’s first gauntlet of challenges.
“We had a number of obsolete bridges in our county,” Haney said.
Washington County Treasurer Roger Haney
works at his desk in the Washington Courthouse. He has worked for the county since 1979.
Haney points out and describes the courtroom layout in the old Washington County Courthouse. The structure still houses county functions, including one of its criminal courts.
Pictured is Haney’s display table in his office.
Love for education
drives public servant to serve
Haney poses near a column in the old Washington County Courthouse. He described all the renovations and projects he worked on for the old structure while he was working in the county judge’s office for 20
“We had good stable ones, too, but we had some real issues to address, so we came up with a bridge program with a way of pre-fabricating bridge forms and reorganized the road department.”
Haney said if the headwalls of a bridge were still good, the county could utilize county prisoners for labor and the new pre-fabricated bridge forms to quickly and efficiently improve aging, narrow bridges.
“We lacked equipment and money to do all that needed to be done in our county, and cash flow wasn’t real good,” Haney said. “So we looked at and successfully passed a county-wide sales tax in 1981.
“After the sales tax passed, we started looking at improving the infrastructure problems in county buildings.”
In 1985, sales tax revenues allowed Washington County to build a new jail downtown, which the county eventually outgrew as well.
In the late 1980s as the region continued to swell in population, Washington County was in need of a new courthouse.
The First South Savings & Loan builsing at the end of Dixon Street in downtown Fayetteville became available after the bank experienced financial troubles.
“We were able to purchase the bank building as our new courthouse for $5 million,” Haney said with a smile. “It appraised for about $7 million.”
Throughout the 1990s, the county also added a new county health department building, an extension service building and a new juvenile detention building.
Before Johnson would leave office, Haney said the county also purchased land for a future road department.
“Our road department had became more centrally located in town because Fayetteville grew so much. It’s location also became further away from rural roads that we served every day,” Haney said. “Our road department needed to have better access to the rural area.”
Haney admitted he is proud in helping the community and in providing some things when he looks back at the accomplishments of the county while he was judge’s assistant.
“We were a little behind, but now, I think the county has some time and some reserves to start looking long-range, and look at the use and function of the monies. They have to start some good financial planning for the future of Washington County. One of the reasons I say that is because our county managers have held back what funds they didn’t need and they are all good stewards of the public’s funds.”
When Johnson decided to leave office, Haney had a crossroads in his career to maneuver.
“And then when Charles left office, I just decided I’d ridden this horse and wanted to run for office,” Haney said.
Haney did just that and was elected treasurer in
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people.
— Marilyn Edwards
Washington County Judge
Passion for people
Washington County Judge brings lifetime of public service to the table
By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
Generations of Washington County constituents have benefited by one dedicated public servant who has worked for them for more than four decades in numerous roles and offices.
Edwards is one of only two female county judges in the state and she says she has really been blessed doing what she does.
After 43 years, it is safe to say Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards has a heart made to serve the people.
Edwards, who was born in Hartman, Ark., in Johnson County in 1938, worked for the Washington County Judge and Clerk’s office for seven years before running a successful campaign in 1976 for the Washington County Probate and County Clerk position. She would serve in that capacity for 13 terms over 26 years.
Edwards’ position gave her a front-row seat to one of the fastest growing communities in the country.
“I watched Washington County grow tremendously,” Edwards said. “When I first started in the clerk’s office we had 30,000 registered voters and now we have 80,000 to 90,000. I’ve watched Fayetteville turn into … no longer a small rural community … it’s a metropolis now. I ran as the girl that was not from here. I was young. Being the clerk put me in the forefront and it was a wonderful opportunity and experience for me.”
While county clerk, Edwards was a longtime member of the Arkansas County Clerks Association and served as treasurer and secretary.
In 2001, the redistricting designation of a new district in the Arkansas House of Representatives would present the next stepping stone in Edwards’ career. She was elected in 2002 and would serve three twoyear terms as the representative from House District 88.
“That’s an experience I will never forget. It was quite an honor to be able to work with the people of the entire state, not just my county,” Edwards said. “To be able to help people, to change some bills and laws that would improve peoples’ lives, that’s an experience that I will never be able to tell the people of Washington County just how much I appreciate them allowing me to do.”
Edwards said her time as state representative opened a lot of doors and served her well later on in her role of county judge.
After six years in the Arkansas House of Representatives, Edwards set her sights on the county judge seat and was elected to that office in 2008.
“Every position I have ever served for the people of Washington County has been an honor,” Edwards said. “I have been able to accomplish some things in here for the people of Washington County that I have dreamed about doing.”
She said her family has embraced her deep roots in public service and that she has raised her two children, grandchildren, and now, a great grandchild, while in public service.
What’s up in Washington County?
Edwards said she is almost to the end of her building projects and has been in that phase ever since she became judge in 2008. Just recently, a new county animal shelter and a new juvenile center opened.
She also mentioned the almost infamous parking deck situation that she inherited and managed as soon as she took office. Construction on the reconstructed parking deck has been completed for a couple of years.
When asked what’s next for her goals as county judge she said, “To get through the next budget process and try to make sure everybody gets enough money to operate their offices. I think the next two years will be challenging, but it won’t be the first time I’ve encountered a challenge.”
A new emergency service is close to Edwards’ heart and its roots go back to her first several days as county judge.
Edwards recalled her first real county situation in office when she talked about a new county-wide program that she said she is very proud to have up and running. Code Red is a tornado alert system that notifies residents by phone who are in the path of a tornado.
“My first real task in office was that we had a tornado in Cincinnati, [Ark.] and it blew the town of Cincinnati in western Washington County away,” Edwards said. “I’ll be honest, I was not prepared for
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Former Washington Co. Courthouse constructed in 1904 still serves community
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the Washington County Courthouse provides Fayetteville as well as the region and the state with a notable example of Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture. The massive four-story building has octagonal corner towers topped with conical roofs, and is dominated by a central square bell tower. Construction of the building began in June 1904 and was completed in July 1905, with a contract cost of $100,000. Charles Thompson, a prominent Little Rock architect of the decade, designed the building while future Arkansas Gov. George Donaghey was the general contractor.
The Romanesque details are strongest in the rusticated limestone entrance porticoes of the front and end facades. Short granite columns support the arcade of the main portico. The western main façade is symmetrical with square-headed windows on the first two levels, round Romanesque arches spanning the third-floor windows and cast iron dormer windows on the fourth level, which is enclosed by the slope of a Mansard roof topped by an iron cresting.
Few alterations have been made to the 1905 exterior. In 1947, County Judge Witt Carter ordered that the grand stairway approaching the main entrance be removed to accommodate a street widening of College Avenue. The dark clock face was replaced with translucent material in 1965 to allow the clock to be seen at night. In addition, the clock tower steeple was removed due to structural instability. It was replaced in 1974 with a taller, slightly steeper steeple with the aid of an Arkansas National Guard Army helicopter. Together with the towers of the University’s “Old Main” (added to the National Register in 1970) across town and a high church steeple rising between these extremities, the Washington Courthouse steeple provides the area with a collection of vertical elements not often found in communities of like size in midwest America.
Nearly all of the interior spaces have undergone remodeling or subdivision. The most dramatic change was a 1973-74 addition of a bomb shelter and vault on the east side of the building, designed by Warren Segraves. In 1989 a complete rehabilitation and restoration study was completed by Witsell, Evans, and Rasco with David Powers of Springdale, which guided the interior and exterior restoration of the courthouse. Continued space problems and the opportunity to buy the building formerly housing the First South Savings & Loan in 1990 resulted in the county moving to that building over the next few years. This halted most
The previous Washington County Courthouse, located at 4 South College Ave. in Fayetteville, was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1972.
restoration plans. In 2003, County Judge Jerry Hunton created the Historic Washington County Courthouse Advisory Board to make recommendations on the restoration of the historic structure. The cost of the
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Passion for People
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that situation, but the emergency folks at the county worked hard and got us through it. That’s one of the reasons we have been so diligent with the Code Red launch and for our emergency plans in general. When you see a town destroyed like that, you never forget it. I’m very happy to have it [Code Red] in place.”
Edwards said the county purchased a bus that is now used as a command center in emergency and/or disaster situations and that the county is more prepared today for those situations.
When asked how long she would continue to serve, she energetically laughed and said, “Well, I’ll know when it’s time … but I’m not there yet.”
Edwards said she would take that decision two years at a time, and for now, she is focused on continuing to lead Washington County and serve the residents well.
“I am an open book and they [constituents] know that. I am what I am. When they talk to me, I tell them the truth. It might not be what they want to hear, but it’s what is right,” Edwards said. “If they don’t like it, it could cost you votes but you cannot let that interfere with the job you’re doing; if it costs you votes, it costs you votes. You still have to do what’s right.”
Edwards has been married to George for 57 years and they have lived in Fayetteville for 45 of those years. They have one son and one daughter, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. The Edwards are members of Central United Methodist Church of Fayetteville.
“I am one of the most blessed people in the world because I’ve been allowed to do what I love — serve the people,” she said.
Editor’s note: The other female county judge in Arkansas is Brenda Hunt who was appointed to the unexpired term of Cleburne County Judge Claude Dill in the summer of 2011 due to a vacancy in office.
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1998. He’s been stewarding the Washington County books ever since.
“I have three great people in my office. I’m most fortunate to have had great people working for me since I’ve been in office,” Haney said. “The treasurer’s role in the whole county area is to provide checks and balances for other elected officials and to the quorum court. The public also needs to know their money is being well protected and when it’s spent, it has gone through a certain process and there you provide another check and balance.”
Haney said a couple of his accomplishments in the office include digitizing records and setting up processes for online banking for the county.
He turned to his computer monitor and placed his finger in a scanner to gain access to his terminal. All the computers in the courthouse have identification measures.
“The first budget I was aware of in Washington County in 1979 was about $6 million,” Haney recalled. “Almost 34 years later, Washington’s County projected revenue is $76.6 million with a $62 million expense budget. So that’s one way to measure the growth I’ve witnessed.”
Haney serves on numerous boards and organizations and is a director for the National Association of Counties board.
“NACo is important to bring all the counties together and to speak for those counties. To speak to our national government to affect legislation that is passed on a national level but which will have to be implemented in all those counties.”
Haney said his role at the AAC as vice president is one he cherishes.
“The staff at the AAC is so good at what they do,” Haney said. “I’ve been apart of helping appoint two executive directors and I think we have come a long way and are moving in the right direction. I see counties getting more assistance from the AAC.”
Haney has been married to Mary Elizabeth Curtsinger, a retired school teacher, for 44 years. They have two children — Julia Strickland and Steven Haney. They also have three grandchildren.
He is currently seeking his eighth term as treasurer.
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Washington County Treasurer Roger Haney points out Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus in the Fayetteville skyline.
Washington County was formed by action of the Territorial Legislature in October 1828, from part of Crawford County and a tract known as Lovely’s Purchase. It was named for George Washington. The county seat was first called Washington but since Hempstead County already had a Washington community, the name was then changed to Fayetteville. A beautiful view of the courthouse rising above the U.S. courthouse and Fayetteville skyline can be seen from Mt. Sequoyah. The landscape of the county is flat-topped mountains and valleys with hardwood forests south and east with rolling hills and prairie in the northwest. Washington is the second most populous county in Arkansas and one of the fastest growing. Still, the county leads the state in dollar value of agricultural products produced annually, especially poultry and beef cattle. The economy is well balanced among agriculture, retail and service establishments, industry, and public institutions. The University of Arkansas is the largest single employer in the region.
Washington Co. Elected Officials
Marilyn Edwards
County Judge Karen C. Pritchard
County Clerk Bette Stamps
Circuit Clerk Tim Helder
Sheriff David Ruff
Collector Roger Haney
Treasurer Jeff Williams
Assessor Roger W. Morris
On the web www.arcounties.org
Justices of the Peace
Coroner
Tom Lundstrum Micah S. Neal Gary Carnahan Rex Bailey Candy Clark Barbara Fitzpatrick John P. Firmin Eva Madison Butch Pond Rick Cochran Mary Ann Spears Ann Harbison Joe Patterson
Go to www.arcounties.org for bios on all Q.C. members.
Former courthouse
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six-year restoration process was approximately $4.5 million. During the restoration numerous historic artifacts were found and are now displayed in the building, including a dozen vanilla extract bottles from the 1920s and antique furniture original to the courthouse. Noteworthy details of the original interior still intact include patterned ceramic floor tiles, stampedmetal ceilings in ornamental patterns, woodwork and metal-work throughout, the balustrade of the twostory staircase and cast-iron columns and capitals in the first two levels. In November 2004, a month-long celebration of the courthouse’s 100th culminated in the opening of a 1904 copper time capsule placed behind the building’s cornerstone containing copies of numerous artifacts. At the ceremony, a new time capsule was dedicated and is to be opened in 2055.
In 1920, the Daughters of the American Revolution commissioned New York artist William Steene to paint a mural honoring those Washington County men that died during World War I. Through numerous fund drives, the citizens of Washington County donated the majority of the $1,400 needed to paint, hang, and frame the 32-foot mural. The mural was cleaned and restored in 1976 and in 2010.
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.
Arkansas leads nation in Smart 911 technology
In June, Arkansas became the first state in the country to adopt a system called Smart911 that allows citizens to create a safety profile of critical rescue related data, which is made available to 9-1-1 call takers and emergency responders in the event of an emergency call.
“Smart911 integrates with the current system to provide additional lifesaving information to the responders. This will allow the responders to have information in their hands before they arrive, therefore providing a better service to our communities and state,” said Gary E. ‘Bud’ Gray with the Arkansas Emergency Telephone Services Board and North Little Rock Emergency Services.
Smart911 is the trusted database of critical data on 9-1-1 callers and is protecting millions of lives across the United States. A safety profile is created by the citizen and can include as much or as little information as they choose.
“The vital details contained in your safety profile could save your life. Please help us to better serve you and create your safety profile today,” said Jon Swanson of MEMS, on behalf of the Arkansas Ambulance Association.
Three steps that make it work
1. Citizens create a safety profile by going to www.smart911.com. 2. They link their cell phone and/or their land line to their home or work. 3. If they call 9-1-1, their safety profile will be displayed to the 9-1-1 call center and made available to first responders.
The information is private and secure and is only displayed on 9-1-1 monitors for 45 minutes. It cannot be accessed by anyone for any reason at any time. Each safety profile is required to be updated every six months through an automated call and e-mail to the profile owner.
“Smart911 is a great benefit to these families [with autism spectrum disorders], as it allows them to provide very specific information on all family members to 9-1-1 and response teams,” said Becca Green, cochairwoman for the 2012 Arkansas Walk Now for Autism Speaks event.
“Smart911 can give peace-of-mind to families across Arkansas as they can be assured that response teams will have the details they need to better assist them,” said Chief Jeremy Harper, president of the Arkansas Association of Fire Chiefs.
Sample Smart911 Use Cases
Missing child
Call-takers receive the photograph of a missing child during a 9-1-1 call which they can immediately forward to officers in the field, which saves critical minutes. Smart 911 is announced at a press conference at the Capitol on June 4.
A dispatcher utilizes a Smart911 console.
Confused or disabled caller
Call takers can view the medical profile of a confused or disabled caller. If an Alzheimer’s sufferer cannot remember his/her home address or an asthma sufferer is unable to speak, the 9-1-1 center will have dispatchable intelligence.
Deaf or hard-of-hearing caller
For the 20 million Americans who are hard-of-hearing, and anyone who may have trouble communicating with a 9-1-1 dispatcher over the phone, Smart911 offers the ability to preload data and communicate via SMS after a call is initiated.
Smart911 installation is being completed by region across Arkansas through the rest of the year. PSAPs can expect to be contacted by Smart911 with installation and marketing information throughout the next few months.
All citizens should be encouraged to create their safety profile today. It will be available in all call centers once Smart911 is installed. Five minutes today could save a life tomorrow.
The Arkansas Association
of County Clerks enjoyed an afternoon visit to Crystal Bridges Museum during its continuing education workshop in Rogers from June 25-27. Left: This sculpture greets visitors to the museum.
Benton County Judge Bob Clinard
welcomes the county clerks to Benton County and gives away passes for a special program at Crystal Bridges.
Jeff Sikes, AAC legislative director, talks about the psychology of politics. Michelle Winemiller, Jackson County Deputy County Clerk, and Melanie Clark, Jackson County Clerk, participate in the continuing education workshop in Rogers.
Co. Clerks assemble for continuing education
The Arkansas Association of County Clerks held a six-hour continuing education conference in Rogers from June 25-27.
Association members utilized this time to network with each other and to discuss mutual challenges and trends in their respective offices during planned roundtable discussions.
Attendees heard from speakers who talked about the Freedom of Information Act, legislative overviews, election current events and media relations.
The Secretary of State’s office was well represented and Martha Adcock, director of elections, shared details about her office’s website and what to expect in the next general election. Jeff Sikes, AAC legislative director, outlined the AAC’s legislative process and timeline for the 89th Arkansas General Assembly. He also shared the latest research on politics and psychology.
Ryan Owsley, deputy attorney general, presented an in-depth program on the Freedom of Information Act. He focused on what questions county clerks usually encounter the most.
“We had an excellent meeting filled with pertinent information for our members,” said Rhonda Cole, Arkansas Association of County Clerks president and Clark County Clerk. “I also think we enjoyed some really good conversations about collective issues in our roundtable discussions.”
Above: Scott Perkins, AAC communications director, talks about media relations. Left: Ryan Owsley, deputy attorney general, explains the Freedom of Information Act.
Photo courtesy of The Evening Times / Mark Randall n Melton Holt, 69 n Born in Gilmore, Ark. n Graduated valedictorian of
Turrell High School
n Earned bachelor’s degree in
accounting from Arkansas State University in 1967
n Served as Crittenden County
Tax Collector for 26 years
n Elected county judge in 2000 n Married Martha in 1969 n Both have been active at Marion United
Methodist Church for more than 40 years
Melton Holt, Crittenden County Judge, returns to the courthouse after a tragic motorcycle accident nearly took his life last July.
Tragedy toTriumph
Elvis is back in the building.
Crittenden County Judge Melton Holt, 69, has been a fighter his whole life. He grew up in a family of five in Gilmore, Ark., and times were hard for his family. He held down his first job at only 12 or 13 years old. Without the funds for college, he would go on to earn a college degree by attending one semester at a time until he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Arkansas State University in 1967. He was elected Crittenden County Tax Collector in 1972, a seat he would hold for 26 years. He has always been a fighter, but not only for himself and his family, but also for what was right for the people of Crittenden County. He also had a playful side as he often impersonated Elvis at community events. And he will tell you his most recent challenge and triumph after a tragic motorcycle accident was only realized through the power of prayer, his amazing will to live and loving family and friends.
Melton Holt, 1961
The Holt family on vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Pictured are Melton (from left), Heather, Martha and Bert. Cocoa
By Scott Perkins County Lines Editor
The Crittenden County Quorum Court meeting on July 17 might have appeared to be just like any other meeting held on the third Tuesday of the month at the courthouse, but this one was special.
County Judge Melton Holt presided, as you would expect the county judge to do at a quorum court meeting; however, the year-long near death journey Melton had to travel to get to the meeting that day is a path not many men could endure.
Exactly a year earlier to the day, the phone rang in the Holt household on Shiloh Drive in Marion.
“Mrs. Holt, your husband has been in a terrible accident,” the dispatcher said.
Martha told the caller that Melton was outside cleaning out the truck and that “it couldn’t be my husband.”
The dispatcher reiterated that Melton Holt had been in an accident.
Martha again explained how Melton was in the garage, or so she thought.
The third time the dispatcher mentioned a motorcycle accident and Martha quickly realized Melton had taken the motorcycle to the carwash and collided with another vehicle not even a mile from the house.
The Holt family was immediately thrust into a seven-month timeframe peppered with uncertainty and as Martha explained, “We were touch and go with Melton’s life for most of that time.”
It would be 10 more months before the Holts would see Melton back in the home in which they lived since they were married on Jan. 3, 1969.
Crittenden County Judge
Melton Holt glances at the front page of The Evening Times, in his home in Marion. Holt’s return to preside over the quorum court meeting was the lead story.
A Good Man ... all the way to the courthouse
Hard work and a full day’s effort was a way of life for the Holt family in Gilmore, Ark., in the late 1940s and early 50s. Young Melton Holt would enter the workforce before his teenage years while he held a variety of jobs including working in a movie theater, cutting meat at Mengarelli’s grocery and even working in a brassiere factory.
Holt said the scripture of doing unto others how you would have them do unto you is a lesson he thinks of often.
When asked to sum up how he approaches each day, he referenced a plaque that hangs in the collector’s office, “Lord, please help me remember that nothing will happen to me today that you and I can’t handle together.”
He attended school in Turrell and was known as the “Turrell Terror” on the baseball field.
Holt would walk to and from work after school and his uncle helped him buy a 1956 Allstate Motor Scooter one day when they decided it wasn’t safe for Holt to be walking the highway. He still owns the scooter and plans to refurbish it one day.
He graduated valedictorian of his class at Turrell High School and was encouraged by his teachers to go to college. He didn’t have the money to attend full time, so he worked for one semester and then would go to class the next. He continued this cadence until he graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Arkansas State University in 1967.
After graduating, Holt worked as an accountant in Memphis before he decided to embark on his career as an elected official and ran for Crittenden County Tax Collector in 1972.
Holt was the third candidate to throw his hat into that race. He emerged victorious after a runoff and would serve Crittenden County for the next 26 years as its collector without any opposition.
“When I took office, I started asking several questions,” Holt said. “’Why do we do this?’ I would ask and the answer would be ‘because we’ve always done it that way.’”
Besides bringing his accounting expertise to the collector’s office and making some changes, Holt would identify a need for collectors across the state to create an association during his first term. He said he recognized the need for collectors to talk about common issues and help each other find best practices.
“Courtney Langston, a former collector/sheriff, helped me pull some people together,” Holt said. “We used language and bylaws from other associations to draft ours.”
Holt said the state legislature had to approve the creation of such an association and it was voted down the first time. After some lobbying by Holt, the measure came back up and was approved. The Arkansas County Tax Collectors Association is one of the Association of Arkansas Counties member associations and is vibrant and strong today.
I must have a strong inward understanding of what I can do or I’m just too bull headed to know any better.
Melton Holt on his 1956 Allstate Motor Scooter.
— Melton Holt n What time do you get up most mornings? 6:30 a.m. n What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Titanic n What is your favorite TV show? Two and Half Men & House n What is your favorite cuisine? Country home cooking n Favorite dessert? Chocolate pie n What kind of vehicle do you drive? Ford van n Favorite sport to watch? Baseball n Are you a morning person or night? Night n What did you want to be when you were little? Cowboy n What is your best childhood memory? Riding 1956 Allstate Motor Scooter n Do you have any pets? Yes, one dog, a Pomeranian n Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Car dealership n What was your favorite vacation? Spring breaks to Florida when the kids were still in school
Tragedy to Triumph
Melton’s outside appearance to those visiting him in the hospital, at first, gave no clue to how much trauma and injury was hiding beneath the skin. His family and friends could not grasp just what kind of battle lay ahead, either.
The doctor at the Med in Memphis told the family he didn’t know if Melton would make it and that he would probably never leave the hospital. Apparently, the doctor had never met Melton Holt or his family.
However the family said a trauma resident was always supportive and told them that there was “still hope.”
Melton said he feels like he has beaten the odds, but the credit goes to the Lord, the power of prayer and his family and friends.
“When you’ve got every church in the county praying for you … the good graces of the Lord and our Savior and the prayers that have been lifted throughout this county and state … I’ve gone as far as I have because of the fact I have a driving force inside of me that makes me want to do something and I have been blessed to have a good wife and two children that make me proud … And I have a 3-year-old grandson now who I would like to live long enough to enjoy and be a part of his life.”
Martha explained how the process of Melton’s recovery really was a story of “taking one step forward and two steps back.”
The journey would take the Holts to three hospitals, a nursing home and a rehabilitation facility with a plethora of complications, infections, internal bleeding and reconstructive surgeries.
“I often wondered how people made it through crisis when it occurred in their lives. I learned through this experience that one’s faith in God, the power of prayer, and the support from friends and family are all things that help pull you through such a devastating ordeal,” Heather Holt wrote in an e-mail. “We have always had a close-knit family and I, along with some of his doctors, believe that this kind of love and support are part of the reason that my dad is with us today. Another obvious reason is his will to live.”
The roller coaster ride of what the Holts say seemed like minute-tominute diagnosis is best explained in Heather’s posts on www.caring bridge.org, a website that hosts threads on various people battling various situations. Melton’s story has had more than 29,000 hits.
The tumultuous and many times despairing situation did allow for Melton to see what many people don’t have the chance to experience according, to one post by a family friend on Caring Bridge.
“In a way, Melton has been blessed. How many of us will ever have the opportunity to know how much we are thought of and loved while we are still here? It is often too late to tell someone how much we care for them, respect them and admire them, but Melton has found that out these past few weeks.”
Melton returned home May 24 and has thrived in his continued healing ever since. Heather’s dog, Cocoa, who Melton and Martha inherited several years ago, nearly licked Melton’s face off when he came home for the first time.
Martha said just the other day Myles, their 3-year-old grandson, got up in the bed with “Papa” and shared his lunch with him.
“What better medicine in the world is there than that?” Martha said emphatically.
Everyone in the has family welcomed some sense of normalcy in their lives since Melton has come home.
He continues a weekly therapy schedule and his brother Pete helps him get out and serves as his driver.
Melton deals with discomfort, especially from sitting too long, as just one side effect to his trauma and several surgeries. He had two major metal rods placed in his back for support as well. His therapy will continue but it’s unsure about what his everyday pain level will be.
Melton was selected as the Marion Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year while he was recovering, so Heather accepted the award on his behalf.
“He will tell you that you look at your life with a different perspective after something like this happens to you,” she said to the audience. “It is truly a miracle that my dad is with us today. Our entire family wants to thank all of the many people that have prayed, offered their support in any way … Along with most of you, we are ready for Dad, otherwise known as Papa, the Judge and last but not least, Elvis, to come home.”
Martha said the same doctor that said he would never leave the hospital later on in the recovery also said, “He’ll probably never walk again, but with this man, I’ll never say never again.”
Defying the experts once again, Melton walked with his walker before he came back to preside over the July quorum court meeting.
During his recovery Melton decided not to seek re-election, and for now, adjusts his focus on finishing what he started more than a year ago.
“In the short term, I want to continue to rehabilitate myself and get my strength back and be able to be as independent as I can and not have to depend on my wife and kids to take care of me,” he said.
As he looks back at the rehab he experienced and forward to continued therapy, he said he would tell others who also have a long road ahead, “I would encourage them to pray about it. Always remember that God is the all powerful. And once in your rehab, take it seriously.”
Continued From Page 37 <<<
Excerpts from Melton Holt’s Caring Bridge posts — page 41
Holt, the “Turrell Terror” on the baseball diamond, poses with a couple of fellow teammates.
A Good Man
Continued From Page 38 <<<
Crittenden County Health Department.
“It can be one of the most fulfilling jobs that you can do. If you do a good job of being a public servant, you can really feel good about yourself when you help people who are in need,” Holt said about public service in general. “When you can get things done for people who need help, they really appreciate it.”
On Jan. 3, 1969, he married Martha and they bought the home they still live in today.
Working hard and helping others was certainly present in this time of Holt’s career as he also owned Holt’s Exxon gas station and a bookkeeping business on the side.
He decided to retire and move to Greer’s Ferry Lake, however, his departure was brief and he returned to run for Crittenden County Judge in 2000. He took office in 2001.
“The county judge has a lot of areas where you can help someone,” Holt said. “It’s nice to be able to sit down and listen to someone’s problems and not just tell them how it’s going to be. Unhappy residents would come in to see me and before they would leave they would be happy or at least in a better mood than when they came in.”
Holt said the county judge might not be able to fix everything, but he could usually point people in the right direction and would always listen.
“No one ever thought of Melton as a politician,” Martha Holt said. “He is the guy you go to to get something done because he will listen and do what’s right.”
Holt said some of his goals as judge has been to maintain a good budget, protect aging county structures and resources and to save taxpayers money when he could.
“We’re in good shape financially and have paid for things as we went. Our courthouse was built in 1911 and needs attention from time to time,” Holt said. “We pay as we go and have made improvements to all buildings.”
Just in the past year, Crittenden County moved the assessor and collector offices into a building it purchased. Holt said residents frequent those two offices the most and the new location is more traffic friendly.
The move also allowed to make room for more court-related functions to be housed in the courthouse. The county was paying rent for some court office space that it is responsible to provide and for some storage space for election machines.
Holt also cited an energy grant the county obtained that helped replace lighting fixtures with energy saving light bulbs and allowed the installation of energy efficient roofing.
Holt has been active with the County Judges Association of Arkansas (CJAA) while he has been county judge and has served on its executive committee.
“A lot of good men and women are involved with that association. I found a lot of knowledge in the association from all 75 counties,” Holt said. “I made a lot of good relationships with the judges.”
The Holts have two children — Heather and Bert. Bert married Amy in 2007 and had the Holt’s first grandchild, Myles Emerson Holt, in April 2009.
When asked about his long-term goals he said, “I’ve been blessed over the years and don’t have to work if I don’t want to, but I’m not ruling anything out or shutting any doors, but I’m not looking right now.”
Martha quickly added, “But I know once he gets mobile, sitting and looking at these four walls won’t make him a happy camper. He’s a people person and he will have to get out and probably help someone get something done.”
The Crittenden County Courthouse, built in 1911.
Holt poses on his Harley Davidson.
Caring Bridges Melton Holt
On the web www.caringbridge.org Search “MeltonHolt” for all posts on Melton’s timeline. The page has more 29,000 hits registered.
July 28, 2011 2:26 p.m.
Dad was still holding his own at our 9:00 am and 1:00 visits. His lung doesn’t sound great when they listen to it so they keep checking his blood levels to see if he can continue on his own. We’re hoping so! He does have a bacterial infection and they are trying to find the source of it. … He is trying to talk to us some but it is hard to understand right now. We love being able to hear his voice even if it is just a little bit!! I can’t thank all of you enough for the continued prayers!
Aug. 25, 2011 8:21 p.m.
Dad’s morning started out a little rough, but he ended up having another pretty good day. He got sick several times this morning … The X-ray showed what appeared to be an air bubble in his stomach. … It’s amazing how great he looks considering everything he has been through! He was sitting in his chair at the 1:00 visit and was tolerating it well. He had a couple of visitors and was in good spirits while they were there. He smiled and used a lot of facial expressions. He was still doing good at 5:00 and hoping for a good report at 9:00.
Jan. 25, 2012 9:35 p.m.
Dad has had kind of a busy week so far. He started having some gastrointestinal bleeding on Sunday. … We don’t know the results of this test yet. He is stable but they moved him to ICU to keep a closer eye on him until they know more about where the bleeding is coming from. He has received a couple of units of blood since Sunday. They are also doing another scan to check for infection. We don’t know the results of this either. I will keep you posted as we know more. Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers. They mean so much to us.
Feb. 2, 2012
We truly feel like we are witnessing a miracle. My dad is finally making a comeback. For so long, I felt like there was not a light at the end of the tunnel. I definitely think there is one now. Something has just clicked this last week. He’s feeding himself and eating all of his meals. ... We are so happy. Prayer is powerful!
May 25, 2012 6:31 a.m.
We made it! We got dad home around 2:30 yesterday. We took him by the courthouse first to let some of his co-workers greet him out in the parking lot and then we made our way to the house. Our little dog, Cocoa, was so happy to see him. She hugged and licked all over him. We had several people help us get the house ready for his homecoming and we are so thankful. Thank you to our family and friends that brought food to the house yesterday too. It was an exciting day and we appreciate everyone helping to make it special.
Eddie Jones,
county consultant
and legislative committee members. Pictured are (front row, from left) Deanna Ratcliffe, secretary; Carolyn Morrisett, treasurer; Judy Beth Hutcherson, president; and Becky Gattas, vice-president. Also pictured are (back row, from left) AAC legislative committee members Tim Stuckey, Beverly Pyle, Roger Haney, Debra Buckner, Judy Burnett and Jim Arnold, past president.
Janet Hibbetts,
White County Treasurer, explains the board elections for the 2012-14 term.
Right: Karen Ricketts, daughter of Laura Ricketts, Franklin County Deputy Treasurer, thanks the treasurer’s association for their support in her education. Ricketts received the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship and will benefit from $1,500 in scholarship funds.
Jeff SIkes, AAC legislative director talks about the legislative process.
Treasurers bring 9-hour workshop to Carroll Co. for continuing education
The Arkansas County Treasurer’s Association hosted a nine-hour continuing education workshop in Eureka Springs in late June. Attendees enjoyed various speakers and held elections for its 2012-14 board members, Continuing Education Board and AAC Legislative Committee members.
“I appreciate the support of my fellow treasurers and am happy to continue to serve,” Judy Beth Hutcherson said about being re-elected as the president of Arkansas County Treasurer’s Association. “We have a strong organization with good officers and members who communicate well together to solve mutual issues. They are always eager to help each other and share a commitment to the taxpayers.”
Jeff Sikes, AAC legislative director, presented a mountain of information concerning the AAC legislative process and timeline as he focused his material on the 89th Arkansas General Assembly, to convene in January.
Keith Pettit and Joe Stacey with the Division of Legislative Audit presented information ranging from the county financial management manual to Legislative Audit in general.
Hutcherson acknowledged two scholarship recipients during the meeting as well. Karen Ricketts, daughter of Franklin County Deputy Treasurer Laura Ricketts, received the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship. Ricketts attends Arkansas Tech University, where she is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. She is the first recipient of the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship.
Camille Nicole Hart, daughter of Clark County Deputy Treasurer Gloria Hart, received the annual treasurer’s association scholarship.
The Arkansas County Treasurer’s Association also held its 2012-14 elections during the workshop. Treasurers elected their board, continuing education board, legislative committee members and the association’s AAC board member representative.
Roger Haney was re-elected to serve as the Arkansas County Treasurer’s Association’s AAC Board of Directors representative.
Above: Joe Stacey, Arkansas Division of Legislative Joint Audit field audit supervisor, answers questions about state audit protocols.
Right: Deanna Ratcliffe, Benton County Treasurer, passes out meeting minutes and financial reports during the business meeting June 22.
Arkansas County Treasurer’s Association
2012-14 board members
n Judy Beth Hutcherson, president, Clark County n Becky Gattas, vice president, Phillips County n Carolyn Morrisett, treasurer, Clay County n Deanna Ratcliffe, secretary, Benton County n Jim Arnold, immediate past president, Searcy County
AAC 2012-14 Treasurer’s Association Legislative Committee members
n Tim Stuckey, Grant County n Beverly Pyle, Crawford County n Roger Haney, Washington County n Debra Buckner, Pulaski County n Judy Burnett, Prairie County
Continuing Education Board
n Judith Miller, Sebastion County n Judy Beth Hutcherson, Clark County n Jan Moore, Perry County n Marlene Hite, Woodruff County n Brandi Gillespie Rolan, Yell Co.
Keith Pettit with the Arkansas Division of Legislative Joint Audit discusses codes in the county financial management manual as it pertains to the functions of the county treasurer in each county.
Arkansas County Treasurer’s Association Continuing Education Board for 2012-2014 are:
(from left) Judy Beth Hutcherson, Clark Co.; Judith Miller, Sebastian Co.; Jan Moore, Perry Co.; Brandy Gillespie Rolan, Yell Co; and Marlene Hite, Woodruff Co.
