AAC Board profile: Debbie Wise

Board AAC Profile

Debbie Wise

Office: Randolph County Circuit Clerk

Other titles: Vice-President, AAC Board of Directors;

Chairman, AAC Legislative Committee My favorite meal: Anything my mom cooks — fried chicken, gardenfresh vegetables, strawberry shortcake. I also like Mexican food.

County I was born in: Fort Ord, California. My father and mother were in the Army and stationed there.

What I like most about my county: Randolph

County is beautiful. We have rivers, parks, hunting, fishing, festivals, wonderful people. It is a great place to live. When I’m not working I’m: Spending time with my family, mostly my grandkids. I love going to flea markets, reading, gardening and fishing.

The accomplishments of which I am most proud: My family and being able to truly help someone in need when they come to my office to see me.

The hardest thing I have ever done is: Saying goodbye to my family and friends who have died from illness.

The best thing about living in Arkansas:

It is home. It is beautiful, and all of my county government family lives here. There is a friend in every county.

Debbie Wise, Randolph County If I wasn’t a county circuit clerk, I’d be: I would be running a little cafe by a beach.

I got started in county government because: I was looking for a better job so I could spend more time with my 5-year-old daughter. The

Lord blessed me with a job I have loved for many years. You might be surprised to learn that: I am terrified of spiders.

My pet peeve is: Judgmental people.

Federal monies, legislation are everyday worries for official in Montgomery County

Endorsed

AAC honors two retiring board members

Top: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines speaks at a December 2014 ceremony honoring retiring board members Mike Jacobs, former Johnson County Judge, and Roger Haney, former Washington County Treasurer. AAC staff and board members gathered at the front of the room, and Villines presented each of the retiring board members with a special gift.

Middle left: Jacobs, who now serves on the Johnson County Quorum Court, and his wife Sandra (right) pose with Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Courtney Hudson Goodson.

Middle: Jacobs and Haney each received an engraved crystal plaque commemorating their service to county government. Jacobs, who was Johnson County Judge for 24 years, was AAC’s longest serving board president. He was appointed to the board in 1997 and elected president two years later. Haney served as Washington County Treasurer for 36 years before retiring.

Middle right: Retired Jackson County Justice of the Peace Elwanda Templeton speaks with AAC board members Joe Gillenwater, Miller County Justice of the Peace, and David Thompson, Boone County Justice of the Peace.

Bottom: Haney says a few words to the county, district and state officials who attended the ceremony. Afterward, Jacobs spoke and led the group in a rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” the same tune he regularly sang at the close of AAC’s annual summer conference.