
17 minute read
Randy Kemp Memorial Golf Tournament Recap
Above: Phillip Carper with DataScout, Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston, Jefferson County Collector-Elect Tony Washington and Cory Scott take a photo.


40 plus golfers participate in 20th annual golf tournament
More than 40 golfers teed off at The Creeks Golf Resort in Cave Springs Aug. 7, 2018, to raise money for the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Kemp was the AAC’s first communications director. He joined AAC in 2008 after a successful career in newspapers. He died in a motorcycle accident in August 2001.
The Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship aims to raise funds for scholarships for descendants of county officials or employees who intend to pursue a college degree in communications.
The 2018 Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Shawna Marie Martin, great-granddaughter of Baxter County Road Department employee Laurel Don Reed.
AAC extends its appreciation those who support the fund, the golfers and sponsors.
Left: Craighead County Justice of the Peace Josh Longmire aims for the green.


Far left: Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director and Van Buren County Sheriff Scott Bradley prepares to swing. Left: Steffen Wilson, James Ballard, Buddy Villines and Alan Breshears wait to take off to the first tee. Above: Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright lines up to hit the ball.
Tournament results
First Flight 1st - Darryl Gardner and Bill Bradberry 2nd - Scott Sanson and Snapper Ussery 3rd - Cory Scott and Tony Washington

Second Flight 1st - Brent Hendricks and Joey Pruitt 2nd - Patrick Hardy and Eric McCorey 3rd - Tim Welch and Arlene Welch
Long Drive Winner Brittany Rogers

Putting Contest Winner Josh Longmire

Closest to the Pin Winner
Bill Bradberry Alan Breshears squares up to hit the ball. Tim Welch and Arlene Welch watch.
Above: April and Tommy Fisher judge the closest to the pin contest.
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Correct Solutions Group

Gold Sponsors JCD Consulting Keystone Solutions
Silver Sponsors
Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Delta Mass Appraisal Services, Inc. Arkansas Cama Technology, Inc. National Medtest, Inc. 1st Arkansas Bail Bonds, Inc. Datascout, LLC Above: Trayce Hughes with the Logan County assessor’s office and Logan County Assessor Shannon Cotton share a laugh. Right: AAC Governmental Affairs Director Josh Curtis, Snapper Ussery and Faulkner County Treasurer Scott Sanson wait on the green.

Hole Sponsors

Twisted Foods Eatery and Meal Prep Rainwater, Holt and Sexton Apprentice Information Systems Above: Darryl Gardner with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions watches his ball down the fairway. Right: Robin Dollar with National Medtest and Boddy Dollar offers drinks to golfers.
50th anniversary conference sets record attendance
Officials hear from congressman, governor and pay tribute to past leaders
The Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual conference Aug. 8-10, 2018, at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers/Benton County. “Honoring our Past, Celebrating the Present, Envisioning our Future” was a fitting theme for the event, which drew record attendance of nearly 750.
With Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise presiding over Wednesday’s opening general session, Benton County Judge Barry Moehring welcomed attendees. He introduced the keynote speaker, U.S. Congressman Steve Womack, who discussed the negative effects of political partisanship and the need for marketplace fairness.
National Association of Counties (NACo) Executive Director Matt Chase also spoke, touching on the opioid crisis, disaster coverage, and other topics.
AAC Executive Director Chris Villines led the traditional roll call — in a nontraditional way. Attendees watched video footage of all 85 courthouses in the state and let their presence be known as their courthouse appeared on the screen.
On the morning of Thursday, Aug. 9, Gov. Asa Hutchinson discussed funding for drug task forces and highways, as well as emergency services reform.
The Thursday luncheon was a time to honor the past. Former AAC executive directors and board presidents — Brenda Pruitt, Eddie A. Jones, Mike Jacobs, and Judy Beth Hutcherson — were seated at the head table. Villines recognized each, and attendees reflected on the past as they viewed a history video narrated by Jones.
Speaker and entertainer Bill Stainton kept officials on their toes with his presentation, “The 5 Best Decisions the Beatles Ever Made.” Afterward, the AAC recognized two officials for their “tireless work in boldly advocating for the counties of Arkansas.” The 2017 Inaugural Wes Fowler Advocacy Award was presented to Eddie Jones, and the 2018 award was presented to retired Columbia County Clerk Sherry Bell.
Break out sessions on retirement, crisis communication, human resources and other relevant topics were offered. In addition, the Senate and House State Agencies committees and the Senate and House
City, County, and Local Affairs committees convened to hear presentations on improvement districts, the Arkansas homestead tax credit, and emergency services reform, among other items.
Upon adjournment, candidates for Secretary of State, John Thurston (R) and Susan Inman (D), participated in a forum, addressing issues such as voting equipment and communication with counties.
To wrap up Thursday, officials enjoyed the annual dinner and dance, featuring Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends. Friday ended with a panel discussion on opioids. Speakers were Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington, Arkansas Municipal League Executive Director Mark Hayes, AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen, Attorney Jerome Tapley, Attorney Mike
Rainwater and Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane. In addition to providing an update on litigation, panelists shared facts about the crisis and personal stories.
Finally, the AAC presented Lane and Ellington a Diamond Award for their exemplary work in combating the opioid crisis in Arkansas through education and litigation. The awards ceremony was a fitting symbol for the “future” of the AAC and Arkansas’ 75 counties.

AAC Executive Director Chris Villines (left) welcomes Gov. Asa Hutchinson (right) to AAC’s conference in August. Christian Gonzalez (left, center) with the Governor’s office and Doug Smith (right, center) with the Governor’s campaign also are pictured.



Left: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines (left), Benton County Judge Barry Moehring, U.S. Congressman Steve Womack and NACo Executive Director Matt Chase talk before the opening general session Aug. 8. Above left: Matt Chase speaks to the more than 700 county officials and employees during the opening general session. Above right: Congressman Steve Womack discusses political partisanship and marketplace fairness.
Right: Miss Northwest Arkansas Darynne Dahlem sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the opening general session Aug. 8. She also sang “God Bless America.” Far right: Congressman Steve Womack (center) talks with Washington County Circuit Clerk Kyle Sylvester (left) and Washington County Treasurer Bobby Hill (right).





Above left: AAC Board President and Randolph County Circuit Clerk Debbie Wise presides over the luncheon Aug. 9. Above center: AAC Board Vice-President, AAC Legislative Committee member, and Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison speaks to judges during their association meeting. Above right: AAC Board Secretary/Treasurer and Clark County Clerk Rhonda Cole sits at the head table during the business session.


Left: Lawrence County Judge John Thomison (center) and his wife, Rita, talk with Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Above: Ashley County Justice of the Peace Ronnie Wheeler (left) shakes Gov. Hutchinson’s hand.



Above left: Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks to conference attendees Aug. 9. Above center: Sebastian County Judge David Hudson gives a retirement committee report during AAC’s business session Aug. 10. Above right: AAC Legislative Committee Chair and Craighead County Treasurer Terry McNatt gives a legislative committee report during the business session. Right: AAC Board member, Arkansas Association of County Tax Collectors’ President, and Crittenden County Collector speaks to collectors. Right center: AAC Board member and Benton County Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields speaks. Far right: AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey Bailey moderates the secretary of state candidates forum.





Left: State Rep. Lanny Fite (middle) speaks before the Senate and House City, County, and Local Affairs Committees. Chris Villines (left) and Arkansas Municipal League Executive Director Mark Hayes (right) join him. Above: State Rep. and chair of the House City, County, and Local Affairs Committee Tim Lemons (left) and Villines chat.
Right: AAC Legislative Committee member, Boone County Clerk and Arkansas Association of County Clerks President Crystal Graddy (middle) speaks on behalf of county clerks. She is joined by Lindsey Bailey (left) and Rhonda Cole (right). Far right: State representatives Johnny Rye and Roger Lynch pose for a photo following a legislative meeting.




Far left: State Senators Lance Eads (left) and Jim Hendren talk after the commitee meeting. Left: State Sen. Alan Clark, co-chairs the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee. Other members of the committee join him at the table.
Right: Brianna Fields, deputy director of the Benton County Office of Emergency Communications; Stacy Hunt, state 911 coordinator for Arkansas Department of Emergency Management; Renee Hoover, administrator of the Arkansas Emergency Telephone Services Board; and AAC Governmental Affairs Director Josh Curtis, present a plan to reform the state’s 911 emergency response services. Far right: State Representatives Justin Boyd (left) and Jimmy Gazaway chat.




Left: Conway County Judge and AAC Board member Jimmy Hart (right), Stone County Assessor and AAC Board member Heather Stevens (left), and Pulaski County Treasurer/Collector and AAC Board member Debra Buckner (center) greet the Governor. Above: Logan County Justice of the Peace and AAC Board member Jeanne Andrews talks with Gov. Hutchinson.

Above: Franklin County Judge Rickey Bowman (left), Sevier County Judge Greg Ray, Arkansas County Judge Thomas “Eddie” Best, and Madison County Judge and County Judges’ Association of Arkansas President Frank Weaver (right) attend the joint meeting of the Senate and House City, County, and Local Affairs committees to show support of county issues. Above center: Past AAC Board of Directors President and Johnson County Judge Mike Jacobs (top), and past AAC Executive Director Brenda Pruitt were recognized for their years of service to Arkansas county government during the conference luncheon Aug. 9. Right: AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen; Saline County Coroner, Arkansas Coroners’ Association President and AAC Board member Kevin Cleghorn; AAC Legal Counsel Mark Whitmore; Polk County Judge and AAC Board Vice-President Brandon Ellison; and Pulaski County Coroner and AAC Board member Gerone Hobbs smile for the camera. Above: Stone County Assessor and AAC Board member Heather Stevens (left) and Columbia County Assessor and AAC Board member Sandra Cawyer pose for a photo.









Far left: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines (left) and AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen, present Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane with the AAC Diamond Award for his exemplary work in combating the opioid crisis. Left: Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington also receives a Diamond Award for his exemplary work in combating the opioid crisis.
Left: Arkansas Municipal League Executive Director Mark Hayes (left), Mike Rainwater of Rainwater, Holt & Sexton law firm and Attorney with Cory Watson, P.C. Jerome Tapley, participate in an opioid panel discussion on Aug. 10.


Above left: A group of early risers gather for AAC’s annual Wellness Walk, which is organized by AAC Member Benefits Manager Becky Comet. Above right: Donning black wigs, Greene County Treasurer Debbie Cross (left), Saline County Coroner Kevin Cleghorn, Baxter County Justice of the Peace Edna Fusco, and Saline County Justice of the Peace Tammy Schmidt perform as the Beatles under the direction of entertainer and speaker Bill Stainton. Stainton spoke on “The 5 Best Decisions the Beatles Ever Made” during lunch on Aug. 9.


Far left: Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts members meet. Left: The Beatles tribute band, Liverpool Legends, perform during AAC’s annual Dinner & Dance Aug 9.


Left: National Association of Counties Membership Associate John Losh explains a new cybersecurity program to a conference attendee. Right: Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery chats with Jason Owens and JaNan Davis, attorneys with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton law firm.
Thank you to our 2018 Exhibitors and Sponsors!
AAC Risk Management Services
1415 West Third St. Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 375-8805 www.arcounties.org
ACT
14 Office Park Drive Little Rock, AR 72211 (479) 790-3230 www.arcamatech.com
ADEM — AR Federal Surplus Property
8700 Remount Rd. North Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 835-3111 www.adem-arkansas.gov
American Stamp & Marking Products, Inc.
500 Fee Fee Rd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (800) 872-7840 www.americanstamp.com
Apprentice Information Systems, Inc.
900 N. Dixieland, Ste. 102 Rogers, AR 72756 (479) 631-8054 www.apprenticeis.com
Arkansas Aggregates
1910 W. 65th Street Little Rock, AR 72209 (501) 565-5333 arkansasaggregates.com
Arkansas Auditor of State Andrea Lea
500 Woodlane St., Ste 230 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 681-7421 www.auditor.ar.gov
Arkansas Broadcasters Association
2024 Arkansas Valley Dr. Ste. 403 Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 227-7564 www.arkbroadcasters.org
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
P.O. Box 31 Little Rock, AR 72203 (501) 224-4400 www.arfb.com
Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin
500 Woodlane, Room 24 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 580-3305 www.sos.arkansas.gov
Arkansas State Archives
1 Capitol Mall Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-6900 www.archives.arkansas.gov
AT&T
1111 W. Capitol, Rm 1070 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 373-8084 www.att.com
Barron Software Consulting
206 N. Old Wire Road Lowell, AR 72745 (479) 270-2706 www.barsoft.net
BHC Insurance
P.O. Box 3529 Fort Smith, AR 72913 (479) 878-5042 www.bhca.com
BIS Digital, Inc.
1350 NE 56th St., Ste. 300 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 (800) 834-7674 www.bisdigital.com
Colonial Life
1701 Centerview Dr., Suite 300 Little Rock, AR 72211 (615) 487-8529 www.coloniallife.com
Commissioner of State Lands
500 Woodlane St., Ste 109 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 683-3031 www.cosl.org
DataScout, LLC
38 W. Trenton Ave, Ste 101 Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 521-5607 www.datascoutllc.com
Delta Mass Appraisal Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 504 England, AR 72046 (501) 803-0500 www.deltamassappraisal.com
DHS —Choices in Living Resource Center
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S-530 Little Rock, AR 72203 (501) 320-6012 www.choicesinliving.ar.gov
Diamond Mowers
350 East 60th Street N Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 977-3300 www.diamondmowers.com
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
1 Cooperatives Way Drive Little Rock, AR 72209 (501) 570-2200 www.ecark.org
Employer Support of the Guard & Reserves
Camp Robinson, Box 27 North Little Rock, AR 72199 (501) 212-4018 www.esgr.org
EZ Street Asphalt
P.O. Box 2236 Batesville, AR 72503 (870) 307-2279 www.atlasasphaltinc.com
Financial Intelligence
124 W. Capitol Ave., Ste. 876 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 276-4213 financial-intel.com
Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.
525 Morley Drive Saginaw, MI 48601 (800) 248-0280 www.duro-last.com
Fleming Network & Avigilon
212 McClanahan Drive Bryant, AR 72022 (501) 847-3090 www.fleminc.com
EFS GeoTechnologies
360 Airport Rd. Monticello, AR 71657 (870) 460-9994 www.efsgeotech.com
FNBB Capital Markets
325 W. Capitol Ave., Ste 300 Little Rock, AR 72201 (800) 737-0535 www.bankers-bank.com
Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP
400 W. Capitol Ave., Ste. 2000 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 370-1517 www.fridayfirm.com
GeoConex Corporation
6923 Maynardville Pk., PMB #109 Knoxville, TN 37918 (865) 686-0411 www.geoconex.com
GovPayNet
7102 Lakeview Parkway West Drive Indianapolis, IN 46268 (816) 401-0614 www.govpaynet.com
Greenfeather Monitoring
305 W. Central Wichita, KS 67002 (316) 425-4505 www.greenfeathermonitoring.com
Guardian RFID
6900 Wedgewood Road N., Ste 440 Maple Grove, MN 55311 (855) 777-7343 www.guardianrfid.com
Homeland Safety Systems, Inc.
724 W. 61st St. Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 423-3599 homelandsafetysystems.com
Hugg & Hall Equipment
331 Agnes Drive Springdale, AR 72764 (479) 361-1262 www.hugghall.com
Hutchens Construction Co.
1007 Main Street Cassville, MO 65625 (417) 847-2489 hutchensconstruction.com
Information Network of Arkansas
425 W. Capitol, Ste. 1620 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 324-8908 www.ina.arkansas.gov Rogers, AR 72758 (479) 619-8879
Interstate Document Recovery
7427 Tower Street Richland Hills, TX 76118 (817) 996-7820 interstaterestoration.com
JCD Consulting
P.O. Box 337 Beebe, AR 72012 (501) 404-8983 www.jcdconsulting.net
Journal Technologies
843 S 100 West Logan, UT 84321 (435) 713-2100 www.journaltech.com
JTS Financial
415 N. McKinley, Ste. 305 Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 227-0194 www.jtsfs.com
Justice Solutions
124 W. Capitol Ave., Ste 876 Little Rock, AR 72201 (512) 969-9110 www.justicesolutions.com
Keystone Solutions
P.O. Box 2395 Batesville, AR 72503 (870) 376-3088 www.keystonesolutions.io
Liberty National Life Insurance Company
8221 Ranch Blvd Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 225-5556 www.everettagencies.com
LS & Associates
1973 Oak Tree Cove Hernando, MS 38632 (662) 393-9115 www.lsassoc.net
McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc.
7302 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 371-0272 www.mce.us.com
Mid-Continental Restoration Company, Inc.
401 E. Hudson St. Fort Scott, KS 66701 (620) 223-3700 www.midcontinental.com
Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates, & Woodyard, PLLC
425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 1800 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 688-8848 mitchellwilliamslaw.com
N • Form Architecture
312 W Commercial Street Springfield, MO 65803 (417) 873-2255 www.nformarc.com
Nabholz Construction Corp.
P.O. Box 2090 Conway, AR 72033 (479) 616-8110 www.nabholz.com
National Association of Counties
25 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-6226 www.naco.org
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
2755 York Lane Conway, AR 72034 (501) 944-2287 www.nrsforu.com
Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, PA
801 Technology Drive Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 868-2945 www.callrainwater.com
Raymond James
50 N. Front Street Memphis, TN 38103 (800) 564-2249 www.raymondjames.com
Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers
9624 Bear Hollow Road Fort Smith, AR 72916 (479) 651-5331 www.rbauction.com
Ryburn Law Firm
650 S. Shackleford Road, Ste. 231 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 231-5452 www.ryburnlawfirm.com
Southern Health Partners
2030 Hamilton Place Blvd., Suite 140 Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 553-5635 southernhealthpartners.com
Southern Tire Mart, LLC
800 Highway 98 Columbia, MS 39429 (877) 786-4681 www.stmtires.com
Southwestern Electric Power Co.
400 W. Capitol Avenue, Ste 1610 Little Rock, AR 72201 (888) 216-3523 www.swepco.com
Springdale Tractor
6160 W. Sunset Ave. Springdale, AR 72762 (479) 422-7561 www.kubotacenter.com
Stephens, Inc.
111 Center St., Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72201 (800) 643-9691 www.stephens.com
Summit Truck Group
11401 Diamond Drive North Little Rock, AR 72012 (501) 940-6509 summittruckgroup.com
Sutterfield Technologies, LLC
104 S. 10th Street Duncan, OK 73533 (580) 786-4390 sutterfieldtechnologies.com
Systemedic Corporation
10809 Executive Ctr, Suite 105 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 227-5553 www.systemedic.com
TaxPRO
124 West Capitol, Ste. 876 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 246-8060 www.gowithtaxpro.com Pittsburg, TX 75686 (866) 839-8477 www.reg8.net
Total Assessment Solutions Corp.
P.O. Box 499 Glenwood, AR 71943 (870) 356-4511 www.totalassessments.com
TRANE US
10303 Colonel Glenn Road, Suite 10 Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 227-3009 www.trane.com
Turn Key Health
2593 Baughman Cutoff Harrison, AR 72601 (870) 391-6555 turnkeyhealthclinics.com
UA Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Svc.
2301 S. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 371-2299 www.uaex.edu
Univo Data
10515 W. Mark St., Ste. H4 Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 223-2236 www.univodata.com
USDA Rural Development
700 W. Capitol Ave., Room 3416 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 301-3265 www.rd.usda.gov
Vision Care Direct
1209 S. Frankfort Avenue Tulsa, OK 74120 (405) 473-8626 www.visioncaredirect.com
Walmart
702 SW 8th Street, #350 Bentonville, AR 72716 (479) 273-4000 www.walmart.com
Welch State Bank
396 S. Commercial Welch, OK 74369 (918) 788-3373 www.welchstatebank.com