BENTONVILLE — Rey Hernandez of Rogers was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Benton County Quorum Court created when incumbent Frank Winscott moved out of District 2 after winning re-election in November.
“I live in the county,” Hernandez said Tuesday. “I don’t live inside any city limits, and I’ve been here long enough that I’ve developed an interest in what goes on in county government.”
At A Glance
Arkansas Law
The Benton County Quorum Court declared a vacancy in the District 2 seat on the Quorum Court in December 2012. Frank Winscott was elected to the position in the November general election, but subsequently moved outside the district. Arkansas law provides that after a county adopts a resolution declaring a seat on the Quorum Court vacant, the governor will fill the position by appointment.
Source: Staff Report
Gov. Mike Beebe announced the appointment Tuesday. Matt DeCample, a spokesman for Beebe, said the governor’s office typically receives recommendations from county officials when Quorum Court vacancies occur, along with recommendations from individuals in those counties and sometimes people interested in serving will volunteer for the posts.
County Clerk Tena O’Brien administered the oath of office to Hernandez on Tuesday morning. He was assigned to the Personnel Committee and Grievance Committee by County Judge Bob Clinard.
Hernandez will serve out the full term Winscott was elected to, but as an appointee he is ineligible to run for re-election, O’Brien said.
“An election for that position will be held in 2014,” O’Brien said.
Hernandez, 63, has lived in the Rogers area since 1990, moving from Springfield, Mo. Born in El Paso, Texas, Hernandez retired from the Marine Corps and has worked in marketing, including working on the first Latino radio station in Northwest Arkansas, and also has worked in human resources at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. Hernandez is an education instruction specialist at the University of Arkansas where he’s involved in Latino student outreach programs.
Hernandez said he’s interested in helping county government manage growth.
“It’s important that the growth be managed as much as possible so that we don’t create problems for the future,” he said.
Hernandez said he’s also interested in transportation issues, including public transportation. He sees that as a growing concern for Northwest Arkansas as the area’s population continues to increase. He said he’s interested in a combination of ways to reduce traffic, from public transit to encouraging carpooling among commuters.
“I think there is support for public transportation in the area, but we’re all creatures of habit,” he said. “We all like being in our own environment, but sometimes the cost of having your own environment can be a problem.”
Justice of the Peace Kevin Harrison, also of Rogers, said he met Hernandez through the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce several years ago.
“He seems like a good guy and I think he’ll do a good job,” Harrison said. “We’re such a diverse community these days and I think Rey will bring a lot of good things to the Quorum Court. I look forward to having him there.”
Harrison said the duties of justice of the peace are different from most other jobs and it sometimes takes time for a person to find their way. He said he expects Hernandez will make a positive contribution.
“You never know how someone will perform on the Quorum Court until they get there,” Harrison said. “He’s been involved in marketing and business in the area. He’s a gentleman who seems like he does his homework.”
Hernandez, a Democrat, said he has had one political race in his life, an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Rogers School Board. As an appointee, he’s barred from running for re-election to the Quorum Court, but said he will continue to be interested in the community and wouldn’t rule out another political effort.
“I think of myself as a servant,” he said. “If a need is identified and I might help, I would probably consider that.”