County judge’s wife cleared to take his job

— Members of the Franklin County Quorum Court voted 8-1 Thursday night to appoint Janet Powell to replace her husband, Joe Powell, as Franklin County judge when he resigns next Thursday.

Janet Powell was appointed to fulfill the remainder of her husband’s current term, which expires at the end of 2014. By law, because of the interim appointment, Janet Powell is not allowed to run for re-election at the end of her term.

Joe Powell has served as Franklin County judge for more than 35 years, often running unopposed for re-election. He announced his resignation in a Feb. 1 letter, citing requirements of the Arkansas Public Employee Retirement System’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan. Powell entered the program in 2006, which requires participants to exit the system within seven years of enrolling.

Janet Powell, who has been married to Joe Powell for 30 years, retired from Ozark High School in 2011 after teaching for 32 years. Powell said her experience as a teacher, combined with her close involvement with her husband during his tenure as county judge, had prepared her to take over the office in March.

“Joe ran unopposed this last time, and that’s very uncommon for someone who’s been in office as long as he has,” Janet Powell said after Thursday’s Quorum Court meeting. “That’s kind of why I decided I wanted to do this. People love him - his employees here tonight, people in the courthouse, they didn’t want to see a change.”

Justice of the Peace Chad Haberer was the only member of the court to vote no on the issue of Janet Powell’s appointment.

Haberer, who represents the county’s 5th District, said he was uncomfortable with the implication that the Powells had jointly predetermined that Janet Powell, once appointed, would then resign after 90 days and allow her husband to resume his position as county judge. Joe Powell is required by Arkansas law to remain off the public payroll for at least 90 days after retiring to be eligible for full retirement benefits.

Both Powells denied having discussed the possibility of Janet resigning her appointment at any point so that Joe Powell could then be reappointed.

Joe Powell said Thursday that he had not given much thought to either returning to office once he becomes eligible in three months or to running again for election in 2014.

“I don’t know yet,” Powell said. “We’ll just have to wait and see what takes place.”

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 02/23/2013

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