FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County Quorum Court bid a fond, occasionally teasing farewell to its six departing members and the outgoing county attorney Thursday.
Republicans Jimmy Mardis, Ron Aman and Rex Bailey and Democrats Candy Clark, Diane Bryant and Barbara Fitzpatrick sat in on their final Quorum Court meeting as justices of the peace. All declined to run for re-election or ran for another office. George Butler, county attorney, is retiring at year's end.
No one cried, but a few voices got shaky during the farewells.
"I thank you all," said Clark, a Democrat from southeast Fayetteville who chaired the finance committee for two terms and ran unsuccessfully for the state House in November. "This has been an incredible journey."
She added with a laugh: "I will not darken that door again, I promise."
Many members praised the bipartisan conversation and cooperation on the court, where vote tallies rarely fall along party lines. That's proof that people can come together to serve the county, Fitzpatrick said.
"I was terrified of Rex Bailey when I joined this court, I really was," joked Eva Madison, a Democrat who represents northeast Fayetteville, referring to Bailey's conservative reputation. "He is a kind person, he has a good heart, and he's been wonderful to me."
Bailey owns a barber shop in Springdale and said he would remain a member of the city's Public Facilities Board. Mardis works as a senior director at Tyson Foods. Aman is a part-time farmer and technician in Prairie Grove.
Clark owns cleaning and self-storage businesses, while Fitzpatrick is an administrative specialist at the University of Arkansas. Bryant, who was appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy, will serve on the Farmington City Council next year.
"I just wanted to express how happy we all are to see Ron (Aman) go," Tom Lundstrum, an Elm Springs Republican, teased, making everyone in the room laugh. In Aman's one term, he became known for his "no" votes, sometimes alone, against every budget and many spending proposals. Lundstrum added more seriously: "He votes his principles, and I appreciate that."
The other nine justices of the peace are coming back in January, joined by six newcomers.
"I want to thank each and every one of you, particularly those who are leaving," said County Judge Marilyn Edwards. "The ones that are staying: We've got a long road ahead."
NW News on 12/19/2014