J.R. Walters and Jerry Landreth received a standing ovation Tuesday night after receiving plaques of appreciation for their service on the Saline County Quorum Court.
Walters, an independent from Alexander, and Landreth, a Demo-crat from Traskwood, were narrowly defeated in the Nov. 4 election after having served a combined 24 years in county government.
County Judge Lanny Fite spoke highly of both justices of the peace.
“Landreth has been an excellent JP,” he said. “I could always call upon him if I needed him.”
Fite said when he took office in 1999, Walters helped him learn the ways of government. “It’s a steep learning when you get into government and J.R. was a big help.”
Walters never missed a meeting in his 14 years as a justice of the peace. “This is my 168th meeting,” he said after he received his plaque. “One morning I had a kidney stone removed and my wife brought me that night.”
Landreth said he’s only missed four meetings in his 10 years of service.
Walters also was presented a plaque of appreciation from the Planning Board. Chairman Paul Childress presented the awards.
JP Doug Curtis, R-Benton, had good words for both outgoing members.
“Jerry was always quiet, but when he spoke everyone stopped to listen. There is a lot of wisdom behind the quiet man.”
Curtis said Walters had been around even longer than he was elected to serve District 12. He said Walters could always been seen in the audience at Quorum Court meetings, and he hardly missed a meeting then.
“I appreciate all their time, effort and energy,” Curtis added.
In other business, JPs voted in favor of a resolution approving the recommendation of the Saline County Intergovernmental Coopera-tion Council and how funds will be dispersed.
Through Act of 1991 approved by the Arkansas Legislature, Saline County is allocated 3 percent of anticipated revenues by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administra-tion.
The act allows the council to recommend appropriations to each municipal and rural fire department within the county.
The Saline County council met Nov. 18 and determined that the fire protection needs within the county include: certification and minimum standards, purchase of much needed protective clothing and equipment, construction improvements of fire departments, training, and the ability to upgrade fire protection capabilities.
Receiving 5.063 of the funds are Benton, Bryant, Collegeville, Haskell, Lake Norrell, Northeast, Salem, Shannon Hills, Springhill, Bauxite, Crow’s Station, East End, Paron, Sardis, Shaw, Traskwood and Turtle Creek.
Alexander will receive 3.798 percent, Crystal 1.266, Tull 1.266, West Pulaski 2.533, Hot Springs Village 2.533 and Lonsdale 2.533.
JPs also approved:
•An ordinance appropriating $2,901 in donations for Celebration of Lights.
•An ordinance appropriating $50,653.61 for county special projects/elections.
•An ordinance appropriating $60,448.98 for tower installation and equipment for enhanced radio communications.
•An ordinance appropriating $15,000 from an Alcoa Foundation grant for 911 emergency services.
•An ordinance appropriating $84,877.49 of federally funded Homeland Security grant.
•An ordinance appropriating $56,632.48 from a federal Homeland Security grant.
•An ordinance appropriating $150,000 for reimbursement grants.
•An ordinance appropriating $92,890.75 for telephone emergency services. A check for $63,943 has been received from the state 911 board, and the city of Benton has reimbursed its share of the cost to the county in the amount of $28,947.75.
•An ordinance appropriating $25,000 from the county emergency fund for Saline County Senior Activity centers.
•An ordinance appropriating $480 for sheriff reimbursement from Arrest Grant.
In other business, JPs approved the following appointments to the Springhill and East End fire protection district boards: Thomas Young, Clenton Cash, Phil Downard and Lou Ann Chandler to the Springhill Fire Protection District Board. Mike Baker will replace Jim Head on the East End Fire Protection District Board. Also appointed to that board is Roy Williams.
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