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Walters, Landreth have combined for quarter-century of service to country |
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Wednesday, 31 December 2008 |
Even together, they may not qualify as an institution. But there are people who say the pair of longtime Saline County public servants come about as close as you can get.
But while they’re putting their cards on the table following narrow election defeats in November, Jus-tices of the Peace J.R. Walters and Jerry Landreth said they don’t plan to vanish from the public scene.
Independent J.R. Walters, 74, of Alexander served District 12 on the Quorum Court for 14 years. Democrat Jerry Landreth, 76, of Traskwood served District 10 for 12 years.
In the Nov. 4 general election, the two lost close re-election bids to Re-publican newcomers. Brandi Davis, 31, of Bauxite will succeed Walters and Kim Hanke, 57, of Haskell will replace Landreth.
Both outgoing JPs said they aren’t sure whether they will seek public office in the near future, but they said they are keeping their options open.
They were honored with plaques of appreciation for the years of service from County Judge Lanny Fite at the Quorum Court meeting earlier this month.
Walters attended Quorum Court meetings for four years before running for office.
“I lost my first race, won the next seven, and lost my last one,” he said. “I started attending the meetings in 1991 after my neighbor, Gerald Brewer, won.”
“I just liked it,” said Walters, who is known for never missing any regular Quorum Court meetings or even committee meetings. During those four years he was just a member of the public, Walters said he only missed four meetings.
Landreth, who retired from the local Reynolds plant, said he first ran for the court after a co-worker bet him $500 that he couldn’t win. Well, he obviously won, and continued the trend for 10 years.
Both noted a shift in the local political landscape when reflecting on their losses. The Saline County Republican Party has been successful in filling county government. Landreth, who was born and raised in Traskwood, said he was surprised Hanke pulled the district.
Walters has lived in the county since 1984 when he and his family moved from Memphis. Born in Houston, Miss., Walters has also lived in St. Louis because of his career with AT&T, where he had worked since 1953. He retired the year he moved to Arkansas, which is closer to home for his wife of 54 years, Mary Helen.
They built their house on 3.5 acres and have enjoyed the country. “There are a lot of leaves, but I like yard work,” he said.
Although Landreth is also retired, he still has a hand in the family business, Landreth Nursery. “We build commercial greenhouses all over the United States,” he said.
There’s more to Lan-dreth’s story of how he became a justice of the peace than winning a bet.
“I wanted something different,” he said. “I worked for Reynolds for 40 years. I was the last hourly man that left from there. Being on the Quorum Court gave me something different to try. I’m glad I did it.”
Walters said what he’s enjoyed the most about being a justice of the peace is helping people. “People call about a problem, and I always feel good about being able to solve their problems,” he said.
For both, road improvements have been notable accomplishments.
The $500,000 bridge over the Saline River on Highway 291 between Tull and Traskwood is one of Landreth’s proud achievements. He also is happy to have helped mark centers of county roads with yellow reflectors.
Walters agreed. “It could be dangerous. Now you can see on dark country roads.”
One of Walter’s proud moments was helping to straighten and raise North Sardis Road above the floodplain. That project was done after the 1999 tornado swept the area.
Building the new jail was both an achievement and challenge, Walters and Landreth noted.
“We all did these things together,” Landreth said, noting he thinks the current Quorum Court has accomplished more than in years past. “The jail is better, the looks of the courthouse have improved, we have a new airport.”
An ongoing challenge has been and will be animal control in the county, Walters said. In the November election, voters shot down a sales tax that would have funded a countywide animal shelter.
Something else the new Quorum Court will have to grapple with as well is funding for various departments and programs.
“If the economy keeps falling, it may lower appraisal values of homes, and that will hurt the schools and the county,” Walters said.
Both said it might not be an uncommon sight to see Landreth and Walters sitting in the audience at Quorum Court meetings.
“I might go to see what’s going on,” Landreth said.
Walters added that he and Landreth still will be able to marry couples even though they no longer will serve on the Quorum Court.
Landreth will continue serving on the Southwest water board, he said, while spending time with his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth.
Walters, who wakes up early every morning and reads the newspaper front to back, said he’ll “find something to keep him busy. I always do.”
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