NEWSLETTER

Arkansas District & City Court Clerks Association

November 2003

Hello Everyone:

This is a bittersweet day and not just because it is finally fall. Today is the last time we will all meet together except for the annual May meeting. It will seem strange not to see all of your smiling faces three times a year. Beginning in February we will begin meeting by districts. The February meeting will be for districts 2 and 4 and will meet here in Little Rock. The annual meeting will be held at Springdale in May. The Chief Clerks only will meet in West Memphis in August. Districts 1 and 3 will meet next November at Mountain View (I’m so jealous!). Don’t get in a tizzy. We will be addressing changing certification requirements in our May business meeting.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the Certification Committee in West Memphis last month. We planned the meetings for the next year. I think the upcoming meetings will not only be informative but also a lot fun. We tried to instill some new ideas for the coming year. Yes, some of the same topics will be included, but this is necessary for the new clerks. I have been attending certification meetings for eighteen years. I have seen many of the same topics repeated, but I always learn something useful each time. We also have some totally different and unexpected things on the agenda. You won’t want to miss any of the meetings, nor will you miss anything else, because the February and November meetings will have the same agenda.

A packet of material is available on the registration table for anyone interested in the status of the clerks changing from the Local Retirement plan to APERS retirement plan. I won’t address it here except to encourage each of you involved not to make any decisions until we have all the facts. It is much easier to make a last minute decision than make a rash decision that can’t be changed.

Enjoy the meeting, learn at least one thing, and most important of all, make a new friend.

Judy West, President, ADCCCA

What do you call a handcuffed man? Trustworthy

Veatrice McHenry

Veatrice is Chief Clerk for Wabbaseka, District 4 in Jefferson County. Before becoming Court Clerk she was a secretary and Water & Sewer Clerk. She has been married to Darrell for 14 years and they have 3 children DaJerrian 10, Chazeray 8, and JeKayla 6. This summer they took a vacation to Sea World in San Antonio, Texas. Veatrice says they had a very good trip. Her birthday is November 18^th and Anniversary is July 1^st.

Should we really listen to AM radio stations after noon?

Clerk’s Spotlight

Brenda Mashburn

Brenda is Chief Clerk for Haskell City Court in Saline, County and before that was a secretary. She is married to Gary. They have 2 children Jake 18, and Keith 15. She enjoys spending time with her family. Her son Jake received the Chancellor Leadership Scholarship to UALR and will attend this fall. He graduated from Harmony Grove High school May 16, 2003. Together the family enjoys camping and canoeing. Hope you had a wonderful birthday September 15^th and a Happy Anniversary September 20^th.

He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.

Marla Wallace

Our ex Newsletter Editor is Chief Clerk for Gillett City Court and before that was a Water Clerk and Recorder/Treasure. Within the Association she was Parliamentarian, on the Leadership Book Committee, Legislative Committee, and Newsletter Editor. She is married to Bill and has a son Chase, who is 19. Marla states she stays busy working a full time job, plus 2 part-time jobs. If that wasn’t enough she is also working on her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration at U of AR in Monticello. She loves to make all kinds of crafts, especially holiday decorations. Cross-stitching is her favorite, and she loves to shop. (When does she find the time)? Happy Birthday Marla, on November 28^th and Happy 23^rd Anniversary.

The distinction between a manager and a leader is as broad as the distance between control and inspiration.

Darla Cole

Darla has been Chief Clerk for England District Court, in Lonoke County since March 10, 2003. She is married to Vince and they have 2 children Wesley 18 and Ashley 14. Wesley graduated from England High School May 16^th. We wish you a Happy Birthday, November 12^th and Anniversary, December 24^th.

Do fish get thirsty?

Tina Fuqua

Deputy Clerk Tina has been a Clerk since May 6, 2003; she has 2 children Chazz 25, and Samantha 11. Tina was a Deputy Clerk for 9 years, certified in 1997, left in 1990 and is glad to be back because of all the new laws. Her birthday is January 19^th.

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

Towns to visit while in Arkansas:

Hogeye, Bug Scuffle, Greasy Corner, Pickles Gap, Pocahontas, Bald Knob and Toadsuck.

Wanda Price

Wanda has been Deputy Clerk for Saline County, the Benton Division since August 5^th, 1996. Prior to becoming a Clerk she was a District 2 Representative. She is married to Ferrel and they have 4 children, all married and 11 grandchildren from ages 4 to 21. Wanda is a trial case coordinator. She and her husband spend a lot of time with the grandchildren at ballgames and other activities. They just purchased a 1951 Chevy car so they could go to car shows with their 16-year-old grandson, who shows a 1968 Mustang. This summer they will be traveling to Fort Hood, Texas to see their son, (who will be deployed shortly), his wife and children. Other travel will just be camping and other short in State trips. Her birthday is June 6^th and their Anniversary is April 7^th.

Why can you never read a doctor’s prescription, but you can always read his bill?

Dionne W Carter

Dionne has been Chief Clerk for West Helena District since 1999 and is married to Freddie. They have 3 children ages 8, 15 and 18. Her daughter Shamiko is graduating from High School in 2004.

What’s a good holiday tip?

Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.

Kathy Hogan

Kathy has been Deputy Clerk for Gosnell City Court since 1990, in Mississippi County. Before becoming Deputy Clerk, she was City Clerk and Administrative Assistant, and within the association, she was an Historian. Kathy is married to Jimmy and they have 1 daughter named Erin, who will graduate from University of Central Arkansas. She wants to say how much she appreciates her Chief Clerk, Nola King, who became her Chief Clerk in 2001 and she’s doing a fantastic job. Kathy says she brings to the position professionalism and a caring courteous heart for all the interesting clientele they have.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Heather Hubbard

Deputy Clerk Heather is from Union County District Court and has been since June of 2001. She is married to Shane and they have 1 son Greysen Reid, 1 year old. Heather says she comes from a large family and attended Southern Arkansas University & University of Central Florida. While living in Orlando she worked at Disney World & the House of Blues. She married her High School sweetheart and had a beautiful baby boy.

If quitters never win, and winners never quit, then who is the fool who said, "Quit while you’re ahead?"

Pam Allred

Pam has been Chief Clerk for White Hall in Jefferson County since January 1, 2003. (Nice way to start the New Year Pam). She worked at City Hall for 6 years as the Secretary for the Mayor, Operations Supervisor and as Deputy Clerk. She currently is the Vice President of the White Hall Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Clean and Beautiful Commission for Jefferson County. She also currently attends Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff and enjoys being with her daughter and friends and enjoys going to Gulf-Port Mississippi to see her sister and her family. Pam has 2 children, Brooke 24, and Jennifer 19.

Clever things I have read

GEORGE BUSH: When you rearrange the letters: He bugs Gore.

DORMITORY: When you rearrange the letters: Dirty Room.

ELEVEN PLUS TWO: When you rearrange the letters: Twelve Plus One.

SLOT MACHINES: When you rearrange the letters: Cash Lost in Me.

THE MORSE CODE: When you rearrange the letters: Here Come Dots.

SNOOZE ALARM: When you rearrange the letters: No more z’s.

A DECIMAL POINT: When you rearrange the letters: I’m a Dot in Place.

PONDER THIS BY BETTY

If raising children was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!

A good time to keep you mouth shut is when you’re in deep water!

Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job!

Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

Is Disney World the only people trap operated by a mouse?

WHAT KIDS HEAR IN CAROLS

On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me.

Later on we’ll perspire, as we dream by the fire.

He’s makin’ a list, chicken, and rice.

Olive, the other reindeer.

Sleep in heavenly peas.

You’ll go down in Listerine.

Oh come froggy faithful.

Deck the halls with rots of holly.

I would like to hear from you!

If you have something to say, or some witty or clever saying, let me put it in writing for you. You can fax it to me at (501) 354-0799, call me (501) 354-9763, e-mail me at princesstish_51@yahoo.com or mail it to PO Box 38, Menifee, AR 72107.

PARTING SHOTS

The Holidays will soon be here, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a wonderful THANKSGIVING, a happy and joyous CHRISTMAS, and A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. In closing, I would like to say what a great pleasure it is to me to be your Newsletter Editor.

Betty Campregher, Menifee Court Clerk