NEWSLETTER
March 2001
From The President's Desk
Welcome to the Spring Certification Program!
I know we all have questions and worries about Amendment 3 and the possible repercussions to each of us. The answers lie with the legislators and toward that end, your executive committee voted to join with the Judge’s Council to retain a lobbyist to pursue and protect issues vital to us. It is still uncertain as to how much legislation affecting municipal and city courts will be addressed this term, but, you can be proud of the fact that we have a lobbyist, the AOC, and several Judges on various committees keeping us informed.
One item that you voted on at the November meeting has been attached to existing Senate Bill 144. Our proposal to add spousal survivor benefits to those courts that are on local retirement plan has been on a roller coaster ride to get filed. I understand that Representative Ledbetter has agreed to sponsor this bill. As soon as this bill goes to committee, we will be contacting you to write your representative in support of this act. We owe Vicki Maxwell a HUGE thank you for all the hard work she has done on this issue.
I want to urge you to contact your District Representative and implement the Clerk’s Connection program. We need all your cooperation and participation as there are going to be issues that will arise concerning Amendment 3 that will require instant answers. We have already needed this communication tool and I believe that through the use of this circle, we will all have a voice in the decisions this organization will be required to make within the next 2 years.
Don’t forget about our T-shirt day at the May meeting. On Thursday, May 17, 2001, we can get "comfy" and fun. I look forward to seeing our hometowns’ festivals, landmarks, historical sites, etc. represented.
Enjoy your stay in
President
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Certification News
The Certification Program Session Information Sheets are included in your
March packets. Please check the information listed on the sheet and if you have
any additions or corrections please notify Ruth Calloway or me. Please verify
that your correct hire date is listed on this sheet. Also, please let us know
if a clerk is no longer employed so that we can remove them from the system.
Corrected sheets should be returned to the registration desk at the March
meeting or mailed to Ruth Calloway at
Sandy Easley
Certification Committee
Thank You!
Once again I am indebted to AMCCCA for paying my membership dues to the National Association of State Judicial Educators.
I am humbled by your many kindnesses.
Affectionately,
Kay
Share the News
If you have any news to share with our organization and want it included in
our next newsletter, please send it to Marla Wallace,
We have a really good newsletter because all of you are so willing to share your information with us. I think there is nothing greater than having a "clerk friend". One who knows the ups and downs of being a court clerk!
Our organization is very strong and it’s that way because of our members and our leadership.
Marla Wallace
Editor
Comings & Goings
Robin, the daughter of Lisa Lee got married on March 11 this
year.....Jean Herald has a new baby daughter who is also a
grandchild to our own Shirley Herald - AOC deaf interpreter. She
was born October 10th.....Vickie Wright welcomed her first
grandchild, a boy, August 6, 2000.....Veatrice
McHenry’s son, Chazeray, was chosen as Mr.
Marten Elementary at his school for Homecoming on October 27, 2000.....Patricia
Barnes Allen took at trip to Tennessee for Thanksgiving. She is also
promoting her first Gospel project called "Holiness" and has eight
songs on it. She planned to get married before 2001 but we haven’t heard
whether she did or not! Ask her.....Melissa Cook is enjoying
their new and bigger offices that were remodeled.....Sharon Brown
reported that she should be a grandmother as of February 2001. If you see her
ask about her new grandchild.....Jean Billings and husband,
Curtis enjoyed 10 days of vacation in the State of
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Upcoming Meetings
2001
March 16: Clerk’s Certification
Holiday Inn Select,
May
17-19:
Clerk’s Certification and
Northwest Arkansas Holiday Inn,
Sept. 21: Clerk’s Certification
To Be Announced
Nov. 16: Clerk’s Certification
Holiday Inn Select,
2002
March 15: Clerk’s Certification
Holiday Inn Select,
May
16-18:
Clerk’s Certification and
Arlington Hotel,
Sept. 20: Clerk’s Certification
Holiday Inn Select,
Nov. 15: Clerk’s Certification
Majestic Hotel,
Clerk’s Spotlight
Patricia Barnes-Allen
Patricia is a Deputy Clerk in
Melissa Cook
Melissa is the Chief Clerk of Osceola Municipal Court. She has been employed there since January of 1993. Melissa is married to Dale and is a newlywed. They were married June 3, 2000. Melissa loves to play the piano and sing. Dale bought her a Young Chang grand piano and she says it is beautiful and plays like a dream. Melissa has no children, but has a niece, Haley that she enjoys being with.
Angelia Crotty
Angelia is a Deputy Clerk for Union County
Municipal Court. She started working there in May of 1997. She is the single
mother of two children, Tara and Casey. Tara is a freshman at UCA in
Lisa Lee
Lisa is a Deputy Clerk for Craighead County Municipal Court. She started working there in January of 1996. She is married to Rodney and they have four children, Terri, Robin, Rebecca and Autumn. Lisa loves to work and loves to spend time with her family and her grandson, Dakota who is 1½. Her daughter Robin got married March 11, 2001.
Nellwyn Kemper
Nellwyn is a Deputy Clerk for Cabot Municipal
Court. She has been there since May of 1998. She and husband,
Janet Hill
Janet is a Deputy Clerk for