NEWSLETTER
May - 2001
Welcome to our Annual Spring Certification
Program
We are at the beginning of sweeping changes to our court system. We are fortunate to be in a position to have a voice in what changes are to be made and how these changes are to be implemented. As was the case during this past legislative session, the Judges and Clerks bear the brunt of organizing and submitting our ideas to the various committees and to the legislature. Therefore, if you have an issue that you think should be incorporated into the new District court, you should immediately contact our legislative committee or your Judge. I firmly believe that our success during this past session was due to the unified cooperation between Judges and Clerks.
Beginning July 1, 2001, all Municipal Courts will become District Courts. This new name should also be reflected in our association name . If we change our association name, this will require a change in our constitution. We will address these issues at our September meeting.
We have been informed that the funds have been approved for the uniform computer system and for a District Court Coordinator. For those of us on local retirement plans, there is now an Act to request spousal survivor benefits. I hope you will join me in extending a special thanks to the Judges for supporting our interests during this last session.
As we close this business year, I would like to thank each of our officers and committees for jobs well done. I wish to extend the Association’s gratitude to two committee members who, after 5 years of service, will rotate off the Certification Committee: Ken Harris and Rose Kettler. Each of you should take a moment to acknowledge all these hard working officers and committee members who have devoted hours of their personal time to work for the common good of our organization.
Enjoy your visit to
President
Welcome
to
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A
Letter of Thanks
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support of the Mid Winter
Conference of the American Judges Association. As you are aware, this
conference was held in
This was a very special occasion for me as President of the Association and I am very proud that my friends and associates in the field of law continue to be supportive of my quest as President of the American Judges Association.
This was a very memorable and honorable even that was staged for the
American Judges Association and without your support and help, this would not
have been a success. All the judges from across the
Chief Justice Arnold came to open the conference and I cannot tell you how
proud I was to have him present to open up our Mid Winter Conference. But even
more so, your support in allowing me to financially put on a program that was
not only educational, but contained memorable social events and the ability to
show off the charming
I thank you and I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Chris E. Williams
President
American Judges Association
Upcoming Meetings
2001
Sept. 21: Clerk's Certification
Eureka Springs
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,
Got
News?
If you have any news to share, please fill out the information sheet in this newsletter. However, if you have news happen to you or your family after you leave this meeting, you can get the news to me in several ways: By mail: Marla Wallace, P. O. Box 367, Gillett, AR 72055, by fax: 870-548-3121, by phone: 870-548-2541 or by e-mail: gillettpd@cji.net.
Let us know anything that you wish to share with the other clerks in our association. This is your newsletter and we want it to represent all the clerks in the state!
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Around the State
The office of Union County Municipal Court is celebrating the arrival
of their "little court angel" in the birth of Laig’le
Elizabeth Bates, daughter to their clerk Lisa Bates and their bailiff,
Eric Bates. Since everyone loves her she is spoiled rotten.....Kim Vinson
has a new grandson born 12/26/00. His name is Benton Anthony Vinson. He was
born three months early weighing only 2½ pounds a birth. Kim and her husband,
Joey celebrated their 25th Wedding anniversary by going to
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Clerk’s Spotlight
Lisa Bates
Lisa is a deputy Clerk for Union County Municipal Court. She has been a clerk there since January, 1997. She is married to Eric and she has two step-sons, Ric and Keaton and one step-daughter, Kelsea. Lisa and Eric have a new baby daughter, Laig’le born November 13, 2000. Lisa says all the clerks in her office spoil Laig’le very much.
Gwendolyn (Dotson) Rauls
Gwendolyn is a deputy clerk for the Pine Bluff Municipal Court. She
has been employed there since September, 1993. Gwendolyn is a graduate of
Nanette R. J. McLemore
Nanette is also a deputy clerk for Pine Bluff Municipal Court. She is
married to Michael and they have three children, Jason, Crystal and Marcus.
Nanette’s hobbies are cooking and computers. She also has a small business
called "X’quisity Silk" which she has ran for seven years. She specializes in weddings. Nanette is
a member of
Holly Sharp-Pate
Holly is a Deputy Clerk for Fort Smith Municipal Court. Holly has been clerk
since June, 2000. Holly and Archie got married in September of 2000. Archie is
the executive chef at the Holiday Inn in
Stephanie Hall
Stephanie is the Senior Deputy clerk for Fort Smith Municipal Court. She has
been employed there since December 1990. Stephanie is marred to Mark and they a
daughter Hayden and were expecting a child in December. (We need to talk with
her and ask who the new addition is!). Stephanie graduated from