Quorum Court recognizes JP’s resignation
Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007
BENTONVILLE - On Tuesday, the Benton County Quorum Court officially recognized the recent resignation of Burt Schindler with the passage of a resolution.
The District 10 justice of the peace resigned Oct. 16, leaving a vacancy on the county's top legislative body.
The Quorum Court's approval of the resolution recognizing Schindler's resignation will open the door for Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe to appoint a new JP.
"It's with a heavy heart that I vote with this," said JP David Hill at the special meeting Tuesday. "When good men do nothing, evil will triumph, and we just can't afford to lose good men like him."
The Quorum Court voted unanimously to present Schindler with a plaque recognizing his service to the county.
In his resignation letter, Schindler, of Bella Vista, said the court has "become dysfunctional"and blamed some of the dysfunction on a "Red Shirt Gang and the puppets they elected."
"Red Shirt Gang"refers to the Northwest Arkansas Property Rights Association, a local watchdog group that formed in 2005. Don Day, president of the organization, defended himself and fellow NWAPRA members to the Quorum Court.
"Far from obstructing justice, the Red Shirts are doing our duty," he said. "In fact, show me any group who is willing to work with the court rather than just criticize."
He also said the court is not dysfunctional.
"The court is operating as it should by giving citizens the opportunity to be involved with their government and carefully study their actions," Day said.
County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard said there is no time limit for Beebe to appoint a replacement for Schindler.
"It just depends on the governor. It's at his discretion," Slinkard said. "It's been our experience in the past that usually the governor will contact the (political ) party people in the county for recommendations of someone to fill the vacancy.
Whoever is appointed to fill the position will not be eligible to run for the office in 2008, Slinkard said.
Benton County Judge Gary Black said he has received four inquiries from people interested in the position and one formal letter.
Bill Crawford, director of the Bentonville nonprofit Helping Hands Inc., submitted a letter of interest, Black said.
Others who are interested in the position should contact the Governor's Office and also send a letter of interest and resume to the Quorum Court.
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