Johnson honors late court clerk with flag memorial
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2008
BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times Capt. Konrad Anderson, left, holds the American flag as Sgt. Mike Womack raises it during a flag pole dedication in honor of Barbara Dillard Wednesday in front of Johnson’s City Hall. Dillard worked with as the Johnson court clerk for eight years before passing away last July.
JOHNSON — A swift wind kicked out the rising flags in front of the Johnson City Hall. A crowd of about 40 people stood somberly watching, a few tears streaming down faces. The city of Johnson now has a permanent memorial in memory of recently-passed, long-time court clerk Barbara Dillard.
Dillard passed away in July of 2007 after serving Johnson for eight years. At her funeral Fadil Bayyari, a family friend and a Springdale developer, offered to donate a flag pole to the city in Dillard’s name. Thus the project started.
“ This has taken some time to accomplish, but we finally got it finished, ” Mayor Lonnie Barron said.
The flag pole is surrounded by a courtyard with benches and flowers. At the top the American and Arkansas state flags flew. Recorder-Treasurer Jennifer Allen said the city spent around $ 6, 000 on the project and received $ 3, 000 in donations for Dillard’s memorial. The city paid for the slab of concrete the pole sits in and a lot of the brick work and benches. The rest was donated.
“ This really is to honor her, ” Barron said. “ She was a well-liked person. ”
Most who spoke at the event agreed with Barron. Police Chief Vernon Sisemore worked with Dillard for several years.
“ She was as good a person as you ever hoped you could meet, ” he said. “ She’ll always be remembered. ”
Dillard’s memorial will serve not only as a testimony to her work for the city but also as a way of helping a bland building stand out. Barron said that the city had been looking for a way to improve the city hall’s front lawn. He said the elaborate courtyard and flag setup would definitely catch the eye of people driving or walking by.
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