Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines will not seek re-election to the position he’s held for 21 years, he said Monday.
“I’ve known for the last couple of election cycles that the time was drawing close,” he said, adding that he made his final decision about three weeks ago.
Villines, 66, informed supporters of his decision in a letter mailed Saturday. He announced his plans early to give likely candidates a chance to plan for primaries for the 2014 election, he said.
As county judge, Villines was known for cooperative projects with city leaders.
Among the county’s achievements he cited in his letter are the creation of Verizon Arena, the institution of a master trails plan, the opening of pedestrian bridges over the Arkansas River, the construction of new county buildings and the expansion of the county jail.
Villines, a Democrat, said his decision not to run for re-election came after the county accomplished some key priorities, including the adoption of a zoning ordinance for land around the Lake Maumelle watershed.
“Probably the most important thing in the history of our county is protecting that water,” he said. “Everything else I was looking at and involved in was going to take another five to ten years. There are some things I want to do in the next five to ten years, but not from this office.”
Among ongoing projects that won’t be finished before Villines leaves office is the construction of a new bridge to replace the Broadway Bridge spanning the Arkansas River between Little Rock and NorthLittle Rock.
Villines was elected to his first two-year term as county judge in 1992. Prior to his countywide election, he served on the Little Rock Board of Directors.
Villines said he does not plan to run for another elected office after his term expires. He plans to volunteer with several nonprofit organizations.
Former state Rep. Barry Hyde, a Democrat from North Little Rock, has said he plans to run for Villines’ post.
“I really think he’s taken the county judge job to a higher level than it’s ever been in Pulaski County,” Hyde said Monday.
He praised Villines’ ability to work with other local leaders to accomplish large projects.
Villines credited his supporters and a cooperative approach for his successes in office in his letter, which included a six-page list of milestones during his time with the county related to infrastructure, special projects, administrative work, employee programs and community services.
“These would not have been possible without your friendship and support and the friendship and support of many others in the community,” he wrote. “I hope you will agree that ‘Together we have made a difference.’”
Front Section, Pages 1 on 10/08/2013