After 30 years in public service, Buddy Villines -- the Pulaski County judge best known for spearheading projects such as the Big Dam Bridge, the River Rail Trolley system and Alltel Arena (now Verizon Arena) -- sat gamely on stage wearing a blinking trolley fashioned into a hat. Friends and associates such as Joe Purvis, John Roberts and Keith Jones joined Craig O'Neill to roast (and toast) the retiring county administrator. The Little Rock Marriott was the scene of There Goes the Judge, as it was called. More than 500 attended.
After dinner and several presentations, including a painting by a Little Rock Zoo elephant, guests watched a video about Villines and his accomplishments. An early college campaign slogan of his went, "Where there is life, there is Bud."
The evening concluded with music by Little Joe and the BKs. Villines and his wife, Beverly, original members of the band, joined in.
The dinner benefited Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas. The Big Dam Bridge Foundation was the presenting sponsor. Co-chairmen were Judy Lansky and Peggy Muncy.
-- Story and photos by
Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 12/14/2014