In front of the full commission, several past commissioners, as well as full-time staff such as Scott Bennett and Emanuel Banks, and his own family, outgoing state Highway Commission chairman John Ed Regenold said the thing no one can or will contest.
"We have the best highway department in the nation. I would put it up against anybody's."
A small party (fewer than 100) gathered at 42, the restaurant inside the Clinton Presidential Center. They dined on a delicious entree -- sous-vide flat iron steak with roasted garlic and parmesan potato mousse, and cilantro-grilled mahi in beurre blanc with marooned carrot frappe -- and witnessed a presentation of several gifts from Director Scott Bennett and incoming commission Chairman Dick Trammell of Rogers, and a slide show of images of Regenold.
Current and past commissioners took turns praising Regenold. Current commissioner Frank Scott Jr. got the laugh line of the night when he said, betwixt truly touching and respectful remarks, "John Ed is the only white man I allow to call me 'boy.'"
Regenold was gracious and clearly delighted by the company. He ended with this short summation.
"You know, we all have ideas. We put our ideas together. And they vary somewhat, but we always come to a solution.
"Anyone come on this commission, I'm gonna say this right here -- you keep your mouth shut and listen, for quite a while. Don't make promises until you've been on this commission and before you worked on it quite a while. Learn how to say no. Learn how to know the difference between a need and a want. Those are the things I think a new commissioner should know. I felt I wasn't anything special. I was one man appointed by one man, the governor of the state of Arkansas.
"We made mistakes, no doubt about it, but always tried to do the right thing. And, you're gonna get criticized. That's part of it. You'll make friends and you'll make enemies. As long as you do what you think is right. I'm satisfied I did that. Thank you."
High Profile on 01/11/2015