FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County's Quorum Court will have a different look in January when nine new justices of the peace are seated, with women holding a majority of the seats.
"There definitely will be a big change with the number of women," Becky Lewallen, county clerk, said of the composition. Currently, there are 10 men and five women serving as justices of the peace. The next quorum court will have nine women and six men sitting as justices of the peace.
Quorum court
The quorum court is the legislative body of county government. The members, justices of the peace, approve ordinances for the county and set the county budget. Justices of the peace serve two-year terms. In Washington County, they are paid $200 per meeting.
Source: Staff report
Andrea Jenkins of Farmington, justice of the peace-elect for District 10 and a Democrat, was surprised at the number of women who will be serving with her.
"That's a whole lot," Jenkins said. "I absolutely see that as a huge opportunity to have a fresh start."
Jenkins said she doesn't think the changes will hamper the working of the Quorum Court.
Jenkins said she thinks cooperation will be a priority with the number of new justices of the peace taking office in January.
"I think every justice of the peace should come to the table with a sense of bipartisanship," she said. "We have to be able to reach across the aisle and work together."
"Something has to change," she said. "It doesn't seem like the problems have been solved. I'm hoping that with new ideas on the court we might be able to get things done."
Jenkins said she thinks the negotiating skills she brings from her background as a teacher will translate well into government.
"I do feel it's going to be a chance for real change," she said.
The political affiliation of the justices of the peace also will shift. Republicans hold 10 of the 15 seats, and Democrats have five. In January, the court will be split with eight Republicans and seven Democrats.
"The pendulum swings backs and forth from one election to the next," Lewallen said.
Willie Leming of Lincoln is justice of the peace-elect for District 13 and a Republican. He and Jenkins will be joined on the Quorum Court by newcomers Lance Johnson, Republican from District 1; Susan Cunningham, Republican from District 2; Judith Yanez, Democrat from District 4; Patrick Deakins, Republican from District 5; Sam Duncan, Republican from District 7; Shawndra Jones, Democrat from District 8; and Suki Lin Highers, Democrat from District 11.
Leming said he likes the idea much of the Quorum Court will be new.
"I think it's good to have change," Leming said.
Leming, who has long been the fire chief in Lincoln, also has worked in business, construction and as a farmer. He said he wants to bring his practical experience to issues facing county government, including rural ambulance service and county roads.
"I have business knowledge, I have construction knowledge," he said. "I've been fire chief for 40 years, so I know the fire service. I know EMS."
Leming said he's been monitoring the discussion of overcrowding in the jail. He said he is reluctant to consider a tax increase but will study the issue. He said the budget also will get his attention.
"The county has got to be solvent," Leming said. "The court has one choice, either raise taxes or cut things out."
Butch Pond of Fayetteville, a Republican, has served as justice of the peace for District 15 for about 15 years. He will return to the Quorum Court along with Harvey Bowman, a Republican from District 3; Lisa Ecke, a Republican from District 6; Eva Madison, a Democrat from District 9; Sue Madison, a Democrat from District 12; and Ann Harbison, a Democrat from District 14.
Pond said new people on the Quorum Court or in any other county office will face a learning curve.
"Some people are fast learners," Pond said. "It's important to try to get a message across, to try to give them a little bit of history. It's like they're coming in right in the middle of a movie. They don't know everything that's happened before. There are reasons why government does things the way it does."
NW News on 11/11/2018