ARKADELPHIA — For Anita Wiley, being hired by the city of Arkadelphia in 1997 was a blessing, and the timing was “absolutely perfect,” she said. But she wouldn’t know the significance of it until years later.
Wiley was the first African-American department head for the city of Arkadelphia after being promoted to supervisor of the Building Department in 2004.
“Having worked with Anita for over 14 years, the last four as mayor, I have found Anita to be a very dedicated and conscientious employee who always has a positive attitude and a smile,” Arkadelphia Mayor James Calhoun said. “Her service to the city of Arkadelphia will be greatly missed.”
Wiley was initially hired in 1997 as the permits clerk and administrative assistant but was eventually promoted to office manager, then supervisor of the Building Department in 2004. In this position, she oversaw the Planning Commission and building-code enforcement. She retired from the position Dec. 31.
“We are very grateful for the 20-plus years that Anita Wiley was part of the Arkadelphia city-management team,” Arkadelphia city manager Gary Brinkley said in a statement.
“Her knowledge, smile, laughter and hugs will be greatly missed. We wish Anita and Harold only the best in her much-earned retirement,” Brinkley said.
“It is something I have enjoyed,” she said. “I have always wanted to challenge myself and learn as much as I can … to be the best something.
“So I was constantly studying and learning.”
She said she didn’t realize she was the first African-American department manager until former city manager Jimmy Bolt retired.
“When he retired, I heard him mention it [because he is the one who hired me],” Wiley said. “I am extremely thankful to him for the opportunity.”
Wiley was hired shortly after a devastating tornado came through Arkadelphia in 1997. According to the National Weather Service, much of downtown Arkadelphia was completely destroyed, as well as several mobile homes.
“They deemed extra personnel would be needed for permits, and extra activity as the result of needing to rebuild,” Wiley said.
She said it was very challenging because many people were stressed because of the devastation, and at the same time, the city had implemented a lot of ordinances for safety and health issues to prevent future losses. She said there was a lot of resistance to those new ordinances.
“Of course, some people didn’t take it very well, which is understandable,” she said. “After they suffered such a loss, they really didn’t want to feel deterred from redeveloping their property.”
Wiley was born in California but moved to Arkansas from Oregon, where she and her family lived for 18 years. Her husband, Harold, was born in Okolona, Arkansas, and he wanted to be closer to his family. Wiley and her husband celebrated 44 years of marriage in September, and they have two children, Daniel and Shari. Shari and her husband are expecting their first baby in June.
“We visited them over Christmas, and I actually got to go with her for her prenatal visit and see the baby on the ultrasound,” Wiley said. “It was really exciting. We are looking forward to our first grandchild.”
Wiley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and also received on-the-job training while working for Arkadelphia. She earned her zoning-inspector certification through the International Code Council and her plumbing, heat and air certification through the Arkansas Department of Health.
Before working for the city of Arkadelphia, Wiley had 18 years of experience as an administrative-assistant at the University of Oregon. Wiley, who lives in Prescott, said she decided to retire because she really wanted to have some time to do some other things before it was too late.
“I want to get involved in more ministry work,” she said. “I want to get involved in some things at church, but I just haven’t had the time to fully invest.
“Now I will have a bit more time, and I need to figure out what it is that I want to pursue.”
Wiley is a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, in the Broughton community, just outside the city limits of Prescott. She said she has considered volunteering at the Nevada County Jail.
“I spoke with the chaplain that’s over the jail in Prescott, and he said there is a need for ministry for the female inmates,” Wiley said. “I had spoken to some of the ladies in the missionary group about us possibly hosting Bible studies with [the female prisoners], but it just hasn’t developed yet.
“It is just something that has been placed on my heart. This is something that came to mind, and now that I have a little bit of time, I’ll think some more on that and see if that’s the direction I want to go.”
Wiley said she enjoyed her time with the city of Arkadelphia.
“I really liked working with all the people,” Wiley said. “I’m a people person and a hugger, and I love to be able to help them resolve some of their land-use issues.”
Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.