Gov. Hutchinson names three justices in same-sex marriage case

Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed three special justices to the state’s Supreme Court to hear a case involving same-sex marriage in Arkansas. Hutchinson also appointed several people from the Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas areas to prominent state boards and special judicial service.

An appeal has been pending at the Arkansas Supreme Court since last year when a furor erupted after a lower court ruling declared same-sex marriages constitutional. Higher court rulings stayed that decision.

Since then, a debate has ensued as to which justices can hear the lawsuit, either specially appointed justices from last year’s high court or newly elected members to the state Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court recusals center on the case that will determine which justices can participate in the gay marriage appeal.

Hutchinson named Brett Watson of Searcy, as Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court to replace Chief Justice Jim Hannah, who has disqualified himself from the case.

Judge Betty Dickey of Heber Springs will replace Justice Rhonda Wood and Judge Shawn Womack of Mountain Home will replace Justice Paul Danielson. Wood and Danielson also recused from the case.

FORT SMITH, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS APPOINTMENTS
Sheriff Boyd Hicks, Magazine, to the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2022. Replaces Randall Morris.

Dr. Douglas Parker, Gravette, to the Veterinary Medical Examining Board. Appointment expires March 1, 2020. Reappointment.

Sarah Martin, Fayetteville, to Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2018. Replaces Rebecca Rains.

Robert Downum, Springdale, to the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board. Appointment expires Jan. 26, 2017.

Dr. Wesley Stites, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Appointment expires March 29, 2019. Replaces John Simpson.

Ed Winant, Rogers, to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Replaces Robert Sproles.

Cheryl Edwards, Fort Smith, to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling.  Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2017. Replaces Mark Coffman.

Sarah Faitak, Fayetteville, to the Breast Cancer Control Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2019. Reappointment.

Duane Neal, Bentonville, to the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2022. Replaces Bobby Ferguson.

Joseph Self, Fort Smith, to the State Crime Laboratory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2022. Replaces J. Carter Fairley.

Jimmy Didier, Fort Smith, to the Arkansas Racing Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2020. Replaces Thomas Akin.

Michael Post, Altus, to the Arkansas Racing Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019.

Joseph Self, Fort Smith. Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-1059. Replaces Justice Robin Wynne.   

Rex Terry, Fort Smith. Special Chief Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-978. Replaces Chief Justice Jim Hannah.

OTHER APPOINTMENTS
Following are other appointments and reappointments made Tuesday (April 14) by Gov. Hutchinson.

Lieutenant Stacie Rhoads, Bigelow, to the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2016. Replaces Jami Cook.
 
Shelia Magness, Star City, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires March 31, 2018. Replaces David Kirkpatrick.
 
Vanessa Crossfield, North Little Rock, to the Advisory Committee on Petroleum Storage Tanks. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2018. Reappointment.
 
Beverly Lambert, North Little Rock, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2019. Reappointment.
 
Jane Phillips, Hot Springs, to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2021. Replaces Dianne Hammond.
 
Chief Allen “AJ” Gary, Conway, to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Reappointment.
 
Officer John Murphy, Tumbling Shoals, to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Reappointment.
 
Sheriff William “Andy” Shock, Conway, to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Replaces Sheriff Charles Lucas.
 
Steven Shults, Pocahontas, to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Replaces Steven Thomason.
 
William Wright, Little Rock, to the Contractors Licensing Board. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2019. Reappointment.
 
Sara Lenehan, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Fire and Police Pension Review Board. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2016. Replaces Jackie McPherson.
 
Steven Miller, Pine Bluff, to the Arkansas Fire and Police Pension Review Board. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2016. Replaces Chris Claybaker.
 
William Willis, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas Geological Survey. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2022. Reappointment.

David Chris Gardner, Paragould, to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Appointment expires March 29, 2019. Replaces William Thompson.
 
John Nabholz, Conway, to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Replaces Heartsill Ragon.
 
Daniel Williams, Little Rock, to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Replaces John Miller.
 
Dr. Scott McKay, Magnolia, to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority.  Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019. Replaces Cesar Compadre.
 
David Rosegrant, Pine Bluff, to the Board of Developmental Disabilities Services.  Appointment expires Jan. 15, 2022. Reappointment.
 
Lenora Erickson, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling.  Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2017. Replaces Philip Hestand.
 
Dr. Art Gillaspy, Conway, to the Arkansas Psychology Board. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2019. Replaces Lisa McNeir.
 
Dr. Betty Everett, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Psychology Board.  Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2019. Replaces Gary Souheaver.
 
Randy Fore, Mountain Home, to the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers.  Appointment expires July 31, 2017. Replaces Linda Lowry.
 
Harold “Hal” Gunter, Jacksonville, to the Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Appointment expires June 9, 2018. Replaces Weldon Roberts.
 
Ann Xu, Hot Springs, to the Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2021. Replaces Karen Garcia.
 
Steve Faris, Hot Springs, to the Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2021. Replaces Luther Lowe.
 
Tasha Sinclair, El Dorado, to the South Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Marc Parnell.
 
Robert Fagan, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2018. Reappointment.
 
Dr. Jerri Fant, Little Rock, to the Breast Cancer Control Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2019. Reappointment.
 
William Varner, Fulton, to the Arkansas Waterways Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2022. Reappointment.
 
Bill Poynter, Texarkana, to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2022.  Replaces Corbet Lamkin.
 
Rickey “Buck” Joyner, Morrilton, to the Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board. Appointment expires September 30, 2016. Replaces Jeremy Rowland.
 
Chuck Graham, Cabot, to the State Crime Laboratory Board.  Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2020.  Replaces Carlton Jones
 
Michael “Denny” East, Marion, to the Arkansas Racing Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2020.
 
Hani Hashem, Monticello, Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-594. Replaces Justice Paul Danielson.
 
Vincent Guest, Wynne, Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-594. Replaces Justice Robin Wynne.
 
Noyl Houston, Jonesboro. Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-13-721. Replaces Justice Rhonda Wood.
 
Henry Kinslow, El Dorado. Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-1060. Replaces Justice Courtney Goodson.
 
Paul Byrd, Little Rock. Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-618. Replaces Rhonda Wood.
 
Chalk Mitchell, West Helena. Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. CV-14-1072. Replaces Paul Danielson.