Sellers switches Party ID; Medley seeks JP post

Long-time Democrat Lisa Sellers announced Thursday (Feb. 23) she will switch to the Republican side in her re-election bid for Sebastian County Quorum Court, District 9.

Also on Thursday, former State. Rep. Jim Medley, R-Fort Smith, announced he will run as a Republican for Sebastian County Quorum Court, District 7.

Sellers is serving her 10th term, and is a third-generation resident of the district she represents. She graduated from Northside High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in education Arkansas Tech University. Sellers is employed by Fort Smith Public Schools as a program coordinator and instructor.

“Through the years I’ve been fortunate to be a part of many positive changes and growth in Sebastian County,” Sellers noted in her statement. “From newly built, to updated facilities, the development and growth of the Chaffee Redevelopment, and much needed advances in technology and training  available to employees, also additional protection and preparedness for our citizens.”

Rex Terry, chairman of the Sebastian County Republican Party, said he was “pleased” with Sellers’ decision.

“I am delighted that Sellers has decided to run for re-election in our party. She will be welcome,” Terry told The City Wire.

Sellers said her goals are to help the county be attractive for economic development.

“Focusing on attracting jobs and families to Sebastian county is crucial to my decision making and planning,” Sellers noted.

Medley, who has also served on the Fort Smith Board of Education, is the head of the Area Agency on Aging, a non-profit corporation. He has been with the agency 34 years.

Medley said his political and business experience will help serve county residents in addressing issues such as efficiency, jobs and quality of life. Specifically, Medley said he has a “keen interest” in a study of Sebastian County employment needs.

“Retaining good employees is essential to good government,” Medley explained.

Other political announcements in the county include:
• Sebastian County Clerk Sharon Brooks, a Republican, is seeking re-election. She was first elected to the office in 2010 in an open race following the retirement of longtime Clerk Doris Tate.

• Sebastian County Treasurer Judith Miller, also a Republican, is running again. She was first elected to the Treasurer’s office in 2008.

• Denora Coomer, a 28-year veteran of the Sebastian County court system, announced Aug. 17 she will run as a Republican for the Circuit Clerk post now held by Republican Ken Blevins.

• Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk Kathy Guthrie, a 14-year veteran of the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk’s office, announced Dec. 29 she will seek the office as a Democrat.

• Sebastian County Judge David Hudson (R) and Sebastian County Assessor Becky Yandell (R) have also announced plans to seek reelection.

• Wayne King and Danny Aldridge, both Republicans, have announced for Sebastian County Quorum Court Districts 6 and 11, respectively.

LISA SELLERS STATEMENT
Justice of the Peace, Lisa Sellers has announced she is filing for re-election to the Sebastian County Quorum Court, District 9.

Sellers, a Republican, is currently serving her 10th term, and is a third-generation resident of the district she represents.  A graduate from Northside High School and Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelors Degree in Education and minor in business, Sellers is employed by Fort Smith Public Schools as a program coordinator and  instructor.

As Justice of the Peace, she serves on the Sebastian County Quorum Court and participates in budget and policy decisions.  Sellers has served on the jail committee and also the grievance committee during her tenure. She considers conservative financial planning and earmarking funds a priority.

“Using the method of earmarking funds has enabled the county to move forward with positive, debt-free planning and completion of many major projects.  The completion of the new Courts Building,  the additional jail expansion and many renovations to the existing courthouse have all been possible because of this type of planning and saving for the future”.  “ I am very conservative in my own spending , and use the same practice in spending  county  funds”.

“Through the years I’ve been fortunate to be a part of many positive changes and growth in Sebastian County.  From newly built, to updated facilities,  the development and growth of the Chaffee Redevelopment, and much needed advances in  technology and training  available to employees,  also additional protection and preparedness for our citizens.”

Future areas of focus for the county, according to Sellers, is capitalizing on the opportunities I 49 will bring to our area, improvements to  Ben Geren Park that will accommodate the need for sports and outdoor activities for this region.

“We are fortunate to have so much open park space available inside our county for families to use and enjoy”. The Parks Strategic Plan and Master Plan gave us a glimpse of what could be possible to meet the needs of our area.  Input from citizen is always important to me “, Sellers said.   “Focusing on attracting jobs and families to Sebastian county is crucial to my decision making and planning “.

Sellers is associated with various professional organizations,  has served on the board of Keep Fort Smith Beautiful with Pride, Morrison, Trusty, Sutton  and Fairview PTA s, “Who’s Who Among American Teachers”,  Outstanding Administrator 2010,  the Fort Smith Art Center, Fort Smith Heritage Foundation, and the Sebastian County Humane Society.

She is a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith and volunteers at Sparks Regional Medical Center, Mercy, Legacy Rehabilitation and Fountain of Youth.  She has also been recognized for her good attendance, having missed only 3 Quorum Court meetings during her tenure.

JIM MEDLEY STATEMENT
Jim Medley of Fort Smith announced this week he intends to seek the Republican nomination for Sebastian County Justice of the Peace, District 7.

Medley has previously served as a member of the Fort Smith Board of Education, and three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Medley has been head of the Area Agency on Aging, a non-profit corporation, for the last 34 years.  According to Medley, he believes his political and business experience will help him serve County residents in addressing local concerns such as efficiency, jobs and quality of life.

As a former Co-Chairman of the Personnel Committee for the Joint Budget of the State Legislature, Medley has a keen interest in the study recently authorized by Sebastian County to study employment needs.

“Retaining good employees is essential to good government”, said Medley.

Medley has previously supported and still does, a new Port as certified by the Corp of Engineers.  He would like to help foster a good working relationship between Sebastian County and the City of Fort Smith for a water park and ball fields.  He says businesses considering re-locating to Fort Smith do give strong consideration to schools and quality of life.

Jim and his wife Debbie have five children and five grandchildren. He is a member of the Project Compassion Board, which offers one-on-one volunteer visitation to residents of area nursing homes, he is also a club member of the Fort Smith Rotary and the Noon Exchange.