A life so sturdy: Remembering Jim Green
Election Results; Maumelle budget meeting tonight; CAC is 3A volleyball runner-up; Maumelle hosts Robinson for football conference championship on Thursday plus headlines and Friday Night Lights
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Meetings: The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Tuesday night at City Hall. The North Little Rock School Board will have a special call meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Events: The White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy will have a tree replanting this Saturday at Burns Park to help replace the trees lost from last year's tornado. For more information, or to register as a volunteer, go to www.whiteoakbayou.com. Veterans Day is Monday. There will be a ceremony at 10 a.m, at Lake Willastein and trash and recycling will run on a one-day delay next week as a result. For more information, check out the flier below.
Election results
The numbers, while not certified or official, are in from Tuesday night’s election and, as of now LJ Wesley won her race for Maumelle City Council, Ward 1, Pos. 1.
In the three-way race, Wesley needed to exceed 40 percent of the total, while also having a winning margin exceeding 20 percent, to claim victory and she managed that, for now.
Wesley got 1,153 votes out of 2,410 ballots cast to claim 42.19 percent of the vote.
Barry Brown and Michael Chastain almost neatly split the remainder with Brown getting 672 votes, or 24.59 percent, and Chastain getting 585 votes or 21.40.
The totals posted on votepulaski.net do not include absentee ballots in the unofficial summary.
However, even more unofficial numbers show 33 absentee ballots cast, with Wesley getting 47.93 percent while Brown, her closest competitors 27.87 percent with the margin of victory being 20.05 percent. Thanks to Chad Gardner for doing that math, below, and that would have Wesley winning her race.
It still isn't certain though.
Election law allows for overseas ballots to be counted as long as they're postmarked by Election Day, and the margin of Wesley's victory is currently one vote.
If one vote comes in for Brown. the margin would be 20 percent and force a runoff.
It is also worth noting that the race saw 323 undervotes, or ballots cast in other elections, but were voters who didn't choose any candidate in the Ward 1, Pos. 1 race.
There's always the possibility that any returned overseas ballot could also be an undervote in this particular race.
It was a fairly robust election, as presidential years tend to be, with a 61.6 turnout in Pulaski County. Out of 240,667 registered voters, 148,263 voted with 108,405 voting early and 39,858 casting ballots on Election Day.
In other races of note:
North Little Rock City Council Member Maurice Taylor lost his Ward 2, Pos. 1 re-election bid to challenger Nicole Hart, who got 51.29 percent, or 2,381 votes, to Taylor's 36.39 percent, or 1,689 votes. There were 571 undervotes and even if all had gone to Taylor, he still would have lost to Hart.
In North Little Rock's Ward 4, Pos. 1 race, Scott Fowler defeated Somer Clark-Day, 3,972 to 2,536 votes, or 53.87 percent to 34.40 percent. That race saw 864 undervotes.
It also wasn't a good day for school millages as North Little Rock School District's 52.3 mill tax saw 9,435 votes against to 7,480 votes for.
Pulaski County Special School District's 40.7 mill tax also lost with 29,182 votes against to 22,720 votes for.
In local state legislator races, Rep. Brandon Achor (R-Maumelle) won his second term in District 71, but it was closer than expected as Achor got 7,132, of 53.91 percent, of the vote, while challenger Cassandra Green won 5,625 or 42.52 percent of the vote.
In District 69, Rep. David Ray (R-Maumelle) defeated challenger Kwami Abdul-Bey as Ray got 8,187 votes while Abdul-Bey got 3,281 or 71.39 percent to Abdul-Bey's 28.61 percent.
City of Maumelle Budget meeting on Thursday
City Clerk Tina TImmons passes along that the next meeting to discuss the city’s 2025 budget will be held at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 7. The meeting will be held in the Blue Room at City Hall and is open to the public. It will also be streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
Upcoming community events
A life so sturdy: Remembering Jim Green
This is hard.
My father-in-law, Jim Green, died Saturday morning, quite unexpectedly, and as I write this, I’m in Northeast Arkansas for the visitation and funeral services with my wife Gwen, my mother-in-law Frances and extended family.
I feel compelled to write something about a man I have loved so dearly for the last 16-plus years.
Jim and Frances have been an important part of my life, with the last eight-and-counting years as their son-in-law.
We had just been to Hoxie the previous weekend for his 84th birthday, to celebrate with steaks and cake. before the news came that he was in the hospital, prompting an early-morning drive to the hospital in Jonesboro.
Jim was a survivor, though. As I grabbed clothes and the dog, the thought was, “we’ll be there for a couple of days. Nothing has stopped him before.”
As a child Jim contracted polio, causing paralysis. He was taken back and forth from Hoxie to Memphis for treatments. Telling that story, he recalled the German POW camps that dotted the farmlands in northeast Arkansas with the Nazis working the fields.
Those groundbreaking polio treatments ultimately let him walk again.
He kept going and growing, marrying Frances in 1962.
Jimmy, their son, came along a year later, while Gwen took her time, and made an appearance a decade later.
They were married for 62 years.
Frances kept him going.
Right before their 50th wedding anniversary, Jim had a heart attack, then open heart surgery, and later had a pacemaker put in.
The doctors saved his life then, and we were all grateful.
The last 12 years, well into his retirement after teaching for nearly three decades at Hoxie High School, where he was simply known as Mr. Green, were among the more eventful years of his extraordinary life.
He gave his daughter away at our wedding.
He saw his granddaughters get married, with the first coming with two bonus great grandchildren, then another great grandson, who carries his name.
He was happy, and he was content.
He'll also be missed.
At the funeral home making the arrangements for this week, the funeral director called Jim and Frances pillars of their community, and they are.
Jim was the guy who fried fish as fundraisers for his school, his church – Hoxie United Methodist – and Wayland Spring Methodist camp in northeast Arkansas, among many others.
He also fried up fish for family meals that came with these just incredible hush puppies, that were somehow light and airy, while being crisp and delicious.
I never quite understood how he pulled off that trick, since his cooking never really came with recipes or precise measurements, just eyeballs and a lifetime of experience.
He really loved to cook. And he really loved to feed his family.
He would always prepare meals for the holidays, and a staple was his cornbread dressing that would be moist and delicious, and was closer to a savory bread pudding than the Stovetop variety I grew up on.
This week has also brought back a flood of emotion for other reasons, as I remember my own father, lost 31 years ago, and some memories I didn’t want to recall anymore.
It will be difficult this week as we gather, and it will be more difficult when we gather for Thanksgiving this month and for Christmas next.
The memories we have are good ones.
Jim was a Dude.
As handy with a duck call as a fishing pole.
He always called Hoxie home, but in their 40s, he and Frances started taking trips and cruises with friends and family. They were walking on glaciers in Iceland earlier this year.
There were family trips to New York City and Alaska that I will particularly cherish.
There will be a Jim-sized hole in my heart, but life will go on, with our memories for company.
If you’re the praying sort, I’d ask for those, and regardless, tell the ones you love how you feel. Hug them tight, because sooner or later you won’t be able to. But until then, just be there when you can.
The obituary is below.
Jim Green
James William (Jim) Green, 84, of Hoxie, died Nov. 2 in Jonesboro. Born to Herbert and Julia Mae (Hughes) Green on Oct. 29, 1940, in Hoxie, he was a lifelong resident of the town.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances (Weir) Green, of the home; one son, Jimmy and wife Valarie Green, of Walnut Ridge; one daughter, Gwen Green and husband Jeremy Peppas, of Little Rock; two granddaughters, Sarah Manning (Aaron) of Walnut Ridge and Olivia Middlecoff (Casey) of Bono; and great-grandchildren Rylee, Luke and Markum Manning; one brother, Bob Green, of Jonesboro; many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Mr. Green was Mr. Hoxie. Growing up, his grandfather and father operated A.B. Green and Son Grocery in the heart of town. He attended Hoxie during the 1955 integration and was a member of the Hoxie High School Class of 1958. His first full-time job was at Railway Express in Hoxie.
He lived in the same home on the corner by the school for six decades. For 28 years, with his wife, he was a teacher and bus driver at Hoxie until they retired together in 1995. They then worked together for five years at the Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative.
He was a lifelong member of the Hoxie United Methodist Church, where he was a tenor in the choir and beloved for his renditions of “Mary’s Little Boy Child” at Christmas and “Mother Machree” on Mother’s Day, a member of United Methodist Men and a long-time trustee.
In his younger days, he served in the National Guard and on the Hoxie Volunteer Fire Department, and in retirement, he was an active member of the Wayland Spring United Methodist Camp board. He cooked many fish fries and spaghetti dinners for school and church and relished preparing meals for family and friends. He was a member of the Hoxie Masonic Lodge No. 692 for more than 50 years.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting ducks and deer, fishing and gardening. He was a sports fan, and his team through thick and thin was the Dallas Cowboys. He loved to sing and to listen to Gospel quartets.
He and Frances took many special trips with family and friends, including cruises and vacations to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, New York City and Iceland. He celebrated milestones and holidays with the Birthday Bunch, a group of special friends who lived their lives together over the decades.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, Arthur and Nettie “Sally” (Coats) Green of Hoxie and W.S. and Kate (Ruffner) Hughes of Alicia, his brother, Tom Green, and his sister, Judy Belk.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Hoxie United Methodist Church. Funeral services under the direction of Bryan Funeral Home will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the church, followed by burial at Lawrence Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Terrell Downing, Lonnie Smith, David Belk, Mark Belk, Terry Howard, Ric Wilcox and (honorary) Lanny Tinker, with Rev. Jeremy Hopper and Rev. Bob Hager officiating.
Sports
High school volleyball: Paris defeats CAC for 3A state title
Central Arkansas Christian lost to Paris in the Class 3A state volleyball championship last Saturday at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
CAC won the second set but it was the Eagles that ended up prevailing 3-1, or 25-13/25-23/25-9/25-22.
CAC's Kayla Myers and Addi Brighton were named All-State for their efforts this past season.
Missed the finals? Watch the CAC-Paris championship tilt by clicking below.
Thursday and Friday Night Lights: Maumelle hosts Robinson for conference crown
Maumelle 24, Searcy 23 - OT
Last week: Maumelle had to go and make it dramatic against Searcy as the Hornets pulled off the 24-23 overtime win against the Lions. Maumelle scored first on a pass from Levi Warrior to Marshaun Wiley that was good for five yards, and then Cooper Forest made the extra point. Searcy responded with a short touchdown, but the two-point conversion that would have won the game for them was broken up in the endzone to secure the Maumelle victory. One paper, it should have never been close, as Maumelle had 426 yards of total offense to Searcy's 242 yards.
This week: In a Thursday night showdown, No. 10 Maumelle will host No. 2 Joe T. Robinson where the winner will be the conference champion and the No. 1 seed in next week's playoffs. The loser will be the No. 2 seed and either way both teams will be at home. The 5A-Central is paired with the 5A-West this season and the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will be Greenbrier and Morrilton with that order still to be determined.
Records: Maumelle - 7-2, 5-1; Robinson - 8-1, 6-0
Maumelle schedule
Aug. 31`: ... Maumelle 36, Sylvan Hills 0
Sept. 6 … Parkview 51, Maumelle 6
Sept. 13 … Maumelle 32, Vilonia 21
Sept. 20 … Bye week
Sept. 27 ... Beebe 22, Maumelle 0
Oct. 4 ...Maumelle 21, Pine Bluff 18
Oct 10 … Maumelle 50, Watson Chapel 12
Oct. 18 ... Maumelle 17, Jacksonville 0
Oct. 25 … Maumelle 55, White Hall 0
Nov. 1 ... Maumelle 24, Searcy 23 - OT
Thursday, Nov. 7 … vs. Robinson
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs at home
For the online roster, click here.
Bryant 63, North Little Rock 7
Last week: No. 1 Bryant did what was expected and North Little Rock lost 63-8 to the Hornets, who used the game as a tuneup for this week's showdown against No. 2 Conway.
This week: Last game of the season for North Little Rock on Friday as the 'Cats look to avoid going 0-10, something that hasn't happened since 2001. Things aren't promising in that direction as Cabot will be the No. 5 seed from the Central with the winner of Little Rock Southwest and Central as the No. 6 seed.
Records: North Little Rock - 0-9, 0-6; Cabot - 3-6, 2-4
North Little Rock schedule
Aug. 31... Rogers 43, North Little Rock 0
Sept. 6 … Bye
Sept. 13 ... Benton 42, North Little Rock 13
Sept. 20 ... Catholic 27, North Little Rock 17
Sept. 27 ... Pulaski Academy 47, North Little Rock 0
Oct. 4 ... Conway 63, North Little Rock 7
Oct. 11 ... Little Rock Southwest 38, North Little Rock 21
Oct. 18 ... Little Rock Christian 42, North Little Rock 15
Oct. 25 ...Little Rock Central 27, North Little Rock 21
Nov. 1 ... Bryant 63, North Little Rock 7
Friday, Nov. 8 ... vs. Cabot
For the online North Little Rock roster, click here.
Mills 49, CAC 7
Last week: Mills stayed undefeated as they took care of business against the Mustangs in a 49-7 win.
This week: CAC is in the playoffs the following week as seeding will be determined in a game at Forrest City. Both teams are an identical 3-6 and 3-3 in the conference but this year, the league gets five teams in and the winner will be the No. 4 seed, while the loser is No. 5. This year, the 4A-2 is paired with the 4A-8 with this facing the No. 2 seed, most likely DeWitt, that would be a rematch for CAC as the Mustangs lost to the Dragons 31-7 in the season opener, while the loser gets a trip to the No. 1 seed, Warren.
Records: CAC - 3-6, 3-3; Forrest City - 3-6, 3-3
CAC schedule
Aug. 31 … DeWitt 31, CAC 7
Sept. 6… Stuttgart 41, CAC 7
Sept. 13 ... vs. Harding Academy 53, CAC 20
Sept. 20 … Bye
Sept. 27 ... Heber Springs 31, CAC 29
Oct. 4 ... CAC 42, Riverview 14
Oct. 11 ... CAC 35, Little Rock Hall 28
Oct. 18 ... Lonoke 39, CAC 0
Oct. 25 ... CAC 49, Bald Knob 14
Nov. 1 ... Mills 49, CAC 7
Friday, Nov. 8 ... at Forrest City
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs at DeWitt or Warren
All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted
Rankings from hootens.com
Saturday's SEC schedule
Florida (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at Texas (7-1, 3-1 SEC): 11 a.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 374 – 82
Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) at Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2 SEC): 2:30 p.m.• ABC; SiriusXM: 81 - 162/190
South Carolina (5-3, 3-3 SEC) at Vanderbilt (6-3, 3-2 SEC): 3:15 p.m. • SEC Network; SiriusXM: 374 - 158/191
Mississippi State (2-7, 0-5 SEC) at Tennessee (7-1, 4-1 SEC): 6 p.m. • ESPN; SiriusXM: 385 - 162/190
Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC) at LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 82 – 84
Oklahoma (5-4, 1-4 SEC) at Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC): 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network; SiriusXM: 374 - 159/191
Open: Arkansas (5-4, 3-3 SEC); Auburn (3-6, 1-5 SEC); Kentucky (3-6, 1-6 SEC); Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1 SEC).
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health again didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, and still shows 409 for the year. The virus has now killed 14,053 Arkansans since the pandemic began four years ago. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds