Wyrick appointed to Quorum Court
George Wyrick, of Alexander, has been appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to serve as Justice of the Peace for District
12 on the Saline County Quorum Court.
Wyrick’s term will expire on Dec. 31, 2024.
Wyrick was appointed Wednesday and sworn in Thursday afternoon by
County Judge Matt Brumley.
Wyrick will complete to the term of former Justice of the Peace J.R. Walters, who retired last year.
Wyrick has lived in the Shannon Hills area for the majority of his life, according to a press release from Saline County.
He was born in Little
Rock and attended the Pulaski County Special School District. Wyrick attended Henderson State University as a scholarship athlete, but left to help take care of the family business “Esquire Marble” after his dad passed away. He spent over 50 years in the marble business before retiring.
Wyrick has been married to his wife Lana for 45 years, and together they have two daughters Leah and
Elizabeth.
“I look forward to serving as Justice of the Peace for District 12. I’ve always been interested in politics after learning from my dad who served as a Justice of the Peace and as a School Board Member. I want to help the county best I can, even though I will only be here for a short time,” said Wyrick.
Wyrick’s first meeting as a Justice of the Peace will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday for the February meeting of the Saline County Quorum Court.
Three Republican candidates have thrown their hats into the ring and will contend for the seat in the March 5 Primary Election.
Candidates for the District 12 seat are Stephanie Johnson, Ronald Nichols and Devon Waite.
There is no Democratic
candidate for the position, so winner will be decided in the primary, but the new JP will not be seated until Jan. 1, 2025, following the November General Election.
Last September Walters, who represented District 12 and served on the court for 25 years, announced his plans to retire.
During his tenure as a justice of the peace, Walters accomplished a great deal, officiating over 3,550 weddings and never missed a meeting.
“J.R. Walters has served the people of Saline County for 26 years with a high degree of character and integrity. J.R. has exhibited humility and the heart of a servant and it has been an absolute honor to serve alongside him,” said Saline County Judge Matt Brumley, who read a proclamation in Walters’ honor and presented Walters with several awards at the October
Quorum Court meeting.
Walters, a native of Houston, Miss., moved to Arkansas in 1952 to work for Western Electric. After 32 years, he retired from the company and opened his own business, J.R.’S Welding. After selling that business, he started a lawn care service, which he operated for 10 years.
He was known around the county as the “lawn ranger” thanks to a license plate on his truck, County Clerk Doug Curtis said.
Walters first ran for a J.P. seat in 1992 as a Democrat and lost by 81 votes, but when he ran again in 1994 as an Independent he won by 81 votes. He served on the court for 14 years before losing an election.
Walters was re-elected to the court in 2011 and served from 2012 until 2023 for a total of 26 years, Brumley said, reading from the proclamation.
Gov. Sanders appointed five other JPS around the state on Wednesday to complete terms.
Appointed were: David
Damron, of Sheridan, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 4 for Grant County. Term expires on Dec. 31. Fulfills the remaining term of Grant Westmoreland.
Bobbie Jo Green, of Mineral Springs, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 9 for Howard County. Term expires on Dec. 31. Fulfills the remaining term of Bobby Don Turner.
Linda Hines, of Camden, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 8 for
Ouachita County. Term expires on Dec. 31. Fulfills the remaining term of James Manley.
Larry Dye, of Harriet, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 9 for Searcy County. Term expires on Dec. 31. Fulfills the remaining term of Rick Watts.
Shirley Quattlebaum, of Searcy, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 10 for White County. Term expires on Dec. 31. Fulfills the remaining term of Bobby G. Quattlebaum.