Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Diemer Is Delegate Candidate For Dec. 12

Gwen Pennington Diemer, a Clark County native, is seeking a position as delegate for the proposed constitutional convention in the Dec. 12 special election.

Diemer, raised in the Rosedale Community in eastern Clark County, says she's always been politically aware and is interested in the future of the state.

"As we prepare to move into the 21st century, it is important Arkansas keep pace with her neighbors," Diemer said.

"I believe our state does need a new constitution. There is no doubt the present constitution, adopted in 1874, is unwieldy and, in many instances, incomprehensible."

Diemer said the proposed constitution the delegates will be examining and changing, may not be exactly what the state needs at this time, but is willing to dedicate the time necessary to studying it and working to change it to meet the needs of today's citizens.

"It is my desire," she said, "to serve the people of this district to insure that any constitution offered to the voters will better serve them than the present one, particularly regarding public school funding, the power of local governments to levy taxes and the responsibilities of elected legislators to serve the people they are elected to represent."

Diemer received a BSE from Henderson State University, pursuing a career in public education.

She and her husband, Dale, also an educator, returned to Clark County when they retired in 1992.

The couple has two children, who also live in Arkansas.

She is a Methodist, teaching an adult Sunday school class.

During her teaching career, she served as president of the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary fraternity of women educators, and was also the president of the local United Methodist Women.