Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Two Honored By Huckabee

Gov. Mike Huckabee with 'Certificates of Appreciation' recently honored John McLelland, owner of McLelland Construction Company and Steve Britton, principal of Prescott High School.

During the recent Lonoke vs. Prescott play-off game, McLelland had provided a piece of heavy machinery that would lift assistant coach Hal Steelman thirty feet so that he could view the game as a spotter for Lonoke. Coach Steelman is a double amputee, losing both legs below the knees due to a chronic diabetic condition. In recent weeks, Coach Steelman had been confined to his wheelchair due to complications with his condition.

Attempting to be carried to the press box would have been difficult and a safety risk.

Britton discussed this with the Prescott coaching staff, who all agreed that the 'cherry- picker' type of equipment would be safe. Upon presenting the idea to McLelland, he was more than willing to bring the machinery to the stadium.

"It was no bother to do this for the coach," McLelland said. "We all hope that one day, should we find ourselves in that situation, that enough people would be concerned to pitch in and help us out."

The framed certificates read: "State of Arkansas, To All Shall See These Presents, Greeting: Know Ye, that I, the Governor of the State of Arkansas, in the name and by the authority of the people of this State, as vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Arkansas, refusing special recognition for the distinguished accomplishments, services, and deeds of the Citizens of the State of Arkansas, do hereby award to 'John McLelland/ Steve Britton' this Certificate of Appreciation as an outstanding Citizen of the State of Arkansas, having shown to the people of Arkansas an outstanding interest in public service to this State.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of November in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine.

Mike Huckabee"