Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Community Turns OUt For Courthouse Reception

As of midnight Dec. 31, John William Barham will no longer be Nevada County Judge.

This will be a moment of conflicting emotions for Barham, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the late John Henry.

In fact, he and Davis Benton, Nevada County Election Commission Chairman, have a running joke about Barham's holding an elected office and never paying a filing fee. Whenever the two meet in public, Benton tells Barham he will be sending him a bill.

Thursday, Dec. 19, a reception was held in Barham's honor in the Nevada County Courthouse.

Community leaders and courthouse employees praised the efforts Barham has put forth during the past two years, saying he came into office in turbulent times on the heels of the death of Henry.

Barham's tenure also saw severe budgetary problems for the county, along with the closing of the Nevada County Hospital.

But, no one in the county was as hard on the county judge as was Barham himself. He demanded near perfection from himself, while allowing others to remain human.

Still, as his term draws to a close, he said he enjoyed a lot of it, but regrets not being able to do everything he wanted to accomplish for the county.

"The down side," Barham said, "is there wasn't enough money to do the job I wanted to do. I was frustrated at not being able to do what was needed."

On the other hand, there were many positives to the post as well. He said working with the people in the courthouse, on the road and bridge crew and the public in general. "Everyone was kind, patient and cooperative," he said. "I really enjoy working with people; always have.

"I was able to get reacquainted with people I haven't seen in a long time and met a lot I didn't know."

Barham praised the courthouse staff as well. When first taking office, he didn't know how they would react to his being judge, but, as he said, everyone went out of their way to help him make the transition from retirement to public life easy.

"The courthouse staff has really been good to work with," he said. "They've all cooperated and gone the extra mile."

There was also some irony involved with Barham taking office. It had to do with Nevada County Sheriff Harold Vines when he was seeking office himself.

Vines was knocking doors and visited Barham, soliciting his vote. Barham said he'd vote for Vines if he promised to work and cooperate with the county judge, then Henry. Vines agreed, and before he could be sworn in, Barham was appointed as judge.

"He's been a good sheriff," Barham said of Vines. "He and I have worked well together.

"When he came by my house asking for my vote, I didn't know then I'd be the judge. It never crossed my mind I'd be the county judge," he said.

Barham retired from the Arkansas Transportation and Highway Department at the age of 54, after 30 years of service to the commission. But retirement wasn't something he enjoyed.

Still, when the Nevada County Quorum Court first approached him to take the helm at the head of county government, Barham said no.

The second time he was asked to serve, he said maybe, and turned in his resume the third time.

"John Henry and I were close friends," he said. "We rode the county together when he was first elected before he took office, and discussed what he needed to do.

"He did a lot while judge, and I tried to finish what he started. But I didn't get it all done."

Prior to Henry's seeking his first term as judge, Barham considered running for the office himself. He spoke to his pastor about this and was informed not everyone would vote for him. "But I thought I could help the county with the experience I had with the ATHD," he said.

However, when Henry ran, Barham remained in the background, working in his farm near Emmet.

Following Henry's death, Barham still wanted to help. "I don't know if I did," he said, "but I tried. I'm probably not satisfied more than anyone else with what I've done.

"That's why I resigned once. I saw so much needing to be done and knew I couldn't do it because of the lack of funds."

Still, in the 1996 budget, Barham and the court were able to work in a 3 percent pay raise for county employees, something he is proud of doing. "I hope it helps keep people working for the county once their hired," he said.

Along with the pay raise, the county was able to help the employees get much needed insurance, something else Barham is glad to have been a part of.

Interestingly, one of the things he's most pleased with is the county's going to a door-to-door garbage pickup system. While bugs had to be ironed out initially, he said the public has not been critical of the service.

He believes this service has also helped cut down on the number of fires in the county, because residents no longer have to use burn barrels to get rid of their garbage.

"The hardest part of the job," he said, "was the hospital closing. That hurt the worst, with not being able to put something in there to help the city and county. I tried everything I knew to get someone in there. This has been hard on my part."

Something else which has been tough for Barham is not being able to properly equip the road and bridge department. He said much of the equipment is worn out, but there is no money available to replace it.

However, Barham said he was able to purchase some equipment while judge, and made sure it was all paid off. "I never bought anything on credit," he said. "We (the county) paid for everything we bought."

As his term rapidly comes to a close, Barham said he has been working closely with County Judge-elect James Roy Brown.

"I'm trying to make this a smooth change," he said. "Brown has been here and is interested. I've told him what we've done and what is pending."

Barham said Brown has also been involved with next year's budget, having penciled in changes and attending meetings to see what funds would be available to him in 1997.

One of the things Barham won't miss too much is having to make the final decision on issues. He said where he worked before, there was always someone he could go to for help if he needed it.

But, as county judge, the final decision was his. "I had the quorum court and an attorney I could visit with, but I still had to make the call. I had to make the final decision whether I wanted to or not."

In a statement to the residents of Nevada County, Barham said he tried to represent the entire county as judge.

"I appreciate the cooperation and support you have given me during this appointment," he wrote.

"The county employees have worked hard and accomplished a great deal, but there is much to be done. With your continued help and cooperation, I feel good things will continue to be done.

"I am sure you are not satisfied with things as they are, and neither am I. Nevada County deserves better. It is my hope more funds w