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NORMAN REMOVED FROM QUORUM COURT

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, September 18, 2009 9:43 PM CDT

DUMAS — Onie Norman has been removed a second time from her district three seat on the Desha County Quorum Court.

The court decided to remove Norman from the position Thursday because her home was believed to be located outside of the district she was elected to represent.

During 2006, Norman bought a house located at 120 U.S. 65, within the boundaries of the county’s fourth district, according to the most current boundary map submitted to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office. The map shows Norman’s house is one block from district three.

Norman has disputed the legality of the map and claims the house is actually in district three, from which she was elected. She said the county failed in 2002 to file an updated map illustrating its re-drafting of district boundaries as required by law every 10 years.

Desha County Judge Mark McElroy acknowledged previously the county did not complete the re-drafting, but the map that the county has to work with is just that — what the county has to work with.

“We’ve referred to three maps, and all three show she lives in district four and she represents district three,” McElroy said Friday. “All her neighbors on both sides of her have voted in district four and the person she bought the house from voted in district four.

“One time she listed her address as her friend, Flora Simon’s house and another time she listed her old house on Palmetto. It kind of raised the question if she doesn’t think the house is outside the district, why did she list the other addresses?”

Norman was also voted off the court during July 2008, but was elected from district three again during November reportedly using the address of Simon.

McElroy said Norman would be able to run for a district four position next year.

Norman sold her former home at 108 Palmetto St., located in district three, during September 2007 and she began living with Flora Simon in district three.

She claimed previously her official mailing address was 108 Palmetto even though she had sold the house.

She declared the disputed district four house, 120 U.S. 65, to be her principal residence Nov. 29, 2007, regarding a $300 real estate tax credit.

“It’s just a matter of upholding the law,” McElroy said. “The law says you have to live in the district you represent.”

A resolution will be sent to Gov. Mike Beebe requesting he appoint someone to the vacated position. McElroy said he has attached a letter to the resolution requesting the governor appoint an African-American woman to the position since the people of district three elected an African-American woman. He said such an appointment would keep African-American representation in the court.

Norman could not be reached for comment.

District boundaries within counties are subject to redrafting following the release of census results every 10 years. The adjustment is intended to maintain a population of 2,000 residents per district.

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