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Van Buren County judge honors late Paula Smith, urges civility in court
Summary
The county judge opened the meeting with a memorial for the late Paula Smith and called on members of the Van Buren County Quorum Court to "go hard on the issues and easy on the people," urging cooperative, civil debate rather than partisan bitterness.
The county judge opened the Van Buren County Quorum Court meeting by placing a black bow in the chamber to honor the late Paula Smith and delivering an extended statement urging civility among elected officials. The judge said Smith was "engaged and civic minded" and remembered her attendance and service to the county.
The judge characterized the ideal public forum as one where officials "go hard on the issues and easy on the people" and said he longs for "a county where people focus more on what we have accomplished with pride and amazement and focus less on what remains to be done with frustration and criticism." He described the courts work as something that should prioritize compromise and listening.
The remarks framed the meetings tone and were followed by the courts routine business. No formal action or vote accompanied the remarks; they were presented as the county judges personal and procedural comments to the court.
