Replacement named for JP District 14 in Benton County

Kenny Bierman
Appointee to Benton County JP District 14 seat
Kenny Bierman Appointee to Benton County JP District 14 seat

BENTONVILLE -- Kenny Bierman of Springdale will serve as Benton County District 14 justice of the peace until the end of the year.

Bierman, a Republican, was sworn into office Thursday morning by County Judge Barry Moehring. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Bierman last month.

Bierman replaces Brent Meyers of Lowell, 78, who died in April. Meyers was elected to the Quorum Court in 2012. Bierman will serve until Dec. 31.

A small portion of Springdale is in Benton County. The district is in the southeast part of the county and includes Lowell, Hickory Creek and Bethel Heights.

Bierman, 40, works in category management for PepsiCo. He hasn't held political office before. He said he served in the Air Force from 2003 to 2013 flying Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft.

He was looking for a way to serve the community when the chance to apply for the District 14 opening came along, Bierman said.

"I know I have a steep learning curve, but I am ready to put in the time and make the right choices for the county," he said.

Bierman said he talked with Joel Edwards, who represents District 15 on the Quorum Court, about what issues the county faces. Edwards said he gave Bierman the lowdown on the time commitment being a court member takes. Edwards said he wants to see justices of the peace ask good questions and he said Bierman will do that.

Bierman has a political science degree from the University of Oklahoma, an master's in business administration from the University of Arkansas and a master's degree in public administration from American Military University.

Bierman, as an appointee, can't run for the District 14 seat.

"I am super excited to serve Benton County, learn the issues and get better," he said.

The Quorum Court is made up of 15 Republicans with the addition of Bierman. His first meeting will be Finance Committee on July 14.

Meyers ran unopposed in the March primary election and didn't have an opponent in the November general election.

Scott Brownell, chairman of the Republican Party of Benton County, said the party will reconvene its county convention, which was held April 7. Delegates will nominate a new candidate to fill Meyers' place on the November ballot.

Potential candidates include Bethany Rosenbaum, Todd Fenix and Leigh Nogy, Brownell said. The reconvened convention is set for July 28.

Mike Jones may be reached by email at [email protected].

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