Hughes introduced as new city attorney

By submitted, 04/16/24 10:04 AM

PRESCOTT – Eric Hughes was introduced as Prescott’s new city attorney at the April meeting of the Prescott City Council Monday night.

Hughes has been a lawyer since 1995 with extensive experience. He’s been involved with cases of transactional, real estate and utility company representation. He was a partner with Wright,Berry, Hughes and Moore from 1995-2009 and is currently with Hughes and Hughes, along with being the CEO of Capstone Pioneer Settlement Service, a title insurance and real estate closing company. He’s on the board of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County and the Arkansas FFA Foundation.

In addressing the council, Hughes said he appreciates the opportunity to serve Prescott, adding he loves South Arkansas, having grown up in Gurdon. He said there are fewer lawyers practicing in small towns now than there was 30 years ago when he started.

In other business, Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, reminded the council of the upcoming Chamber Banquet on April 23. Before that is a ribbon cutting Thursday morning at Askew Arms and the Master Gardener Plant Show and Sale. She said letters have been sent to area farmers letting them know of the annual farmers market meeting on May 7 at 11 a.m.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, provided the council with copies of the EDO’s annual report and said the new sales tax is being collected. This tax is to help the city pay SWEPCO for the exorbitant electric bill from the winter of 2020. She said the EDO’s annual golf tournament will be May 30 adding it’s a good place to network.

Continuing, she said her office is working on several grants including new ones for the Prescott Police Department and Nevada County Sheriff’s Office for equipment.

When asked about the drainage project, she said the contractor is waiting on the concrete culverts which are on back order.