Cook honored at retirement reception

HOPE – It was a time of joy and sadness at Hempstead Hall Thursday evening as a retirement reception was held for former Hope City Manager Catherine Cook.

Cook was with the city for 32 years, from 1990-2022. The event was a “meet and greet” catered by Sheba’s Restaurant. A slideshow of Cook’s accomplishments ran throughout the event. Meeting and greeting wasn’t all that happened, as Cook was honored by state and federal officials as well.

Newly-elected State Sen. Steve Crowell presented cook with a proclamation from the legislature, with a representative from Bruce Westerman’s office presenting cook with a certificate as well. Chase Emmerson, from Sen. John Boozman’s office, said Cook was one of the first officials he visited when he started working for Boozman 10 years ago. He presented her with a letter from the senator congratulating her on her retirement, adding she will be missed.

Hope Mayor Don Still said there’s been a lot of changes in Hope under Cook, and she’s left the city in great shape.

Ladell Douglas, with the Hempstead County Economic Development Commission (HCEDC), said he’s known Cook for 28 years and it’s been a pleasure to work with her. He continued saying she’s brought about changed in Hope and Hempstead County with business and industry growing.

Next up was Mark Hays with the Arkansas Municipal League, who presented Cook with a proclamation. He said her service is a thing of legend in Little Rock and she was someone who could be relied on to give advice as a quiet and intelligent leader who was also kind. He said she will be missed, but left a lasting imprint in Hope.”You’re the best thing that’s happened to local government in the state.’

Charlotte Bradley, with Hope Water & Light, was net, saying Cook was always on target and helped motivate and encourage business to locate here. “She accomplished a lot in 32 years. She has a caring spirit, is dedicated, faithful, determined and caring.” Bradley said Cook helped employees get to work or provided daycare, adding she was the first to arrive and last to leave when working on projects with the Kiwanis Club. Bradley called members of the HW&L to the forefront to let Cook know donations have been made to the UAHT foundation in her name.

Former Mayor Steve Montgomery said there was no way to avoid one another in a small town like Hope as everyone runs into one another in public. Cook, he said, has been part of the community forever, raising her family here so her family is also a part of Hope. He continued saying she worked hard to make Hope a better place for everyone.

Former Mayor Dennis Ramsey was the last to speak in Cook’s honor. He said Hope city manager form of government is the oldest in the state having been instituted in 1957, but there hasn’t been a city manager in all this time who showed the professionalism and dedication Cook has had. “She was a trailblazer and Hope made many strides under her leadership.”:

Cook, a St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan, said there’s no crying in baseball or government, though she had difficulty holding back the tears. “It’s been my pleasure to work for Hope and with the citizens and people over the years,” she said. “I take my responsibilities seriously and a lot has happened in 32 years.” During this time, she said, her daughter grew up, got married and started her own family, she lost both parents and her husband and survived two bouts of breast cancer.

“I’ve pretty much enjoyed every day and I loved to work for Hope. I always want to give back, it’s part of me. I had a wonderful staff, board of directors and interim city manager in J.R. Wilson.