Lorenzo Parker seeks re-election

Lorenzo Parker seeks re-election

Quorum Court JP pledges ‘ service before self ’

Lorenzo Parker has announced that he will seek re-election for the office of the Justice of the Peace for District 13 on the Crittenden County Quorum Court. Parker, who is currently a second year law student at the UALR Bowen School of Law and the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of West Memphis, was a 1991 honor graduate from West Memphis High School, and attended college at Arkansas State University after a All-State High School football career.

While at ASU, he was a four-year starter on offense and defense for the Indians football team and voted permanent offensive team captain for the 1994 Indians. Parker received a Bachelors' degree in 1995 and he also received his M.B.A. from A.S.U. in the fall of 2007, graduting with honors.

Parker holds management certifications from the Institute of Supply Management as well as The University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He is a graduate of the 2005 Crittenden County Leadership Team. Parker has served on in the past or presently several local civic boards such as the Critten- den Arts Council, The Crittenden County Workforce Alliance, The West Memphis School District GEAR-UP scholarship selection committee, The Junior Leadership selection committee, The Mid-South Community College Workforce Advisory Board and CASA. Parker is a member Xi Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

“This is the age where we need to disagree without being disagreeable,” said Parker. “We have to compromise in a way that doesn't compromise our principles, and we have to start listening to each other instead of arguing about who is right or who is wrong. With that being said, I would like to announce my candidacy for re-election for the office of the Justice of the Peace position 13 on the Crittenden County Quorum Court.”

“My campaign will not be about my opponents, his or her faults or anything negative. My campaign will consist of what I can bring to the table, what my qualifications, experience, and education are and most important my position, on issues facing residents of Crittenden county, specifically the residents of quorum court district 13,” said Parker. “We can see by this current political season that there is a new movement in American politics. People are measuring candidates by their qualifications and a change is on the horizon. I feel that I am a part of this new movement and I can bring about a positive change for residents of Crittenden County with my ideas. I was the only Justices who voted against the Ameris Hospital agreement simply because legally it was a bad structured deal. I was the only Justice to put forth a the idea of suing Ameris for the cost of the election that the citizens of Crittenden County paid for and suing them for the cost of operating the vacant hospital which Ameris never intended on investing a cent in. Finally I took the lead on work with the city of West Memphis' Public works department to have public input on the flood basin that was dug in Westwood Acres that now has alleviated most of the flooding in the Westwood Acres, Foxwood and South Avalon neighborhoods.

Parker is married to Kimberly Parker and they have three children two sons Desha Lorenzo Parker IV (R.J.) and Kyren Alonzo Parker and one daughter Deyonne LaSha Parker. He is a member of the 7th Street Church of Christ in West Memphis.

“I look forward to discussion my ideas with any residents of District 13 or any resident of Crittenden County for that matter,” he said. “I would like to thank everyone that has supported me in past and it's time to put an end to petty, disruptive politics and shellfish agendas. Together we can end this Washington like atmosphere that divides the citizens of this county by keeping somebody on the quorum court that is qualified and who is actually willing to represent the residents of district 13. ‘Service Before Self.’”