Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday appointed a special justice to the state Supreme Court consider a recommendation to remove an eastern Arkansas judge from the bench.

Beebe appointed lawyer Ron Sheffield of Little Rock to hear the case involving Phillips County Circuit Judge L.T. Simes, who was recommended for removal from the bench by the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.

The nine-member commission recommended Simes’ removal after concluding the judge violated several rules of judicial conduct.

Sheffield will replace Justice Elana Wills, who recused herself from the case.

The governor also announced the following appointments to state boards and commissions:

• Paul Bosson of Hot Springs, reappointed to the State Crime Laboratory Board.  His appointment expires Jan.14, 2016.
• Doug Carter of Malvern replaces Stanley Ellis on the State Board of Private Career Education. His appointment expires April 15, 2015.
• Christopher Comer of Magnolia replaces Marvin Crummer on State Board of Private Career Education. His appointment expires April 15, 2016.
• Lynn Foster of Roland replaces David Nixon on the Commission on Uniform State Laws. The appointment expires April 30, 2013.
• Gloria Gordon of North Little Rock replaces Jane English on the Arkansas Psychology Board. Her appointment expires Dec. 31, 2013.
• Dr. Judd Harbin of Fayetteville replaces Dr. Tommy Poling on the Arkansas Psychology Board. His appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
• Dr. Brad Holloway of Brookland to the Arkansas Safe Campus Task Force. The appointment expires Dec. 31, 2010.
• Circuit Judge Berlin Jones of Pine Bluff reappointed to the Arkansas Sentencing Commission. His appointment expires May 15, 2014.
• Bobby Kennedy of West Memphis reappointed to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission. His appointment expires June 8, 2014.
• Wendy Kirk of Jonesboro replaces Margaret Parham on the Arkansas Division of Volunteerism Advisory Council. Her appointment expires Jan. 7, 2012.
• Vincent McKinney of Little Rock to the Arkansas Independent Living Council. His appointment expires Feb. 1, 2012.
• Don Martin of Siloam Springs reappointed to the Burial Association Board. His appointment expires Dec. 31, 2011.
• Shirley Pearce of DeQueen to replace Horace Howard on the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board. The appointment expires Jan. 15, 2010.
• Kimberly Porter of Little Rock replaces Lin Carnahan to the Graduate Nurse Educator Loan and Scholarship Board. The appointee serves at the will of the governor.
• Jim Skender of Hamburg replaces Terry Gray on the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board. The appointment expires April 1, 2014.
• John Stroud, Jr., of Texarkana replaces LeRoy Autrey on the Commission on Uniform State Laws. His appointment expires April 30, 2013.
• Doris Tate of Greenwood reappointed to the State Board of Election Commissioners. Her appointment expires May 28, 2013.
• Cheryl Vines of Sherwood to the Arkansas Independent Living Council. Her appointment expires Feb. 1, 2012.
• C.S. Walker of Sheridan replaces Ann Bush on the State Board of Election Commissioners. The appointment expires May 28, 2013.
• Elisa White of Little Rock replaces Jim Pender on the Commission on Uniform State Laws. Her appointment expires April 30, 2013.