Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe today appointed a Little Rock lawyer to replace a circuit judge that the state Supreme Court ordered removed from the bench.

Beebe appointed Ernest Sanders Jr. as circuit judge for the Fifth Division of the Sixth Judicial District, replacing former Circuit Judge Willard Proctor Jr.

The state’s highest court concluded last month that Proctor violated judicial canons in his relationship to a nonprofit probation program Proctor ran out of his courthouse office.

Proctor has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block his removal and be allowed to run for re-election to the bench.
Sanders’ appointment expires Dec. 31.

His appointment was one of 10 the governor made Friday to state boards and commissions.

Also appointed:
—Allen Bedell of Hot Springs reappointed to the State Forestry Commission. His appointment expires Jan. 14, 2019.
—Summer Brashears of Huntsville reappointed to the Burial Association Board. The appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—Gary Burley of Magnolia replaces Jack Harrington on the Columbia County Quorum Court, District 10. His appointment expires Dec. 31, 2010.
—The Honorable Jo Anne Bush of Lake Village reappointed to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees. The appointment expires Jan. 1, 2014.
—Karen Crowson of Benton reappointed to the Real Estate Commission. Her appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—Tony Lance of Cabot reappointed to the Burial Association Board. His appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—Jimmy Newell of Little Rock reappointed to the Real Estate Commission. His appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—David Powell Jr., of Searcy reappointed to the Burial Association Board. His appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—Tim Webb of Searcy reappointed to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees. His appointment expires Jan. 1, 2014.