TEXARKANA, Texas - At least 250 residents packed into the Regional Arts Center Wednesday evening to bid retired Bowie County Judge James Carlow a public and heartfelt farewell - even though some of his public service involvement will continue.
Carlow, who retired Sept 30, served as the county's judge from 1987 to 2010 before serving again starting in 2015 to the end of last month. He and his wife, Nancy, still live in New Boston.
"I really appreciate all of you for coming out to see us today," Carlow said. "It has truly been a pleasure to work for you and with you for 29 years."
Having worked on regional transportation projects for years, such as the widening of Interstate 30 and U.S. Highway 82, Carlow will still continue to serve as regional vice chairman for the Interstate 69 Alliance.
"I will be in Houston and in Austin to make sure work on I-69 continues," said Carlow, who came to office having worked as both a farmer and businessman. "I also want to thank Nancy for staying with me all these years and helping me stay together. We plan to get I-69 complete and connected through this area of Texarkana, so that it joins up with I-30 and Interstate 49. Whenever you can get three interstates coming through one area, that area flourishes."
Former Bowie County Judge Ed Miller, who served in office just prior to Carlow, said he left Carlow with an expensive project that needed paying for, but he added that Carlow was more than up to the challenge.
"We had just gotten the citizens of Bowie County to vote for issuing a bond to pay for building the county a new courthouse," Miller said. "I got people to vote for the project, but I'm sure glad Judge Carlow made sure all the bills got paid for it."
Carol Dalby, who not only serves as the Bowie County Commissioners Court's legal adviser, but also as Texarkana, Arkansas' State District 1 representative, presented Carlow with an Arkansas State House of Representatives citation as well as an Arkansas state flag. The Legislature made sure the flag flew over the state capitol building in Little Rock on Sept. 30 - the day Carlow retired.
"Judge Carlow, we Arkansas-side residents truly believe that what good happens in Texas is also good for Arkansas and what happens in Arkansas is also good for Texas," Dalby said.
Texas State District 1 Rep. Gary VanDeaver also paid tribute to Carlow.
"Judge, I don't think I know of any other person who has fought more to make Bowie County a better county than you have," VanDeaver said. "You have fought so well for the county that you are even known well in Austin and in Washington, D.C."
Bowie County Clerk Tina Petty said Carlow helped her and so many others by teaching them the best thing he could teach them.
"Judge Carlow made a good leader because he made sure we were good stewards with the people's money and he always reminded us that we work for the citizens of Bowie County," she said.