Editor, The Commercial:
The city of Pine Bluff has its cheerleaders, strong advocates for the city and high hopes for the future. There are many great people who fit into this category, familiar names to residents both new and old. I write this letter to pay homage to an individual behind the scenes, Mr. Roy Ferrell.
I have worked with Roy on a number of projects and know Roy to be a humble man, always willing to offer any assistance necessary to achieve a goal or successfully complete a project. One such act I witnessed recently reminded me of that and prompted me to share this experience. On Sept. 29, during the annual rodeo parade, there was Roy on the judge’s platform as he is every year.
Roy was there, not as a judge, but to offer assistance to the volunteer judges, providing refreshments, assisting with tabulation of the final scoring, whatever the need may be. The act that prompted this letter occurred after the parade. I had delivered the final scores to the parade officials and circled the block on my way home when I spotted Roy. There he was, in slacks and a sport coat walking the parade route, picking up trash and filling a plastic bag. The bag I am sure was also found along the route.
On his way back to his car to go home that evening, Roy saw a need. His city needed him and as he has done so many times before, he helped. He did not do this for money or recognition. He did it because that is the kind of man Roy is. When Pine Bluff has people with the integrity and selfless loyalty and willingness to serve like that of Roy Ferrell, I cannot help but be positive about our future.
Rob Cheatwood,
Parade Committee