Little Rock’s easternmost ward has a new representative on the city Board of Directors.
Virgil Miller was sworn in Monday as Ward 1 city director. He will fill out the remainder of the term of longtime City Director Erma Hendrix, who died last month at the age of 91.
Joined by family and local leaders at City Hall, Miller said in the past he has been hesitant to serve in public office.
“It’s pretty selfish when you have the skills, the talents and the desires to be a good public servant," Miller said. "If you’re not running and you have those skill sets, then who is left to run? Good people will not run.”
Miller is a longtime banker and currently serves as Community Reinvestment Act director at Arvest Bank. He was among eight finalists and was appointed to the seat by a vote of the board last Wednesday.
Miller said he would work in the best interest of the entire city, not just his ward.
“Ward 1 is just a part of a jigsaw puzzle and the City of Little Rock is the whole puzzle. And we need all of the pieces in place because that’s how city government works,” Miller said. “I am so happy to be able to do that, and members of the board, again thank you for your vote of confidence.”
The term will expire in December 2022 and Miller says he plans to run for re-election. Ward 1 stretches from downtown Little Rock to Clinton National Airport and communities along the Arkansas River in eastern Little Rock.
