PEA RIDGE — Demurely giving credit to others, M.J. Hensley accepted a plaque and applause from Mayor Jackie Crabtree, City Council members and other city officials at the December council meeting as Crabtree credited him with saving the city more than a quarter of a million dollars.

“He’s has saved the city in excess of $250,000,” Crabtree said, as he credited Hensley with theengineering on the city’s street projects.

“I have a lot of these,” Hensley said, accepting the plaque.

“They’re worth more than any paycheck.

“My compliments to the crew,” Hensley said, crediting city Street and Water department employees.

As he gave flowers to Wilma Hensley, Crabtree said: “Behind every good man, there’s a good woman. Thanks for sharing M.J.

with us.”

Turning to the council, Hensley said: “We just appreciate y’all for serving the city.”

Hensley, a retired civil engineer, spent countless hours overseeing the city’s street projects in which several streets were taken back down to the base before being rebuilt. He also engineered the drainage improvements.

Hensley specifically involved the city employees training them for work that will help the city in the future.

News, Pages 1 on 01/12/2011