a heritage of service
Story by Susan O'Connor, Photo by Dero Sanford

The desire to serve one’s community is a gift that is often passed from generation to generation. Martin Timothy McCall is one of the lucky individuals who has a heritage of service to others, and has answered the call.

McCall’s grandfather, the late Joe N. Martin, was a longtime Jonesboro leader and businessman, active in politics, as well as causes he believed in, such as the development of countless roads and highways, the creation of Craighead Forest Park, George W. Jackson Mental Health Center, now part of Mid-South Health Systems, Inc. and much more. A major Jonesboro thoroughfare, the Joe N. Martin Expressway, honors his service.

“I grew up listening to stories of friendships with political figures,” McCall said of his grandfather. “I enjoyed what he said about how to get things done the right way — above board.”

McCall listened well. His civic involvement is multi-faceted and includes 12 years as a Jonesboro city councilman. He is president of the Friends of the Library board, serves on the Jonesboro City Water and Light board and the JETS Community Transportation Advisory board. He has served on the boards and is a member of the Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce and St. Bernard’s Advocates. McCall was named Kiwanian of the Year in 2000-2001, and one of Arkansas’ 40 Under 40 business and community leaders by Arkansas Business in 2003. Northeast Arkansas Business Today named him Outstanding Young Executive in 2006.

Community service at this level requires pure dedication, especially when the demands of career and family are factored in. McCall is group marketing representative for the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield northeast regional office. He and his wife, Christi, have two children, Morgan, 12, and Britton, 10. He is also a deacon at First Baptist Church, where he is co-director of television ministries.

But this year, McCall was handed a very unique challenge —one that only a select few over the years can lay claim to. He was named director of planning for Jonesboro’s sesquicentennial celebration.

“A year and a half or two years ago I started talking about the sesquicentennial — I brought it to the attention of city officials,” said McCall, an active member of the Craighead County Historical Society.

A history buff with a special place in his heart for Jonesboro and Craighead County, McCall was especially interested in the city’s upcoming sesquicentennial. He credits his mother, Florence Cooper, a teacher for many years at Jonesboro High School, with fostering his love of history.

When Harold Perrin was elected last fall, McCall began to approach the mayor about the upcoming sesquicentennial. He said he felt an urgency to get the planning under way because the “clock was ticking loudly for an event of this magnitude.” Perrin was quickly on board and enthusiastic, McCall noted.

“Being the master delegator that he (Perrin) is, and because I asked him about it so many times, I probably got what I deserved,” McCall said wryly, his eyes lit up with laughter. “I’ve been happy to help. This opportunity only comes around about once in 150 years!”

In February, planning began in earnest, the first task being the formation of a group of community members appointed by Perrin for an advisory board.
“We wanted the board to be composed of a pretty diverse group of people, familiar with Jonesboro’s history and the ability to look at the event from an umbrella perspective,” he said.

The board’s overall goal, McCall explained, has been to put together a framework for the celebration — something similar to the 1959 centennial — that offered a range of family-oriented events.

“We have a pretty good mix,” he said, “from Faith Night to Night Ranger.”
Though budgeting has been a challenge, McCall stressed that he is proud of his board’s efforts on this front.

“We’re not spending much compared with what other cities our size have spent on comparable events. “We are trying to be fiscally responsible in everything we do, while at the same time prepare and have an event that will be enjoyable to all families in Craighead County.”