Government Channel Changers

One of the comments posted yesterday touched on the firing of City Cable Administrator Marvin Hilton and suggested that Mayor Coody could now use the Government Channel as "a 24 hour propaganda machine." Somehow I doubt that, but there does seem to be considerable email chatter about recent events at the PEG Center down at Rock 'n' Block.

Telecommunication Board Chairman Richard Drake maintains an interesting blog called Street Jazz and has been all over this topic for the last few days. He knows as much or more about such things as anyone except those Media Mandarins on the city payroll, so his comments will be of great interest to people who have great interest in such things. Drake also predicts that the Telecommunication Board meeting this Thursday will be an interesting one. Somehow I doubt that, too.

I hope that they get it all worked out and that we will continue to have the state's best cable line-up of public access, educational, and government channel coverage.

Citizen Quote of the Day

"Congressman Boozman's attacks on traditional American values have been relentless: He supports the needless war in Iraq, turning America into a police state (by supporting, for example, both Patriot Acts and the military trials bill), dictatorship (by supporting, among other things, Bush's 'signing statements'), and, contrary to his mendacious denial, torture. All of us who seek to conserve traditional American values can surely be better represented in Congress than we are by Boozman."

Thomas Atwater, "Traditional Values Not Represented," Letter to The Morning News

Fumo Bianco?

Rumors are circulating that there might be another entry in the Fayetteville mayor's race. It might be only wishful thinking, but it would not be surprising. It might be that the Northwest Arkansas Times was right. Does anyone have solid information about this?

UPDATE: Matthew Petty posted here first that the latest candidate is Bill Ramsey. In an email, he said, "It's Bill Ramsey. I have it from a very good source. All of the chamber officials and past officials voted unanimously to support him today."

Times Change, So Can Candidates

Weekend Glory

They move into condos
up over the ranks,
pawn their souls
to the local banks.
Buying big cars
they can't afford,
ridin' around town
actin' bored.


If they want to learn how to live life right
they ought to study me on Saturday night.

-- from "Weekend Glory" by Maya Angelou

My advice is to stay away from the University today. There will be too much traffic and too many people celebrating academic achievement -- or having avoided it and still getting a degree. There won't be as many fans celebrating graduation as would attend a football game, but it will still be wise to plan your travel route across town. Watch out for bicycles, too.

There are lots of other things to be doing elsewhere, starting with the Farmers' Market this morning. Thanks to the great local blog Life Plus Kids, families always know all the fun things going on in our area.

Today is also the Washington Elementary School's annual Tour of Homes from noon until 5:00 o'clock. Homes featured on the tour: Bryan & Laureen Benafield-217 E Sutton; Bill & Carol Eaton-412 E Lafayette; Dale & Marilyn Green-1035 N Park; JF & Cindy Meullenet-303 E Sutton; Steven & Melissa Rogers-40 W Prospect; Tom & Tammy Smith-847 N Park; and Rolf & Ceri Wilkin-318 W Ila. Reception & Refreshments at French Metro Anitques 200 W Dickson.

You'll find plenty to do in town this evening, from the Songwriters Round on Mt. Sequoyah to crawling Dickson Street to TheatreSquared's fine new play My Father's War at the Nadine Baum Studio on Spring Street. I'm headed to Eureka Springs for a political science lecture this evening. Former Texas goobernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman will speak at the City Auditorium on his latest book, You Can Lead A Politician To Water But You Can't Make Him Think: Ten Commandments For Texas Politics.

Have a glorious weekend.

The School Survey and the Civic Slacker

Much ado was made this week about a 300-sample telephone poll, paid for by Joel Nunneley, asking allegedly "involved voters" about selling off Fayetteville High School and whether they would vote to raise property tax rates to pay for building a new high school. “I paid for it on my own and commissioned it on my own, but I’m releasing it through Students First,” said Nunneley, who was described as "one of the three main leaders of Students First," a group that wants to sell the high school.

The press release from Nunneley's group was a bit misleading, claiming that the survey showed a “clear majority of involved voters” wanted to sell the high school to the University of Arkansas. Their own figures, from the poll he bought, show only 36% like that idea. The six percent margin of error means it could be as low as 30%, hardly a majority of voters, involved or otherwise. No more convincing to anyone except Greg Harton than the silent majority Nunneley asserted before.

Another of the questions respondents were asked was "Will the decision to sell the high school impact your decision to support the millage increase?" On that question, yet again, we are told that exactly 36% of the "involved voters" will support a property tax increase to build a new high school wherever it might be located. The so-called Students First website claims this means "there is strong support for a millage increase," although there was no measurement of intensity of these "involved voters."

Joel Nunneley tells us that "involved voters" are those "likely voters based on historical voting data." Fair enough. That does not include Joel Nunnelley. He is a registered voter in Wheeler Township, but the County Clerk has officially designated him an "inactive voter" based on historical voting data. Now, he didn't vote for the millage to support our wonderful public library, or the sales tax to improve our sewer-street-trails infrastructure, or the road impact fee to deal with sprawl, because he doesn't live in Fayetteville and cannot vote on whether we have to pay city taxes to support such things. He and his family, of course, still can borrow books from our library, drive on our streets, and use our trails for free.

But Joel Nunneley was eligible and did not vote in the last at-large school election, where "involved voters" elected John Delap to the School Board. And more telling, Joel Nunneley did not vote in the last school millage election, the one that failed to get "involved voter" support for only a small increase in property taxes. What a guy. What an "uninvoled voter." What a hypocrite.

Thanks and a tip of the hat to blog reader Mr. Dooley for emailing the voting history of all the "involved voters" in Mr. Nunneley's little group that wants to sell our high school to the University of Arkansas, which would pay for it by increasing student tuition for the next 30 years.

Whiter Our Local Watchdogs?

I don't care what everyone else says, I think Mike Masterson still has some good days, and today is one of them. He opens with a vignette about the nearly-departed UA chancellor who will not pass up the state-funded moving expenses and the chance to spend an expense-paid month in an 11,800-square foot, $2.8 million mansion on three prime acres. Then he goes from exposing pride and pomposity to a serious discussion of the failure of local media to do their jobs.

No one any longer expects serious journalism from television news, but Masterson took advantage of a noontime speech to the Harrison Kiwanis Club to explain what he believes every local newspaper should represent in its community. As he tells it:

I believe those good folks actually understood my ramblings as I relayed the critical need for papers to produce relevant (and often controversial ) stories that disclose truth wherever it leads. My problem is that the majority fail to even come close. Instead, they offer simple feature stories or accounts of meetings and boring bureaucratic processes rather than digging beneath the surface of pressing issues. There exists great reluctance to seek and report truth even when it screams to be freed.

The result, sad to say, is that every community without an assertive and reliable paper remains largely uninformed and unenlightened—except by word of mouth and the Internet—about matters that demand careful thought and action. Shirking responsibility is not why we have a First Amendment. I believe that this constitutional provision expects the Fourth Estate to be a watchdog that questions and ensures the public’s best interests are upheld.

That would be nice. It is also unlikely. The Prime Directive for chain newspapers is to maximize advertising revenues and to minimize salary expenses for good reporters. Serious investigative reporting of the type advocated by Masterson could actually reduce advertising revenue from the offended interests. All of that high-minded stuff about about freedom of the press only surfaces when someone suggests repealing the special sales tax exemption granted to newspaper advertising.

Time for a Stormwater Utility

Following heavy rains in 2004, the city’s Street Committee commissioned a study of storm-water drainage in a portion of the Scull Creek watershed between College Avenue and Mission Boulevard and from Lafayette Street to Cleburn Street. The city has not yet received the final report from the engineering firm, but the preliminary information suggests that costs could run as high as $1.5 million to improve the storm-water system in that area and reduce the frequency of flooded basements of homes in the neighborhood.

City Engineer Ron Petrie and Sarah Wrede, staff engineer and flood plain administrator, will make recommendations among alternative solutions for fixing the immediate problems, but the larger questions about storm-water must be addressed. There are consequences of building on our topography, of removing topsoil and replacing it with red dirt, and generally of trading absorbent wetlands for impervious surfaces. There are also policy decisions to be made on implementing best management practices to reduce storm-water run-off and to comply with the Clean Water Act and the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. More contentious perhaps, we also have to decide how to pay for improvement, maintenance, and expansion of the existing system.

Fayetteville can no longer rely on general revenues to solve the problem. We must consider a storm-water utility funded by impact fees applicable to new development and construction, as well as an annual system maintenance assessment for all property. Hundreds of other cities have adopted this approach since 1990, so our city can draw on their experiences to develop a model ordinance and equitable fees based on the amount of impervious surfaces on the property.

At least one Alderman has announced support for storm-water impact fees, so citizens should contact their aldermen and encourage them to support such a program. The city council has no staff to draft ordinances, so also contact Mayor Coody and ask him to direct city staff to begin work on drafting a model strom-water utility impact fee ordinance -- as soon as they finish drafting the revised road impact fee ordinance that was requested months ago.

Otherwise, the alternative will be continued flooding in neighborhoods, red dirt debacles like the unfinished Aspen Ridge project, the destruction of Red Oak Park due to developers' negligence, and other consequences of unaccountable development that does not pay for the problems it creates.

Unfriendly to Business?

“You can’t be trusted as a public servant to tell the truth,” shouted developer Gary Combs, “and I can get contractors from here and all over the country to come in here and say the same thing.” He called Planning Director Patsy Christie a "liar" at the Springdale Planning Commission's meeting last night, then continued, "You tell us we have your support and then you do this. You tell us one thing, do another and throw us under the bus. Every developer in Northwest Arkansas would agree with me. I've got the guts to say it."

That's a new approach, calling Signdale unfriendly to developers. But it worked in this municipal morass that neglects downtown, loves billboards, and considers a truckstop the very essence of smart growth economic development. After his outburst and without having seen a final plat they trust him to file later, the Planning Commission approved a commercial rezoning of 23 of the 46 acre "travel plaza" and a truck repair permit for Diesel Downs, the gigantic truck stop planned at I-540 and Wagon Wheel Road. Since Chickenopolis doesn't have a tree ordinance, he didn't have to worry about getting permission to strip the land and cover it with red dirt.

Gary Combs will be all set when the proposed Regional Mobility Authority gets our tax dollars to build that Springdale Bypass the trucking industry is demanding and will surely get before anyone even considers funding mass transit.

Tuesday's "Two on the Taxpayer's Tab"

By now, many voters know that Steve Clark, candidate for mayor of Fayetteville, was convicted of theft by deception. He claims that there were "only" 43 instances of abuse; the Arkansas State Police affidavit documented at least 56 times that Clark took taxpayer money to maintain a lifestyle beyond his means. Some of the false claims were also quite humorous, including the two featured today.

This week's installment also reveals that Clark had a good sense of humor while bilking the taxpayers. Carrie Christie, who was a law student at the time of their romantic involvement, testified in court that Mr. Clark dated her, asked her to marry him, and later got back his engagement ring during more than a dozen meals and trips to San Francisco, New Orleans, Washington, and Atlanta, all charged to the taxpayers.

On his first date with Ms Christie at an Atlanta restaurant, Clark actually reported that he was discussing a fraud investigation. Pretty funny. He reported that his dinner companion that evening was Georgia Attorney General Michael Bowers, who at that time was basking in national attention for having successfully defended the Georgia criminal statute on sodomy.

On an August evening the following year, Mr. Clark and Ms Christie shared another state-paid meal at an Atlanta restaurant. It was then that she broke off their marriage plans and returned the engagement ring he had given her. Making light of being dumped and turning the table, Clark reported that the dinner with Christie was a discussion of "low-level waste."

Clark has admitted his criminal misdeeds, paid his debt to society, changed his ways, and by all accounts has gotten his life back together and on the right track. That's good. It is also good to see that he hasn't lost his sense of humor, running for mayor and all.

Early Voting Begins Today

Whether you are so excited that you can't wait for election day or you have given it no thought, remember that "early voting" for judicial candidates and party primaries begins today at the courthouse. Pickings are slim in Washington County, but Benton County voters have a full plate. Here are our endorsements, no fine prose explaining or justifying why we are not ashamed to pick the best and ignore the rest. Our readers have a bad habit of thinking for themselves and will have their own opinions. Judging by the lively comments on this blog, they will freely disagree or support these recommendations. It is their opinion that matters most.

Every vote counts, and every vote should be counted, so use the paper ballots. Go to it.

WASHINGTON COUNTY
Arkansas Court of Appeals: Courtney Henry
District 2 Justice of the Peace: Micah Neal

BENTON COUNTY
Arkansas Court of Appeals: Courtney Henry
Circuit Judge 19 West-Division 1: Robin Green
Circuit Judge 19 West-Division 6: Ray Bunch
Rogers District Court: Casey Croxton
Bentonville District Court: Lisa Gaddy
County Judge: David Bisbee
County Sheriff: Keith Ferguson
Arkansas House District 99: Tim Summers
Arkansas House District 100: Byron Warren

Mass Transit Myopia

We are facing the prospect of $4 a gallon gas, and commuter traffic competing with 18-wheelers for space on our crowded roads in Northwest Arkansas. Traditional thinking trapped in the 1950s says just build more bypasses and beltways, but a more progressive vision for our regional transportation future includes convenient mass transit and a light rail system.

Steve Luoni, director of the UA Community Design Center, told reporter Marsha Melnichak that approximately 60 regions have light rail, about half are brand new, and many, such as Sacramento in the picture above, have a population density comparable to Northwest Arkansas. Furthermore, light rail would become a catalyst for creating denser, urban land uses around the train stations. It is not just a cost, it is also a benefit because it encourages economic development. He said rail transportation offers peoples a choice in transit, the opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint, helps neighborhood-based merchants, and is a way to revitalize communities by encouraging a denser urbanism rather than sprawl.

Jeff Hawkins, director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, earlier this year asked our Congressional delegation to consider a $500,000 earmark for a north-south travel corridor study that would include the feasibility of light rail, as well as bus rapid transit and other possible solutions to alleviate traffic congestion now and in the future. That would be a good first step.

What happens if light rail isn’t studied and planned for now but then becomes necessary in the future. “In Northwest Arkansas, my personal belief is, we are ideally positioned if we have vision and foresight to capture an opportunity to show how things can be done right,” said Ron Goforth, president of Beta-Rubicon who worked with the late John Lewis on the project, but “rationality doesn’t seem to play a whole lot. There are strong vested interests in maintaining the status quo and continuing with highways and opening up more land for conventional real estate development and sprawl.”

“The people who bitch and moan and roll on the floor (about the cost of light rail ) are typically wealthy — driving Escalades or something. You’re never going to get them out of their Escalades. Bless them; let them drive it. But we all need to think about another segment of our population that is underserved and not as vocal, too,” Goforth said.

There is also plenty of moaning and skepticism from Phil Pumphrey, executive director of Ozark Regional Transit. If you can’t get people to ride the existing buses operated by Ozark Regional Transit, he asks, why would you want to spend more money on a rail system when you haven’t demonstrated that people will use mass transit that is already available? “You can’t build light rail then expect to fix the bus system afterwards. You’ve got to have a bus system that’s vibrant and meeting the community’s needs,” he said. It is about money, you see, and ORT doesn't think it is getting enough now.

County Judge Jerry Hunton and the other ORT board members are urging Northwest Arkansas constituents to call their city council members and justices of the peace to express their views on mass transit in the area. "When we hear more of that at the city council level and quorum court level, you're going to see more help," he said, meaning more local tax dollars to match the available federal funding. You could do that.

An even better idea is to contact the Northwest Arkansas Council and tell them that you would support a Regional Mobility Authority -- if they would put mass transit and light rail as Priority One, instead of just shilling for the trucking industry and pushing concrete bypasses. I can guarantee you, it is not even on their mind now. Their website lists XNA airport and the Arkansas Missouri Railroad as the only transportation resources in Northwest Arkansas.

If you want a modern, convenient, and efficient public mass transit and a light rail system for the citizens' 21st century future in Northwest Arkansas, call Mike Malone at 582-2100 or send him an email at Mikemalone@nwacouncil.org. Tell him you would use mass transportation and be willing to vote for local taxes to match state and federal funding.

If not, just sit on your ass and watch them continue business as usual and try to raise your taxes to build the Bella Vista and Springdale bypass projects for the benefit of the PTB.

Get a Second Opinion

Mark Hovind of Las Vegas is president of JobBait.com, an economic consulting and employment firm, all of whose "clients make north of $100k. They have an average income of $300k, 15% are north of $1 million, and one-third are Presidents and CEOs." He says that Northwest Arkansas is "recession proof" or, at least "recession resistant." He reached this conclusion by using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to compile a list of metropolitan areas where jobs outpaced the labor force during the George H. W. Bush recessions of 1990 and 1991 and in the George W. Bush recession of the past year, and he designated those areas "recession-proof." Employment opportunities abound, and retail spending is strong around here, we hear.

The local pawn shop industry is one that isn’t being hurt by the current recession. Clint Gober, manager of Mountain Man Supplies and Pawn on South School where the average pawn is $64, said he’s seeing more people bringing their belongings through the door and saying they need extra cash to fill their gas tanks or buy food for their children. “We’re not dealing with people that need home loans or vehicle loans or anything like that. These are people that just need some money to get by until their paychecks come in,” he said.

Doug Thompson on Our Town

Doug Thompson has another good column today in The Morning News. It is mostly about Steve Clark, why a convicted felon would want to undergo a public reprise of his crimes, and how a candidate's past is always legitimate news. Along the way he offers opinions on the other candidates and a wonderful assessment of Our Town.

Mr. Thompson mused, "I also live in the only town in Arkansas besides Eureka Springs that could ever conceivably have a convicted felon and somebody named Adam Fire Cat running for mayor. I like that. I'm very glad Jordan and Walt Eilers are in the race, but I still like that."

"This column isn't an endorsement," Thompson said as a preface before admitting, "I'd vote for Lioneld Jordan if the election were today. I'm also disappointed that Jeff Koenig dropped out. I am, however, going to listen to what Clark has to say."

We should all be listening to all the candidates. Even a blind hog is right twice a day, and a broken clock can find an acorn now and then.

The Man Who Wasn't There

Lessie Read and Roberta Fulbright must be spinning in their graves.

Almost as if they'd been given their script, the current editorial board at the Northwest Arkansas Times today began the Cowbirds' effort to find a new standard bearer for the interests of the "developers" and special treatment for corporate concerns. They wax nostalgic for the good old days when Fred Hanna was mayor and business had all the seats at the table. They plead for the past, and they bemoan the unfortunate circumstances that snatched from the contest the man they had wishfully dubbed the "frontrunner."

"Following years of conservative rule under the late mayor Fred Hanna, and now, eight years of so-called progressive direction on the part of outgoing Mayor Dan Coody, many people figured it was time for the pendulum to swing back the other direction, making [Jeff] Koenig's chamber of commerce backing and other business ties an attractive option. The ones remaining after Koenig's decision to withdraw seemingly don't fall into the same philosophical corner where Koenig was most comfortable. Koenig's announcement could arguably open the race up for another contestant or two who believe they can speak to Koenig's supporters."

It is not surprising that the Cowbirds would speak through their house organ to recruit candidates, but it was odd that their mouthpiece would admit it was unfair then proceed to cast the current aspirants as "leftists." By their standards, perhaps, because they must realize that almost everyone in town is left of their editorial stenographers, but it is no more accurate than calling Hanna a conservative or Coody a progressive. They long for “that figure still pondering probabilities somewhere in the shadows.”

It doesn't take 704 words of platitudinous prose to get their point. What the editors mean is, they want a Cowbird to run city hall. They should just say so.

Public Gets Chance to Meet Abernathy

Today is your chance to meet Dr. Richard Abernathy, the finalist for Superintendent of the Fayetteville School District, at an open event from 2-4 at the Walton Arts Center McBride Studio. He spent Friday in scheduled meetings restricted to school employees, parent groups, and the Cowbirds, then he dined with some school board members at the Fayetteville Country Club.

During yesterday's meeting with representatives of the President’s Council for school parent/teacher organizations, there was vocal and near-unanimous expression that the next Superintendent needed to have strong communication and consensus-building skills. That would be nice for a change, which cannot come too soon but won't happen until Bobby New finally retires in June 2009.

The Fayetteville School Board has scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday to consider the next steps in the interview process with Abernathy. They might pop the question and make an offer. The parts when they are not in secret executive session that excludes the public will be carried on Fayar.TV, Channel 14 on Cox.

Summer Concerts Survive

Good news this week from the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Division is that the Summer Concerts in the Park Series has survived. This fun outdoor event, now in its 12th year, is one of the things that makes Fayetteville a special place to live.

The five Thursday concerts in Gulley Park this season include Ultra Suede (May 22), Chase Missy (June 5), Nace Brothers (June 19), Big Smith (July 3), Benjamin del Shreve with Tiffany Christopher (July 24), and Oreo Blue (August 7). All concerts begin at 7 p.m., and they are free. Bring the family or snake a date, and be sure to bring a blanket.

Thanks to the local businesses that stepped up to help sponsor the concerts this year, including Longer Investments, Koenig Family Works, Holiday Inn Express, Insty-Prints, Magic 107.9, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, KFSM Channel 5, and the Northwest Arkansas Times.

Balance or Abuse of Power?

Washington County Judge Jerry Hunton has been a good public servant during his time in office, but he is running the risk of going out on a sour note and being remembered as a power-mongering bully. His childish stunt of threatening to revoke all intergovernmental agreements if he didn't get his way on the interlocal ambulance pact was the first sign. Now he appears to be telling the Quorum Court not to be discussing or considering ordinances or budget resolutions without his prior permission.

Hunton has veto power, but he has no authority to tell our elected Quorum Court, a co-equal branch of county government, that they need his permission to discuss matters and develop public policy. Can you imagine what Speaker Pelosi might have to say if George Bush told Congress not to introduce any bills or consider any programs or appropriations without getting his permissions?

Hunton is throwing a fit about the Quorum Court Energy Committee suggesting the purchase of solar hot water equipment for the detention center. He didn't say it was a bad idea, that it wouldn't save the county money, or that it wasn't a wise step toward sustainability, just they didn't kiss his ... ring.

According to a local newspaper columnist who agrees with Hunton's Unitary Executive Theory, he said, "We need to nip this in the bud," asserting not only that the role of the county judge's office should be respected but also that "this judge" needs convincing about the energy-saving prospects of solar panels or particular light bulbs or any other such proposition.

Judge Hunton also questioned the appropriateness of a committee recommending an appropriation for a contract before he's even been consulted. That's what committees do and why we elect them, Jerry. If you wish to be consulted, then attend the meetings and speak your piece. They meet in the courthouse, in case you've forgotten.

No Comment

But you could ask O. James Lighthizer. (410) 721-7696

Volunteer Attorney of the Year

Congratulations to Steve Zega, named by Legal Aid of Arkansas as Washington County's Outstanding Volunteer Attorney of the Year. He donated more than 35 hours of pro bono legal work last year, valued at more than $4,500 to low-income clients. Most of this free legal service has been to help victims of domestic abuse, and he has demonstrated an understanding of the larger dynamics of the complicated interaction between poverty and violence.

"No one should have to live without justice because he or she lives without wealth," Zega said. He has handled 15 cases since becoming a volunteer for the Equal Access to Justice Panel in 1996, focusing on cases involving domestic violence, families in need of services in juvenile court, guardianships and consumer matters for the elderly.

Steve currently serves as a Justice of the Peace on the Washington County Quorum Court and is takng the lead in energy conservation and alternative energy as chairman of the Quorum Court's Energy Committee that is cutting energy costs by moving to alternative solar water heat at the county detention center. He is a also Major in the Arkansas National Guard and a veteran of the occupation of Iraq, where he was with the Judge Advocate General's Corp.

Zega lives in Fayetteville with his wife Kelley, a public affairs manager for Cox Communications, and their daughter Haley, who recently received state recognition by the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Headline of the Day

”UA graduate student goes after U.S. Senate seat against Rep. Boozman”

The Arkansas Traveler, Page 1

That would be a neat trick.

And a tip of the hat to Uncle Walt, who asks whether the educational lapse is in the Journalism Department or the Political Science Department up on the hill.

Jeff Koenig Withdraws from Mayor's Race

We have been hearing rumors recently that one of the mayoral candidates would drop out, but it was not Jeff Koenig. His announcement yesterday that health concerns have led him to forgo the campaign this year came as a surprise. Koenig is a likeable guy and was a serious contender; he probably would have been able to spend enough money to make the runoff. I would not have voted for him, but I never doubted his sincerity nor his ability to make a valuable contribution to the public dialog about important issues during the campaign.

Speculation is rife about how Koenig's premature withdrawal from the campaign will affect the other candidates' chances and who his backers might now support. One thing that we don't have to guess about is how the other candidates responded to the news and what that says about them.

When contacted by a reporter for a comment, Alderman Lioneld Jordan said, "This is just an election. There are more important things than an election. I certainly wish Jeff all the best, and I hope he's okay." Pushed to speculate on how it would impact the campaign, he said, "I don't know that it affects my race much, because I'm running my race based on my experience and my voting record."

Steve Clark said it was too soon to predict what Koenig's exit will mean for his campaign but added, "I'm sorry to hear any candidate can't stay in the race. ...My thoughts and prayers are with Jeff."

Walt Eilers, the third remaining candidate, said, “My standing in the race won't change ...This will just mean that there’s just one less candidate for the people to choose from. I think it will simplify the race.” According to The Morning News, Eilers said he hopes the similarity between his business background and Koenig's will position him to pick up some of Koenig's supporters. Eilers is a dues paying member of the Chamber of Cowbirds, and Koenig has served on the Board for years.

"It will, of course, change the dynamics of the race," Eilers said in expanding on his political analysis. "I think this will cause another candidate to step forward and pick up Jeff's banner. I wouldn't even be surprised if the current mayor jumps back in the fray."

Jeff Koenig said when he announced that one of the reasons he sought the office was because the city "suffered from lack of leadership." Mayor Dan Coody, who once supported Eilers but has now flipped to back Clark, was not quoted in either local newspaper about his reaction to Koenig's announcement, nor did he have anything to say about his future political plans.

Coody Consultant Creates Confusion

Aldermen Kyle Cook, Bobby Ferrell, and Lioneld Jordan have proven themselves to be pretty smart fellows, evidenced by their overhauling a consultant's report on water and sewers rates and fashioning one to fit the real and legitimate needs of Fayetteville citizens and our business community. They should be commended for that good work, but their work is not yet done.

At the Water and Sewer Committee meeting yesterday, all three of our aldermen were completely baffled. Mayor Coody submitted a recommendation to jack up water and sewer impact fees from the current rate of $1,143 to $5,585 for a single family home. It was supposedly based on the report from Duncan and Associates, another Austin, Texas, consulting firm hired by Coody. It was not only unacceptable to the committee, it was also incomprehensible.

Coody did not show up to own his recommendation or the report. As usual, he avoided responsibility and sent staff members to do his work, but neither of them could translate or explain the obscure document. Gary Dumas and Paul Becker could not answer the committee's questions. They just said that there were going to be future capital expenses and that this would be a way to pay for them. Unless there is another unexplained $63 million "hiccup," right?

The Water and Sewer Committee wisely took no action, but they will meet again in two weeks. Maybe they will get some straight answers. Maybe not. Maybe things will change in January. Maybe the next Mayor will be willing to take responsibility for his actions and be held accountable for crap like this.

Citizen Quote of the Day

"I support the notion that all human beings should be treated with respect, regardless of station or status. ...I seek a northwest Arkansas that upholds not only laws, but as importantly, decency and civility. Immigrants play a vital role in our community, and they deserve more than demagoguery and our disdain as their reward. I also seek sensible comprehensive immigration reform, which would work to solve these troubles visited upon us by spineless politicians and the extremists to which they pander."

--Jim Miranda, Letter to the Benton County Daily Record

Tuesday's "Two on the Taxpayer's Tab"

This is the second of our weekly dining reviews introduced last week, featuring state credit card expenses of Fayetteville mayoral candidate Steve Clark when he was living large at taxpayers' expense as Attorney General. He says the Arkansas State Police and the Prosecuting Attorney only questioned 43 instances of fraud on his state credit card. Below are reviews of two instances from the State Police affidavit that listed 56 specific incidents of alleged fraud and made reference to 30 others.

3. Alouette's Restaurant, Little Rock, December 30, 1987: Total $423.33, including $114.33 for food, and $309 alcohol and tips. Alleged Guests: Dennis and Karen Molock, Rodney Parham, Lois Mayzure. Dennis Molock and Parham said they went to the late Lois Mayzure's retirement party at the Capitol that night, but they had not eaten with Clark at Alouette's. Mayzure told Parham she had never eaten at Alouette's nor with Clark.

Rodney Parham, Dennis Molock, and Lois Mayzure were state employees who worked for Clark in the Attorney General's Office.

4. Alouette's Restaurant, Little Rock, February 10, 1988: Total $419.17, including $115.67 for food, and $303.50 alcohol and tips. Alleged Guests: Steve Barnes, Scott Van Laningham, and Blair Butterworth. Van Laningham told investigators he had never been to Alouette's. Barnes said he didn't know a Blair Butterworth and that he paid for his own dinner.

Barnes and Van Laningham were reporters at the time. Blair Butterworth is the name of a Democratic political consultant in Seattle, not to be confused with Bob Butterworth, Florida Attorney General at the time and later a law school dean at St. Thomas who gave Clark a job.

The third course will be served next Tuesday. Bon Appétit!