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It appears that Benton County, the intellectual vortex of Northwest Arkansas, faces greater cultural threats than just those challenged high school science textbooks that discuss evolution. A Bentonville man named Earl Adams claims that his 14- and 16-year-old sons, Kyle and Ryan, looked at a dangerous book while browsing for material on military academies. He has complained to the mayor and demanded that the city pay him $20,000.

According to the complaint, his sons glanced at The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman. "My sons were greatly disturbed by viewing this material, and this matter has caused many sleepless nights in our house," he said. Led by George Spence, Chairman of the Benton County Republican Committee, the Bentonville Library Advisory Board members voted unanimously April 3 to remove the book from circulation.

Even the local newspaper expressed surprise that a library advisory board would be exercising such power based on a single complaint and is seeking additional authority to remove even more books that anyone might charge contains ideas that someone finds objectionable. It will be an intellectually stagnant community where one can read only books that are unanimously approved. That might be just what the politicans, preachers, and business "leaders" want in Benton County.

"God was speaking to my heart that day and helped me find the words that proved successful in removing this book from the shelf," Adams said. "Any effort to reinstate the book will be met with legal action and protests from the Christian community."

Library Director Cindy Suter, who led the effort for the new $9 million, 38,000-square-foot Bentonville Library that opened in October, resigned on Monday.

Mayor John Gray: Courage and Common Sense

In a time when Rogers Mayor Steve Womack is whipping up fears against Hispanic residents and Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody is flip-flopping on every important issue, it is refreshing to see a public official speaking truth and taking a stand for the right thing. An editorial in today's Northwest Arkansas Times praises the courage and common sense of Greenland Mayor John Gray, pointing out that he has championed a moratorium on new subdivisions until Greenland can update its master land use plan and has raised concerns about inadequate wastewater treatment in some proposed developments.

"He chose to take a course that he felt would protect the future of his town. ...So far he’s come out smelling like a rose — and all because he followed the common-sense course. It counts that Gray had nerve enough to say something that could be detrimental to the city’s economy, at least in the short term. Gray has managed to make his first real difference as mayor. He helped convince all the city’s aldermen to temporarily put a freeze on some development until key issues get worked out. Gray’s right, too: We ought to care at least as much about the future as we do about the present. ...We appreciate that Greenland officials are not blinded to the potential for long-term damage if good, solid planning doesn’t happen today."

The big city mayors to the north could learn something from John Gray.

Too Much Science for Rogers Public Schools

The Rogers School Board approved 21 science textbooks for use in Rogers public schools, but that might be too much science and not enough Genesis for some local folks. Rogers School Board President Joye Kelley says she wants a district committee to review a set of supplemental materials that attack evolutionary theory then recommend whether to incorporate the materials into the district’s secondary science curriculum.

To offset the scientific evidence of evolution presented in all 21 high school science textbooks, a local dentist wants students exposed to a 36-page handout and a corresponding DVD produced by the Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture, a Seattle outfit that spends $1.6 million a year looking at Intelligent Design and Creationism arguments. These are the materials that Kelley wants reviewed for consideration. She should also ask the school board's attorney to review the cost of certain litigation.

Now You Can Get an MBA in Outsourcing

The University of Arkansas Walton College of Business has announced a new Executive Masters in Business Administration program in Shanghai to help U. S. companies develop needed management talent in their Chinese ventures. “The curriculum has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of U. S. companies that have operations there,” said Chancellor John A. White. With Wal-Mart and other corporations buying so many foreign goods or shipping manufacturing jobs overseas, the UA recognizes an opportunity to be helpful to the economic interests of the powerful business community.

Beth Keck, Wal-Mart senior director of international corporate affairs, said, “There’s a great need for supply-chain management and retail management.” The UA program will be beneficial as Wal-Mart and other companies expand their presence in China, she said. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Kimberly-Clark, and other corporations have committed to sending rising executives to the program, which costs $50,000.

If the China MBA program is successful, the University may consider expanding other master of business administration programs to other countries such as Russia and India. “We need to do what we can to connect Arkansas to the world,” said Chancellor White.

White did not mention any UA degree programs being offered for Arkansas workers who lose their jobs when Wal-Mart buys massive quantities of Chinese goods or their suppliers close factories in the United States and move their manufacturing operations overseas.

Celebrate Earth Day - Sunday, April 22

The Town Branch Neighborhood Association, Audubon Arkansas, Ozark Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club, and OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology have joined to sponsor and invite you to attend the Earth Day Celebration. It will be held at the World Peace Wetland Prairie, Sunday, April 22nd, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Come on down for Celtic Music, Guided Nature Walks, Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Native Grasses to Restore the Natural Habitat, and other assorted fun and games for the entire family. Bring a picnic, blanket, or lawn chairs. World Peace Wetland Prairie is located at 1121 S. Duncan Avenue. Turn south off of Sixth Street at Brenda's Bigger Better Burgers onto Hill Avenue; turn west on 11th Street to S. Duncan and go about 100 feet. See you there!

Salman Rushdie Speaks at Fayetteville

Salman Rushdie will discuss his experience and how it relates to "The Role of the Writer in the 21^st Century" as part of the University of Arkansas Distinguished Lecture Series. Rushdie will speak at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the Fayetteville Town Center. The lecture is free and open to the public, so don't miss it.

Rushdie was condemned to death in 1989 by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini, who issued a "fatwa" - a religious decree - calling on Muslims to execute Rushdie for insulting Islam and the prophet Mohammed in his novel "The Satanic Verses." Rushdie went into hiding in England for much of the next decade, only gradually re-emerging into public life during the last seven years, after the fatwa was lifted in 1998.

Rushdie was born in India to a middle-class Muslim family. He was educated in England, graduated from Cambridge, lived in London and published his first novel in 1975. His second novel, "Midnight's Children," won the Booker prize and was an international best seller. The death sentence that followed publication of "The Satanic Verses" made him an international celebrity at the same time that it forced him out of the public eye. He has published several novels, books of essays and nonfiction as well as a children's book in the years since the fatwa was issued. He moved to the United States in 2000, and now lives in New York. His most recent novel is "Shalimar the Clown," another international best-seller.

During his visit to the University of Arkansas, Rushdie will hold a question and answer session with students at 3:30 p.m. in the School of Law courtroom. He will also hold a news conference at 5 p.m. in Room 342 of the School of Law.

Sierra Club Rates Local Legislators

The Arkansas Sierra Club has released its Legislative Report card on the 2007 Arkansas General Assembly, and it reveals mixed results for Northwest Arkansas legislators--the best and the worst of the lot.

State Representative Lindsley Smith (D-Fayetteville) had a 100% Sierra Club voting record this session, as she did in the 2005 session. Representative Jim House (D-Fayetteville) also had an admirable record, supporting the environmental group's position 77% of the time.

The worst records in both chambers were also from our area. State Senator Bill Pritchard (R-Elkins) had the worst record in the senate at 22%. In the House, Daryl Pace (R-Siloam Springs) and Mike Kenney (R-Siloam Springs) who represents northwest Washington County were at the bottom of the House rankings at 8%.

Environmental Voting Records of Northwest Arkansas Legislators
Rep. Lindsley Smith (D-Fayetteville) 100%
Rep. Jim House (D-Fayetteville) 77%
Sen. Sue Madison (D-Fayetteville) 56%
Rep. Marilyn Edwards (D-Fayetteville) 54%
Rep. Jon Woods (R-Springdale) 54%
Rep. Bryan King (R-Berryville) 54%
Rep. Keven Anderson (R-Rogers) 46%
Rep. Donna Hutchinson (R-Bella Vista) 46%
Rep. Aaron Burkes (R-Garfield) 38%
Rep. Eric Harris (R-Springdale) 38%
Rep. Mark Martin (R-Prairie Grove) 38%
Sen. Ruth Whitaker (R-Cedarville) 33%
Sen. Kim Hendren (R-Gravette) 33%
Sen. David Bisbee (R-Rogers) 33%
Rep. Horace Hardwick (R-Bentonville) 31%
Rep. Roy Ragland (R-Marshall) 31%
Sen. Bill Pritchard (R-Elkins) 22%
Rep. Daryl Pace (R-Siloam Springs) 8%
Rep. Mike Kenney (R-Siloam Springs) 8%

Rob Moritz has an article in the Morning News on environmental votes in the 2007 session.

Fayetteville Citizens Pass Impact Fees

Fayetteville voters appear to have passed the ordinance assessing road impact fees on new developments by a one-vote margin. The preliminary but uncertified totals are 2,015 FOR impact fees and 2.014 AGAINST.

“This is a good win no matter what happens,” said Alderman Lioneld Jordan, the primary sponsor of the fees to make developers pay their fair share for creating sprawl and traffic congestion.

Those supporting the ordinance reported spending about $1,000 for one newspaper ad, a website, and some handbills. The opponents, led by real estate developers and salesmen, spent more than $40,000 on radio, television, newspapers, and outdoor ads in their unsuccessful effort to defeat the measure.

The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and its captive Fayetteville Economic Development Council, a group partially funded by public tax dollars from the city and additional public funds from the UA.

"It’s unbelievable, ” said Mike Henry, a local realtor who led the fight against the impact fees. "I mean the voters have spoken, so if that’s the way it worked out then that’s the way it worked out."

In addition to the real estate interests who blew $40,000 in the failed campaign, the other big losers are Mayor Dan Coody, who displayed a total lack of leadership, and Alderman Adella Gray, who broke her campaign promise to support impact fees.

Celebrating Intellectual Freedom

The Big Read kicks off with Judith Krug on Intellectual Freedom. Saturday, April 14 at 10 AM. Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W. Mountain. St. (571.2222 / www.faylib.org)

Judith Krug, executive director of the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom, will be the keynote speaker as the Fayetteville Public Library kicks off The Big Read on Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. A staunch supporter of educating the public about their rights to free access of all expressions and ideas, Krug will speak about the freedom to read. .

Krug will also be joined during her discussion by local residents Cassandra Barnett, a Fayetteville High School librarian, Mark Killinbeck, a University of Arkansas law professor, and Drs. Kathleen Paulson and Janet Titus, who will speak about freedom of speech.

The Fayetteville Public Library will host activities April 14-21 that relate to the themes of Fahrenheit 451. The events include "17 on the 17th," 17 book discussions throughout Fayetteville on April 17; a talk by Nancy Giles, a radio, film and television personality who also provides commentary for Sunday Morning on CBS; a screening of Good Night, and Good Luck with a panel discussion about American life during the McCarthy era; storytimes with local firefighters; a screening of the 1966 movie version of Fahrenheit 451 and a performance of Ray Bradbury's The Pedestrian directed by Kassie Misiewicz of TheatreSquared.

Live Forum on Road Impact Fees

Perhaps you've experienced the traffic congestion resulting from population growth in Fayetteville as residents of outlying subdivisions make their way to work, school, or shopping. Maybe you think we need road improvements to handle all this traffic resulting from growth and development? Maybe you wonder how we will pay for the new infrastructure, or just wonder how the city government will stick to the taxpayers this time?

The Fayetteville Government Channel (Channel 16 on Cox Fayetteville) will present a live forum on the topic, "Who Pays for Fayetteville's Street Improvements and Public Infrastructure?" The easy answer is--you do, every time you buy groceries or anything else, because we are paying a regressive sales tax to pay off over $60 million in bonds to make up for past mistakes and unbridled development.

The real question to be discussed is "Should the Developers Keep Getting a Free Ride or Start Paying Their FAIR SHARE with Road Impact Fees?"

Tune in at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4th, to watch the discussion. Kyle Kellams, KUAF Radio Host and News Director, will be the moderator. You can also ask questions and make comments during the forum by calling 575-8299 or emailing: governmentchannel@yahoo.com

If you are a registered voter in Fayetteville, you get to decide. The election on Road Impact Fees is on April 10th.