Two Wrongs and NWA Times Can't Get It Right

"To paraphrase a line from the third Harry Potter movie, the editors at the Northwest Arkansas Times have once again put their powerful intellect to work and come up with the wrong conclusion," said a wise observer of the newspaper's editorial page with reference to one of Executive Editor Greg Harton's recent muddled columns.

"Questioning the motives of the people who are voluntarily gathering data for the biggest single investment this community will make is a strange approach for this newspaper to take," the writer noted. Except, it is not so strange when you consider that Harton has been personally involved in testifying in favor of the Chamber and FEDC position to building a new high school in the western suburbs, and the news articles reflect his bias. Furthermore, with his history of anti-worker editorial columns, he couldn't resist the opportunity to take a cheap shot at the union representing members of the university faculty and staff, implying that its concerns were irrelevant and should be ignored.

Harton either doesn't understand or intentionally conflates two separate arguments. Selling off the current centrally located high school campus and building a new mega-school in the boonies is a bad idea for students and patrons of the Fayetteville School District, and good arguments have been made based on solid empirical data that it would be better to build a world-class high school at the present location adjacent to the University. That the position is articulated by concerned UA faculty and staff is no reason for the newspaper to discount it.

A separate argument, reported in today's Northwest Arkansas Times, is that buying the present Fayetteville High School campus is a bad idea for Arkansas taxpayers and students at the University of Arkansas, and good arguments have been made based on solid empirical data that the University does not need and cannot afford to increase its bonded indebtedness to buy the property fom the school district, considering announced priorities and budget constraints. That the position is articulated by concerned UA faculty and staff is no reason for the newspaper to discount it.

Greg Harton has a journalism degree from that fine program at Arkansas State University. He was trained to recognize good data and distinct arguments, so it is unlikely that he is confused. It is more likely that he is trying to confuse the readers about good arguments being made in opposition to his personal biases on the question.

Quote of the Day

“When I heard John Boozman was hosting a sustainability conference at the University of Arkansas on April 21, I nearly fell out of bed. This superficial environmental concern is a direct insult to the intelligence of UA students and the good people of Northwest Arkansas. Unless Boozman had a divine revelation overnight, he is not fooling anyone. For those with Internet access, it is easy to discover his 0 percent environmental rating from the Sierra Club and 0-10 percent ratings from the League of Conservation Voters (http://www.lcv.org/). This anti-environment record loudly speaks for itself.

“In 2007 alone, Boozman voted against CAFÉ fuel efficiency standards, clean energy legislation, renewable electricity standards, mining reform, wildlife protection, forest protection, global warming intelligence estimates, clean water legislation and clean air legislation. He also voted to continue billions in oil subsidies, expand oil drilling and for liquid coal fuels. …

“Given this voting record, do you feel Boozman has credibility to host an environmental forum? I do not.

“I believe his participation is a public relations stunt to manipulate voters into believing he actually cares about the environment. This is like President Bush hosting a climate change and peace forum.”

--Abel Tomlinson, Letter to the Editor, Northwest Arkansas Times

Springdale Cowbirds Have No Shame

Springdale Chamber of Commerce President Perry Webb felt no shame as he requested that the new $51,000 GMC Yukon Denali be granted a property tax exemption. It would save the Chamber from paying $519 that would go mostly to public schools. Why not? After all, the County Equalization Board granted them a property tax exemption on the Chamber’s 4,182-square-foot building back in 1997, so why not go to the trough for a free ride on their shiny new gas guzzler? Only suckers have to pay taxes.

The Chamber's sense of entitlement to special treatment and tax exemptions failed to convince the Washington County Assessor, who denied the request on the mammoth SUV. “It’s not public property or used exclusively for public charity,” they were told. No kidding?

Now their over-reaching on the Yukon Denali exemption could result in the Chamber having to start paying taxes on their plush offices as well. The Fayetteville Cowbirds paid $4,135 in property taxes on their Mountain Street building right next to City Hall, but the Springdale Chamber didn't pay a dime for the last ten years. They should have been paying about $4,200 a year.

Granting these preferential tax exemptions -- whether it be the Chamber's fancy office suites and flashy SUVs or Jay Cole's airplane hanger he says is a chapel -- has consequences for other taxpayers, Jewette Farley, former president of the International Association of Assessing Officers, said, “It creates a big-time problem, because it forces everybody else to pay more taxes.”

Webb said two things that are very revealing about how the Chamber operates. He and two other chamber officials made the request for exemption from paying taxes at the Equalization Board meeting on September 9, 1997, and it was immediately granted without any questions. “It lasted a total of about 30 seconds," he said. "It was just boom, boom, boom.”

The other point Webb made was that the other area Chambers that do have to pay taxes go along in a conspiracy of silence. Those that pay property taxes know better than to complain, because it will draw attention to those that don’t, Webb told a reporter. “I didn’t know Fayetteville was paying. It’s been a conscious decision that you just don’t bring it up.”

The Springdale Chamber has proven itself to be of the genus molothrus -- which is Latin for "just another parasitic Cowbird." The working stiffs in our county pay taxes on their mobile homes and aging pickups, grumbling but knowing that it supports our schools and local governments. The Springdale Chamber has shown about as much interest in supporting local public schools as they did about continuing Featherfest or speaking up for saving one of the town's few historic landmarks from becoming a parking lot.

Let's Do Lunch

It was no surprise that Steve Clark announced this afternoon that he wants to be Mayor of Fayetteville. He gathered about 25 supporters in a small boardroom at the Town Center to tell them that he was willing to serve time as the city's highest executive official and that he wanted to institute a community service program for everyone age six and older to pick up litter for an hour a month.

Clark was a founding member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. His official biography on the ACFE website says he has "a unique background in understanding the legal system, fraud, ethics and business/governmental regulation," but it neglects to mention that a felony fraud conviction forced him out of public office in 1990. After that felony conviction, his defense attorney said, "If Steve Clark ran for dog catcher right now, he'd lose to a write-in candidate."

Governor Mike Huckabee pardoned Clark after his fourth request, and now he is running for Mayor of Fayetteville, not Animal Control Officer. Among the supporters attending Clark's announcement today were Dan Coody and Adella Gray. Supporter Bob Hamilton said Clark is the best candidate to carry on what Mayor Coody has tried to do in office for the last seven years.

Clark lives near the Fayetteville Country Club on Fairway Lane and has been a registered voter in Fayetteville for 18 months, almost a year longer than Jeff Koenig, another candidate for the office who recently moved from Goshen and bought a condominium in town to qualify for office.

Love Your Mother, Celebrate Earth Day

Fayetteville’s Town Branch Neighborhood and the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology will hold the fourth Earth Day Celebration since the Founding of World Peace Wetland Prairie, a city-owned nature park and natural rain garden in south Fayetteville, from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The prairie is located at 1121 S. Duncan Ave. in Fayetteville.

Nature walks will be led by biologists and nature enthusiasts, highlighting Arkansas native plants and describing the value of natural wetland and its function for storm water abatement and cleansing in an urban environment. Bird-watchers are encouraged to come at dawn or stay until dark and bring a camera or video recorder.

Information from founding organizations and area environmental groups will be offered as well as an opportunity to participate in planting native species, and in helping remove nonnative invasive species. Some small trees and possibly some flowering plants will be available for adoption.

Musicians and poets are invited to perform with acoustic instruments. Activities suitable for small children will be offered. Old hippies and Cowbirds are welcome, too.

Quote of the Day

"It's not about how many strip malls you have. It's about the sense of community and the sense of place. People want to live somewhere where they want to spend their time, whether that's going out for a walk, the ability to interact with others, or amenities.

"That's why our downtown will play such an important role, because it has so many of those qualities. This is where our story is. If you invest in downtown, you're not just investing in a building. You're investing in the overall story."

--Daniel Hintz, quoted in "Strengthening the Story," Benton County Daily Record

Local Art Patrons Recognized

Thanks to Jim Parsons of Bella Vista filing a complaint with the State Ethics Commission against former Governor Mike Huckabee, we have learned about the generosity of six area patrons of the arts. Huckabee previously filed a sworn form that his official portrait in the state capitol was a gift from the artist, but now he has 'fessed up and released the names of 61 political appointees, state employees, and friends who actually gave nearly $32,000 to a private fund to pay for his likeness. The Huckster has promised to file an amended form telling the truth, hoping that will kep him from being fined or sanctioned by the Ethics Commission.

Among the philanthropic friends of the arts and Huckabee who forked over money for the portrait were former UA Trustee and retired Chairman of Southwestern Energy Charles Scharlau of Fayetteville, $500; UA Trustee Jim von Gremp of Rogers, $500; J. B. Hunt Corporate Secretary Johnelle Hunt of Rogers, $200; former Finance and Administration Director Dick Barclay of Rogers, $100; Prosecuting Attorney Robin Green of Rogers, $50; and former Higher Education Director and current UA Dean Linda Beene of Fayetteville, $25.

Beaucoup Boodlers

Arkansas political news this week included a story about State Representative Robbie Wills (D-Conway), who spent campaign funds on gifts for fellow legislators during his efforts to become Speaker of the House and also declared that a flight from a Colorado ski resort vacation back to Arkansas to ride in a parade was a legitimate campaign expense. Wills made promises to raise money for a Republican legislator he thought would be unopposed in exchange for support in his Speaker's bid. It raised questions about his judgment for the Northwest Arkansas Times, but it also points up the obscene influence of money in state politics.

The Arkansas Times Blog wrote of the above episode, “Maybe it's legal. But it stinks. If the law allows this kind of boodling, the law is an ass. Campaign funds should be legally [used] only for election expenses…. How much help does an unopposed candidate need?” Representative Wills has no opponent this year, but so far he took $53,895 in contributions, spent $33,319 on whatever, and still has $20,575 cash on hand, including a $2,000 check he took from tobacco giant Philip Morris after the filing deadline when he knew he would have no opposition.

Unopposed legislators taking contributions from special interests does not pass the smell test, especially when they take the money after the filing deadline. It differs only in form from taking the money and putting it in your pocket in exchange for influence. The difference is that campaign contributions are supposed to be disclosed so the public knows who is bankrolling the politicians, and a review of required reports for unopposed local legislators is revealing.

Representative-elect Jonathan Barnett (R-Siloam Springs) does not appear to have filed any of the legally required reports by the April 15 deadline, so we don't know much about him, other than his attitude about complying with the ethics law. State Representative Jon Woods (R-Springdale) has not filed any of the required monthly reports since that for January. He took $5,250 that month, not a penny from his district but gladly from Stephens, Inc., Wal-Mart, Entergy, Southwestern Energy, Realtors, Pharmacists, etc. Senator Kim Hendren (R-Gravette) reports a haul of $10,600 with $23,855 in the bank. He took $3,000 from Stephens, Inc., including $1,000 of that after the filing deadline.

Rep. Donna Hutchinson (R-Bella Vista) took $6,485, including money from ENPAC and Stephens, Inc. after the filing deadline when she knew she would have no opponent. Stephens, Inc. was the source of $1,500 of her total $6,485. House District 94 candidate Les Carnine (R-Rogers) failed to report his cumulative contributions as required, but he ended up with $8,381.68 in the bank after filing expenses. Most of that came from groups outside his district, like the Wholesale Beer Distributors PAC, but including Richard Abernathy of Bryant, one of the finalists for Fayetteville School Superintendent.

The King of Grifters this year is new House candidate Uvalde Lindsey (D-Fayetteville) who has taken in $41,470. Those giving him money include $2,000 each from Jim Walton, Lynne Walton, Alice Walton, and Rob Walton, accounting for 1/5 of his total. Other big contributors included Don and John Tyson and Gene and Gary George for the chicken interests; Bill Ramsey of the Cowbirds; Mike Malone from the Northwest Arkansas Council of Corporations and Wealthy Business Executives; Cynthia Coughlin, home detention hall monitor for husband Tom; Martin Schoppmeyer who runs a charter school; Alderman Bobby Ferrell; and School Board Member Howard Hamilton. Jeff Koenig gave him $1,000, and Walt Eilers handed over $150. Lindsey has $27,718 in his campaign account, including the money he took from Southwestern Energy PAC after the filing deadline.

Senator Sue Madison (D-Fayetteville) reported only $3,800 in contributions, but that included $1,000 from AHC-PAC after the filing deadline, leaving a balance of $12,745 in her campaign account. Rep. Lindsley Smith (D-Fayetteville) reported a $25 contribution, which she appears to have returned after the filing deadline, leaving her with $97.18 in the bank.

This taking of money by unopposed candidates is all legal, by the way, under Arkansas law. That's one way they remain unopposed in elections. Now, pay attention to how these peckerwoods vote on special interest legislation in the 2009 legislative session and see if you can connect the dots.

Congratulations to Our Fab Four

The Arkansas Times has announced the 2008 Academic All Stars, its 14th edition of the only comprehensive effort in Arkansas to recognize academic achievement, though there is no shortage of recognition for athletic teams at Arkansas high schools.

Four students from Fayetteville were among 20 statewide selected for this honor -- Daniel Thompson (ASMSA), David Zweig (FHS), Jane Thompson (FHS), and Emily Keen (SHS). They are all outstanding individuals, and, if you haven't yet subscribed to the Arkansas Times, you can read all about it here. It took more than just good grades to make this elite list.

Congratulations!

Another Institution Moves North

The only remaining office of the United Way in Washington County will close and move to Lowell in Benton County, completing the merger sought by the Benton County United Way after it failed to reach its goal for two consecutive years. They also are going to take the tree planted as a memorial to the late Jo Ann Sandlin, who served as the executive director of the United Way of Fayetteville and of Washington County for nearly 26 years.

Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody said, “I see the need to do that. I hate to see them leave Fayetteville out of a purely provincial perspective, but I understand their need to consolidate and whatever they can do to become even more effective, I’m all for.” Will he be so sanguine if Benton County snags the Northwest Arkansas Museum Foundation's Science Center or if the Walton Arts Center joins the exodus?

Bill Schwyhart of Pinnacle Investments isn't just sitting around watching all this transpire, he's making it happen. He has already submitted to the Rogers Planning Commission a planned-unit development that includes the future Walton Arts Center and a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. He is taking advantage of the UA World Trade Center recently built in Rogers for some unknown reason, and he reportedly has hired Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott's son, Eric Scott, to help him develop business with Chinese vendors. Schwyhart and UA Chancellor John White were in that small group of devoted insiders who enjoyed a private lunch with George Bush during his recent visit to the area, and last year he donated $5,000 to the Republican Party of Arkansas, $2,300 to Boozman for Congress, and $2,300 to Huckabee for President. Connected.

Fayetteville could use such engaged leadership from the business community, but the Cowbirds and Jeff Koenig's FEDC have produced nothing in years. Their idea of community development is helping real estate developers get rich by selling off the high school and building a new one in sprawlville. At times like this, I so miss the vision and vigor of John Lewis.