Election coverage by Jacob Brower

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

The

Daily Citizen

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Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

BALD KNOB GETS SMOKE DETECTOR GRANT BISONS’ WIDE RECEIVERS PLAY KEY ROLE The Bald Knob Fire Department received a grant for 100 smoke detectors from a state commission. — PAGE 3A

Blocking is as crucial as catching in Harding’s offense, and the wideouts take that role seriously. — PAGE 1B

Candidates differ on health care Dismang, Rogers discuss Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion The state has until 2014 to implement health care exchanges, which are organizations that will be formed with the goal of creating an organized and competitive market for individuals and small businesses with 100 employees or less to purchase health

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Before and after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare — incumbent State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and his challenger State Rep. Tiffany Rogers, D-Stuttgart,

have different feelings toward the act and how Arkansas should go forward with implementation.

Guilty pleas

Please see HEALTH CARE | 2A

Dismang

Readings concern Higginson officials

Judge sentences 2 men in theft cases

Garner meter reads differently than Higginson’s end of meter BY MOLLY M. FLEMING mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

HIGGINSON — A wastewater flow meter between Higginson and Garner is causing some financial concerns for the city of Higginson. Mayor Randall Homsley said the flow meter that Garner’s waste- Homsley water passes through before entering the sewer pond is registering a low-

Man sentenced to 18 months in prison BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Two men pleaded guilty in White County Circuit Court Tuesday to felony charges involving theft. In July, Jesse Rayburn allegedly stole telephone wire, valued at more than $3,000, from AT&T, which he sold to a local recycling company. He was charged with two counts of theft by receiving, class D felonies. The guilty plea led to a probation revocation stemming from an earlier theft by receiving case, resulting in a third felony. Rayburn was sentenced to 18 months for each felony, and his time will be served concurrently for one 18-month sentence Tyler Schaefer pleaded guilty Tuesday to breaking and entering, a Class D felony, and theft of property, a class A misdemeanor. In February, Searcy police were called to investigate suspicious activity, where Schaefer and another man were allegedly

Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Please see COURT | 3A

Ryder Brown, 2, of Searcy, plays on a swing at Berryhill Park Tuesday afternoon. Many kids were at the park enjoying the 70-degree weather.

Please see WASTEWATER | 2A

AG honors slain officer for valor Associated Press

the department said. "That is an area of concern that we seem to have less spending, taxable spending, going on," said Richard Weiss, the department's director. "Who knows all the reasons for it? Clearly gas prices have been up more than they were same time last year and all that. Utility bills have been higher since

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' attorney general honored a slain Trumann police officer Tuesday, noting that instead of running and hiding after being shot in the face, the policeman protected his sergeant. Jonathan Schmidt died April 12, 2011, after pulling over a car in his hometown. A videotape of the traffic stop showed that a wanted man in the back seat shot Schmidt in the face when the officer tried to detain him, then shot again as the officer pleaded for his life. "This is an amazing honor for our family to know that Jonathan is not forgotten," the officer's widow Andrea told those attending the 2012 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers of the Year Awards. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel awarded a special "valor tribute" to Schmidt and his family.

Please see REVENUES | 2A

Please see OFFICER | 2A

Revenues rise despite slip in sales taxes BY ANDREW DEMILLO Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' finance office said Tuesday that the state's revenues are ahead of last year's figures and are beating expectations, but officials said they're worried about sales tax collections sliding for the third straight month. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said the state's net available

revenues in September totaled $494.7 million, which is $31.9 million above last year and $29.9 million above forecast. The state's revenues for the fiscal year to date, which began July 1, total $1.2 billion and are ahead of forecast by $42.1 million. The monthly figures were boosted primarily by individual income tax collections, which were $36.7 million above last

Officials in the city of Higginson think the waste water flow meter from the city of Garner is not working properly, as the amount of water registering on the meter is not the same as the amount Higginson is having read on its meter. Higginson is having to bear the financial burden of filtering the water that Garner is using but is not paying for because of its flow meter.

Rogers

TUESDAY WEATHER PERFECT FOR SWINGING

Jesse Rayburn: Pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by receiving and had his probation revoked Tyler Schaefer: Pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and theft of property

Higginson

year's figures and $29.8 million above forecast. Individual income tax collections for the month totaled $275.5 million. The gains offset another dip in sales tax collections, which totaled $177.8 million for the month. The collections were $1.2 million below last year and $7.2 million below forecast. It marked the third straight month that sales taxes came in lower than expected,

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

“

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. CARL SAGAN

”

20th Century American astronomer and astrophysicist

Page 2A • Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Daily Citizen

FROM PAGE ONE

Humane Society president seeks seat on Tyson board BY JEANNIE NUSS Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — The president of an organization leading the fight against cramped cages for pregnant pigs said Tuesday he's seeking a spot on Tyson Food Inc.'s board of directors to put more pressure on the nation's second-largest pork processor to abandon the crates. Ending the use of socalled gestation crates has been a top priority for the Humane Society of the United States, which has helped convince companies including McDon-

WASTEWATER CONTINUED FROM 1A

ald's, Burger King and Safeway to pledge to move away from buying pork from farms that use cages. Wayne Pacelle, the animal welfare organization's president and chief executive officer, acknowledged he has a remote chance of being elected to Tyson's board, but he said he would add a valuable perspective to the Springdale, Ark.-based company if his campaign was successful. "It's one thing to be on the outside and asking for animal welfare concerns to be elevated within in the company," Pacelle told

The Associated Press. "It's another thing to try to do it from the inside." Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said the company is committed to humane animal treatment and expects the same from farmers who supply it with chickens, hogs and cattle. "We're not surprised Wayne Pacelle wants to sit on our board," Mickelson said in an email. Mickelson added that the company is handling its nomination process according to the law and the company's bylaws. Voting documents will go out

to shareholders, who can cast votes for the board of directors before or at the company's annual meeting, Mickelson said. Election results will then be reported at the meeting in February, Mickelson said. There are nine board members, he said. The Humane Society of the United States owns stock in Tyson and dozens of other companies that use animal products so its representatives can attend shareholder meetings and submit proposals for improved animal welfare policies.

Beebe that we need to go forward with the Medicaid expansion,” Rogers said. “It’s a question of dollars and cents and a question of common sense. It would allow 250,000 Arkansans to get health insurance.” Dismang said he has not taken a position on the expansion, as he’s waiting to get more information from the state’s Department of Human Services and hard numbers. “I’m waiting on the Medicaid numbers at the federal level and what that would mean for Arkansas if we opt for the expansion,” he said. Both Dismang and Rogers said they would rather implement something at the state level before allowing federal control. “The No. 1 thing when looking at the expansion is to make sure it works for Arkansas and keep in mind the long-term impacts of the expansion,” Dismang said. A sticking point with the expansion is the $400 million Medicaid shortfall expected in July of 2013. The increase is a result of DHS not receiving as much of an increase in its budget as it requested for the coming year, and there was a drop in the federal government’s matching rate for the program. “I think we have to take a look at the shortfall before we start discussions about the expansion,”

Dismang said. Rogers said taking the expansion will help with the shortfall because it provides coverage to 250,000 Arkansans, keeping them from avoiding the doctor and frequenting emergency rooms. “People can go to the doctor by appointment and not frequent the emergency room just because of a common cold,” she said. “People without insurance do this because they know they can’t be denied treatment in the emergency room.” DHS has estimated that with the federal money coming in, Arkansas would see a net savings of $372 million over the expansion’s first seven years when benefits such as state income taxes collected on the federal money and reduced uncompensated care are factored in. Dismang said he’s waiting on information regarding rules and regulations before deciding which direction to go. “I don’t know enough about the parameters to guess if there will be savings or if there will not be savings,” he said. One thing Dismang is sure of is there should be more accountability on the part of patients, which is why he would support getting a federal waiver to implement a co-pay for Medicaid recipients. “That sort of program will help discourage overutilization of the system,”

he said. Dismang said in his conversations with hospital personnel and physicians, people are going to the doctor or the emergency room when they don’t need to, which creates more cost. “I think [implementing co-pays] is something DHS should consider, and it should be based on a sliding scale of income,” he said. Rogers said she may support implementing a small co-pay for Medicaid recipients, but maintains that setting up exchanges would be a better option. “Just having insurance available to people will take away the abuse of the emergency room,” she said. “A $5 co-pay may put more teeth in the game and more accountability, but I can’t be certain at this time.” If Arkansas opts for the expansion, the federal government will pay for the first three years. After that time, the state may pay up to 10 percent of the cost or opt out of the program. Dismang and Rogers will face off on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Senate District 28 encompasses southeastern White County, including Searcy, Kensett, Higginson, Beebe, West Point, Griffithville, Garner and McRae. The district also includes all of Prairie County and portions of Lonoke, Monroe and Arkansas counties.

Lawmakers last year approved the sales tax holiday. During that weekend, clothing items priced at less than $100 and clothing accessories or equipment less than

$50 are exempt from state and local sales taxes. School supplies are also exempt that weekend. State finance officials have estimated the holiday costs the state about

$2.1 million a year. Gov. Mike Beebe said he believed the latest report showed the state was on forecast.

HEALTH CARE CONTINUED FROM 1A

insurance. Rogers supported a bill in the 2011 session that would have set up staterun exchanges, but the bill never made it out of the House committee and to a vote because legislators wanted to wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. “We lost the opportunity in 2011 to set up exchanges that give Arkansas the authority,” Rogers said. “We passed an amendment through legislation to set up a partnership exchange, but we don’t have complete control because it’s an agreement with the federal government.” Dismang said that since Arkansas opted for the partnership, it’s too late to go back. “My end game is to get all the information on the table, since we’ve opted into the partnership prematurely,” he said. Rogers said she advocated the original bill because it would have set up state-run exchanges, and if the Affordable Care Act was struck down, the bill would have been null and void. “We had nothing to lose in that deal,” she said. Neither candidate is completely happy with the partnership, and the two also share separate opinions on the Medicaid expansion. “I agree with Governor

er amount of water than pumps at the sewer pond are showing. “They’ve always had infiltration problems,” Homsley said. “The more we’re having to treat at the sewer pond, the harder it is on our equipment.” Homsley said that according to the pumps at the pond, there is 125,000 gallons of wastewater in 24 hours coming into the pond from Randall Garner. Mayor of However, the flow meter only registered 39,000 gallons of wastewater in the same time period. This is a concern for Higginson officials because Garner only pays for the amount registered on the flow meter. “The meter is very inaccurate right now,” Homsley said. “The pumps are pumping more than what the flow meter is showing.” Homsley said he could not give an estimate on just how much the pump is financially affecting the city. “You can’t break it down into average costs for the city because of

the use of electricity and equipment,” he said. Garner Mayor Arnold Sewell said that to the best of his knowledge, there are no concerns with the pump. “(Higginson) keeps telling us that our meter is reading incorrectly,” Sewell s a i d . “We’ve had it checked and (the people w h o checked it) said it was working fine.” Sewell said he did not want to comment further about Homsley the situaHigginson tion. Homsley said the processing of Garner’s wastewater is one of the reasons Higginson has had to acquire a USDA loan of $1.2 million in order to fix the sand beds at the wastewater treatment facility. “We’re having to rehabilitate the system to take care of both towns. Garner isn’t having to pay off any of that,” he said. Homsley said he has spoken to Sewell about the problem and that Higginson officials want to meet with the Garner officials to see how the two cities can remedy the problem.

“They’ve always had infiltration problems. The more we’re having to treat at the sewer pond, the harder it is on our equipment. ... The pumps are pumping more than what the flow meter is showing.”

OFFICER CONTINUED FROM 1A

McDaniel's office noted Schmidt "could have very easily ran into the dark and took cover" but instead protected Sgt. Corey Overstreet, who had come to assist. Jerry Lard, who was in the back seat of a car Schmidt had pulled over, was convicted of shooting the officer and sentenced to death. A videotape of the traffic stop showed Schmidt telling Lard, "Please don't shoot me. Please don't shoot me again."

The officer's father, Donald, thanked police officers and the local prosecutor specifically for putting Lard on trial. Also at the ceremony, McDaniel recognized Cpl. David Passen of the Van Buren Police Department as officer of the year. Passen was among the first to respond after a gunman entered the Crawford County Courthouse on Sept. 13, 2011, and was struck by bullet fragments and flying glass during a shootout. The gunman was later shot dead.

REVENUES CONTINUED FROM 1A

we've had such a hot summer. That's the area of the most concern." Revenue officials say they can't say how much the sales tax collections were affected by the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday in August. There is a one-month lag in sales tax collection data, so the September figures are the first that would include the holiday.

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Corrections

The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 2688621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

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BBISONS FACE TECH IN HOMECOMING GAME LOCAL REAL ESTATE FALL OPEN HOUSE IS TODAY Harding played Arkansas Tech in a pivotal H cconference matchup Saturday in Searcy. — PAGE 1B

Look inside today’s edition for listings on homes that are part of this afternoon’s Fall Open House. — INSERT

Funding claim irks Biviano Representative voted for Act 1039, against governor’s budget BY MOLLY M. FLEMING mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

State Rep. Mark Biviano has called one of the claims on his District 46 opponent’s mailer a “blatant lie” regarding Biviano’s vote toward education. According to Democrat Kyle Osborne’s mailers — which were paid for by the organization to elect Osborne — Bivia-

no has voted against funding for public education. Biviano voted in favor of House Bill 1901, now known

Arkansas education

as Act 1039, which increased the per-student funding to school districts to $6,144 for the 2011-12 school year, and then to $6,267 for the 2012-13 year. “This was the bill that changed the formula to increase the K-12 public school Please see FUNDING | 2A

Biviano

Osborne

Authorities suspect blaze started at woodburning fireplace

Senate candidates evaluate education

BY JACOB BROWER jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

A White County woman died Saturday following a house fire authorities believe may have been caused by a wood-burning fireplace. Tiffany Weatherford, 38, was found dead at her home at 826 Swinging Bridge Road near Beebe when firefighters responded to a blaze around 2:30 a.m. White County Chief Deputy Jeremy Clark said Weatherford was found dead five feet from the fireplace. Clark said authorities have no reason to believe foul play was involved, but the incident is under investigation. Weatherford was the only person in the home at the time of the

Dismang, Rogers agree more needs to be done in K-12 classrooms BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Arkansas legislators have been at odds about the state’s academic achievements, and while they may not agree on the state’s national ranking, District 28 State Senate candidates do agree Arkansas has made strides in education Dismang and there’s still work to be done. State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, RSearcy, and State Rep. Tiffany Rogers, DStuttgart, both said Arkansas has improved Rogers its quality of education in recent years, but the state still needs to work harder

Please see FIRE | 3A

Huckabee: GOP on verge of taking legislature BY ANDREW DEMILLO Associated Press

Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

Heather Gould, Harding senior graphic design major from Harvest, Ala., reacts as university President David Burks crowns her homecoming queen during halftime of the Bisons’ game against Arkansas Tech Saturday.

Please see EDUCATION | 3A

Kensett city officials accept asbestos cleanup bid Work to be complete within 60 days BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Kensett city officials are hoping to have four asbestoscontaminated buildings all cleaned up by the end of the year.

After securing $71,000 in grant money, Kensett officials accepted a bid from Goolsby General Contractors of Blytheville to clean up the buildings for $32,444. The city received other bids from Control Environmental Solutions of Russellville, for $37,547, and Excavating

Victim: Tiffany Weatherford, 38, Beebe Location: 826 Swinging Bridge Road near Beebe Time: 2:30 a.m. Saturday

Woman dies in house fire

GOULD CROWNED HARDING HOMECOMING QUEEN

Jonathan Dismang, RSearcy, and Tiffany Rogers, D-Stuttgart, say they believe more needs to be done to help teachers and students in the Arkansas, no matter what national studies say.

Fatal fire

Services of Little Rock, for $45,900. The Delta Regional Authority Board awarded a $66,000 Emergency Investment to help remove the asbestos. Kensett Mayor Max McDonald said if the city does not use

Asbestos cleanup What: Kensett officials accepted a bid to clean up four asbestos-contaminated buildings. When: The cleanup should be completed within 60 days.

Please see ASBESTOS | 2A

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

“

LITTLE ROCK — Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says Republicans in the state should thank President Barack Obama for helping the GOP and putting the party on the verge of winning the state Legislature. Huckabee headlined a Saturday pre-election rally in downtown Little Rock for the state GOP and told Republicans that the Democratic president has helped attract more conservatives in Arkansas who are opposed to the president's policies. Republicans believe they will win control of the majority Democrat state House and Senate for the first time since Reconstruction in the Nov. 6 election. Huckabee told reporters before the rally that the national Democratic Party has become too extreme on issues such as abortion. Huckabee now lives in Florida and hosts a show on Fox News.

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T.S. ELIOT 20th Century Modernist author

”

The Daily Citizen

Sunday, October 28, 2012 • Page 3A

LOCAL Dogs gather for Barkin’ in the Park

FIRE State Crime Lab for autopsy and Beebe firefighters have contacted the state fire marshal’s office.

CONTINUED FROM 1A

fire. Her body has been taken to the Arkansas

Sadie, the mummy, sits patiently on a picnic table in Spring Park with her owner, Jordan Honeycutt, during the sixth annual Barkin’ in the Park on Saturday morning. Sadie was joined by her friend Spot and other owner, Zach. The event was hosted by the Humane Society of Searcy and featured dog contests, veterinarian consultations, free nail trimming, and other activities for dogs and owners. The Honeycutts are Harding University students from Dallas.

The McRae, Antioch and El Paso fire departments also responded to the fire.

OPEN HOUSE TODAY 2:00-4:00

Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

EDUCATION CONTINUED FROM 1A

when it comes to teachers and students. Rogers said Arkansas’ No. 5 national education ranking in the Education Week Quality Counts 2012 survey is a testament to how far Arkansas schools have come in recent years. The survey gave Arkansas a B- overall (81.6 percent), which is good for fifth place in percentage rankings behind Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia. The K-12 achievement portion of the same study ranks Arkansas 34th with a D. Other categories included in the study are: Chance for success (C, 44th), the teaching profession (B+, second), school finance (C, 27th), and standards, assessments and accountability (A, sixth). A separate study by the American Legislative Exchange Council has Arkansas ranked 45th in the nation, basing its rankings in data from national test scores, state education policy, charter school regulation and other benchmarks. Rogers said she disagrees with Republicans’ attitude toward Arkansas education. “It’s a slap in the face to parents, teachers and students when we have made accomplishments and been successful,” she said. “[It’s not productive] for the other party to downgrade education in Arkansas and I think they’re in denial about the progress we’ve made over the past 10 years.” Dismang replied to Rogers’ assessment by pointing to his family’s history in teaching. “My mother was a kindergarden teacher, my dad was an intermediate school principal and my wife was a teacher in the Searcy public school system, so I come from a family of teachers,” he said. “There is no statement I have ever made that has downgraded education in Arkansas.” Dismang said he doesn’t put too much stock into the national studies, preferring

416 Audley Bolton

to look at how the individual schools are doing themselves. “Remediation rates are too high and we have to look at grade inflation because it’s not fair to students for that to exist,” he said. “I’ve asked for a study to determine what qualifies as grade inflation, but I haven’t gotten an answer yet from the Department of Education.” Dismang said he looks at the progress of schools in White County when determining what should be done on the state level. “White County schools have set an example for the rest of the state,” he said. “Beebe has implemented a more intense education program to bring young kids up to par, and Searcy and Bald Knob have been recognized nationally for their achievements, so what we do in White County can be a benchmark and something to replicate throughout the state.” Rogers said she hopes to bring programs to Arkansas that will help teachers improve that K-12 ranking, starting with establishing the Master Teacher program, which has been implemented in Georgia. “It’s a method of rewarding teachers through student achievement and it helps younger teachers who are sometimes lost for the first couple years,” she said. “New teachers would have a mentor and experienced educator, and that will help retain [new teachers].” Rogers said the program would reward teachers based on student achievements, but does not know what those rewards will be. “The program doesn’t say specifically, but rewarding money is probably part of the plan,” she said. Rogers said one thing that has helped Arkansas schools is the implementation of the common core standards, a national curriculum to which all schools adhere, teaching the same curriculum across the board. “Common Core gives a DOLBY DIGITAL 3D

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Vote FOR the A&P Tax Ordiance 2012-27

On November 6th you will have the chance to vote for the A&P Tax. The tax will be a 3% tax on all gross receipts of hotels and motels within the City of Searcy. It will also be a 1% tax on all gross receipts from the sale of prepared food and beverages sold within the City of Searcy by restaurants and other similar types of businesses which sells prepared food. The A&P Tax is not a tax on food but only prepared food such as food items prepared by restaurants, drive-in restaurants, carry-out restaurants, concession stands, convenience stores and delicatessens or similar businesses. IT IS NOT A TAX ON YOUR GROCERIES. The A&P Tax is only on prepared foods. The A&P Tax will be for the development, construction and maintenance of the Searcy City Parks. The tax will be administered as a Special Fund to be disbursed for these needs by the Mayor upon approval by your elected city council members.

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better idea of how students are doing because the testing is all the same,” Rogers said. “And, if for some reason a student has to move, they will still be on the same curriculum.” Dismang and Rogers agree more needs to be done to help teachers with their health insurance. “We need to make sure pay, the retirement system and health insurance costs will help us hire qualified teachers,” Dismang said. Rogers said teachers’ health insurance costs have been on the rise and she has joined an ad-hoc committee to evaluate how the state can lower costs. “We need to see what we can do to close the gap between the average state employee’s insurance and teachers’ insurance,” she said. “I’m sure it relates to the cost of health care and number of claims as to why co-pays and premiums have gone up.” Dismang and Rogers will face off on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Senate District 28 encompasses southeastern White County, including Searcy, Kensett, Higginson, Beebe, West Point, Griffithville, Garner and McRae. The district also includes all of Prairie County and portions of Lonoke, Monroe, Arkansas and Woodruff counties.

This tax does not have a sunset provision so the Searcy Parks System will know and can count on such funds to be available for the development of the city park system for years to come. This tax will benefit our entire community and will provide something our children and their children can use and enjoy for years to come. The A&P Tax can be used to make improvements to the entire Searcy City Park system including the Pioneer Village, Lightle Center Smyrna Church, the Rialto Theater, the Farmer’s Market and the various youth and adult sports complexes.

It can be used to acquire new property for park development. The last time the City of Searcy added any new land to the park system for residential parks like Yancey Park was in 1978. The tax can be used to expand the facilities at the youth sports complex and recreational facilities. That facility has been the cornerstone of the youth sports programs. This will allow the sports complex to host tournaments to bring visitors to Searcy and promote our city. It could be used to construct restrooms and facilities at the soccer complex as well as similar facilities at the peewee football area along with concessions and a press box. The tax could also be used to complete the bike and walking trail around Searcy and to even extend the trail to Riverside Park. It could also be used to construct splash pads at both Berryhill and Yancey Parks. Our parks need to be handicap accessible as Special needs playgrounds. These are required and such improvements can be constructed with this tax. Always needed is additional parking areas at the various sports complexes. The tax could also be used to address drainage problems at the soccer complex as well as improving the soccer complex fields. The adult softball field lights could be updated as well as improvements for the basketball and tennis courts.

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RAIDERS AIM TO UPSET CROSSTOWN RIVALS SEARCY HOSTS TOWN HALL EVENT THURSDAY Riverview can move to .500 in conference with a win against the undefeated Wildcats Friday. — PAGE 1B

Mayor David Morris will host two town hall meetings this month, with the first scheduled for Thursday. — PAGE 3A

Candidates: Ag panel crucial Dismang, Rogers discuss challenges, opportunities presented by new Senate district BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

State Senate District 28 grew in land mass after redistricting

last year, and incumbent Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and challenger Tiffany Rogers, DStuttgart, are looking at ways

to represent the new areas. Each candidate said one of the best ways to represent District 28 is by aiming for a seat on the Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee. “Because of this district’s layout, that’s the most important Please see AG | 2A Dismang

Rogers

YOUNG EAGLES HIT THE SKIES

Bradford School Board Russ Durham defeated Joshua Nelson 66.9 percent (95 votes) to 33.1 percent (47 votes) for a seat on the Bradford School Board. Durham replaces longtime board member Leland Wells, who chose not to seek reelection.

Durham earns Bradford seat BY JACOB BROWER jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

In the final local race before the November general election, Russ Durham earned a seat on the Bradford School Board Tuesday. Durham defeated Joshua Nelson 66.9 percent (95 votes) to 33.1 percent (47 votes). Durham replaces longtime board member Leland Wells, who chose not to seek re-election. Durham came two votes shy of winning the general election

Please see DURHAM | 2A

Lecture Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Joey Stroue, 10, left, enjoys a ride on an twin-engine Seneca 2 airplane and jokes with classmates Asher Blake, 10, middle, and Juan Ruiz, 11. More than 300 children got to fly around Searcy Tuesday by participating in the Young Eagles Airport Day. Stroue and Ruiz were first-time fliers, while Blake said he had been on an airplane once before.

Searcy fifth-graders get a taste of the pilot’s life BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Pilots at the Searcy Airport took a lot of first-time fliers up in the air Tuesday. Fifth-graders in Searcy took part in the Young Eagles Airport Day, in it’s ninth year, learning about aircraft in what Airport Manager Donnie Love hopes will spur interest in aviation. “We think fifth grade is old enough to have an interest in the future, but also young enough to have a little bit of fun,” he said. “A lot of kids are getting first-time experience here and would never get this opportunity if not for this event.” Southwest Middle School students Shelbe Edwards, Addison Butler and Hailey Gutierrez, all 10 years old, said they had never been on an airplane before. “We’re all really excited because we’ve never been on a plane,” Butler said while the girls were waiting to fly. When asked if the day’s events have made them consider aviation when they get older, Gutierrez said, “Maybe, but I plan to be a doctor.” Each of the girls also got to use a grounded hang-glider, where the girls were strapped in to a harness and hung off the ground to simulate hang-gliding. “It was fun and not really scary,” Butler said. “It probably would have been scary if we were actually in the air,” Ed-

HU continues Lecture Series with political strategist Event is free, open to the public

lator and the airplane rides, displays of bulldog helicopters and other aircraft were on hand. With more than 2,900 kids having flown in the Young Eagles program over the past nine years, Love said there is at least one person who has grown up and pursued aviation. “John Moore came to this event

Political strategist Karl Rove will continue the 201213 American Studies Institute Distinguished Lecture Series Tuesday at Harding University. Rove was behind former President George W. Bush’s successful 2000 and 2004 Rove campaigns and served as the president’s senior adviser from 2000-07, and as deputy chief of staff from 2004-07. He is the author of the best-selling book, “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight,” and he writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal.

Please see FLIGHT | 2A

Please see LECTURE | 3A

Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Sara Cooper, teacher at Southwest Middle School, hands a release form to one of her fifth-grade students before the kids were flown around Searcy during the Young Eagles Airport Day at the Searcy Airport Tuesday afternoon. wards added. Since the Young Eagles Airport Day began, pilots in Searcy have flown over 2,900 students, and Love said he hopes to keep the program going for at least 10 more years. Edwards, Butler and Gutierrez all said given the chance, they would love to come back to Young Eagles Airport Day again. Along with the hang-gliding simu-

Who: Harding University What: Will host political strategist Karl Rove When: Tuesday, 7 p.m. Where: Benson Auditorium

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

“

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. PHYLLIS DILLER 20th Century American actress, comedienne

”

Page 2A • Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Daily Citizen

FROM PAGE ONE

Beebe: Writings by House hopefuls ‘sad’

FLIGHT CONTINUED FROM 1A

BY ANDREW DEMILLO Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe called the racially charged writings of three Republican House candidates "embarrassing" on Tuesday but said he didn't believe they reflected the views of the state or the GOP. The Democratic governor condemned the writings by House candidate Charlie Fuqua, state Rep. Jon Hubbard and Rep. Loy Mauch but didn't call for them to withdraw from their respective races. All have come under fire from leaders of both parties in recent days. Hubbard called slavery a "blessing in disguise" in a 2009 book and wrote that African-Americans

were better off than they would have been had they not been captured and shipped to the United States. Fuqua advocated the deportation of all Muslims in a 2011 self-published book, and Mauch called Abraham Lincoln a war criminal in one of a series of letters to a newspaper dating back several years. "It's pretty embarrassing, it's pretty sad," Beebe told reporters at the state Capitol on Tuesday morning. "But, you know, you can't blame a whole state for activities or comments from a few because there's been a lot of comments by Republicans and Democrats that we wish had never been made and that embarrass us all or detract

from how we're viewed by other folks." Fuqua, Hubbard and Mauch did not return calls or emails Tuesday morning. Beebe said he hoped voters wouldn't reward the three in the November election. "I would hope the people in the rest of the country wouldn't think that Hubbard or those other people represent what Arkansas really is, because they don't," Beebe said. Republicans have distanced themselves from the writings, and the state party said Monday that it would not contribute any more money to their campaigns. GOP Congressman Tim Griffin has asked the three to donate money he contributed to charity.

The comments have received attention as Republicans aim to win control of the state Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. GOP leaders are confident of the party's chances and said they don't believe the writings will hurt their efforts to win control of the state House and Senate. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, a Democrat and the only announced candidate for the 2014 governor's race, called the remarks "appalling" in a speech to a Jonesboro group and applauded GOP leaders for distancing themselves from the three candidates. McDaniel served in the House in the seat that Hubbard now holds.

There were 142 votes cast in the runoff, compared to 117 in the general election. “I’m glad we had a big turnout in the runoff,” Durham said. “I’d like to thank everyone who voted. We had a better turnout this time and I appreciate everyone who took the time to vote for me and my opponent.” Leslie Bellamy, White

County election coordinator, said that runoffs drawing more voters than general elections are a rare occurrence. “I’ve seen it before, but it’s been years,” she said. “Maybe with us nearing the (November) general election, voting is more prevalent on everyone’s minds. Sometimes that makes the difference, but

it is rare.” Durham said one of his main priorities will be to add more advanced classes. “We have pretty good academics, but I’d like to get the bar raised and challenge the kids more,” he said. “We have some smart kids at the school.” Attempts to reach Nelson for comment were unsuccessful.

people in District 28. “In general, people are concerned about jobs,” Dismang said. “I will make sure to do what I can to protect jobs first, and also create jobs in the district.” Rogers said the economy is what she hears from constituents as the biggest concern, especially for the elderly. “We have lots of senior citizens who are fearful because they’ve worked their entire lives and worry about the cost of living and making ends meet,” she said. While landing a spot on the committee is a goal of each candidate, both say an even more important role in the Senate will be to be accessible at all times, which is why both Dismang and Rogers make their cell phone numbers available to the public. “The number is on my campaign site and people can call me directly without going through a secretary or a third party,” Dismang said. During Senate sessions, Dismang said he gets about 500 contacts per week, and his phone plays a big role in hearing his constituents’ interests. “Email is the most used form of communication, and Facebook users are increasing,” he said. “You have to be involved, willing to listen and be totally accessible in a district this large.”

Rogers said she also works to make herself accessible through multiple forms of media, and the feedback is not always positive. “I list my cell phone number on all my mailers and people have been calling me,” she said. “Most are not happy and leave ugly messages, and I return all their calls because I want to set the record straight.” One opportunity both candidates hope to take during the session is Chamber of Commerce meetings, where they will provide legislative updates each week. “We held weekly legislative updates [in Searcy] during the session, and I would like to do that in Stuttgart as well,” Dismang said. “The frequency would depend on what they wanted to do, but ideally, I would go to Searcy and Stuttgart once per week.” “I’ve had legislative briefings once or twice during the session at the Chamber in Stuttgart,” Rogers said. “Those are important, and if people want me to do that, I will certainly do it.” Rogers said she did weekly legislative updates

via radio in Stuttgart during her time in the House. Dismang said he also hopes to open an office in Stuttgart to take in concerns of constituents in the area. “I want to open an office in Stuttgart with an opendoor policy,” he said. Rogers said she does not think opening a permanent office in Searcy would be monetarily feasible, but said there are many other ways to make sure constituents’ concerns are considered. “I would always make myself accessible by attending events I’m invited to and meeting people,” she said. “There are plenty of public space to meet people and make sure my constituents are heard.” Dismang and Rogers will face off on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Senate District 28 encompasses southeastern White County, including Searcy, Kensett, Higginson, Beebe, West Point, Griffithville, Garner and McRae. The district also includes all of Prairie County and portions of Lonoke, Monroe and Arkansas counties.

DURHAM CONTINUED FROM 1A

outright in September. In the general election, Durham received 58 votes (49.57 percent), Nelson received 32 votes (27.35 percent) and Amanda Cowell received 27 votes (23.08 percent.) In a rarity, the runoff actually drew more voters than the general election.

and now he’s a co-pilot for Harding University Aviation,” Love said. “He was one of the fortunate few interested in aviation and pursued it. Now, he’s a commercial pilot.” Love said there were 10 airplanes flying students Tuesday, with 500 gallons of fuel provided by Eastern Aviation Fuels, a cost of $2,955 at today’s fuels prices. The Searcy Fire Department, Searcy Police Department and White County Sheriff were also on hand to educate kids about safety. “The Fire Department gave a seminar about fire safety and all the kids were very attentive and asked a lot of questions,” Love said. The Young Eagles program is put on by the Ex-

Young Eagles Airport Day What: More than 300 Searcy fifth graders learned about aviation and were flown around Searcy. When: Tuesday morning and afternoon

perimental Aviation Association, which assures each flight is in par with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. The program, which began in 1992, gives kids ages 8-17 the opportunity to fly in a general aviation airplane free of charge. Since 1992, the program has given more than 1.6 million rides to kids across the world.

AG CONTINUED FROM 1A

committee to sit on,” Dismang said. The committee deals predominantly with agriculture and energy issues, which are two of the biggest concerns with the plethora of farmland and natural gas companies in District 28. Rogers said the Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee will be her first choice if elected, and she will be involved even if she does not earn a seat. “It’s important to be on the committee for voting rights, but you can still be involved even if you can’t vote,” she said. “Over the last four years, the [House] agriculture committee thought I was a member because I was at the meetings so often.” Rogers said her reasons for trying to get on the committee are self-evident, as District 28 is big on farms and energy. “There’s lots of agriculture up here, more cattle farms and even rowed crops, so we do have a lot of the same things in common,” she said. “We also have the Fayetteville Shale Play and can capitalize on natural resources we have, whether they are bio-mass products or natural gas.’ Getting on the committee is a big concern for the candidates, as both say jobs and the economy are pressing on the minds of

Corrections The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 2688621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

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Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

SEARCY PREPS FOR JONESBORO RIVALRY WHITE COUNTY EARLY VOTING BEGINS MONDAY The Lions are getting ready to take on Jonesboro Friday in a pivotal conference matchup. — PAGE 1B

On Monday, White Countians can take to the polls in early voting for the November election. — PAGE 3A

Dismang, Rogers talk taxes

Quorum Court Where: Bald Knob, Russell, community of Worden Incumbent: Kennenth Horton, I-Bald Knob Challengers: Lesli Chestnut, R-Bald Knob; and David Freppon, D-Bald Knob

Incumbent wants to consolidate tax brackets, challenger cites grocery tax elimination as priority BY KYLE TROUTMAN

Incumbent JP in 3-way race

ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

The District 28 State Senate candidates are looking at different ways to lower Arkansans’ tax burden. Incumbent Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, said his goal is to decrease the number of income tax brackets in Arkansas, provided the bud-

Former Democratic justice runs for re-election as independent

get allows it. “As a tax accountant, I think restructuring the brackets to eliminate several of the inside

brackets and simplify the process would be good,” he said. Dismang said he can’t make any firm promises until after the budgeting process is complete. “The problem has been finding the cost to the state and what the elimination of brackPlease see TAXES | 2A

KARL ROVE SPEAKS AT HARDING

Dismang

Rogers

Robert E. Elliott Foundation What: Hosting its annual fundraising dinner When: Friday at 7 p.m. Where: Searcy Country Club

BY MOLLY M. FLEMING

Foundation fundraiser set for Friday

mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Justice of the Peace Kenneth Horton, I-Bald Knob, is facing challenges from both the Democratic and Republican parties in his re-election bid. Horton is being challenged by Re- Horton publican Lesli Chestnut and Democrat David Freppon, both of Bald Knob. The district encompasses Bald Knob, Russell, and the communiChestnut ty of Worden. Besides Horton, Freppon is the only candidate with experience as an elected official, but Chestnut in not without leadership experience. Freppon Freppon

Money from annual dinner to go to education programs BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Jeff Montgomery/Special to The Daily Citizen

Per the wishes of the late Robert E. Elliott, the Elliott Foundation is continuing its work on fighting depression and suicide. The foundation is hosting its annual fundraising dinner Friday at 7 p.m. at the Searcy Country Club, hoping to raise $10,000 for depression and suicide education. “The dinner is an opportunity for us to share the things we’ve worked on in the past, share our goals for the future and tell how people’s donations are being used,” said Alana Pinchback, executive director of the Robert E. Elliott Foundation. Marilyn Elliott, widow of Robert Elliott, said she is glad to be

Republican political consultant Karl Rove speaks to a crowd at Harding University Tuesday night. Rove spoke as part of the university’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Please see FOUNDATION | 3A

Please see RACE | 3A

Remains of Air Force vet identified Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — The U.S. Department of Defense says the remains of a missing Air Force captain from Arkansas have been identified and will be buried as part of a group with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. The department says the remains of Capt. Virgil Meroney III of Fayetteville will be buried with those of Air Force Col. Wendell Keller of Fargo, N.D. A date Please see REMAINS | 2A

Murphy to split off its retail division to better focus Associated Press

EL DORADO — Murphy Oil is splitting in two in order to better focus on the separate tasks of exploration and production, and the sale of gasoline and other goods through its retail locations. Murphy Oil will continue to explore for and produce oil in the U.S., Canada and Malaysia. The company will continue its exploration program and offshore development projects,

WEATHER Today: Sunny. Rain likely. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Rain likely. Lows in the upper 40s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Vol. 158, No. 249 ©2012 The Daily Citizen

while also growing its North America onshore businesses. Murphy USA will become a separate company focused on selling fuels. Murphy USA operates retail gasoline stations in 23 states. Murphy USA will also operate seven fuel distribution terminals and ethanol production facilities in North Dakota and Texas. Murphy is extending a trend in the U.S. oil industry. ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil Corp. have executed similar

splits in recent years. Exploring for oil is a high-risk business that can also offer high rewards when companies succeed in finding oil and oil prices rise. Refining oil into fuels and selling them does not usually carry the same risks or rewards. Murphy’s only refinery, located in the United Kingdom, will stay with Murphy Oil company, but the company is still trying to sell it so it can focus exclusively on exploration and production.

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

“

Shares of Murphy Oil Corp., based in El Dorado, Ark., rose $4.25, or 7.2 percent, to $63.25 in morning trading after trading as high as $63.42 earlier in the session. They are near their 52week high of $65.60 set in late February. They traded as low as $43.29 in late June. Murphy announced a special dividend of $2.50 for a total of $500 million and a stock buyback program covering $1 billion in common shares.

Rare is the union of beauty and purity. JUVENAL Roman poet

”

Page 2A â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Daily Citizen

FROM PAGE ONE

Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Searcy firefighters control fire near ATM

Barry Daniel of the Searcy Fire Department puts out a small fire next to the Simmons First Security Bank ATM on Poplar Street Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters said the blaze was likely caused by a burning cigarette butt thrown in the mulch near the ATM.

TAXES CONTINUED FROM 1A

Severe storms possible to hit Arkansas today Associated Press

High humidity and an approaching cold front could combine to generate severe weather in parts of Arkansas on Wednesday. The Storm Prediction Center says there is a 30 percent chance for severe storms in the area between Little Rock and Memphis, Tenn., as a cold front slices through humid air. Severe storms are also possible to a lesser degree into the lower Ohio Valley and the Missouri Bootheel.

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city sales taxes,â&#x20AC;? she said. Dismang said he thinks no legislation calling for a sales tax increase would pass, pointing to the a 2011 House bill that purported to eliminate a lower severance tax rate for â&#x20AC;&#x153;high-cost gas wells,â&#x20AC;? which died in committee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indicative of what would happen if someone tries to raise the sales tax through the legislative body,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The House never voted on or brought to a vote a bill that would have raised the severance tax, so I think heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grasping there for bringing that up,â&#x20AC;? Rogers said. While Rogers said she is unsure how consolidating tax brackets would work, she is sure she will keep pushing Gov. Mike Beebeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to continue lowering the grocery tax. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a priority of Gov. Beebe since he was elected to get rid of the grocery tax and I want to see that through to completion,â&#x20AC;? she said. When Beebe took office, the grocery tax was 6 per-

cent. It is currently at 1.5 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a priority for us because the grocery tax affects everyone and any relief we can provide is helpful,â&#x20AC;? Rogers said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it irresponsibly and if the climate is right and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forecasted we will be able to, we will, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we anticipate.â&#x20AC;? Dismang said he has supported the grocery tax legislation in the past, but will have to reassess further cuts after the budget comes out this fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Until I look at the budget and constraints, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say with any certainty what I would do or not do,â&#x20AC;? he said. Dismang and Rogers will face off on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Senate District 28 encompasses southeastern White County, including Searcy, Kensett, Higginson, Beebe, West Point, Griffithville, Garner and McRae. The district also includes all of Prairie County and portions of Lonoke, Monroe and Arkansas counties.

of an F-4D Phantom II aircraft that disappeared following a mission on March 1, 1969, in Laos.

The department says the remains were found during a 17-year investigation of the area that ran

from 1994 until 2011 and that they were identified with military ID cards and dental records.

REMAINS CONTINUED FROM 1A

for the ceremony was not announced. Meroney and Keller were part of a crew

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ets would mean to general revenue,â&#x20AC;? he said. Arkansas has six tax brackets ranging from those who earn $0 a year to $31,000 a year, with rates in each bracket climbing from 1 percent to 7 percent. Dismang said if the budget allows, he would like to consolidate some of the lower brackets, simplifying the system and lowering the overall effective tax rate for everyone because there would be less brackets compounding on higher-income earners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eliminating three brackets would be feasible and realistic, but it takes a considerable amount of planning to do that,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to go through the budget process and see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming down the pipe before giving any tax cuts, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very possible we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give any because of the Medicaid shortfall.â&#x20AC;? Dismangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenger, State Rep. Tiffany Rogers,

D-Stuttgart, said she has yet to hear about her opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan and would not comment until reviewing it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Republican plan is to eliminate the income tax completely, and if Jonathan is proposing something different, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard of it,â&#x20AC;? Rogers said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a snap decision without researching the impact it would have.â&#x20AC;? Rogersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reference to the Republican plan comes from the Arkansas GOP platform, which states the party wishes to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Replace the state income tax with a more equitable method of taxation.â&#x20AC;? Rogers charges that if the Republican plan is to eliminate income taxes, it would have to be coupled with the raising of sales tax rates to avoid revenue losses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It sounds good, but in reality, they would have to increase the state sales tax to about 9 percent to cover the cost of eliminating the income tax, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s before you add county and

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Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

WEEK 8 OF FOOTBALL SEASON IN THE BOOKS HARDING LYCEUM SERIES CONTINUES NOV. 1 Turn to the sports section for recaps of all six White County teams’ Friday night games. — PAGE 1B

A basset horn trio will continue Harding’s Lyceum Series Nov. 1 in the Reynolds Recital Hall on campus. — PAGE 3A

Poll: Biviano leads House race

Incumbent holds 16-point advantage over challenger Osborne

Candidates split on trucker tax exemption

A recent poll of Arkansas House District 46 registered voters shows that incumbent State Rep. Mark Biviano, R-Searcy, holds a 16 percent lead less than three weeks before election day. Of those polled, 50 percent said that will vote for Biviano, while 34 percent said they favor his Biviano

Please see POLL | 2A

Osborne

WCMC HOSTS BARBARA MONTGOMERY MEMORIAL LUNCHEON

Biviano opposes; Dismang, Rogers, Osborne support BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Three of four local candidates for seats in the state legislature say they will vote to repeal the state trucker tax exemption if elected, while State Rep. Mark Biviano plans to keep the exemption in place. State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and his opponent Rep. Tiffany Rogers, D-Stuttgart — as well as Biviano’s opponent, Kyle Osborne, D-Searcy — said they would vote for repeal of the exemption if it is brought to another vote. In 2011, a procedural measure was brought up that would have made it possible to repeal the exemption, but after passing through the House, it was shot down in the Senate by a 21-12 Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Please see EXEMPTION | 2A

Kolton Thomas (right) and Matthew McEuen, both students at Harding University, provide musical entertainment at the 19th annual Barbara Montgomery Memorial Luncheon on Friday.

Director, chamber oppose measure

Anna Overbay (left), event specialist at White County Medical Center, hugs breast cancer survivor Rhonda Corssen during the 19th annual Barbara Montgomery Memorial Luncheon at the WCMC Friday afternoon. More than 120 people attended the luncheon.

BY ANDREW DEMILLO Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ top anti-drug official and the state Chamber of Commerce joined pharmacists and law enforcement agencies Friday to announce their opposition to a measure on the November ballot that would legalize medical marijuana. State Drug Director Fran Flener said she and the groups planned to speak out against the measure that, if passed, would make Arkansas the first southern state to legalize medical marijuana. The proposal would allow patients with qualifying conditions to buy marijuana from nonprofit dispensaries with a doctor’s recommendation. “While our group’s vision of compassion does not include smoked marijuana as a medicine, it does include elements that we consider equally important measures of compassion,” Flener said.

Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

Shank found in cell of man who shot soldiers BY JEANNIE NUSS Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — Corrections officers found a sharpened metal shank hidden in the prison cell of a man who shot two soldiers outside an Arkansas military recruiting station three years ago, a prison sys-

tem official said Friday. Officers found the makeshift weapon in Abdulhakim Muhammad’s mattress during a routine search in April, Arkansas Department of Correction spokeswoman Shea Wilson told The Associated Press. “It looks like it had been

sharpened at one end and appeared to be stainless steel,” Wilson said. She said the piece of metal was about 12 inches long and a half-inch wide, and that it had been stripped from his cell door, which has since been fixed. Muhammad, 27, also failed

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

“

to obey orders and used threatening language toward an officer, Wilson said. He was placed in isolation for 30 days and wasn’t allowed to have visitors, use the phone or buy anything from the prison commissary for 60 days, she said.

Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS Dutch philiosopher

”

Page 2A • Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Daily Citizen

FROM PAGE ONE

Fire destroys Texas’ fair icon Big Tex

News in brief I-40, I-630 lanes to close for work LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department says portions of Interstates 630 in Little Rock and I-40 in West Memphis will be closed next week. The department said Friday that the inside and center lanes of I-630 will be shut down Monday starting at 9 p.m. for installation of beams for a bridge over the interstate at Baptist Health Medical Center. All lanes will be closed periodically during the night for the installation and are to reopen at 5 a.m. Tuesday. The department also says the outside westbound lane of Interstate 40 will be closed in the area of Southland Park for pavement patching. The lane will be closed from 7 p.m. Sunday until Thursday to allow the concrete to cure.

Wife of convicted doctor appeals surrender order LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A woman convicted of conspiracy in a bombing that nearly killed the head of the Arkansas State Medical Board is appealing her order to surrender to U.S. marshals to begin serving her one year sentence. An attorney for Sangeeta Mann filed the motion Friday in U.S. District Court in Little Rock — a day after a judge ordered that she surrender on Dec. 3. The order came after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Mann’s conviction in July. The motion says Mann should surrender in January at a prison chosen by the Bureau of Prisons. Prosecutors say Mann hid documents as authorities investigated her husband, Randeep Mann, in the 2009 bombing at the home of Dr. Trent Pierce. Randeep Mann was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Student accused of bringing knives to Arkansas school MARION (AP) — Authorities in northeast Arkansas say a 14-yearold student was arrested after he allegedly brought knives to Marion Junior High School. Marion Police Assistant Chief Gerald Martin said Friday that the teen was apprehended Thursday after a school resource officer found out the student was in the cafeteria armed with a knife. Martin says no one was hurt. Authorities say the teen was wearing a black trench coat, had three kitchen knives and a piece of paper with drawings on it. Martin says the teen was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a prohibited weapon on school property. The teen’s name hasn’t been released because of his age. Martin says he’s scheduled to have a court hearing on Monday in Crittenden County Juvenile Court.

State Fair sets attendance record LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas State Fair officials say clear skies and cool temperatures helped lead to a record-setting attendance day at the fair — although overall attendance is down. General Manager Ralph Shoptaw says the 35,648 set a Thursday attendance record for the fair — breaking the record of 32,115 set last year. The single day attendance record of 88,769 was set last Saturday — a day after cold temperatures and rain held attendance to fewer than 12,000. Overall attendance was 241,420 going into Friday’s seventh day of the fair — compared to 276,614 after seven dates in 2011. The fair runs through Sunday.

BY DANNY ROBBINS Associated Press

DALLAS — The man who provides the voice for Big Tex, the giant cowboy at the State Fair of Texas, was greeting people with his usual “Howdy, folks!” in a slow drawl Friday when someone rushed into his trailer to tell him the towering fair icon was on fire. “It moved quickly,” Bill Bragg said of the fire that engulfed the 52-foot-tall structure, leaving not much more than its charred metal frame behind. “It was a quick end.” This year’s fair was supposed to be a celebration for Big Tex, marking his 60th birthday. Instead, the beloved cowboy was hauled from the grounds on a flatbed truck two days before the end of the fair in a procession resembling a funeral. “It’s sad to see this happen, but it’s lucky no one was injured or killed,” said Mike Blucher of Dallas, who was at the fair with his wife, Linda. The fire brought a temporary end to a piece of Texas culture. The cowboy with the 75-gallon hat and

AP Photo

Dallas firefighters put out the last hot spots after Big Tex caught fire at the State Fair of Texas, in Fair Park on Friday in Dallas. 50-pound belt buckle always was easy to spot and served as a popular meeting place for people coming to the fair or attending the annual Texas-Oklahoma football game at the nearby Cotton Bowl. But all that remained by noon Friday were hands and shirt leaves on a burned skeleton.

“Big Tex is a symbol of everything the state fair stands for,” fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said. “Big Tex is where my parents told me, ‘If you get lost, meet at Big Tex.’” Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Joel Lavender said Friday afternoon that the cause of the blaze had not been determined.

Some dispatchers took a playful approach to reporting the blaze. “Got a rather tall cowboy with all his clothes burned off,” one said. “Howdy, folks, it’s hot,” another said. Fair officials and city leaders quickly called for the return of Big Tex, vowing to rebuild the structure. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings tweeted that the cowboy would become “bigger and better for the 21st Century.” Big Tex’s hands, boots and face were made of Fiberglas, Gooding said. The clothing that burned had been provided last year by a Fort Worth company, she said. Gooding speculated that the fire could have started in mechanical workings at the base of the structure and that the metal skeleton “served as a chimney.” The skeleton will be evaluated, and a new one will be built if necessary, she said. Stanley Hill, who supervises a food stand that has been located near the structure for 18 years, said he noticed smoke coming from Big Tex’s neck area. That quickly turned into a blaze that engulfed the structure’s fabric covering. “Once it started burning, it was gone,” Hill said.

New Mexico peanut capital at heart of recall ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The country’s largest organic peanut processing plant is scrubbing its facilities top to bottom and hopes to get back in production soon after a massive recall of scores of products linked to a salmonella outbreak. The recall has affected peanut butter and nut products sold at major retailers around the country, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the industry — espe-

cially in products grown and processed in the flat, dusty eastern New Mexico town of Portales. The region is home to the prized Valencia peanut, which represents just a small percentage of the nation’s massive peanut crop, but is favored for natural and organic peanut butter products because of its sweet flavor. This year’s crop is exceptional, growers say, and the town is set this weekend to celebrate at its 39th annual peanut festival. But the festivities are likely to be overshad-

owed by anxiety as the crop is piling up in drying trailers while the Sunland Inc. facility linked to the outbreak remains shuttered for a top-to-bottom scrubbing. “We are very concerned about it,” said Wayne Baker, a retired peanut farmer and chair of the New Mexico Peanut Growers Association. “The harvest is going on as normal and Sunland is receiving peanuts, but we have got to get the FDA to approve some changes and get going.” Sunland, which oper-

ates the country’s largest USDA certified organic peanut processing plant, first closed its peanut butter plant late last month when the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked a salmonella outbreak to peanut butter that it produced for Trader Joe’s. Its roasting and processing facilities were also closed and the recall expanded this month to include more than 300 peanut and other nut products after the FDA found salmonella at the plant.

successful telephone interviews, resulting in a 4.45 percent margin of error, meaning that poll results could be 2-1⁄4 percentage points higher or lower than reported. The polling sample, methodology and questions were compiled with the help of Tom Howard, Harding University distinguished professor emeritus of political sci-

ence. People polled were asked the following questions: “Barring any unforeseen circumstance, will you definitely vote in the Nov. 6 general election?” and “If the election were held today, which of these Arkansas House District 46 candidates would receive your vote?” The candidates’ names and party affiliations were then read aloud as they

appear on the ballot — Biviano’s first, Osborne’s second. People who answered “no” on the first question were not asked the second question and the interview was not considered successful. Biviano said he is pleased with how the numbers look as his campaign enters the home stretch. “I’m optimistic and ap-

preciate the support I’m getting in the community,” he said. “We’re going to continue focusing on the issues that are important to people in the district and the state in the next two weeks.” Osborne said he will focus on gathering additional support in the coming days. “I’m surprised my numbers came back that

low,” he said. “I thought it would be a lot closer than that. I just have to get out there and work harder, knock a lot more doors.” Biviano and Osborne will appear on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. District 46 encompasses the cities of Searcy and Kensett. Early voting begins 8 a.m. Monday at the White County Courthouse.

did not get the support it needed in the Senate. Dismang said he voted against the measure because it did not qualify as a fiscal matter. It was proposed during the 2011 fiscal session. “I think it will be brought up again and I will vote for its repeal,” he said. “That’s something I’ve committed to with the highway department, but there also may be another proposition to get the department that money that may be considered.” The trucker tax exemption repeal, which would have done away with a tax break for commercial truck sales, results in a $4 million annual loss for the highway department, $3 million for state highways and $1 million for county and city roads. The tax reduction on

commercial vehicles was meant to help the industry offset a proposed diesel fuel tax increase for road repairs. The trucking lobby dropped its support of the diesel tax hike, but the vehicle tax cut stayed on the books. “It’s unfortunate because that’s the agreement that was made with the truckers association, and shortly after the session, they withdrew their support,” Rogers said. “The truckers came out for repeal of the exemp-

tion and we didn’t get it repealed because of the politics that were played.” Rogers said she hopes for a repeal to come up in the next session. “I think it should be repealed and I would vote for that,” she said. “I think since the truckers supported it last year, they will support it this year.” Osborne said he will vote for the repeal to replace lost revenue. “The state lost revenue and I’d like to put that back in place like it was before,” he said.

Biviano and Osborne will face off on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. House District 46 encompasses the cities of Searcy and Kensett. Dismang and Rogers will also face off on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Senate District 28 encompasses southeastern White County, in-

cluding Searcy, Kensett, Higginson, Beebe, West Point, Griffithville, Garner and McRae. The district also includes all of Prairie County and portions of Lonoke, Monroe and Arkansas counties. Early voting begins 8 a.m. Monday at the White County Courthouse.

Associated Press

POLL CONTINUED FROM 1A

opponent, Searcy Police Chief Kyle Osborne, DSearcy. Sixteen percent of respondents said they are undecided. The poll was conducted at The Daily Citizen’s office Monday and Thursday nights with the help of eight local residents hired by the newspaper. The poll consisted of 472

EXEMPTION CONTINUED FROM 1A

vote. There were 24 votes needed to have the measure passed. Biviano voted against the repeal in the House last year, and said he plans to do so again if a repeal measure is brought up in the future. “I believe we need to support the trucking industry and, given the economic conditions, anything we can do to support the industry through incentives, we should be doing,” he said. Biviano said if the exemption stays on the books, he believes it would promote the industry in Arkansas. “I believe the return will be greater than the actual cost,” he said. “I will vote the same way if it comes up again in the next session.” The tax break went into effect on July 1, and the House tried to put off imposition of the tax break until July 1, 2013, which would give legislators another crack at the bill in the regular session that starts in January. However, that measure

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The

Daily Citizen TheDailyCitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

Biviano reelected to House BY MOLLY M. FLEMING

mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

BIVIANO

State Rep. Mark Biviano, R-Searcy has been reelected to the state’s House of Representatives where he will represent District 46 after Please see BIVIANO | 2A

ARKANSAS HOUSE DISTRICT 46 Kyle Osborne, D-Searcy 39 percent Final unofficial election results. Source: White County Election Commission

Voters shoot down A&P tax

As of 10:45 p.m. Tuesday

State House of Representatives

Pangburn City Council

District 45 n Jeremy Gillam, R n Travis Mason, G District 46 n Mark Biviano, R n Kyle Osborne, D

83% 17% 61% 39%

n For n Against

43% 57%

Searcy City Council Ward 2, Position 2 n Robert Allen n Steve Sterling Ward 4, Position 2 n Mike Chalenburg n Shannon Derrick

38% 62% 56% 44%

District 5 n Jimmy L. House, D 57% n Sam Hailey, R 43% District 7* n Lesli Chestnut, R 20% n David W. Freppon, D 40% n Kenneth Horton, I 39% District 8 n Layne "Boss" Vaughn, D 57% n Greg Niblock, R 43%

BY HARRISON KEEGAN

Kensett City Council Ward 3, Position 1 n Clarence Chatmon, D n Jasper Jones, I

62% 39%

Judsonia City Council Ward 3, Position 2 n Scott Gillham, I n Phillip Hambrick, I

From left, Searcy alderman candidate Robert Allen, Searcy Mayor David Morris, Sen. Jonathan Dismang's father-in-law David Staggs, Dismang, and Letain DeVore visit outside the polling site at West Race Baptist Church. Morris visited with the group of his way to cast a ballot Tuesday afternoon. Jacob Brower/

3 counties reported in Senate race

jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

BY KYLE TROUTMAN

ktroutman@thedailycitizen.com

It was a long election night for State Senate District 28 candidates, as a winner in the race had not been determined because three counties had yet to tally its votes. Incumbent State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and challenger and State Rep. Tiffany Rogers, D-Stuttgart, will have to wait to hear results, as Prairie County, Lonoke County and Monroe County had not been able to tabulate all votes. All precincts in White County, Arkansas County and Woodruff County had reported by 10:45 p.m. Counting only White, Arkansas and Woodruff Counties, Dismang

leads the race, garnering 11,345 votes (60 percent) to Rogers' 7,523 votes (40 Percent). Dismang won White County by a count of 9,393 votes (72 percent) to Rogers' 3,641 votes (28 percent). Rogers won Arkansas County by a count of 3,585 votes (67 percent) to Dismang's 1,904 votes (33 percent).

DISMANG

ROGERS

Please see SENATE | 3A

Griffin wins re-election in central Arkansas LITTLE ROCK — Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin has defeated Democratic challenger Herb Rule to win a second term in central Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District. Griffin of Little Rock held onto the seat in Tuesday's election, running on a platform of

WEATHER

smaller government. A former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Griffin was appointed to that position by President George W. Bush as part of a sweep by the administration to unseat a number of federal prosecutors. Griffin had worked under

Today: Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Bush adviser Karl Rove as deputy director of political affairs in the White House. Griffin built upon the base he developed when he won the seat two years ago after Democratic U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder opted not to run for re-election.

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

Ward 1, Position 2 n Audie Treadwell, I n Ben Langley, I

34% 66%

Beebe City Council Ward 1, Position 1 n David Pruitt n Harold Welch Ward 2, Position 2 n Tracy Lightfoot n Michael Travis Weeks Ward 3, Position 2 n Leslie E. Cossey n Dale Bass

46% 54% 66% 34% 46% 54%

Russell City Council Position 3 n Calvin E. Klotz n Glenn Pyle

52% 48%

McRae City Council

Quorum Court

hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

ELECTION RESULTS

Searcy A&P tax

Searcians deny prepared food, hotel tax

GRIFFIN

— PAGE 3A

Mark Biviano, R-Searcy 61 percent

COUNTING GOES INTO NIGHT

Searcy voters chose to deny the advertising and promotion (A&P) tax which would have raised money from restaurant and hotel revenue to allocate money for Searcy parks and recreation. Fifty-seven percent of voters were opposed to the tax and 43 percent voted for the A&P tax. Ernie Blount, chairman of the Independent Tea Party of White County, actively opposed the A&P tax. He said he was pleased with the outcome. "It wasn't about the penny," Blount said. "It was about taking more money from workers' wallets to furnish non-essential services." Blount said there were no potential changes to the tax which would cause him to support it at this time. Alderman Don Raney proposed the tax in July. He said he felt strongly about the tax and was disappointed the majority of voters did not support it. "I'm sorry that it didn't pass," Raney said. "I wanted it to, but the people have spoken and that's all you can say." If it had passed, the A&P tax would have collected 1 percent from gross receipts on prepared foods and 3 percent from gross receipts on hotels and motels to be used for Searcy parks and recreation special projects. The tax would have gone into effect July 1, 2013, and it did not have a sunset. Please see A&P | 3A

Obama wins second term

63% 37%

Bald Knob City Council Ward 3, Position 2 n Roger Pearrow, I n Larry Usrey, I

47% 53%

Higginson City Council Ward 2, Position 1* n Nora Beth Reynolds, I n Nancy E. Phipps. I n Juanita Pope, I Ward 3, Position 1* n Craig D. Spencer, I n Jan Mullen, I n Glen L. Swanson, I Ward 3, Position 2* n Dennis Usery, I n David Mullen, I n Glenda Crawford, I

49% 31% 20% 21% 43% 36% 43% 30% 27%

Ward 2, Position 1 n Lena Rohrscheib n Scott Jones Ward 2, Position 2 n Lela Strange n Bobby Crisco

41% 59%

49% 51%

Bradford City Council Ward 3, Position 1 n Doyle A. Middleton, I n Wesley Burrus, I

33% 67%

Bald Knob sales tax For Against

38% 62%

Pangburn sales tax For Against

50.21% 49.79%

McRae sales tax For Against

60% 40%

Beebe Fire District issue 1 For Against

60% 40%

Beebe Fire District issue 2 For Against

52% 48%

Big Creek Constable n Jimmie Altom, R n Nathan James, D

74% 26%

Dogwood Constable*

n Duane Whited, R n Sharon Jackson, D n Randall Homsley, I

35% 43% 22%

*Race headed to runoff.

Cotton defeats Jeffress to win state US House seat BY JEANNIE NUSS The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK — Republican Tom Cotton won a southern Arkansas congressional seat in Tuesday's election after defeating Democrat Gene Jeffress, setting the GOP up for a sweep of the state's four House districts. The former management consultant and Army veteran defeated Jeffress, a state senator

“

from Louann, in the race for the 4th District. He succeeds retiring Democratic Congressman Mike Ross. "All around Arkansas we see conservatives winning up and down the ballot and it just goes to show that Arkansas is at root a conservative state that wants less government and lower taxes and more liberty," Cotton told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Please see COTTON | 3A

Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN

American President, 1809-1865

”

The Daily Citizen

From Page One

Governor casts ballot in Searcy

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 • Page 3A

Obama powers to re-election over Romney BY DAVID ESPO

The Associated Press

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signs in to vote on Tuesday morning as election worker Karen Davis checks his name on the registry. Beebe cast his ballot at West Race Baptist Church in Searcy. He said his vote in the presidential race was for Barack Obama. Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Beebe to pardon 7

Voters get flu shots at poll

Jennifer Curry of Searcy was the first person to receive her flu shot on Tuesday during the Vote and Vacs event offered by the White County Health Department at West Race Baptist Church in Searcy. Health department nurse Suzanne Smith gives her flu vaccination. Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe has announced his intent to grant pardons to seven people convicted of various crimes. A news release from the governor's office says each of the seven have completed jail time and all parole and probation requirements and have paid their fines. Among the seven is Mickel Warren of Searcy for forgery, burglary and theft. Beebe also denied clemency requests of 53 others. There is a 30-day waiting period for public comment on the pardons before final action.

Ill. man accused of killing 8 guilty in 2nd trial

MORRISON, Ill. — An Illinois man accused of killing eight people from two states in 2008 was found guilty Tuesday in the death of a 93-year-old man. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours in Whiteside County Court before finding Nicholas Sheley guilty of murder in the June 2008 death of Russell Reed at Reed's home in northern Illinois, The (Sterling) Daily Gazette reported (http://bit.ly/ RH0nuw ). It was Sheley's second trial. The 33-year-old man from Sterling already has been convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence for the killing of a Galesburg man in 2008. Sheley also still faces trials in the other six killings. He could be sentenced to another life term without possibility for parole at his Jan. 16 sentencing in Reed's death. During closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutors recounted tes-

timony about fingerprints linking Sheley to the crime scene and told jurors that Sheley brutally beat Reed in his quest for money to buy crack cocaine. "Each of those injuries to Mr. Reed's face, neck and chest could have been fatal all by themself," Assistant Attorney General Michael Atterberry said. Sheley's attorney, Jeremy Karlin, tried to cast doubt on the motives of some witnesses who testified against Sheley, saying many were criminals or suspects in other crimes themselves who would say anything to win favor with prosecutors. Karlin also argued that testimony about a 2009 letter in which Sheley said he planned to confess was written to cover up for his brother. Joshua Sheley was later acquitted of any role in Reed's death. "This is not an honest admission of guilt," Karlin said. The trial was a major test of

COTTON CONTINUED FROM 1A

Cotton, 35, had been widely favored to win the seat after racking up endorsements during his primary bid from national Republican leaders such as Sen. John McCain of Arizona and conservative groups such as the Club for Growth. Jeffress, who didn't have a website until after he won his party's nomination this summer, trailed Cotton in fundraising and organization. Republicans had identified Ross' seat as a top target after he announced that he wouldn't seek reelection last year. Arkansas lawmakers redrew the boundaries of the district to include traditionally Republican counties in northwestern Arkansas. "This district is used to sending Democrats to Washington. Now, we will send a Republican," Cotton said to applause from supporters at a rally Tuesday night. Cotton, who served in

Illinois' experiment with cameras in the courtroom. The Illinois Supreme Court announced in January that it would allow courtroom cameras for the first time in the state under a pilot program. Sheley's is the highestprofile trial to allow them to date. The families of Russell Reed, Ronald Randall — the Galesburg man Sheley was convicted of killing — and Brock Branson, another man Sheley is accused of killing, were in the crowded courtroom Tuesday. Prosecutors said Sheley killed Reed in his home in Sterling about 115 miles west of Chicago on June 23, 2008, and stole his car. Reed's body was found in the car's trunk three days later. Sheley did not testify during the trial or his previous one involving Randall's murder. Investigators allege that Reed was the first person Sheley killed in the spree.

WASHINGTON— President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican M i t t Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered OBAMA his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. "This happened because of you. Thank you" Obama tweeted to supporters as he secured four more years in the White House. The president sealed his victory in Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire and Colorado, four of the nine battleground states where the two rivals and their allies spent nearly $1 billion on dueling television commercials. Ultimately, the result of the brawl of an election campaign appeared likely to be the political status quo. Democrats won two more years of control of the Senate, and Republicans were on track to do likewise in the House. Romney was in Massachusetts, his long and grueling bid for the presidency at an unsuccessful end. The two rivals were close in the popular vote. Romney had 45.2 million votes, or 49 percent. Obama had 45 million,

also 49 percent, with 65 percent of precincts tallied. But Obama's laser-like focus on battleground states gave him the majority in the electoral vote, where it mattered most. He had 284, or 14 more than needed for victory. Romney had 200. Yet to be settled were battlegrounds in Florida, Virginia and Nevada. The election emerged as a choice between two very different visions of government - whether it occupies a major, front-row place in American lives or is in the background as a less-obtrusive facilitator for private enterprise and entrepreneurship. The economy was rated the top issue by about 60 percent of voters surveyed as they left their polling places. But more said former President George W. Bush bore responsibility for current circumstances than Obama did after nearly four years in office. About 4 in 10 said the economy is on the mend, but more than that said it was stagnant or getting worse more than four years after the near-collapse of 2008. The survey was conducted for The Associated Press and a group of television networks. Democrats got off to a quick start in their bid to renew their Senate majority, capturing seats in Indiana and Massachusetts now in Republican hands.

Hard at work

Cheryl Evans, left, White County Clerk-elect, assists Clerk Marquita Teague at the clerk's office Tuesday afternoon. Evans has been at the clerk's office this week in preparation for her term, which begins in January. Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

SENATE Iraq and Afghanistan, ran partly on a pledge to push for a repeal of the federal health care law and said he wanted to replace it with new reforms. Jeffress said he didn't know if he would have voted for the overhaul, but said he was opposed to its repeal. Jeffress didn't immediately return a phone message left Tuesday night. Cotton has called for cutting the nation's spending and reforming the federal income tax code. He also has said he would have voted against the deal to raise the nation's borrowing limit last year, and that he supports a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget. "From what I've read and seen, he's a man who will make some changes," said Mike Harris, who voted for Cotton on Tuesday in Pine Bluff. "That's what we need up there. We need some congressmen who will try something different."

Serving Searcy and White County since 1854

CONTINUED FROM 1A

Rogers also won Woodruff County by a count of 297 votes (86 percent) to Dismang's 48 votes (14 percent). White County Election Commission Chairman Winston Collier said White County had its results in at 9:52 p.m., a grand feat considering ballot problems and a high voter turnout. "That's not bad for the secondlargest land mass county in the

state," he said. "In spite of how late the press said we would have results, our poll workers really stepped up and White County votes were counted earlier than in prior races." More then 25,000 voters cast ballots in White County, which Collier said was more than the commission expected. "We are appreciative of the poll workers, the clerk's office and the election coordinators who worked

hard to make this a smooth election with a high turnout and no problems," he said. Senate District 28 encompasses southeastern White County, including Searcy, Kensett, Higginson, Beebe, West Point, Griffithville, Garner and McRae. The district also includes all of Prairie County and portions of Lonoke, Monroe, Arkansas and Woodruff counties.

A&P CONTINUED FROM 1A

A similar A&P tax was passed by the city council in 2009, then overturned in a special vote a few months later. That tax generated nearly $460,000 in five months in 2010. This year's proposed tax was forecasted to bring in

Searcy Cinema 8

$971,392.68 in one year, based on five months of 2009 A&P revenues. Raney said he did not have any plans to propose the tax again, but he wouldn't rule it out. "I really just can't say," Raney said. "It's been defeated twice. I wouldn't

think, but I can't say its totally gone." This year's A&P tax differed from the 2009 edition in that the funds would have been managed by city officials

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