Candidate profiles

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

BISONS PLAY HOST TO WEST ALABAMA

The HU football team hosted West Alabama Saturday night in conference action. — PAGE 1B

US-CHINA TIES STRAINED BY DISSIDENT

Obama’s push for China to release an imprisoned Nobel laureate could disrupt relations. — PAGE 2A

Candidates explain platforms

LAFORCE

MORRIS

REEVES

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The three candidates in the Searcy mayor’s race were asked by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms this week. Because a poll taken by The Daily Citizen, published Oct. 3, showed almost 40 percent of registered voters who intended to vote in the election and who were contacted in the poll had yet to make up their mind, the candidates were asked how they would appeal to

undecided voters. The race is non-partisan, meaning none of the three have party affiliations on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. Discussions of issues in the race has included revenue from the Searcy Advertising and Tourism Promotion (A&P) tax, which was begun and ended last year. In a special election this year, voters declined to reinstate the tax. Currently there is just over $450,000 in revenue from the tax waiting to be spent.

Belinda LaForce

The Daily Citizen: Mayor, you have said in discussing the A&P tax that the city still had “multiple needs present.” What in your opinion is going to be the best way, specifically to spend the A&P revenue now on hand? LaForce: “With my previous discussions with the Searcy Parks Advisory Board it is my understanding that their position is that the most pressing need is to purchase property for the future expanCONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

Lilia Rowley holds a prized possession — a U.S. flag presented to her at a city council meeting by Higginson Mayor Randall Homsley — as she sits in the Higginson City Park Thursday. Rowley was born in the Philippines and has recently become a U.S. citizen. Warren Watkins/ warren@thedailycitizen.com

Philippines native first visited US in 2005

H

CITIZENSHIP QUESTIONS

1. What does the U.S. Constitution do? 2. What are the rights in the Declaration of Independence? 3. Where is the U.S. Capitol? 4. What is the promise you make when you become a U.S. Citizen? [Answers in Page 3A.]

After six years of correspondence, the pair finally met when Lilia came to Arkansas on a fiancé visa in 2005. The two married in

2006. After a three-year wait as a permanent resident and $4,000 in red-tape costs, Lilia was able to complete the requirements to become a U.S. citizen, including a face-to-face interview in Memphis, Tenn., having biometric tests done consisting of fingerprinting and photographing, studying for two months and then taking a test. “One thing they asked me in the interview and on the test was, ‘Who is the president now?’” Lilia said with her characteristic giggle. The study material consisted of 100 questions but only 10 were

on the test. Needing to answer six correctly to pass, Lilia got a perfect 10. “‘That was easy,’ I told the lady,” Lilia said. “It was just basic.” The “easy” questions Lilia correctly answered included, “What does the U.S. Constitution do?” and “What are the rights in the Declaration of Independence?” and “Where is the U.S. Capitol?” Then came the big question. “What is the promise you make when you become a U.S. Citizen?” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

Obama hits GOP education spending cut proposal

By Darlene Superville The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Offering voters a reason to keep Democrats in power on Capitol Hill, President Barack Obama says Republicans would cut education spending and put the country's economic future at risk if they had their way. A quality education is paramount, Obama said. He suggested

that federal spending on education is one area where he would not compromise. "What I'm not prepared to do is shortchange our children's education," Obama said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address. Obama has spent much of the past two weeks contrasting a GOP proposal to cut spending, presumably including on education, with

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the billions of dollars he's investing to improve learning from kindergarten through college. That includes money for public schools, community colleges and to help make it cheaper and easier for families to afford higher education for their children. This week, Obama announced a new public-private sector partnership to help match community

college graduates and businesses with jobs to fill. The White House also held its first-ever summit on the state of community colleges. In his weekly message, Obama acknowledged that the country faces tight fiscal times, but he said a good education is too important to the country's future prosperity to do it on the cheap.

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

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Judsonia homes Capacity: Eight Optimum number: Six or seven Staying period: 30-90 days

Foster homes needed Many children, families struggling

HIGGINSON RESIDENT BECOMES U.S. CITIZEN

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com IGGINSON — Liberty might be a byword for some or part of a slogan for others, but for Lilia Rowley, 38, freedom is as real as life gets. Born in Binalonan, Pangasinan, Republic of the Philippines, Rowley was working as a housemaid in Hong Kong in 1998, sending badlyneeded money home to her parents, when she was contacted by Dan Rowley. Using the “Heart of Asia” paid website, Rowley had obtained Lilia’s address, written an introductory letter, put a stamp on it and sent it off.

ARKANSAS BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOMES

By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com JUDSONIA — Many children are finding themselves in need of new families and resources are running thin, according to Ken Russell, a foster parent with Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home (ABC) in Judsonia. “The need is very great,” said Russell. “We need more, we need people to step up to the plate and get these kids a place to stay.” Russell began foster parenting about seven years ago, soon after his youngest child left home. “My wife, Vanessa, had empty nest syndrome,” Russell said. “She was about to go nuts because she had nobody to take care of.” Thinking that foster care would be a phase, Russell agreed to start taking in children. “But once we got into it, I guess the good Lord put it in my heart also,” Russell said. For six years, Russell and his wife hosted children in their own home. Then, they found out the previous host parents at ABC, Don and Juanita Gay, wanted to retire, and the Russells decided to take over for them. “Since October, we’ve had 80 kids run through here,” Russell said. “That’s a tremendous amount of children.” The home works as a kind CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

Not-guilty plea entered in 4-person car fatality

The Associated Press CONWAY — A not-guilty plea has been entered by one of two men charged with firstdegree murder as a result of a road-rage chase that ended with the deaths of four family members in a car struck by one of the vehicles involved in the chase. Bail for 38-year-old James Holian was set at $500,000 after he entered his plea Friday at Conway before Faulkner County Circuit Judge Charles E. Clawson. Holian, who lives at Cabot, faces four counts of firstdegree murder, along with the man police identify as the other driver involved in the road-rage chase — 29-year-old Russell Johnston of Vilonia.

In a world of inhumanity, war and terrorism, American citizenship is a very precious possession. PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY American activist, 1924

Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277

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Page 2A • Sunday, October 10, 2010

NATION & STATE

Mayor: Searcy candidates elaborate on platforms

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

sion of our sports complex and Riverside Park, while it is available. I believe it would be in the best interest of the city to also hold public meetings to enlist comments from the general public prior to taking to the city council for their final decision. TDC: What is the “team of professionals� you said was needed for economic development? Are they in place now or will they be put in place? LaForce: “I was referring to the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation, Searcy Chamber of Commerce, Metro Little Rock Regional Alliance, White River Planning & Development District,Inc.andtheArkansas Department of Economic Development which I have been associated with and/or a board member for the past eight years. In addition to those listed above, I would include the new Advancing White County Strategic Planning Committee, which I serve as co-chair. I would also mention that I have just completed my three years of study and testing and earned by Professional Community and Economic Developer certification from the Community Development Council.� TDC: “How would you approach undecided voters at this point in the campaign?� LaForce: “I could quote facts and speak to the many programs, policies and services the city has accomplished during my eight years as mayor, but quite frankly, I think it is very important not to tell the voter what they’ve already experienced, read or heard. Now is the time to address their questions or concerns. I represent the entire city, where aldermen represent a specific ward. So the voters’ issues will be varied across the city. There are issues that are pertinent to our existing business and industries. I address issues as I am made aware of them, whether by a citizen, a group, a department head or a member of the city council. I have and I will continue to address the issues and I’ll go to task for our citizens and our department heads. “The city is a service organization. The various departments within the city provide those respective services. The department heads and I are a team which meets monthly as a group to discuss issues and communicate as a whole and independently as needed. “I have been employed or elected to serve the citizens of Searcy for a total of 34 consecutive years. I’ve proven myself reliable and dedicated to serving the best interests of the city, and a person of integrity and honesty. I am the only candidate that has actual leadership experience in city government. I am the only candidate that can provide the city with a continuance

of city operations with no downtime for “learning the ropes.� Why change horses in mid-stream?�

David Morris

TDC: Mr. Morris, you have said that as mayor you would “help establish an environment that would promote healthy discussions regarding our city’s business.� Is this needed, in your opinion, and how would you do it? Morris: “Open lines of communications is the key. I’m running a very positive campaign and I’m not going to comment negatively on the current operation of city government. I would invite open communications between the city council members and myself as mayor.� TDC: Do you think there is a spirit of cooperation in city hall and the council? Morris: “After attending regular meetings of the city council for the past year and half, I see that on various issues there appears to be much contention, discontent and lack of cooperation from time to time.� TDC: You said “standing committees and special purpose committees could be utilized in order to better expedite the city’s business� and that you would work with them as mayor. To what committees were you referring? Morris: “I feel like a city government should have a budget and finance committee, a personnel committee that oversees the various personnel issues and city departments and a building and grounds committee or a property committee. A lot of the work could be done working through standing committees prior to the regular city council meetings. Special needs committees could be appointed to address various individual situations that arise from time to time, therefore work could be done before council meetings — investigative work, research work — looking into various options.� TDC: What committees does the city have in place now? Morris: “I don’t know. I don’t know a complete list of them because I haven’t gone up there and asked for them.� TDC: Concerning economic development, you said, “We must place a greater emphasis on retention and expansion of existing local industry and business in Searcy.� Please explain. Morris: “Over the past several years a lot of existing jobs have been lost in the Searcy area and therefore possibly, working with existing business and industry, more of these jobs could have been kept in the Searcy area. Working with various businesses and companies, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce possibly could have prevented

some of the job losses.� TDC: What did Mayor LaForce do concerning this? Morris: “ I don’t know what she did so I can’t compare to what I would do.� TDC: What specifically is your economic development plan? Morris: “I’ve not got a plan I’m going to reveal to you today. I have a lot of contacts at the state and federal level that I feel like I could employ as mayor that would hopefully help us retain existing jobs and to recruit new industry.� TDC: How would you approach undecided voters at this point in the campaign? Morris: “I would approach them the same way I approach other voters, by telling them that as a former county judge, and having worked with the Arkansas Association of Counties, I have experience that will help me to serve as mayor.�

Kyle Reeves

TDC: You said you would like to use the revenue from the A&P tax to fix the city’s pool and for economic development. What are the specifics of your plan? Reeves: “As of two years ago the pool was costing the city $117,000 a year to maintain. I think we need to look at the immediate needs of our citizens by fixing the pool’s liner.� TDC: Earlier you said, “We need to downsize the city budget.� Such as? Reeves: “I will propose an ordinance that says elected officials can’t give themselves a raise. The city offers full medical benefits to aldermen, yet they don’t even work close to part time.� TDC: How much would that save the city? Reeves: “I don’t know.� TDC: What other budget cuts do you propose? Reeves: “We need to cut the mayor’s car allowance and let the mayor drive a city vehicle. That would save $6,700, I think. More money could be saved by combining departments.The street and sanitation departments could be combined under the same department head after Sam [Watson] retires. I’d institute a hiring freeze, letting the number of employees downsize through attrition. We could reassign employees. The code enforcement department could be combined with the fire department and save another $50,000$60,000 in a department head’s salary. Since most of the code is based on fire e d _i_i c Z 7 m [ D

Tents

CATS & DOGS 2

By Foster Klug The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's push for China to release an imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate and rising economic and trade friction could aggravate U.S. efforts to win crucial Chinese cooperation on global hot spots. Ever-delicate U.S.-China relations had seemed to be warming, with the countries agreeing recently to end an eight-month freeze on military exchanges. But Obama's praise Friday for Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo's Nobel award will likely further rattle China at a time when the United States is stepping up pressure on Beijing over a currency policy Washington

blames for job losses in the United States. This recent swing from calls for cooperation to criticism is typical of a complicated relationship that both countries call important for world stability. U.S. officials are trying, with varying success, to press China on economic and human rights matters without jeopardizing Chinese support on Iranian and North Korean nuclear standoffs, climate change and other difficult issues. The Obama administration says the relationship is mature enough to weather disagreements and to engage in blunt discussions. But Beijing, wary of appearing weak at a time of rising nationalism and deep social turmoil, often bristles at what it views as U.S. interference.

The Associated Press JONESBORO — Two candidates for the presidency of the Arkansas State University system have been told to hold off coming to Jonesboro for previously arranged interviews. Thetwohadbeeninvitedby an ASU search committee for interviews next Wednesday. But Tom Meredith, a search consultant hired by the ASU

board, said he had been in contact with Richard Federinko of Dadeville, Ala., and William B. Richardson Jr., of Baton Rouge, La., and told them not to come. Meredith told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazettethat,instead of interviews with the search committee, he expects that the ASU board will extend invitations to the pair to come to the campus for interviews.

No interviews yet, 2 ASU president candidates told

CORRECTIONS

The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 268-8621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

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code anyway, it’s just logical. I believe Jacksonville has a set-up like that. I’ve heard that. I haven’t confirmed that. I wish I had a copy of the budget. I want to look hard at our IT [information technology] department and some of the contracts we have for maintenance and support as well as our purchasing practices.� TDC: How much money would that save? Reeves: “I’m not sure. My problem is not having access to all the numbers. Until you get into it you don’t know. As mayor I would be working with department heads and seeing the total picture from the inside. Another thing I’d like to cut is the aldermen going to the [Arkansas] municipal league. There is expense with that for travel and hotels. That organization is nothing more than an insurance company and lobbyist organization.� TDC: How much would that save? Reeves: I don’t know what the travel budget is. It was $10,000. TDC: What’s the total in cuts to the budget you propose? Reeves:About $250,000. I don’t want to go into specifics with you. TDC: Did you vote to cut the budget while you were on the city council? Reeves: “I would have liked to, but no. I voted for them but it was in committee meetings that I brought up these ideas.� TDC: How would you approach undecided voters at this point in the campaign? Reeves: “What I am doing is making sure that they know that I am the Republican and David and Belinda were formerly elected as Democrats and that a vote for either one of them will be a continuation of what we’ve had for the last eight years.�

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Rhonda Dollins • (501) 268-RENT (7368) 603 Marion St. • Peppertree Plaza • Searcy, AR Friend us on Facebook; In Any Event

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October 11, 2010 6:30-8:30 p.m. American Heritage Center Auditorium PAUL R. C ARTER C OLLEGE of BUSINESS A DMINISTRATION H A R DI N G U N I V E R S I T Y, S E A RC Y, A R

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Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

POWER OUTAGES BELOW 1K AFTER STORM The number of outages caused by a thunderstorm in Arkansas was below 1,000 on Monday. — PAGE 2A

BALD KNOB BUILDING CONFIDENCE

The Bulldogs are gaining confidence as they hit the practice field this week. — PAGE 1B

Senate hopefuls discuss lottery

LILES

No incumbent in District 29 race with departure of Capps

RANEY

SEARCY CITY COUNCIL WARD 3 POSITION 2

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for Arkansas Senate District 29 were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms. The race has no incumbent as long-time Democrat Senator

Incumbent: Jackie Liles Challenger: Don Raney Ward description: Southwest Searcy from but not including Searcy Country Club to the sports complex and from downtown to the south city limits.

Council race focuses on streets

ARKANSAS SENATE DIST. 29

Incumbent: None Republican: Jonathan Dismang Democrat: Sandra Prater District description: S. White County including, Searcy, Kensett, Beebe and El Paso; also included is a gerrymandered strip of land from Kensett to Pulaski County to a point just west of Jacksonville DISMANG

John Paul Capps is term-limited. Republican Jonathan Dismang faces Democrat Sandra Prater in the race, which will be on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

PRATER

Jonathan Dismang

The Daily Citizen: Representative Dismang, you said the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Commission has “excessive sala-

ries” for its staff. What are you going to do about that? Dismang: “While the top four paid employees cumulatively make nearly $1,000,000 on an annual basis, which I believe is quite excessive, the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship’s operations and expenditures are autonomous of general revenues and not under the direct control of the state legislature. However, as state senator, I do believe that it is my responsibility to help ensure that the lottery is CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

New historical marker unveiled

Incumbent challenged in non-partisan contest By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for Searcy alderman, Ward 3 Position 2, were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms. Jackie Liles is seeking to retain his seat, challenged by Don Raney. The race is non-partisan, meaning none of the candidates for city council have party affiliations on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Jackie Liles

The Daily Citizen: Alderman Liles, you said you plan to foster economic growth in Searcy by making certain “our city ordinances do not hinder economic development.” What kind of ordinances would do that? Liles: “Anything like what we just passed. We increased the fees on large scale developments. Similar to that. I didn’t think we needed it. I didn’t think we need the extra money. It’s getting plenty. We’ve already got an ordinance anyway with different type things like that — fees.” TDC: You said, “a traffic study of our city streets is needed” and so the streets can be improved on “a regular cycle.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

Photographers come together in Searcy

By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com As more and more new faces pop up in Searcy’s historic downtown, a pair of women are documenting lives in a studio on Arch Street. Zoe Portrait Art opened for business Oct. 9 and is the joint effort of Maggie What: Photography studio H e n d r i x focusing on naturally lit and Cheryl portraiture Weaver. Where: 213 W. Arch St., W e a v e r Suite C o r i g i n a l l y Who: Maggie Hendrix and found herself Cheryl Weaver in Searcy in 1988 as a freshman at Harding University after traveling from Ventura, Calif. Since then, she has moved away from the town twice, but has ended up back here both times. “It’s almost a joke now,” she said. “Searcy kind of sucks you back in, even if you try to get away. But I love it here.”

Joe Difani Jr., left, and Joe Difani Sr. unveil the new historical marker near Whitney Lane in Kensett. The marker designates an area where in May 1862 a small Confederate group consisting of Texas soldiers and some White County men routed a Union foraging party on the road between Searcy and West Point. The battle prompted Union forces to postpone marching into Little Rock. The Difanis are descendants of Pvt. Lorenz Difani, one of the Union soldiers who died in the battle. Luke Jones/ljones@thedailycitizen.com

ZOE PORTRAIT ART

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

State G&FC drops proposal to amend info process

The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — A member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says the panel has voted to drop a proposal to amend its public-information policies that had drawn fire from Gov. Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.

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Today: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 15 to 20 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Cooler. Lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Commission member Emon Mahony of El Dorado said the commission took the action Monday at a special meeting called to consider the matter. He said the matter was dropped

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

out of respect for Beebe and McDaniel. Last week, a threemember panel of the commission recommended approval of a measure that would restrict public access to a vast amount of infor-

“

mation, ranging from potentially "embarrassing" information to names of people who hold hunting and fishing licenses. McDaniel said the Game and Fish Commission had no authority to rewrite the state's Freedom of Information Act, and Beebe threatened to strip state funding from the agency.

Mediocrity would always win by force of numbers, but it would win only more mediocrity. ELLEN GLASGOW

American novelist, 1874-1945

Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277

”

Page 2A • Tuesday, October 26, 2010

NATION & STATE

Power outages below 1,000 after Ark. storm

The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — The number of power outages caused by a severe thunderstorm in central Arkansas is now below 1,000. Entergy reported on its website Monday morning that about 900 customers remained without power following the

Sunday afternoon storm. Most of the outages are in southwest Little Rock where authorities say several trees were blown down by high winds of

more than 60 miles per hour. About 14,000 customers were without power immediately after the storm. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday as the storm approached the Little Rock area — but no twister was sighted.

The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — A new report says four of Arkansas' 10 public universities funded more than 20 percent of their athletic programs with state revenue and student tuition last year. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education report

found overall spending rose 11 percent last year at the state's two-year colleges and four-year universities. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported$116.7millionoverall was spent on college athletics. Southern Arkansas University used state funding and tuition to pay for 40 percent of its

athletic budget. At Henderson State the percentage was 35.4 percent, at Arkansas Tech it was 28.7 percent and at Arkansas-Monticello it was 22.7 percent. The report will be sent to the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee as required by state law.

from which they retired? Dismang: “I have no problem with an employee moving to a separate job and then collecting a deserved retirement. However, I do take issue with those that are “tricking” the system only to return to the same position.”

ing businesses to encourage small business growth and expansion.” TDC: Concerning improving state roads in the district, how can the Blue Ribbon Commission’s report be implemented? Prater: “First, the present funding formula must be evaluated to ensure that the money is being used for the most urgent transportation needs. I think we must have input from all involved on the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commissions report which is due Dec. 1. I will work to ensure that the 5 percent from the severance tax collected is distributed back to White County for repair of roads and bridges. TDC: What is your opinion of state employees who collect retirement while also collecting a salary at the job from which they retired? Prater: “If you retire, then retire. I believe it is an abuse of the system. I do not think it is fair to those who in good faith apply for that job opening and then that person is rehired. While some changes were made in the 2009 session in hopes of stopping the abuse, I believe more changes are needed.”

Report: College athletics rise

Senate: Hopefuls discuss Ark. lottery

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

running in the manner that voters had intended. I will work with the Legislative Lottery Oversight Committee to ensure that the lottery’s budget works to provide as many scholarships as possible. TDC: You’ve promised to prioritize the restoration of a grade-inflation provision to a lottery bill. Why? Dismang: “This would have resulted in increased parental involvement in those struggling schools and increased encouragement to ensure that those schools’ administrations were adequately dealing with this problem.” TDC: How will you work toward eliminating the tax on capital gains? Dismang: “I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation during the last legislative session. I will continue to support policies that encourage economic growth and ease the tax burden on everyday Arkansans.” TDC: How will you work toward decreasing sales tax on energy used by manufacturers? Dismang: “Our manufacturers and small businesses are overtaxed. Regionally, we are one of the last states to have a sales tax on manufacturing energy. With Arkansas ranking 40th in business tax climate nationally, we must make our state more attractive to potential investors. Working with our local and state chambers ... I will push for the legislature to recognize the job creation opportunities that would arise from the elimination of this tax. TDC: What would be a fairer distribution method for the severance tax? Dismang:“Approximately 20 percent of the severance tax is being collected from royalty owners. This means a substantial sum of money is leaving our local economy and being distributed around the scam. ... I will advocate that this 20 percent taken from our local citizens, be specifically allocated to road repair in our impacted areas, not road projects throughout the state.” TDC: What is your opinion of state employees who collect retirement while also collecting a salary at the job

Sandra Prater

TDC: Concerning the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, you said “the business part has worked well.” But do you think there are exorbitant salaries being paid to the staff? Prater: “Yes. I think if there is an administrative change these salaries must be reevaluated. I believe more money should be directed for scholarships and not salaries. I think the legislature may need to take a more active role in personnel issues.” TDC: You want more scholarships from the lottery given to non-traditional students. How can you effect that? Prater: “I think the guidelines regarding non-traditional students needs to be revisited. We should broaden our guidelines to encourage the non-traditional students to return to school. This would be beneficial in recruiting additional businesses to White County by having a well educated workforce available.” TDC: What do you plan to do to promote workforce education in the district? Prater: “We need to work with our local universities to ensure that the necessary programs and training is available to assist both new and existing businesses. I will encourage the Arkansas Department of Workforce to be actively involved with our local schools to ensure that job training programs are available to meet the needs of the business community. We must work with our local industries and help them meet their growing needs.” TDC: How can you help make funds available to assist businesses for economic development? Prater: “It is vital to work with the Governor’s office to have funds available to help recruit new businesses as well as assisting our existing businesses to expand. We must look at tax incentives and tax breaks for our exist-

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The Daily Citizen

Council: Candidates focus on streets

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

Liles: “Yes, I think we should. [Street Department Director] Sam [Watson] is doing a good job but they’ve got him doing several different things — working at the airport and other things. I’ve been trying to get them to fix a cul-de-sac on James town that floods and all it needs is a drain off the culde-sac. Then there’s a culde-sac on Pioneer Acres that does the same thing. The water goes down there and blocks the natural drain. Sam just doesn’t have the time, it seems like. I don’t know if he’s over the streets or the engineers is. I think the engineer is. You really don’t know who to see about it. Sam can go around and check which streets are bad. The people picking up trash can relay things to him, to whoever’s in charge of the streets. Just like picking up limbs and things like that. People picking up trash can relay that to the boss up there and it wouldn’t have to set in the streets too long maybe.” TDC: You said the quality of life in Searcy is connected to keeping our taxes low. So you’re against new taxes? Liles: “We don’t need no taxes right now, the way the economy is. If anybody comes up with a tax, wanting to increase taxes, well I’d be against it. It shouldn’t be necessary. We can cut back on some things and keep taxes low. You need to do city government efficiently and not have to ask for taxes.” TDC: How should the city attract new businesses? Liles: “We need to have a reserve and when a business comes in we need to help that business as much as possible. We need to use some of our reserve money to go visit factories that are interested in us. We need manufacturing businesses, and if we get that we’ll have enough taxes to keep our taxes low. When the gas people leave we’re going to lose a lot of tax revenue.”

Don Raney

TDC: Mr. Raney, you said “the city needs and will have to join forces with the regional and state chamber organizations and development agencies to attract industry.” Do you think this is already being done to some extent? Has it been effective? Raney: “The city does in fact support and work with the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Searcy Industrial Development Commission but the city, in my opinion, needs to help those entities more and with the efforts to attract industries to this area. We have a great chamber board and commission board but those two entities and the city need to step hand in hand with recruiting and efforts to attract businesses to Searcy. To that extent, Searcy needs to be in contact with the state development agencies as well as working with the chamber and commission to be ready to land an industry here in Searcy.” TDC: You said, “It may take improvements of utilities” for economic development. What improvements are needed? Raney: “Any city who wants to attract a new industry really needs land available and ready on which is already situated water and sewer service at the minimum. It is difficult if not impossible to land a company who wants to locate a new business or industry if the city or development commission does not have land available which already has utilities situated on the

site. That takes planning, funds and foresight to be ready and I feel the city needs help the chamber and commission any way possible.” TDC: You mentioned a “priority system” for improvement of city streets “where the city engineer and street department” recommend needs annually. Should the city council then vote annually on streets that should be repaired? Raney: “It does as far as I am aware with the priority system being based on need of the street and areas of the city. The council’s action is approval of the recommendations made by the department representatives for the city. We have a good engineering staff and street department and the council needs to listen to those departments to understand the needs of the city.” TDC: How would you help growth and improvement in the city’s park system? Raney: “First and foremost with continued support of the Parks and Recreation Department and Commission. Any assistance the city council can give to that commission and any other group to continue the expansion of our present recreation facilities is what the city council needs to be doing at this time. We have good facilities but some need repair and replacement and with the growth in the activities at those facilities and the number of people using the recreation facilities of the city we need to create new recreation facilities.”

CORRECTIONS

The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 268-8621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

LIONS AIMING FOR IMPROVEMENT

Searcy’s offensive woes continue after failing to score a point against Jonesboro. — PAGE 1B

THE BATTLE OF WHITNEY’S LANE

What: Confederate raid on a Union foraging party When: May 19, 1862 Victor: Confederacy Casualties: Union, 55; Confederate, four

Rebels held off Union in Kensett

Historical marker to be dedicated

By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com Scott Ackridge of Bradford grew up hearing whispered stories of Civil War battles near his hometown of Kensett. One, the Battle of Whitney’s Lane, was supposed to have kept the Union forces out of Little Rock for a time. As an adult, Ackridge found himself immersed in history and one day was speaking to fellow historian Emmett Powers at Searcy’s Pioneer Village. The conversation turned to the Kensett battle. “Somebody ought to write something up on that,” Powers said. A $3,000 grant and a great deal of research later and Ackridge and Powers had written a book, “A Severe and Bloody Fight,” about the battle. The conflict began as Colonel Peter J. Osterhaus and a regiment of mostly German immigrant troops marched down the Little Red River towards White County. Osterhaus sent some of his division along the old road between Searcy and West Point (known as Whitney’s Lane) to forage for supplies. According to Ackridge, at this point, an army of 3-5,000 Union soldiers was camped at Searcy Landing (now the River Oaks area). These solCONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

Springdale man sues city, officials over arrest

The Associated Press FAYETTEVILLE — Springdale officials aren't commenting after a local man filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming his civil rights were violated during a 2009 arrest. Johnny Ray Balentine is seeking $250,000 in actual damages along with unspecified punitive damages. The lawsuit names the city, police officers Kristopher Arthur and Chad Wilson, Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley, Mayor Doug Sprouse and City Attorney Jeff Harper as defendants.

Ark. first responders will be learning how better to respond to hazmat-type emergencies. — PAGE 2A

House candidates focus on lottery

Biviano challenging Betts for House seat

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for Arkansas State Representative, District 50, were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms and other issues. In the race Democrat Monty Betts is challenged by Republican Mark Biviano. The race will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Monty Betts

The Daily Citizen: Representative Betts, you’ve made remarks about CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

Boyce, Gillam face off in House race

BETTS

BIVIANO

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 50

Incumbent: Democrat Monty Betts Challenger: Republican Mark Biviano District description: Searcy and the area about five miles around Searcy including Kensett and Higginson but not including Judsonia

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for Arkansas State Representative, District 49, were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms and other issues. The race has no incumbent as current representative Jonathan Dismang is not running for re-election, choosing instead to run as a Republican for Arkansas Senate District 29 against Democrat Sandra Prater. In the Representative’s race,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

BOYCE

GILLAM

STATE REP. DISTRICT 49 Incumbent: None Democrat: Jesse Boyce Republican: Jeremy Gillam District description: South White County excluding Searcy; includes cities of Beebe and Bald Knob

Little Miss Blazing Beauty Queen

Annelisa Jones, 4, far right, rode in the McRae Community Fest parade Saturday morning because she was named Little Miss Blazing Beauty Queen at an Oct. 9 fundraiser held by the McRae Volunteer Fire Department ladies’ auxiliary. Riding with her were, from left, Brittany Strain, Alydia Conklin, 3, who was named Miss Photogenic, and Brandi Davis. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Obama: Consumers lose if financial law repealed

By Andrew Taylor The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says consumers would lose if Republicans regain power in Congress and try to roll back his hard-won Wall Street overhaul. He says the GOP's promised repeal of the law would mean the

return of a financial system whose near-collapse led to the worst recession since the Depression. "Without sound oversight and commonsense protections for consumers, the whole economy is put in jeopardy," Obama said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address. "That doesn't serve Main Street. That doesn't serve Wall

Street. That doesn't serve anyone." The law passed despite nearly unanimous Republican opposition. It sought to rein in a financial system that had sped ahead of outdated rules, allowing banks, traders and others to take increased risks. Separate legislation tackled bank overdraft fees and abuses such as retroactive interest rate

increases on credit card balances. The financial overhaul law came in the wake of a $700 billion bank rescue passed in the final months of George W. Bush's presidency. While the bailout is credited with providing stability, it's deeply unpopular with voters angry of taxpayer money being used to help prop up huge banks.

Iraq war files document more deaths than US counted

By Anne Gearan and Robert Burns The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Military documents laid bare in the biggest leak of secret information in U.S. history suggest that far more Iraqis died than previously acknowledged during the years of sectarian bloodletting and criminal violence unleashed by the American-led invasion in 2003. The accounts of civilian deaths among nearly 400,000 purported

WEATHER

Today: Mostly cloudy. Highs in upper 70s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Tonight: Thunderstorms. Lows in upper 50s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent. Vol. 156, No. 255 ©2010 The Daily Citizen

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GETS GRANT

Iraq war logs released Friday by the WikiLeaks website include deaths unknown or unreported before now — as many as 15,000 by the count of one independent research group. The field reports from U.S. forces and intelligence officers also indicate U.S. forces often failed to follow up on credible evidence that Iraqi forces mistreated, tortured and killed their captives as they battled a violent insurgency. Iraq's prime minister accused WikiLeaks of trying to sabotage

his re-election hopes by highlighting years-old abuses by Iraqi security forces. A statement released Saturday by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office said the documents show no proof of any improper treatment of detainees under alMaliki's administration. The war logs were made public in defiance of the Pentagon, which insisted that the release would put the lives of U.S. troops and their military partners at risk. Although the documents appear

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

“

to be authentic, their origin could not be independently confirmed, and WikiLeaks declined to offer any details about them. The 391,831 documents date from the start of 2004 to Jan. 1, 2010. They provide a ground-level view of the war written mostly by low-ranking officers in the field. The dry reports, full of military jargon and acronyms, were meant to catalog "significant actions" over six years of heavy U.S. and allied military presence in Iraq.

Electricity is really just organized lightning. GEORGE CARLIN

American comedian, 1937-2007

Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277

”

Page 2A • Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Daily Citizen

LOCAL

House: Candidates Biviano and Betts race for House District 50 State news

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

how White County has been impacted by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. What have you seen? Betts: “We have more people enrolling in our colleges and universities in White County because of the scholarships. I think a lot of that is related directly to the scholarships. If there is a positive to the scholarship lottery, that is the positive. Education pays benefits because the more education you have, the more dollars you make. I’d like to see more scholarships available for non-traditional students, people that are wanting to go back to school to better themselves. We have a lot of good institutions in the county for the kids to go to and they are accessible: ASU-Beebe, ASU-Searcy and Harding University. That’s one of our major strengths. We have a quality education system here. I do think we need to go back to the structure of the scholarship lottery and take a hard look at the compensation schedule for those people and what they receive.� TDC: How could we further support the education system in White County to have a better workforce? Betts: “By providing broadband access for students, the medical profession and the education system so people can access the web. Jobs are changing and lots of people are staying home and working at jobs in front of a computer. We’re going to have a good workforce to attract these hitech jobs.� TDC: And how could the medical community be supported? Betts: “When we attract a doctor or surgeon, that brings with it professional jobs. A neurologist has to have the people that work with them, the equipment, the nurses. The more we grow our medical system the more we grow our workforce. One of the ways we do this is like the grant UAMS to expand broadband access for medical facilities. I’ve been trying to work with AT&T to expand broadband access in our area. In 2014, we’re going to online testing for students, and we’re going to have to have 10 times the bandwidth we have now to do that, so that’s going to have to be addressed.� TDC: Do you think there needs to be an increase in White County’s portion of the severance tax? Betts: “We do not need to increase the tax but the portion that comes to White County. What I hear from legislators across the state is this: ‘It’s not enough but the timber companies have messed up roads for years, as has the oil industry in South Arkansas, and they have not received any of the additional severance tax’. So I’m glad we got our part of the five percent for our county. It’s going to be hard to do but at least we need to take a stab at it.� TDC: You’ve talked about White County needing a state park. Are you talking about making Riverside Park in Searcy a state park?

Searcy Cinema 8

Arkansas emergency management gets hazmat grant

Arkansas House District 50 candidates Mark Biviano (left) and Monty Betts listen to an audience member’s question during a White County Tea Party forum Oct. 11. Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com Betts: “I’ve just said that if you look at state parks across the state we do not have one in our area. I just think it would be a good thing for economic development, bringing in tourists. There’s a moratorium on state parks right now and I would not want to deceive people, but that is an area I’d like to see us work on and possibly come up with for people in our area.� TDC: And you’ve called for a public access shooting range. Why? Betts: “It’s getting harder to have access to a good safe place to do that. I visited a public shooting range in another state on vacation one time and it was such a great facility. It was safe and there was a nominal fee for people to shoot and people keep it up. It’s such a great sport — pistol shooting and skeet. TDC: What is your opinion of state employees who collect retirement while also collecting a salary at the job from which they retired? Betts: “If it’s legal and they followed the appropriate steps, I don’t think there’s much that can be done about those that have already done it. Is it fair for them to draw retirement? Yes. Is it fair for them to go back to work at the same job? Probably not. I would think no unless two conditions could be met: If no one qualified applied for the job and if it didn’t cost them any more to re-employ that person.�

Mark Biviano

TDC: You’ve said you don’t want the scholarship lottery revenue spent for noneducation purposes. Biviano: “This is a new agency early in its infancy. We need to make sure the scholarship money gets to the students so it is used for educational purposes. We’ve already seen some exorbitant salaries amongst the officers in the top management, and I think we need to guard against it becoming a large agency that loses its focus.� TDC: What is a salary

that is not exorbitant? Biviano: “We’ve got to be competitive, but a million dollars for the top four, especially in Arkansas, is a pretty high-dollar salary. That seems to be pretty exorbitant for a new agency that really hasn’t proven itself yet. If you’re in business you have to prove yourself in order to make a profit, and for a corporate executive your salary is tied to your performance. With the existing scholarship commission we have not seen their overall performance at this point.� TDC: How could you promote small business growth and innovation in White County, as you’ve said you wanted to? Biviano: “I think there are a couple of things we need to look at. First of all, Arkansas needs to become a state that’s more business-friendly. In order to do that, we need to look at perhaps tax reform, improvements for infrastructure and improvements in our educational system. Locally, if we look at our opportunities, we have tremendous assets here in White County that are not being fully represented. There are other communities that are getting industries. So you have to ask yourself, ‘Why there and why not here?’I think a lot of it has to go back to our ability to sell ourselves and create a vision and be able to explain our capabilities and our assets.� “I’ll give you an example. I was talking with a local industry this week, and that industry recently went through an expansion process to build another plant. Searcy

didn’t make their top 10 even though they have a plant here. I’m not going to identify who it is. A big part of the reason is they didn’t feel like Searcy was being progressive enough or aggressive enough.� “So we need leadership that can help drive our economic plan like a business does, and like a corporation does, where you have defined goals and objectives and defined responsibility. In other words, the state representative for this district needs to take ownership of certain parts of that plan and all of the politicians involved need to own parts of the plan and be accountable for it.� TDC: You’ve said that “the severance taxes collected are not brought back in a fair, appropriate manner.� How so? Biviano: “We need to introduce new legislation and lobby the governor and show them some hard facts about the costs that we’ve incurred and use that data to prove our point that this area being impacted by the gas business has caused significant damage to our roads. The portion White County gets from the severance tax needs to be increased.� TDC: And you’ve said that to provide more money for road maintenance some state revenue should be shifted. From where to where? Biviano: “Fundamentally, we’re talking about the same dollar and it’s being spent across multiple state programs. We have to set our priorities to ensure that we are spending that dollar for the most effective and pro-

CORRECTIONS

The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 268-8621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

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ductive use of the money.� TDC: You said that it’s important for state and local government to work together. Why? Biviano: “I think what we’ve lacked is some leadership with vision, and I believe my 25 years plus as a corporate executive, where I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in a leadership position managing people working on global initiatives, can contribute to the leadership here in District 50. We’ve got to look at the success characteristics of a successful community, and that is bringing together smart people in our community and being collaborative where we can work together in a more productive fashion. I don’t believe we’re tapping those resources among our leaders and people that can make a contribution to our community.� TDC: What is your opinion of state employees who collect retirement while also collecting a salary at the job from which they retired? Biviano: “I think if they’ve earned that retirement, they’re certainly entitled to it. If they’re performing a job function, they should be compensated for it.�

Tea party activist warned over electioneering rule

The Associated Press HOT SPRINGS — The Garland County Election Commission is warning a local tea party activist that she needs to follow the state's law concerning electioneering within 100 feet of a polling site. In the letter, commission chairman Ginna Watson told Diane Silverman that the commission has received allegations that Silverman has electioneered within 100 feet of a polling site in Hot Springs during early voting for the Nov. 2 election. The letter warns Silverman that if she is seeing violating the law, "proper legal action will be taken." $ 00 1 ADMISSION THIS WEEK ONLY

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The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas first responders will be learning better ways to respond to emergencies involving hazardous chemicals and other materials, thankstoanew$272,518grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Arkansas U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Reps. Marion Berry, Vic Snyder and Mike Ross, announced Friday the funds will be used to hire adjunct instructors who will train first responders at police and fire departments throughout state. The money also will help the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management conduct planning and purchase equipment for training courses.

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The Daily Citizen

Sunday, October 24, 2010 • Page 3A

LOCAL

Battle: Rebels disrupted Union at Whitney Lane

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

part of a group commanded by Major General Samuel Curtis who eventually planned to send all of them to capture a sparsely defended Little Rock. The local farms along Whitney’s Lane would have been essentially pillaged by the Union forces, but Major Emory Rogers of Texas was watching them and had a different idea. Rogers watched the foraging party split into three groups and leapt on the opportunity, sending forth a group of 100 Texas soldiers and 50 White County men to disrupt the troops. Against the odds, The small Confederate group succeeded in killing 22 federal troops and wounding 33, while only losing four of their own men. Though the conflict itself was relatively minimal compared to some of the bloodier Civil War battles, it boosted Arkansas morale and caused Major General Curtis, who was camped in Batesville, to change his destination from Little Rock to Helena. Though the Union eventually did capture Little Rock over a year later, the action at Whitney Lane saved several farms from foraging soldiers and sowed panic among the Union. Today, Whitney Lane is a quiet country road and most White County dwellers have forgotten the name Elijah Whitney, who tended the road and whose farm was in danger of being pillaged by the Union. But to protect the memories of both the Union and Confederate soldiers who lost their lives along the lane, a marker has recently been placed near Whitney Lane Family Worship, a short distance from the plains where the battle took place.

JOIN US IN VOTING FOR

MARK BIVIANO

AS OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Scott Ackridge of Bradford stands in front of a new historical market near where, in May 1862, a group of Confederates comprised of 100 Texans and 50 locals disrupted a Federal foraging party. Ackridge is the co-author of the book, “A Severe and Bloody Fight,” which tells the whole story of the battle. Luke Jones/ljones@thedailycitizen.com

A dedication for the marker will occur 2 p.m. this afternoon. Guests — including

a descendent of one of the Union casualties — and reenactors are slated to appear.

Candidates: Boyce, Gillam face off in House race

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

Democrat Jesse Boyce is going against Republican Jeremy Gillam. The race will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Jesse Boyce

The Daily Citizen: Mr. Boyce, you said concerning the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery that yo would like “to see more focus on vocational students and displaced workers.” How so? Boyce: “We have kids that graduated high school that don’t want to go to college, so they have to have skills. We have vocational schools — Searcy’s got a great one. I want to see more emphasis on vocational schools. TDC: So you want scholarship money offered to vocational students? Boyce: Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying — and for displaced workers, too. For example, after a factory shut down we have an educated workforce that knows how to make washing machines and we cold turn that around and they could learn how to make bulldozers. If we’re going to get our economy back online our workers are going to have to have jobs.” TDC: And scholarship money could be offered to displaced workers? Boyce: “The end is to make our state better by having our kids educated better.” TDC: How could you, as a representative, help White County react to the effect of the natural gas industry on state roads? Boyce: “Our roads weren’t designed to have the overlength, over-weight equipment on them. The highway commission was set up years ago and has jurisdiction over our highway system. The legislature doesn’t have direct control but we do allocate the money. TDC: In reference to local municipalities, you said, “I will work to make certain that funds are available and equally distributed among District 49 cities and departments.” What funds? Boyce: “Cities like McRae, for example, need grants for sewer improvement. I’m going to make sure we put money into grant programs so they can have enough money to rebuild their sewer system. Sales tax revenue for McRae is not enough to be able to do what we need to do, and raising rates means users will be paying higher rates for many years to pay for improvements.” TDC: What is your opinion of state employees who collect retirement while also collecting a salary at the job from which they retired? Boyce: “I think it’s bad form. To put it nicely, the fact that it’s legal really bothers me and that needs to be corrected as quick as we can. When they do that it is not in the spirit of the law.”

Jeremy Gillam

TDC: Mr. Gillam, you’ve said that, “one way we can improve the lottery is to increase the number of scholarships awarded to student who attend two-year colleges.” How will that help? Gillam: “I’m wanting to increase the awareness of the availability of these scholarships for two-year schools. I felt like this last year all the focus was on trying to get students to attend four-year schools. But not every student is in a position or even wants to start out by going to a fouryear school. They were not really given as much information about the availability of the two-year scholarships. The dollar amounts that were given for the four-year scholarships did make it more enticing. One thing I would like to see is an increase of the dollar amount of scholarships for two-year schools. Right now it’s $2,500 and I’d like to see that increased. They’re giving the impression that you only get half the education at a two-year school and that could not be further from the truth.” TDC: You’ve mentioned infrastructure improvements that are needed locally. What are they? Gillam: “Improving our rail access in our county, for example and increasing our broadband Internet. I believe that partnering with a group such as ConnectAR will help us bring and distribute the funding necessary for our citizens to improve their Internet access and cell phone coverage. I don’t want to pass legislation to solve these problems, I want to be a partner with these companies.” TDC: What do you think of the portion of money from

the severance tax given to White County? Gillam: “That should be increased. There should be more money set aside for the primarily affected counties in the Fayetteville Shale. And those funds need to be released much faster than they have been to this point. TDC: What is your opinion of state employees who collect retirement while also

collecting a salary at the job from which they retired? Gillam: “I am not in favor of someone retiring and drawing benefits and going back into the same position or a very similar position they once held. I believe in people’s right to work where they want to work but I do not believe that they should just simply retire to collect benefits then return to the same job.”

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The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

BISONS MAKE HISTORY IN CLEVELAND

The Harding football team defeated Delta State for the first time in school history. — PAGE 1B

OBAMA SEEKS TO STOP OVERSEAS HIRING

In his weekly radio/online address, Obama renewed his call for the closing of tax loopholes. — PAGE 2A

Candidates debate road ordinance Republican incumbent Lincoln challenged by Democratic JP Gibson

LINCOLN

GIBSON

COUNTY JUDGE’S RACE Incumbent: Michael Lincoln Challenger: Johney Gibson

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for White County Judge were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms and to answer questions.

Republican Michael Lincoln is seeking to retain his seat as he is challenged by Democrat Johney Gibson, currently the District 6 justice of the peace, on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. The county judge functions like a mayor for the county and the quorum court functions like a city council. Chip/sealing is a process of putting a relatively thin overlay of rock chips and an oil seal on roads, converting gravel roads to paved roads.

Michael Lincoln

The Daily Citizen: Judge, you said you “would like to work with the quorum court to establish an ordinance as it relates to developers building roads to county road specifications.” Why? Lincoln: “Ever since I’ve been in office and they repealed the old ordinance, I’ve talked about needing a front-end ordinance. Much like the cities where developers have to work with the city to meet certain CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

HALF MARATHONS CHALLENGE CITY OFFICIAL

Self-discipline keeps runner on track

Peggy Meads wears her latest medal from the Mother Road Marathon she completed on Oct. 10. Meads has participated in 14 marathons since 2004. Her next half-marathon is in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day. Annette Whitehead/awhitehead@thedailycitizen.com

By Annette Whitehead awhitehead@thedailycitizen.com eggy Meads just celebrated the completion of her 14th half-marathon. She also just celebrated her 61st birthday Thursday. Meads, who currently serves as the Searcy City Clerk/Treasurer, completed the Mother Road Marathon on Oct. 10. The marathon led her from Baxter Springs, Kan. to Joplin, Mo., along historic Route 66. Meads said she finished with her best time yet, finishing with a time of 2:28:09, beating her previous best of 3:14:00. “I’ve improved over PEGGY MEADS the past six years,” she Searcy City Clerk/Treasurer said. regarding half-marathons Meads’ sister usually participates with her, but was unable to join her for the most recent run. “I wanted to do it, so I did,” Meads said. Meads finished at No. 240 out of 506 participants and fourth out of her age group of 12 participants. Her participation in marathons started in 2004 after a colleague challenged her for the Little Rock Marathon.

“In my first one I thought, ‘Am I going to finish?’ Then it changed to thinking how fast I could finish.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

Center on the Square to host 2 Halloween-themed plays Land O’Frost KidStage participants will be haunting Center on the Square Oct. 28-3 with the Halloween-themed plays “Stoppit” and “Shalloween.” The stories are acted by two divisions of the KidStage workshop and are directed by Heather Stringfellow. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28-29 and at 3 p.m. on Oct. 30. There will be a 10 minute intermission between shows. Ticket prices $6 in advance and $8 at the door. “Stoppit,” featuring the grade 2-5 age group, is about a group of schoolchildren trying to find an explanation for the strange events

in their classroom — doors slamming, books falling, and bottles crashing. Led by Luther (Jackson Benight), their investigation leads them to a mysterious foreign student named Jan Scopicz (Jordan Benight). Could this be the real John Stoppit, the subject of a local ghost story? Why is he hiding in the school? And why do strange things happen every time the

WEATHER

Today: Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 5 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Southwest winds 5 mph. Vol. 156, No. 249 ©2010 The Daily Citizen

children’s teacher, Mrs. Devenish (Sierra Carson), says, “Stop it?” “This play leads to a surprise finish that will leave you gasping,” said Heather Stringfellow, director of KidStage. “Shalloween,” which features actors from the grade 6-12 age group, tells the outrageous story of self-proclaimed geeks Alexandra Waters (Marisa Ayers) and Sam Hunt (Davis Polston). When the captain of the football team, Biff Buxley (Christian Peacock), and head cheerleader Julie Johnson (Saige Anderson), invite them to a Halloween party, they come up with the idea to

disguise themselves as “Alex” and “Samantha.” “The confusion builds to a hilarious climax as the duo learns the real meaning of friendship and popularity,” said Stringfellow. Land O’Frost KidStage, a workshop for children in second through 12th grade. Land O' Frost and Beth Patterson Pediatric Dentistry are this semester's sponsors. To purchase tickets call (501) 368-0111 or visit Center on the Square, Quattlebaum Music or the Tangerine Turtle. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.centeronthesquare. org.

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

“

Age: 52 years Average life span: 40 years Action: Evaluation and proactive improvements

Pangburn takes new approach to sewer Improvements planned under watchful ADEQ

Peggy Meads has received a medal for each of the 14 half-marathons in which she has participated. Annette Whitehead/awhitehead@thedailycitizen.com

P

SEWER SYSTEM

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com PANGBURN — With a number of nearby cities suffering under sanctions or threat of action by the state, workers here are planning improvements in the city’s water and sewer systems. Michael Clayton of Clayton Engineering in North Little Rock has been hired by Pangburn to study the city’s systems and make recommendations. Clayton is also the engineer for McRae and Bradford. “This is unusual to see,” Clayton said. “It’s not unusual for towns to take the approach to not spend money until they have to. If residents are not complaining about it, it seems to get neglected.” Clayton believes current efforts by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to crack down on substandard municipal water and sewer systems are a result of pressure from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), saying he’s heard that at meetings sponsored by ADEQ. “They’re cracking down pretty heavy on them to see CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

HOT/DRY SUMMER

Good for: Cotton crops Bad for: Rice and soybeans

Hot weather good for Ark. cotton

The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — The hot and dry summer of 2010 has been good for Arkansas' cotton crop — but not so for soybeans and the state's number one crop — rice. The weather is ideal for cotton and U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts show the crop appears to be one of the best in recent memory. Marked Tree cotton farmer George Willoughby said that most of his cotton hasn't had rain since July 29 — leading to better quality cotton that draws better prices. But the heat has left rice stressed and now forecast for a yield of 6,400 pounds an acre. That would be the lowest yield since 2001. Soybean production is also forecast to be down. Current estimates are for an 11 percent decline from last year's crop.

If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon. EMIL ZATOPEK

Czechoslovakian athlete, 1922-2000

Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277

”

Page 2A • Saturday, October 16, 2010

NATION & STATE

Race: Judge candidates discuss issues

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

road requirements. Since I’ve been in office, there have been many citizens who have bought property on what is called public roads and they are not maintained because they are not part of the county system. It’s very difficult for us to take those roads into the county because they are substandard roads. We’d have to pretty much go back in there and rebuild the roads. I don’t feel like that’s the county’s responsibility to rebuild roads. I think that needs to be done on the front side of that development so that when lots are being sold people will know they are on a road that can be maintained by the county.” TDC: Do changes need to be made about the process of bringing roads into the county system? Lincoln: “What I’ve tried to do as judge is work with the citizens that live on county roads. If they will pay for the gravel to bring it up to what we call county specifications and pay for the installation of culverts, I have worked with the citizens to get their road up to condition so it can be accepted into the county system.” TDC: Is the current chip/ seal system working? Lincoln: “I think it is. It’s hard to determine which roads need to be chip/sealed unless there is citizen participation. We just don’t have the funds in the county road revenue to chip/seal all county roads in White County. So the participation program where citizens get their name on the list and are willing to participate at a level of paying for the chips and the oil has been working pretty well. That cost is about 20 percent of the cost of chip/sealing a road and so it’s not that the county’s not participating on their end, it’s just that we don’t have the money to chip/seal all roads. Which ones do you chip/seal if there’s not citizen participation? That kind of gives us a guide to go by.” TDC: You said you wanted to “research establishing a landfill in White County.” What is your plan? Lincoln: “I’ve actually instructed Tamara Jenkins in the office of emergency management to begin research on any type of grants for this. We’re also going back to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to when we actually had a landfill and seeing if we need to look at a new site or if the old site can be reconditioned or reopened.” TDC: Why? Lincoln: “We are a large county and I feel like many of our citizens have a need for disposing items throughout the year. Cleburne County has one and Jackson County has one, and some of the surrounding counties have landfills. We are the second-largest county in the state without one and we are seeing what can possibly be done to be in a position to help our citizens. We have the two county clean-ups and they are a huge success but invariably everybody can’t make those days we have them, so what do they do the rest of the time?” TDC: You had a stroke in January. How is your health? Lincoln: “The only residue I have is I have some vision issues but it doesn’t keep me from doing my job.” TDC: Are you able to drive? Lincoln: “No. My health

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is fine. I’m not an invalid. I just keep running into reports that my health is a big issue. It hasn’t hindered me doing my job at all. I think an underlying movement is to make my health an issue in this race. I’m at work every day and continue to do my job.” TDC: You’ve proposed research into an animal control problem in the county. Why? Lincoln: “Just to see what the cost involved is in establishing a county-wide animal control center. There’s one in Beebe and the humane society has one in Searcy. But there’s not one that can meet the needs of the whole county so we have a lot of animal drop-offs in the county and nobody knows what to do with them. I don’t know if it would be feasible for us to do that and of course I’ll have to have the support of the court to even look at establishing that.”

Johney Gibson

TDC: Mr. Gibson, you’ve proposed the re-adoption of Ordinance 99-9, the road ordinance repealed by the court four years ago. Why? Gibson: The reasoning behind it is I feel the county ought to have a guide, set criteria and regulations in regards to our county roads, more so now than even in the past. Ordinance 99-9 had specifications for county roads — width, ditch depth, tile size, base — and outlined the criteria for someone who wanted to bring a road into the county road system as to what must be done. I think not just for past judges and this judge but for future judges if this criteria is set down in ordinance style it’s going to be a guide for all judges to use.” TDC: But didn’t you vote for the repeal of 99-9? Why? Gibson: “Yes. With a new judge coming on board I felt compelled to give him the opportunity to have a free hand to run the county road department as he sees fit.” TDC: And now you don’t feel that way? Gibson: “I think it’s a decision by the quorum court that we see now it was the wrong thing to do.” TDC: Why was it the wrong thing to do? Gibson: Certain roads have been taken into the county road system that didn’t meet the criteria of the old Ordinance 99-9 that are going to cost more to maintain than it would have. I think a county judge needs to have certain guidelines to go by. Ordinance 99-9 may not been the best road ordinance and it certainly needed updated and tweaked.” TDC: You’ve said our road department is now operating with “unwritten policies.” What do you mean? Gibson: There’s always been unwritten policies for the road department in that each judge has been able to apply policies as they see fit. And I’m not going to say every policy needs to be written down but some policies should. As an example, the road department’s use of county equipment in regards to other cities, helping smaller cities with road and ditching problems, those policies in regards to that need to be written down.” “My intentions here is that this is not going to be done by

The Daily Citizen

one person but this is going to be a cooperative effort. If I’m elected county judge I’m going to form a road committee within the quorum court and that committee is going to be responsible for establishing this ordinance and also responsible for these written policies. My intention is for the judge to be chairman of the road committee.” “With written policies we could tell the gas companies we have an ordinance and it will be a guide for them also, and we want our roads put back according to the specifications of the ordinance.” TDC: You’ve proposed that the county pay for gravel put on county roads, not the residents. Why? Gibson: “That’s one of those unwritten policies. People in the past have had to pay a percentage of the cost for gravel to be put on their roads. I want to do away with that.” TDC: Then who will pay for the gravel? Gibson: “The county will pay for it. That’s going to be built into the budget of the road department.” TDC: Where will the extra money come from? Gibson: “We’ve got it. The revenues of the county road department will be able to fund the chip/seal and gravel programs. On the cost of the gravel and chip/seal, it’s only a very small percentage that the public is paying.” TDC: And you’ve proposed a change from using a list of roads to have chip/ sealed? Gibson: “I understand there is a list of people who have paid money or are collecting money to have their roads chip/sealed. When I take office as county judge I will look at this list and prioritize it as to the best need for the county. If people have paid in funds then I most certainly would prioritize that road. And as to the effective date of the new chip/seal program that I have planned to take effect, it would hinge upon that list. That’s one of the things the committee will set down and take a look at and decide what we want to do.” TDC: You proposed increasing our marketing capabilities through the Internet. How? Gibson: “It could be enhanced to promote our county better.” TDC: You’ve proposed that the county’s 14 mayors meet once a quarter with the county judge. Why? Gibson: “My end would be to see how the county could provide services to help them in their community. It would be a collaborative effort as how it would make things happen.”

President seeks to stop overseas hiring

By Julie Pace The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is renewing his call for Congress to close tax breaks that reward some U.S. companies with overseas subsidiaries, a proposal that has raised concerns among some lawmakers in OBAMA the president's own party. In his weekly radio and online address, Obama said the tax breaks encourage companies to create jobs and profits in other countries. "There is no reason why

our tax code should actively reward them for creating jobs overseas," Obama said. "Instead, we should be using our tax dollars to reward companies that create jobs and businesses within our borders." At issue is a bill that stalled in the Senate last month that would end some tax credits and deferrals for U.S. companies for operations overseas. Though Obama singled out Republican opposition, the bill also failed to get support from some Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, DMont., who expressed concern that change would put the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage.

The ending of the tax loopholes has been opposed by business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers. Obamasaidthatwhilecompanies that conduct business internationally do make an important contribution to the U.S. economy, it doesn't make sense to grant them tax breaks when companies at home are struggling to rebound from the economic crisis. Obama has said he wants revenue collected from closing the loopholes to be used for other business tax breaks by making permanent research and development tax credits and allowing businesses next year to write off all new equipment costs.

By Anne Gearan The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Iran on Saturday set free an American businessman jailed in Tehran for more than two years on suspicion on ties to an allegedly violent opposition group. Reza Taghavi, 71, hadn't been charged with a crime and denied knowingly supporting the organization, known as Tondar. "He admitted to nothing and he continues to maintain his innocence," his lawyer, Pierre Prosper, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Tehran after his client's release from Tehran's Evin prison. He's not expected to return to Southern

California before the middle of next week. Iranian officials are "comfortable that he was in fact used by this organization, and comfortable that he does not pose a threat to them and that he can leave and go back to the United States," Prosper said. Iran had accused Taghavi of passing $200 in cash to an Iranian man tied to Tondar. Taghavi, who regularly visits Iran to conduct business and see family, had received the money from a friend in California with instructions to pass the cash to an Iranian, according to Prosper. "I didn't do anything wrong. Someone just asked me take this money to help someone," Taghavi told ABC News.

"Sometimes I feel relief, sometimes, I feel angry. What happened? Two-and-a-half years for what?" he said. His family had said he has diabetes and was in poor health, and his lawyer has asked Iran to free him on humanitarian grounds. Prosper said Taghavi won't able to leave until this coming week because of conditions attached to his release. While Taghavi never was charged formally or presented with paperwork indicating a charge, Prosper said there is a case within the Iranian justice system. He plans to meet with a judge in the next week in hopes of getting that case dismissed.

The Associated Press JONESBORO — This year's Veterans Day parade and activities in Jonesboro will be delayed until Nov. 13 to honor National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan. Veterans Day is officially celebrated Nov. 11. Soldiers with the 875th Engineer Battalion's 1037 Route Clearance Company have spent nearly a year in Afghanistan where they searched for and destroyed roadside bombs. Commander Capt. Brian Mason told The Jonesboro

Sun the soldiers are expected to arrive in Jonesboro between Nov. 5 and Nov. 8. He says he asked that Veterans Day activities be postponed until Nov. 13 to be sure all the soldiers are home and can participate. The activities will include a ceremony at the Craighead County Veterans

Monument at the Craighead County Courthouse.

Iran releases American held for 2 years in Tehran jail

Ark. National Guard soldiers to return home in November e d _i_i c Z 7 m [ D

(&

GROWN UPS

3*

RIALTO THEATRE 268-6699 NIGHTLY 7:30 SAT & SUN MATINEE 2:00 www.webertheaters.com

CORRECTIONS

The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 268-8621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

POMS GALORE

Tiny Toy Poms for Sale • Males & Females All Colors • 12 Weeks • Raised in the Home Registered & Vet Checked • First 2 Shots Provided For more information call:

501-742-1454 or 501-380-5024

Did you know... In White County: Bigger, Brighter Eyes Now. Your Bonus with any Clinque purchase of $21.50 or more. A $60.00 value.

One to a customer, while supplies last

64 Homeless Families 341 Homeless People 87 are Children under the age of 18

Please join us... 2nd Annual Fundraiser Banquet WHEN: October 21st, 2010 @ 6pm WHERE: Founders Room, Harding University GUEST SPEAKER: County Judge, Michael Lincoln TICKETS: $25 (all donations are tax deductible)

A Branson Get-Away Package will be auctioned off. Businesses, churches & organizations can purchase a table for $500.

117 N. Spring St. Downtown Searcy 501•268•7333

TICKETS ON SALE AT Jacob’s Place • 301 E. Market St. For more information call: 501-380-8283 or email carson.mark@att.net

Jacob’s Place is a charitable 501 (c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.

50¢

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

BADGERS RELISHING PERFECT RECORD 4 CONVICTED IN NEW YORK BOMBING PLOT Beebe looks to continue its streak in Friday's contest against Greene County Tech. — PAGE 1B

Four men were convicted Monday in a plot to blow up NY synagogues and shoot down planes. — PAGE 2A

Cothern: City upgrades needed Art show to feature work of 2 alumni

Graduate student to also display work

Nutter refuses interview, again

NUTTER

COTHERN

SEARCY CITY COUNCIL: WARD 1, POSITION 1 Incumbent: Carl Nutter Challenger: Logan Cothern

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for Searcy alderman, Ward 1 Position 1, were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms. Carl Nutter is seeking to retain his seat, challenged by Logan Cothern.

Nutter once again refused to answer questions pertaining to the race. The race is non-partisan, meaning none of the candidates for city council have party affiliations on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Logan Cothern

TDC: Mr. Cothern, you said when asked if you plan on addressing the Searcy Advertising and Tourism Promotion (A&P) tax again that “needs of the city that prompted the proposed A&P tax still exist.” What are they?

Cothern: “The swimming pool still needs to be addressed, either relocated or something. With the existing one, my preference would be we should look at building a new one. If we had some sort of bubble over it the Sunshine School might be able to use it for therapy year-round, and that would be a tremendous asset for them. We need to go and visit and look at several pools and come up with a good plan, nothing too expensive. We need to look at several before we decide what to do.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

EARLY VOTING BEGINS FOR GENERAL ELECTION

The Harding University Art Department will host alumni John Parish and Amy Mittlestat-Parish in the Stevens Art Gallery from Nov. 1-12 to feature their fine art paintings and professional photography. Parish graduated from Harding in 1994 with a degree in fine arts with an emphasis in painting and began a professional apprenticeship with a furniture and cabinetmaker. Soon after, he finished his master’s degree at University of New Mexico, and, for the past 12 years, he has taught art in New Mexico public schools and also continued to paint and show his work in regional shows and galleries. His themes are inspired by travel and places, and his most recent trips have taken him New Orleans and Haiti. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

FEDERAL GRANT

What: $500K federal grant Who: Awarded to the Arkansas Crime Information Center Plans: Upgrade a website for crime victims

Ark. ACIC to use fed. grant for website

The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — A $500,000 federal grant to the Arkansas Crime Information Center will be used to upgrade a website for crime victims. The ACIC's Brad Cazort says the money from the U.S. Department of Justice will go to the Victim Information and Notification Everyday — or VINE — service. The online program allows crime victims to follow criminals throughout the justice process. Cazort said the funds will be used for a new software program so victims don't have to re-register when a criminal transfers facilities. The criminal is given a new identification number upon transfer and victims currently must re-register to keep track. Offenders who serve their time and complete any probation are dropped from the service.

Dozens of voters voted early in the Nov. 2 general election Monday morning at the White County Courthouse on the first day of early voting. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Off-site polls open in Beebe, Bald Knob

D

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com ozens of voters took advantage of early voting at the White County Courthouse and Beebe City Hall Monday, and election officials said things were going well. Registered voters may cast their ballots early in Searcy at the White County Courthouse, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays, ending at 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Offsite early voting is available at Beebe City Hall 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ending Tuesday, and

Searcy: White County Courthouse, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ends 5 p.m. Nov. 1 Beebe: City Hall: 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., ends today. Bald Knob: Temple Baptist Church; 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday

in Bald Knob at Temple Baptist Church 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Eight electronic voting machines were set up at the

Bats scuttle plans for NW Ark. wind farms

The Associated Press FAYETTEVILLE — An endangered species of bat living in northwest Arkansas has scuttled plans to build wind farms in the region. Invenergy,aChicago-based company, has told Washington County residents the presence of the Ozark big-eared bat means it has to halt development of the wind farms. Washington County planning director Juliet Richey tells the Northwest Arkansas Times that Invenergy already

WEATHER

Today: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Vol. 156, No. 250 ©2010 The Daily Citizen

EARLY VOTING

had approached several landowners about the planned project and had set up two meteorological towers in the area to collect data. David Kampwerth, a karst biologist for the Arkansas field office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, says bats can be killed when their organs and lungs implode due the changes in air compression from the turning of wind turbine blades. He says about there are only about 1,700 living Ozark big-eared bats.

courthouse, where White County Clerk Tanya Burleson said only one minor issue arose early in the morning and was resolved quickly with no voters denied. “Things are going smoothly,” Burleson said at noon. Kelly and Brenda Brown said they both voted in a 10-minute period. “I like the system,” Brenda said. “It worked out pretty good.” White County Election Coordinator Leslie Bellamy also said no glitches had appeared on the first day of early voting.

“Everything opened OK and it looked like they had a pretty steady flow of voters,” Bellamy said. For a list of candidates go to WhiteCountyAR.org, click on the box on the right with pink writing that says, “Election Information on County Clerk page,” scroll down on the right hand side to “November 2, 2010- General Election, list of local candidates” where there is also a list of polling sites. For more information, persons may call the voter registration office at 279-6204.

Would you like to buy a candy bar? Tom Liles buys a candy bar from Holly Noelle Doss, 11, as her brother, Andrew Doss, 10, watches. The transaction, which took place in the lobby of the White County Courthouse Monday, was part of a fundraiser for HEARTS home school group. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen. com

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

“

Every great film should seem new every time you see it. ROGER EBERT

American critic, 1942

Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277

”

The Daily Citizen

Tuesday, October 19, 2010 • Page 3A

FROM PAGE ONE Special delivery

Lincoln targets Boozeman’s veteran votes The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln is continuing to target Republican challenger John Boozman's record on military and veterans issues as she fights to keep her job. LincolnonMondaypushed back against Boozman's comments that the Democratic senator is lying about his record in Congress on veterans and military issues. Lincoln last week accused Boozman of routinely voting against funding for veterans and the military. Boozman is a Republican

congressman from northwest Arkansas and a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Lincoln is a Democrat seeking a third term. She's considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents seeking re-election this year. Boozman's campaign says that Lincoln is citing votes that include appropriations that were part of overall budget proposals he opposed. Lincoln said Monday Boozman's record includes stand-alone votes against measures that would have helped veterans and the military.

Ladies from the Judsonia Church of Christ delivered 20 handmade quilts to White County Medical Center for children in the pediatric unit recently. The ladies meet twice a week in the designated “Sewing Room” at their church to make the quilts year round. In addition to the quilts, they also make lap quilts for nursing home residents in the area. Pictured are, from left, Wilda Gibson, Frances Donnell, Doris Lind and 3 South Charge Nurse Mistie Vanatter, RN. Not pictured are Rudean Wallace, Pauline Murdaugh and Ann Howell. Contributed photo

Alderman: Candidate discusses issues Show: 2 HU alumni to show art work

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“Then there’s the civic center we keep talking about. I know that there are different organizations that could use a civic center if we had more to offer. I know my daughter-inlaw is involved with Ladies Night Out that involves several hundred women, and she was talking about how Cabot has a really nice one and several other areas do, too. Ours is really lacking.” “We’ve talked about the added restroom facilities at existing parks we have now.” “All this costs money, and I understand that, so I think we just need to look at them and prioritize them and tackle one project at a time until we get our facilities more up to date.” TDC: You’ve called for a long-term plan for specific needs in our city streets. Why? Cothern: “I’m sure we have something similar in place now, a long-range plan, but what I had in mind was to work with the city engineer and the street department and the citizens to see what we really need to do to bring our streets to the level our citizens would want. And again, I think we need to prioritize these. I’d like to see how much it would really cost to bring them up to speed. Probably we’re going to need additional financing and we could see how we’re going to address that, bring it before the council and see what we’re going to do. The voters ultimately need to make the decision

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about what we’re going to do, if we need a new revenue source. We might be able to find them in grants but I don’t think we will. I think we’re going to have to have additional revenues if we’re going to do what I think the people are going to want us to do. TDC: You have called for a feasibility study for a new library. Why? Cothern: “They did a pretty comprehensive study in 1995 and it was shown at that time that we really didn’t have adequate space in our libraries to really offer our citizens the services we need to. For example, we have over 100 people a day that visit the library to

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Show and maintains a freelance portrait business. Her gallery will feature fine art photographic portraiture. Graduate student Jessica Kaplan will also feature her work in the building’s second gallery Nov. 1-12. The gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, persons may contact the art department at (501) 2794426.

Vicki Bates • Lisa Ponson • Glenda Hare • Lisa Short: 279-3461

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Workshops School after the birth of the couple’s third child. She is involved with the American Child Photographer’s charity guild and is also a contributing photographer for the New Mexico Children Youth and Family adoption endeavor called the “New Mexico Heart Gallery.” She is also on the founding and organizing committee for the Annual New Mexico Photographic Art

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His paintings in the alumni art show will feature themes such as old buildings, neon signs and people in New Mexico, New Orleans and Haiti. Mittlestat-Parish graduated from Harding in 1993 with an emphasis in portrait drawing and watercolor. However, she began taking photography courses through the Professional Photographers of America as well as workshops at the Santa Fe Photographic

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use the computers. We only have 12-13 computers and it’s extremely busy. We don’t have a teen book section. We need to expand our children’s book section. We don’t have public meeting rooms like most libraries offer the citizens. We just don’t have the room. We have about 10,000 square feet and we really need about 30,000 square feet.” “I realize all this costs money and we certainly can’t do all these things at the same time, but we certainly could start looking at this now. We might buy the land now and build in the future. This might be financed by a bond issue, a property tax or a sales tax.”

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Show Times Friday October 15- Thursday, October 21

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C O N T E S T Searcy Humane Society 2011 Pet Calendars On Sale November 8th at these locations: Barkin Barn Thrift Store The Boutique Westside Veterinary Clinic Liles Veterinary Clinic Searcy Animal Clinic The Daily Citizen

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