Mayoral polling

The Election 2010 guide is in today’s edition

$1

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

BISONS HOST LAMBUTH UNIVERSITY

Harding hosted Lambuth University in non-conference action Saturday night. — PAGE 1B

2010 ‘I LOVE MY PET’ CONTEST RESULTS IN Winners and all entries in the ‘I Love My Pet’ contest are featured inside today's edition. — INSERT

Poll: LaForce leading mayor race THE DAILY CITIZEN SEARCY MAYOR POLL Belinda LaForce 31.62 percent David Morris 18.38% Kyle Reeves 10.05% Undecided 39.95% Sampling of 408 citizens registered to vote in City of Searcy elections, who said they plan to vote in the mayor's race.

Margin of error: +/- 4.8 percent

Nearly 40 percent of voters still undecided

By Jacob Brower jbrower@thedailycitizen.com A recent poll of Searcy citizens shows that Mayor Belinda LaForce is leading the other candidates in her bid for re-election, with a large number of voters still undecided.

Of those polled, 32 percent said they will vote for LaForce, putting her ahead of challenger David Morris, who gathered 18 percent.

Kyle Reeves is running third with 10 percent.

There are still a large number of votes up for grabs. Nearly 40 percent of people polled

LAFORCE

MORRIS

REEVES

said they will vote in the mayor’s race, but have not yet made up their minds for which candidate they will vote. A majority of the votes is required to be elected in the Nov. 2 general election. If none of the candidates receive a majority, a run-off election of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

IDENTITIES MIXED AT CENTER ON THE SQUARE

DEAF AWARENESS MEETING

When: 10 a.m. Monday Where: Searcy City Hall Who: Service providers, deaf persons, city officials

City to discuss needs of the deaf

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com Faron Hudgens, 47, knows the frustration of being alone and helpless.

In June, the Searcy resident was on his way to work at the Sonic Drive-In on North Maple Street when he began to experience a tightness in his chest. Soon, he lost control of his truck and was in a ditch. The first thing he thought of then was to call 911 on his cell phone and ask for help, he said.

But Faron Hudgens is deaf and mute.

When he dialed 911, Hudgens said, he didn’t know if someone answered, so just made what noises he could into the phone. Then he hung up and sent a text message to a friend, who came in a fourwheel drive vehicle and pulled him out. Later, a visit to the doctor was not conclusive, but within weeks Hudgens had another episode.

This time he was at work — unloading trucks by himself from midnight to 5 a.m.

— when the chest pains began. Hudgens is confused about whether he used the Sonic land line to call 911 or his cell phone, but does CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

MICAH RINE PATE MEMORIAL

Lauren Lawson, left, plays Janet Jones, the wife of Dale Ellis’ character, Simon Ross, right, in the play Hocus Pocus. In the play, Simon and his twin brother Peter undergo financial disaster and switch places to solve their problems. The play began this week and will continue through Oct. 17. Luke Jones/ljones@thedailycitizen.com

‘Hocus Pocus’ continues through October

“H

By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com ocus Pocus,” a comedy by Jack Popplewell, is Center on the Square’s October show.

The show features a pair of identical twins, Simon and Peter Ross, both performed by Dale Ellis, who are undergoing financial distress.

In an act of desperation, they switch identities to try to solve their problems.

Lauren Lawson and Hilary Polston play the twins’ wives, Janet Jones and Bella Newell, respectively.

Ryan Hoyle, who works at the theater, is directing and also acting in the show.

The show is Hoyle’s first major production to direct.

“It’s sort of about theater in

HOCUS POCUS

Where: Center on the Square, 111 W. Arch St. When: Oct. 1-2, 7-9, 15-17; 6:30 dinner, 7:30 curtain Cost: $27 (dinner and show), $13.50 (show only) Director: Ryan Hoyle Starring: Dale Ellis, Lauren Lawson, Hilary Polston

a weird way,” Hoyle said. “The characters have masks they wear in their lives, but they want to be someone different.”

The lead characters are living opposite lives, with one being a devout vicar and the other being a financier with a mean streak.

Hoyle has found directing to be taxing, but rewarding.

“Honestly, I’m pretty exhausted,” he said. “It’s not easy at all, acting and directing

WEATHER

Today: Sunny, cooler. Highs in the upper 60s. North winds 10-15 mph.

Tonight: Clear. Lows in the upper 40s. North winds 510 mph.

Vol. 156, No. 237 ©2010 The Daily Citizen

at the same time.”

“In the case of this show, we had a relatively short rehearsal period, so we had to get everything done exceptionally quick, so that was very difficult.

“And of course the fact that I’m acting and directing. If you’re sitting out here, you have the luxury of watching everything. It can be difficult to make sure people are blocking right and paying attention to characterization.”

But he is pleased with the people with whom he is working.

“I’m glad characters are easy for me because I have such a wonderful cast of actors,” Hoyle said. “Possibly the most impressive part of the entire show is Dale Ellis playing both of the twins. He has to memorize half of the play.”

“I was a little hesitant going in because I was going to be directing these people who are much older than me. They are respected citizens in the community and here I’m 22 and just graduated from college — but that’s been nothing at all. We’ve all bonded and had a great time.”

“Hocus Pocus” will have its third showing tonight and will continue for the next two weekends.

Cost is $27 for dinner and show, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and curtain at 7:30 p.m.

At least a 24-hour reservation is recommended. Show-only tickets can be purchased 15 minutes before curtain at $13.50.

For tickets and more information, persons may call Center on the Square’s box office at (501) 368-0111.

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

“

Donations: Harding Academy Wildcat Trust Fund, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149 Objective: Women’s work-out room

Pate murder trial to be March 2011

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com A March 7, 2011, trial date has been set for Thomas Pate, Jr., charged with first degree murder in the death of his wife, Micah Rine Pate.

A confession made by the husband as evidence was ruled admissible, a decision that was not allowed for appeal, allowing Memphis, Tenn., circuit judge Bobby Carter, Jr. to set the trial date during a Thursday hearing.

Aug. 2 had been set as the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not its mineral rights.

J. PAUL GETTY

American businessman, 1892-1976

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

”

The Daily Citizen

FROM PAGE ONE

Faron Hudgens, 47, left, gave an interview to The Daily Citizen Friday through a volunteer interpreter, Dr. Fleming L. Bell, giving his opinion about upgrading 911 technology to better help the hearing impaired. Warren

Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Meeting: Safety and health of deaf to be addressed

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

remember texting someone with his cell phone.An ambulance arrived and Hudgens eventually had three stints put in his heart.

Now Hudgens explains to people, including Searcy Mayor Belinda LaForce, that the 911 system’s technology should be upgraded.

The City of Searcy uses a Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) that is separate from the one used by the White County 911 system, with both computers serving as back-ups in case one goes out.

The Searcy Police Department already has a TTY, according to Major Tim Webb. Also called a text telephone, the telecommunication device allows persons to type messages back and forth.

A TTY for cell phones is available but expensive,

Hudgens said, and since a TTY is required at both ends of the conversation in order to communicate, that option was not open to him during his crises.

By texting a third party, Hudgens said, time was wasted and while all turned out well in his case, that might not be the case in the future. “It makes sense to just call 911,� Hudgens told The Daily Citizen through a volunteer interpreter, Dr. Fleming L. Bell, as he shared his story.

LaForce said she has been communicating with Hudgens for years and knows his frustrations, noting that when he went to the hospital he was unable to find an interpreter. “There are no certified interpreters in the community,� LaForce said. “His experience at the hospital was

unsettling to him.�

LaForce has asked Hudgens to come to a meeting at city hall Monday at 10 a.m. to discuss communication problems with hearing impaired persons. Hudgens says there about 25 deaf persons in Searcy and about five or 10 more in White County.

The city held a deaf awareness conference for city employees several months ago, the mayor said. “I’ve asked our police department to check into the possibility of receiving text messages at the 911 facility, and I know that Major Webb is looking into that and is supposed to bring information on Monday,� LaForce said. “It’s a little difficult to get that in Arkansas, although they have it in some places.�

Hudgens said he wants the police to have more than

just a cell phone where he could send text messages. He wants his text messages to show up on the 911 computer screen as other incoming calls already do. “We are trying to get representatives from the emergency response services and places where deaf people could go such as the unemployment office or the Department of Human Services office to be aware of the needs of the deaf,�

LaForce said.

Also at the meeting, LaForce said, will be Dr. Linda Thompson of Harding University and representatives of White County Medical Center and NorthStar EMS. “We’re just trying to get some feedback and start the process rolling,� LaForce said.

Poll: LaForce leads mayor race, many undecided

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

top two finishers will be conducted Nov. 23.

The poll was conducted at The Daily Citizen office on Monday and Tuesday evenings with the help of eight citizens hired by the newspaper. The poll consisted of 408 successful telephone interviews, resulting in a 4.82 percent margin of error. The margin of error was calculated with the help of Ronald Smith, an assistant professor of mathematics at Harding University. The margin of error means that the each poll result could be 4.82 percentage points higher or lower than reported.

Persons polled were asked three questions: “Are you registered to vote in City of Searcy elections?� “Do you plan to vote in the Searcy mayor’s race?� and “Who will you vote for?�

The candidates’ names were given at

the request of the respondent. Those who answered “no� on either of the first two questions were not asked the third question and the interview was not considered successful.

LaForce said she was pleased with the results of the poll. “I think telephone polls are a good sampling of what the public is thinking, and I’m glad to hear the numbers match what I’ve been hearing in the community,� she said. “It’s great to get that type of feedback.�

LaForce said she was “a little surprised� that 40 percent of voters are undecided. “It seems that the public is taking its time and doing their research,� she said. “They’re not sure at this point. That tells me we have a lot of work to do.�

Morris said he is not worried about

Trial: Set for March 2011

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

original trial date but when the judge retired and the pretrial issue concerning the confession was raised, court officials postponed it. With a new judge in place and the appeal denied, the case is set to move forward with a Oct. 14 pre-trial hearing also scheduled.

The daughter of Dennis Rine, a baseball coach, counselor and teacher at Harding Academy, and Terri Rine, a former teacher at Harding University, Micah grew up in Searcy and graduated from Harding Academy.

Micah went on to graduate from Harding University in 2006 with a degree in nursing.

Thomas Pate, Jr., played basketball for Harding University.

Micah died April 30, 2009. Police say Thomas called them to report his wife missing from their Bartlett, Tenn., home, saying she had left home on foot and never returned. Later, police say, Thomas told police he had shot Micah and led detectives to her body miles away.

Thomas never attempted to seek medical help for Micah after he shot her or notify police of the shooting, police say.

The defendant claims the shooting was an accident, said defense attorney Leslie Ballin.

Pate remains free on $500,000 bond and lives with his parents in Georgia where he is required to wear an ankle tracking device, Ballin said.

Construction has begun on a memorial workout room at Harding Academy

in memory of Micah, according to Coach Rine. “It will be a girls-only room,� Rine said. “It will be of great benefit to girls and female faculty members.�

Donations may be sent to the Harding Academy Wildcat Trust Fund, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149.

the poll’s results. “It’s a month out, and I don’t put a lot of stock in an early poll,� he said. “From what I’m hearing out in the community, I’m running a lot better than this poll indicates. There are a lot of people who haven’t made up their minds yet, and a lot more people left to campaign to, and that’s what I’m going to do.�

Reeves said he believes the election results will be closer than the poll indicates. “This poll really doesn’t look like the polls we’ve been seeing. But looking at this poll there are still a large number of undecided voters,� he said. “I think that as we get closer to the election and the voters learn more about the candidates ... this race will look a lot different.

Ultimately the only poll that counts is the election.�

Sunday, October 3, 2010 • Page 3A

Court places free speech at top of docket

By Mark Sherman The Associated Press WASHINGTON — First Amendment cases top the Supreme Court's docket as it begins a new term with a new justice and three women on the bench for the first time.

The court will look at provocative anti-gay protests at military funerals and a California law banning the sale of violent video games to children. These cases worry free speech advocates, who fear the court could limit First Amendment freedoms.

The funeral protest lawsuit, over signs praising American war deaths, "is one of those cases that tests our commitment to the FirstAmendment," said Steven Shapiro, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Another case involves a different aspect of the First

Amendment, the government's relationship to religion. The justices will decide whether Arizona's income tax credit scholarship program, in essence, directs state money to religious schools in violation of the constitutional separation of church and state.

Under Chief Justice John Roberts, marking his fifth anniversary on the court, and with the replacement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

by Justice Samuel Alito, the court has been more sympathetic to arguments that blur the line between government and religion, as long as one religion is not favored over another.

Justice Elena Kagan, confirmed in August, is the one new face on the court, but nearly everyone will be sitting in different seats when the term opens on Monday.

The Associated Press PYATT — Authorities say a Berryville teacher remained hospitalized after a school bus crashed near Pyatt in northern Arkansas.

LeAnn Johnson and 11 others, including nine students, were hurt when the bus rolled down an embankment and struck a tree about 7 a.m. Friday.

Johnson was taken to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Mo., where she

was listed in stable condition Saturday. Her father told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Johnson had a broken collarbone, a cracked cheekbone and a spinal injury.

Eight students were treated at hospitals and released.

One of the student's condition couldn't be determined.

School superintendent Randy Byrd says another teacher had a broken collarbone and the bus driver had a concussion.

Bus accident leaves teacher in hospital

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The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

BEEBE LOOKS TO CONTINUE STREAK

The Badgers prepare to take on winless Nettleton in Beebe Friday in conference play. — PAGE 1B

COUNTY BURN BAN LIFTED AFTER 26 DAYS A county-wide burn ban — which began on Oct. 4 — was lifted at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Poll: LaForce still leading race 11 percent of voters have yet to decide

THE DAILY CITIZEN SEARCY MAYOR POLL CHALENBURG

DERRICK

SEARCY CITY COUNCIL, WARD 4, POSITION 2

Incumbent: Mike Chalenburg Challenger: Mark Derrick District description: Southeast Searcy from Queensway Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue on the south, Main Street on the west and Race Street on the North; includes Harding Univ. and the Cloverdale subdivision.

Streets focus of race

Belinda LaForce 41 percent David Morris 29% Kyle Reeves 19% Undecided 11% Sampling of 371 citizens registered to vote in City of Searcy elections, who said they plan to vote in the mayor's race.

Margin of error: +/- 5 percent

By Jacob Brower jbrower@thedailycitizen.com A recent poll of Searcy citizens shows that Mayor Belinda LaForce is still leading in her bid for re-election, while the number of undecided voters have dropped sharply since a poll conducted late last month.

Of those polled, 41 percent said they will vote for LaForce, putting her ahead of challenger David Morris, who gathered 29 percent. Kyle Reeves is running third with 19 percent, with 11 percent undecided.

LAFORCE

MORRIS

REEVES

A majority of the votes is required to be elected in Tuesday’s general election. If none of the candidates receive a majority, a run-off election of the top two finishers will be conducted Nov. 23.

The poll was conducted at The Daily CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

Sen. Pryor visits Searcy

Former alderman opposes incumbent

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com The two candidates in the race for Searcy alderman, Ward 4 Position 2, were asked this week by The Daily Citizen to elaborate on remarks they made previously about their platforms.

Mike Chalenburg is seeking to retain his seat, challenged by Mark Derrick, a former alderman in the same ward, position 1.

The race is non-partisan, meaning none of the candidates for city council have party affiliations on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

BK district head Staggs resigns

Staggs led district through 2006 shut-down, recovery

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com A school superintendent who led the district through a difficult time has resigned.

Bald Knob School Superintendent James Staggs notified the school board Monday night of his decision, according to a press release byHighSchool Principal Steve Landers, who STAGGS notified The Daily Citizen in an e-mail Tuesday afternoon.

Landers included an e-mail sent by Staggs: “I know that by now all of you are aware of my decision to terminate my employment in the district Nov. 30. I really am sad that I had to make that decision because of you, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, left, discusses an environmentally-friendly snack package manufactured by Bryce Corporation with company officials J. Fraser Humphreys III, general counsel, center, and Andy Pratt, director of engineering on Tuesday. Pryor was in Searcy for a fact-gathering tour of the plant on Benton Street. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Land farm permit considered for controversial site PUBLIC HEARING

When: 6 p.m. Thursday Where: Griffithville Senior Citizens Building, 208 Main Street Subject: Permit for wastewater disposal on Jim Hamilton Road

ADEQ shut down former operation there in 2008

(ADEQ) who is conducting the hearing. The operation is sometimes called a land farm and involves spraying water onto land using a common irrigation system.

Questions about the site for which the permit is being requested first came to light in a Sept. 16, 2008 article in

The Daily Citizen reported 1.5 million gallons of waste was missing from a facility operated on the site by Central Arkansas Disposal.

But it was not until December that ADEQ director Teresa Marks shut the facility down, saying three fish kills had CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A

Renowned watercolors on display at Searcy Art Gallery

By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com The latest exhibit featured in Searcy’s Art Gallery is a selection of watercolor paintings selected by the Mid-Southern Watercolorists.

Art in the exhibit comes mainly from Arkansas and Texas but some comes from other states like Iowa.

“This is an annual show,” said John Keller, chairman of Harding University’s art department and a signature member of the MidSouthern Watercolorists. “The MidSouthern group has two shows in Arkansas.

"They have a large jury spring show, then a fall jury show. The spring show is the larger of the two and it’s the one that determines who can become a signature member of the Mid-Southern Watercolor Society.”

The shows are usually held in Little Rock, but the society sought

WEATHER

Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Vol. 156, No. 257 ©2010 The Daily Citizen

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com A public hearing will be held Thursday to accept public comments for a modifica-

tion in a land application permit. The modification would allow for the land application of treated water based drilling fluids.

The fluids are a byproduct of natural gas drilling and their disposal is regulated by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

GALLERY EXHIBIT

Who: Mid-Southern Watercolorists Exhibit Where: Searcy Art Gallery, 300 E. Race When: Through November Hours: Tuesday-Friday 1-4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

out a smaller town to hold the fall show in this year, and had originally requested Harding University’s art gallery.

“At this time of the year we were booked,” Keller said. “So I suggested the Searcy gallery. They were looking for a venue outside of Little Rock, some place new to put it for the fall show.”

Tom Killough, head of the Searcy Arts Council, was excited to hear the show was coming to the gallery.

“It’s beginning our 20th season, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

John Keller, left, chairman of Harding University’s Art Department, visits with Tom Killough, head of the Searcy Arts Council, about the watercolor painting “Down the Stretch” by Robert Snider. Snider’s painting was named “best in show” at the fall Mid-Southern Watercolorist Exhibition.

Luke Jones/ljones@thedailycitizen.com

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

“

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.

ALDOUS HUXLEY

English novelist, 1894-1963

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

”

Page 2A • Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Daily Citizen

LOCAL

Streets: Candidates focus on streets Poll: LaForce still leading mayor race

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

Mike Chalenburg

The Daily Citizen: Alderman Chalenburg, you’ve said a trio of strengths in Searcy are the health care, education and transportation infrastructures. How can the city council strengthen these?

Chalenburg: “These are resources that city government needs to work with, the council as well as the mayor, in conjunction with the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation and the Little Rock Metro Alliance because these things can be incentives to attract business and industry. We need to work on attracting high-tech or knowledge-based companies as well as the industry we have traditionally tried to attract.�

TDC: You said you companies want to see adequate parks and children’s activities as well?

Chalenburg: “Yes. More and more they seem to be looking at things that will make the workers happy.�

TDC: To maintain or improve city streets, you said the city may need to be identified. Any ideas?

Chalenburg: “Obviously we can look for things like grants but I would be surprised if we could find that for street improvements. We’re going to have to examine the services we offer as a city and make decisions as to what to reduce or ask the people if they are willing to pay more for streets.�

TDC: Any ideas about budget cuts that could be made to make room for street improvement funds?

Chalenburg: “Not that will fund the kind of maintenance and improvement we need to have. There are small areas that can be reduced but streets are very expensive.

We spent about $500,000 in 2008 and about $750,000 in 2009 but our revenue, as was expected, is down this year.�

TDC: You mentioned looking at corridors in the city that need improvement?

Chalenburg: “Poplar needs some improvement, North Main certainly needs some improvement, Country Club in front of Westside school along by Harp’s. They need widening and improvement.�

TDC: You said the trail system needs expanding. How so?

Chalenburg: “I would like to see it expanded around to make a loop if we could.�

TDC: Any ideas about where money could come from for that?

Chalenburg: “That’s one that would have to be evaluated in with the rest to see if funds could be available.

There could be grants available for that. We also need more areas for ball fields.

The ones we have are very well used and the facilities are aging.�

Mark Derrick

TDC: Mr. Derrick, you had said that “the city needs to be putting money back to entice businesses to bring jobs to Searcy.� How? Derrick: “We have got to be saving money to entice new industry to locate here.

I know Searcy is a member of regional development associations, but I do not see those being of significant benefit.

When we are in an association with Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville and/ or Conway and there is a new industry looking at locating in this region, where do you think they will go? A company will be looking at us saying, ‘What can you give me that other cities cannot give that will put money in my pocket, help my

profit margin and/or my stock price?’ The nature of a corporation is to make money for its stockholders. If Searcy cannot help with that, just about any corporation will locate somewhere that can. I was told by someone at Land O’ Frost that Searcy did not get an additional facility because Searcy just wouldn't step up to the plate.� “The ‘up front’ money from the gas leases would have been a good start, but there wasn’t the support on the council. The council did support putting money, about $1 million, in a capital account which would allow the city to use its on money for capital purchases, such as buying police cars, fire trucks, etc.

This would allow the city to borrow a certain amount from itself and budget to replace the money each years. This point I do not know if any of the money used from the account has been replaced.�

TDC: A 10-year plan needs to be made for streets, you said. Why? Derrick: “I think 10 years is a very good term. Of course, the cost of repaving is constantly changes, but when you have a plan setting out what streets are going to be repaved in a certain year, you can always anticipate where you can use any excess revenues.

TDC: You said the quality of life in Searcy is related to some basic services. How can the council maintain those?

Derrick: “The people of Searcy expect, and are entitled to, good fire and police protection, good streets, water, sanitation, sewer and recreational facilities. We have to prioritize which are most important even though some demand a greater portion of the budget than others. What is needed or wanted for a particular service sometimes just needs to be submitted to the voters.

Site: Land farm permit considered

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

occurred in the Steve Wilson Wildlife Management Area, where Raft Creek flows from a nearby reservoir, because of the illegal activity, according to Marks’ emergency order. The illegal discharges bypassed the irrigation system, Marks said, that was supposed to be used for land application of the fluids.

In 2008, Marks said the land farm may be allowed to go back into operation if they show the soil has been remediated.

Currently, Oilfield Compliance Solutions of Little Rock has a permit for the storage and land application of the fluids at a location southeast of Searcy on Jim Hamilton Road, according to ADEQ. But an application on file with the permit shows Andrew Rike with Oil and Gas Field Solutions is the applicant, with a mailing address of 5 Shackleford Plaza, Suite 14, Little Rock.

The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Griffithville Senior Citizens Building, 208 Main Street and ADEQ representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Following the meeting, a formal hearing will begin to allow for public comments.

Oral and written comments submitted at the public hearing will be considered by the ADEQ in its decision-making process, according to a press release.

Some questions are evident in the minds of local residents about the property and its history as a water disposal site. “This is Nicky Hamilton’s business south of West Point, the one that let the water get out in the bottoms and they shutitdown,�saidGriffithville Mayor Windle Porter. “They are applying to discharge the water in the ponds. They have some kind of filtering system in the ponds, the way I understand it, and they want to filter the water and release it. Then they are going to apply for a permit to reopen. I really think it’s the same bunch, they’ve just changed names.

The oil field solutions is just a different brand they’ve put on it. I don’t know that for sure.� “This is our only chance

at getting them stopped and not letting them do it,� said Tammy Hale, a local landowner. “We already know the ADEQ said they are not staffed or able to test and monitor like they should to keep these companies from taking more than they should and keeping them from dumping toxic waste onto other properties.�

Written comments can also be submitted to hogan@adeq. state.ar.us or sent to Stephen Hogan, Permits Branch, Water Division, ADEQ, 5301 NorthshoreDrive,NorthLittle Rock, AR 72118. The public comment period will close when the hearing adjourns.

To read the draft permit, persons may go to ADEQ. state.ar.us/home/pdssql/pds. asp under permit number 4929-WR-3. “I suppose it’s unfortunate that the mayor and Ms. Hale would have those positions, but I believe that their opinion will change once they see the operation and how it’s handled and how things are operated,� Rike told The Daily Citizen Tuesday. “I think Oilfield Compliance Solutions wants to be a good neighbor and a good citizen.

We will do everything within our power to comply with the permit if we receive it and with local and state and federal laws and regulations.

We look forward to providing

this service that we think is going to be of a great benefit to the state.�

Rike was asked if his company had dumped any toxic waste at the site. “Oilfield Compliance Solutions hasn’t even begun operations,� Rike said. “It’s a new company and the permit will be under Oilfield Compliance Solutions.

Obviously, we’ve yet to receive an effective permit and as of yet are not allowed to begin operations. We are looking forward taking a waste stream and transforming it into clean water.�

Rike said the Oilfield Compliance Solutions facility was on the same site as the Central Arkansas Disposal facility shut down by ADEQ. Rike said he was not a former owner or employee of CAD but did do some consulting for CAD. Efforts by The Daily Citizen to contact Hamilton and his attorney in reference to Porter’s remarks were unsuccessful.

100 ADMISSION THIS WEEK ONLY $

WALT DISNEY’S

TOY STORY 3

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RIALTO THEATRE

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

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

Citizen office on Monday and Tuesday evenings with the help of seven citizens hired by the newspaper. The poll consisted of 371 successful telephone interviews, resulting in a 5 percent margin of error.

The margin of error was calculated with the help of Ronald Smith, an assistant professor of mathematics at Harding University. The margin of error means that the each poll result could be 5 percentage points higher or lower than reported. The questions asked and polling sample was compiled with the help of Tom Morris, Harding distinguished professor emeritus of political science.

Persons polled were asked three questions: “Are you registered to vote in City of Searcy elections?� “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, will you definitely vote in the Searcy mayor’s race?� and “If the election were held today, which of these candidates would receive your vote: Kyle Reeves, David Morris or Belinda LaForce? � Those who answered “no� on either of the first two questions were not asked the third question and the interview was not considered successful.

100 YEARS

CORRECTIONS

In Tuesday’s edition of The Daily Citizen, Jonathan Dismang should have been quoted as saying. “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 state.�

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.

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100 YEARS

suade undecided voters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m walking door to door and trying to get my message out to these undecided voters,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The real poll comes next Tuesday night.

"Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the one weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re concerned with, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to try to appeal to everyone we can.â&#x20AC;?

Reeves said he is keeping his focus on Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look like any of the numbers weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been seeing,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The poll on election day is the one that really counts.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the bottom line.â&#x20AC;?

Communicate

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An earlier poll conducted by The Daily Citizen on Sept. 27-28 showed LaForce leading with 32 percent, followed by Morris with 18 percent and Reeves with 10 percent, with 40 percent undecided.

LaForce said she was pleased with the results of the poll. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shade different than what it was the last time, but I feel good with those numbers,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It seems to justify what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been hearing, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very happy about that.â&#x20AC;?

Morris said he will spend the next week trying to per-

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