IN SHORT: City’s bid for the event complicated by Saline County’s push to raise $60 million to build complex.
By Nancy Dockter
Leader staff writer
A vote by the Saline County Quorum Court to hold a special election on a 1 percent sales tax to raise up to $60 million to build facilities in hopes of luring the state fair to Benton has Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher perplexed, but unruffled.
In a special election Aug. 10, Saline County voters will decide on two taxes amounting to one cent on the dollar to pay for improvements and maintenance of a former airport facility now used as the county fairgrounds.
The word last winter from the governing board of the Arkansas Livestock Show Association was that the original field of 19 potential sites for a new, improved and larger state fairgrounds had been whittled down to three south of Jacksonville and the current site in Little Rock. So, a news report last week that the Benton venue, if renovated, would be considered as a site for the state fair came as a surprise to Fletcher.
“It was a little disheartening because it had been narrowed down to three sites,” Fletcher said. “We had heard that the fair would not go there, so they need to tell people that.”
The state fair association is considering either making upgrades to the current Little Rock location or moving the fair to a spot that would provide easier access and better parking as well as more space to construct facilities for events year-round.
Ralph Shoptaw, manager of the State Fair, was unavailable for comment on Tuesday to confirm a report that he said last week the Benton site as well as the 18 others are still in the running as the new state fairgrounds location.
Fletcher went on to say he doubts the Benton location could beat what the Jacksonville site has to offer.
The city of Jacksonville has offered to acquire 445 acres which are southeast of town to the north of Interstate 40, give the land to the state fair association and provide utilities at no cost. Highway access would be from Wooten Road at the Highway 161 and I-440 interchange.
There are plans to raise up to $1 million to buy the land – taking it by eminent domain if necessary. There are nine owners of the land, including individuals and real estate investors. Fletcher said that title searches and efforts to acquire the various parcels are under way.
With the site’s proximity to I-40, it “will be able to draw from the Memphis area,” Fletcher said. “The Benton site is out of the way. I don’t think it lends itself to be a big, expansive project. It is harder to get to. You’ve got to get to it on frontage roads.”
The land being offered by Jacksonville is one of three sites, along with the current fairgrounds, reportedly making up the short list chosen last winter. There are shared boundaries among the three sites, all of which are north of I-40.
One site consists of 827 acres owned by Davidson Ranch, south of the land offered by the city. It carries a $2,995 per acre price tag. The site does not meet highway access criteria, according to an analysis of all 19 sites made last winter. Existing access is along a two-lane for almost two miles from the Galloway Road/ I-40 interchange.
The third site is the southernmost of the three. It consists of 632 acres with three owners. The price is $4,512 per acre. The tract is bounded by Ink Bayou to the east and I-440 to the west. The site does not meet access requirements, requiring travel for two miles from the Galloway Road/I-40 interchange.
State fair officials say that they might pick tracts from among the three sites to put together an ideal location for the fair. Still to come in the decision-making process are two studies – an economic- impact study to evaluate the benefits to state and local economies of the fair, were it moved to a new location, as well as a feasibility study that would analyze the income potential of various facilities considered for construction at the new site. The goal is to create a venue that offers year-round income generation rather than only during the two weeks each fall when the state fair happens.
The state fair association is in the process of raising the money for the two studies, which reportedly will cost about $60,000.
Fletcher said that the city has offered to cover the costs of the two studies “if they’d go ahead and select Jacksonville,” but the association did not accept.
“All we can do is make offers,” Fletcher said. “It is not moving as fast as we’d like, but Ralph Shoptaw is in the driver’s seat. They say that they need numbers before they can move forward, and these studies will provide those numbers. It will be later on this year.”
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
TOP STORY >> Community named best for support
IN SHORT: Prestigious Abilene Trophy presented to air base boosters.
By John Hofheimer
Leader senior staff writer
Gov. Mike Beebe was on hand Tuesday at the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council meeting when members of the Abilene (Texas) Chamber of Commerce presented the prestigious Abilene Trophy to Jacksonville and its neighbors for being the Air Mobility Command’s most supportive community.
The award, a sculpted eagle, was presented to Col. Greg Otey and a flock of local mayors and representatives.
Mayors or their representatives were on hand from Ward, Austin, Cabot, Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock and Maumelle.
The Abilene Trophy is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby AMC base and the winner is determined by a selection group of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee with final approval by AMC.
The governor didn’t speak and left immediately after the presentation, but he had promised to make himself available for it whenever it occurred and he made good on that promise.
Otey credited not only the long history of good works done by the local community, centered at Jacksonville, but stretching from Cabot to Maumelle, but also Cindi Maddox, who put 4.25 inches worth of documentation into the three-inch application notebook.
Otey noted that community support ran all the way back to the base’s beginning, when local leaders raised $1.2 million to buy 6,600 acres to give the Air Force create 1955.
He said that three generations of some families—he named the Wilsons and the Grays—had been supportive of the base.
In an earlier letter to community council members, Otey said that among the community contributions to the base were:
• Jacksonville’s support of the new Joint Education Center. The residents of Jacksonville taxed themselves and raised $5 million toward the new center, currently under construction outside the gate but on the base.
• The mayor of Jacksonville briefs Little Rock AFB’s New-comers Orientation each week, so every new airman knows the local mayor.
• Airpower Arkansas, a subset of the Community Council consisting of local community members, raised funds for the base’s 2010 Air show, collecting over $50,000 from local businesses and individuals.
• Community members donated over $22,000 in support of the Little Rock AFB Rodeo teams. In addition to the outstanding financial support, many attended the pre-departure breakfast and the post-RODEO celebrations and a few community members even accompanied the Little Rock AFB Rodeo teams to the competition.
• Civic leaders sponsored base events including the Air Force Ball, the Annual Awards Ceremony, and the Black Knight Heritage Dinner enabling deep discounts for Airmen ticket prices. These leaders also made time on Thanksgiving and Christmas to serve meals to Airmen at the base dining facility.
• Community members sponsor the base’s quarterly deployed families dinner, resulting in an outstanding (and free) event for spouses and children of deployed members.
• Local concert and sporting event venues showed their support by not just offering military discounts, but scheduling one or two concerts or sporting events each month that are offered to military members at drastically reduced prices (or even free).
In turn, the base generates about $500 million in goods and services from the local communities.
Kristina Jones, a representative of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, said the judges were very impressed by the Joint Education Center, which will house six different educational facilities to offer opportunities to young men and women on the base and also in the community.
The award is a sculpture of an Eagle, with its wingtip touching the representation of a rock.
It represents partnership between the Air Force and the community, she said, with the outstretched wings of the eagle representing the Air Force and all it does to extend freedoms across the world, and the base is a rock because the community is the foundation by which the eagle much be supported to take off into the air.
Otey led attendees in singing Happy Birthday to Jacksonville resident Gen. Dub Myers, calling him a long-time friend of the base.
Formally known as the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, the Abilene Trophy has been awarded since its establishment in 1998. The award’s sponsor is the Abilene, Texas Chamber of Commerce. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base, which has an AMC contingent, the 317th Airlift Group; however, the main host, the 7th Bomb Wing, is under the Air Combat Command, and thus Dyess would not be eligible for an award sponsored by its host city.
Charleston (Charleston Air Force Base) has won the award three times and Grand Forks (Grand Forks Air Force Base), Dover, (Dover Air Force Base) Spokane (Fairchild Air Force Base) and Tampa (McDill Air Force Base) have each won twice.
By John Hofheimer
Leader senior staff writer
Gov. Mike Beebe was on hand Tuesday at the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council meeting when members of the Abilene (Texas) Chamber of Commerce presented the prestigious Abilene Trophy to Jacksonville and its neighbors for being the Air Mobility Command’s most supportive community.
The award, a sculpted eagle, was presented to Col. Greg Otey and a flock of local mayors and representatives.
Mayors or their representatives were on hand from Ward, Austin, Cabot, Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock and Maumelle.
The Abilene Trophy is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby AMC base and the winner is determined by a selection group of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee with final approval by AMC.
The governor didn’t speak and left immediately after the presentation, but he had promised to make himself available for it whenever it occurred and he made good on that promise.
Otey credited not only the long history of good works done by the local community, centered at Jacksonville, but stretching from Cabot to Maumelle, but also Cindi Maddox, who put 4.25 inches worth of documentation into the three-inch application notebook.
Otey noted that community support ran all the way back to the base’s beginning, when local leaders raised $1.2 million to buy 6,600 acres to give the Air Force create 1955.
He said that three generations of some families—he named the Wilsons and the Grays—had been supportive of the base.
In an earlier letter to community council members, Otey said that among the community contributions to the base were:
• Jacksonville’s support of the new Joint Education Center. The residents of Jacksonville taxed themselves and raised $5 million toward the new center, currently under construction outside the gate but on the base.
• The mayor of Jacksonville briefs Little Rock AFB’s New-comers Orientation each week, so every new airman knows the local mayor.
• Airpower Arkansas, a subset of the Community Council consisting of local community members, raised funds for the base’s 2010 Air show, collecting over $50,000 from local businesses and individuals.
• Community members donated over $22,000 in support of the Little Rock AFB Rodeo teams. In addition to the outstanding financial support, many attended the pre-departure breakfast and the post-RODEO celebrations and a few community members even accompanied the Little Rock AFB Rodeo teams to the competition.
• Civic leaders sponsored base events including the Air Force Ball, the Annual Awards Ceremony, and the Black Knight Heritage Dinner enabling deep discounts for Airmen ticket prices. These leaders also made time on Thanksgiving and Christmas to serve meals to Airmen at the base dining facility.
• Community members sponsor the base’s quarterly deployed families dinner, resulting in an outstanding (and free) event for spouses and children of deployed members.
• Local concert and sporting event venues showed their support by not just offering military discounts, but scheduling one or two concerts or sporting events each month that are offered to military members at drastically reduced prices (or even free).
In turn, the base generates about $500 million in goods and services from the local communities.
Kristina Jones, a representative of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, said the judges were very impressed by the Joint Education Center, which will house six different educational facilities to offer opportunities to young men and women on the base and also in the community.
The award is a sculpture of an Eagle, with its wingtip touching the representation of a rock.
It represents partnership between the Air Force and the community, she said, with the outstretched wings of the eagle representing the Air Force and all it does to extend freedoms across the world, and the base is a rock because the community is the foundation by which the eagle much be supported to take off into the air.
Otey led attendees in singing Happy Birthday to Jacksonville resident Gen. Dub Myers, calling him a long-time friend of the base.
Formally known as the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, the Abilene Trophy has been awarded since its establishment in 1998. The award’s sponsor is the Abilene, Texas Chamber of Commerce. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base, which has an AMC contingent, the 317th Airlift Group; however, the main host, the 7th Bomb Wing, is under the Air Combat Command, and thus Dyess would not be eligible for an award sponsored by its host city.
Charleston (Charleston Air Force Base) has won the award three times and Grand Forks (Grand Forks Air Force Base), Dover, (Dover Air Force Base) Spokane (Fairchild Air Force Base) and Tampa (McDill Air Force Base) have each won twice.
Monday, June 14, 2010
SPORTS >> Gwatney cashes in on walks, miscues
IN SHORT: Jacksonville takes junior American Legion victory
as Sylvan Hills pitchers falter.
By Jason King
Leader sportswriter
It wasn’t the two second-inning hits by Jacksonville Gwatney Chevrolet that did the damage in a 15-5, junior American Legion victory Tuesday.
It was the seven walks given up by three Sylvan Hills pitchers and three untimely passed balls, led to eight runs Jacksonville runs on the way to a rout of Sylvan Hills at Kevin McReynolds Field.
D’Vone McClure hit a three-run home run in the top of the third inning, and Jacksonville scored four runs against the depleted Sylvan Hills staff in the top of the fifth to win by the run rule.
Bruins starter J.D. Miller looked strong in the first inning, but Trey Sims relieved him two batters into the second after Miller gave up back-to-back walks. Sims also struggled, giving up a single to Zach Traylor and three more walks before leaving the mound for Forrest Harrison.
Harrison issued a fourth-straight walk before finally getting McClure to pop up to center. Gwatney had already scored four runs at that point — two on passed balls, one on Traylor’s RBI grounder to right field and another on a bases-loaded walk
Jesse Harbin stretched Gwatney’s lead with a two-RBI single to left field that scored Brandon Whitmore and Troy Allen to give Jacksonville a 6-1 lead. Harbin added the final run of the inning when he scored on a fielder’s choice at first.
Harrison walked Brandon Russell to lead off the top of the third and hit Allen before McClure cleared the left field wall with his home run to make it 9-3.
Sylvan Hills took advantage of some erratic pitching and defense early when Sims was hit by a pitch to lead off the first and later scored on a passed ball. Aaron Sarna walked to open the second and advanced around the bases and scored on three straight passed balls by Gwatney.
Dalton Freeling had a similar trip when he was hit by a pitch and rounded the bases on passed balls to cut Jacksonville’s lead to 8-3.
McClure got the runs back for Gwatney with his homer in the third, and Jacksonville renewed its assault in the top of the fifth beginning with a walk to Troy Allen.
Kenny Cummings singled to advance Troy Allen and Austin Allen drove him in with a single to left. Chris McClendon walked and Cummings and Austin Allen scored on an error at third on Alex Tucker’s grounder.
McClendon added Jacksonville’s final run on a passed ball.
Sylvan Hills needed a 12-run miracle to tie in the bottom of the fifth as the game neared its two-hour time limit, but got only two. Greg Atchinson was hit by a pitch and later scored on an error at second, while Robert Brock reached on an error at first and scored on another error at first to set the final margin.
Tucker got the victory for Jacksonville after he relieved McClure in the bottom of the second with Sylvan Hills holding a 1-0 lead.
McClure hit four batters through 1 2/3 innings, but Tucker allowed only two hits the rest of the way.
Jacksonville had four errors, three in the bottom of the fifth.
Sylvan Hills pitchers walked 12 and gave up six hits. Though the Bruins had only one error, they had six passed balls.
as Sylvan Hills pitchers falter.
By Jason King
Leader sportswriter
It wasn’t the two second-inning hits by Jacksonville Gwatney Chevrolet that did the damage in a 15-5, junior American Legion victory Tuesday.
It was the seven walks given up by three Sylvan Hills pitchers and three untimely passed balls, led to eight runs Jacksonville runs on the way to a rout of Sylvan Hills at Kevin McReynolds Field.
D’Vone McClure hit a three-run home run in the top of the third inning, and Jacksonville scored four runs against the depleted Sylvan Hills staff in the top of the fifth to win by the run rule.
Bruins starter J.D. Miller looked strong in the first inning, but Trey Sims relieved him two batters into the second after Miller gave up back-to-back walks. Sims also struggled, giving up a single to Zach Traylor and three more walks before leaving the mound for Forrest Harrison.
Harrison issued a fourth-straight walk before finally getting McClure to pop up to center. Gwatney had already scored four runs at that point — two on passed balls, one on Traylor’s RBI grounder to right field and another on a bases-loaded walk
Jesse Harbin stretched Gwatney’s lead with a two-RBI single to left field that scored Brandon Whitmore and Troy Allen to give Jacksonville a 6-1 lead. Harbin added the final run of the inning when he scored on a fielder’s choice at first.
Harrison walked Brandon Russell to lead off the top of the third and hit Allen before McClure cleared the left field wall with his home run to make it 9-3.
Sylvan Hills took advantage of some erratic pitching and defense early when Sims was hit by a pitch to lead off the first and later scored on a passed ball. Aaron Sarna walked to open the second and advanced around the bases and scored on three straight passed balls by Gwatney.
Dalton Freeling had a similar trip when he was hit by a pitch and rounded the bases on passed balls to cut Jacksonville’s lead to 8-3.
McClure got the runs back for Gwatney with his homer in the third, and Jacksonville renewed its assault in the top of the fifth beginning with a walk to Troy Allen.
Kenny Cummings singled to advance Troy Allen and Austin Allen drove him in with a single to left. Chris McClendon walked and Cummings and Austin Allen scored on an error at third on Alex Tucker’s grounder.
McClendon added Jacksonville’s final run on a passed ball.
Sylvan Hills needed a 12-run miracle to tie in the bottom of the fifth as the game neared its two-hour time limit, but got only two. Greg Atchinson was hit by a pitch and later scored on an error at second, while Robert Brock reached on an error at first and scored on another error at first to set the final margin.
Tucker got the victory for Jacksonville after he relieved McClure in the bottom of the second with Sylvan Hills holding a 1-0 lead.
McClure hit four batters through 1 2/3 innings, but Tucker allowed only two hits the rest of the way.
Jacksonville had four errors, three in the bottom of the fifth.
Sylvan Hills pitchers walked 12 and gave up six hits. Though the Bruins had only one error, they had six passed balls.
SPORTS >> After one season, Beebe basketball coach moves on
IN SHORT: Parker lands with Midsouth Community College as Badgers begin search for replacement, hope to find continuity.
By Todd Traub
Leader sports editor
Beebe boys basketball coach Chris Parker has resigned after one season to take a job at Midsouth Community College in West Memphis.
The Badgers were 4-25 under Parker in his lone season after replacing Brian Martin, who left the previous year to coach his alma mater Greenwood.
“You take a chance but you try to plan around that,” said Beebe athletic director Jerry Jordan of the departures.
Jordan said the school would try to find Parker’s replacement as quickly as possible.
“Ideally it would be to fill it in the next couple of weeks, but we don’t know if that’s going to be realistic,” Jordan said.
Jordan said Beebe was advertising the vacancy in newspapers, online and through the Arkansas Activities Association.
“We’re in the process of bringing some candidates together to interview,” Jordan siad.
With Parker leaving after one year and his predecessor Martin leaving after two, Beebe, which last won a state boys basketball championship in 1941, is looking for someone wanting to make a long-term commitment as coach, Jordan said.
“I think what we have to have is someone who may want to settle in our community,” Jordan said. “It had been an issue to be honest. We’ve had some good coaches here. One was here two years but he left to go back to his hometown, you can’t blame a person for that.
“Coach Parker came to us and had a chance to go back to the college ranks, his first love.”
Jordan said it is hard to build a winning program without consistency at the top.
“Yes, it’s definitely been a disadvantage to our kids,” Jordan said. “One of the things we’re really hoping we can do is find someone who can add some stability to our program.”
But the ideal candidate also needs to be a quality coach and not just a Beebe homebody, Jordan said. The Badgers, who had no seniors last season and return four this year, will compete in the 5A-East Conference with Batesville, Blytheville, Forrest City, Greene Co. Tech, Nettleton, Paragould and Wynne.
“We want to try to find somebody that has some good experience because we’re in a tough league,” Jordan said. “Blytheville, Greene Co. Tech and Wynne, they’re state
contenders every year and we’ve got to have somebody that knows what they’re doing.”
Jordan said the rest of the basketball staff would handle duties like camps and sanctioned workouts until Parker’s replacement is found.
By Todd Traub
Leader sports editor
Beebe boys basketball coach Chris Parker has resigned after one season to take a job at Midsouth Community College in West Memphis.
The Badgers were 4-25 under Parker in his lone season after replacing Brian Martin, who left the previous year to coach his alma mater Greenwood.
“You take a chance but you try to plan around that,” said Beebe athletic director Jerry Jordan of the departures.
Jordan said the school would try to find Parker’s replacement as quickly as possible.
“Ideally it would be to fill it in the next couple of weeks, but we don’t know if that’s going to be realistic,” Jordan said.
Jordan said Beebe was advertising the vacancy in newspapers, online and through the Arkansas Activities Association.
“We’re in the process of bringing some candidates together to interview,” Jordan siad.
With Parker leaving after one year and his predecessor Martin leaving after two, Beebe, which last won a state boys basketball championship in 1941, is looking for someone wanting to make a long-term commitment as coach, Jordan said.
“I think what we have to have is someone who may want to settle in our community,” Jordan said. “It had been an issue to be honest. We’ve had some good coaches here. One was here two years but he left to go back to his hometown, you can’t blame a person for that.
“Coach Parker came to us and had a chance to go back to the college ranks, his first love.”
Jordan said it is hard to build a winning program without consistency at the top.
“Yes, it’s definitely been a disadvantage to our kids,” Jordan said. “One of the things we’re really hoping we can do is find someone who can add some stability to our program.”
But the ideal candidate also needs to be a quality coach and not just a Beebe homebody, Jordan said. The Badgers, who had no seniors last season and return four this year, will compete in the 5A-East Conference with Batesville, Blytheville, Forrest City, Greene Co. Tech, Nettleton, Paragould and Wynne.
“We want to try to find somebody that has some good experience because we’re in a tough league,” Jordan said. “Blytheville, Greene Co. Tech and Wynne, they’re state
contenders every year and we’ve got to have somebody that knows what they’re doing.”
Jordan said the rest of the basketball staff would handle duties like camps and sanctioned workouts until Parker’s replacement is found.
SPORTS >> Major league player
Former Cabot Panther Sam Bates drafted to Florida Marlins
Story by Todd Traub
Leader sports editor
Sam Bates had already earned the honor of being Cabot’s first baseball player to sign with the Razorbacks.
Now he is Cabot’s first Major League draft pick.
The Florida Marlins took Bates, a slugging first baseman at Crowder Community College, in the 39th round of the amateur draft Tuesday. Bates signed with Arkansas in the spring and now has the option of playing professional baseball instead.
“For us around here it’s kind of a rarity,” said Andy Runyan, who assists Cabot High School head coach Jay Fitch and coaches in the city’s American Legion program.
“Baseball tradition is not what Cabot is known for and Jay and I are just grinning from ear to ear,” Runyan said.
It has been a hectic time for Bates, who is coming off a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series with Crowder, located in Neosho, Mo. Bates did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone Friday because he was on his way to El Dorado, Kan., which plays in the collegiate summer wood-bat league and won the National Baseball Congress national championship last year.
The Crowder Roughriders went 1-2 in the NJCAA World Series, losing twice to eventual champion Iowa Western Community College and beating Alabama’s Faulkner State Community College 19-18.
Runyan said Bates may have helped his draft status with a wood-bat home run during the series.
“He wore it out this year, he hit over .400 his second year in a row,” Runyan said.
Bates hit .432 in the regular season and led the Roughriders in hits (82), doubles (20) and was second in home runs (13) and RBI (60).
Bates, a 6-4, left-handed power hitter, played third base and shortstop for Cabot then moved to first and the corner outfield spots at Crowder.
“He probably got into a defensive position that was more suited for him in college,” said Runyan, who coached Bates in American Legion.
Bates was a three-time all-conference selection for Cabot High School and had already provided his former coaches with a thrill when he became the first of Fitch’s former players to sign with the Hogs.
“He’s going to end up with better money and a better position,” Runyan said.
Now Bates has to decide if he wants to play for Arkansas, his long-time dream, for at least a season and possibly improve his status in next year’s draft or take the plunge into professional baseball with the Marlins now.
If Bates signs with the Marlins he would likely be sent to a short-season minor league team and begin his pro career later this month.
Otherwise Bates will report to Arkansas in the fall.
A good year with a high-profile program like Arkansas, which is competing in the NCAA Super Regional in Tempe, Ariz., this weekend, could get Bates drafted in an earlier round next June.
The Razorbacks had seven players selected this year, plus a handful of signees like Bates.
“I’m not sure what he’s thinking right now,” Runyan said. “He’s an outstanding student. He’s communicated to us he’s dreamed about being a Razorback since he was a kid.”
Story by Todd Traub
Leader sports editor
Sam Bates had already earned the honor of being Cabot’s first baseball player to sign with the Razorbacks.
Now he is Cabot’s first Major League draft pick.
The Florida Marlins took Bates, a slugging first baseman at Crowder Community College, in the 39th round of the amateur draft Tuesday. Bates signed with Arkansas in the spring and now has the option of playing professional baseball instead.
“For us around here it’s kind of a rarity,” said Andy Runyan, who assists Cabot High School head coach Jay Fitch and coaches in the city’s American Legion program.
“Baseball tradition is not what Cabot is known for and Jay and I are just grinning from ear to ear,” Runyan said.
It has been a hectic time for Bates, who is coming off a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series with Crowder, located in Neosho, Mo. Bates did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone Friday because he was on his way to El Dorado, Kan., which plays in the collegiate summer wood-bat league and won the National Baseball Congress national championship last year.
The Crowder Roughriders went 1-2 in the NJCAA World Series, losing twice to eventual champion Iowa Western Community College and beating Alabama’s Faulkner State Community College 19-18.
Runyan said Bates may have helped his draft status with a wood-bat home run during the series.
“He wore it out this year, he hit over .400 his second year in a row,” Runyan said.
Bates hit .432 in the regular season and led the Roughriders in hits (82), doubles (20) and was second in home runs (13) and RBI (60).
Bates, a 6-4, left-handed power hitter, played third base and shortstop for Cabot then moved to first and the corner outfield spots at Crowder.
“He probably got into a defensive position that was more suited for him in college,” said Runyan, who coached Bates in American Legion.
Bates was a three-time all-conference selection for Cabot High School and had already provided his former coaches with a thrill when he became the first of Fitch’s former players to sign with the Hogs.
“He’s going to end up with better money and a better position,” Runyan said.
Now Bates has to decide if he wants to play for Arkansas, his long-time dream, for at least a season and possibly improve his status in next year’s draft or take the plunge into professional baseball with the Marlins now.
If Bates signs with the Marlins he would likely be sent to a short-season minor league team and begin his pro career later this month.
Otherwise Bates will report to Arkansas in the fall.
A good year with a high-profile program like Arkansas, which is competing in the NCAA Super Regional in Tempe, Ariz., this weekend, could get Bates drafted in an earlier round next June.
The Razorbacks had seven players selected this year, plus a handful of signees like Bates.
“I’m not sure what he’s thinking right now,” Runyan said. “He’s an outstanding student. He’s communicated to us he’s dreamed about being a Razorback since he was a kid.”
SPORTS >> Sylvan Hills takes a 10-2 victory over Jacksonville
IN SHORT: Spears’ home run in sixth is a blow that stops Gwatney comeback in senior American Legion game on Tuesday night.
By Jason King
Leader sportswriter
Austin Spears hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Sylvan Hills a run-ruled, 10-2 victory over Jacksonville Gwatney Chevrolet in senior American Legion action at Sherwood’s Kevin McReynolds Field on Tuesday.
Jacksonville had runners in scoring position in the second and third innings but couldn’t capitalize while Sylvan Hills took a 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the third.
Jacksonville fought back with a pair of runs in the fourth, and Gwatney reliever Jarod Toney held Sylvan Hills scoreless in the bottom of the fourth and fifth.
But with two out and two on for Sylvan Hills in the bottom of the sixth, Jacksonville committed two errors leading to runs and set the stage for Spears, who hit a blast over the left-field wall for the eight-run lead after six innings that triggered the run rule and denied Jacksonville a final shot at the plate.
“We had mostly good defense,” Bruins coach Jim Fink said. “It’s still early, and we’ve still got a lot of work to do. The team is starting to play a little bit better together, but we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Korey Arnold worked four innings for the Bruins to get the victory and Josh Fortner relieved him to start the fifth. Arnold started the game with three strikeouts and gave up only two hits while striking out eight and walking four and was charged with both Gwatney runs.
Catcher Trey Sims set the tone for the Bruins in the bottom of the first with a home run over the left-field fence to make it 1-0. Michael Lamb walked Michael Lock to lead off the Sylvan Hills third and also walked Michael Maddox.
Sims came up big again with a two-RBI double down the third base line and scored when Spears tripled to deep right center to put the Bruins up 5-0.
Jacksonville got to a tiring Arnold in the top of the fourth when Patrick Castleberry led off with a double and Daniel Thurman walked two batters later. Both runners crossed the plate on passed balls in what turned out to be Sylvan Hills’ only defensive lapse.
Shortstop A.J. Allen made Jacksonville’s best defensive play in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Toney walked Justin Cook, then Maddox sent a dribbler to Allen, who fielded the ball and made the tag on Cook, then made a throw on the run to Lamb at first for the inning’s final out.
Toney walked Blake Rasdon to lead off the Sylvan Hills sixth, but got him out at second on Michael Lock’s bunt back to the mound.
Cook hit into a fielder’s choice that got Lock hung up between second and third for the second out.
Toney walked Maddox and Sims popped up to left center, but Gwatney’s D’Vone McClure lost the ball in the lights to allow Cook and Maddox to score. Arnold got a break when Allen misplayed a routine grounder at shortstop to set up Spears’ game-ending homer.
Spears was 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, five RBI and three runs. Sims was 2 for 3 with a home run, a triple, four RBI and two runs.
By Jason King
Leader sportswriter
Austin Spears hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Sylvan Hills a run-ruled, 10-2 victory over Jacksonville Gwatney Chevrolet in senior American Legion action at Sherwood’s Kevin McReynolds Field on Tuesday.
Jacksonville had runners in scoring position in the second and third innings but couldn’t capitalize while Sylvan Hills took a 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the third.
Jacksonville fought back with a pair of runs in the fourth, and Gwatney reliever Jarod Toney held Sylvan Hills scoreless in the bottom of the fourth and fifth.
But with two out and two on for Sylvan Hills in the bottom of the sixth, Jacksonville committed two errors leading to runs and set the stage for Spears, who hit a blast over the left-field wall for the eight-run lead after six innings that triggered the run rule and denied Jacksonville a final shot at the plate.
“We had mostly good defense,” Bruins coach Jim Fink said. “It’s still early, and we’ve still got a lot of work to do. The team is starting to play a little bit better together, but we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Korey Arnold worked four innings for the Bruins to get the victory and Josh Fortner relieved him to start the fifth. Arnold started the game with three strikeouts and gave up only two hits while striking out eight and walking four and was charged with both Gwatney runs.
Catcher Trey Sims set the tone for the Bruins in the bottom of the first with a home run over the left-field fence to make it 1-0. Michael Lamb walked Michael Lock to lead off the Sylvan Hills third and also walked Michael Maddox.
Sims came up big again with a two-RBI double down the third base line and scored when Spears tripled to deep right center to put the Bruins up 5-0.
Jacksonville got to a tiring Arnold in the top of the fourth when Patrick Castleberry led off with a double and Daniel Thurman walked two batters later. Both runners crossed the plate on passed balls in what turned out to be Sylvan Hills’ only defensive lapse.
Shortstop A.J. Allen made Jacksonville’s best defensive play in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Toney walked Justin Cook, then Maddox sent a dribbler to Allen, who fielded the ball and made the tag on Cook, then made a throw on the run to Lamb at first for the inning’s final out.
Toney walked Blake Rasdon to lead off the Sylvan Hills sixth, but got him out at second on Michael Lock’s bunt back to the mound.
Cook hit into a fielder’s choice that got Lock hung up between second and third for the second out.
Toney walked Maddox and Sims popped up to left center, but Gwatney’s D’Vone McClure lost the ball in the lights to allow Cook and Maddox to score. Arnold got a break when Allen misplayed a routine grounder at shortstop to set up Spears’ game-ending homer.
Spears was 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, five RBI and three runs. Sims was 2 for 3 with a home run, a triple, four RBI and two runs.
SPORTS >> Redman speaks on track
IN SHORT: Soft-spoken mod racer lets action do his talking on oval at Beebe Speedway.
By Jason King
Leader sportswriter
Beebe’s Ryan Redman prefers to let his actions on the track speak for themselves.
Because when it comes to speaking for himself, Redman isn’t quite as well versed as he is when behind the wheel.
Redman, one of the front-runners in the economy-modified class at Beebe Speedway, got his start five years ago in the fairly young division. The 23-year-old has earned the respect of his fellow drivers and developed a reputation as a solid, clean driver.
But those accomplishments haven’t translated to confidence when it comes to discussing his career with strangers, particularly strangers with tape recorders in hand.
“I’m not a very good guy to interview,” Redman said. “I’m not too interesting.”
Despite his claim, Redman has had an interesting start this season in the E-mod class at Beebe and at Conway County Super Speedway. Redman has a string of top-five finishes, including a feature victory at Conway County in Plumerville.
Redman has finished out of the top five only once in seven starts this year at Beebe. He began the season with a fifth-place run March 23, and started April strong with a third-place finish followed by a fourth.
His worst finish so far was 10th, but Redman helped himself in the season points standings two weeks ago with back-to-back top fives when the USCS sprint cars ran a Thursday Speedweek show. He finished second to winner Blake Jones on Thursday, and bounced back from an early spin in the Friday feature to finish fifth.
He earned his first feature victory at Plumerville last season, and now with a new car for this year and a number of consistent runs in the first half of the season, 2010 has the potential to be an interesting year for the young driver.
The self-described car buff caught the racing bug as a kid watching his uncle build racing chassis, but racing on an oval was not Redman’s first choice.
“I wanted to four wheeler race, but that’s too dangerous,” Redman said.
Redman has been nothing but consistent throughout his short career. His first season in 2006 resulted in a sixth-place points finish when Redman was still a teenager.
He finished fifth in the points standings in 2007 and 2008, and finished runner-up last year to champion Robert Woodard.
Redman works as an electrician during the week to support himself and his racing habit. His operation is family based, with dad Fred Redman serving as crew chief, his mom Christine serving as a one-person film crew and longtime friend John Douglass also helping out with the car.
“I like everything about racing,” Redman said. “It’s good for family — I don’t know how to explain it. I like the thrill and the challenge.”
Redman is clearly humble and a bit leery of the spotlight. But when discussing the car itself, Redman opens up.
“I’ve got a new car this year,” Redman said. “It’s a lot better than the one I’ve been racing the previous years. I’ve won two heat races this year — just waiting to win a feature.”
Drivers prefer different track conditions for different reasons. Redman likes the challenge of a dry-slick track, which is the most difficult condition to set up for and race on.
As the term implies, the track suffers from a complete lack of grip, and races more like an asphalt surface covered with ice rather than clay mud with tackiness.
The condition also lends itself to a lot of wheel spin, particularly with cars sporting big horsepower engines. Some racers even consider dry-slick conditions to be an equalizer between the horsepower haves and have-nots.
“It doesn’t usually take as much motor,” Redman said. “It’s just better for me.”
By Jason King
Leader sportswriter
Beebe’s Ryan Redman prefers to let his actions on the track speak for themselves.
Because when it comes to speaking for himself, Redman isn’t quite as well versed as he is when behind the wheel.
Redman, one of the front-runners in the economy-modified class at Beebe Speedway, got his start five years ago in the fairly young division. The 23-year-old has earned the respect of his fellow drivers and developed a reputation as a solid, clean driver.
But those accomplishments haven’t translated to confidence when it comes to discussing his career with strangers, particularly strangers with tape recorders in hand.
“I’m not a very good guy to interview,” Redman said. “I’m not too interesting.”
Despite his claim, Redman has had an interesting start this season in the E-mod class at Beebe and at Conway County Super Speedway. Redman has a string of top-five finishes, including a feature victory at Conway County in Plumerville.
Redman has finished out of the top five only once in seven starts this year at Beebe. He began the season with a fifth-place run March 23, and started April strong with a third-place finish followed by a fourth.
His worst finish so far was 10th, but Redman helped himself in the season points standings two weeks ago with back-to-back top fives when the USCS sprint cars ran a Thursday Speedweek show. He finished second to winner Blake Jones on Thursday, and bounced back from an early spin in the Friday feature to finish fifth.
He earned his first feature victory at Plumerville last season, and now with a new car for this year and a number of consistent runs in the first half of the season, 2010 has the potential to be an interesting year for the young driver.
The self-described car buff caught the racing bug as a kid watching his uncle build racing chassis, but racing on an oval was not Redman’s first choice.
“I wanted to four wheeler race, but that’s too dangerous,” Redman said.
Redman has been nothing but consistent throughout his short career. His first season in 2006 resulted in a sixth-place points finish when Redman was still a teenager.
He finished fifth in the points standings in 2007 and 2008, and finished runner-up last year to champion Robert Woodard.
Redman works as an electrician during the week to support himself and his racing habit. His operation is family based, with dad Fred Redman serving as crew chief, his mom Christine serving as a one-person film crew and longtime friend John Douglass also helping out with the car.
“I like everything about racing,” Redman said. “It’s good for family — I don’t know how to explain it. I like the thrill and the challenge.”
Redman is clearly humble and a bit leery of the spotlight. But when discussing the car itself, Redman opens up.
“I’ve got a new car this year,” Redman said. “It’s a lot better than the one I’ve been racing the previous years. I’ve won two heat races this year — just waiting to win a feature.”
Drivers prefer different track conditions for different reasons. Redman likes the challenge of a dry-slick track, which is the most difficult condition to set up for and race on.
As the term implies, the track suffers from a complete lack of grip, and races more like an asphalt surface covered with ice rather than clay mud with tackiness.
The condition also lends itself to a lot of wheel spin, particularly with cars sporting big horsepower engines. Some racers even consider dry-slick conditions to be an equalizer between the horsepower haves and have-nots.
“It doesn’t usually take as much motor,” Redman said. “It’s just better for me.”
EDITORIAL >> Blanche in trouble
Sen. Blanche Lincoln squeaked out a narrow victory in the Democratic runoff primary Tuesday, confounding the national media that had become enthralled with an Arkansas election for the first time in 35 years, since a young governor defeated the international icon J. William Fulbright for the Senate.
The election was supposed to be a barometer of the national mood, the extent to which people were furious with Washington and with incumbents and whether a waffling centrist Democrat could be ousted by the angry left, such as it is, in her own party. Those were good story lines for the pundits, but they had little to do with the Arkansas election.
The race between Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter was as traditional as it gets. A weak senator with 12 years in the Senate and four in the House of Representatives under her belt barely withstood the challenge of an energetic politician whom too many traditional Democrats, even those of liberal persuasion, did not trust.
After a three-week runoff campaign marked by wasted extravagance and mindless demagoguery from both candidates and surrogate groups, neither side could get its voters back to the polls in big numbers. Lincoln lost 13,000 votes in the three weeks, but Halter lost even more, 16,000. With help from Bill Clinton and President Obama, Lincoln was able to get more of the Democratic faithful back to the polls even if they were not wildly enthusiastic.
The result was not a good portent for her in November. But she has a small glimmer of hope. Her Republican opponent is Rep. John Boozman, who is as close to a kindred spirit as one can be and hail from the other party. She is a waffling and undependable Democrat and he a somnolent Republican who votes in lockstep with the Republican leadership. When we say lockstep we mean 100 percent of the time. That is how the country got into the mess it’s in. She is not the best person to make that case, but it is at least a possibility.
Lincoln now will have to defend her vote for national health insurance and do it straightforwardly and unapologetically. That is about all that separates the two candidates, and he made it clear the day after the election that health insurance would be his big issue.
If she were a Dale Bumpers, she would educate the people of Arkansas on that complicated law and have them loving it by November. She has few options to trying it anyway. Maybe she could have Bumpers and David Pryor stand in for her. We’ll ask them.
—Ernie Dumas
The election was supposed to be a barometer of the national mood, the extent to which people were furious with Washington and with incumbents and whether a waffling centrist Democrat could be ousted by the angry left, such as it is, in her own party. Those were good story lines for the pundits, but they had little to do with the Arkansas election.
The race between Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter was as traditional as it gets. A weak senator with 12 years in the Senate and four in the House of Representatives under her belt barely withstood the challenge of an energetic politician whom too many traditional Democrats, even those of liberal persuasion, did not trust.
After a three-week runoff campaign marked by wasted extravagance and mindless demagoguery from both candidates and surrogate groups, neither side could get its voters back to the polls in big numbers. Lincoln lost 13,000 votes in the three weeks, but Halter lost even more, 16,000. With help from Bill Clinton and President Obama, Lincoln was able to get more of the Democratic faithful back to the polls even if they were not wildly enthusiastic.
The result was not a good portent for her in November. But she has a small glimmer of hope. Her Republican opponent is Rep. John Boozman, who is as close to a kindred spirit as one can be and hail from the other party. She is a waffling and undependable Democrat and he a somnolent Republican who votes in lockstep with the Republican leadership. When we say lockstep we mean 100 percent of the time. That is how the country got into the mess it’s in. She is not the best person to make that case, but it is at least a possibility.
Lincoln now will have to defend her vote for national health insurance and do it straightforwardly and unapologetically. That is about all that separates the two candidates, and he made it clear the day after the election that health insurance would be his big issue.
If she were a Dale Bumpers, she would educate the people of Arkansas on that complicated law and have them loving it by November. She has few options to trying it anyway. Maybe she could have Bumpers and David Pryor stand in for her. We’ll ask them.
—Ernie Dumas
EDITORIAL >> Stone Age politicians
In the midst of the worst man-made ecological disaster in history and murderous fuel explosions in Texas, you would think that every political leader would have absorbed the earth’s urgent message that they do something now to curb the country’s appetite for fossil fuels.
But a sizable bloc of the U.S. Senate, which sadly includes our own two senators, cling to the idea of the 1970s that the government’s primary task is to satisfy the cravings for fossil-based energy and protect the profits of the energy companies. But they are, thankfully, a minority. The Senate on Thursday defeated a resolution pushed by the petroleum industry and electric utilities to stop the federal Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions, the principal cause of the earth’s warming.
The Clean Air Act, that great monument to President Richard M. Nixon, requires the EPA to regulate emissions that are harmful to public health and welfare. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled three years ago that the EPA could not duck its responsibility under the law to do that in the case of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions.
So Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, aided by the Republican roll call in the Senate and our own Sen. Blanche Lincoln, set out to stop the regulation anyway. Murkowski and Lincoln, by the way, lead the U. S. Senate in election cash gleaned from the oil industry — $286,000 in this election cycle for Lincoln, who this week narrowly survived her primary challenge in Arkansas.
Lincoln has said she knew that the country needed to brake its petroleum consumption and convert to clean and renewable energy, both to curb global warming and to reduce the nation’s dependence on energy from the world’s most dangerous regions. But she thinks Congress should do all that by law rather than let the unelected EPA scientists and administrators do it, although there did not seem to be a problem with EPA setting pollution standards the past 35 years until it got to carbon dioxide. Sen. Mark Pryor said he supported the Murkowski-Lincoln resolution for the same reason: It is Congress’ duty to address these matters, and Congress is where the country will get its most dependable regulation.
We suspect that most people will not agree that Congress will do it just right. In fact, polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans support EPA regulation of greenhouse gases.
But here is the more compelling argument. It is disingenuous for Lincoln and the Republicans to say that the country should let Congress do it. The Senate is not going to act seriously on greenhouse gases and a new energy policy because the Republicans and a tiny band of Democrats, including Lincoln, will not permit it. She joined Republicans last year in opposing even a weak climate bill that created incentives to convert to clean, renewable energy.
She is not going to support an energy bill that the oil and gas industry, the big coal-burning electric companies like SWEPCO and the chamber of commerce do not support, and given the current composition of the Senate and the likely one after the elections, an effective energy law cannot be enacted without both Lincoln and Pryor. We hope we underestimate her.
Perhaps still another environmental cataclysm or scorching evidence of climate change would do the trick, but probably not. The Stone Age did not end when the earth ran out of stones but when man found better tools. Stone Age politicians did not have to deal with campaign and lobbying cash from the stone crushers. We may have to wait until we exhaust hydrocarbons to adapt. It would be nice to have the time.
But a sizable bloc of the U.S. Senate, which sadly includes our own two senators, cling to the idea of the 1970s that the government’s primary task is to satisfy the cravings for fossil-based energy and protect the profits of the energy companies. But they are, thankfully, a minority. The Senate on Thursday defeated a resolution pushed by the petroleum industry and electric utilities to stop the federal Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions, the principal cause of the earth’s warming.
The Clean Air Act, that great monument to President Richard M. Nixon, requires the EPA to regulate emissions that are harmful to public health and welfare. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled three years ago that the EPA could not duck its responsibility under the law to do that in the case of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions.
So Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, aided by the Republican roll call in the Senate and our own Sen. Blanche Lincoln, set out to stop the regulation anyway. Murkowski and Lincoln, by the way, lead the U. S. Senate in election cash gleaned from the oil industry — $286,000 in this election cycle for Lincoln, who this week narrowly survived her primary challenge in Arkansas.
Lincoln has said she knew that the country needed to brake its petroleum consumption and convert to clean and renewable energy, both to curb global warming and to reduce the nation’s dependence on energy from the world’s most dangerous regions. But she thinks Congress should do all that by law rather than let the unelected EPA scientists and administrators do it, although there did not seem to be a problem with EPA setting pollution standards the past 35 years until it got to carbon dioxide. Sen. Mark Pryor said he supported the Murkowski-Lincoln resolution for the same reason: It is Congress’ duty to address these matters, and Congress is where the country will get its most dependable regulation.
We suspect that most people will not agree that Congress will do it just right. In fact, polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans support EPA regulation of greenhouse gases.
But here is the more compelling argument. It is disingenuous for Lincoln and the Republicans to say that the country should let Congress do it. The Senate is not going to act seriously on greenhouse gases and a new energy policy because the Republicans and a tiny band of Democrats, including Lincoln, will not permit it. She joined Republicans last year in opposing even a weak climate bill that created incentives to convert to clean, renewable energy.
She is not going to support an energy bill that the oil and gas industry, the big coal-burning electric companies like SWEPCO and the chamber of commerce do not support, and given the current composition of the Senate and the likely one after the elections, an effective energy law cannot be enacted without both Lincoln and Pryor. We hope we underestimate her.
Perhaps still another environmental cataclysm or scorching evidence of climate change would do the trick, but probably not. The Stone Age did not end when the earth ran out of stones but when man found better tools. Stone Age politicians did not have to deal with campaign and lobbying cash from the stone crushers. We may have to wait until we exhaust hydrocarbons to adapt. It would be nice to have the time.
TOP STORY >> C-130 deliveries replacing trucks
IN SHORT: Squadron is saving lives with flights instead of road deliveries.
By Amn. Rochelle Sollars
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The C-130s from Little Rock Air Force Base assigned to Iraq have helped replace 20,429 truck convoys in May, setting a record.
They are saving lives by taking thousands of military members off dangerous roads, where improvised-explosive devices are often set by insurgents.
Through the efforts of these airmen, the C-130s are a safer means of transportation for all branches of the military in combat zones.
“Twenty thousand (vehicles) is significant because every vehicle we take off IED-laden roads in Iraq and Afghanistan lowers the risk to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on the ground performing convoy duty,” said Col. David Kasberg, 19th Operations Group commander at Little Rock Air Force Base.
“By airlifting cargo and passengers, we also take a target away from the enemy, which undermines their information- operations campaign,” he added.
According to Col. Nathan Allerheiligen, commander of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which coordinates the airlifts and airdrops, “It’s the mighty power of the Air Force mobility machine that enables the U.S. to be able to operate in austere locations like Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“The Dragon Warriors hauled over 15,000 passengers and logged nearly 1,000 effective sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Allerheiligen. “Needless to say, I’m very proud of our operators and our adopted maintainers who have worked so diligently to hack the (mission).”
“The No. 1 hostile threat to lives of soldiers is roadside bombs, improvised explosive devices. Our adversary has learned how to create, hide and detonate sinister devices that can harm our soldiers traveling the roads of Iraq,” said Allerheiligen.
“By reducing the convoys, we reduce the number of vehicles, and thus, precious lives, who are exposed to those dangerous weapons.”
According to Allerheiligen, a typical bus carries about 40 people, without luggage, but a C-130 can carry 80 military personnel with their luggage. A flat-bed truck may carry four to six pallets, which is the same as a C-130’s cargo capacity.
“Thus, every mission is another opportunity to remove several trucks from having to carry stuff on the ground,” he said. “Occasionally, we actually carry the smaller trucks themselves.”
“The teamwork required to make these missions happen is incredible,” Kasberg said. “It really takes the entire (Department of Defense) team, military and civilian, to make every sortie effective.”
“Every training sortie conducted at Little Rock Air Force Base is one more combat airlifter ready to take convoys off the roads,” Kasberg said.
“Combat resupply, whether through airland or airdrop operations, is what we in the air mobility world live for,” said Kasberg. “It isn’t as glamorous as putting bombs on target, but the effect of getting the right cargo and passengers to the right destination on time every time is what enables the U.S. and its coalition partners to be successful.”
“The Air Force is all in. The earliest legacies of air power come from our ability to haul men, material and equipment over vast distances,” said Allerheiligen. “The heritage started through great operations like ‘The Hump’ and the Berlin Airlift.
(The) are continued today through the efforts of airmen who are delivering the goods all over the world, but especially within Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.”
By Amn. Rochelle Sollars
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The C-130s from Little Rock Air Force Base assigned to Iraq have helped replace 20,429 truck convoys in May, setting a record.
They are saving lives by taking thousands of military members off dangerous roads, where improvised-explosive devices are often set by insurgents.
Through the efforts of these airmen, the C-130s are a safer means of transportation for all branches of the military in combat zones.
“Twenty thousand (vehicles) is significant because every vehicle we take off IED-laden roads in Iraq and Afghanistan lowers the risk to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on the ground performing convoy duty,” said Col. David Kasberg, 19th Operations Group commander at Little Rock Air Force Base.
“By airlifting cargo and passengers, we also take a target away from the enemy, which undermines their information- operations campaign,” he added.
According to Col. Nathan Allerheiligen, commander of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which coordinates the airlifts and airdrops, “It’s the mighty power of the Air Force mobility machine that enables the U.S. to be able to operate in austere locations like Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“The Dragon Warriors hauled over 15,000 passengers and logged nearly 1,000 effective sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Allerheiligen. “Needless to say, I’m very proud of our operators and our adopted maintainers who have worked so diligently to hack the (mission).”
“The No. 1 hostile threat to lives of soldiers is roadside bombs, improvised explosive devices. Our adversary has learned how to create, hide and detonate sinister devices that can harm our soldiers traveling the roads of Iraq,” said Allerheiligen.
“By reducing the convoys, we reduce the number of vehicles, and thus, precious lives, who are exposed to those dangerous weapons.”
According to Allerheiligen, a typical bus carries about 40 people, without luggage, but a C-130 can carry 80 military personnel with their luggage. A flat-bed truck may carry four to six pallets, which is the same as a C-130’s cargo capacity.
“Thus, every mission is another opportunity to remove several trucks from having to carry stuff on the ground,” he said. “Occasionally, we actually carry the smaller trucks themselves.”
“The teamwork required to make these missions happen is incredible,” Kasberg said. “It really takes the entire (Department of Defense) team, military and civilian, to make every sortie effective.”
“Every training sortie conducted at Little Rock Air Force Base is one more combat airlifter ready to take convoys off the roads,” Kasberg said.
“Combat resupply, whether through airland or airdrop operations, is what we in the air mobility world live for,” said Kasberg. “It isn’t as glamorous as putting bombs on target, but the effect of getting the right cargo and passengers to the right destination on time every time is what enables the U.S. and its coalition partners to be successful.”
“The Air Force is all in. The earliest legacies of air power come from our ability to haul men, material and equipment over vast distances,” said Allerheiligen. “The heritage started through great operations like ‘The Hump’ and the Berlin Airlift.
(The) are continued today through the efforts of airmen who are delivering the goods all over the world, but especially within Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.”
TOP STORY >> PCSSD scores below average
IN SHORT: Arnold Drive tops district at multiple grade levels, but it’s not enough.
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Every fifth-grade student at Arnold Drive Elementary School scored proficient or advanced on the annual benchmark exam, but even though 100 percent of students did well, it was not enough to push the district past the state average.
Based on a 55-page report from the district, Pulaski County Special School District students did make gains in most areas of the state and federally mandated benchmark exam, but still ended under the state average at all grade levels.
Third-, fourth- and fifth- grade students were close to pulling even with the state average, but the gap widens for sixth-, seventh- and eight-graders.
Students in grades third through eight, took the benchmark exams in literacy, math and science in April. According to No Child Left Behind requirements, students are required to score proficient or advanced in literacy and math by the end of the 2013-2014 school year. No deadline has been set yet for all students to be proficient or better in science.
For this year, schools and districts should have about 70 percent or more of their students scoring proficient or better.
Bright spots in the preliminary test data provided by PCSSD included:
• Arnold Drive fourth- and fifth-graders topped the district in math and literacy. At the third- grade level, Arnold Drive students were first in the district in math and second only to Chenal in literacy.
• At the sixth-grade level, Northwood Middle and the girls at Jacksonville Middle topped the district in math.
Even though the boys and girls campuses of Jacksonville Middle School have been combined back into one campus, the scores were still gender segregated.
• Northwood Middle School eighth-graders were the best in the District on the literacy section of the benchmark.
• Warren Dupree third-graders had the largest gains in the district between 2009 and 2010, going up 36 percent in math and 34 percent in literacy.
• The seventh-grade boys at Jacksonville Middle School jumped 25 percent in literacy and 21 percent in math from 2009 to this year.
Points of concern include:
•The district score dropped 5 percent from 2009 for sixth-graders taking the math portion of the test and dropped 2 percent for eighth graders taking the math portion.
• No sixth-grade or seventh-grade school in the district reached required levels in literacy and no eighth-grade school made the required annual yearly progress in math.
Based on scores, students are placed in one of four categories: Advanced, proficient, basic and below basic.
Students scoring advanced on a segment of the benchmark test are said to be fully ready for the next grade (basically the equivalent of an A); proficient means the student would occasionally need some help or assistance (the general equivalent of a B).
A student with a basic score would struggle in the next grade or level and need lots of help (the general equivalency of a C) and a student is below basic is not ready for the next grade without near constant help or assistance.
At the third-grade level in math, the state average was 83 percent proficient or advanced and PCSSD had a proficient or better rate of 81 percent. In literacy, the state was 71 percent with the district coming in at 66 percent.
In the fourth grade, the state average in the math segment of the benchmark was 80 percent proficient or advanced and at the district level that dropped to 77 percent. In literacy, the state average was 77 percent and the district almost matched that, coming in at 76 percent proficient or advanced.
At the fifth-grade level on the math portion, the state average was 74 percent and the district average was 66 percent. In literacy, the state had 74 percent of its students score proficient or better and the district was one point off at 73 percent.
For sixth-graders, the state average on the math portion was 75 percent and the district was 12 points off that pace at 63 percent proficient or better. In literacy, the state average was 71 percent and the district’s average was 59 percent.
At the seventh-grade level, 75 percent of the students across the state were proficient or better on the math exam, but for PCSSD that fell to 67 percent. In literacy the state average was 68 percent and the district dipped to 59 percent.
For eighth-graders, 63 percent of the students across the state were proficient or advanced at math. At the district level, it was 49 percent. In literacy, the state average was 76 percent and the district average was 67 percent.
Third grade
Arnold Drive and Warren Dupree had the best math scores with 96 percent of their third graders scoring proficient or advanced on the math segment of the benchmark. At Bayou Meto, 92 percent of the students made the grade.
In fact, only three schools failed to reach the annual yearly progress rate of 70 percent. Pinewood had 69 percent of its students score proficient or advanced, Murrell Taylor was at 57 percent and Harris had 47 percent of its students making the cut.
At other area schools, Sylvan Hills and Cato had 88 percent of their students score proficient or advanced, Clinton was at 83 percent proficient or better, Oakbrooke at 80 percent, Tolleson at 75 percent, Sherwood Elementary at 72 percent and Jacksonville Elementary had 71 percent of its students at proficient or better.
On the literacy portion of the state exam, Arnold Drive had the second best scores in the district with 89 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced.
Eight area schools failed to reach the annual yearly progress rate of 71.2 percent. They were Clinton Elementary, where 69 percent of its students scored proficient or advanced; Tolleson was at 65 percent; Oakbrooke at 61 percent; Sherwood at 57 percent; Murrell Taylor at 52 percent; Pinewood at 50 percent; Jacksonville at 42 percent, and Harris had 41 percent of its students score proficient or better.
Fourth grade
Arnold Drive fourth-graders topped the district in the math portion of the state test with 96 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced. At Bayou Meto, 91 percent of its students were proficient or better.
Four area schools fell below the annual yearly progress rate of 70 percent. They were Pinewood at 67 percent proficient or advanced, Jacksonville at 66 percent, Murrell Taylor at 64 percent and Harris at 55 percent.
At other area schools, Dupree was 84 percent proficient or advanced, Tolleson was 83 percent, Oakbrooke at 81 percent, Cato at 80 percent, Clinton and Sylvan Hills both had 77 percent of their students at proficient or advanced and Sherwood at 72 percent.
Arnold Drive students also topped the district in literacy with 96 percent of its fourth-graders scoring proficient or better.
Four schools scored below the required baseline of 71.2 percent. They were Sherwood Elementary at 67 percent proficient or better, Jacksonville at 61 percent, Harris at 60 percent and Murrell Taylor at 58 percent.
Other scores include Warren Dupree with 84 percent of its students at proficient or better, Tolleson at 81 percent, Cato and Oakbrooke both at 78 percent, Clinton at 77 percent, Bayou Meto at 74 percent, Sylvan Hills at 73 percent and Pinewood at 72 percent.
Fifth grade
Arnold Drive fifth-graders were perfect on the math portion of the state exam with 100 percent scoring proficient or better. But things fell off fast from there with eight schools not making the grade.
Falling below the 70 percent annual yearly progress rate were Oakbrooke at 68 percent, Sylvan Hills at 67 percent, Sherwood at 63 percent, Clinton at 57 percent, Jacksonville at 56 percent, Pinewood at 52 percent, Murrell Taylor at 42 percent and Harris Elementary had only 37 percent of its fifth-graders score proficient or better.
Between Arnold Drive and the under-performing schools were Cato with 75 percent of its students proficient or advanced, Warren Dupree and Tolleson at 74 percent, and Bayou Meto with 72 percent of its students making the grade.
In literacy, Arnold Drive was again the top school in the district as 92 percent of its fifth-graders scored proficient or advanced.
Sherwood just missed the required baseline average of 71.2 percent as 71 percent of its students were proficient or advanced.
Also missing the cut were Pinewood at 70 percent, Jacksonville at 67 percent, Murrell Taylor at 50 percent and Harris at 41 percent.
At other area schools, Cato had 82 percent of its students at proficient or advanced, Tolleson was at 80 percent, Oakbrook and Sylvan Hills were at 76 percent, Warren Dupree was at 74 percent, Clinton was at 73 percent and Bayou Meto at 72 percent of its students scored proficient or better.
Sixth grade
The Jacksonville Middle School sixth-grade girls and Northwood Middle students had the best math scores in the district with 70 percent at proficient or better.
Both Sylvan Hills, at 61 percent proficient or advanced, and the boys at Jacksonville Middle School, at 55 percent, were below the annual yearly progress rate of 64.55 percent.
On the literacy portion of the test, not a single PCSSD school topped the annual yearly progress rate of 67.6 percent.
Sylvan Hills Middle was closest at 63 percent, Northwood had 62 percent, the girls at Jacksonville Middle were at 60 percent proficient or better, and the boys at Jacksonville Middle were a dismal 32 percent.
Seventh grade
On the math portion of the state and federally mandated exams, Northwood Middle students were second best in the district with 73 percent scoring proficient or advanced.
Northwood was the only area school to be above the baseline mark of 64.55 percent.
The Jacksonville Middle School boys were at 64 percent, Sylvan Hills Middle School was at 61 percent and 54 percent of the girls at Jacksonville Middle School scored proficient of higher.
On the literacy portion, no school in the district reached the annual yearly progress rate of 67.6 percent.
Sylvan Hills Middle had 61 percent of its students score proficient or advance, Northwood Middle had 59 percent and only 49 percent of the girls and 48 percent of the boys at Jacksonville Middle School were proficient or better.
Eighth grade
No district eighth- grade school reached the baseline rate of 65 percent on the math portion of the benchmark.
Northwood Middle had 54 percent of its students score proficient or advanced, Sylvan Hills Middle had 45 percent, and only 33 percent of the boys and 27 percent of the girls at Jacksonville Middle School made the cut.
On the literacy portion of the benchmark, Northwood had 78 percent of its students at proficient or better, and Sylvan Hills Middle School was at 70 percent.
Both the boys and the girls at Jacksonville Middle School were below the annual yearly progress rate of 67.6 percent, with the girls registering 58 percent and the boys at 44 percent.
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Every fifth-grade student at Arnold Drive Elementary School scored proficient or advanced on the annual benchmark exam, but even though 100 percent of students did well, it was not enough to push the district past the state average.
Based on a 55-page report from the district, Pulaski County Special School District students did make gains in most areas of the state and federally mandated benchmark exam, but still ended under the state average at all grade levels.
Third-, fourth- and fifth- grade students were close to pulling even with the state average, but the gap widens for sixth-, seventh- and eight-graders.
Students in grades third through eight, took the benchmark exams in literacy, math and science in April. According to No Child Left Behind requirements, students are required to score proficient or advanced in literacy and math by the end of the 2013-2014 school year. No deadline has been set yet for all students to be proficient or better in science.
For this year, schools and districts should have about 70 percent or more of their students scoring proficient or better.
Bright spots in the preliminary test data provided by PCSSD included:
• Arnold Drive fourth- and fifth-graders topped the district in math and literacy. At the third- grade level, Arnold Drive students were first in the district in math and second only to Chenal in literacy.
• At the sixth-grade level, Northwood Middle and the girls at Jacksonville Middle topped the district in math.
Even though the boys and girls campuses of Jacksonville Middle School have been combined back into one campus, the scores were still gender segregated.
• Northwood Middle School eighth-graders were the best in the District on the literacy section of the benchmark.
• Warren Dupree third-graders had the largest gains in the district between 2009 and 2010, going up 36 percent in math and 34 percent in literacy.
• The seventh-grade boys at Jacksonville Middle School jumped 25 percent in literacy and 21 percent in math from 2009 to this year.
Points of concern include:
•The district score dropped 5 percent from 2009 for sixth-graders taking the math portion of the test and dropped 2 percent for eighth graders taking the math portion.
• No sixth-grade or seventh-grade school in the district reached required levels in literacy and no eighth-grade school made the required annual yearly progress in math.
Based on scores, students are placed in one of four categories: Advanced, proficient, basic and below basic.
Students scoring advanced on a segment of the benchmark test are said to be fully ready for the next grade (basically the equivalent of an A); proficient means the student would occasionally need some help or assistance (the general equivalent of a B).
A student with a basic score would struggle in the next grade or level and need lots of help (the general equivalency of a C) and a student is below basic is not ready for the next grade without near constant help or assistance.
At the third-grade level in math, the state average was 83 percent proficient or advanced and PCSSD had a proficient or better rate of 81 percent. In literacy, the state was 71 percent with the district coming in at 66 percent.
In the fourth grade, the state average in the math segment of the benchmark was 80 percent proficient or advanced and at the district level that dropped to 77 percent. In literacy, the state average was 77 percent and the district almost matched that, coming in at 76 percent proficient or advanced.
At the fifth-grade level on the math portion, the state average was 74 percent and the district average was 66 percent. In literacy, the state had 74 percent of its students score proficient or better and the district was one point off at 73 percent.
For sixth-graders, the state average on the math portion was 75 percent and the district was 12 points off that pace at 63 percent proficient or better. In literacy, the state average was 71 percent and the district’s average was 59 percent.
At the seventh-grade level, 75 percent of the students across the state were proficient or better on the math exam, but for PCSSD that fell to 67 percent. In literacy the state average was 68 percent and the district dipped to 59 percent.
For eighth-graders, 63 percent of the students across the state were proficient or advanced at math. At the district level, it was 49 percent. In literacy, the state average was 76 percent and the district average was 67 percent.
Third grade
Arnold Drive and Warren Dupree had the best math scores with 96 percent of their third graders scoring proficient or advanced on the math segment of the benchmark. At Bayou Meto, 92 percent of the students made the grade.
In fact, only three schools failed to reach the annual yearly progress rate of 70 percent. Pinewood had 69 percent of its students score proficient or advanced, Murrell Taylor was at 57 percent and Harris had 47 percent of its students making the cut.
At other area schools, Sylvan Hills and Cato had 88 percent of their students score proficient or advanced, Clinton was at 83 percent proficient or better, Oakbrooke at 80 percent, Tolleson at 75 percent, Sherwood Elementary at 72 percent and Jacksonville Elementary had 71 percent of its students at proficient or better.
On the literacy portion of the state exam, Arnold Drive had the second best scores in the district with 89 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced.
Eight area schools failed to reach the annual yearly progress rate of 71.2 percent. They were Clinton Elementary, where 69 percent of its students scored proficient or advanced; Tolleson was at 65 percent; Oakbrooke at 61 percent; Sherwood at 57 percent; Murrell Taylor at 52 percent; Pinewood at 50 percent; Jacksonville at 42 percent, and Harris had 41 percent of its students score proficient or better.
Fourth grade
Arnold Drive fourth-graders topped the district in the math portion of the state test with 96 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced. At Bayou Meto, 91 percent of its students were proficient or better.
Four area schools fell below the annual yearly progress rate of 70 percent. They were Pinewood at 67 percent proficient or advanced, Jacksonville at 66 percent, Murrell Taylor at 64 percent and Harris at 55 percent.
At other area schools, Dupree was 84 percent proficient or advanced, Tolleson was 83 percent, Oakbrooke at 81 percent, Cato at 80 percent, Clinton and Sylvan Hills both had 77 percent of their students at proficient or advanced and Sherwood at 72 percent.
Arnold Drive students also topped the district in literacy with 96 percent of its fourth-graders scoring proficient or better.
Four schools scored below the required baseline of 71.2 percent. They were Sherwood Elementary at 67 percent proficient or better, Jacksonville at 61 percent, Harris at 60 percent and Murrell Taylor at 58 percent.
Other scores include Warren Dupree with 84 percent of its students at proficient or better, Tolleson at 81 percent, Cato and Oakbrooke both at 78 percent, Clinton at 77 percent, Bayou Meto at 74 percent, Sylvan Hills at 73 percent and Pinewood at 72 percent.
Fifth grade
Arnold Drive fifth-graders were perfect on the math portion of the state exam with 100 percent scoring proficient or better. But things fell off fast from there with eight schools not making the grade.
Falling below the 70 percent annual yearly progress rate were Oakbrooke at 68 percent, Sylvan Hills at 67 percent, Sherwood at 63 percent, Clinton at 57 percent, Jacksonville at 56 percent, Pinewood at 52 percent, Murrell Taylor at 42 percent and Harris Elementary had only 37 percent of its fifth-graders score proficient or better.
Between Arnold Drive and the under-performing schools were Cato with 75 percent of its students proficient or advanced, Warren Dupree and Tolleson at 74 percent, and Bayou Meto with 72 percent of its students making the grade.
In literacy, Arnold Drive was again the top school in the district as 92 percent of its fifth-graders scored proficient or advanced.
Sherwood just missed the required baseline average of 71.2 percent as 71 percent of its students were proficient or advanced.
Also missing the cut were Pinewood at 70 percent, Jacksonville at 67 percent, Murrell Taylor at 50 percent and Harris at 41 percent.
At other area schools, Cato had 82 percent of its students at proficient or advanced, Tolleson was at 80 percent, Oakbrook and Sylvan Hills were at 76 percent, Warren Dupree was at 74 percent, Clinton was at 73 percent and Bayou Meto at 72 percent of its students scored proficient or better.
Sixth grade
The Jacksonville Middle School sixth-grade girls and Northwood Middle students had the best math scores in the district with 70 percent at proficient or better.
Both Sylvan Hills, at 61 percent proficient or advanced, and the boys at Jacksonville Middle School, at 55 percent, were below the annual yearly progress rate of 64.55 percent.
On the literacy portion of the test, not a single PCSSD school topped the annual yearly progress rate of 67.6 percent.
Sylvan Hills Middle was closest at 63 percent, Northwood had 62 percent, the girls at Jacksonville Middle were at 60 percent proficient or better, and the boys at Jacksonville Middle were a dismal 32 percent.
Seventh grade
On the math portion of the state and federally mandated exams, Northwood Middle students were second best in the district with 73 percent scoring proficient or advanced.
Northwood was the only area school to be above the baseline mark of 64.55 percent.
The Jacksonville Middle School boys were at 64 percent, Sylvan Hills Middle School was at 61 percent and 54 percent of the girls at Jacksonville Middle School scored proficient of higher.
On the literacy portion, no school in the district reached the annual yearly progress rate of 67.6 percent.
Sylvan Hills Middle had 61 percent of its students score proficient or advance, Northwood Middle had 59 percent and only 49 percent of the girls and 48 percent of the boys at Jacksonville Middle School were proficient or better.
Eighth grade
No district eighth- grade school reached the baseline rate of 65 percent on the math portion of the benchmark.
Northwood Middle had 54 percent of its students score proficient or advanced, Sylvan Hills Middle had 45 percent, and only 33 percent of the boys and 27 percent of the girls at Jacksonville Middle School made the cut.
On the literacy portion of the benchmark, Northwood had 78 percent of its students at proficient or better, and Sylvan Hills Middle School was at 70 percent.
Both the boys and the girls at Jacksonville Middle School were below the annual yearly progress rate of 67.6 percent, with the girls registering 58 percent and the boys at 44 percent.
TOP STORY >> Elliott eager to build on primary win
IN SHORT: Optimistic Elliott hits ground running after primary runoff victory, but faces tough challenger.
By John Hofheimer
Leader senior staff writer
Fresh on the heels of an impressive 55 percent to 45 percent Democratic primary runoff victory against Robbie Wills Tuesday, state Sen. Joyce Elliott by Thursday was already hard at work, campaigning to become Arkansas’ first black congressman.
Actually, Elliott says, she’s not running to be the first black elected to Congress from Arkansas, but simply to be the next to hold the Second Congressional District seat currently occupied by Rep. Vic Snyder, a popular progressive.
“I’m not sure I accept that race is a factor,” Elliott said during a rainy-day phone interview wedged between two appearances. “I don’t think it’s going to be a factor. Most people have gotten past that.”
Elliott was the clear leader of the five-person May 18 Democratic primary with 40 percent of the vote, while Wills got 28 percent.
Wills has said he would fully support Elliott in her November general election race against Republican Tim Griffin, a Karl Rove protege who replaced Bud Cummins as interim U.S. Attorney in a political move by the Bush administration.
Griffin defeated Scott Wallace in the Republican primary.
Elliott said she would welcome support by President Barack Obama, who carried only four Arkansas counties in his victory over Sen. John McCain in 2008. Pulaski County was one of those four counties.
“I’m glad this first phase is over,” Elliott said. “When I look back, it was as much work as I thought it would be, but some of the most exhilarating. My victory affirms how important it is to lift up politics. We don’t have to reduce ourselves to the lowest terms to get our point across and represent our beliefs.”
Wills sent out campaign mailers widely decried as dishonestly misrepresenting Elliott’s beliefs and record.
How does she feel about that?
“I have made it a practice all my life that what’s done is done, move on to the next thing. It’s important to lose with grace, but essential to win with grace.”
The key to winning in November is one-on-one campaigning, activating a small group in every county and building coalitions, she said.
“I’m making sure people know what my record is and what I stand for. It’s my responsibility to make sure that what’s real is what’s represented.”
As Senate majority leader and during her tenure in both Arkansas houses, she said she had “brought people together working for education and health care and working on issues that have to do with good jobs and living wages, and being fiscally responsible. That’s what my record reflects.
“I am an even-handed type of policy person. I don’t believe all the power should go to any one side. Any close examination of my record will show that.”
She said she expects an aggressive, issue-oriented campaign from her opponent. “We’ll have many opportunities to distinguish our differences and showcase some of the things we agree on,” she said.
She expects a lot of support from Pulaski County, which she won in the primary and which carried Snyder to victory even when he lost all his other counties.
“But I’m going to build alliances in every one of those counties outside of Pulaski,” Elliott said.
She needs to raise new campaign funds, but said there would be a coordinated campaign of the state’s Democrats, including Gov. Mike Beebe, aspiring secretary of state Pat O’Brien, the other candidates for constitutional offices and Sen. Blanche Lincoln, which would concentrate support.
“Everybody comes together and works together,” she said.
By John Hofheimer
Leader senior staff writer
Fresh on the heels of an impressive 55 percent to 45 percent Democratic primary runoff victory against Robbie Wills Tuesday, state Sen. Joyce Elliott by Thursday was already hard at work, campaigning to become Arkansas’ first black congressman.
Actually, Elliott says, she’s not running to be the first black elected to Congress from Arkansas, but simply to be the next to hold the Second Congressional District seat currently occupied by Rep. Vic Snyder, a popular progressive.
“I’m not sure I accept that race is a factor,” Elliott said during a rainy-day phone interview wedged between two appearances. “I don’t think it’s going to be a factor. Most people have gotten past that.”
Elliott was the clear leader of the five-person May 18 Democratic primary with 40 percent of the vote, while Wills got 28 percent.
Wills has said he would fully support Elliott in her November general election race against Republican Tim Griffin, a Karl Rove protege who replaced Bud Cummins as interim U.S. Attorney in a political move by the Bush administration.
Griffin defeated Scott Wallace in the Republican primary.
Elliott said she would welcome support by President Barack Obama, who carried only four Arkansas counties in his victory over Sen. John McCain in 2008. Pulaski County was one of those four counties.
“I’m glad this first phase is over,” Elliott said. “When I look back, it was as much work as I thought it would be, but some of the most exhilarating. My victory affirms how important it is to lift up politics. We don’t have to reduce ourselves to the lowest terms to get our point across and represent our beliefs.”
Wills sent out campaign mailers widely decried as dishonestly misrepresenting Elliott’s beliefs and record.
How does she feel about that?
“I have made it a practice all my life that what’s done is done, move on to the next thing. It’s important to lose with grace, but essential to win with grace.”
The key to winning in November is one-on-one campaigning, activating a small group in every county and building coalitions, she said.
“I’m making sure people know what my record is and what I stand for. It’s my responsibility to make sure that what’s real is what’s represented.”
As Senate majority leader and during her tenure in both Arkansas houses, she said she had “brought people together working for education and health care and working on issues that have to do with good jobs and living wages, and being fiscally responsible. That’s what my record reflects.
“I am an even-handed type of policy person. I don’t believe all the power should go to any one side. Any close examination of my record will show that.”
She said she expects an aggressive, issue-oriented campaign from her opponent. “We’ll have many opportunities to distinguish our differences and showcase some of the things we agree on,” she said.
She expects a lot of support from Pulaski County, which she won in the primary and which carried Snyder to victory even when he lost all his other counties.
“But I’m going to build alliances in every one of those counties outside of Pulaski,” Elliott said.
She needs to raise new campaign funds, but said there would be a coordinated campaign of the state’s Democrats, including Gov. Mike Beebe, aspiring secretary of state Pat O’Brien, the other candidates for constitutional offices and Sen. Blanche Lincoln, which would concentrate support.
“Everybody comes together and works together,” she said.
TOP STORY >> O’Brien switches focus to fall race
IN SHORT: Jacksonville native wins big, enjoys the lull before the general election.
By John Hofheimer
Leader staff writer
With his landslide Democratic primary victory for his party’s nomination as secretary of state in the rearview mirror, Pat O’Brien says he’s going to take a week or two off from actively campaigning to recharge his batteries, then start working toward a November general election victory over Rep. Mark Martin, his Republican opponent.
“Then tell why I’m the best qualified for the job and move on through November,” he said.
Batteries aren’t all he needs to charge for the impending race. The coffers are empty, he said. His campaign spent all of the $425,000 raised for the primary and the runoff, said the Jacksonville native, businessman and lawyer.
O’Brien said he didn’t know how much he would need to raise to run a successful campaign in November, but that in the next few days he would start working on a budget.
“Jacksonville and Pulaski County are the backbone of my campaign,” he said.
“We’ll do a lot of what we did before,” he said, “travel the state and build the momentum to where it will climax in November.”
Although there hasn’t been a Republican secretary of state in at least 100 years, O’Brien said, “I’m not going to rest on my laurels.”
He said the electorate is campaign-weary right now. “I don’t think anyone wants to see (campaign) TV commercials anytime soon. But this is not the end but the end of the beginning,” he said.
As for the general election campaign, “I will emphasize northwest Arkansas more. In terms of the Democratic primary, that area doesn’t perform as well in the primaries, but I would hazard a guess that the Third District might (have) the highest voting percentage.”
“I’m going after independents and moderate Republicans in addition to Democrats,” he said.
O’Brien said Democrats would run a coordinated campaign in November and that money would be spent more efficiently—and that he might not have to raise as much as he needed to defeat Doris Tate and Mark Wilcox in the primary.
“I’ve talked with Wilcox and Tate, and both are on board and will work hard to bring their supporters into the fold pretty quickly,” he said.
O’Brien said if he is elected, he would probably bring some people from his leadership team in the Pulaski County/Circuit Clerk’s office with him to the new office.
“I haven’t made any decisions but I always have the same philosophy—the best player plays. (The secretary of state’s office has) 160 employees and I’m sure a lot of them would stay.”
“I cannot thank enough the people of Arkansas who supported me during this race,” he said.
By John Hofheimer
Leader staff writer
With his landslide Democratic primary victory for his party’s nomination as secretary of state in the rearview mirror, Pat O’Brien says he’s going to take a week or two off from actively campaigning to recharge his batteries, then start working toward a November general election victory over Rep. Mark Martin, his Republican opponent.
“Then tell why I’m the best qualified for the job and move on through November,” he said.
Batteries aren’t all he needs to charge for the impending race. The coffers are empty, he said. His campaign spent all of the $425,000 raised for the primary and the runoff, said the Jacksonville native, businessman and lawyer.
O’Brien said he didn’t know how much he would need to raise to run a successful campaign in November, but that in the next few days he would start working on a budget.
“Jacksonville and Pulaski County are the backbone of my campaign,” he said.
“We’ll do a lot of what we did before,” he said, “travel the state and build the momentum to where it will climax in November.”
Although there hasn’t been a Republican secretary of state in at least 100 years, O’Brien said, “I’m not going to rest on my laurels.”
He said the electorate is campaign-weary right now. “I don’t think anyone wants to see (campaign) TV commercials anytime soon. But this is not the end but the end of the beginning,” he said.
As for the general election campaign, “I will emphasize northwest Arkansas more. In terms of the Democratic primary, that area doesn’t perform as well in the primaries, but I would hazard a guess that the Third District might (have) the highest voting percentage.”
“I’m going after independents and moderate Republicans in addition to Democrats,” he said.
O’Brien said Democrats would run a coordinated campaign in November and that money would be spent more efficiently—and that he might not have to raise as much as he needed to defeat Doris Tate and Mark Wilcox in the primary.
“I’ve talked with Wilcox and Tate, and both are on board and will work hard to bring their supporters into the fold pretty quickly,” he said.
O’Brien said if he is elected, he would probably bring some people from his leadership team in the Pulaski County/Circuit Clerk’s office with him to the new office.
“I haven’t made any decisions but I always have the same philosophy—the best player plays. (The secretary of state’s office has) 160 employees and I’m sure a lot of them would stay.”
“I cannot thank enough the people of Arkansas who supported me during this race,” he said.
TOP STORY >> Audit shows PCSSD fast and loose with money
By John Hofheimer
Leader senior staff writer
The Pulaski County Special School Board on Friday afternoon reversed itself, implementing for the first time a “no-cash-advance” policy for traveling board members, just hours after the state Legislative Audit Committee chastised the board for its failure to rein in the self-enrichment of some members through improper advances and restitution.
Board expenses from July 1, 2006 to March 3, 2009 included $37,855 for travel reimbursements and $8,544 for food and catering for workshops and meetings. Board policy does not impose a limit on food purchases.
The audit found about $7,000 of that improper.
When it met in May, the Legislative Audit Committee discussed having the state take over the district for financial malfeasance and incompetence, and at its June meeting on Friday, it decided to audit the school district annually.
In May, the auditors said more than half a million dollars had been stolen or misappropriated over the past six years.
Some employees, including former maintenance supervisor James Deimer, will go to jail.
Deimer stole about $440,000 worth of school property for resale. He has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Among the audit findings were that two PCSSD school board members, Mildred Tatum and Gwen Williams, owe $2,788 and $619 respectively for travel reimbursements they received that are not allowed by state law. They include reimbursements to Tatum of $116 for a ticket to a Broadway play and $321 for two nights and valet parking at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, when she attended a local conference.
Tatum lives a few miles outside Little Rock.
Both women submitted virtually identical letters to the auditors vaguely detailing their intention to repay the debts, but not laying out a schedule of payments.
This is not the first time Williams has received improper cash advances or reimbursements. Several years ago she received an advance of about $2,000 for a workshop that she didn’t attend, and she did not repay the money for more than a year, until it was discovered and made public.
The audit committee members, unhappy with the district’s response to its findings about the board, said they wanted the entire board to attend the next meeting, which will be in September.
Only board president Tim Clark attended the Legislative Audit Committee meeting Friday, and he also was censured.
The committee members expressed concern over mileage reimbursements of $2,030 for 100 trips, 58 miles each from Clark’s home to the central office and back between February and December 2009.
Tatum was paid $1,447 in mileage between July 2007 and September 2009. Williams billed the district and was paid $339.
Board members Charlie Wood, Bill Vasquez, Sandra Sawyer and Danny Gilliland apparently asked for no reimbursement.
Clark, who requested the audit shortly after taking office, could be glad now that former Superintendent James Sharpe rejected one of his reimbursement requests.
He asked Sharpe to sign off on a $2,753 bill for a party Clark threw at the Maumelle Country Club in celebration of the groundbreaking for the new high school at Maumelle.
Sharpe refused, Clark paid it himself, and soon after, the board forced Sharpe to resign.
Interim Superintendent Rob McGill put an item on the agenda for Tuesday’s regular board meeting that would have prohibited cash advances for board members in the face of abuse by at least two of the board members.
But the board tabled the motion and ordered McGill to direct Chief Financial Officer Anita Farver to create a policy that would not place a hardship on the board members.
McGill said that violated the committee’s wishes and refused.
In a special PCSSD board meeting Friday, after the Legislative Audit Committee meeting, the board unanimously reversed itself, prohibiting cash advances to board members by a 4-0 vote. Clark, Gilliland, Tatum and Wood were the only members present.
The board on Tuesday also defeated McGill’s agenda item that would have required Williams and Tatum to pay the district by July 15 for the improper reimbursements or advancements they got or face possible charges.
Leader senior staff writer
The Pulaski County Special School Board on Friday afternoon reversed itself, implementing for the first time a “no-cash-advance” policy for traveling board members, just hours after the state Legislative Audit Committee chastised the board for its failure to rein in the self-enrichment of some members through improper advances and restitution.
Board expenses from July 1, 2006 to March 3, 2009 included $37,855 for travel reimbursements and $8,544 for food and catering for workshops and meetings. Board policy does not impose a limit on food purchases.
The audit found about $7,000 of that improper.
When it met in May, the Legislative Audit Committee discussed having the state take over the district for financial malfeasance and incompetence, and at its June meeting on Friday, it decided to audit the school district annually.
In May, the auditors said more than half a million dollars had been stolen or misappropriated over the past six years.
Some employees, including former maintenance supervisor James Deimer, will go to jail.
Deimer stole about $440,000 worth of school property for resale. He has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Among the audit findings were that two PCSSD school board members, Mildred Tatum and Gwen Williams, owe $2,788 and $619 respectively for travel reimbursements they received that are not allowed by state law. They include reimbursements to Tatum of $116 for a ticket to a Broadway play and $321 for two nights and valet parking at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, when she attended a local conference.
Tatum lives a few miles outside Little Rock.
Both women submitted virtually identical letters to the auditors vaguely detailing their intention to repay the debts, but not laying out a schedule of payments.
This is not the first time Williams has received improper cash advances or reimbursements. Several years ago she received an advance of about $2,000 for a workshop that she didn’t attend, and she did not repay the money for more than a year, until it was discovered and made public.
The audit committee members, unhappy with the district’s response to its findings about the board, said they wanted the entire board to attend the next meeting, which will be in September.
Only board president Tim Clark attended the Legislative Audit Committee meeting Friday, and he also was censured.
The committee members expressed concern over mileage reimbursements of $2,030 for 100 trips, 58 miles each from Clark’s home to the central office and back between February and December 2009.
Tatum was paid $1,447 in mileage between July 2007 and September 2009. Williams billed the district and was paid $339.
Board members Charlie Wood, Bill Vasquez, Sandra Sawyer and Danny Gilliland apparently asked for no reimbursement.
Clark, who requested the audit shortly after taking office, could be glad now that former Superintendent James Sharpe rejected one of his reimbursement requests.
He asked Sharpe to sign off on a $2,753 bill for a party Clark threw at the Maumelle Country Club in celebration of the groundbreaking for the new high school at Maumelle.
Sharpe refused, Clark paid it himself, and soon after, the board forced Sharpe to resign.
Interim Superintendent Rob McGill put an item on the agenda for Tuesday’s regular board meeting that would have prohibited cash advances for board members in the face of abuse by at least two of the board members.
But the board tabled the motion and ordered McGill to direct Chief Financial Officer Anita Farver to create a policy that would not place a hardship on the board members.
McGill said that violated the committee’s wishes and refused.
In a special PCSSD board meeting Friday, after the Legislative Audit Committee meeting, the board unanimously reversed itself, prohibiting cash advances to board members by a 4-0 vote. Clark, Gilliland, Tatum and Wood were the only members present.
The board on Tuesday also defeated McGill’s agenda item that would have required Williams and Tatum to pay the district by July 15 for the improper reimbursements or advancements they got or face possible charges.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
EDITORIAL>>Prison reform long overdue
The tenth time may be a charm. We have not been counting, but there must have been at least that many resolutions by state leaders to reverse the steady climb in the number of state prisoners and in the mushrooming cost of keeping them.
But Gov. Mike Beebe and a few other state leaders, notably the chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, want another study in the hope that knowledgeable people this time can offer a solution that will stick. We know already that they will have a solution. The question is whether it is a politically salable solution.
The Pew Center on the States will do the work. Four years ago, it started its Public Safety Performance Project, which helps states deal with sentencing and correctional practices that have sent prison costs out of control. Arkansas is not alone, although its trend is one of the country’s worst.
Beebe has a record of accomplishing what he sets out to do, so maybe this time really will be a charm.
The problem started 35 years ago when Arkansas, like many states, decided to get tough on crime, which at the time was actually going down slightly owing to demographic changes. The crime rate tends to go up and down, depending upon whether the number of men between the crime-prone ages of 15 and 26 is rising or declining.
The legislature imposed a new set of mandatory sentences and stacked them for third and greater offenses. People stayed in prison longer and longer and the population grew. Over the succeeding two decades, prison officials projected bigger and bigger populations and the need for more and more prisons, at greater and greater cost to the taxpayers.
Governors and a few legislative leaders from time to time resolved to reform the sentencing standards to stem the growth, but the impulse to do just the opposite was always ungovernable. At every session the legislature found more offenses that needed to be criminalized with harsh sentences. Prison construction and expansion of the staff ran apace, although never fast enough to keep up with the growth in inmates. Prisoners backed up in county and city jails awaiting openings in the prisons or the completion of new housing. The police and the courts delayed trials and sentencing because there was no room either in the jails.
That’s where we’ve been. Gov. Mike Huckabee, soon after the turn of the last decade, vowed to do something about it, maybe diverting drug and other nonviolent offenders into treatment and community programs. But he never offered a plan. It was too politically risky. Who wants to be known as being soft on criminals? The legislature passed a couple of minor bills that helped in a small way.
Over the past 20 years, the prison population in Arkansas has more than doubled so that it now approaches 16,000. That’s a larger population than each of 25 Arkansas counties. Twenty years ago, the state spent $45 million a year operating the prisons — that didn’t include construction — and now it runs about $350 million a year. Then it consumed 3 percent of the state’s general revenues, now it eats up 8 percent of a much larger budget. That comes largely at the expense of education.
The trend is not improving. Last year alone, the number of prisoners in state custody rose by 3.1 percent, the eighth-largest percentage increase in the country. It is popular to say that such spending growth is not sustainable, but of course it is. Other services that we value even more, like education, will just have to suffer or else we will raise taxes.
It is common to look upon corrections as a tradeoff. You can pay for safety or you can pay for good education, but you can’t have both without paying the extra taxes for them. But it is not proven that mighty prisons make us much safer. There are states and nations that treat offenders more flexibly and have much smaller incidence of violent crime. Still, that is a hard sell to a legislator who worries about being called a coddler at the next election.
The Pew Center may show us how to do that, and Beebe may be able to work his political magic and get it done. He said the other day that his most important job is to reform the government so that when he leaves it (in January 2015, we presume) the path for his successors will not be uphill. Here is a good test for his resolve.
But Gov. Mike Beebe and a few other state leaders, notably the chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, want another study in the hope that knowledgeable people this time can offer a solution that will stick. We know already that they will have a solution. The question is whether it is a politically salable solution.
The Pew Center on the States will do the work. Four years ago, it started its Public Safety Performance Project, which helps states deal with sentencing and correctional practices that have sent prison costs out of control. Arkansas is not alone, although its trend is one of the country’s worst.
Beebe has a record of accomplishing what he sets out to do, so maybe this time really will be a charm.
The problem started 35 years ago when Arkansas, like many states, decided to get tough on crime, which at the time was actually going down slightly owing to demographic changes. The crime rate tends to go up and down, depending upon whether the number of men between the crime-prone ages of 15 and 26 is rising or declining.
The legislature imposed a new set of mandatory sentences and stacked them for third and greater offenses. People stayed in prison longer and longer and the population grew. Over the succeeding two decades, prison officials projected bigger and bigger populations and the need for more and more prisons, at greater and greater cost to the taxpayers.
Governors and a few legislative leaders from time to time resolved to reform the sentencing standards to stem the growth, but the impulse to do just the opposite was always ungovernable. At every session the legislature found more offenses that needed to be criminalized with harsh sentences. Prison construction and expansion of the staff ran apace, although never fast enough to keep up with the growth in inmates. Prisoners backed up in county and city jails awaiting openings in the prisons or the completion of new housing. The police and the courts delayed trials and sentencing because there was no room either in the jails.
That’s where we’ve been. Gov. Mike Huckabee, soon after the turn of the last decade, vowed to do something about it, maybe diverting drug and other nonviolent offenders into treatment and community programs. But he never offered a plan. It was too politically risky. Who wants to be known as being soft on criminals? The legislature passed a couple of minor bills that helped in a small way.
Over the past 20 years, the prison population in Arkansas has more than doubled so that it now approaches 16,000. That’s a larger population than each of 25 Arkansas counties. Twenty years ago, the state spent $45 million a year operating the prisons — that didn’t include construction — and now it runs about $350 million a year. Then it consumed 3 percent of the state’s general revenues, now it eats up 8 percent of a much larger budget. That comes largely at the expense of education.
The trend is not improving. Last year alone, the number of prisoners in state custody rose by 3.1 percent, the eighth-largest percentage increase in the country. It is popular to say that such spending growth is not sustainable, but of course it is. Other services that we value even more, like education, will just have to suffer or else we will raise taxes.
It is common to look upon corrections as a tradeoff. You can pay for safety or you can pay for good education, but you can’t have both without paying the extra taxes for them. But it is not proven that mighty prisons make us much safer. There are states and nations that treat offenders more flexibly and have much smaller incidence of violent crime. Still, that is a hard sell to a legislator who worries about being called a coddler at the next election.
The Pew Center may show us how to do that, and Beebe may be able to work his political magic and get it done. He said the other day that his most important job is to reform the government so that when he leaves it (in January 2015, we presume) the path for his successors will not be uphill. Here is a good test for his resolve.
TOP STORY>>Delegation observing democracy
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Six officials from Kazakhstan are in Little Rock this week to learn about U.S. elections, media and government.
Their probing questions when they visited The Leader on Tuesday bore no resemblance to the coarse, slapstick spoof Borat, in which a make-believe TV reporter from Kazakhstan — the ninth largest nation in the world in size — comes to the U.S. in search of truth.
Kazakhs found Borat highly insulting, by the way, when it was in theaters in 2006. The fledgling independent country was at the time out from under the boot of communism for 15 years, and they didn’t like being portrayed by actor Sasha Baron Cohen as crude, bumbling idiots.
Sponsored by the U.S. Library of Congress, the real Kazakhstan visitors from Central Asia yesterday asked insightful questions about newspapers, about elections and about freedom of speech and freedom of information.
From a nation of 16 million people, they are delegates to the Open World Program, sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center. Most are in their twenties.
“Who sponsors the newspaper?” asked Mirkhat Serikbayev.
“The paper is paid for by people buying ads and people buying newspapers,” he was told.
Members of the group asked such questions as—did candidates pay for articles in the paper? No, only for their advertisements, they were told.
“Do they pay for the endorsements and editorials?” they asked through their interpreter.
No, the publishers—owners—of The Leader and their editorial writers make those decisions, but no money changes hands.
They asked about libel and its punishments—what happens when you say bad things about a president?
Talent Silltanon wanted to know about Helen Thomas, the 89-year-old reporter who questioned 10 presidents, but who resigned Monday after saying in a televised interview that Jews should leave Palestine and go back to Poland, Germany and the United States.
Was she punished for speaking her mind, they wondered?
Perhaps, but more so for loudly violating the reporter’s creed of impartiality.
The objectives and interests of the Open World program include:
The openness of government and access to information, mass media and the role in politics, campaigns and elections, principles of constitutional government in the U.S., freedom of speech in a democratic society and utilization of information technology.
Youth participation in socio-political processes, immigration and problems of ethnic minorities, citizens’ role in local governance, the role of public opinion in politics and relationships among the various branches of the federal government.
The group visited the Wash-ington office of Sen. Mark Pryor and will stay with host families in Little Rock.
They visited Old Mill Park in North Little Rock, Stephens Nature Center, River Market District, Clinton Presidential Center and took a short hike at Pinnacle Mountain.
They met with Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, visited the Central High Museum and toured the school, and learned about elections from Susan Inman, former director of the Pulaski County Election Commission and director of elections for the Arkansas secretary of state.
They will learn about blogging from Max Brantley at Arkansas Times and will discuss issues surrounding Arkansas Hispanics with Alan Leveritt, publisher of the Times and also El Latino.
Other stops on their one-week stay in Little Rock: They will meet with Frank Fellone from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to discuss how the Freedom of Information Act is used and will meet with Grif Stockley to discuss human rights and citizen activism.
They are also slated to visit Cong. Vic Snyder’s office and Heifer Village.
Leader senior staff writer
Six officials from Kazakhstan are in Little Rock this week to learn about U.S. elections, media and government.
Their probing questions when they visited The Leader on Tuesday bore no resemblance to the coarse, slapstick spoof Borat, in which a make-believe TV reporter from Kazakhstan — the ninth largest nation in the world in size — comes to the U.S. in search of truth.
Kazakhs found Borat highly insulting, by the way, when it was in theaters in 2006. The fledgling independent country was at the time out from under the boot of communism for 15 years, and they didn’t like being portrayed by actor Sasha Baron Cohen as crude, bumbling idiots.
Sponsored by the U.S. Library of Congress, the real Kazakhstan visitors from Central Asia yesterday asked insightful questions about newspapers, about elections and about freedom of speech and freedom of information.
From a nation of 16 million people, they are delegates to the Open World Program, sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center. Most are in their twenties.
“Who sponsors the newspaper?” asked Mirkhat Serikbayev.
“The paper is paid for by people buying ads and people buying newspapers,” he was told.
Members of the group asked such questions as—did candidates pay for articles in the paper? No, only for their advertisements, they were told.
“Do they pay for the endorsements and editorials?” they asked through their interpreter.
No, the publishers—owners—of The Leader and their editorial writers make those decisions, but no money changes hands.
They asked about libel and its punishments—what happens when you say bad things about a president?
Talent Silltanon wanted to know about Helen Thomas, the 89-year-old reporter who questioned 10 presidents, but who resigned Monday after saying in a televised interview that Jews should leave Palestine and go back to Poland, Germany and the United States.
Was she punished for speaking her mind, they wondered?
Perhaps, but more so for loudly violating the reporter’s creed of impartiality.
The objectives and interests of the Open World program include:
The openness of government and access to information, mass media and the role in politics, campaigns and elections, principles of constitutional government in the U.S., freedom of speech in a democratic society and utilization of information technology.
Youth participation in socio-political processes, immigration and problems of ethnic minorities, citizens’ role in local governance, the role of public opinion in politics and relationships among the various branches of the federal government.
The group visited the Wash-ington office of Sen. Mark Pryor and will stay with host families in Little Rock.
They visited Old Mill Park in North Little Rock, Stephens Nature Center, River Market District, Clinton Presidential Center and took a short hike at Pinnacle Mountain.
They met with Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, visited the Central High Museum and toured the school, and learned about elections from Susan Inman, former director of the Pulaski County Election Commission and director of elections for the Arkansas secretary of state.
They will learn about blogging from Max Brantley at Arkansas Times and will discuss issues surrounding Arkansas Hispanics with Alan Leveritt, publisher of the Times and also El Latino.
Other stops on their one-week stay in Little Rock: They will meet with Frank Fellone from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to discuss how the Freedom of Information Act is used and will meet with Grif Stockley to discuss human rights and citizen activism.
They are also slated to visit Cong. Vic Snyder’s office and Heifer Village.
TOP STORY>>Good news slighted by union fight
By NANCY DOCKTER
Leader staff writer
At the school board meeting Tuesday of the Pulaski County Special School District, educators celebrated leaps in scores on Benchmark exams in both literacy and math that exceeded state averages, as well as more than $11 million in college scholarships to graduating seniors. But the meeting was marred by angry outbursts over the board decision to end recognition of the union.
During the public-comment period, a parent of a Sylvan Hills Middle School student speaking out against board actions in recent months and costs of associated legal services, was cut short by school board president Tim Clark.
Parent Dawn Jackson told the board that she was “very unhappy” that the board’s decision in December – and again in April – to end recognition of the Pulaski County Association of Classroom Teachers was “costing the district tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.”
Jackson said her efforts recently to communicate with Clark about the reason for the board’s decision were unsatisfactory.
“He only said, ‘It got personal’ and that was not good enough,” Jackson said.
At that point, Clark cut short Jackson, indicating her time was up.
“You have already broken the rules,” Clark bristled. “You need to be respectful to the board and not mention names.”
Jackson said she was not sure what rules she had broken, then implored the board to reconsider their actions.
“I am sick about this money being spent needlessly,” Jackson said as she headed to her seat. “Teachers don’t want to be in a lawsuit, but they are backed into a corner.”
SEE IN COURT, NIX TELLS BOARD
PACT president Marty Nix, next to speak in public comment, told Clark, “Grow up,” adding that his treatment of Jackson was the reason why the teachers were in a lawsuit.
Clark told her, “Your presentation is over, thank you.”
As Nix was escorted by security from the board meeting room, she told Clark, “We’ll see you in court.”
Clark called a 20-minute recess.
Outside in the administration building lobby, as she answered reporters’ questions, Jackson said she was shaking with anger.
“The fact is, it’s a personal matter – some board members got their feelings hurt, like they did with me,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who is a lawyer, explained that she became interested in the litigation stemming from the board’s decision to sever ties with the union, when her son, Sam Peoples talked about how the teachers were affected.
“Their morale was really low,” Jackson said. “They were down-trodden.
“I was curious to understand what happened. This is a black mark on the district.”
Jackson said she has spent a lot of time sifting through the teacher contract, the tentative agreement that the board rejected in December as well as the lawsuits, motions and counter-motions filed since then.
WEBSITE CREATED TO GET STORY OUT
Jackson has created a website, www.parents4PACT.org, because she feels that the news media are not getting the full story out about the board’s decision to end recognition of PACT as the collective bargaining agent for PCSSD teachers.
“My goal is to get information out to the public,” Jackson said.
The website contains a petition for school patrons to sign who want to cast a “vote of no confidence” for the four board members who voted to end union recognition. In four days, more than 400 individuals have signed the petition, Jackson said.
Jackson said that she has made a request according to the state Freedom of Information Act to obtain records of legal costs associated with the ongoing legal battle between the union and the district over the decision to end union recognition.
“What really angers me is to see them treat parents like that,” said Nix about her angry words with Clark. “‘Grow up’ are the two words that literally came to my mind. Parents getting information are finally getting a little upset.”
After the break, Clark explained why he had stopped Jackson from speaking.
“With all due respect to the parent who spoke tonight, the lady who spoke runs the web site for PACT support. When everybody realizes why we are here – for the children, not the union – we’ll all grow as a board.”
BOARD MOVES AHEAD TO END RELATIONSHIP
The board voted 5-2 to adopt a thick book of personnel policies to replace existing policies negotiated with the teachers’ union, which the district says will no longer represent PCSSD teachers as of June 30.
The vote is another step in a process that began with a board vote last December and another in April to withdraw recognition of PACT as the collective bargaining agent for teachers and replace it with a personnel policies committee (PPC).
In April, the board also voted to non-renew teacher contracts, which are based on policies contained in the agreement negotiated with the union and replace contracts based on the new policies.
The union, which has represented district teachers for 20 years, has challenged the board’s actions with two lawsuits. One filed in January contends that the district is bound to the existing contract with the union and accordingly must negotiate a successor agreement rather than forge new contracts on its own.
The most recent suit was filed Friday in the Sixth Division in Pulaski County Circuit Court by five teachers employed by PCSSD – Judy Stockholm, Cheryl Carpenter, Ben Belton, Loveida Ingram and Brenda Robinson.
TEACHERS EXPLAIN CLASS ACTION SUIT
The 95-page class action complaint, filed on behalf of more than 600 PCSSD teachers, contends that the board’s action to use the Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act as a basis for non-renewal of the contracts violated state law.
“Under the TFDA, a school board can only non-renew the contracts of non-probationary teachers (those with three or more years of experience) based on valid reduction in force, incompetent performance, repeated or material neglect of duty, conduct which materially interferes with the continued performance of the teacher’s teaching duties or other just and reasonable cause, Ark. Code Ann. 6-17-1510(b),” the complaint states.
“The stated reason for the non-renewal – that a new set of replacement policies will be adopted – is not just or reasonable. The non-renewal is not just and reasonable because it amounts to a breach by the District of the PNA which provides that the PNA shall remain in effect until a successor agreement is negotiated with PACT.”
Further, the suit argues that the board’s decision to push ahead with the formation of a PPC in June violates not only state law governing the process for policy changes and contracts, but also the district’s own policies.
The district is ignoring the two lawful options for changing policies affecting teachers, the complaint states – either negotiate with PACT any changes to the existing professional negotiations agreement, or wait until the first quarter of the next school year to move forward with establishment of a PPC, as stated in existing district policy.
“In the event a school district has a written agreement with an organization to negotiate personnel policies, it must negotiate changes to the policies for them to become a part of the teachers’ contracts,” the complaint states.
In the event that a contract is not in place, the complaint continues, “teachers must form and elect a personnel policies committee in the first quarter of the school year and then set a schedule of meetings throughout the year to consider changes or additions to the policies,” in accord with Arkansas Code Ann. 6-17-202.
The board is in violation of state law “because 1,200 teachers cannot be forced into the process of forming a PPC in the last month of school (when almost all teachers will be off for the summer) when the law provides that the teachers are to form a PPC in the first quarter of the school year and then have the entire year to set meetings and review proposed changes or additions to policies.”
UNION AMAZED BY BOARD’S ACTION
Nix said she was “absolutely amazed” that the board was so quick to adopt a set of policies that is almost 200 pages long, when in December it rejected 42 pages of policies with amendments approved by the negotiators.
“They didn’t have time to read that but they did read 196 pages of ridiculous babble.”
At the end of the meeting during the board members’ comment period, Charlie Wood said that he wanted teachers to know that his support for ending the relationship with PACT “is nothing personal against teachers. “It is a matter of principle and how I believe an organization should be run.”
Board member Danny Gililland said that despite the deep difference that divide the district and teachers, the news of test score advances and scholarship offerings should be a reminder that “our kids are still learning and that we are doing much right in our schools every day. We don’t want to forget that.”
Leader staff writer
At the school board meeting Tuesday of the Pulaski County Special School District, educators celebrated leaps in scores on Benchmark exams in both literacy and math that exceeded state averages, as well as more than $11 million in college scholarships to graduating seniors. But the meeting was marred by angry outbursts over the board decision to end recognition of the union.
During the public-comment period, a parent of a Sylvan Hills Middle School student speaking out against board actions in recent months and costs of associated legal services, was cut short by school board president Tim Clark.
Parent Dawn Jackson told the board that she was “very unhappy” that the board’s decision in December – and again in April – to end recognition of the Pulaski County Association of Classroom Teachers was “costing the district tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.”
Jackson said her efforts recently to communicate with Clark about the reason for the board’s decision were unsatisfactory.
“He only said, ‘It got personal’ and that was not good enough,” Jackson said.
At that point, Clark cut short Jackson, indicating her time was up.
“You have already broken the rules,” Clark bristled. “You need to be respectful to the board and not mention names.”
Jackson said she was not sure what rules she had broken, then implored the board to reconsider their actions.
“I am sick about this money being spent needlessly,” Jackson said as she headed to her seat. “Teachers don’t want to be in a lawsuit, but they are backed into a corner.”
SEE IN COURT, NIX TELLS BOARD
PACT president Marty Nix, next to speak in public comment, told Clark, “Grow up,” adding that his treatment of Jackson was the reason why the teachers were in a lawsuit.
Clark told her, “Your presentation is over, thank you.”
As Nix was escorted by security from the board meeting room, she told Clark, “We’ll see you in court.”
Clark called a 20-minute recess.
Outside in the administration building lobby, as she answered reporters’ questions, Jackson said she was shaking with anger.
“The fact is, it’s a personal matter – some board members got their feelings hurt, like they did with me,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who is a lawyer, explained that she became interested in the litigation stemming from the board’s decision to sever ties with the union, when her son, Sam Peoples talked about how the teachers were affected.
“Their morale was really low,” Jackson said. “They were down-trodden.
“I was curious to understand what happened. This is a black mark on the district.”
Jackson said she has spent a lot of time sifting through the teacher contract, the tentative agreement that the board rejected in December as well as the lawsuits, motions and counter-motions filed since then.
WEBSITE CREATED TO GET STORY OUT
Jackson has created a website, www.parents4PACT.org, because she feels that the news media are not getting the full story out about the board’s decision to end recognition of PACT as the collective bargaining agent for PCSSD teachers.
“My goal is to get information out to the public,” Jackson said.
The website contains a petition for school patrons to sign who want to cast a “vote of no confidence” for the four board members who voted to end union recognition. In four days, more than 400 individuals have signed the petition, Jackson said.
Jackson said that she has made a request according to the state Freedom of Information Act to obtain records of legal costs associated with the ongoing legal battle between the union and the district over the decision to end union recognition.
“What really angers me is to see them treat parents like that,” said Nix about her angry words with Clark. “‘Grow up’ are the two words that literally came to my mind. Parents getting information are finally getting a little upset.”
After the break, Clark explained why he had stopped Jackson from speaking.
“With all due respect to the parent who spoke tonight, the lady who spoke runs the web site for PACT support. When everybody realizes why we are here – for the children, not the union – we’ll all grow as a board.”
BOARD MOVES AHEAD TO END RELATIONSHIP
The board voted 5-2 to adopt a thick book of personnel policies to replace existing policies negotiated with the teachers’ union, which the district says will no longer represent PCSSD teachers as of June 30.
The vote is another step in a process that began with a board vote last December and another in April to withdraw recognition of PACT as the collective bargaining agent for teachers and replace it with a personnel policies committee (PPC).
In April, the board also voted to non-renew teacher contracts, which are based on policies contained in the agreement negotiated with the union and replace contracts based on the new policies.
The union, which has represented district teachers for 20 years, has challenged the board’s actions with two lawsuits. One filed in January contends that the district is bound to the existing contract with the union and accordingly must negotiate a successor agreement rather than forge new contracts on its own.
The most recent suit was filed Friday in the Sixth Division in Pulaski County Circuit Court by five teachers employed by PCSSD – Judy Stockholm, Cheryl Carpenter, Ben Belton, Loveida Ingram and Brenda Robinson.
TEACHERS EXPLAIN CLASS ACTION SUIT
The 95-page class action complaint, filed on behalf of more than 600 PCSSD teachers, contends that the board’s action to use the Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act as a basis for non-renewal of the contracts violated state law.
“Under the TFDA, a school board can only non-renew the contracts of non-probationary teachers (those with three or more years of experience) based on valid reduction in force, incompetent performance, repeated or material neglect of duty, conduct which materially interferes with the continued performance of the teacher’s teaching duties or other just and reasonable cause, Ark. Code Ann. 6-17-1510(b),” the complaint states.
“The stated reason for the non-renewal – that a new set of replacement policies will be adopted – is not just or reasonable. The non-renewal is not just and reasonable because it amounts to a breach by the District of the PNA which provides that the PNA shall remain in effect until a successor agreement is negotiated with PACT.”
Further, the suit argues that the board’s decision to push ahead with the formation of a PPC in June violates not only state law governing the process for policy changes and contracts, but also the district’s own policies.
The district is ignoring the two lawful options for changing policies affecting teachers, the complaint states – either negotiate with PACT any changes to the existing professional negotiations agreement, or wait until the first quarter of the next school year to move forward with establishment of a PPC, as stated in existing district policy.
“In the event a school district has a written agreement with an organization to negotiate personnel policies, it must negotiate changes to the policies for them to become a part of the teachers’ contracts,” the complaint states.
In the event that a contract is not in place, the complaint continues, “teachers must form and elect a personnel policies committee in the first quarter of the school year and then set a schedule of meetings throughout the year to consider changes or additions to the policies,” in accord with Arkansas Code Ann. 6-17-202.
The board is in violation of state law “because 1,200 teachers cannot be forced into the process of forming a PPC in the last month of school (when almost all teachers will be off for the summer) when the law provides that the teachers are to form a PPC in the first quarter of the school year and then have the entire year to set meetings and review proposed changes or additions to policies.”
UNION AMAZED BY BOARD’S ACTION
Nix said she was “absolutely amazed” that the board was so quick to adopt a set of policies that is almost 200 pages long, when in December it rejected 42 pages of policies with amendments approved by the negotiators.
“They didn’t have time to read that but they did read 196 pages of ridiculous babble.”
At the end of the meeting during the board members’ comment period, Charlie Wood said that he wanted teachers to know that his support for ending the relationship with PACT “is nothing personal against teachers. “It is a matter of principle and how I believe an organization should be run.”
Board member Danny Gililland said that despite the deep difference that divide the district and teachers, the news of test score advances and scholarship offerings should be a reminder that “our kids are still learning and that we are doing much right in our schools every day. We don’t want to forget that.”
TOP STORY>>Halter falters in runoff
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Even though Lt. Gov. Bill Halter moved ahead in many of the polls in the days before the runoff, he faltered when it counted, losing Tuesday to Sen. Blanche Lincoln, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Lincoln will face Republican U.S. Rep. John Boozman in the general election in November. Early polls have Boozman up by as
much as 20 percent.
Boozman garnered more than 52 percent of the vote in a crowded field of eight during the GOP primary.
Lincoln and Halter were forced into a runoff when the third Democratic challenger, D.C. Morrison, grabbed about 15 percent of the vote, preventing Halter and Lincoln from capturing the required 50 percent.
Lincoln made history when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 38 in 1998. She is trying to gain a third term.
With 98 of the precincts reporting, Lincoln received 132,727 votes to Halter’s 122,620 votes.
In other state races, Jacksonville’s Pat O’Brien, currently the Pulaski County Clerk, defeated challenger Mark Wilcox to get the Democratic nod in the secretary of state race.
O’Brien received 149,070 votes, or 62 percent, to Wilcox’s 92,720 votes, or 38 percent, with 98 percent of the precincts reporting.
O’Brien will face Republican stateRep. Mark Martin in November.
Chad Causey, Congressman Marion Berry’s former chief of staff, and Tim Wooldridge, a former state senator, battled it out, with Causey coming out on top for the Democratic nod for the First District congressional race.
Causey, who finished second in the May primary, gathered 38,713 votes, or 51 percent, to Wooldridge’s 36,741 votes, or 49 percent, with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.
Causey will face Republican Rick Crawford in November.
Democratic State Sen. Joyce Elliott and Speaker of the House Robbie Wills were the top two-vote getters in the May primary, with Elliott besting Wills by 12 percentage points. But in the run-off, it was closer as Elliott bested Wills, 54 percent to 46 percent. Elliott garnered 36,983 votes to 31,822 for Wills, with 100 percent of the precincts reporting.
Elliott will face off with Republican Tim Griffin in the general election.
For the Third District congressional seat being vacated by John Boozman, it was the Republicans in a runoff. Rogers Mayor Steve Womack squeezed past state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, 51 percent to 49 percent.
He will face Democrat David Whitaker in November.
In the land commissioner runoff, farmer and business consultant L.J. Bryant solidly defeated state Rep. Monty Davenport, 59 percent (140,154 votes) to 41 percent (96,515), with 97 percent of the precincts reporting.
Bryant will face Republican challenger John Thurston, a minister, in the fall.
In the only local runoff race, incumbent Todd Wheat beat challenger Danny Whitehurst, 65 votes to 35, in the Democratic runoff for Position 2 Lonoke alderman.
In the May 18 primary, the two men tied, 33 votes each, so about one-third more people voted in the runoff.
“I just want to thank everyone who voted for me,” Wheat said.
“I promise to work real hard.”
Wheat does not face opposition in the November general election.
Leader staff writer
Even though Lt. Gov. Bill Halter moved ahead in many of the polls in the days before the runoff, he faltered when it counted, losing Tuesday to Sen. Blanche Lincoln, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Lincoln will face Republican U.S. Rep. John Boozman in the general election in November. Early polls have Boozman up by as
much as 20 percent.
Boozman garnered more than 52 percent of the vote in a crowded field of eight during the GOP primary.
Lincoln and Halter were forced into a runoff when the third Democratic challenger, D.C. Morrison, grabbed about 15 percent of the vote, preventing Halter and Lincoln from capturing the required 50 percent.
Lincoln made history when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 38 in 1998. She is trying to gain a third term.
With 98 of the precincts reporting, Lincoln received 132,727 votes to Halter’s 122,620 votes.
In other state races, Jacksonville’s Pat O’Brien, currently the Pulaski County Clerk, defeated challenger Mark Wilcox to get the Democratic nod in the secretary of state race.
O’Brien received 149,070 votes, or 62 percent, to Wilcox’s 92,720 votes, or 38 percent, with 98 percent of the precincts reporting.
O’Brien will face Republican stateRep. Mark Martin in November.
Chad Causey, Congressman Marion Berry’s former chief of staff, and Tim Wooldridge, a former state senator, battled it out, with Causey coming out on top for the Democratic nod for the First District congressional race.
Causey, who finished second in the May primary, gathered 38,713 votes, or 51 percent, to Wooldridge’s 36,741 votes, or 49 percent, with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.
Causey will face Republican Rick Crawford in November.
Democratic State Sen. Joyce Elliott and Speaker of the House Robbie Wills were the top two-vote getters in the May primary, with Elliott besting Wills by 12 percentage points. But in the run-off, it was closer as Elliott bested Wills, 54 percent to 46 percent. Elliott garnered 36,983 votes to 31,822 for Wills, with 100 percent of the precincts reporting.
Elliott will face off with Republican Tim Griffin in the general election.
For the Third District congressional seat being vacated by John Boozman, it was the Republicans in a runoff. Rogers Mayor Steve Womack squeezed past state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, 51 percent to 49 percent.
He will face Democrat David Whitaker in November.
In the land commissioner runoff, farmer and business consultant L.J. Bryant solidly defeated state Rep. Monty Davenport, 59 percent (140,154 votes) to 41 percent (96,515), with 97 percent of the precincts reporting.
Bryant will face Republican challenger John Thurston, a minister, in the fall.
In the only local runoff race, incumbent Todd Wheat beat challenger Danny Whitehurst, 65 votes to 35, in the Democratic runoff for Position 2 Lonoke alderman.
In the May 18 primary, the two men tied, 33 votes each, so about one-third more people voted in the runoff.
“I just want to thank everyone who voted for me,” Wheat said.
“I promise to work real hard.”
Wheat does not face opposition in the November general election.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
SPORTS>>Sylvan Hills takes third
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
Time was running out on the Sylvan Hills Optimist Bruins, but it caught up to Benton on Sunday.
Sylvan Hills survived a big fifth inning by Benton to take an 11-8 victory in the third-place game at the Gwatney Chevrolet Junior Legion Invitational at Dupree Park. Benton scored five runs in the fifth but never got another at-bat because of the tournament time-limit rule.
Sylvan Hills was sailing along behind starter Greg Atchison and took an 11-3 lead into the fifth. But Atchison tired in the 90-plus degree heat and Benton scored its five runs without a hit.
“He did a great job,” Bruins coach Billy Sims said. “Just the heat got him. Other than that he was solid. He’s getting better.
That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Atchison walked two and hit two, one each with the bases loaded to drive in two runs, and threw a wild pitch to allowanother man to score.
Aaron Sarna relieved Atchison and walked another with the bases loaded, and Benton’s Tyler Lewis added an RBI groundout to cut it to 11-8 before Austin Kennedy flied out to end the inning and, as it turned out, the game.
“We may not win but we play hard,” Sims said. “We’re just trying to get the younger kids better. That’s the main thing.”
Atchison was solid until the fifth, scattering four hits and striking out four, though he did give up three walks and three runs, two earned.
The Bruins, meanwhile, took advantage of six walks and five hit batters to take their big lead. Connor Eller hit a three-run double in the team’s five-run second, and he was replaced by pinch-hitter Trey Sims, who led off the two-run fourth with a home run over the center-field wall.
“Connor’s a good player. He’s a good kid,” Sims said of Eller, then turned his comments to Sims. “He can hit a ball; he hit a bomb for us.”
Pinch hitter Lance Hunter followed Sims with a single to left, then stole bases and came home on a wild pitch to complete Sylvan Hills’ scoring.
Jo Miller led off the game with a walk and later scored on a passed ball and Atchison singled and later scored on a wild pitch by Benton starter Gareth Stout.
Benton reliever Christian Shelton hit Brandon Farrow and walked Forrest Harrison in the Sylvan Hills third, and both scored on wild pitches by Harrison and reliever Holt Fulcher. Brad Neighbors came on to start the fourth and gave up Sims’ home run and Hunter’s single.
Benton got two runs in the second when Jarred Donnor walked and scored on an error by Sylvan Hills left fielder Andrew Terry, and Jeffrey Hodge beat out an infield grounder and scored when Lane Ballard doubled.
Atchison hit Collin Hunter in the third and Hunter later scored on a wild pitch for Benton’s last run until the fifth.
Sylvan Hills went 1-2 in the tournament with a 9-4 loss to Sheridan and a 5-2 loss to Jacksonville on Saturday.
“It was a good day. We let them play and let some of the kids play that normally don’t,” Sims said. “We let kids play that had been sitting the bench.”
Leader sports editor
Time was running out on the Sylvan Hills Optimist Bruins, but it caught up to Benton on Sunday.
Sylvan Hills survived a big fifth inning by Benton to take an 11-8 victory in the third-place game at the Gwatney Chevrolet Junior Legion Invitational at Dupree Park. Benton scored five runs in the fifth but never got another at-bat because of the tournament time-limit rule.
Sylvan Hills was sailing along behind starter Greg Atchison and took an 11-3 lead into the fifth. But Atchison tired in the 90-plus degree heat and Benton scored its five runs without a hit.
“He did a great job,” Bruins coach Billy Sims said. “Just the heat got him. Other than that he was solid. He’s getting better.
That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Atchison walked two and hit two, one each with the bases loaded to drive in two runs, and threw a wild pitch to allowanother man to score.
Aaron Sarna relieved Atchison and walked another with the bases loaded, and Benton’s Tyler Lewis added an RBI groundout to cut it to 11-8 before Austin Kennedy flied out to end the inning and, as it turned out, the game.
“We may not win but we play hard,” Sims said. “We’re just trying to get the younger kids better. That’s the main thing.”
Atchison was solid until the fifth, scattering four hits and striking out four, though he did give up three walks and three runs, two earned.
The Bruins, meanwhile, took advantage of six walks and five hit batters to take their big lead. Connor Eller hit a three-run double in the team’s five-run second, and he was replaced by pinch-hitter Trey Sims, who led off the two-run fourth with a home run over the center-field wall.
“Connor’s a good player. He’s a good kid,” Sims said of Eller, then turned his comments to Sims. “He can hit a ball; he hit a bomb for us.”
Pinch hitter Lance Hunter followed Sims with a single to left, then stole bases and came home on a wild pitch to complete Sylvan Hills’ scoring.
Jo Miller led off the game with a walk and later scored on a passed ball and Atchison singled and later scored on a wild pitch by Benton starter Gareth Stout.
Benton reliever Christian Shelton hit Brandon Farrow and walked Forrest Harrison in the Sylvan Hills third, and both scored on wild pitches by Harrison and reliever Holt Fulcher. Brad Neighbors came on to start the fourth and gave up Sims’ home run and Hunter’s single.
Benton got two runs in the second when Jarred Donnor walked and scored on an error by Sylvan Hills left fielder Andrew Terry, and Jeffrey Hodge beat out an infield grounder and scored when Lane Ballard doubled.
Atchison hit Collin Hunter in the third and Hunter later scored on a wild pitch for Benton’s last run until the fifth.
Sylvan Hills went 1-2 in the tournament with a 9-4 loss to Sheridan and a 5-2 loss to Jacksonville on Saturday.
“It was a good day. We let them play and let some of the kids play that normally don’t,” Sims said. “We let kids play that had been sitting the bench.”
SPORTS>>Weaver sitting pretty in points
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Big Show is going for three in a row.
Randy Weaver leads the modified-points standings at Beebe Speedway and at I-30 Speedway after winning track championships at both tracks last year. He also won the IMCA state modified championship, the second of his career, in 2009.
Weaver, nicknamed “Big Show,” has won a total of four modified championships at Beebe, including the past two seasons.
Weaver resides in Little Rock, but his affiliation with the Beebe-based Fox Racing Team has made him a favorite of local fans since he joined the team in 2003.
With four victories in eight starts, Weaver’s dominance at Beebe has shown no signs of deterioration in the first half of this season.
“We’ve had a pretty good season so far,” Weaver said. “We started out with a couple of wins and then kind of wenton a dry spell at both Beebe and I-30. We’ve had a good car about every night; we’ve been going to the front. You can’t ask for a better car.”
The plan for this year is more of the same for Weaver and the Fox team. They will run weekly at both I-30 and Beebe with the occasional trip to Batesville Speedway in Locust Grove, which became an IMCA-sanctioned track for modifieds this year.
“If you want to win a state championship this year, you’re going to have to run Batesville, because they’re IMCA sanctioned too,” Weaver said. “I’m not sure if we’ll make it up there to get the state championship or not, but we’ll probably run at Beebe and I-30 and try to get some of those track championships.”
The only other driver to win multiple modified features this season at Beebe is talented young Vilonia driver Curtis Cook. Weaver was in contention to deny Cook a second modified victory two weeks ago in an intense three-car battle along with North Little Rock veteran driver Mike Bowers.
But a late slip by Bowers cost Weaver the race.
“We had great race,” Weaver said. “I was running the top line, and I caught Bowers. I don’t know if he had a flat or something — he got loose and kind of collected me at the end. Me, Bowers and Cook had a great race. It was three-wide racing — it was awesome.
“I had a bunch of fans tell me it was the best modified race they’ve seen in a long time.”
With Bowers making limited appearances at Beebe, the disappearance of longtime competitors such as Chuck McGinty and Charlie Armstrong, and the recent struggles of former state champ Donnie Stringfellow have allowed Cook to emerge as Weaver’s primary adversary over the two seasons.
The two vary greatly in their driving styles and philosophies, which has made for some heated moments on the track and in the pits. Still, Weaver said there is no reason to believe the rivalry will turn bitter, even with the he-said, she-said debates that tend to percolate on local racing message boards anytime there is an altercation between two drivers.
“We had a couple of races there where we didn’t see eye to eye,” Weaver said. “I’m a guy that doesn’t like to tear my car up, and he’s the same way. I was a little hot that one night, and I’m sure he was too.
“I saw it one way; he saw it another way. That’s just how it goes. That’s just racing. Last week, we were racing inches apart and never touched. The Internet doesn’t make it any better. People start talking on the Internet. I’m not that kind of guy.”
Regional late models have enjoyed resurgence in popularity over the past five years, and now there are even touring modified divisions across the country. But for Weaver and crew, there’s still no place to win like home.
“We’re pretty much happy with modifieds,” Weaver said. “We don’t travel much. I’ve got kids, and the Fox family lives nine miles from here, so they go racing here. We like to support our local tracks, and we’ve got families, so it’s hard to travel.”
Leader sportswriter
The Big Show is going for three in a row.
Randy Weaver leads the modified-points standings at Beebe Speedway and at I-30 Speedway after winning track championships at both tracks last year. He also won the IMCA state modified championship, the second of his career, in 2009.
Weaver, nicknamed “Big Show,” has won a total of four modified championships at Beebe, including the past two seasons.
Weaver resides in Little Rock, but his affiliation with the Beebe-based Fox Racing Team has made him a favorite of local fans since he joined the team in 2003.
With four victories in eight starts, Weaver’s dominance at Beebe has shown no signs of deterioration in the first half of this season.
“We’ve had a pretty good season so far,” Weaver said. “We started out with a couple of wins and then kind of wenton a dry spell at both Beebe and I-30. We’ve had a good car about every night; we’ve been going to the front. You can’t ask for a better car.”
The plan for this year is more of the same for Weaver and the Fox team. They will run weekly at both I-30 and Beebe with the occasional trip to Batesville Speedway in Locust Grove, which became an IMCA-sanctioned track for modifieds this year.
“If you want to win a state championship this year, you’re going to have to run Batesville, because they’re IMCA sanctioned too,” Weaver said. “I’m not sure if we’ll make it up there to get the state championship or not, but we’ll probably run at Beebe and I-30 and try to get some of those track championships.”
The only other driver to win multiple modified features this season at Beebe is talented young Vilonia driver Curtis Cook. Weaver was in contention to deny Cook a second modified victory two weeks ago in an intense three-car battle along with North Little Rock veteran driver Mike Bowers.
But a late slip by Bowers cost Weaver the race.
“We had great race,” Weaver said. “I was running the top line, and I caught Bowers. I don’t know if he had a flat or something — he got loose and kind of collected me at the end. Me, Bowers and Cook had a great race. It was three-wide racing — it was awesome.
“I had a bunch of fans tell me it was the best modified race they’ve seen in a long time.”
With Bowers making limited appearances at Beebe, the disappearance of longtime competitors such as Chuck McGinty and Charlie Armstrong, and the recent struggles of former state champ Donnie Stringfellow have allowed Cook to emerge as Weaver’s primary adversary over the two seasons.
The two vary greatly in their driving styles and philosophies, which has made for some heated moments on the track and in the pits. Still, Weaver said there is no reason to believe the rivalry will turn bitter, even with the he-said, she-said debates that tend to percolate on local racing message boards anytime there is an altercation between two drivers.
“We had a couple of races there where we didn’t see eye to eye,” Weaver said. “I’m a guy that doesn’t like to tear my car up, and he’s the same way. I was a little hot that one night, and I’m sure he was too.
“I saw it one way; he saw it another way. That’s just how it goes. That’s just racing. Last week, we were racing inches apart and never touched. The Internet doesn’t make it any better. People start talking on the Internet. I’m not that kind of guy.”
Regional late models have enjoyed resurgence in popularity over the past five years, and now there are even touring modified divisions across the country. But for Weaver and crew, there’s still no place to win like home.
“We’re pretty much happy with modifieds,” Weaver said. “We don’t travel much. I’ve got kids, and the Fox family lives nine miles from here, so they go racing here. We like to support our local tracks, and we’ve got families, so it’s hard to travel.”
SPORTS>>‘Big Show’ gets stellar reviews in track victory
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
If there were any doubters as to why Randy Weaver is nicknamed “Big Show,” they left Beebe Speedway with a whole new perspective Friday night.
Weaver, the defending modified track champion and current points leader, recovered from a flat tire in the middle of the mod feature to come back and pass the entire field on his way to winning his fourth race of the year.
Weaver started in first position for the feature after winning his heat, and jumped out to a straightaway lead over the rest of the nine-car field in 10 laps. But his F1 machine rolled to a stop outside of turn four on the 11th circuit to bring out the first caution.
His crew quickly replaced the flat right rear tire and Weaver restarted in the back.
That put fellow Little Rock driver Mikey Bolding at the point in front of Searcy’s Robert Davis and Beebe driver Todd Greer.
Greer quickly worked to Davis’ inside for second on the restart, but the real action was behind the leaders.
Weaver worked his way up to fifth by lap 13, and picked off a car in each of the three following laps until he was on the bumper of Bolding’s No. 3 car. He passed Donnie Stringfellowon lap 14, Davis on lap 15 and Greer on the 16th circuit with strong moves to the outside in turns one and two.
That gave Weaver four laps to reclaim the lead from Bolding, but he only needed two, as he overtook Bolding from the outside on the backstretch. The crowd gave Weaver an enthusiastic ovation for his run as he pulled into the winner’s circle afterward.
Bolding had to settle for second while Greer was third. Davis hung on for fourth and Cabot’s David Payne completed the top five.
Weaver’s Fox Racing teammate Blake Jones of McRae made it two E-mod feature victories in a row for his F3 machine on Friday.
Jones won his second race of the year on Thursday night, and backed that up with another winning drive Friday after outlasting Lane Cullum.
Jones started on the pole with Cullum to his outside, but it was Cullum who claimed the top spot at the green. Jones stayed within a car length and even took a peek inside of Cullum’s black and white No. 15 on lap four, but Cullum benefited from a number of timely cautions.
Cullum caught what appeared to be the break of the night when Jones passed him for the lead out of turn two right before points leader Robert Woodard spun in the same corner. That reverted the field back to the previous lap and put Cullum back in the top spot.
Cullum appeared to have the race in hand on the final restart with a smooth inside line while Jones slightly overdrove his car on the outside. But Jones managed to catch Cullum out of turn two on the white-flag lap and the two drag raced down the back straightaway.
They stayed side by side through the final corners until Cullum’s car broke free and spun just out of turn three to give Jones a clear path to his second checkered flag in as many nights.
Last week’s winner Todd Joslin finished second and former E-mod champ Kevin Conway was third. Jeff Brady was fourth while
Beebe’s Ryan Redman recovered from an early spin to complete the top five.
The sentimental victory of the night went to Cabot’s Mike Millwood in the mini-stock feature. Millwood has been a consistent top-five driver in the minis over the years, but with no feature victory to his credit.
That all changed on Friday when Millwood chased down leader Paul Shackleford in his Triple J Racing No. 30 car and passed Shackleford for the lead on the fifth lap. Once out front, the outspoken veteran never looked back in collecting his first career triumph.
Shackleford settled for second while “Downtown” Johnny Brown finished third.
Beebe’s Larry Wise won the factory-stock feature while Jeff Porterfield claimed his second straight victory in hobby stocks.
Porterfield, the hobby-points leader, won the previous night and dominated again Friday.
Eddie Hoyer finished second in his Just-4-Play car and Searcy’s Gage Raines was third.
Leader sportswriter
If there were any doubters as to why Randy Weaver is nicknamed “Big Show,” they left Beebe Speedway with a whole new perspective Friday night.
Weaver, the defending modified track champion and current points leader, recovered from a flat tire in the middle of the mod feature to come back and pass the entire field on his way to winning his fourth race of the year.
Weaver started in first position for the feature after winning his heat, and jumped out to a straightaway lead over the rest of the nine-car field in 10 laps. But his F1 machine rolled to a stop outside of turn four on the 11th circuit to bring out the first caution.
His crew quickly replaced the flat right rear tire and Weaver restarted in the back.
That put fellow Little Rock driver Mikey Bolding at the point in front of Searcy’s Robert Davis and Beebe driver Todd Greer.
Greer quickly worked to Davis’ inside for second on the restart, but the real action was behind the leaders.
Weaver worked his way up to fifth by lap 13, and picked off a car in each of the three following laps until he was on the bumper of Bolding’s No. 3 car. He passed Donnie Stringfellowon lap 14, Davis on lap 15 and Greer on the 16th circuit with strong moves to the outside in turns one and two.
That gave Weaver four laps to reclaim the lead from Bolding, but he only needed two, as he overtook Bolding from the outside on the backstretch. The crowd gave Weaver an enthusiastic ovation for his run as he pulled into the winner’s circle afterward.
Bolding had to settle for second while Greer was third. Davis hung on for fourth and Cabot’s David Payne completed the top five.
Weaver’s Fox Racing teammate Blake Jones of McRae made it two E-mod feature victories in a row for his F3 machine on Friday.
Jones won his second race of the year on Thursday night, and backed that up with another winning drive Friday after outlasting Lane Cullum.
Jones started on the pole with Cullum to his outside, but it was Cullum who claimed the top spot at the green. Jones stayed within a car length and even took a peek inside of Cullum’s black and white No. 15 on lap four, but Cullum benefited from a number of timely cautions.
Cullum caught what appeared to be the break of the night when Jones passed him for the lead out of turn two right before points leader Robert Woodard spun in the same corner. That reverted the field back to the previous lap and put Cullum back in the top spot.
Cullum appeared to have the race in hand on the final restart with a smooth inside line while Jones slightly overdrove his car on the outside. But Jones managed to catch Cullum out of turn two on the white-flag lap and the two drag raced down the back straightaway.
They stayed side by side through the final corners until Cullum’s car broke free and spun just out of turn three to give Jones a clear path to his second checkered flag in as many nights.
Last week’s winner Todd Joslin finished second and former E-mod champ Kevin Conway was third. Jeff Brady was fourth while
Beebe’s Ryan Redman recovered from an early spin to complete the top five.
The sentimental victory of the night went to Cabot’s Mike Millwood in the mini-stock feature. Millwood has been a consistent top-five driver in the minis over the years, but with no feature victory to his credit.
That all changed on Friday when Millwood chased down leader Paul Shackleford in his Triple J Racing No. 30 car and passed Shackleford for the lead on the fifth lap. Once out front, the outspoken veteran never looked back in collecting his first career triumph.
Shackleford settled for second while “Downtown” Johnny Brown finished third.
Beebe’s Larry Wise won the factory-stock feature while Jeff Porterfield claimed his second straight victory in hobby stocks.
Porterfield, the hobby-points leader, won the previous night and dominated again Friday.
Eddie Hoyer finished second in his Just-4-Play car and Searcy’s Gage Raines was third.
SPORTS>>Teachable moment comes from ump’s blunder
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
Why did baseball people get so mad at Jim Joyce last week?
It seems a little late to start cracking on the guy now; he’s been dead 69 years.
Sure “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” is a tough read, but Joyce has since earned respect for his use of interior monologue and other technical innovations in the art of the novel.
What?
Oh, JIM Joyce, the umpire who screwed up Armando Galarraga’s perfect game. Not James Joyce the writer.
My bad.
Okay then, yeah, I understand why baseball fans are a little ticked. Exactly a week ago, Joyce was working first base as Galarraga, the Detroit Tigers’ starter, retired the first 26 Cleveland Indians he faced at Comerica Park.
Then Joyce ruled Jason Donald beat out an infield hit, with Galarraga covering first, on a play in which Donald was clearly out.
“I actually thought it was probably one of the worst calls that have ever been called in the major leagues,” said former Arkansas Travelers general manager and executive vice president Bill Valentine, an American League umpire from 1963-68.
Valentine said, with a perfect game or something equally as important on the line, the umpire’s job is to know beyond a shadow of a doubt the runner has beaten the throw before calling him safe. Otherwise the benefit of the doubt should go to the fielder, Galarraga in this case.
“He should have been thinking out, and the runner should have to convince him he was safe,” Valentine said.
After Galarraga retired his final hitter to lock up the 3-0 victory, Detroit manager Jim Leyland and several other Tigers went after Joyce, baseball renewed its introspection over the idea of expanded-replay use and fans howled and revisited notorious blown calls of the past.
Travelers broadcaster Phil Elson joked “Jim Joyce, meet Steve Fritzoni.”
Elson still has flashbacks to Fritzoni’s blunder in Game 4 of the 2005 Texas League Championship Series between the Travelers and Midland RockHounds at Ray Winder Field. Fritzoni lost track of the count, failed to award a base on balls to Arkansas’ Jason Aspito and forced him back into the box for a game-ending strikeout that gave Midland the championship.
The umpires wouldn’t come out of the dressing room and talk to me after that game, which is in marked contrast to the way Joyce handled his mistake.
Instead of ducking the media or avoiding comment, Joyce did something remarkable not just for an umpire, but for many Americans these days — he admitted his goof and apologized. No excuses. He didn’t blame field conditions, a bad childhood or the current administration.
“I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career.”
Joyce, a full-time Major League umpire since 1989, went straight to Galarraga and expressed his regret, and what do you know? Galarraga turnedout to be a big man too as his post-game bitterness dissolved into on-the-spot forgiveness expressed by a hug for Joyce.
“He probably feels more bad than me. Nobody is perfect,” Galarraga said, even though he could have been for at least one night.
Okay, baseball is going to have to figure out how to keep these things from happening, but the behavior of these two men renewed my faith in the game more than even a perfect outing by Galarraga would have.
Rare as they are, we’ve seen perfect games before, but the way the umpire and the pitcher conducted themselves, with courtesy and as adults, made me realize our games can still teach us something good.
Galarraga may not go into the record books, but the grace with which he accepted his disappointment is certainly something to write about.
Talk about a portrait of an artist.
“The class act in all of this is the pitcher,” Valentine said of Galarraga.
“He hasn’t moaned, he hasn’t groaned and he doesn’t know it now, he doesn’t have any idea about it now, but if he would have pitched that perfect game, three years from now you wouldn’t even have remembered his name,” Valentine said.
Leader sports editor
Why did baseball people get so mad at Jim Joyce last week?
It seems a little late to start cracking on the guy now; he’s been dead 69 years.
Sure “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” is a tough read, but Joyce has since earned respect for his use of interior monologue and other technical innovations in the art of the novel.
What?
Oh, JIM Joyce, the umpire who screwed up Armando Galarraga’s perfect game. Not James Joyce the writer.
My bad.
Okay then, yeah, I understand why baseball fans are a little ticked. Exactly a week ago, Joyce was working first base as Galarraga, the Detroit Tigers’ starter, retired the first 26 Cleveland Indians he faced at Comerica Park.
Then Joyce ruled Jason Donald beat out an infield hit, with Galarraga covering first, on a play in which Donald was clearly out.
“I actually thought it was probably one of the worst calls that have ever been called in the major leagues,” said former Arkansas Travelers general manager and executive vice president Bill Valentine, an American League umpire from 1963-68.
Valentine said, with a perfect game or something equally as important on the line, the umpire’s job is to know beyond a shadow of a doubt the runner has beaten the throw before calling him safe. Otherwise the benefit of the doubt should go to the fielder, Galarraga in this case.
“He should have been thinking out, and the runner should have to convince him he was safe,” Valentine said.
After Galarraga retired his final hitter to lock up the 3-0 victory, Detroit manager Jim Leyland and several other Tigers went after Joyce, baseball renewed its introspection over the idea of expanded-replay use and fans howled and revisited notorious blown calls of the past.
Travelers broadcaster Phil Elson joked “Jim Joyce, meet Steve Fritzoni.”
Elson still has flashbacks to Fritzoni’s blunder in Game 4 of the 2005 Texas League Championship Series between the Travelers and Midland RockHounds at Ray Winder Field. Fritzoni lost track of the count, failed to award a base on balls to Arkansas’ Jason Aspito and forced him back into the box for a game-ending strikeout that gave Midland the championship.
The umpires wouldn’t come out of the dressing room and talk to me after that game, which is in marked contrast to the way Joyce handled his mistake.
Instead of ducking the media or avoiding comment, Joyce did something remarkable not just for an umpire, but for many Americans these days — he admitted his goof and apologized. No excuses. He didn’t blame field conditions, a bad childhood or the current administration.
“I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career.”
Joyce, a full-time Major League umpire since 1989, went straight to Galarraga and expressed his regret, and what do you know? Galarraga turnedout to be a big man too as his post-game bitterness dissolved into on-the-spot forgiveness expressed by a hug for Joyce.
“He probably feels more bad than me. Nobody is perfect,” Galarraga said, even though he could have been for at least one night.
Okay, baseball is going to have to figure out how to keep these things from happening, but the behavior of these two men renewed my faith in the game more than even a perfect outing by Galarraga would have.
Rare as they are, we’ve seen perfect games before, but the way the umpire and the pitcher conducted themselves, with courtesy and as adults, made me realize our games can still teach us something good.
Galarraga may not go into the record books, but the grace with which he accepted his disappointment is certainly something to write about.
Talk about a portrait of an artist.
“The class act in all of this is the pitcher,” Valentine said of Galarraga.
“He hasn’t moaned, he hasn’t groaned and he doesn’t know it now, he doesn’t have any idea about it now, but if he would have pitched that perfect game, three years from now you wouldn’t even have remembered his name,” Valentine said.
SPORTS>>Gwatney second in tourney
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
Gwatney Chevrolet coach Bob Hicking-botham figured he had about 2 ½ pitchers left for his team’s last game.
But Hickingbotham only needed two, or one, actually, as Gwatney beat the North Little Rock Optimist Colts 7-2 in the second-place game of the Gwatney Chevrolet Junior Legion Invitational at Dupree Park.
Noah Sanders started for Gwatney and gave up both North Little Rock runs in 1/3 of an inning before Hickingbotham replaced him with Xavier Brown, who silenced the Colts the rest of the way and picked up the victory.
“That’s the second time he’s been on the mound,” Hickingbotham said of Brown. “And he threw strikes and did real well. Kept the ball down and they didn’t really get a lot of shots at him. He did a good job. I was proud of him.”
Brown, who started the game at third base, went 4 2/3 innings and worked around four walks while giving up two hits and striking out two. He helped himself with a pair of RBI singles and drove in Gwatney’s first run in the second.
Brown’s effort was especially nice to seebecause most of the pitching staff was worn out from tournament play and a couple pitchers were unavailable for use, even, as position players.
“It’s fatigue, it’s arm fatigue,” Hickingbotham said. “They’re all right. Right now it’s fixing to get real thick and heavy. Because we’ve got three games next week.”
In his 1/3 of an inning, Sanders hit leadoff man Wesley Moore, walked three straight and allowed two runs on wild pitches.
Brown came on and got Drew Potter to fly out and made the third putout at the plate when he covered home after a wild pitch and tagged out Brian Chastain.
Brown’s biggest jam after that was in the third when he walked Moore and Jaleel Tyler, his first two hitters of the inning. But catcher Chris McClendon made a throw to catch Moore in a rundown for the first out then Brown struck out Blake Manning and got Chastain to fly out.
McClendon reached on an infield hit as Gwatney began to rally from its 2-0 deficit in the second. Colts starter Nick Graves hit Zach Traylor with one out and Brown then drove in McClendon with his first single.
Alex Tucker hit a sacrifice fly to score Traylor and tie it.
D’Vone McClure led off the third when he drove Graves’ last pitch, a 2-2 fastball, over the left-field fence to make it 3-2.
McClendon reached on Corey Jones’ outfield fielding error and scored when Jesse Harbin doubled, and Harbin came in on Brown’s second single to make it 5-2.
“The first and second inning we didn’t really do very much and then we kind of got on that little kid,” Hickingbotham said. “The harder they throw the better we are. I think our kids really like it.”
Sanders capped Gwatney’s scoring when he hit a two-RBI single in the fourth to drive in McClure, who doubled with one out, and Alex Williamson, who walked.
McClure finished 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI; Sanders and Brown had two RBI and Harbin was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.
Gwatney advanced to the second-place game by beating the Sylvan Hills Optimist Bruins 5-2 Saturday following its 12-8 loss to Sheridan.
“We needed it after messing around with Sheridan,” Hickingbotham said. “We made too many mistakes and they beat us 11-8 and we just didn’t play very good defensively. We’re just going to give them a day off tomorrow and try to get ready to play Tuesday and Thursday.”
Leader sports editor
Gwatney Chevrolet coach Bob Hicking-botham figured he had about 2 ½ pitchers left for his team’s last game.
But Hickingbotham only needed two, or one, actually, as Gwatney beat the North Little Rock Optimist Colts 7-2 in the second-place game of the Gwatney Chevrolet Junior Legion Invitational at Dupree Park.
Noah Sanders started for Gwatney and gave up both North Little Rock runs in 1/3 of an inning before Hickingbotham replaced him with Xavier Brown, who silenced the Colts the rest of the way and picked up the victory.
“That’s the second time he’s been on the mound,” Hickingbotham said of Brown. “And he threw strikes and did real well. Kept the ball down and they didn’t really get a lot of shots at him. He did a good job. I was proud of him.”
Brown, who started the game at third base, went 4 2/3 innings and worked around four walks while giving up two hits and striking out two. He helped himself with a pair of RBI singles and drove in Gwatney’s first run in the second.
Brown’s effort was especially nice to seebecause most of the pitching staff was worn out from tournament play and a couple pitchers were unavailable for use, even, as position players.
“It’s fatigue, it’s arm fatigue,” Hickingbotham said. “They’re all right. Right now it’s fixing to get real thick and heavy. Because we’ve got three games next week.”
In his 1/3 of an inning, Sanders hit leadoff man Wesley Moore, walked three straight and allowed two runs on wild pitches.
Brown came on and got Drew Potter to fly out and made the third putout at the plate when he covered home after a wild pitch and tagged out Brian Chastain.
Brown’s biggest jam after that was in the third when he walked Moore and Jaleel Tyler, his first two hitters of the inning. But catcher Chris McClendon made a throw to catch Moore in a rundown for the first out then Brown struck out Blake Manning and got Chastain to fly out.
McClendon reached on an infield hit as Gwatney began to rally from its 2-0 deficit in the second. Colts starter Nick Graves hit Zach Traylor with one out and Brown then drove in McClendon with his first single.
Alex Tucker hit a sacrifice fly to score Traylor and tie it.
D’Vone McClure led off the third when he drove Graves’ last pitch, a 2-2 fastball, over the left-field fence to make it 3-2.
McClendon reached on Corey Jones’ outfield fielding error and scored when Jesse Harbin doubled, and Harbin came in on Brown’s second single to make it 5-2.
“The first and second inning we didn’t really do very much and then we kind of got on that little kid,” Hickingbotham said. “The harder they throw the better we are. I think our kids really like it.”
Sanders capped Gwatney’s scoring when he hit a two-RBI single in the fourth to drive in McClure, who doubled with one out, and Alex Williamson, who walked.
McClure finished 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI; Sanders and Brown had two RBI and Harbin was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.
Gwatney advanced to the second-place game by beating the Sylvan Hills Optimist Bruins 5-2 Saturday following its 12-8 loss to Sheridan.
“We needed it after messing around with Sheridan,” Hickingbotham said. “We made too many mistakes and they beat us 11-8 and we just didn’t play very good defensively. We’re just going to give them a day off tomorrow and try to get ready to play Tuesday and Thursday.”
Monday, June 07, 2010
TOP STORY >> Irrigation funds are approved
IN SHORT: Sen. Lincoln gets $37 million in federal aid for a massive flood-control project that will also allow farmers to use water from the Bayou Meto.
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Sen. Blanche Lincoln announced Friday evening that she had secured $37 million in stimulus funds for the Bayou Meto Basin Project, a sprawling irrigation, flood-control and wildlife-habitat project 60 years in the making.
That means Lonoke County farmers and some others can soon irrigate their fields without continuing to deplete the drinking-water aquifer. And the Bayou Meto drainage basin will be less likely to flood, as far north as I-40.
Finally, water will be available for waterfowl habitat, and water can be pumped out of the basin to save flooded hardwoods.
The project will irrigate about 300,000 acres of farmland, most of it in Lonoke County, with some acreage in Pulaski, Prairie and Jefferson counties.
Lincoln said the project is shovel-ready and the contract must be awarded before Sept. 30 to comply with the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The local match, about $18 million to be paid for with state bonds, brings the total to $55 million toward buying and installing eight massive pumps—six to pump water out of the Arkansas River at Scott for irrigation, two to pump water from the lower end of the basin at Reydel over the levees and back into the river to minimize flooding.
“This is a critical piece to the local economy,” said Lincoln, who is in a close runoff Tuesday with Lt. Gov. Bill Halter for the Democratic nomination for her Senate seat. “It creates jobs immediately. Area farmers have been working on this for a long time.”
Congress first authorized the project in 1950—about the same time the interstate highway system was begun.
“It’s very critical to the drinking- water supply,” Lincoln said, “and it helps ensure the sustainability of (irrigation) agriculture in a responsible way.
“It puts dollars back in the community. It produces jobs in agriculture and in construction as well,” she added.
“We’re already making requests for fiscal year 2011 dollars to finish up,” the senator said. “Normally we’re not able to get going with this good an investment. Now we can do it in half the time it ordinarily would take. We’ve got it in concrete now.”
“People told me that money (for this) was absolutely not available,” said Gene Sullivan, executive director of the Bayou Meto Basin Project. “And she got it. It was a shock to everybody when she came up with that money. The project is going to be built now. We hope to build it in seven years.”
“I hounded everybody I could find from the administration, the (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers and my colleagues,” Lincoln said. “So it’s important that we move these dollars.”
“The match will come from state bonds,” Sullivan said. “We have an agreement to pay it back from the sale of water to the farmers.”
The Arkansas Natural Resource Commission is the sponsor.
The Scott station will pump 1,750 cubic feet of water per second into the system. At that rate, those pumps could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in about 50 seconds.
“Talking about the aquifer, we designed it to be sure that we can continue to use the amount of irrigation water we are using now without depleting the aquifer, and we should even have a little recovery,” Sullivan said. “We figured out how much we needed, how much we could safely take out of the aquifer, increase efficiencies (on the farm) and that’s how we set the (pumping) capacity.”
The water is conveyed through channels, ditches and pipes, lifted by pumps when necessary, until it arrives at about 1,200 farms, where the farmers have agreed to tax themselves and to pay for the water.
The project will require two pumping stations, 107 miles of man-made canals, 260 miles of work on existing channels, 465 miles of pipelines and more than 500 water-control structures.
Additional improvements could add about $200 million to the project, according to Sullivan, preferably over the course of seven years.
The project will irrigate 270,000 acres of farmland in Lonoke, Jefferson, Prairie, Arkansas and Pulaski counties and 22,000 acres of commercial fishponds, would provide waterfowl habitat and also a way to get floodwater off the low-lying southeast part of the basin and back into the Arkansas River.
Farmers have been pumping water from the aquifers faster than it can recharge, threatening not only the irrigation water, but also drinking water from the deeper Sparta aquifer.
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Sen. Blanche Lincoln announced Friday evening that she had secured $37 million in stimulus funds for the Bayou Meto Basin Project, a sprawling irrigation, flood-control and wildlife-habitat project 60 years in the making.
That means Lonoke County farmers and some others can soon irrigate their fields without continuing to deplete the drinking-water aquifer. And the Bayou Meto drainage basin will be less likely to flood, as far north as I-40.
Finally, water will be available for waterfowl habitat, and water can be pumped out of the basin to save flooded hardwoods.
The project will irrigate about 300,000 acres of farmland, most of it in Lonoke County, with some acreage in Pulaski, Prairie and Jefferson counties.
Lincoln said the project is shovel-ready and the contract must be awarded before Sept. 30 to comply with the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The local match, about $18 million to be paid for with state bonds, brings the total to $55 million toward buying and installing eight massive pumps—six to pump water out of the Arkansas River at Scott for irrigation, two to pump water from the lower end of the basin at Reydel over the levees and back into the river to minimize flooding.
“This is a critical piece to the local economy,” said Lincoln, who is in a close runoff Tuesday with Lt. Gov. Bill Halter for the Democratic nomination for her Senate seat. “It creates jobs immediately. Area farmers have been working on this for a long time.”
Congress first authorized the project in 1950—about the same time the interstate highway system was begun.
“It’s very critical to the drinking- water supply,” Lincoln said, “and it helps ensure the sustainability of (irrigation) agriculture in a responsible way.
“It puts dollars back in the community. It produces jobs in agriculture and in construction as well,” she added.
“We’re already making requests for fiscal year 2011 dollars to finish up,” the senator said. “Normally we’re not able to get going with this good an investment. Now we can do it in half the time it ordinarily would take. We’ve got it in concrete now.”
“People told me that money (for this) was absolutely not available,” said Gene Sullivan, executive director of the Bayou Meto Basin Project. “And she got it. It was a shock to everybody when she came up with that money. The project is going to be built now. We hope to build it in seven years.”
“I hounded everybody I could find from the administration, the (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers and my colleagues,” Lincoln said. “So it’s important that we move these dollars.”
“The match will come from state bonds,” Sullivan said. “We have an agreement to pay it back from the sale of water to the farmers.”
The Arkansas Natural Resource Commission is the sponsor.
The Scott station will pump 1,750 cubic feet of water per second into the system. At that rate, those pumps could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in about 50 seconds.
“Talking about the aquifer, we designed it to be sure that we can continue to use the amount of irrigation water we are using now without depleting the aquifer, and we should even have a little recovery,” Sullivan said. “We figured out how much we needed, how much we could safely take out of the aquifer, increase efficiencies (on the farm) and that’s how we set the (pumping) capacity.”
The water is conveyed through channels, ditches and pipes, lifted by pumps when necessary, until it arrives at about 1,200 farms, where the farmers have agreed to tax themselves and to pay for the water.
The project will require two pumping stations, 107 miles of man-made canals, 260 miles of work on existing channels, 465 miles of pipelines and more than 500 water-control structures.
Additional improvements could add about $200 million to the project, according to Sullivan, preferably over the course of seven years.
The project will irrigate 270,000 acres of farmland in Lonoke, Jefferson, Prairie, Arkansas and Pulaski counties and 22,000 acres of commercial fishponds, would provide waterfowl habitat and also a way to get floodwater off the low-lying southeast part of the basin and back into the Arkansas River.
Farmers have been pumping water from the aquifers faster than it can recharge, threatening not only the irrigation water, but also drinking water from the deeper Sparta aquifer.
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