By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Three candidates are seeking the seat in Ward 3, Position 1 on the Cabot City Council.
Alderman Doyle Tullos is seeking re-election for a second term. He is being challenged by Cabot Public Works office manager Norma Naquin and real estate agent Wendell Gibson. Early voting starts Monday.
Tullos, 70, is single with no children. He has lived in Cabot for 43 years and in Arkansas for 67 years. He is a retiree. Tullos has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Naquin, 61, and her husband, Jack, have been married for 42 years. They have two grown children. Naquin has worked for the city for 19 years.
The Leader reached out to Gibson, but he did not respond.
Why do you want to serve as alderman for Cabot?
Tullos: As a longtime resident of Cabot, I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I further want to utilize my formal education and extensive work experience in government and private industry to help make Cabot a great place to live and work.
Naquin: I love this community. I want to contribute to preserving what we love about Cabot while helping to make it an even better place to live, work and raise our families. I have a great passion for public service, working for the city of Cabot has only increased my passion. It would be a great honor and privilege to serve as alderman; one I would never take lightly.
What do you think qualifies you for this position?
Tullos: My current experience serving on the City Council, which includes serving on the following committees: Budget and Personnel, Fire and Police, Economic Development and Hazardous Structures.
Thirty-five years of management experience: 13 years in state government and 22 years in private industry.
Extensive experience working with city, county, state and federal agencies, officials, laws, rules, regulations and ordinances.
Proven leadership skills and abilities throughout high school, college and entire working career as reflected by the following: excelled in three high school sports, earning all-conference and all-state honors in football; selected to play in the Arkansas High School All-Star Football Game.
Arkansas State University Student Government Associa-tion president;
Arkansas Human Resources Association vice president and board member;
Arkansas NCO Academy graduate;
Served six years in the Arkansas Army National Guard;
Mount Carmel Baptist Church personnel committee and vice chairman, finance committee;
Mount Carmel Baptist Church adult Sunday school director and teacher;
Mount Carmel Baptist capital campaign director and church council, and
The Hamptons Property Owners Association president.
Naquin: For almost two decades, I have served as Public Works office manager, City Planning Coordinator, and City Building Official. This has given me a vast knowledge of all affairs of the city as well as a working knowledge of all departments within the city.
I hold certifications in Arkansas Governmental Management from the Univer-sity of Arkansas at Little Rock and in ICS 400 Incident Command (disaster preparedness). I have extensive training in municipal planning, storm water management, international building code, building inspection, city budget and city ordinances. I am a 2013 member of Arkansas Metroplan Transportation Committee, International Code Council member and Lonoke County Leadership training alumni.
What do you see as Cabot’s strengths and weaknesses?
Tullos: Cabot has great, well qualified, dedicated department directors, supervisors and staff employees who work diligently to improve the services offered our citizens and our community.
Great strides have been made by the Cabot Planning Commission to establish short-term and long-term plans for future development of our city. Uniform Development Codes and standards have been developed and written.
These standards will greatly affect how land is used and developed, the flow of traffic, access management and various other projects in Cabot. A great partnership exists between the Planning Commission, Metroplan, the Arkansas Highway Depart-ment and city officials.
The city is very progressive in pursuing state and federal grants and other monies to fund a wide range of projects throughout the city that greatly benefit our citizens and community.
The city needs to place more emphasis on economic growth and development with the goal of balancing commercial, industry and residential growth.
The city should also place more emphasis on stronger partnerships with vocational schools, community colleges and other higher educational institutions, as well as the Small Business Administration, which would further entice more businesses to locate here and improve the local economy.
Naquin: Cabot’s strengths are its people, family values, great schools and that “small town feel”. Cabot’s weakness can be summed up in one word, Traffic.
If elected what would be your top three priorities?
Tullos: To continue to work closely with and support the Cabot Planning Commission in its efforts to make major improvements in our infrastructure and future growth and development of our geographical resources.
To always be available to meet with my constituents to discuss any areas of concern they may have and gather and weigh all the facts before making any conclusions or decisions.
To continue to expand my knowledge of city government and my responsibilities as a council member through continuing education programs.
Naquin: Traffic is a big concern; I will work with the Arkansas State Highway Department, Metroplan and state officials to find every available means to solve our traffic problems.
Economic Development is critical for continued growth. I will work with local and state leaders to craft incentives for businesses to come to Cabot. I will also get to know all existing business owners in the city, understanding their needs and building a trust towards developing a working partnership.
Pursue the creation of a county-wide, centralized 911 system. Our city and county has grown to a point where this needs to be considered. It is my belief that this will help our city police, fire department and other emergency services. It will also decrease the response time, therefore, enhancing the safety and welfare of the citizens of Cabot.
Why should residents vote for you and not the other candidates?
Tullos: I am very well qualified due to my comprehensive work experience in state government and the private sector; budget and personnel experience; extensive knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations and my formal education.
I also am currently serving as a council member and my opponents have no current experience in that capacity. I would encourage and invite all eligible voters to fully examine my credentials and compare my qualifications to those of my opponents.
I have conservative values, believe in common sense government and have excellent human relation skills. I desire to continue to represent the city of Cabot, all its citizens and this community as a whole, to the best of my ability as a continuing member of the Cabot City Council.
Naquin: I have extensive knowledge in all affairs of city government along with working knowledge of every department within the city. For 19 years, I have enforced the policies and ordinances of the city. This has given me the insight to know what works and what doesn’t work. I will put this knowledge to use along with my experience and training to bring fresh ideas and make informed and responsible decisions that will benefit the city and its residents.
I truly love our community and its people. As alderman, I will work to ensure the safety and the security of our citizens, work to find solutions to our traffic problems, promote economic development, continue the partnership with our school and exercise fiscal responsibility.
I will stand committed to you to be accessible, to have an open door policy, work hard and make responsible decisions. It would be an honor to serve as alderman and I respectfully ask for your vote.
Friday, October 21, 2016
TOP STORY >> Q&A: Cabot’s Prentice, Koller
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Cabot Alderman Rick Prentice is seeking re-election to represent Ward 3, Position 2. He is being challenged by Tom Koller for a seat on the city council. Voters can make their choice during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8 or in early voting beginning on Monday.
Rick Prentice, 65, and his wife, Sharon, have been married 23 years. They have four grown children. Prentice has lived in Arkansas since 1964 and in Cabot for the past 10 years. He is a retired Navy veteran and has been employed for 25 years with Summit Truck Group as a corporate risk and safety manager.
Prentice has been on the city council for eight years.
Tom Koller, 46, is married to his wife, Katie. They have four children. Koller has lived in Arkansas for 27 years and in Cabot for two.
He has been involved with Cabot for four years. Koller has been in medical sales for 18 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Harding University in Searcy.
Why do you want to serve as alderman for Cabot?
Prentice: I want to represent the citizens of Cabot in a way that will be bipartisan, gain economic growth and keep strong family values.
Koller: I have been interested in city government my whole life. Previous job responsibilities and living in larger cities made it hard for me to participate. I am ready. I have the time that it will take to be effective. I have the desire to the serve the citizens and I am ready to be their voice to make our city a better place to live.
What do you think qualifies you for this position?
Prentice: I have served on the city council for four terms and have represented the citizens with honesty and integrity. I am currently serving as the chairman of the Fire and Police Committee. I believe that every person should have a voice in their city and I take great pleasure in listening to them, weighing their issues and using my vote as their voice.
Koller: I am a common sense, down-to-earth individual that brings the desire to serve the citizens of Cabot. My business background, planning skills for both now and the future, and ability to listen to the needs of the citizens makes me an excellent choice for councilman. I hope this dedication has been shown by my presence at intersections all over Cabot the past weeks waving to the people in an effort to give them the ability to know who I am.
What do you see as Cabot’s strengths and weaknesses?
Prentice: Cabot has a great school district, strong Fire and Police Departments; a strong Chamber of Commerce and a great working relationship between the mayor’s office and the city council that results in a unified city government, which includes the three independent commissions which are: Water, Parks and Recreation, and the City Planning.
Koller: Cabot has many strengths. Our Parks and Recreations system is outstanding and continues to grow. Our school system is one of the best in the state and brings new families to our great city. Our residents are our best strength. They make Cabot great.
Cabot needs to monitor infrastructure. We are set for water and wastewater but need to continue to monitor street and traffic issues. I understand how Cabot is tied with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and will continue the relationship with them for improvement. However, we must continue to add new roads and overlay current roads to get caught up.
If elected what would be your top three priorities?
Prentice: 1. Completion of the Community Dog Park. 2. Maintain and grow our parks and recreation facilities and programs for the youth of our city. 3. Strive to keep transparency in our city government and keep our Fire and Police Departments strong.
Koller: I will become a certified elected official through the Arkansas Municipal League. This will improve my abilities to serve and give me the opportunity to represent Cabot on a state level on an advisory committee.
Cabot needs to expand its senior citizens program. Some initiatives have been started, but I promise to continue to keep this at the forefront. This has been one of the most asked questions since my announcement. A new center and additional transportation opportunities are an immediate necessity.
Economic development is a must for Cabot. More emphasis and resources need to be dedicated to economic development on not only a local, but regional level. Cabot needs more restaurants and shopping opportunities for its citizens. We need to pursue opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to us.
Why should residents vote for you and not the other candidates?
Prentice: I believe that the citizens should vote for the candidate of their choice and not because of what I say or my opponent says, but for what I have done by representing them and our great city for the past eight years. I believe that Cabot is a great place to live and raise our children and grandchildren. As a conservative, I am asking for your support.
Koller: It is time for new faces and new ideas on the city council. It is time for Cabot to start preparing for the growth of the future instead of reacting to it. I will serve the people as their voice. I am asking for your vote. Please visit my website at www.Koller4Cabot.com for additional information and to contact me with your questions. I am here to serve you.
Leader staff writer
Cabot Alderman Rick Prentice is seeking re-election to represent Ward 3, Position 2. He is being challenged by Tom Koller for a seat on the city council. Voters can make their choice during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8 or in early voting beginning on Monday.
Rick Prentice, 65, and his wife, Sharon, have been married 23 years. They have four grown children. Prentice has lived in Arkansas since 1964 and in Cabot for the past 10 years. He is a retired Navy veteran and has been employed for 25 years with Summit Truck Group as a corporate risk and safety manager.
Prentice has been on the city council for eight years.
Tom Koller, 46, is married to his wife, Katie. They have four children. Koller has lived in Arkansas for 27 years and in Cabot for two.
He has been involved with Cabot for four years. Koller has been in medical sales for 18 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Harding University in Searcy.
Why do you want to serve as alderman for Cabot?
Prentice: I want to represent the citizens of Cabot in a way that will be bipartisan, gain economic growth and keep strong family values.
Koller: I have been interested in city government my whole life. Previous job responsibilities and living in larger cities made it hard for me to participate. I am ready. I have the time that it will take to be effective. I have the desire to the serve the citizens and I am ready to be their voice to make our city a better place to live.
What do you think qualifies you for this position?
Prentice: I have served on the city council for four terms and have represented the citizens with honesty and integrity. I am currently serving as the chairman of the Fire and Police Committee. I believe that every person should have a voice in their city and I take great pleasure in listening to them, weighing their issues and using my vote as their voice.
Koller: I am a common sense, down-to-earth individual that brings the desire to serve the citizens of Cabot. My business background, planning skills for both now and the future, and ability to listen to the needs of the citizens makes me an excellent choice for councilman. I hope this dedication has been shown by my presence at intersections all over Cabot the past weeks waving to the people in an effort to give them the ability to know who I am.
What do you see as Cabot’s strengths and weaknesses?
Prentice: Cabot has a great school district, strong Fire and Police Departments; a strong Chamber of Commerce and a great working relationship between the mayor’s office and the city council that results in a unified city government, which includes the three independent commissions which are: Water, Parks and Recreation, and the City Planning.
Koller: Cabot has many strengths. Our Parks and Recreations system is outstanding and continues to grow. Our school system is one of the best in the state and brings new families to our great city. Our residents are our best strength. They make Cabot great.
Cabot needs to monitor infrastructure. We are set for water and wastewater but need to continue to monitor street and traffic issues. I understand how Cabot is tied with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and will continue the relationship with them for improvement. However, we must continue to add new roads and overlay current roads to get caught up.
If elected what would be your top three priorities?
Prentice: 1. Completion of the Community Dog Park. 2. Maintain and grow our parks and recreation facilities and programs for the youth of our city. 3. Strive to keep transparency in our city government and keep our Fire and Police Departments strong.
Koller: I will become a certified elected official through the Arkansas Municipal League. This will improve my abilities to serve and give me the opportunity to represent Cabot on a state level on an advisory committee.
Cabot needs to expand its senior citizens program. Some initiatives have been started, but I promise to continue to keep this at the forefront. This has been one of the most asked questions since my announcement. A new center and additional transportation opportunities are an immediate necessity.
Economic development is a must for Cabot. More emphasis and resources need to be dedicated to economic development on not only a local, but regional level. Cabot needs more restaurants and shopping opportunities for its citizens. We need to pursue opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to us.
Why should residents vote for you and not the other candidates?
Prentice: I believe that the citizens should vote for the candidate of their choice and not because of what I say or my opponent says, but for what I have done by representing them and our great city for the past eight years. I believe that Cabot is a great place to live and raise our children and grandchildren. As a conservative, I am asking for your support.
Koller: It is time for new faces and new ideas on the city council. It is time for Cabot to start preparing for the growth of the future instead of reacting to it. I will serve the people as their voice. I am asking for your vote. Please visit my website at www.Koller4Cabot.com for additional information and to contact me with your questions. I am here to serve you.
TOP STORY >> Redirecting A&P tax in Sherwood
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
“It’s not a new tax,” fliers and posters scream throughout Sherwood. The posters are pushing for a positive vote on the parks improvement bond issue that will be on the general election ballot Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Early voting starts Monday.
A public meeting to discuss the bond issue will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in the city council’s chambers.
Mayor Virginia Hillman explained that the city wants to take the advertising and promotion tax that it is already collecting and use it to cover the payment on a bond for park improvements. “It allows us to make the improvements quicker, cheaper and will let residents enjoy the upgraded parks sooner,” she said.
Without voters’ approval, the tax will still remain in place with a large portion of it going to parks and recreation, according to city ordinances, and if enough is collected the park improvements will be made. “It will have to be done piecemeal and will take years to complete,” the mayor said.
Plan upgrades, based on the city’s master parks plan, include improving playgrounds, adding a tennis center, a soccer complex and an aquatic pad to the city’s parks system.
Jannsen has been talking to civic groups, gatherings and individuals for months about the bond issue, emphasizing that the issue, “Parks Improvement Bonds” does not increase taxes. “It only redistributes it so we can get all of our projects done in a reasonable time.”
Approval means the majority of the parks and recreation portion will be used to cover the payments of the bond issue. “Right now we are looking at around $4 million for the three main projects and money left over for upgrades to other facilities and parks.”
The parks director explained that currently when the department has a major project they go to the A&P commission and get the $250,000 to $300,000 they need. “But projects with a price tag of more than that have to be stretched out of a period of years.
“Our proposed soccer complex will run around a $1 million,” Janssen said, “and without this approval in November, it’ll take more than three years to build. But with the bond we can start on it next year and finish all in one swoop.”
“No matter what,” Sonny Janssen, the city’s parks and recreation director explained, “the tax is not going away.”
The city, since the 1990s has collected a two-percent prepared foods tax, also known as the hamburger tax, and by ordinance the majority of the taxes collected are for parks and recreation department projects and a smaller amount goes to the city’s advertising and promotion commission for projects like the Christmas Trail of Lights, Sherwood Fest and the Fourth of July celebration.
He added that because the funds come from the hamburger tax it is not just Sherwood residents footing the bill. “I’d say a large portion of this A and P tax is paid by outsiders stopping in at one of our many restaurants.”
“This is a issue that will greatly impact economic development in our community, and, therefore, we’re asking you to please vote yes for this,” said Marcia Cook, the chamber’s executive director.
“We’ll be distributing door hangers at Sherwood residences before voting starts to inform residents that the Parks Improvement Bonds is not a new tax and to ask them to please vote yes to expand and improve our city parks.”
Janssen reemphasized that the issue was not a new tax. “If I went before the council asking for an additional tax, I’d be run out of town,” he quipped.
Leader staff writer
“It’s not a new tax,” fliers and posters scream throughout Sherwood. The posters are pushing for a positive vote on the parks improvement bond issue that will be on the general election ballot Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Early voting starts Monday.
A public meeting to discuss the bond issue will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in the city council’s chambers.
Mayor Virginia Hillman explained that the city wants to take the advertising and promotion tax that it is already collecting and use it to cover the payment on a bond for park improvements. “It allows us to make the improvements quicker, cheaper and will let residents enjoy the upgraded parks sooner,” she said.
Without voters’ approval, the tax will still remain in place with a large portion of it going to parks and recreation, according to city ordinances, and if enough is collected the park improvements will be made. “It will have to be done piecemeal and will take years to complete,” the mayor said.
Plan upgrades, based on the city’s master parks plan, include improving playgrounds, adding a tennis center, a soccer complex and an aquatic pad to the city’s parks system.
Jannsen has been talking to civic groups, gatherings and individuals for months about the bond issue, emphasizing that the issue, “Parks Improvement Bonds” does not increase taxes. “It only redistributes it so we can get all of our projects done in a reasonable time.”
Approval means the majority of the parks and recreation portion will be used to cover the payments of the bond issue. “Right now we are looking at around $4 million for the three main projects and money left over for upgrades to other facilities and parks.”
The parks director explained that currently when the department has a major project they go to the A&P commission and get the $250,000 to $300,000 they need. “But projects with a price tag of more than that have to be stretched out of a period of years.
“Our proposed soccer complex will run around a $1 million,” Janssen said, “and without this approval in November, it’ll take more than three years to build. But with the bond we can start on it next year and finish all in one swoop.”
“No matter what,” Sonny Janssen, the city’s parks and recreation director explained, “the tax is not going away.”
The city, since the 1990s has collected a two-percent prepared foods tax, also known as the hamburger tax, and by ordinance the majority of the taxes collected are for parks and recreation department projects and a smaller amount goes to the city’s advertising and promotion commission for projects like the Christmas Trail of Lights, Sherwood Fest and the Fourth of July celebration.
He added that because the funds come from the hamburger tax it is not just Sherwood residents footing the bill. “I’d say a large portion of this A and P tax is paid by outsiders stopping in at one of our many restaurants.”
“This is a issue that will greatly impact economic development in our community, and, therefore, we’re asking you to please vote yes for this,” said Marcia Cook, the chamber’s executive director.
“We’ll be distributing door hangers at Sherwood residences before voting starts to inform residents that the Parks Improvement Bonds is not a new tax and to ask them to please vote yes to expand and improve our city parks.”
Janssen reemphasized that the issue was not a new tax. “If I went before the council asking for an additional tax, I’d be run out of town,” he quipped.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
EDITORIAL >> Election review before you vote
Early voting in the general election starts Monday.
The Leader will conclude previewing all of the races before Tuesday, Nov. 8, which is Election Day.
The presidential race will be at the top of the ballot, accompanied by five ballot measures and several state and local races.
Issue 1 asks voters to extend the terms of county judges, county court clerks and county surveyors from two years to four years.
Issue 2 seeks to let Arkansas governors retain their authority when out of the state.
Issue 3 will ask voters to vastly expand the state’s offerings of incentives to businesses looking to open here. Now, the state can only spend $259 million annually to entice businesses. Issue 3 has been touted as a major economic plan that would create jobs and bring major corporations to Arkansas.
Issues 6 and 7 concern legalizing medical marijuana. Issue 6 will allow marijuana use for 17 medical conditions, while Issue 7 will do the same for 56 illnesses.
Sen. John Boozman, a Republican, is up for re-election against Conner Eldridge, a former U.S. attorney and Lonoke native, and Libertarian Frank Gilbert.
In the Second District, Rep. French Hill (R-Little Rock) has a Democratic challenger, Diane Curry, as well as a libertarian opponent, Chris Hayes.
Locally, state Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock) and Democrat Joe Woodson, a North Little Rock attorney, are facing off in Dist. 34, which includes North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville.
There are three competitive state House races in the area: Dist. 42 Rep. Bob Johnson (D-Jacksonville) is being challenged by Patrick Thomas, and Rep. Camille Bennett (D-Lonoke) is up against Lonoke County justice of the peace Roger Lynch.
In Dist. 38, Democrat Victoria Leigh and Republican Carlton Wing, both of North Little Rock, are vying for the seat vacated by Rep. Donnie Copeland, who lost to English in the Republican primary in March. The district includes North Little Rock and about half of Sherwood.
Also in Sherwood, voters will decide two Pulaski County Special School Board races: Gloria Lawrence and Linda Remele in Zone 3, and Shelby Thomas and Cori Burgett Fetters in Zone 4.
Sherwood residents are additionally being asked to approve a measure that will improve parks and give the city flexibility to get the work done faster and cheaper without raising taxes.
Cabot has three competitive aldermen races. Alderman Jon Moore is facing Damon Bivens for the Ward 2, Position 2 seat. Alderman Doyle Tullos has two opponents for his Ward 3, Position 1 seat, Norma Naquin and Wendell Gibson. Alderman Rick Prentice is challenged by Tom Koller in Ward 3, Position 2.
The runoff for the Cabot district judge race will also be decided this election. Judge Joe O’Bryan is trying to fend off Ward City Attorney Clint McGue, who finished first in the March vote, but fell short of the required 50 percent to avoid a runoff. The third candidate, John Flynn, has endorsed McGue.
Beebe Alderman Tracy Lightfoot and Donald Lewis are competing for Ward 2, Position 2.
There will also be several uncontested races listed on ballots throughout the area.
Be an informed voter by preparing yourself before you go to the polls. You can start by reading our extensive election coverage in today’s Leader and the next few editions.
The Leader will conclude previewing all of the races before Tuesday, Nov. 8, which is Election Day.
The presidential race will be at the top of the ballot, accompanied by five ballot measures and several state and local races.
Issue 1 asks voters to extend the terms of county judges, county court clerks and county surveyors from two years to four years.
Issue 2 seeks to let Arkansas governors retain their authority when out of the state.
Issue 3 will ask voters to vastly expand the state’s offerings of incentives to businesses looking to open here. Now, the state can only spend $259 million annually to entice businesses. Issue 3 has been touted as a major economic plan that would create jobs and bring major corporations to Arkansas.
Issues 6 and 7 concern legalizing medical marijuana. Issue 6 will allow marijuana use for 17 medical conditions, while Issue 7 will do the same for 56 illnesses.
Sen. John Boozman, a Republican, is up for re-election against Conner Eldridge, a former U.S. attorney and Lonoke native, and Libertarian Frank Gilbert.
In the Second District, Rep. French Hill (R-Little Rock) has a Democratic challenger, Diane Curry, as well as a libertarian opponent, Chris Hayes.
Locally, state Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock) and Democrat Joe Woodson, a North Little Rock attorney, are facing off in Dist. 34, which includes North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville.
There are three competitive state House races in the area: Dist. 42 Rep. Bob Johnson (D-Jacksonville) is being challenged by Patrick Thomas, and Rep. Camille Bennett (D-Lonoke) is up against Lonoke County justice of the peace Roger Lynch.
In Dist. 38, Democrat Victoria Leigh and Republican Carlton Wing, both of North Little Rock, are vying for the seat vacated by Rep. Donnie Copeland, who lost to English in the Republican primary in March. The district includes North Little Rock and about half of Sherwood.
Also in Sherwood, voters will decide two Pulaski County Special School Board races: Gloria Lawrence and Linda Remele in Zone 3, and Shelby Thomas and Cori Burgett Fetters in Zone 4.
Sherwood residents are additionally being asked to approve a measure that will improve parks and give the city flexibility to get the work done faster and cheaper without raising taxes.
Cabot has three competitive aldermen races. Alderman Jon Moore is facing Damon Bivens for the Ward 2, Position 2 seat. Alderman Doyle Tullos has two opponents for his Ward 3, Position 1 seat, Norma Naquin and Wendell Gibson. Alderman Rick Prentice is challenged by Tom Koller in Ward 3, Position 2.
The runoff for the Cabot district judge race will also be decided this election. Judge Joe O’Bryan is trying to fend off Ward City Attorney Clint McGue, who finished first in the March vote, but fell short of the required 50 percent to avoid a runoff. The third candidate, John Flynn, has endorsed McGue.
Beebe Alderman Tracy Lightfoot and Donald Lewis are competing for Ward 2, Position 2.
There will also be several uncontested races listed on ballots throughout the area.
Be an informed voter by preparing yourself before you go to the polls. You can start by reading our extensive election coverage in today’s Leader and the next few editions.
TOP STORY >> Christmas starts with 3 parades
Sherwood will hold its Christmas parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
The theme is Hometown Christmas Memories. Freddie Hudson will be the parade’s grand marshal.
The parade will begin at Kiehl Avenue and Lantrip Road and will continue west down Kiehl. It will end at Oakbrooke Drive.
The Sherwood Advertising and Promotion Commission sponsors the annual event.
To request an entry form, or for more information, call Julie Tharp at the Duran Youth Center at 501-835-9599 or email sherwoodparade@sherwoodparks.com.
Jacksonville will hold its 59th annual Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The parade will begin at Sharp and Main streets and will end at First United Methodist Church.
To enter a float, call 501-982-4171 or visit www.cityofjacksonville.net.
Cabot’s Christmas parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 on South Pine St. The theme is Christmas Around the World.
Entry forms are available on the park department’s website, www.cabotparks.com. Entry fees are $10.
Awards will be given in several categories.
The theme is Hometown Christmas Memories. Freddie Hudson will be the parade’s grand marshal.
The parade will begin at Kiehl Avenue and Lantrip Road and will continue west down Kiehl. It will end at Oakbrooke Drive.
The Sherwood Advertising and Promotion Commission sponsors the annual event.
To request an entry form, or for more information, call Julie Tharp at the Duran Youth Center at 501-835-9599 or email sherwoodparade@sherwoodparks.com.
Jacksonville will hold its 59th annual Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The parade will begin at Sharp and Main streets and will end at First United Methodist Church.
To enter a float, call 501-982-4171 or visit www.cityofjacksonville.net.
Cabot’s Christmas parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 on South Pine St. The theme is Christmas Around the World.
Entry forms are available on the park department’s website, www.cabotparks.com. Entry fees are $10.
Awards will be given in several categories.
TOP STORY >> NLR Democrat challenges Sen. English
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Democrat Joe Woodson, 49, is challenging Republican Sen. Jane English, 75, for her state Senate Dist. 34 seat, which represents North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville.
Woodson wants to expand pre-kindergarten in the state and favors a middle-class trickle-up economic theory that flies in the face of Act 1173, which he says is a regressive, top-down income- tax policy.
“I want to tip the scales in favor of the middle class and education,” he said. He supports Obamacare and the private option. “As a practical matter, and as a humanitarian, I don’t think we have any choice.” He said there are now about 300,000 more Arkansans receiving health care insurance, many for the first time.
It’s a first step, he said. “Health care and insurance reform will go on for the next 20 or 30 years.”
It was Sen. English who cast the deciding vote in the Senate in 2014 to make the private option law in Arkansas. A Republican, she crossed party lines, trading her vote on that issue for a significant realignment of workforce education and a seat at the table.
Her deal was with Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, but current Gov. Asa Hutchinson has depended on English to help consolidate and promote workforce education efforts and to prepare Arkansans for the workplace.
English is chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Academic Facilities Oversight subcommittee, and is co-chair of a legislative task force to study the realignment of higher education and vice chair of joint performance review.
English said workforce education has always been her top priority, and she doesn’t expect that to change going forward, if elected.
Woodson has 22 years experience as a lawyer in his own firm and as legal council to then Secretary of State Charlie Daniels. He also served as chairman of the Arkansas Board of Apportionment.
ENGLISH
English has a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Arkansas Tech.
Her husband, Don, retired as an Army colonel after 20 years in the service.
She was state chairman of the Department of Defense Employers in Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Among the issues most important to English is continuing to do workforce education, kindergarten through career training.
“Over the past three years, a lot of good things have happened,” she said. “We’re working on better coordination of all state and federal programs, working with higher education (so it) has a new plan to increase the numbers of graduates.
“There are lots of good (jobs available) if employers can find people with the education,” she said.
“More and more people are working on career and technical education,” she said.
English was asked if she regrets trading her deciding Senate vote on private option for the authority to remake career education.
“Absolutely not,” she said. Good career education is “something the state needs so badly. We’re funding Obamacare and moving forward,” she said.
As for any particular legislation or policy changes she would introduce in the future, English, who sponsored 18 bills that became law in her first term, said she had sponsored 27 in her first term, so probably not.
English was primary sponsor in the Senate of 27 bills, 18 of which became law.
Among them was Act 892, which created a comprehensive statewide workforce development system, to coordinate workforce development programs and to create an office of skills development.
She said it’s not necessary to balance the needs between her district and the state because they are one and the same. “In the legislature, when you pass a law it affects everyone,” she said.
Her top priorities will be to create a better education system and to get people educated, employable and off social welfare programs.
As for economic development, she said big industries with big groundbreakings are wonderful, “but you have to have people with the skills and education to take those jobs.”
“Get people off these programs, give them enough skills and education to be able to go get a job that takes care of themselves and their families. It’s easy to say everybody ought to go get a job. But if you were in this category, where a lot of those folks are, they don’t have the skills to get a job where somebody’s going to pay their insurance,” said English.
English was among the sponsors of a law that lowered the minimum number of students necessary to detach a new district from an existing one, such as the detachment of Jacksonville from the Pulaski County Special School District.
The number was lowered from 4,000 students, which enabled the Jacksonville-North Pulaski District, to 2,500, which would qualify Sherwood to detach in the future if all other conditions are met.
English said she wants to make sure the new Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District is successful. That will make all the difference in the world,” she said. “It’s a defining thing for Jacksonville and its future.
The senator and her husband have two adult children and three grandchildren and attend the Little Rock Air Force Base chapel.
WOODSON
“My No. 1 goal is to act consistently with things I believe in,” including “economic policy that tips the scales in favor of the middle class,” and improving education, Woodson said.
Education: “I’m a strong supporter of expanding pre-kindergarten,” he said. It would be “money well spent.”
He believes in “strong, accountable public schools and local control of school districts.”
“Education, much like flying a plane, is a never-ending process of refinement and adjustment. I do not have any ‘sacred cows’ with respect to education or education models. Those parents/children who do not have the ability or resources to engage in alternate methods of education should not and cannot receive an inferior education.
He says he believes charter schools have an important role to play, but “I also believe traditional public schools must be allowed to succeed.”
“I want to find a way to reduce the cost of higher education, so that students can obtain training or a degree without crippling debt when they leave school. Of course, we need to continue to ‘build-out’ robust adult education and vocational training opportunities for non-traditional students through trade schools and two-year colleges,” Woodson said.
He also supports state Rep. Bob Johnson’s legislation to eliminate state income tax on veteran’s retirement benefits. Noting that Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, a Republican, supports that as well.
He’s running because “a great many voters believe similarly to what I believe.” He said he and English have fundamentally different belief systems. He pointed to Act 1173 — the capital gains tax cut that wealthy Arkansans may qualify for.
Woodson says he believes in Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works expanded health-care coverage, that life begins at conception, providing resources for veterans, the Second Amendment and common sense solutions to hinder criminals and terrorists without sacrificing Second Amendment rights.
“I believe in equal pay for women, that the Bible is the word of God and that Jesus’ example is to practice love toward all.
“I also believe the first amendment protects every person’s right to practice their faith.
“I believe in punishing criminals, and I believe in ongoing criminal justice reform. I believe if we help our at-risk young people now, we help ourselves in the future.
“I believe the road towards widespread, sustainable economic prosperity is through consistently choosing a ‘bottom-up’ not ‘top-down’ economic approach. That means always erring on the side of the middle class and working poor,” he said.
“For example: progressive, not regressive, tax policy and increased minimum wage,” Woodson explained.
He said he supports legislation to improve gender pay equality.
BACKGROUND
Woodson was raised in North Little Rock, where he lives with his wife, Laura and their three children.
He graduated from Central Arkansas Christian High School and earned his finance and law degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
He serves as a deacon for his church, is board member and treasurer of the Park Hill Business and Merchants Association and a member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Leader senior staff writer
Democrat Joe Woodson, 49, is challenging Republican Sen. Jane English, 75, for her state Senate Dist. 34 seat, which represents North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville.
Woodson wants to expand pre-kindergarten in the state and favors a middle-class trickle-up economic theory that flies in the face of Act 1173, which he says is a regressive, top-down income- tax policy.
“I want to tip the scales in favor of the middle class and education,” he said. He supports Obamacare and the private option. “As a practical matter, and as a humanitarian, I don’t think we have any choice.” He said there are now about 300,000 more Arkansans receiving health care insurance, many for the first time.
It’s a first step, he said. “Health care and insurance reform will go on for the next 20 or 30 years.”
It was Sen. English who cast the deciding vote in the Senate in 2014 to make the private option law in Arkansas. A Republican, she crossed party lines, trading her vote on that issue for a significant realignment of workforce education and a seat at the table.
Her deal was with Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, but current Gov. Asa Hutchinson has depended on English to help consolidate and promote workforce education efforts and to prepare Arkansans for the workplace.
English is chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Academic Facilities Oversight subcommittee, and is co-chair of a legislative task force to study the realignment of higher education and vice chair of joint performance review.
English said workforce education has always been her top priority, and she doesn’t expect that to change going forward, if elected.
Woodson has 22 years experience as a lawyer in his own firm and as legal council to then Secretary of State Charlie Daniels. He also served as chairman of the Arkansas Board of Apportionment.
ENGLISH
English has a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Arkansas Tech.
Her husband, Don, retired as an Army colonel after 20 years in the service.
She was state chairman of the Department of Defense Employers in Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Among the issues most important to English is continuing to do workforce education, kindergarten through career training.
“Over the past three years, a lot of good things have happened,” she said. “We’re working on better coordination of all state and federal programs, working with higher education (so it) has a new plan to increase the numbers of graduates.
“There are lots of good (jobs available) if employers can find people with the education,” she said.
“More and more people are working on career and technical education,” she said.
English was asked if she regrets trading her deciding Senate vote on private option for the authority to remake career education.
“Absolutely not,” she said. Good career education is “something the state needs so badly. We’re funding Obamacare and moving forward,” she said.
As for any particular legislation or policy changes she would introduce in the future, English, who sponsored 18 bills that became law in her first term, said she had sponsored 27 in her first term, so probably not.
English was primary sponsor in the Senate of 27 bills, 18 of which became law.
Among them was Act 892, which created a comprehensive statewide workforce development system, to coordinate workforce development programs and to create an office of skills development.
She said it’s not necessary to balance the needs between her district and the state because they are one and the same. “In the legislature, when you pass a law it affects everyone,” she said.
Her top priorities will be to create a better education system and to get people educated, employable and off social welfare programs.
As for economic development, she said big industries with big groundbreakings are wonderful, “but you have to have people with the skills and education to take those jobs.”
“Get people off these programs, give them enough skills and education to be able to go get a job that takes care of themselves and their families. It’s easy to say everybody ought to go get a job. But if you were in this category, where a lot of those folks are, they don’t have the skills to get a job where somebody’s going to pay their insurance,” said English.
English was among the sponsors of a law that lowered the minimum number of students necessary to detach a new district from an existing one, such as the detachment of Jacksonville from the Pulaski County Special School District.
The number was lowered from 4,000 students, which enabled the Jacksonville-North Pulaski District, to 2,500, which would qualify Sherwood to detach in the future if all other conditions are met.
English said she wants to make sure the new Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District is successful. That will make all the difference in the world,” she said. “It’s a defining thing for Jacksonville and its future.
The senator and her husband have two adult children and three grandchildren and attend the Little Rock Air Force Base chapel.
WOODSON
“My No. 1 goal is to act consistently with things I believe in,” including “economic policy that tips the scales in favor of the middle class,” and improving education, Woodson said.
Education: “I’m a strong supporter of expanding pre-kindergarten,” he said. It would be “money well spent.”
He believes in “strong, accountable public schools and local control of school districts.”
“Education, much like flying a plane, is a never-ending process of refinement and adjustment. I do not have any ‘sacred cows’ with respect to education or education models. Those parents/children who do not have the ability or resources to engage in alternate methods of education should not and cannot receive an inferior education.
He says he believes charter schools have an important role to play, but “I also believe traditional public schools must be allowed to succeed.”
“I want to find a way to reduce the cost of higher education, so that students can obtain training or a degree without crippling debt when they leave school. Of course, we need to continue to ‘build-out’ robust adult education and vocational training opportunities for non-traditional students through trade schools and two-year colleges,” Woodson said.
He also supports state Rep. Bob Johnson’s legislation to eliminate state income tax on veteran’s retirement benefits. Noting that Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, a Republican, supports that as well.
He’s running because “a great many voters believe similarly to what I believe.” He said he and English have fundamentally different belief systems. He pointed to Act 1173 — the capital gains tax cut that wealthy Arkansans may qualify for.
Woodson says he believes in Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works expanded health-care coverage, that life begins at conception, providing resources for veterans, the Second Amendment and common sense solutions to hinder criminals and terrorists without sacrificing Second Amendment rights.
“I believe in equal pay for women, that the Bible is the word of God and that Jesus’ example is to practice love toward all.
“I also believe the first amendment protects every person’s right to practice their faith.
“I believe in punishing criminals, and I believe in ongoing criminal justice reform. I believe if we help our at-risk young people now, we help ourselves in the future.
“I believe the road towards widespread, sustainable economic prosperity is through consistently choosing a ‘bottom-up’ not ‘top-down’ economic approach. That means always erring on the side of the middle class and working poor,” he said.
“For example: progressive, not regressive, tax policy and increased minimum wage,” Woodson explained.
He said he supports legislation to improve gender pay equality.
BACKGROUND
Woodson was raised in North Little Rock, where he lives with his wife, Laura and their three children.
He graduated from Central Arkansas Christian High School and earned his finance and law degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
He serves as a deacon for his church, is board member and treasurer of the Park Hill Business and Merchants Association and a member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
TOP STORY >> Women run for post on PCSSD
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
A pair of long-time educators, both of whom say they have the best interests of parents, teachers and students at heart, will be on the ballot to represent Sherwood on the Pulaski County Special School District Board, Zone 3, on the Nov. 8 general election.
Both women say they want Sherwood to form its own school district, just as Jacksonville has done, but an existing agreement approved by the state and U.S. District Judge Price Marshall stipulates that only Jacksonville can detach from PCSSD until PCSSD and Jacksonville are declared unitary in all areas.
The PCSSD board was dissolved in 2011, when the state took control of the district for being in fiscal distress and since that time, the director of the state Education Department has served as a one-man school board with non-binding counsel from an appointed community advisory board.
PCSSD voters will choose seven members on Nov. 8 to populate its first elected board since 2011 to replace a state-controlled advisory board.
Gloria Lawrence, 62, had been on the school board only three months when the state took over. “I wasn’t part of the group that caused all the commotion,” she said.
She was an advocate for the school’s two unions, since disenfranchised as negotiating agents for teachers and support staff. The Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers has endorsed her for the position, she said.
Linda Remele, 65, who retired as deputy superintendent of PCSSD is an advocate for retired teachers, serving on the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association Board of Directors. She’s also co-president of the North Pulaski Retired Teachers Association.
Remele, who has a Ph.D. in educational leadership from UALR, has lived in central Arkansas and has been an educator for more than 40 years. Two grandchildren attend Sherwood schools. She has been a teacher, a counselor, a principal and district administrator for PCSSD and worked as a scholastic auditor for the state Department of Education.
I have the experience, knowledge, expertise and desire to improve the school district, she said.
Lawrence, 30 years a Sherwood resident, was a PCSSD teacher for 27 and a half years, 22 of them at Sylvan Hills Middle School.
All three of her children are graduates of Sylvan Hills High School or Mills High School and currently she has three grandchildren in the Sherwood schools—elementary through high school.
All three grandchildren attended elementary through high school in Sherwood.
She has been a member of PACT, the Arkansas Education Association and the National Education Association for her entire professional life.
“I’m an advocate for students and teachers,” she said, and “PACT supports me.”
Remele retired in 2004, but returned to help the district.
“I’m excited for the future of the district, but there’s a big task ahead for the district to keep its fiscal distress in the past,” she said.
“We have to watch the budget carefully in the coming years,” she said. The district will have less revenue because it lost about 4,000 students to Jacksonville and also because millions of dollars of desegregation funding from the state is done, except for the final payment which must be used exclusively for facilities.
“I believe in PCSSD and I want to see us get out of court,” for desegregation purposes. “Put children first, be fiscally responsible and do not go back into distress. Remele noted that Dollarway School District got out of fiscal distress, and then got taken over again for fiscal distress.
Remele said money needs to be spent on the children and on pay increases if possible. But she noted that salaries and benefits account for about 75 percent to 80 percent of a school district budget.
“You can’t cut the gas bill, or ignore leaks in the buildings, or upkeep, but non-teaching staff can be cut when necessary,” she said. She said the employees are not paid as well as they should be. They were well overdue for raises. “We have to make sure there’s no fluff in the central office,” Remele said.
Lawrence also said a top priority is making sure the district doesn’t get taken over by the state again. “The district needs to serve students the best it can, provide top technology and everything they need to get an education in the 21st Century.”
Teachers, students, parents and support staff should have a voice, she said. “People working together—that makes a school district great.”
She said she’d like to see more collaboration across the board, and she wants to look at top-level management and see if any changes are needed.
Teachers and support staff deserve raises, Lawrence said. “Bus drivers are making $16,000 a year and can’t support a family on that.”
With desegregation money ending, a student body of only about 12,000 students, “We’re going to have to scrimp and save like I have done all my life. There have to be other options we can look at to pay bills. Insurance premiums are killing people.”
We’re going to have to look at money.
Remele is co-chairman of the Sherwood Education Foundation, appointed by Virginia Hillman Young. The foundation was started in 2013, but the first efforts to get its own school district date back about a decade.
The foundation raised funds for a facilities study, and got representatives in the General Assembly to change the law to allow detachments that would create districts as small as 2,500.
Sherwood can’t detach until PCSSD and Jacksonville-North Pulaski are declared unitary.
Unitary efforts have been on a back burner while JNPSD got off the ground, according to Remele, but she thinks the judge wants to move things along now.
Currently those two districts are working toward unitary status in facilities and staffing. That would leave achievement of unitary status in academics and student discipline.
Leader senior staff writer
A pair of long-time educators, both of whom say they have the best interests of parents, teachers and students at heart, will be on the ballot to represent Sherwood on the Pulaski County Special School District Board, Zone 3, on the Nov. 8 general election.
Both women say they want Sherwood to form its own school district, just as Jacksonville has done, but an existing agreement approved by the state and U.S. District Judge Price Marshall stipulates that only Jacksonville can detach from PCSSD until PCSSD and Jacksonville are declared unitary in all areas.
The PCSSD board was dissolved in 2011, when the state took control of the district for being in fiscal distress and since that time, the director of the state Education Department has served as a one-man school board with non-binding counsel from an appointed community advisory board.
PCSSD voters will choose seven members on Nov. 8 to populate its first elected board since 2011 to replace a state-controlled advisory board.
Gloria Lawrence, 62, had been on the school board only three months when the state took over. “I wasn’t part of the group that caused all the commotion,” she said.
She was an advocate for the school’s two unions, since disenfranchised as negotiating agents for teachers and support staff. The Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers has endorsed her for the position, she said.
Linda Remele, 65, who retired as deputy superintendent of PCSSD is an advocate for retired teachers, serving on the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association Board of Directors. She’s also co-president of the North Pulaski Retired Teachers Association.
Remele, who has a Ph.D. in educational leadership from UALR, has lived in central Arkansas and has been an educator for more than 40 years. Two grandchildren attend Sherwood schools. She has been a teacher, a counselor, a principal and district administrator for PCSSD and worked as a scholastic auditor for the state Department of Education.
I have the experience, knowledge, expertise and desire to improve the school district, she said.
Lawrence, 30 years a Sherwood resident, was a PCSSD teacher for 27 and a half years, 22 of them at Sylvan Hills Middle School.
All three of her children are graduates of Sylvan Hills High School or Mills High School and currently she has three grandchildren in the Sherwood schools—elementary through high school.
All three grandchildren attended elementary through high school in Sherwood.
She has been a member of PACT, the Arkansas Education Association and the National Education Association for her entire professional life.
“I’m an advocate for students and teachers,” she said, and “PACT supports me.”
Remele retired in 2004, but returned to help the district.
“I’m excited for the future of the district, but there’s a big task ahead for the district to keep its fiscal distress in the past,” she said.
“We have to watch the budget carefully in the coming years,” she said. The district will have less revenue because it lost about 4,000 students to Jacksonville and also because millions of dollars of desegregation funding from the state is done, except for the final payment which must be used exclusively for facilities.
“I believe in PCSSD and I want to see us get out of court,” for desegregation purposes. “Put children first, be fiscally responsible and do not go back into distress. Remele noted that Dollarway School District got out of fiscal distress, and then got taken over again for fiscal distress.
Remele said money needs to be spent on the children and on pay increases if possible. But she noted that salaries and benefits account for about 75 percent to 80 percent of a school district budget.
“You can’t cut the gas bill, or ignore leaks in the buildings, or upkeep, but non-teaching staff can be cut when necessary,” she said. She said the employees are not paid as well as they should be. They were well overdue for raises. “We have to make sure there’s no fluff in the central office,” Remele said.
Lawrence also said a top priority is making sure the district doesn’t get taken over by the state again. “The district needs to serve students the best it can, provide top technology and everything they need to get an education in the 21st Century.”
Teachers, students, parents and support staff should have a voice, she said. “People working together—that makes a school district great.”
She said she’d like to see more collaboration across the board, and she wants to look at top-level management and see if any changes are needed.
Teachers and support staff deserve raises, Lawrence said. “Bus drivers are making $16,000 a year and can’t support a family on that.”
With desegregation money ending, a student body of only about 12,000 students, “We’re going to have to scrimp and save like I have done all my life. There have to be other options we can look at to pay bills. Insurance premiums are killing people.”
We’re going to have to look at money.
Remele is co-chairman of the Sherwood Education Foundation, appointed by Virginia Hillman Young. The foundation was started in 2013, but the first efforts to get its own school district date back about a decade.
The foundation raised funds for a facilities study, and got representatives in the General Assembly to change the law to allow detachments that would create districts as small as 2,500.
Sherwood can’t detach until PCSSD and Jacksonville-North Pulaski are declared unitary.
Unitary efforts have been on a back burner while JNPSD got off the ground, according to Remele, but she thinks the judge wants to move things along now.
Currently those two districts are working toward unitary status in facilities and staffing. That would leave achievement of unitary status in academics and student discipline.
TOP STORY >> Johnson wants to continue in House
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8 and early voting starts Monday.
In the race for Dist. 42 state representative, it’s a longtime public servant versus a newcomer. A Republican-turned Democrat versus a Republican.
Rep. Bob Johnson (D- Jacksonville) vs. Patrick Thomas.
Johnson won the seat in 2014 after serving multiple terms on the Pulaski County Quorum Court as a JP.
He has been endorsed by the Arkansas State Employees Association.
Johnson, 63, is a local certified public accountant and has operated a CPA office in Jacksonville for 26 years. He was born and raised in Jacksonville. Johnson and his wife, Laurie, have five sons.
Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Arkan-sas and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Thomas, 56, is retired military and calls himself “semi-retired” from business and is a seventh-generation Arkansan and graduate of Jacksonville High School. He has lived in Jacksonville since 1960.
He and his wife, Melissa, have three children, as well as four grandchildren. They are members of the First Assembly of God Church.
Both Johnson and Thomas were asked identical questions. Here are their responses:
Why do you want to serve as state representative for the Jacksonville area?
Johnson: During my first term as state representative, I worked hard to help Jacksonville. I want to continue to use my accountant training along with my experience working with small business owners and my time in public service to improve education, bring jobs to Jacksonville, better roads and helping the veterans. I want to continue to try to lower taxes and work towards giving tax relief to military retirees so they will stay in our area. I am doing and will continue to do all I can to help our community grow. Finally, I want to use my experience to protect and strengthen Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District.
Thomas: I have always had it in my heart to want to help people in some way or another, whether it be something that I know that I can help with or whether it’s something that I knew needed to be done and no one else would step up to do it. I care enough about the community and the concerns of the different types of issues, personal or citywide, and would like to be the voice for the people when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a state representative, I can take that experience to the Capitol and continue my efforts to help with the necessary changes to bring about an improvement in the lives of all of Arkansas.
What do you think qualifies you for the position?
Thomas: Having....
• Leadership traits, inspiring others to action;
• The ability to bring about a unified effort with teamwork and spirit;
• Business skills, coaching and mentoring others;
• A thorough understanding of the tax laws;
• Knowledge of the pitfalls and fallacies of local sales tax regulations;
• Knowledge of the differences in work and a job or career;
• Being a veteran, understanding the issues families of veterans face;
• Understanding the VA health care situation;
• Represented many people in the community as a voice when needed;
• Organized and unified citizen efforts to accomplish community projects.
Living in Jacksonville since 1960, I understand why things are the way they are.
Johnson: My qualifications for this position are vast and in depth. I am completing my first-term in the state legislature and have a record of fighting for the people of Jacksonville and District 42. I served on the Pulaski County Quorum Court for 10 years and worked to make county government more efficient. For the past 26 years, I have worked countless hours with Jacksonville charities, nonprofits, and civic organizations, including LRAFB Historical Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club, Rotary, Lions Club, Sertoma, Community Council and more to improve Jacksonville.
My experience as a business owner makes me qualified for this position as I understand the working of a small business and what it takes to create jobs.
What do you see as Jacksonville’s strengths and weaknesses?
Johnson: Having LFAFB in Jacksonville is a great strength, but the greatest strength of Jacksonville is its people, including our service men and women. I grew up in Jacksonville, raised my family in Jacksonville, and have operated my own accounting firm in Jacksonville for 26 years. Every day I see how the people of Jacksonville look out for one another in so many ways. I do not know a weakness.
Thomas: The city’s strengths are:
• The people make up a diverse community; multi-skilled and talented, a generous community when a need arises.
• Being a military town, Jacksonville benefits from federal employment in the area that other communities don’t have.
• Having our own school district.
Weaknesses – Jacksonville fails to remember that it is another choice among many communities in the surrounding area. We need to improve our appeal factor as one of many choices today.
Jacksonville is divided in a multitude of areas. Everyone has an opinion and a better or different way of doing things. We need more unity.
If elected, what would your top three priorities be?
Thomas: A well-educated Arkansas; job training programs for those not college bound, and bringing industry and life-long careers to Arkansas, not just work.
Johnson: Create good-paying jobs for Jacksonville; protect and strengthen our new school district, and keep government’s promises to our veterans.
Why should residents vote for you and not the other candidate?
Johnson: I have a proven record of putting Jacksonville first and have worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Jacksonville over the years. I’ve created jobs, protected jobs, and helped make county government more efficient and accountable during my time on the Pulaski County Quorum Court. I have the vision and experience to make Jacksonville a better place to live and work.
Thomas: My heart is in this for the people. I believe more so than his. Being retired I have the time to focus on the work at hand. I have my ear to the ground knowing what is going on locally.
My accomplishments and efforts in the community outweigh his claims to have created jobs and protecting veterans. There is not much to show for the record of my opponent. My accomplishments are the fruits of inspiration where others answered the call to action, working together with a unified effort and accomplishing tasks that others were not interested in.
Is there anything else you would like the voters to know?
Thomas: I’m a firm believer in “We the People,” a malcontent with the status quo. I have conservative values and a firm supporter of the Constitution, the Second Amendment, a member of the National Rifle association, a believer in state control and a smaller federal government. I am dedicated to be fostering a sense of district unity and developing a teamwork mentality through volunteerism.
I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor of science degree in occupational education. I also have an associate of applied science degree in aerospace ground equipment technology from the Community College of the Air Force.
Being pro-life, I am against the death penalty. Our justice system is flawed and the death penalty too many times is wrongfully imposed, innocence often realized after the fact.
I will never vote to build another jail or prison unless it is a one for one replacement for upgrading purposes. We have too many people in jails.
My wife Melissa and I have invested in Jacksonville, owning both residential and commercial properties. Being retired and having the available time to work within the community I am an advocate for the revitalization of Main Street and the industrial complex. As a loyal and committed city resident, I regularly attend both city council and school board meetings while encouraging others to do the same.
Johnson: It would be an honor to continue serving the people of Jacksonville as their state representative.
I want the voters to know how much I appreciate our veterans and the sacrifice they and their families make and have made. I want the voters of District 42 to know that, because of having an injury causing myself some physical limitation, I have empathy for those veterans with service related disabilities and anyone with any disability.
I also believe in fighting for the less privileged as well as the affluent in every corner of our community.
Leader staff writer
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8 and early voting starts Monday.
In the race for Dist. 42 state representative, it’s a longtime public servant versus a newcomer. A Republican-turned Democrat versus a Republican.
Rep. Bob Johnson (D- Jacksonville) vs. Patrick Thomas.
Johnson won the seat in 2014 after serving multiple terms on the Pulaski County Quorum Court as a JP.
He has been endorsed by the Arkansas State Employees Association.
Johnson, 63, is a local certified public accountant and has operated a CPA office in Jacksonville for 26 years. He was born and raised in Jacksonville. Johnson and his wife, Laurie, have five sons.
Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Arkan-sas and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Thomas, 56, is retired military and calls himself “semi-retired” from business and is a seventh-generation Arkansan and graduate of Jacksonville High School. He has lived in Jacksonville since 1960.
He and his wife, Melissa, have three children, as well as four grandchildren. They are members of the First Assembly of God Church.
Both Johnson and Thomas were asked identical questions. Here are their responses:
Why do you want to serve as state representative for the Jacksonville area?
Johnson: During my first term as state representative, I worked hard to help Jacksonville. I want to continue to use my accountant training along with my experience working with small business owners and my time in public service to improve education, bring jobs to Jacksonville, better roads and helping the veterans. I want to continue to try to lower taxes and work towards giving tax relief to military retirees so they will stay in our area. I am doing and will continue to do all I can to help our community grow. Finally, I want to use my experience to protect and strengthen Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District.
Thomas: I have always had it in my heart to want to help people in some way or another, whether it be something that I know that I can help with or whether it’s something that I knew needed to be done and no one else would step up to do it. I care enough about the community and the concerns of the different types of issues, personal or citywide, and would like to be the voice for the people when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a state representative, I can take that experience to the Capitol and continue my efforts to help with the necessary changes to bring about an improvement in the lives of all of Arkansas.
What do you think qualifies you for the position?
Thomas: Having....
• Leadership traits, inspiring others to action;
• The ability to bring about a unified effort with teamwork and spirit;
• Business skills, coaching and mentoring others;
• A thorough understanding of the tax laws;
• Knowledge of the pitfalls and fallacies of local sales tax regulations;
• Knowledge of the differences in work and a job or career;
• Being a veteran, understanding the issues families of veterans face;
• Understanding the VA health care situation;
• Represented many people in the community as a voice when needed;
• Organized and unified citizen efforts to accomplish community projects.
Living in Jacksonville since 1960, I understand why things are the way they are.
Johnson: My qualifications for this position are vast and in depth. I am completing my first-term in the state legislature and have a record of fighting for the people of Jacksonville and District 42. I served on the Pulaski County Quorum Court for 10 years and worked to make county government more efficient. For the past 26 years, I have worked countless hours with Jacksonville charities, nonprofits, and civic organizations, including LRAFB Historical Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club, Rotary, Lions Club, Sertoma, Community Council and more to improve Jacksonville.
My experience as a business owner makes me qualified for this position as I understand the working of a small business and what it takes to create jobs.
What do you see as Jacksonville’s strengths and weaknesses?
Johnson: Having LFAFB in Jacksonville is a great strength, but the greatest strength of Jacksonville is its people, including our service men and women. I grew up in Jacksonville, raised my family in Jacksonville, and have operated my own accounting firm in Jacksonville for 26 years. Every day I see how the people of Jacksonville look out for one another in so many ways. I do not know a weakness.
Thomas: The city’s strengths are:
• The people make up a diverse community; multi-skilled and talented, a generous community when a need arises.
• Being a military town, Jacksonville benefits from federal employment in the area that other communities don’t have.
• Having our own school district.
Weaknesses – Jacksonville fails to remember that it is another choice among many communities in the surrounding area. We need to improve our appeal factor as one of many choices today.
Jacksonville is divided in a multitude of areas. Everyone has an opinion and a better or different way of doing things. We need more unity.
If elected, what would your top three priorities be?
Thomas: A well-educated Arkansas; job training programs for those not college bound, and bringing industry and life-long careers to Arkansas, not just work.
Johnson: Create good-paying jobs for Jacksonville; protect and strengthen our new school district, and keep government’s promises to our veterans.
Why should residents vote for you and not the other candidate?
Johnson: I have a proven record of putting Jacksonville first and have worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Jacksonville over the years. I’ve created jobs, protected jobs, and helped make county government more efficient and accountable during my time on the Pulaski County Quorum Court. I have the vision and experience to make Jacksonville a better place to live and work.
Thomas: My heart is in this for the people. I believe more so than his. Being retired I have the time to focus on the work at hand. I have my ear to the ground knowing what is going on locally.
My accomplishments and efforts in the community outweigh his claims to have created jobs and protecting veterans. There is not much to show for the record of my opponent. My accomplishments are the fruits of inspiration where others answered the call to action, working together with a unified effort and accomplishing tasks that others were not interested in.
Is there anything else you would like the voters to know?
Thomas: I’m a firm believer in “We the People,” a malcontent with the status quo. I have conservative values and a firm supporter of the Constitution, the Second Amendment, a member of the National Rifle association, a believer in state control and a smaller federal government. I am dedicated to be fostering a sense of district unity and developing a teamwork mentality through volunteerism.
I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor of science degree in occupational education. I also have an associate of applied science degree in aerospace ground equipment technology from the Community College of the Air Force.
Being pro-life, I am against the death penalty. Our justice system is flawed and the death penalty too many times is wrongfully imposed, innocence often realized after the fact.
I will never vote to build another jail or prison unless it is a one for one replacement for upgrading purposes. We have too many people in jails.
My wife Melissa and I have invested in Jacksonville, owning both residential and commercial properties. Being retired and having the available time to work within the community I am an advocate for the revitalization of Main Street and the industrial complex. As a loyal and committed city resident, I regularly attend both city council and school board meetings while encouraging others to do the same.
Johnson: It would be an honor to continue serving the people of Jacksonville as their state representative.
I want the voters to know how much I appreciate our veterans and the sacrifice they and their families make and have made. I want the voters of District 42 to know that, because of having an injury causing myself some physical limitation, I have empathy for those veterans with service related disabilities and anyone with any disability.
I also believe in fighting for the less privileged as well as the affluent in every corner of our community.
TOP STORY >> Judge runoff pits O’Bryan, McGue
By DEBORAH HORN
Leader staff writer
Two candidates will again square off for the Lonoke County District Judge-Northern Division in a runoff set to coincide with the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. Early voting starts Monday.
In the March primary three-way race, Clinton “Clint” D. McGue took 4,104 votes, but the 38.83 percent was short of the over 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff.
Judge Joseph “Joe” H. O’Bryan came in second with 3,608 votes, or 34.13 percent, while the third man in the race, Cabot attorney John Flynn, garnered 2,858 votes — 27.04 percent. Flynn has endorsed McGue.
The winner will take office in January.
DISTRICT JUDGE
O’Bryan, who was first elected in 1990, is running for re-election, while McGue, Ward’s city attorney and a Cabot attorney, is challenging him in a rematch.
The District Court of Lonoke County, Northern Division, includes the courts at Cabot and Ward, as well as the northern Lonoke County area.
Like the races for circuit judge, the contests for district judge are nonpartisan.
District courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases, violations of city ordinances, traffic violations and civil matters with not more than $5,000 in controversy. A small-claims division of the district court makes it possible for citizens to represent themselves in civil-claims cases.
Judges serve four-year terms, and must be at least 26 years old, a registered voter in the district and have practiced law for a minimum of three years.If elected, a judge can remain in private practice because the position is considered part time.
JUDGE O’BRYAN
O’Bryan graduated from Cabot High School in 1967 and from Baylor Law School at Waco, Texas, in 1973. He has been an attorney in the Cabot area for 42 years and served for five years as Juvenile Referee for the Cabot court. He was elected judge in 1991.
Under O’Bryan there have been a number of changes and improvements to the Cabot District Court, he said.
To keep up with the increased caseload, he said a computerized docketing system replaced the traditional record keeping system. The court is now served by three court clerks in Cabot and one in Ward.
Another change that has occurred during O’Bryan’s tenure has been the expansion of community service as a means for those unable to pay their fines to settle their balances.
Additionally, the district court sponsored defensive driving classes for young traffic offenders and programs for persons arrested in domestic battery situations.
The district court recently implemented a video system that allows jailed defendants to appear in court without being transported from the jail in Lonoke to the Cabot courtroom.
O’Bryan also added a probation department, making it possible to order special conditions of probation appropriate to the specific case such as drug testing, counseling, anger management classes, GED testing, community service work, jail requirements, AA and NA meetings, and fine/restitution payments.
He also established the North Lonoke County DWI Course. The program has worked with DWI offenders in Cabot, Austin, Ward, Lonoke and Carlisle.
O’Bryan said his court has seen positive results because of the program and he plans to expand the program if reelected.
For offenders with multi offenses, he said, “It’s urgent that we get them help.”
As well, he would institute a program to collect unpaid fines that are more than one year old.
TWO BUMPS IN THE ROAD
This last June, O’Bryan stopped supervised probation at Cabot District Court leading to the City of Cabot to terminate its contract with private company CS Background.
CS Background’s owner, Jeffery Everetts, 59, of Batesville was accused of sexually abusing at least one probationer and was arrested in May by State Police after an investigation requested by Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham.
Everetts was charged with third-degree attempted sexual assault, a felony.
Since then, O’Bryan and Cabot secured the services of Southwest Probation Services of Arkadelphia.
On Aug. 21, 2015, O’Bryan was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic battery for grabbing his girlfriend by the throat and throwing her onto a table.
She dropped the charges, which were then dismissed by Faulkner County District Court Judge David Reynolds, who was appointed to the case, last November.
O’Bryan has three children, Jessica Wallace of Little Rock and Stephanie O’Bryan of Cabot and the late Eric O’Bryan.
About how he approaches his job, O’Bryan said then, “Always listen to both sides is what you’ve got to do. Not everybody does that. It’s not easy to do.”
CLINTON McGUE
McGue grew up in Cabot and earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington. After attending Chicago-Kent College of Law, McGue received his law degree in 1994.
While attending school, McGue worked for Sen. David Pryor in Washington and Little Rock and Attorney General Winston Bryant.
After graduation, McGue opened a practice in Cabot in 1994. He has been Ward’s city attorney for more than 20 years, spending a lot time in both municipal and district court.
He called seeking the seat a “natural progression” and a “civic calling.”
MORE THAN JUST A JOB
He said he believes the district court office is a good fit for him.
“I think I could serve the public well…Ideally, (I’d like) to make it so district court isn’t frightening for anyone,” since it’s usually their first point of contact in the court system. He believes a good judge has the right mindset and attitude, being “even-headed and fair, and tough and compassionate at the same time,” he said.
McGue explained his reason for running this way: “I’m a part of this community, and it’s a part of me,” he said McGue’s experience includes working for the Arkansas Attorney General Office’s civil division, being Allport city judge, serving as a prosecuting attorney in Ward and operating his own firm.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Lonoke County Bar Associ-ation, Arkansas City Attorney Association, International Municipal Lawyers Associ-ation, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, Cabot Housing Authority board and the advisory board of Community Bank of Cabot.
In addition, McGue was a founding board member of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Lonoke County, which began in 1999. He is no longer a member.
McGue is a 15-year member of the Cabot Housing Authority Commission and the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.
Whether pro bono or for pay, McGue has lent his professional expertise to a number of smaller community groups, such as the Cabot School District, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce and various commissions and committees.
Leader staff writer
Two candidates will again square off for the Lonoke County District Judge-Northern Division in a runoff set to coincide with the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. Early voting starts Monday.
In the March primary three-way race, Clinton “Clint” D. McGue took 4,104 votes, but the 38.83 percent was short of the over 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff.
Judge Joseph “Joe” H. O’Bryan came in second with 3,608 votes, or 34.13 percent, while the third man in the race, Cabot attorney John Flynn, garnered 2,858 votes — 27.04 percent. Flynn has endorsed McGue.
The winner will take office in January.
DISTRICT JUDGE
O’Bryan, who was first elected in 1990, is running for re-election, while McGue, Ward’s city attorney and a Cabot attorney, is challenging him in a rematch.
The District Court of Lonoke County, Northern Division, includes the courts at Cabot and Ward, as well as the northern Lonoke County area.
Like the races for circuit judge, the contests for district judge are nonpartisan.
District courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases, violations of city ordinances, traffic violations and civil matters with not more than $5,000 in controversy. A small-claims division of the district court makes it possible for citizens to represent themselves in civil-claims cases.
Judges serve four-year terms, and must be at least 26 years old, a registered voter in the district and have practiced law for a minimum of three years.If elected, a judge can remain in private practice because the position is considered part time.
JUDGE O’BRYAN
O’Bryan graduated from Cabot High School in 1967 and from Baylor Law School at Waco, Texas, in 1973. He has been an attorney in the Cabot area for 42 years and served for five years as Juvenile Referee for the Cabot court. He was elected judge in 1991.
Under O’Bryan there have been a number of changes and improvements to the Cabot District Court, he said.
To keep up with the increased caseload, he said a computerized docketing system replaced the traditional record keeping system. The court is now served by three court clerks in Cabot and one in Ward.
Another change that has occurred during O’Bryan’s tenure has been the expansion of community service as a means for those unable to pay their fines to settle their balances.
Additionally, the district court sponsored defensive driving classes for young traffic offenders and programs for persons arrested in domestic battery situations.
The district court recently implemented a video system that allows jailed defendants to appear in court without being transported from the jail in Lonoke to the Cabot courtroom.
O’Bryan also added a probation department, making it possible to order special conditions of probation appropriate to the specific case such as drug testing, counseling, anger management classes, GED testing, community service work, jail requirements, AA and NA meetings, and fine/restitution payments.
He also established the North Lonoke County DWI Course. The program has worked with DWI offenders in Cabot, Austin, Ward, Lonoke and Carlisle.
O’Bryan said his court has seen positive results because of the program and he plans to expand the program if reelected.
For offenders with multi offenses, he said, “It’s urgent that we get them help.”
As well, he would institute a program to collect unpaid fines that are more than one year old.
TWO BUMPS IN THE ROAD
This last June, O’Bryan stopped supervised probation at Cabot District Court leading to the City of Cabot to terminate its contract with private company CS Background.
CS Background’s owner, Jeffery Everetts, 59, of Batesville was accused of sexually abusing at least one probationer and was arrested in May by State Police after an investigation requested by Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham.
Everetts was charged with third-degree attempted sexual assault, a felony.
Since then, O’Bryan and Cabot secured the services of Southwest Probation Services of Arkadelphia.
On Aug. 21, 2015, O’Bryan was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic battery for grabbing his girlfriend by the throat and throwing her onto a table.
She dropped the charges, which were then dismissed by Faulkner County District Court Judge David Reynolds, who was appointed to the case, last November.
O’Bryan has three children, Jessica Wallace of Little Rock and Stephanie O’Bryan of Cabot and the late Eric O’Bryan.
About how he approaches his job, O’Bryan said then, “Always listen to both sides is what you’ve got to do. Not everybody does that. It’s not easy to do.”
CLINTON McGUE
McGue grew up in Cabot and earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington. After attending Chicago-Kent College of Law, McGue received his law degree in 1994.
While attending school, McGue worked for Sen. David Pryor in Washington and Little Rock and Attorney General Winston Bryant.
After graduation, McGue opened a practice in Cabot in 1994. He has been Ward’s city attorney for more than 20 years, spending a lot time in both municipal and district court.
He called seeking the seat a “natural progression” and a “civic calling.”
MORE THAN JUST A JOB
He said he believes the district court office is a good fit for him.
“I think I could serve the public well…Ideally, (I’d like) to make it so district court isn’t frightening for anyone,” since it’s usually their first point of contact in the court system. He believes a good judge has the right mindset and attitude, being “even-headed and fair, and tough and compassionate at the same time,” he said.
McGue explained his reason for running this way: “I’m a part of this community, and it’s a part of me,” he said McGue’s experience includes working for the Arkansas Attorney General Office’s civil division, being Allport city judge, serving as a prosecuting attorney in Ward and operating his own firm.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Lonoke County Bar Associ-ation, Arkansas City Attorney Association, International Municipal Lawyers Associ-ation, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, Cabot Housing Authority board and the advisory board of Community Bank of Cabot.
In addition, McGue was a founding board member of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Lonoke County, which began in 1999. He is no longer a member.
McGue is a 15-year member of the Cabot Housing Authority Commission and the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.
Whether pro bono or for pay, McGue has lent his professional expertise to a number of smaller community groups, such as the Cabot School District, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce and various commissions and committees.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot dominates Little Rock Flames
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers cruised to a 3-0 sweep of the Little Rock Flames at Panther Stadium on Monday in their next-to-last regular season match.
The Home School squad has been highly successful in recent years, but a bevy of unforced errors early gave way to an increasingly powerful Cabot service game as the Lady Panthers won by scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-12.
“They (the Flames) didn’t play as well as I hoped they would, but any win at this point helps build confidence for state,” said Cabot coach Kham Chanthaphasouk.
“I thought we did a really good job of limiting errors and playing together. We didn’t give away anything. I think we’re definitely playing better now than we have so far this year.”
The Lady Panthers jumped out to an 8-1 lead right away in game one, thanks largely to several unforced errors by the Flames. Cabot senior Maddie Brown had two big kills that landed inside the Flames’ attack line.
Little Rock got as close as 17-14, but Brown served three-straight points, including an ace that made it 21-14 and forced a Flame timeout.
Game two started in opposite fashion as game one, as the Home School squad jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Cabot began to chip away a little at a time until Hannah Freeman took serve while trailing 8-10. She served the Lady Panthers to a 13-10 lead.
The Flames broke serve to make it 13-11 and added one point on serve, but Cabot scored the next four in a row, including three more points on serve by Brown, forcing another Little Rock timeout at 17-12.
After the break, the Flames stormed back to within 21-19, but Freeman then came through with a kill of her own. Cabot added another point on a Little Rock error before Taylor Bell and Brown finished game two with consecutive kills.
Freeman continued her hot streak with two points on serve and two kills to lead the Lady Panthers to a 6-4 lead early in game three. Cabot’s service game began to dominate from there.
Brown served three-straight points, with an ace in the middle. Kaelee Simmons served up an ace and another point for a 12-5 lead. Senior Regan Campbell took serve at 13-6 and put the game away. Campbell started her six-point run with back-to-back aces. The first a hard knuckleball serve that ate up the Flames’ serve returner near the back line and careened into the stands behind visitors’ end line. The second landed softly just over the Flames’ side of the net to give Cabot a 15-6 lead and force another timeout.
Cabot went up 16-6 on another big cut shot by Bell. Campbell’s fourth point came at the end of a long rally that saw Cabot’s defense dig out two huge hits before the Flames finally committed another unforced error.
Bell and Brown got one more kill apiece before Campbell finally served long to make the score 19-7.
Freeman came back to the service line two points from victory. After another Little Rock error, Freeman fired Cabot’s sixth ace of game three to end the match.
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers cruised to a 3-0 sweep of the Little Rock Flames at Panther Stadium on Monday in their next-to-last regular season match.
The Home School squad has been highly successful in recent years, but a bevy of unforced errors early gave way to an increasingly powerful Cabot service game as the Lady Panthers won by scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-12.
“They (the Flames) didn’t play as well as I hoped they would, but any win at this point helps build confidence for state,” said Cabot coach Kham Chanthaphasouk.
“I thought we did a really good job of limiting errors and playing together. We didn’t give away anything. I think we’re definitely playing better now than we have so far this year.”
The Lady Panthers jumped out to an 8-1 lead right away in game one, thanks largely to several unforced errors by the Flames. Cabot senior Maddie Brown had two big kills that landed inside the Flames’ attack line.
Little Rock got as close as 17-14, but Brown served three-straight points, including an ace that made it 21-14 and forced a Flame timeout.
Game two started in opposite fashion as game one, as the Home School squad jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Cabot began to chip away a little at a time until Hannah Freeman took serve while trailing 8-10. She served the Lady Panthers to a 13-10 lead.
The Flames broke serve to make it 13-11 and added one point on serve, but Cabot scored the next four in a row, including three more points on serve by Brown, forcing another Little Rock timeout at 17-12.
After the break, the Flames stormed back to within 21-19, but Freeman then came through with a kill of her own. Cabot added another point on a Little Rock error before Taylor Bell and Brown finished game two with consecutive kills.
Freeman continued her hot streak with two points on serve and two kills to lead the Lady Panthers to a 6-4 lead early in game three. Cabot’s service game began to dominate from there.
Brown served three-straight points, with an ace in the middle. Kaelee Simmons served up an ace and another point for a 12-5 lead. Senior Regan Campbell took serve at 13-6 and put the game away. Campbell started her six-point run with back-to-back aces. The first a hard knuckleball serve that ate up the Flames’ serve returner near the back line and careened into the stands behind visitors’ end line. The second landed softly just over the Flames’ side of the net to give Cabot a 15-6 lead and force another timeout.
Cabot went up 16-6 on another big cut shot by Bell. Campbell’s fourth point came at the end of a long rally that saw Cabot’s defense dig out two huge hits before the Flames finally committed another unforced error.
Bell and Brown got one more kill apiece before Campbell finally served long to make the score 19-7.
Freeman came back to the service line two points from victory. After another Little Rock error, Freeman fired Cabot’s sixth ace of game three to end the match.
SPORTS STORY >> Panthers perform well at Beaverfork
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Four Cabot Panthers finished in the Top-15 and one Lady Panther finished second at the Conway Wampus Cat Cross Country Invitational on Saturday at Beaverfork Lake Park.
The Cabot boys and girls finished second in the team competition.
Cabot junior Casey Gore finished her 5K in 19:57, 13 seconds behind winner Rachel Barnhardt of Greenbrier.
Another local runner, Gracie Hyde of Lonoke, was just six seconds behind Gore for third place out of 205 competitors.
Lady Panther Brayden Giesler also turned in a nice run, finishing 15th with a time of 21:39.
The Cabot boys’ highest finisher was junior Greyson Kaufman, who ran a 17:17 for ninth place, but his teammates, senior Jordan Woodson, junior Blake Scott and junior Gardner Howze, weren’t far behind. Woodson ran a 17:32 for 12th place. He was one second ahead of Scott, who finished 13th.
Howze ran a 17:36 for 15th place.
Bryant senior John Carder won the race with a time of 16:22, while Heber Springs won the boys’ team competition.
Heber Springs sophomore Parker Ables finished second at 16:42, and his teammate Jesse Applewhite was third at 16:48 out of 221 athletes in the boys’ race.
Other local athletes performed well also. Beebe’s Gus McCoy finished in 19th place while Cabot’s Stuart Nickell and Jace Patsel were 26th and 28th respectively.
Cabot’s Aiden Treherne and Alec Robinson finished 34 and 35, and Beebe’s Sean Langley placed in the Top-40 by finishing 38th.
Bryant won the girls’ team competition. The Lady Hornets’ top five runners finished with an average time of 21:51, while Cabot’s top five averaged 22:04. Harrison took third, Mount St. Mary fourth and Conway fifth out of 21 schools that entered enough runners to qualify for team results.
Heber Springs boys averaged 17:21 to beat Cabot’s 17:36. Little Rock Christian Academy finished third, Bryant fourth and Vilonia fifth out of 16 teams in boys’ competition.
Leader sports editor
Four Cabot Panthers finished in the Top-15 and one Lady Panther finished second at the Conway Wampus Cat Cross Country Invitational on Saturday at Beaverfork Lake Park.
The Cabot boys and girls finished second in the team competition.
Cabot junior Casey Gore finished her 5K in 19:57, 13 seconds behind winner Rachel Barnhardt of Greenbrier.
Another local runner, Gracie Hyde of Lonoke, was just six seconds behind Gore for third place out of 205 competitors.
Lady Panther Brayden Giesler also turned in a nice run, finishing 15th with a time of 21:39.
The Cabot boys’ highest finisher was junior Greyson Kaufman, who ran a 17:17 for ninth place, but his teammates, senior Jordan Woodson, junior Blake Scott and junior Gardner Howze, weren’t far behind. Woodson ran a 17:32 for 12th place. He was one second ahead of Scott, who finished 13th.
Howze ran a 17:36 for 15th place.
Bryant senior John Carder won the race with a time of 16:22, while Heber Springs won the boys’ team competition.
Heber Springs sophomore Parker Ables finished second at 16:42, and his teammate Jesse Applewhite was third at 16:48 out of 221 athletes in the boys’ race.
Other local athletes performed well also. Beebe’s Gus McCoy finished in 19th place while Cabot’s Stuart Nickell and Jace Patsel were 26th and 28th respectively.
Cabot’s Aiden Treherne and Alec Robinson finished 34 and 35, and Beebe’s Sean Langley placed in the Top-40 by finishing 38th.
Bryant won the girls’ team competition. The Lady Hornets’ top five runners finished with an average time of 21:51, while Cabot’s top five averaged 22:04. Harrison took third, Mount St. Mary fourth and Conway fifth out of 21 schools that entered enough runners to qualify for team results.
Heber Springs boys averaged 17:21 to beat Cabot’s 17:36. Little Rock Christian Academy finished third, Bryant fourth and Vilonia fifth out of 16 teams in boys’ competition.
SPORTS STORY >> Sylvan Hills and Beebe make state
By ANN THARP
Special to The Leader
Beebe and Sylvan Hills each won their first-round matches in the 5A-Central District volleyball tournament Saturday at Little Rock Christian Academy, and in doing so, punched their tickets to the Class 5A state tournament that begins next Tuesday at Valley View High School in Jonesboro.
The third-seeded Lady Badgers beat six-seed Mills in straight sets by scores of 25-9, 25-11 and 25-8. Four-seed Sylvan Hills defeated five-seed Parkview 25-16 twice, and 25-10.
“Our goal was to win,” said Sylvan Hills head coach Harold Treadway. “This was the important one, to guarantee us a spot in the state. I thought our first game was probably one of the better games that we’ve played. I thought our passes were really good, our sets. My front row, they can hit the ball hard, but they are also very intelligent and sometimes, it doesn’t have to be hit a hundred miles an hour, just put the ball where they’re not. And I thought we made some really good plays, and I told them that. I thought the second game, we had a little let up and sometimes it’s hard to stay focused, especially on a Saturday against a team we’ve beaten twice. But, they played well enough todo what they were supposed to do. So, yes, I was extremely pleased with it.”
Tori Langley got the first point for the Lady Bears in set one with a kill. The lead reached 4-0 on the serve of Lydia Young and a kill tip by Kaelei Atkins. Parkview picked up three points, but kills by Langley, Neiagha Thomas, Aliya Hatton and Anna Snyder helped Sylvan Hills build a 13-6 advantage. Thomas served an ace to make it 14-6.
The Lady Patriots picked up some points along the way, but the Lady Bears were scoring about two to their one. Hatton got Sylvan Hills to a 20-9 lead with a kill. The Lady Bears reached set point and a 24-15 lead on a kill by Young. Each team scored one more point for a first set score of 25-16.
The score of the second set was identical to set one. The teams were tied at four, with two of Parkview’s points on kills by Morgan Peters. However, Sylvan Hills went on a scoring streak on the serve of Atkins, which included an ace, for a 10-4 advantage.
The Lady Patriots pulled within four at 8-12, but another run with Hatton serving, which included two kills by Thomas, gave the Lady Bears a lead of 18-8. Another kill by Thomas and one by Young made the lead 20-12. Parkview had a little run of its own with Peters serving and pulled to within 16-20 before Sylvan Hills got the ball back, and Snyder finished off the set on her service.
Parkview led 5-4 in set three and were as close as 8-11 before Thomas made it 12-8 with a kill and then scored six on her serve, including two aces, to give the Lady Bears a lead of 18-8. The Lady Patriots only scored two more points before Langley scored four on her service, finishing the set and the match with an ace.
In Beebe’s match on Saturday, the Lady Badgers were tied at 5-5 with Mills early in game one when Autumn O’Rourke took serve. Beebe scored 15-consecutive points to take a 20-5 lead before the Comets forced a sideout.
O’Rourke served six-straight in game two to push Beebe’s lead from 9-4 to 15-4. Lexi Devore served the last five in a row to end game two.
Brianna Duncan served the big rally in game three with seven-straight points that put the Lady Badgers up 20-7.
Sylvan Hills faced Pulaski Academy and Beebe took on Little Rock Christian Academy in Tuesday’s semifinals after Leader deadlines. Look for details of those matches in Saturday’s edition of the Leader.
Special to The Leader
Beebe and Sylvan Hills each won their first-round matches in the 5A-Central District volleyball tournament Saturday at Little Rock Christian Academy, and in doing so, punched their tickets to the Class 5A state tournament that begins next Tuesday at Valley View High School in Jonesboro.
The third-seeded Lady Badgers beat six-seed Mills in straight sets by scores of 25-9, 25-11 and 25-8. Four-seed Sylvan Hills defeated five-seed Parkview 25-16 twice, and 25-10.
“Our goal was to win,” said Sylvan Hills head coach Harold Treadway. “This was the important one, to guarantee us a spot in the state. I thought our first game was probably one of the better games that we’ve played. I thought our passes were really good, our sets. My front row, they can hit the ball hard, but they are also very intelligent and sometimes, it doesn’t have to be hit a hundred miles an hour, just put the ball where they’re not. And I thought we made some really good plays, and I told them that. I thought the second game, we had a little let up and sometimes it’s hard to stay focused, especially on a Saturday against a team we’ve beaten twice. But, they played well enough todo what they were supposed to do. So, yes, I was extremely pleased with it.”
Tori Langley got the first point for the Lady Bears in set one with a kill. The lead reached 4-0 on the serve of Lydia Young and a kill tip by Kaelei Atkins. Parkview picked up three points, but kills by Langley, Neiagha Thomas, Aliya Hatton and Anna Snyder helped Sylvan Hills build a 13-6 advantage. Thomas served an ace to make it 14-6.
The Lady Patriots picked up some points along the way, but the Lady Bears were scoring about two to their one. Hatton got Sylvan Hills to a 20-9 lead with a kill. The Lady Bears reached set point and a 24-15 lead on a kill by Young. Each team scored one more point for a first set score of 25-16.
The score of the second set was identical to set one. The teams were tied at four, with two of Parkview’s points on kills by Morgan Peters. However, Sylvan Hills went on a scoring streak on the serve of Atkins, which included an ace, for a 10-4 advantage.
The Lady Patriots pulled within four at 8-12, but another run with Hatton serving, which included two kills by Thomas, gave the Lady Bears a lead of 18-8. Another kill by Thomas and one by Young made the lead 20-12. Parkview had a little run of its own with Peters serving and pulled to within 16-20 before Sylvan Hills got the ball back, and Snyder finished off the set on her service.
Parkview led 5-4 in set three and were as close as 8-11 before Thomas made it 12-8 with a kill and then scored six on her serve, including two aces, to give the Lady Bears a lead of 18-8. The Lady Patriots only scored two more points before Langley scored four on her service, finishing the set and the match with an ace.
In Beebe’s match on Saturday, the Lady Badgers were tied at 5-5 with Mills early in game one when Autumn O’Rourke took serve. Beebe scored 15-consecutive points to take a 20-5 lead before the Comets forced a sideout.
O’Rourke served six-straight in game two to push Beebe’s lead from 9-4 to 15-4. Lexi Devore served the last five in a row to end game two.
Brianna Duncan served the big rally in game three with seven-straight points that put the Lady Badgers up 20-7.
Sylvan Hills faced Pulaski Academy and Beebe took on Little Rock Christian Academy in Tuesday’s semifinals after Leader deadlines. Look for details of those matches in Saturday’s edition of the Leader.
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