Files, Medley target Glidewell at debate

The target of the attacks at Thursday’s debate among two of the three candidates in the Arkansas Senate District 13 race was the one candidate who declined to attend the debate.

Rep. Frank Glidewell, who is term-limited in his House seat, faces in the GOP primary former state Reps. Jake Files and Jim Medley, both of Fort Smith. The GOP primary (May 18) for the District 13 Senate seat IS the race because a Democrat did not file.

Glidewell refused to attend the debate initiated by Files. The Files and Medley campaigns eventually organized the event held Thursday at St. Luke Lutheran Church and moderated by Fort Smith radio personality Steve Rinke.

Files and Medley used the event to point out Glidewell’s high level of per diem and travel reimbursements from the state and his odd resolution that would allow U.S. voters to check a ballot every two years indicating their approval or disapproval of Congressional job performance.

PER DIEM ABUSE?
In a response to a question, Medley said he was “very upset” with how the per diem and expense reimbursements are “abused” by many members of the Arkansas House and Senate, including Glidewell.

A report by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette shows Glidewell receiving $47,797 in per diem and expense reimbursements in 2009. The amount does not include the $15,869 salary for non-leadership members of the Arkansas House and Senate. The daily per diem rate is $136, with mileage rates tide to the IRS rate. Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, and Rep. Stephanie Malone, R-Fort Smith, received 2009 per diem and expense reimbursements of $46,644 and $34,008, respectively.

“There is no justification for that amount,” Medley said of Glidewell’s reimbursement, adding that the most he received in a busy legislative year was around $8,000. “You have to be pretty creative to come up with almost $50,000 in travel and per diem expenses.”

Files agreed.

“This is why politicians are the butt of so many jokes. They talk about one thing and then do something else. … And he’s (Glidewell) campaigned on the need for smaller government and then he goes to Little Rock and works the system,” Files said.

‘SILLY’ RESOLUTION
Files and Medley then had fun with Glidewell’s resolution that would essentially impose federal term limits if 75% of voters nationwide disapproved of Congressional job performance. Glidewell’s idea was profiled in a Thursday story by the Times Record. The article listed several constitutional scholars who were less than complimentary in their assessment of Glidewell’s idea.

“There are several levels of folly here,” Files said of Glidewell’s proposed resolution. Files said the resolution would in effect “take power away from small states like Arkansas” and reward lobbyists and bureaucrats.

Medley was less polite.

“That proposal would turn our Constitution upside down. This is not on the left or the right. … It’s from way out in outer space. It’s just silly,” Medley said, drawing audience applause.

The candidates did take time to tout their respective strengths and ideas.

Medley said he has the legislative and business experience to make things happen for Fort Smith. He said that experience will help him build the political relationships necessary to push legislation.

“You don’t get legislation passed by always being obstinate or just being against things,” Medley said.

Files said for to long Fort Smith has had a weak legislative delegation in Little Rock. He said Fort Smith deserves effective communication and effective leadership in Little Rock.

“Barack Obama has made change a dirty word, but change in Little Rock is exactly what we need,” Files said.