Column

by The City Wire staff - March 23, 2014 4:09 pm

The boring gubernatorial race

With a little less than 60 days until the May 20 preferential primaries, the contest for who will be the next choices for Governor of Arkansas is a rather boring…

by The City Wire staff - March 16, 2014 3:21 pm

The surprise tax vote in Alma

Long time veteran Alma Mayor John Ballentine is not quick to lay the blame on anyone after the city’s 1 cent sales tax failed in a narrow 17-vote margin this…

by The City Wire staff - March 6, 2014 5:26 pm

Pryor, Cotton message development

“Tom Cotton: Wrong for Arkansas” read a blaring headline of a blog on U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor’s campaign website on Aug. 6, 2013, as Pryor’s campaign anticipated U.S. Rep. Tom…

by Michael Tilley - March 2, 2014 4:45 pm

Comprehensive coverage conundrum

There was a recent meeting of the steering committee that is part of this $340,000 comprehensive planning study by the city of Fort Smith to figure out something about something…

by The City Wire staff - March 2, 2014 4:15 pm

Bielema’s tough offseason

Arkansas Razorback head football coach Bret Bielema learned the hard way this last week to stick with the basics of football. (Is there an easy way when having to swallow…

by The City Wire staff - February 23, 2014 12:31 pm

Fool us once …

Before the 2014 political season began, we steeled ourselves, remembering to be leery of the on-coming barrage of advertisements filled by a legion of unknown faces and making down-right alarming…

by The City Wire staff - February 23, 2014 11:59 am

The importance of innovation

Steve Jobs said innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Michael Porter said innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity. Both ideas describe the importance of innovative thinking…

by The City Wire staff - February 16, 2014 10:13 pm

The shuffle for No. 2

As Arkansas’ Grand Old Party adjusts itself to being in the majority not only in the state’s Congressional delegation, but also in the state House and state Senate, the rest…

by The City Wire staff - February 9, 2014 4:30 pm

The upcoming private option fracas

The impending fiscal session of the Arkansas General Assembly begins this week down at the State Capitol. There looms great uncertainty to the tenor and attitude of this session with…

by The City Wire staff - February 2, 2014 8:32 pm

The death of Fort Smith’s prosperity

“Unreasonable.” “Vindictive!” “They read too many books.” “They avoid common sense.” “Fort Smith is the laughing stock of the state.” Above is a sampling of the comments I heard from…

by The City Wire staff - February 2, 2014 6:50 pm

What will Doug Do?

When 47-year-old Doug McMillon became the new Wal-Mart Stores CEO on Feb. 1, he began a job responsible for more than 2.2 million employees and is expected to provide direction…

by The City Wire staff - February 2, 2014 6:38 pm

The power line power struggle

After all the controversy this past summer surrounding the proposed high voltage transmission line planned by Southwestern Electric Power Company through the Ozarks, there is a new twist to this…

by The City Wire staff - January 26, 2014 5:07 pm

Necessary county infrastructure

When communities talk about progress, elected officials often talk about infrastructure. More likely than not, a layperson equates the term “infrastructure” with roads and  parks. Mayors talk about city streets,…

by The City Wire staff - January 26, 2014 4:57 pm

Losing an historian

To those who love this state’s written history, they will know the name, Dr. Walter Lee Brown. The great and long-time editor/leader of the Arkansas Historical Association, died this past…