by - May 11, 2015 4:03 pm
Vision and the mayoral platform
Where there is no vision, the people perish, at least that is one translation of Proverbs 29:18. Although I have no ecclesiastical or apostolic authority to change the Bible, I…
Guest Commentary
by - May 10, 2015 8:27 pm
No ‘team’ in Cotton (Updated)
Editor’s note: This essay has been edited to reflect that Sen. Cotton did indeed address the media following his lone “No” vote, and that Sen. Cotton called out the other…
by - May 10, 2015 7:44 pm
A different approach to education
One of the best-kept secrets in Fort Smith is a non-traditional approach to learning created by Italian physician, Dr. Maria Montessori, in the early 20th century. Educational goals for students…
by - May 5, 2015 6:49 pm
Highway heartburn
Speaking recently at the Arkansas Trucking Association’s Annual Business meeting in Hot Springs, Gov. Asa Hutchinson dropped a few names or positions of names likely to be on the working…
by - May 3, 2015 4:10 pm
The argument for trail money
As you may be aware, Fort Smith voters will go to the polls on May 12. The ballot will include renewal of the 1% sales tax that for the last…
by - May 3, 2015 4:00 pm
A third political party can’t win
I want to address why we have had historically a two party dominant political system this country. Note that I wrote “dominant” here, as there have been and are today…
by - April 30, 2015 7:19 pm
Revising the ‘good place to die’ pitch
A recent commentary by me suggesting that we make Fort Smith a place that caters to the retirement crowd was not well received by all. My tagline, “Fort Smith is…
by - April 27, 2015 7:31 pm
Kudos for Arkansas Auditor Andrea Lea
I’ve been thinking that someone ought to say some nice things about Andrea Lea, our Republican Auditor of State from Russellville. She’s done much over the years but is easy…
by - April 26, 2015 5:30 pm
Grading the new Governor
While the 90th General Assembly finally ended this past week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson quietly celebrated his 100th day as Arkansas’ 46th Governor. He appears this month on the cover of…
by - April 21, 2015 10:59 am
Fort Smith: A great place for all
The Fort Smith area, as noted in a recent commentary, has many great attributes for retirees, but Fort Smith also is a great place to live for families and community…
by - April 19, 2015 7:21 pm
Another view of the ‘Hanging Judge’ heritage
Fort Smith embraced selling its frontier heritage to tourists in 1955 when Mayor H. R. “Happy” Hestand appointed Judge Paul Wolfe to lead a committee to restore the Parker courtroom…
by - April 19, 2015 7:05 pm
Fort Smith: A great place to die
I recently had an “Aha!” moment. I’ve worried about the Greater Fort Smith Region’s lack of economic growth, the loss of our youth to other cities and states in order…
by - April 15, 2015 7:26 pm
A nice bump for Gov. Hutchinson
The latest poll out from Talk Business & Politics, Hendrix College and Impact Management Group give Gov. Asa Hutchinson a significant 11% jump to a 63% approval rating. The 11%…
by - April 13, 2015 3:33 pm
More to do for the Arkansas Legislature
The 90th Generally Assembly has ended, at least the part of it that occurred in the regular session. There’s probably not a more unique feeling in the world. It’s just…
by - April 12, 2015 7:44 pm
Narrowing the skills gap
This week I signed into law three bills that form our workforce-training plan. Afterwards, a Little Rock television station ran a story about a fellow named Lawrence Aaron. A student…
by - April 9, 2015 9:51 pm
Anxiety about legal anxiety
According to the Stanford News, a law professor at that particular college is working on his doctorate in psychology and is putting his training to use by putting together a…
by - April 6, 2015 4:35 pm
High hopes for Arkansas’ new task forces
The five appointed Task Forces created by Gov. Asa Hutchinson may indeed change Arkansas governance. This Task Force governance procedure is also a bold political and policy venture. It is…
by - April 5, 2015 7:49 pm
Christians need to quit whining about religious freedom
Freedom. Good word. Who doesn’t love “freedom” … at least in the abstract? Conceptually, “freedom” flourishes as an abstraction. After all, who’s for “captivity,” “confinement” or “oppression?” Freedom wins by not being…
by - April 5, 2015 7:24 pm
Notes on the grumpy season
It’s that time of year again. It arrives the same time each year. A sign this time is here is the number of usually smiling people you see with scowls….
by - April 5, 2015 7:08 pm
Clinton’s ‘dare to compete’
“Dare to compete” is the title of one the chapters in Secretary Hillary Clinton’s best-selling autobiography, “Living History.” In that chapter of the book, then U.S. First Lady Clinton recalls…