Discussions

Hot Springs' infamous downtown "Bottleneck" courtesy of our former city manager, former mayor, and board

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From: Barbara - Hot Springs Date: March 26, 2011

Once again , my morning was started on a irritating fact that people in this town can not deal with reality, and everything said is "OK" if it is said by the business persons or Mr. Arrison from the A&P Commission.

I agree with the mayor that the majority of the people attending the parade are "locals" . Additionally, those that know who the Grand Marshall was, and that a free concert was being given, came to help everyone celebrate a fun event. It is evident from the quotes in the paper that TRUTH has little to do with advertising......just so the merchants make money....this takes us back to why should locals permit the A&P to have our tax money and the Chamber to be getting money from the city to carry on their normal duties?

I will still bet you that the type of events at the convention center do not pay for the operation of the center .I attended the day time March Madness games and there was not a crowd at the games I was at. Yes, I know the businesses are glad to have the additional income and care nothing about facts when reporting on the size of the crowds in attendance. I imagine the convention center still does not cover one million of their operation and that portion is paid through the taxes collected on food, lodging, etc.,

I agree with the mayor in requesting that some measure of accuracy be used and not just pulling a number out of thin air to sound like a major event occurred. Facts and honesty are not detrimental to the Tourist business nor will the reporting of reasonable attendance numbers adversely impact attendance at future events.

Just an opinion....my day would be much easier if I just no longer subscribed to the paper !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Editors note: You are "right on" that the beginning of too many recent days are frustrating and are tarnished by the all-too-obvious vendetta that the local newspaper seems too have against our new mayor. Both you and the mayor are also quite correct in stating that 32,000 people were NOT at the St. Paddies Day parade. Heck, that would be pretty much everybody in town. We did a bit of research to determine how many people could fit in the space downtown attending a parade on a street that boasts it is less than 100 feet long (thus, the shortest parade). We discovered that police officials and others who needed accurate numbers for the Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl Parade and for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, two square foot per attendee was used if people were actually touching each other. Using this as required space, 32 thousand parade goers would need 64,000 square feet. This means the 100 foot parade route would have to have 640 feet of depth or 320 feet behind the curb on either side. Even if we consider the route to be "overflowing" and stretching twice the distance of the parade route, there must be 160 wide sidewalks on each side of the doubled route. Assuming we actually have a more realistic 16 feet, this means the patrons would stretch 2,000 feet or over 20 times the actual parade route length. Using more realistic data such as those used for calculating attendees at Washington DC inaugurations and developed at the University of California based on actual students standing in grids, we discovered that a "loose crowd" is considered as having one person per 10 square feet and a "tight" crowd consists of 4.5 square foot per person. Okay, this means the more typical "tight" crowd would require 144,000 square feet. This means it would require a mile long parade with people packed onto a sidewalk 27.27 feet deep. Think about it, if you are traveling on Central Avenue, that is further than the distance from Grand Avenue to Oaklawn Race Track. If we accept inaccuracies this large, why not encourage our local "experts" (at picking numbers) declare we had a Million People? Anyhow, it does sort of make one question just how many tourists our A&P and chamber are really bringing to town, does it not? Hey, a million is not that big any more especially when it comes to our city administration spending our hard-earned money.

Leprechauns Lose $3 million at End of ~~Rainbow~~ Lake Hamilton

Kudos Appreciated But Could Be Counter-Productive

From: New To Town - Hot Springs Date: March 19, 2011

We are staying with relatives while looking for a house to buy and were turned on to you site by them. Because of the information we found on your site - we have ruled out living in the city limits of Hot Springs and wanted to thank you for the service you provide. This town is a mess but driving through it one would not know it. Thanks again for letting us know while we could still make a choice in where to live.

Editors note: While we always appreciate positive comments it was never our intention to discourage people from moving to Hot Springs. Actually, to the contrary, we would love to have new people move into town and get involved as soon as possible. Having input from people who have lived in "the real world" may well be our only hope for changing the misguided mentality of the good ol' boys who have for decades, run our city.

Hypocrites at Sentinel Record Print "Personal Politics" as Editorials

From: Russ Skallerup - Hot Springs Date: March 11, 2011

The following is a Letter to the Sentinel Record Editor, Melinda Gassaway, sent March 11, 2011

Dear Editor,

How can you sound the klaxon for civility when The Sentinel Record submits “ Personal Politics” as its’ editorial rubric and then attacks the residents of the city and county for expressing, their concerns over the Jacob Consultants work on the water intake issues on lower Lake Hamilton?

Citing those who question the management of the project, both staff members and the consultants, as “naysayers” is the epitome of a pejorative description of these citizens. It certainly doesn’t ameliorate attitude, or promote cooperation.

Do you and your reporters have prescience as in questioning the motives and/or the agenda of the TEA Party and the Garland Good Government Group. If you do, you aren’t explicit as to intent. You only posit that they have intentions to the detriment to our city by innuendo.

You call on the business and civic leaders to step forward to express concern. Do you mean the usual allies you have as the Fifty for the Future, Chamber of Commerce and the A&P Commission that you toady to? Maybe you can bring back the “Wanted Posters,” Picketing of “Naysayer’s homes” and the “City Corp” you had in 1988 when you tried to put the muzzle on those you disagreed with. I’m sure you must remember.

You had a suggestion at the end of your diatribe which I would think you should follow or else continue to be a hypocrite – “Stop the bludgeoning and get on with the work to be done.”

Editors note: Correct-a-mundo Russ. One only has to "follow the money." In this case, the advertiser's money to understand why Hot Springs' news has always had that certain slanted flavor rather than digging a bit for the truth.

Directors Acting More Like Slugs Than Responsible Public Servants

From: Pest Exterminator - Hot Springs Date: March 10, 2011

When one is looking for an analogy for a spineless excuse for a city director the first thought is a snake. But a snake actually has a spine, so it doesn’t fit. The next substitute would be a slug. A slug moves so slow that it can barely be perceived as moving, has no known value, and leaves a slimy trail as its only clue that it ever existed. Not sure quite what they feed on, they just seem to appear.

So be it with the majority of the City Directors. Not quite sure who feeds them or what they eat, but when it comes to functioning in the capacity of an Overseer for the city protecting our money and looking out for the well being of the community, a slug does a pretty good job of describing their collective capabilities. Tuesday night was no exception. They gathered around the round table and slimed out to decide the fate of the City Manager and Deputy Manager after they blatantly wasted about $4,000,000 of the tax payer’s money on a worthless project (Water Treatment Plant). One can only surmise the motivation of our city’s management, but rest assured that it wasn’t for the good of the community.

So as we watched and waited for seemingly hours for the slugs to return we noticed that a couple of directors were actually walking upright. However because of the “No Action” decision, it is apparent that the two directors with two backbones and four feet are unable to squash five slugs simultaneously without falling prey to whatever fate awaits a vertebrate that steps on a slug. I suggest that the community take action and help the two Directors with Spines and gather up our salt shakers and go to work on the slugs.

Editors note: From comments made prior to the executive meeting, we assume the two directors with spines are the Mayor and Maruthur. You are absolutely correct that we must support them and start the ball rolling to expose (or salt) those other spineless wimps.

FBI Come to Town But Gets No Coverage

From: Yellow Rag Reader - Hot Springs Date: March 10, 2011

All day Tues the FBI and or other agents (23 in all) raided John Gibson’s Auto on Airport Road. This took place after at least a week of surveillance headquartered at the Airport Tower which allowed agents to observe the activities there. Files were confiscated, no arrests were made. Rumor of money laundering and tax evasion were mentioned on Channel Seven. The Local Newspaper gave a whopping 1 inch, one column in yesterday’s paper. Me smells a rat.

Today’s front page is covered on if Mayor Ruth properly notified the press on FOIA for the executive session.

Makes you want to go HMMMMM. What are our priorities? Proves that it pays to advertise.

Editors note: Hey, read the article below. Nothing happening makes headlines. We couldn't even find the newsworthy one inch you told us about. It must have been buried somewhere on page 17b.

City Board Executive Session Gives Hope For Future Action

From: Readers - Hot Springs Date: March 10, 2011

We agree with George's view (March 3, 2011 below) that someone in city management has to go some of our city employees are too incompetent for their losing over $3,000,000 of our money to go unpunished. We know an executive meeting of the city board was held but the paper says "no action was taken." We could not believe the paper used that as a front page headline today. Isn't that the same as a headline saying, "nothing happened"? What kind of headline is that? Where is the news value in no action or nothing happening for Petes sake? We hope the no action means something will happen later. What do you people think?

Editors note: We think you have the wrong view concerning the no action in the "executive session." It appears that there was a vote of confidence in the executive session which makes us seriously wonder where our city directors have been. Obviously, they had their heads in the same sand along with the city manager and his assistant. These guys were obviously ill-equipped to handle a project of this magnitude or, as many have put it, they were in way over their heads. You are completely correct that articles reporting "no action" or "nothing happened" are hardly worthy of being headline stories. Sometimes, one is forced to ponder the credibility of our local "investigative reporting." Do you ever recall the same reporters reporting that our city was spending approximately a quarter of a million dollars a month (for a year) designing a water plant the city staff knew could never be constructed? We suppose that story was not as newsworthy as nothing happening.

Do We Get Our $4 Million Back Or Will Heads Roll?

From: Anonymous - Hot Springs Date: March 9, 2011

I read with interest today's letter to the editor in the Sentinel Record and agree almost totally with the writers opinions. He did miss the fact that one city director, Maruthur, although voting to hire Carter Burgess complained loudly that the city staff has not kept the board informed about how they were wastefully spending so much of our money when they knew the $3.2 million study was flawed and the water plant design was for a plant that could never be built. I know the board acted to terminate Jacobs but are any other actions going to be taken to get our money back or discipline the city employees who allowed or maybe even encouraged almost $4 million of our money to be wasted? This fiasco cost every man, woman and child in our town of 36,000 over $111 each. If we consider just the taxpayers of our city, the cost is over $250 per taxpayer. I say we need to either sue to get our money back or fire all those with the city who are responsible. I assume those to be mostly the city manager and the city engineer or whatever Mallett is calling himself these days. $4 million should be enough to make sure that heads should roll. Sign me anonymous because I am a local businessperson who still doesn't trust some of the vindictive people on the board and city staff.

Editors note: You apparently are not aware of last evening's special city board meeting. The meeting was announced as a "special board meeting" to consider disciplinary action for the city manager. After the special meeting, it was announced that no action will be taken which appears to mean that the board considered the actions of the city manager to be appropriate even though he had publicly stated that he "took full responsibility." In other words, it is perfectly okay for those responsible to waste $3 or $4 million of our hard earned money. With this attitude and mentality of city board members, we need to take harder looks are whether they should remain as our representatives. Are you guys over at the 4 Gs listening and can you still spell "recall"?

City Managers Don't Last Long in Hot Springs

From: Another Observer- Hot Springs Date: March 8 13, 2011

City managers sure don't last long in Hot Springs. We think this may be cause they have to serve the good old boys and the citizens don't like it. Whenever they start spending millions of our tax dollars for city halls, unnecessary travel, and unneeded studies for water plants they know can't be built, it is time to get rid of them including the deputy city manager this time. It is interesting that our former city manger who trained our present city manager is again unhappy with the people he works with up in Washington state.

He applied for the city manager job in Corpus Christi, Texas but didn't make the top six cut to be interviewed. We suppose they did a little searching to find out how well he did in Hot Springs. Don't you suppose or do you know?

Editors note: We're not in a position to say what Corpus found. We were sent a link to an article talking about Myers' desire to leave his new job which can be seen by clicking here. Note the interesting comments following the article. We wonder how such a negative opinion of Hot Springs was developed. Could it be our former city manager is talking bad about us?

City Government - "A Ship of Fools"

From: JJ - Hot Springs Date: March 5, 2011

I have followed this (water issue) for the last several days, until my gag reflex was triggered each day. I am sure that there is enough blame to go around; however, one cannot get enough credible information through the media to make informed opinions. So one resorts to experience.

From where I sit, more incompetence than competence resides is all corners of the multicornered maze. City council, city management, state bureaucracy, contractors, and media. In that order. Unfortunately, when persons are elected, intellect and integrity is not always in place but the elected assume they have been anointed via election. More unfortunate than that is that there is no cure. The old Persian proverb partially states, "He who knows not and knows not that he knows not, is a fool." I think the city government is a ship of fools. If I could go back 10 years, I would steer my ship away from Hot Springs and possibly Arkansas. Sour Grapes? Absolutely.

More later. I bet you can't wait.

Editors note: No, keep those emails and letters coming, especially when they are as accurate as yours.

Nothing Has Changed - Get Rid of the Problems, Lance and Steve

From: Ted Burhenn - Hot Springs Date: March 4, 2011

REF: Last night's Special Meeting at the Hot Springs Board of Directors. They fired Jacobs Engineering as a result of the wasting of $4 million study of Fresh Water Treatment. BUT they did nothing to the people who knew money was being wasted for the past 4 years, Lance and Steve.

Not only that but they expect Lance to assist in the financial audit over the entire matter. NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!!! The only people that could have prevented this was Lance and Steve and they are still in charge. Although Jacobs needed a good firing, it was LANCE AND STEVE that directed them in spite of repeated warnings from the Arkansas Health Dept and numerous concerns from the public. Now they want to use an internal project engineer to oversee the project. We've been there, IT DOESN'T WORK, folks.

We have to ask, "WHAT WAS THE TRUE AGENDA OF LANCE AND STEVE. Let finish the job and get rid of all the causes of the problem not just the end result.

Editors note: Hey, we agree. In fact, so does the writer below. Half the town has said they have to go but they appear not to have gotten the message. Do you suppose they could possibly think that $4 million of our money wasted is not sufficient reason for them to leave? Thanks for the photo. We saw it on Facebook and a couple of other places.

Someone In City Management Has to Go

From: George R. Pritchett - Hot Springs Date: March 3, 2011

Someone in city management has to go, the board and the citizens cannot allow this debacle to leave city management unchanged. Too little information, too many inconsistencies, to much weaving and bobbing, too much money wasted, etc. to go unnoticed and unpunished.

The public has lost confidence in city management. I would say the same thing about the city board if much of the public outcry hadn't surfaced since the November elections, so instead I offer the public is watching closely to determine if the current board regains control of city management. I wonder what the outcome of an "executive session" today would be in reference to our two most prominent city staff, city manager and assistant city manager. I seriously doubt it would be an overwhelming vote of confidence.

Jacobs should be permanently removed from our vendor list and Brian Albright should look closely at the terms and conditions of the contract/s and their performance and determine if we have a possibility of recovering some of our expenditures from them through a court action.

I am concerned about where the money will come from to hire another firm and I don't think we need to act immediately. I suggest a twelve to eighteen month suspension of this activity beyond continuing our efforts to get more water from Ouachita would be a good idea.

Minimally we should delay hiring another firm or staff person until 2012. The funds to hire another firm or staff person should should be a part of the 2012 budget.

Editors note: You are totally correct about the "bobbing and weaving." These dudes are just buying time hoping their gross negligence will be forgotten. We hope the public won't let that happen. The city manager is well past the time he needed to retire and we certainly hope he will opt to do so rather than wait for the alternative. The deputy city manager appears to have been just too stubborn and incompetent. Hopefully, he will seek other employment rather than have a very well publicized termination to place on his resume'. You are correct that the board needs to "take control" to protect the public's money and proceed very cautiously.

City Manager Wants to Waste Another $4 Million?

From: TD - Hot Springs Date: March 2, 2011

I am not sure this really happened or it was just a horrible nightmare but this headline was on my computer when I woke up this morning. Say it ain't so.

Editors note: We certainly hope it is a bad dream but, apparently, one option still being considered is for the city to appeal or, basically, sue the state. It won't be the first time they have used our hard-earned local tax money to fight against our hard-earned state tax money. It's past time we retire those who think that way, is it not?

"Arrogant Arrison" Strikes Again - Makes City (or State?) Proclamation

From: Observer- Hot Springs Date: February 13, 2011

Just wanted your take on what today's paper said Arrogant Arrison did. Tell us didn't really proclaim yesterday to be Mrs. Arkansas America Day. Does he have some kind of elected office or appointment we don't know about? How can the head of a city department make such declarations or proclamations or whatever the hell he did? What do you know we don't.

Editors note: We know of no special powers other than those within his own mind. Why don't you ask him how important he is and then compare it with his real authority. Big difference?

Mayor Responds to Fiasco Involving Intimidation of "Spineless Directors"

From: Not Signed- Hot Springs Date: February 13, 2011

Did you see the Mayor's editorial in today's newspaper? She and Maruthur appear to be the only ones that get it. Some citizens of director Jones district 2 feel they are ENTITLED to a permanent seat on the A&P governing board. We cannot help but ask HOW MUCH MONEY DID THEY CONTRIBUTE to the building of the multimillion dollar convention center which greatly increased their property values? We would surmise that it was a very very small portion of the money when compared to ANY other district in town. This mindset of entitlements has gotten out of control and those of us who work hard and don't complain very much about how our taxes are spent are paying those entitlements. I have heard the A&P tax is the ONLY tax we taxpayers never got to vote on. This is not right but to have a small handful of loud citizens scare and totally intimidate the spineless directors into voting for their unfair entitlement is simply WRONG -WRONG-WRONG!!!!

Another e-mail on the same date follows:

You need to read the editorial in the Senile Record today by Ruth Carney! She really nailed it !!!!!!

Editors note: We certainly saw the editorial and agree with most all of your comments. We do have good reason to believe though, that well placed individuals at the A&P Commission and the local chamber instigated much of the uproar at the last meeting. Many have suggested that Director Jones can and is being manipulated by these individuals into doing whatever these individuals please with our tax dollars. You are correct that the A&P tax was never voted on by any Arkansas citizen and our tax dollars appear to be spent with little or no regard to the tough economic times the rest of us have to endure. Yep, they are out spending big money on hot-air balloons, consultants, and attorneys while the poor city employees are seeing pay and benefit cuts. You need to know that 2 bills are being introduced to correct the improper Arkansas legislative action which did not allow the public to vote for the A&P tax and one bill would provide for a public vote each 4 years to continue or discontinue the tax. We already know that the Arkansas Municipal League will strongly oppose these bills. In fact, this group (of which Hot Springs is a strong member) is nothing more than a lobbyist group which last session fought to have the 3 cent hamburger tax raised to 4 cents. Check it out and call or e-mail your state legislators. The bills are SB 180 sponsored by Sen Johnny Key of Mountain Home and SB 212 sponsored by Sen Jonathan Dismang of Beebe. SB 180 would change the law by requiring an election by the people to implement hospitality (A&P) taxes. SB 212 would require a renewal vote by the people to continue hospitality taxes every 4 years. These are both Senate bills but it wouldn't hurt to also contact your House Representative.

Bill.Sample@senate.ar.gov jtvines13@sbgolbal.net bwforarkansas@hughes.net (Westerman-HS Village)

District 24 representative 24 Rephan or Cozart are yet to be elected.

A&P "Hamburger Tax" Facts From Recent Years

From: Barbara- Hot Springs Date: February 9, 2011

As I read letters, and the "Opinion " section of the Sentinel Record , the comments are indicative of often expressed exasperation with the hamburger tax, which was also brought up at the city BOD meeting a week ago .

I cannot help but reflect on our efforts to offer the residents of Hot Springs a vote on this "Hamburger Tax " several years ago. Many citizens never knew we had enough signatures to get on the ballot for November, had our efforts been allowed a opportunity to see the light of day. The signature count being stopped shortly after we turned in SOME of the sheets for verification of voters status prevented all but the canvassers from knowing how many city residents wanted the right to vote on the reduction in the tax.

Maybe the people talking and writing today do not realize that in the past the folks voted for the 1.2 million museum bond which effectively "locked in" the 3% "Hamburger Tax " for the next 10 years................well, the 10 years should bring a whole new group to the front in an effort to reduce taxes ,and I hope to have the privilege of canvassing (again!) for the signatures to qualify for a ballot position. Congratulations again to all of you that helped to collect over 2400 signatures! You are phenomenal folks.

With admiration: Barbara

Editors note: Isn't it interesting how well the local A&P have set themselves up so that they will be immune to the proposed Arkansas legislation that would give city residents a chance to vote every 4 years as to weather or not they wish to continue taxing themselves? Most citizens likely thought the folks at the A&P actually cared about the Mid America Science Museum even after they tried to sell it for a tenth it's value to NPCC. Hopefully, residents may now finally recognize opportunists for what they really are.

Different Take on Disgusting Board Meeting

From: BJ- Hot Springs Date: February 4, 2011

We read your post dated Feb 3 and have a different take. We also watched the city board telecast and agree it was bad but not disgusting. Elaine Jones is the person who got those people to show up and claim they owned a place on the A & P board because some long ago city director said they could have that place. First no single director has that kind of power do they? Second we agree that the entire city should be represented if not all at once at least on a rotating basis. How dare any person like Jones think they own such a seat? What has Jones ever contributed to the board either city or A & P? We found out more details about how many places she has visited at taxpayer expense and used her city cell phone for personal calls and had an expensive birthday party at the taxpayers expense. Let us know if you want the info. What is the deal with the photo of Jones and McCabe. They are not real are they? Don't forget all the wimps who voted with Jones and McCabe. Kehely and Daniels are as bad as any directors I can remember. Very conniving.

Editors note: Yes, indeed. Please sent us any documentation you have. We are in the process of trying to confirm some of the issues and excuses we received as we remain quite skeptical. We don't have any answers as to what Director Jones has or has not contributed but we are aware of what we term as "abuses" of our tax money. Yep, Jones and McCabe are real people and serve as somebody's representatives on our city board. While we agree with your "wimp" characterization, we think directors Keheley and Daniel deserve further observation.

Disgusting Board Meeting

From: Observer- Hot Springs Date: February 3, 2011

Watched the city board on tv last night - it was disgusting. How can any group say they own a seat on any board. The thing started out like it was divided on racial lines but ended up looking like a handfull of important people at the chamber and A&P put those folks up to it. Those important people sit there in their suits looking smug while their pawns made all the noise. Either the directors were intimidated, had already cut a deal or were just a bunch of of wusses without the gonads to make logical decisions. What is your take?

Editors note: Not much different from yours. Hey, if they own the entity due to it's location, let the Chamber, A&P, and District 2 have all the seats and let them pay for all the funding of the millions of dollars the A&P spends plus the Convention Center operations. Don't you suppose they would bring even more tourists to town? At least those districts who are not entitled to equal representation would save three percent on every meal they eat or prepared grocery item they purchase.

Directors Have a Long History of Travel Abuses

From: BJ - Hot Springs Date: January 22, 2011

The attached photo was taken from a post on your website dated April 12, 2008. We thought we had heard of this travel issue before and sure enough, it was still on your website. The article from then pointed out that Hot Springs had 6 representatives while the rest of the entire state of Arkansas had only 24. Yes we sent Bush, Daniel, Smith, Jones, Weatherford, and Kent Myers. Hopefully the mentality of our directors has changed. Bless Director Garcia for taking a stance against this waste of our tax money.

Editors note: Thanks for the reminder. The photo you sent can also still be seen on the cover of City and Town, the official publication of the Arkansas Municipal League by clicking here. This certainly does document that we have had more than our share of "Freeloaders" when it comes to travel. One or two representatives from Hot Springs is sufficient. Heck, most cities in Arkansas didn't even have a representative in the photo. Wonder if those cities got no federal funds or if we have just been misled for years. Methinks perhaps, some former directors plus current directors McCabe and Jones still think we owe them a taxpayer funded out-of-town party every couple of months. Congratulate those other 5 directors whose vote said "enough is enough." Oh, you may also want to tell director McCabe what you think of his, "It's a sad day in Hot Springs" comment following his and Jones vote to keep sending 5 directors to Washington.

GCEDC and Taxpayer Money Used for a Scam?

From: Karen - Hot Springs Date: January 16, 2011

Our school board (the ones that are still in office) let this happen (see Jan 15 post below) with NOTHING in the minutes about it. You should read EVERY line (of the legislative audit) to get the whole story, now this guy (Joel Rush) is up for Arkansas Business of the Year! AND... is any of the Garland County Economic Development money or Chamber of Commerce money going to this company??? That's why we need an accounting of the GCEDC. In my opinion.. this was school district (TAXPAYER) money used to start up this company and the HSSD superintendent resigned quietly when it all got turned in by the state to the legislative auditors. Mrs. Craft, I think, was assistant superintendent, so she and all the current school board members (maybe besides Reese) was right there in the middle of it. Click here for the Arkansas Leglislative Audit on TLI, Hot Springs School District, and other entities.

Editors note: You are soooo right on this. With most everyone's attention fixed on the self-serving dealings of the city and double-dipping in the county, it is easy to overlook what is going on with our school boards. Someone should, indeed, be held accountable. It appears that the GCEDC and Chamber of Commerce (is there a difference?) is supporting the very type activities the Arkansas Legislative Audit found, at the least, to be inappropriate and perhaps a violation of ethics and laws. It sure smells like a scam. See if you can find an attorney in this town that would actually take the case or any other case against these "good ol' boys." Lots of luck!

Directors to Spend $10,000+ Tax Money Traveling To DC During "Cherry Blossom Time"

From: Mark Toth - Hot Springs Date: January 16, 2011

Below is my letter to the editor (Sentinel Record and Hot Springs Talk). I know it's short notice, but I believe this is an issue of significant importance that will resonate with your paper's readership.

On Tuesday, the Hot Springs City Directors will consider a request to spend over $10,000 in taxpayer money to send five of our City Directors to Washington, D.C. in mid-March. No doubt this is just a coincidence, but mid-March is considered the start of Washington’s tourist season and is when the city’s famous cherry trees begin to blossom.

As justification for this taxpayer-funded mini-vacation, we’re told that our City Directors will use "...the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our Congressional representatives, as well as representatives from federal agencies... [and obtain] updated information on the status of federal funds...." Traveling to Washington to meet federal officials might have been appropriate in the age of the horse and buggy; today it’s a wasteful extravagance.

Apparently our City Directors are unaware that our Congressman, Mike Ross, has an office within walking distance of City Hall--how else to explain their insistence on traveling some 1,000 miles to meet Mr. Ross in Washington (all at taxpayer expense)? And contacting Senators Pryor and Boozeman couldn’t be easier; their office addresses, phone numbers and email information is readily available on the internet; and the same is true of federal officials.

Hot Springs has many pressing needs. One of our fire stations is, according to a city report, structurally deplorable. City streets are potmarked and crumbling. Police cars are being pressed into service well-past their useful life. The jail has become a revolving door dumping offenders back on our streets every day. The city’s unfunded pension liability runs into the millions of dollars. Yet despite these pressing needs, our City Directors are considering a proposal to spend nearly $11,000 in taxpayer money on a four-day "meet-and-greet" junket in Washington, D.C.

Admittedly the money saved by canceling this trip will not solve Hot Springs’ financial problems. It will not pay for a new fire station. It’s not even enough to buy a single new police car. But canceling the trip and banking the savings will send an important message to all the residents of Hot Springs: that our City Directors are careful and responsible stewards of the public purse.

I can only hope that our City Directors will act responsibly. Public service means putting the public interest first and foremost. In a few months, our City Directors will most likely ask the voters to approve a sale tax increase to pay for a new jail. Voters will approve such a proposal only if they know their elected officials are fiscally prudent.

Unsigned Post - Same Date

I, like many others, have a cold and I will not be attending the city board meeting tomorrow night.

I understand the agenda item calls for about everyone (but Maruther and McCabe) to "go to Washington" for a city taxpayer conference. Naturally, I am opposed to the $10,000.00 cost. They can SKYPE a talk with our representatives, or meet them in person when they are in town, as their chance of having anyone's attention at a conference of this size are nil. Once again, spend, spend, spend even with all the federally mandated ,and unfunded (EPA) projects that are always being scheduled and there is so little control over at this time.......................

Editors note: We agree that the cost is expensive and unnecessary to send 5 city board members. However, this particular trip just prior to the legislators getting all their "pork" funds for local projects does typically pay for itself several times over. Our recommendation is to send the new board member and new mayor because they need to know what goes on during this time in DC. It would be a good idea to send one member that has been there and knows their way around such as Director Keheley. To also send Jones and Daniel is just wasteful. For example, Director Jones spent hundreds of taxpayer dollars during her last trip on cell phones calls to her friends and relatives that certainly did not benefit any Hot Springs citizens.

Sentinel Record Story About Joel Rush and TLI Questioned

From: Karen - Hot Springs Date: January 15, 2011

Subject: Today's S/R story about Joel Rush

Anyone is reads the attached PDF (Click here for the Arkansas Leglislative Audit on TLI, Hot Springs School District, and other entities) should be able to fill in the blanks (only had 2 weeks to find a new place, grew too big for the school district) in the Sentinel Record news story which features The Learning Institute and Mr. Byerly. I have no idea how to contact Mr. Byerly, but someone who does is welcome to send him a copy of this PDF before he goes too far out on a limb for Joel Rush and Adams with this "Arkansas Business of the Year" stuff.

Is Garland County Eco Dev money being spent on this business? This is why people want an accounting and we're told that it's "confidential".

Was this story, when it happened, in the local news or did everyone just quietly go about their business (no one was prosecuted?, no ethics charges filed?, was tax payer money returned?, ALL OF IT, or just the part the state could prove?)

If you read every page of this investigation you will understand what happened. If you skim it, you won't. Pay close attention to the "Restricted" funds. Funds that were to be used for children living in poverty in the HSSD (Title 1) and the National School Lunch Program. The lawyer for the district is the same I believe, all the players are the same other than Rowe retired and everyone moved up the food chain.
Arkansas Business of the YEAR, RIGHT!

Editors note: It appears that no legal action has been taken, no ethics charges filed, etc. However, the public deserves such actions if for no other reason than knowing that their tax dollars were spent properly. The legislative audit you attached certainly suggests that the entire operation was as scam. To have the superintendent and HSSD employees traveling to other states at taxpayer expense trying to sell property that HSSD owns for their own personal benefit does not sound very legal. If Mr. Rush maintained and used HSSD credit cards and a district cell phone even though he was not a HSSD employee or representative, this should absolutely be illegal and should be prosecuted.

Police Chief Not Part of the "Good ol' Boy" System

From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: January 9, 2011

You are way wrong in your opinion of Mike McCormick. I usually agree with most comments on your web page but Bob D and the editor don't know Mike or they would not think he is one of what you call good old boys. Mike is a good man with morals and values. He is not part of the system. Look at the letters to the editor in the Sentinel Record and see what people think of him. I hope you change your opinion and give Make the break he has worked for and deserves.

Editors note: You obviously have misinterpreted the post (below) because we saw no place where anyone said the interim chief was not a good guy. In fact, we think he is a great guy. The primary problem listed was with the city manager's trying to make the selection process appear as something it is not. Attempts were also made to demonstrate that the process was quite poor and that, given our current crime problem, we need a chief from the outside that has proven he/she knows how to reduce crime. We don't need someone who is part of the police force that got us recognized as the "most dangerous city in the U.S. Your reference to "letters to the editor" are interesting especially in view of the fact that the interim chief's application had more pages of reference letters than pages of qualifications and accomplishments. We need to get past giving "breaks" to deserving people and consider what Hot Springs needs in order to reduce crime.

New Police Chief Selection Nothing More Than a Snow Job by City Manager

From: Bob D - Hot Springs Date: January 9, 2011

In spite of the fact that Hot Springs has a documented record of being one of the "top ten" WORST communities in the country based on FBI crime statistics, we have been forced to stand on the sidelines and watch the smoke screen put up by the city manager in his determination to satisfy the good ol' boys and the police department's internal clique for a couple of months. It is time to restate what has already been mentioned in numerous previous posts such as those of December 15, December 21 plus November 27, and a couple of others (see below). Yep, it appears that the selection of the local acting chief, Mike McCormick will be announced any day now. Of course, as was reported, the total waste of our taxpayer money spent to bring candidates to town who weren't really going to be considered could and should have been avoided. The public needs to know that the other two "finalists" appear to have been selected solely because they were two candidates that did not have much better credentials than the acting chief. This fact would make the city manager look like he made a good selection even though none of the final three candidates have a record of reducing crime anywhere. The public also needs to know that several really good people applied for the job. Not all sixty-five applicants were well qualified but many were better qualified and their resumes were not even provided to the city manager's personally appointed "ad-hoc" selection committee. For example, one extremely well qualified individual that didn't even make the city manager's "top twenty" list has the following achievements and accomplishments listed on his application.

1) Directed a staff of 925 police officers and 150 civilian staff.

2) Managed agencies where special emphasis was promoting teamwork and developing innovative crime prevention and policing programs that reduced crime.

3) Chief of a force that implemented community policing and anti-crime plans that reduced crime by 40%.

4) Served as criminal justice advisor to the Governor of New Jersey.

5) Recognized for implementing numerous anti-crime programs that reduced crime and saved money.

6) Managed policing, security, and emergency management for events of over 100,000.

7) Honored for expanding policing and community betterment projects including over 40 honors and awards including New Jersey State Senate Public Service Award, heroism during terrorist attack in NYC, and Appreciation Award from FBI Director Louis Freeh.

8) Nationally recognized expert who presented testimony to United States Congress and NJ Commission.

9) Lead Representative for US State Department for overseas police training mission on modern policing.

10) Appear and consult to radio and television programs including Fox News, Court TV, Rita Cosby, America's Most Wanted, CNN, Good Morning America, etc.

11) Published a model training course on Ethnic and Cultural Awareness for Police Officers.

12) Implemented Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) programs.

13) Lecturer at numerous state-wide conferences on police practices and management (including Arkansas).

14) Guest lecturer on contemporary policing, organized crime, physical security, Homeland Security issues.

15) Published Author: Law and Order, POLICE, Law Enforcement Technology, Readers Digest, etc.

Yes, this applicant literally wrote the books on police management, modern police technology, and crime plus has successfully obtained millions in grants yet he didn't even make the cut to the 20 best applicants. In fact, he didn't even get a call from our city manager. Don't we deserve to know why?

Editors note: We do deserve to know why. We know from the ad-hoc committee meetings that the committee was not told of the above individual. We noted that the list above is not complete and is paraphrased but the complete resume can be seen by clicking here. We also know that what appeared to be the committee and city manager's top criteria was "Arkansas ties." We know that a GGGG member pointed out to the committee that his group had presented a resolution which basically stated that the only criteria they recommended was that the new chief have a proven documented "record of reducing crime." It bears repeating that the 3 finalists did not have such a record and we cannot help but wonder why that is not important given the "out-of-control" crime we have in Hot Springs. We do, indeed, deserve to know why "Arkansas ties" are more important than the proven ability to reduce crime. Do not let this question go unanswered. Having improper priorities could cost us our property, safety, and welfare.

Volunteer Boards and Commissions Worthless or Changing?

From: Mrs. H - Hot Springs Date: January 7, 2011

At the last Board meeting the City Manager asked for people to volunteer to be on a city commission . I looked at the various positions and then read the application for the volunteer to complete. I find it amusing that the Board wants extensive information about individuals (serving as volunteers) but there is none of this provided about the Board members regarding their educational levels or accomplishments (http://www.cityhs.net/about-hs-boards.html). I remember a local woman, FEMA qualified to do appraisals and write the authorizations, being turned down for the Planning Commission even though she applied twice!!!! I always figured she was refused because she knew the City Code much better than the people working in the department. And then you have our very bright Kathy Sellman that must get very tired (as the qualified professional ) of having Board members overturn the Commission's decisions.

Last year the group of Board members in office listed CODE ENFORCEMENT as the LAST priority of things to achieve!!!!!!!! Now I ask you, could there be a correlation between the purchase of property in the county, in gated POA controlled subdivisions, to the run-down place the majority of this city has been allowed to turn into without enforcement???? When people see the condition of our streets they are shocked. The street I live on has been paved ONCE when the owners of property paved it. Eventually, it was brought into the city and that was the final blow....45 years of no paving. The major streets look like a war zone (Albert Pike from beginning to the end), Ouachita is coming along ,but would never convince anyone to want to have a store front on this street. Then look at the residential streets, and the city violations of property not maintained to standards, and I can only say "keep it up, fools". The Board has denied Kathy the reason she is here and paid to make these decisions."

The favoritism means there will never be an agreed to operating procedure, or zoning regulations that are followed, because of the exceptions allowed by the majority of the Board. I am not a head-banger. I need to see some concerted effort around here to even consider the request of the City Manager.

On the previous reply I made concerning reviewing the commission and boards that volunteers are needed for in the city.... Do you remember when the Board FIRED THE VOLUNTEERS, and re-interviewed those stupid enough to reapply to see if they suited enough Board members to be reappointed to the commission they were on??????? Amazing!! All to get rid of people they did not want in service. I can be of much better service in my current volunteer work where I am active in two political groups I am with!

Editors note: The primary question the last city board omitted but apparently, always gets asked is, "how loyal will you be to the good ol' boys?" Hopefully, the new city board will operate differently. We certainly encourage all non-establishment citizens to apply. Otherwise, we could well end up with all the boards and commissions again comprised of nothing but more good ol' boys.

GCEDC Did Not Account for Tax Money They Took From the City

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: December 26, 2010

I was one of those who spoke out against public funding of the Garland County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) at the December 22, 2010 Board of Directors meeting. Let me assure the citizens of Hot Springs that the comments made there were just the first salvo fired. I, as an individual, plan on continuing an investigation into the activities and finances of this redundant, secretive organization.

First of all, I would like to reiterate that in all of the cities that I have lived and worked in, Hot Springs is the only one that feels as if it needs an economic development corporation to bring business into the city or surrounding area. Typically, these functions are performed by business and civic leaders.

Secondly, the annual report for 2009 that I obtained from the City Clerk's office shortly before the meeting began was little more than propaganda. What sort of City Manager or City Board allows someone who is accountable to them not to account for tax dollars spent? That report did not contain a single item regarding where our money went. How much went to salaries and administrative costs for David Byerly and crew? How much was invested in attempting to bring new business to Hot Springs? If the GCEDC or City of Hot Springs is not willing to be forthcoming with this information, a Freedom of Information Act request will have to do it.

The GCEDC claims to have assisted companies in retaining jobs. Funny, if you ask some of the management teams of the companies that they allegedly assisted, they will tell you that it was the company's hard work that kept those jobs here.

During my comments, I directed several comments to Director Pat McCabe. This was done purposefully. Director McCabe has been one of the chief drumbeaters during the budget process for funding the economic development corporation. Yet during the recent campaign, he continually lambasted his opponent for his business connections with the city of Malvern and Hot Spring County. Was Director McCabe unaware of the deal signed between the GCEDC and it's counterpart in Hot Spring County? His opponent, Dr. Blake Robertson, was certainly aware of it, since the plan had been in the works for months. Dave Byerly, in a front page Sentinel Record story, proudly declared that there are "no boundaries" between Garland and Hot Spring counties when it comes to economic development. Did Director McCabe berate David Byerly for his regional stance on economic development? Obviously not, since his support of our tax dollars being spent to support Byerly's ambitions wasn't affected. Was Mr. McCabe oblivious to reality during the campaign, or just pulling a typical political stunt by telling only part of the story?

Hot Springs has enough promotion without allowing the GCEDC to take our tax dollars and waste them on redundant, double-dipping programs that should be performed by the Chamber of Commerce in the first place. The city and county can't afford it and don't need it.

As I said at the onset, this story is just beginning. Updates of the continuing investigation of the Chamber of Commerce and Garland County Economic Development Corporation that you will not see in the local newspaper will be submitted to Hot Springs Talk.

Editors note: Thanks Brian. We will look forward to your continued reports. As to the comments of Director McCabe during the election compared to what he now says: Why would you expect him not to be the hypocrite he has proven to be? See what was said about McCabe on the October 13, 2010 and October 31, 2010 posts shown below. Another point made at the December 22 board meeting was that the city should be bidding this work out if it is truly needed. It appears there may be some real CEDs (Certified Economic Developers) in the area that actually know how to attract business and even know how to write a comprehensive Annual Report. Again, the reader can click here to see what the GCEDC submitted and the city manager accepted as proper accounting for the some $140,000 of tax money they took from the city.

GCEDC Accounting Questioned

From: Citizens of Hot Springs - Hot Springs Date: December 24, 2010

We watched the city board meeting that appeared to be a rebroadcast of the last meeting and saw where some people spoke against giving city tax money to the GCEDC. After finding out what the GCEDC was we agree with those who spoke against the money being given to the Garland County Economic Development Corporation. We found the CEO and president was a man named Dave Byerly. This is the same person who is CEO and president of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber. We know that chambers sometimes help bring businesses to towns but always thought this was done so they could add to the chamber membership. It is unusual to see a chamber CEO also set up an economic development group. It seems he may be trying to use his position with the chamber to make more money for himself. Do you know if this could be correct? We would appreciate any other information you may have. Do you know who the people were who spoke against giving the GCEDC tax money? We would like to talk to them. You can give them our Email address but do not put it on your site. Sign us as citizens of Hot Springs please.

Editors note: We were beginning to think no one cared if the city paid tax-money to the local chamber exec. Yes, your assumptions appear to be correct and the CEO you mention does head both organizations plus the city usually gives him even more than the $115,000 of our tax money approved as one request last Tuesday. He also received money for the GCEDC 's "Retirement Relocation Program" and for another item simply titled, "Services." See the meeting agenda items 16, 17, and 18 for the city board meeting of December 21, 2010 at www.cityhs.net/about-hs-boards-agenda-archive.html . In the interest of demonstrating the total lack of accountability accepted by the city for the some $140,000 they paid the GCEDC last year, click here to see the city's acceptance and the "Annual Report" GCEDC provided to the city. Yes, there is no mention of what the money was spent for or how much was received. We don't know how they could call it an annual report without that information or how the city could accept such a lack of accounting.

Today's Headlines Termed "Rambling" With No News Content

From: JM - Hot Springs Date: December 23, 2010

The headline of today's senile record was the worst bunch of rambling without any charges and sure no news in the story. I am talking about the top story on the page about how there was a meeting and some people were invited and some were not. What do you know about this we usually see stories like this and then look at your internet site to get your take of what happened. The senile record didn't tell us anything. Is there anything we are missing or was it just a non story kind of story? We are guessing you know something about it.

Editors note: Thanks for asking. We knew a little bit but we made a few phone calls and found out even more. Your assessment of this being a non-story appears to be totally "on-track." We agree there was no substance to the story and were puzzled as to why it would warrant any space in the Sentinel Record, especially front page headlines. Trusting that the information we obtained is accurate, we put together a list of possible reasons the story was written and had our "crack team" investigate and report. It appears that because one city director complained, the newspaper caved in and wrote the article you referenced. The findings were so disgusting that we wrote a "Commentary" on the subject which appears on our "Commentary" page (or click here) and was also sent to the Sentinel Record. Lots of luck is actually seeing it published in its entirety, huh?

Police Chief Selection is Tainted by the Good Ol' Boys

From: BD - Hot Springs Date: December 21, 2010

Unfortunately, the post below is likely quite accurate. All indications are that the current police chief was hand-picked by a handful of the good ol' boy types after some of their group forced the resignation of the former chief. What the public needs to know is that our current city manager with a bit of advise from two of his staff and the city attorney narrowed the 65 applicants to 20 and, in doing so, ruled out many extremely well qualified police chiefs. The excuses primarily included two reasons: 1) They make too much money to want to come here. 2) They don't have Arkansas ties. The resolution of the Garland Good Government Group that, in view of the current crime situation in Hot Springs, the only criteria that matters is that the next police chief have a "documented record of reducing crime" was totally ignored. To prove our point, one application and resume from an individual that simply wants to move to Hot Springs in the future is attached. He is likely the best qualified candidate to ever apply for a police chief job in Arkansas but he was ruled out without so much as a call or inquiry. Read his application and his website by clicking here and see if you would agree that this individual could do great things for Hot Springs during a time when our primary focus should be to concentrate on our "out-of-control" crime. Let the city manager and board members know if you think we need an individual such as this to bring new modern crime fighting methods to our city.

Editors note: Could it be this applicant and others didn't make the finals because someone didn't want the public to know what great applicants we had and that they may look way too good when compared to their choice that they had made months ago? We think this may well be the situation. Remember, the city manager did not show the applications to the city board and is telling even the new board that HE is the one authorized to hire the next police chief. Big question is - do we let the city manager by with this?

New Police Chief Selected

From: The Informer - Hot Springs Date: December 15, 2010

The three finalists for the position of Hot Springs Police Chief were released today. They are David Flory, David Ebinger and Mike McCormick. Based on what we've seen on your site in the past you seem to have information on all the applicants for the position. If you have any information on the three finalists can you share them with us by posting their resumes?

Editors note: We do have their full resumes and application but these are quite lengthy. David Dodson Flory is the current police chief in Bedford, Texas, which is in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metropolitan area. You can see his picture and other information at www.BedfordPolice.com. He has spent his entire police career with the city of Bedford. He is a paramedic and still works part time in this capacity for the city of Arlington He graduated in nearby Euless, Texas. David Gray Ebinger is currently police chief in Moorehead, MN. Some information can be seen at www.MoorheadPolice.com. He spent the rest of his career with Little Rock, AR police department and held the positions of officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before moving to Minnesota. He holds degrees in criminal justice from UALR. Michael John McCormick is a captain with the Hot Springs, AR police department and currently serves as the interim chief. Mike has a BS in sociology from South Dakota State University and served as a deputy sheriff in Brookings, SD and for Garland County, AR before joining the Hot Springs police department. Here he served as patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. Both Flory and Ebinger appear to be well qualified as police chiefs and could bring new fresh ideas to our department even though both appear to have been selected due to their "Arkansas ties" (Flory owns a house at Hot Springs Village and Ebinger spent most of his career in Little Rock). This is unfortunate because numerous other candidates were better qualified and have proven records in reducing crime which are qualifications Hot Springs sorely needs. Unfortunately, the die has been cast. We have said before and remain convinced that the selection of Captain McCormick was made long ago. For the sake of public perception, we must go through the city manager's dog and pony show. Be sure to go meet the applicants because we, the taxpayers, are paying them to come waste their time talking to us. Oh, determine for yourself why the city manager is in such a rush and why he didn't let the city directors see the applications or his paring the 65 applicants down to 20 and then ranking them for the ad-hoc committee. His letter is as follows. The word "finalist" is as sent by email. We question whether or not it was intended to be plural in several cases.

Good afternoon, and thank you for your comments and concerns regarding the selection of the new Police Chief. When Chief Southard retired last June, we developed a recruitment and selection schedule that set a TARGET date of January 1st for a new chief. The schedule included time for developing recruitment materials, meeting national law enforcement publication dates, holding public input meetings in each Board district, etc. etc. There was no "rush," in fact, it is likely the whole process is going to take six months or more. As you are aware, by state law, the City Manager appoints subject to "override" by the Civil Service Commission. Of course, I (as would any City Manger) will keep the Board informed of the process and provide time for their interaction with the finalist. Should any finalist site visits be schedule before the end of the year, the Mayor-elect and the Director-elect will be invited to participate. In addition, I have formed an ad-hoc citizens committee to assist me in determining the finalist. The committee will complete telephone interviews with the last three of the 9 semi-finalist this week from which we will select the finalist to visit Hot Springs for a day or day and half process of formal interviews with myself and the committee, informal meetings with the Board (including Director and Mayor elect) and Civil Service Commission. We will also have community forums for the general public as well as tours of the Department. Hope this answers your concerns, if you have any questions please give me a call. Lance 321-6810

The above makes it abundantly clear that the city manager is not rushing but wants no help in the selection process from the new city board members. According to him, "state law" requires the city manager to do it this way!

Economic Forecast May Not Actually be as Great as Newspaper Reported

From: BD - Hot Springs Date: December 13, 2010

"Wow! It’s a Chamber of Commerce type of day today." We’ve all heard that old cliché used to describe beautiful sunny days with perfect temperature. Most people associate chambers of commerce with always putting the best possible spin on the weather, how great their town is, and numerous other extremely optimistic views of their area including the economic well-being of their particular communities. For these reasons, we can forgive recent comments by Mr. Dave Byerly with the local chamber for putting the best possible spin on how well the Hot Springs area is doing economically and otherwise. However, it is difficult to forgive the local newspaper for accepting the chamber’s rosy forecast as factual without doing any of their own research. Facts easily obtainable appear to indicate that neither Arkansas nor Hot Springs are doing very well.

As to how our state is doing, the website http://www.thecitywire.com/?q=node/9228 reports that figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce in early 2010 show that although Arkansas moved up in a national ranking of states based on 2009 per capita income, Arkansas’ per capita income declined compared to 2008, and the state’s increase in rank was primarily credited with other states having even bigger drops. The Bureau of Economic Analysis numbers show that Arkansas’ per capita income in 2009 was $31,946, which ranked 45th among the 50 U.S. states and was 82% of the national average. In 2008, the state’s per capita income was $32,257, which ranked 46th and was only 80% of the U.S. average.

The following quote is from Sunday’s Sentinel Record newspaper. “Dave Byerly, CEO of the Garland County Economic Development Corp. (GCEDC) said the study was performed free of charge at their request by Michael Pakko, chief economist and state economic forecaster for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Institute for Economic Advancement.” This statement leads one to believe that the GCEDC was responsible for having the study performed and it cost our taxpayers nothing. A check of the website http://www.arkansaseconomist.com/ seems to indicate that UALR, a state supported college, performs this study annually for the entire state irrespective of any local requests or attempted credit for the data. Personal income, real estate market, and sales were listed in the Sunday newspaper article as the indicators used in the study. Saturday’s article titled, “Economic forecast good for Spa City” lists employment and unemployment as reasons for the optimistic forecast.

Perhaps they didn’t believe the unemployment numbers listed in what certainly appears to be the same study they reference at http://www.arkansaseconomist.com/?tag=arkansas-metro-areas-msas for unemployment numbers because the data indicates that the Hot Springs MSA has higher unemployment than any of the seven Arkansas MSAs except for Pine Bluff and Fort Smith, which recently had major factory layoffs (chart below).

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, UALR Institute for Economic Advancement

In spite of what the local newspaper article published, this same site shows that the Hot Springs MSA personal per capita income decreased more than Little Rock – North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Texarkana MSAs. In fact, per capita income actually increased in Pine Bluff (chart below).

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Other employment data at http://www.iowaworkforce.org/trends/metro.html shows that the Hot Springs MSA ranked 223 out of 366 MSAs in 2007, so we were not in great shape even before the downturn. A quick look at www.discoverarkansas.net/ indicates that Arkansas education levels in the Hot Springs MSA are far below the national average and the Hot Springs composite cost of living index is higher than any MSA in Arkansas except for Little Rock / North Little Rock. Could our higher cost of living have anything to do with our paying an extra 3 percent tax to the A&P Commission and a couple of hundred thousand per year to Mr. Byerly for his economic development work?

The following chart from http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/HSPPCPI shows that Hot Springs per capita income actually came down during the last couple of years for the first time ever, beginning with the 1969 reporting period. Go to this federal website for much more statistical data for all U.S. cities, states, and MSAs.

Additional information for cities is found at http://www.city-data.com/city/Hot-Springs-Arkansas.html. While there, also check the crime ratings for Hot Springs. Pretty astounding stuff including off-the-chart crime rates at 2 to 3 times the national average. But we digress. This is definitely not something chambers of commerce want to report.

For additional information relative to population, income, unemployment, home sales and values, weather, crime, politics, and religion, see http://www.city-data.com/city/Hot-Springs-Arkansas.html#ixzz180GdDbJd.

Editors note: Wow! Lots of information to digest here but your points are well taken. Don't believe everything you hear because sometimes, everything you hear is only what people want you to hear. Thanks for the sites. Yep, it does appear that the study our local folks want to take credit for has been done annually for years.

Schools Have Methodically Removed Christ from Christmas

From: Karen White - Hot Springs Date: December 12, 2010

I want to explain the reason for the letter because even my own mother had no idea if I was just attacking public schools or praising this private one. She, as many who haven't been to school Christmas plays in a while may not know, there is no Manger or baby Jesus allowed in school Christmas plays, nor traditional Christmas carols involving the birth of Christ. She was shocked when she asked; "You mean there aren't Wise Men, or even Angels in the kids Christmas plays?" I told her no, not anymore. That is the reason I wrote the letter. To illustrate how far our society has devolved in one generation. I say one, because I was an angel in the school Christmas play at Oaklawn School here in Hot Springs, standing watch over the Christ child. My children will never experience that. That part of Christmas has been removed.

********************************************************************************************************************

During a recent Sunday morning service, my pastor stated, “What you laugh at, you will eventually embrace.” The truth of that statement hit me like a slap in the face on a recent Thursday night when I attended a local school Christmas program.

For 20 years, I have stood and enthusiastically applauded my children, nieces and nephews dressed as toy soldiers, reindeer and elves dancing around giant presents as they heralded in the arrival of the “star” of the school “Christmas” program. There was The Grinch or Rudolph, Charlie Brown and Lucy, or maybe Frosty. The shows were always spectacular and students worked so hard on the music and songs in order to make sure the story was portrayed perfectly. For years, what I thought was so cute and funny was, in reality, the complete and methodical removal of Christmas from schools as the holy event it is. What shook me to my core as I watched the play presented at this school was my complete acceptance of what public schools now teach our children as the meaning and traditions of Christmas. Through this simple children’s Christmas program, in 30 minutes time, I clearly saw what was done so gradually in our public schools. Falling into the commercial and politically correct trap required very little; in order for us to accept it, it had to be funny. On this night though, we were not in the auditorium of a public school. We were fortunate enough to attend the Christmas performance at Hot Springs Christian School, a tiny little school right in town that so few people even know exist. As I looked at the almost bare stage where there were no Disney characters or Santa’s elves, the room became hushed in reverence. There on the stage were children kneeling as Wise Men, the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and shepherds and angels. The angles danced with arms outstretched in worship and instead of heralding in a skeleton name Jack, they were heralding in The Messiah, the Christ child. From kindergartners to seniors, the children all participated in some way. Those on stage dressed in simple clothing, not elaborate costumes, and read aloud from the only script that has ever really been needed to tell the Christmas story: the Holy Bible. The impact of the stark difference of what I had grown up with and what I had been lulled into accepting over the last two decades was shocking and my pastor’s words reverberated in my ears. We accepted it because it was funny. I ask that Christians of all denominations examine what your children are being taught through “play.” I ask if you would help sustain this school with its wonderful academics, athletics and activities, but more importantly, without the moral and ethical relativism that is being taught in public schools today. I encourage those with children and grandchildren to consider touring Hot Springs Christian School and witness for themselves the impact this school has had on the lives of its students. Meet the certified life coaches and staff who care individually for each and every student. People of our generations will soon be all that is left to relay the truth. When our generation is gone, there will be no one to point out the ludicrousness of portraying The Grinch as the Christmas “star.”

Editors note: The above letter also appeared in the Sentinel Record but is so true and appropriate during this CHRISTMAS season that we also asked permission to post it here.

America's Founders Wanted Limited but Good Government

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: December 11, 2010

I just returned from listening to one of the best speakers that I have ever heard in my life. His name is David Barton, and he is without a doubt the nation's foremost expert in the United States Constitution and the Founding Fathers.

Hot Springs was blessed to have him appear at First Church of the Nazarene, where he conducted a seminar with our newly elected officials this morning and a public lecture beginning at 3:00 this afternoon. Everyone in the packed auditorium hung on every word, interrupting the lecture on several occasions to erupt in thunderous applause. Even though I had heard Mr. Barton on TV in the past, this was my first time to see him in person.

In very clear and concise terms, Mr. Barton spoke eloquently on the limited role that the founders intended for government to play in the lives of citizens, not only on a federal level, but on the local level as well. I was impressed to learn that Thomas Jefferson said that the role of government could be summed up in five things. Here is a paraphrase of Jefferson's five points to good government.

1.) Respect God

2.) Exercise frugality

3.) Punish criminals

4.) Encourage free enterprise

5.) Protect citizens property and income

Using these five principles, ask yourself a question. Has government in any form, from the city to the federal government, exercised and utilized these principles in governing the citizens that they are sworn to serve and protect? The answer would have to be a resounding "NO".

One point of the presentation that citizens of Hot Springs would be especially interested in was when he touched on property taxes and zoning. According to the Jefferson paraphrase above, government should protect the property and income of citizens; not take it. Property owners should not be taxed for the priviledge of owning property. Mr. Barton made the analogy that paying property taxes is the equivelant to leasing your own property from the government; and if you do not pay that lease amount, the government has given itself the right to take that property away. Much the same could be said for zoning regulations.

It was great to see all of our newly elected officials in attendance for this event. Conspiculously missing were any of the current officials of the city or county, nor any of those who consider themselves power brokers in Hot Springs. They may have learned a thing or two.

Editors note: Or, perhaps, they haven't learned anything at all and that is why they still don't show up to hear anyone else's views and opinions.

GGGG to Host Factual Radio Show

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: December 10, 2010

At the GGGG regular monthly meeting of December 9, 2010, the announcement was made that the GGGG now has its own radio talk show on KZNG, AM 1430. Beginning on Saturday, January 8, 2011, from 2 - 3 PM, This show will present some great benefits for residents of Hot Springs and Garland County.

For one thing, citizens will learn of news items that the local newspaper does not or will not print in a truthful, non-biased and non-partisan manner. Guests and guest hosts will be providing factual and insightful information on a wide variety of topics that affect the lives and wallets of the public. Call-in sections of the show will give citizens an opportunity to share their views.

I for one am very excited about being a part of this new growth for the GGGG and Hot Springs. This is a big step in the continuing effort to bring open, honest and transparent government to Hot Springs and Garland County.

Editors note: We share your optimism. With the newly elected city and county officials plus the GGGG weekly radio show, the public should see Hot Springs truly take a new direction. Our city has such great potential and, hopefully, the good ol' boys have finally lost the strangle-hold that has hampered our growth and prosperity for way too long.

Site Wrongfully Accused of Making Untrue Allegations

From: Old Observer - Hot Springs Date: December 9, 2010

Tell me please that you are not alledging that a city manager does not know what a metropolitan statistical area is. Your answer to Brian White's item yesterday accused our city manager of misrepresenting the Hot Springs MSA. This can not be accurate. I do plan to visit with Mr. Hudnell soon and clear this up. This is like you saying he doesn't know where the city limits are or how big Hot Springs is. You should know better than do reporting like this. Once you find the facts you may have to eat some crow.

Editors note: It is great to see hear that you cannot believe any city manager would not know the size or scope of the MSA in which he manages the principal city. Our site posts information sent to us but our comments are made, to the best of our ability, on facts that are available. We did confirm the Sentinel Record newspaper report of November 30 which clearly stated, "City Manager Lance Hudnell said the MSA consisted of 'a good portion of the county, Hot Springs Village, and other areas.'" The same newspaper on December 7 (page 2) printed what was titled, "Clarification" which stated, "Hudnell has since said that was in error and the MSA, for the most part, consists of an area slightly larger than the city limits, and does not take in any of the Village." The facts are simple. Neither statement is true. All 362 MSAs (as of June 2010) use county lines as their boundaries and, likewise, the Hot Springs MSA includes all of Garland County. Some MSAs include more that one county (e.g., Pine Bluff MSA includes three counties, see map below) We don't make this stuff up. Read your newspaper Old Observer, do a little research, call the government, then go out, shoot yourself a crow, and enjoy the meal.

City Manager's Newspaper "Clarification" More False Than His Initial Statements

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: December 8, 2010

I thought the loyal readers of Hot Springs Talk, especially those in Hot Springs Village, would like to see this "clarification" that appeared in the Sentinel - Record on Tuesday, December 7, 2010.

CLARIFICATION

"In a front page article published in the Sentinel - Record on Nov. 30 regarding recently released crime rate figures for the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area, City Manager Lance Hudnell said the MSA consisted of "a good portion of the county, Hot Springs Village, and other areas."

Hudnell has since said that was in error and the MSA, for the most part, consists of an area slightly larger than the city limits, and does not take in any of the Village."

I guess Mr. Hudnell couldn't stand the heat and got out of the kitchen, especially since good 'ole boys Steve Arrison and Dave Byerly set off a "firestorm" with their ill-thought-out and amateurish comments.

Editors note: Unbelievable! This further demonstrates the fact that far too many of our city leaders are eager to express their opinions without knowing any of the facts but to follow up one falsehood with an even bigger one is truly unbelievable. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in conjunction with the U.S. Census Bureau define an MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) as including, as a minimum, the principal city and the county in which it is located. Wikipedia clearly shows that Hot Springs MSA consists of ALL of Garland County, no more, no less. Check with the U.S. Government and you will discover that MSA code 26300 refers to Hot Springs, AR MSA with the principal city being Hot Springs and the area being Garland County.

A simple Google search provides numerous Hot Springs MSA related sites, all of which show the the MSA covers the entire county. Sites such as Tripwiser.com and givemehotsprings.com/HotSpringsInformation even go so far as to state, "Hot Springs MSA is the only MSA on the most dangerous (crime) list with a population of under 100,000." How can the city manager NOT know the boundaries of our MSA especially since we have only been an MSA for a few years? Of course, we also asked how can a city manager with one of the worst crime ratings in the entire country propose to hire a police chief from within the department that contributed to having such a poor crime rating? We predicted this inappropriate action but just learned how accurate we were this past weekend. Oh, the most important aspect of these facts is that Hot Springs crime rating would be much worse per capita if the MSA did not include the village area because their crime rate is one of the lowest in the country.

More Village Residents Upset by Being Linked to Hot Springs' Crime

From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: December 2, 2010

Thank you Betty (see post below) for alerting us to what the Hot Springs City Manager was saying about us. We don't take the Hot Springs paper but went out and got one after reading your letter to Hot Springs Talk. We would also like to inform Mr. Hudnell that crime hardly exists in Hot Springs Village and we have twenty times fewer police officers than his city per resident. How dare he say that the MSA crime rate is higher because the MSA includes the Village? The fact is the Hot Springs MSA crime rate is much lower because the Village is in it. A neighbor said Mr. Hudnell reminded him of the person whose car became worthless because he ignored the low oil warning sign. Well Mr. Hudnell and those others who are agreeing with him are not only ignoring the warning signs but they are looking at them and refusing to believe the facts. Betty and our neighbors are right. To just say that numbers are wrong without any proof is the same as saying the low oil warning sign is wrong. Mr. Hudnell is not part of the problem. He is the problem and he can make his city worthless just like the car became worthless. We used shop in Hot Springs but we now go to Benton and Little Rock rather than fight our way through the downtown with that bottleneck on your website, the noisy motorcycles, big trucks parked in the street, and jaywalkers or pedestrians who always have the right of way. We moved here from a large urban area to get away from those kinds of problems including crime. We are happy to live here in the peace and quite of Hot Springs Village and dine or shop in Benton, Bryant or even Little Rock west side without being part of the problems of Hot Springs. We would thank Mr. Hudnell and his ilk if he will be so kind to quit including us as contributing to their problems when they won't even acknowledge they have them. We notice your website thinks he is not doing the right thing by hiring a police chief with Arkansas ties. We agree that new ideas wouldn't hurt Hot Springs. They have been in a rut and going downhill ever since we moved here. Ask Mr. Hudnell where that murderer from a couple of days ago and the bank robber in the news today are from. We bet they don't live in Hot Springs Village.

Editors note: You are correct. Both perpetrators live in the city of Hot Springs. Most of us know that the Village does not adversely effect the Hot Springs Metro crime rate and, in fact, actually makes the overall crime rate look better than it really is. Please give Hot Springs another chance after the new city board takes over. We are very optimistic that they will begin to turn our city around.

Hot Spring Village Residents Don't Appreciate Being Called Criminals

From: Betty - Hot Springs Village Date: December 1, 2010

I would like to address those brilliant officials who were quoted in the Sentinel Record yesterday. For example - "Keep in mind the MSA designation takes in more than the city of Hot Springs. It's a good portion of the county, Hot Springs Village, and other areas," Lance Hudnell said. The MSA is all of the county, not a good portion Mr. Hudnell. How can you not know this? Secondly you infer that we older people who live in the village add to Hot Springs city crime rate. Can you name a single offense committed by any of us? You also infer that Hot Springs does not have a serious crime problem but state - "We're arresting people in almost record numbers every day...". Did you ever stop to think your statements of not having a crime problem but making arrests in record numbers conflict?

The brilliant interim police chief McCormick said - "There's a lot of different organziations that keep track of crime statistics and every one of them uses a different methodology". I am told and have done some research which show that all of the statistics come from the FBI. If this is not correct please send whatever other source is used to the web site I sent this to. They would probably publish it wouldn't you? You - McCormick - infer that you have 70,000 people in a town of 35,000. Where did you get those numbers - out of the air? You seem to say that these visitors are committing the crimes. Is this really what you mean? If so - what are they doing and who is doing it? You have the records. Let us see them. Don't just expect us to believe the visitors are committing all the crimes. What is different about your crime reports from other cities? Are you the only town using that - "National Incident Based Reporting System"?

Here's another newspaper quote - "If you run out of toilet paper, I'd recommend this report," said Steve Arrison, CEO of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. Well Mr. Arrison I hate to waste to paper needed to comment on your comment. How old are you - 10 or 12 I'm guessing based on your childish comment. You go on to say - "...there is no way in the world that we are in the top 10 or whatever they said". Your end to that statement makes us wonder if you even read the report. If you did - what training and experience gives you the right to say the FBI is wrong? Your statement - "I think people realize these reports are just what they are - people trying to sell books" leads me to ask you just how many more books will they sell because they list Hot Springs with the 6th worst crime ranking in the country? Carefully read your next statement - "I don't think this is the first time we've been listed, and we can come out with all the reports and numbers to show that's not true, but people will remember the first report. It depends on which report you want to refer to. This was the latest to get publicity and we're in the top 10. I can find five or six to show we're in the bottom 10. It's all relative," Arrison said. Okay Mr. Arrison - walk the walk by sending those 5 or 6 showing us how Hot Springs in in the bottom 10. Otherwise you need to admit you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Okay Mr Byerly makes a lot of statements which - unlike Arrison - shows that he probably read the report but your statement - "Hot Springs being No. 6 on the list means absolutely nothing except for the fact it hurts us. It's not the reality on the ground," he said. Mr. Byerly are you saying the FBI numbers are incorrect and not reality? Are you saying they made up numbers and aren't using the numbers our police department sent them? Are you saying every other city uses a different crime reporting method? Don't just tell us - show us - please.

Please invite these officials to answer my questions and will you publish them when they do? Most of all gentlemen - put up or shut up. And please unless you catch us selling dope or robbing liquor stores in your town - stop calling us who live in Hot Springs Village criminals.

Editors note: By all means, we will join you in inviting any official to provide the answers to your questions and the data to back-up their claims. We will gladly publish all data as soon as it comes it but don't hold your breath. These sorts of invitations have been made before. Oh, please see the "Editors note" for the posting below, previous research has proven that Hot Springs Village enjoys one of the lowest crime rakings in the county. It is definitely NOT you and your neighbors causing a rise in crime in Hot Springs. We know this for a fact even if our city leaders do not. Until our city leaders recognize and admit that we have a serious crime problem irrespective of our "crime ranking," they will do nothing to solve it. Unlike the city manager's ad-hoc police chief selection committee who are insisting on a chief with "Arkansas ties," we continue to insist that the new police chief be from outside the city and state. We need a chief that will not only recognize our crime problem but also can recognize our police department organizational and morale problems. We will continue to insist that the new chief have a proven record of reducing crime.

More Excuses Made Available for Our City "Experts" to Use

From: Ted Burhenn - Hot Springs Date: November 30, 2010

In light of today’s article about Hot Springs being NUMBER SIX most crime ridden in the country, City Manager Lance Hudnell and Interim Police Chief Mike McCormick, seem to be running a little low on excuses. I would like to take this time to replenish their list of reputable explanations and solutions.

1. It isn’t Hot Springs with the problem, it’s all those other cities with low crime rates that make us look bad.

2. We don’t really have that much crime, we have too many people.. (that one may be overdone)

3. It’s all those criminals in Hot Springs Village….

4. … and in the County

5. Steve’s got 5 or 6 reports that puts us in the top safest cities.

6. These reports are bad for our tourism and should be suppressed…

7. Lance says we’re arresting people as fast as we can…

8. We really shouldn’t count crime from illegals, transients and homeless. Only home owners should be counted.

9. Is assault really a crime? We’re asking our citizens to take it on the chin for their community.

10.Somewhere in Hot Spring someone is committing a crime every half hour. All we have to do is find that guy and stop him.

11. We have reached our quota on crime for this year so we are shutting down the 911 office until May 2011.

12. If the same type of crime occurs multiple times during a given night, we should only report that as one crime. (Oh, we are doing that now).

13. We should consider legalizing Meth, so that won’t be a crime any more.

14. If number 9 works for us, we might consider legalizing other crimes, bank robbery and the like.

15. Hey what do you want? We’re cracking down on J-Walkers.

16. And finally: Isn’t it enough that we have nice expensive parks? What is it with you guys anyway? Aren’t you ever satisfied?

Editors note: Careful that the eminently qualified crime spokesmen (you didn't mention) that we mistakenly hired as tourism professionals quoted in today's paper (see article following) don't hear of your ideas. They would likely be posted as a "front page" story. It is really a stretch when these folks attribute Hot Springs crime to people in Hot Springs Village which, by the way, is listed as one of America's safest places to live and to blame the tourists that come here. Okay you tourism experts, just shut down the National Park, the lakes, the casino, all hotels, restaurants, and those souvenir joints. Lets also tax those tourists another 3%. Anything to keep those pesky tourists out of town so we can reduce crime, right? Perhaps you brilliant minds may want to stop and think before being interviewed by the newspaper again.

Crime Expertise of Advertising Chief and Chamber Guru Questioned

From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: November 30, 2010

While checking my E-mail this morning my wife reads me the story on crime and how the city manager, acting chief, Steve Arrission, and Dave Beyerly all say the statistics the Arkansas Democrat, local television stations and you reported were all wrong. I did some looking on my own and found the FBI website on which I assume the stats are based. It is www2.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2009/offenses/violent_crime/index.html. You have to select the MSA under Browse by and then go down to Hot Springs. The offense rate is listed for every MSA in the country. How can these guys say the FBI is wrong when all the police departments give the information to the FBI for them to make these lists and what makes these guys qualified to even question the FBI. The Arrission character says he has many other lists that disagree with the FBI. Where the hell are those lists? Why does the Hot Springs paper give him and the chamber guy any credibility at all? They are not criminologists, policemen, or even very smart people are they? Why doesn't the paper just call the FBI and ask them where that information comes from and report that. If the FBI isn't a credible source of information - who is, Hudnell, Arrission, and Beyerly? Give us credit for knowing when these yokels are blowing smoke and trying to feed us B.S.

Editors note: What we said in the article below, "Don't be too terribly surprised when the city manager or police chief comes up with some cockamamie study showing that the crime rate has gone down" is certainly worth repeating. Note that this was predicted two days ago. We just didn't anticipate the newspaper would bother asking the two other gentlemen who were interviewed. Their expertise in the field of crime is not sufficient to impress us either. In other words, we agree that it someone must have wanted some smoke blown. Just be thankful that yesterday's front page reported another murder in the middle of our city. Okay, so they called it a "shooting," but we know are learning to read between the lines.

Police Chief Selection is Deja Vu All Over Again

From: Ted Burhenn - Hot Springs Date: November 28, 2010

The article below was written over three years ago. Not much has changed except Kent obviously wasn’t the problem or a least wasn't the only problem. We have waited this long without fixing anything. Why can’t we wait until the new mayor is in office before we appoint a new police chief?

City Manager Has Head Buried in the Sand

We all know the story about the two girl ostriches being harassed by the two boy ostriches. They stuck their head in the sand and the two boys said, “Now where did they go?” Like the ostriches, the City Manager thinks that the Public Safety Issue will go away.

The Garland Good Government Group presented a very comprehensive study on the excessive crime in Hot Springs based on FACTS from various crime reporting agencies including our own police department. Kent Myers’ only comment was that the facts were wrong. In other words, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Arkansas Crime Information Center is giving out bad information. The seven people who were killed this year aren’t really dead, all the women who were raped were not raped after all and nobody was mugged or beaten. Not in his office anyway.

My apologies to all the victims of the Hot Springs Crime Wave. With the exception of the city manager, you are not statistics that we can ignore. Your pain is shared by everyone in our community. We think about you as we walk downtown shopping. We think about you walking out to our car at the mall. Yes, we even think about you standing in front of the City Hall. We think about you in the “safety” of your own homes. You were not safe when you should have been and neither are we. Now that the City Manager’s priorities are focused on a new City Hall, funding for public safety could be delayed for 25 years while we pay for it.

Mr. Myers should be more concerned about a solution, not a cover up. How does he do that? Instead of sending the Parks Director to Japan when they don’t have budgeted money to maintain the parks, instead of “buying” the Stepford Director’s votes by shipping them off to Japan and New Orleans, maybe just maybe, he should listen to the Police Chief instead of hiring “Yes Sir Department Heads.” Maybe he should allow the Police and Fire Department to retain the money budgeted to them instead of transferring it back to the general fund in administrative fees and $70 oil changes.

Yes, Mr. Myers, pull your head out of the sand, the problem is here and will not go away by changing the way you report crime. Besides the part of you that is still exposed should be the part you should cover.

Editors note: Thanks. This is still a great and very perceptive assessment of what continues to be the thinking of our city manager. After all, he was trained by Mr. Myers. We should, indeed, wait and allow the new directors and mayor a voice in the police chief's selection. Again, we continue to hope that the city manager will pull his head out of the proverbial sand and hire an outside police chief with a documented record of reducing crime. No such individual exists in Hot Springs Police Department or they would have already reduced our crime, would they not? Don't be too terribly surprised when the city manager or police chief comes up with some cockamamie study showing that the crime rate has gone down. This may appear factual because the PD started combining offense reports and, sometimes, they don't even make a report. It is amazing how many citizens have complained that they could not get a "police report" on items they had reported and are told, "that item has no report available since it is still under investigation." While we are reminiscing, remember how well the city manager and his crack team did on the last police chief selection. It was the GGGG that did the research and confronted the city manager's number one pick by asking him why he was representing himself as the current police chief from Casa Grande, NM when he was fired over a month before showing up in Hot Springs. It was also the GGGG that pointed out their number two selection from Oklahoma City was not a chief but was working as a security guard. Yes, we recommended that the internal applicant be hired. He was a better choice because the city manager and his team did not do their research very well. Funny how we can spend millions on consultants but not a few thousand on a professional "head-hunter."

Kudos Are Always Welcome Here

From: Anonymous - Hot Springs Date: November 27, 2010

I would like to withhold my name from this, since I am in a sensitive position and don't want it compromised. I have been watching your group for some time now, and although I don't always agree with you, you've been right on the money about just about everything you've said.

I saw on Facebook that you are wanting to put local news stories on your website that the paper won't print. That's a great idea. What those folks don't print could fill a New York City phone book.

I have heard people in certain circles bashing your group, but I think it's because you keep catching them with their hands in the cookie jar and piggy bank. If the truth were known, this city would be in a lot worse shape if the GGGG weren't there. You've gotten a bad rap from some people, and unfortunately, they're the ones that control the media in this town. However, with the popularity of the internet and networking sites like Facebook, the truth still gets out there.

Keep up the good work. A lot of folks who don't or can't say so are on your side.

Editors note: Thanks. It is notes like yours that keep us going. The truth is what we always try to dig up and show the public so they can be informed. Stay tuned, you are about to see a wealth of information we have collected concerning what has happens in our local police department. Unbelievable stuff but most of our officers have never worked anywhere else and appear to think their way is the way all police departments are supposed to work.

Open Letter to HS City Manager on Police Chief Selection

From: Jim McCafferty - Hot Springs Date: November 27, 2010

Dear Mr. Hudnell – The front page report in yesterday’s (Sat, 11/27) Democrat-Gazette suggests that crime is still a problem in Hot Springs. This is not good news. I understand that the City is about to hire a new police chief. This is welcome. But I also understand that there is some “urgency” at City Hall to make this appointment before the end of the year – that is, before the new people recently elected to the City Board can take their seats. That seems like a bad idea to me. What’s the rush? Now it may be that the Board is technically without legal authority to affect the choice of the new chief. But that does not mean that the Board should not participate, even if informally, in the selection process. This is in part a political issue. Seems to me that there should be a “consensus” by City officials, going forward, on the new chief. The new Mayor, in particular, will have to live with the choice, and should not be a stranger to the deal. I urge you to wait until after the new Directors are seated before completing the process for selection of the new Police Chief.

Respectfully submitted, Jim McCafferty, Hot Springs

Editors note: Our information is consistent with the unnecessary "urgency" you describe. Additionally, we understand that the selection has already been made and the new chief will be the currently acting police chief. We agree with a reader (below) that the current chief is an upstanding and honest man but strongly feel that the new directors and mayor should be a major part of the selection process. These back-room deals and improper selections just could be part of the reason we have such problems in our town and part of the reason our police department has a clique improperly running the department. We will soon publish survey forms submitted by members of the police department which will graphically point out the problems within the police department. We also strongly feel that only a chief hired from "outside" the city and state can reorganize the department and truly begin to have a real impact on reducing crime in our city.

"Plain Wrong" to Exclude New Mayor and Board from PD Chief Selection Process

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: November 27, 2010

Well, it looks like our local paper missed the boat again, not mentioning a word about the crime rate story that made it to the front page of the Democrat-Gazette. What else is new. The Sentinel Record has been missing the real story about a lot of things for years. At least there are places like Hot Springs Talk where news that they are afraid to print can still reach the public.

I am concerned about the selection process for our next chief of police. Let me be clear right away that I have absolutely nothing against acting chief Mike McCormick. He may very well be the right man for the job. I think that he has done an excellent job so far. The bone that I have to pick is with the selection process itself.

As I understand it, one of the criteria that has resulted in the disqualification of candidates is that they don't have "Arkansas ties". What the heck does that have to do with anything? The drug gangs and cartels shipping their merchandise into Hot Springs don't have Arkansas ties either. When several Arkansas cities are in the top ten on the crime report, maybe Arkansas ties is not such a good thing.

There also seems to be a rush on to get a final decision on a chief before the new administration takes over, thus excluding Mayor-elect Ruth Carney and Director-elect Karen Garcia from the process, but leaving them with the outcome. This is just plain wrong. Can someone on the Civil Service Commission or the City of Hot Springs please explain to me and the thousands of other citizens that they work for, why a decision this important can't wait until these new officials are sworn in? A rush to judgment is never a good thing. It looks very unprofessional and generally leads to poor decisions.

I would like to see the qualifications of all of the finalists published in the newspaper so that the public can have access to the same information as those making the decision do. An informed public is the best way to ensure accountability and transparency.

Editors note: We could not agree with you more. You likely won't be surprised to learn that the best qualified applicants, in terms of proven success fighting crime, did not even make the "committee's" final list. The single best qualified candidate did not even make the top 20 list (out of 65 applicants) and, thus, was not even considered by the select "committee" of "good ol' boys." Your point is extremely well taken. The new board is inheriting the crime problem of a city which the New York Times Almanac calls "America's Most Dangerous City (pp 321), FBI files indicate has the "highest property crime rate" (for cities over 30,000) in the entire country, and the Arkansas Democrat - Gazette plus local television stations have reported just yesterday is the center of the 6th worst crime rate for a metropolitan area. It is totally unfair to allow the same folks that contributed to these problems make this important selection for the new board.

Hot Spring's Crime Rate Published in Statewide Newspaper but Not Published Locally

From: Jim McCafferty - Hot Springs Date: November 27, 2010

To the Sentinel Record

Dear Editor – While your report on Friday’s downtown t-shirt shop foot traffic was encouraging, I somehow missed your article on the latest crime statistics report by CQ Press. The Democrat-Gazette had it on the front page. Where should I look in the S-R? This CQ report might be an important piece of news, given that Hot Springs is apparently about to hire a permanent Police Chief.

Editors note: Uh Jim, it wasn't in the local newspaper but then, we think you already knew that. We citizens are fed only the news we need to know as determined by the local "good ol' boys" but we think you probably also knew that. A brief overview of what made front-page headlines in the state newspaper is as follows. The highest crime rate of 347 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) was Detroit followed by Pine Bluff, Memphis, Lake Charles, Lawton, Hot Springs, Flint, Las Vegas, and Little Rock. Click here to see the entire chart. As usual, the police and city officials quoted in the article questioned the statistics and tried to find fault with FBI records used rather than addressing the problem. Yep, we are set to hire a permanent police chief from the ranks of our local police department. We can also say, with our tongue firmly implanted in our cheek, that hiring a chief from the police department with the 6th worst crime rate in the country makes a lot of sense, huh?

Here's the "Rest of the Story" on Education at HSSD

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: November 26, 2010

I am writing this in addition to the post by Karen Lynn regarding education in Hot Springs. I once heard Governor Beebe say that to cure the problems of any city, one must begin with education. I absolutely agree with that statement. There are some real problems with the Hot Springs School District. All of them could be fixed with time and cooperation by the administration, but that cooperation has not been very forthcoming. Although the school board and district administration are privately well aware of the problems, the public is kept in the dark.

A huge example is, as Karen pointed out, the deplorable benchmark test scores. Where is the public outcry over passing children through the grades who can't read? You certainly won't find it in the local newspaper without a magnifying glass. These items, which should be front page news, are buried with the legal notices. Why? A clue may lie in the fact that at every school board meeting, Superintendent Joyce Craft tells the assembled administrators that they continue to receive favorable media coverage, not to mention the thousands of dollars worth of advertising that the district spends with the Sentinel Record. What they don't seem to realize is that anyone with a shred of computer savvy can find the truth of the matter. In order for anything to change, the district needs to start telling the truth about the situation within the district.

Last year I proudly watched one of my children graduate from Hot Springs High School. What I didn't realize, but was later told by a school board member, was that many of the young people standing on that stage were not really graduating, but were going through the motions. I wonder what percentage of the approximately 140 seniors on that stage actually graduated? Another distressing point that the board member made was that in the years since they had been elected, graduation rates were only a fraction this year of what they had been during the member's first year of service.

At a younger level, the problems at the Hot Springs Middle School are almost too numerous to mention. In all of my travels through large cities and small, I have never encountered a more violent school. Children are being bullied there to the point of hospitalization for either physical or psychological trauma on a regular basis. These incidents are rarely reported as required by law. Many of the incidents are reported as excessive horseplay, or dealt with internally. Again, there is no public outcry because the public at large is unaware of the situation. The Middle School administration has a plethora of excuses, but no real answers. The local newspaper is either unaware of the situation, which is doubtful since I know that they have been notified, or are choosing to ignore the gravity of the situation.

There is a solution, but it is going to take time and a cooperative effort to achieve it. First and foremost, the school district needs to start being honest with the public. The board needs to roll up their sleeves and start holding people in administrative positions accountable. If they are not doing the job, they need to go.

Secondly, a cooperative effort needs to take place between community leaders, business, law enforcement and others to change the mindset of a lot of these children, many of whom are being raised in less than ideal domestic situations. Young people have to have hope. Hope for a future that is far better than their current situation. They need encouragement to reach for their dreams and people standing by to assist them in achieving those goals. They need business people and tradesmen willing to share their experience and their craft in order to give these young people an alternative to earning a living on the streets. The list goes on and on.

It has to start somewhere, and that start must be TRUTH.

Editors note: The following is a post that was received enabling readers to research and find the rankings for any Arkansas school district but the data referenced below is only for Hot Springs School District (HSSD).

State Ratings References: http://www.hssd.net/index.php?q=node/149

On the bottom of the school's published legal notice in the newspaper, "Report to the public" it is stated, "Hot Springs School District received accreditation status for all schools." This obviously does not mean they are accredited, it just means that they received the status for each school. What the schools failed to publish was what that status is.

As per the HSSD website, "All of the Hot Springs School District schools received accredited status on the annual Arkansas Department of Education Accredited Status Report. The Hot Springs School District is in compliance with the National and State Educational Standards and will continue to progress towards accomplishing all of its district’s goals." Click to see the District Report Card.

When you select and click Hot Springs on the statewide district reporting website it takes you to a report for 2006 - 2009 but when you look up at the "Accreditation Status" that legally has to be there, here's the truth! The statement by HSSD, "All of the Hot Springs School District schools received accredited status" is obviously untrue.

Langston: NO

Oaklawn: Yes

Gardner NO

Hot Springs Middle School: NO

Hot Springs High School: NO

Park: Yes

Editors note: This data is obviously follow-ups to the posting below. It certainly appears that only the magnet schools are accredited. We also took the liberty of exploring the website referenced and noted that while the attendance rate has remained virtually steady, the dropout rate has increased and the graduation rate is in serious steady decline. The site shows a graduation percentage drop from 72.1% in 2007 to 57.4% in 2008 to 48.8% in 2009 (click here to see). This should be totally unacceptable to every citizen in the district.

Hot Springs Doesn't Rank Too Well in Education Either

From: Karen Lynn - Hot Springs Date: November 23, 2010

Today's paper in the small print (see below); Does anyone care? Does anyone understand how important great schools are for a great town? Why would industry or business come to this town if we don't have the educational support needed for workers or for their children? We've spent a fortune on IB and tried it for NINE YEARS. It's not working. We've built 12 million dollar new schools. We've spent millions on sports. Something DIFFERENT must be done IMMEDIATELY if we want the crime to go down and property values and tax revenue to go up in Hot Springs. Nothing will change in Hot Springs until something changes in EDUCATION.

REPORT TO PUBLIC - NOTICE HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 2010 DISTRICT PERFORMANCE STANFORD ACHIEVEMENT TEST 2009 -2010; NATIONAL PERCENTILE RANK; COMBINED POPULATION DISTRICT...

Third Grade Reading Comprehension 42
Third Grade Mathematics-Problem Solving 50
Fourth Grade Reading Comprehension 64
Fourth Grade Mathematics – Problem Solving 64
Fifth Grade Reading Comprehension 44
Fifth Grade Mathematics-Problem Solving 53
Sixth Grade Reading Comprehension 43
Sixth Grade Mathematics-Problem Solving 59
Seventh Grade Reading Comprehension 48
Seventh Grade Mathematics-Problem Solving 51
Eighth Grade Reading Comprehension 47
Eighth Grade Mathematics-Problem Solving 58
NINTH GRADE READING COMPREHENSION 31

Ninth Grade Mathematics-Problem Solving 56

Arkansas Benchmark Examinations2009-2010
Percent at or Above Proficient Level Combined Population

Third Grade Literacy 59
Third Grade Mathematics 80
Fourth Grade Literacy 69
Fourth Grade Mathematics 79
Fifth Grade Literacy 60
Fifth Grade Mathematics 67
Sixth Grade Literacy 65
Sixth Grade Mathematics 68
Seventh Grade Literacy 58
Seventh Grade Mathematics 63
Eighth Grade Literacy 58
Eighth Grade Mathematics 51

End of Course Examinations Combined Population2009-2010
Algebra I 66
Geometry 64
Literacy 66

Editors note: We are assuming 70 is the minimal acceptable percentage rating. It is obvious that Hot Springs is well below state educational achievement levels and even further behind national levels. So what else is new? We also have the distinction of being the "most dangerous city in America" with the country's highest property crime rate and now the entire metro area (county) is rated as having the 6th. highest violent crime rate in the U.S. (see the "News" page or click here). In addition, we recently discovered the Arkansas has the highest poverty rate and hunger rate in the county. Couple these factors with Garland County having the highest number of child abuse cases and ask yourself why aren't all citizens enraged about these facts. Except for that one encouraging factor, our recent elections, one would almost want to just give up and move, huh?

Professionalism of Police Department Administration Questioned from Within

From: Anonymous - Hot Springs Date: November 11, 2010

We thought you may be interested in seeing the shift guidelines we got quite a while back. We didn't think much about it at the time but we know he is on the list to be moved up and we are not sure he should be Captain. You can use this but don't use our names, sign us anonomous or something. We would like to talk to someone with your group later on similar things we think are important but you may not agree with. Let us know because we got some surveys and haven't filled them out because we don't know what they will do with them. More later if you want it.

Editors note: This correspondence was actually received several months ago but was not published due to the determination (at the time) that internal police affairs should be kept internal if the public is to retain confidence in their ability to "serve and protect." This information is now posted due to the fact that the individual credited for authoring the "Midnight Shift Guidelines" (click here to see) is reported to be number one on the Hot Springs Civil Service Commission list for promotion to the rank of captain. It further appears that several of the infamous "good ol' boys" are determined to promote both our current "acting chief" and this individual before the new board takes office. One can only wonder why and what they are up to this time. While reading the "guidelines," we must ask if this is the professionalism we need for "second in command" at PD. Another short email asked an equally pertinent question. "Why would a city with a serious crime problem hire a chief from the city with the worst rated crime problem in the county?" Good question, huh?

With Newly Elected Officials, We Will All Be Winners

From: Barbara Anabel - Hot Springs Resident Date: November 7, 2010

What a fabulous start we will have toward resolving city/county matters!!

With the newly elected persons taking office, I know they have as a first priority the "will of the people" and I look forward to seeing the Mayor, City Board of Directors, and the County representatives all work on the issues of importance to all of Garland County. I know that with a respectful attitude toward each other, and a cohesive effort put forth, we will get much more done and we will all be winners!

Editors note: Hopefully, you are correct. There are still a couple of "good ol' boys" on the city board but at least, they are now in the minority and, hopefully, will learn to work for the best interest of the city. See related story in "Commentary" section.

Got Questions for City Board? "Send Those Cards and Letters In Folks"

From: Ted Burhenn - Hot Springs Date: November 3, 2010

Now that we have a new Mayor and one new director, maybe we can get some answers to some old questions.

Why did Lance and Steve spend $4,000,000 trying to justify a fresh water intake against the advice of the Arkansas Health Department?

Why is the City spending a rumored $5,000 per day (loss) to run empty busses all over town? If you go to the transportation depot around 1 PM, three busses will pull up and one or two passengers will get on/off. We would be better served to operate a shuttle bus free like many of the resort cities around the county where such service is supported by the local merchants (hotels, motels, and restaurants). Shouldn't it be funded by the A/P tax? At least they would get some return for the money.

Why does every employee need a cell phone and why don’t we monitor the usage to determine if calls made are legitimate? Like during business hours.

Why do so many of the employees need a city vehicle? And if they do, why do they need to take them home or leave the office in them to take lunch? Shouldn’t they be driving their own car?

Why do the Department Heads continue to get tremendous pay increases and the working employees get nothing?

What about a Water/Wastewater Commission scares the present administration?

What is wrong with a controlled open mike during director’s meetings?

Why are we repaying pension funds for fire and police that were already paid by the taxpayer, and invested poorly, so now the city BOD has a major obligation in the budget to continue to compensate this poor investment. How many times do taxpayers owe for retirement funds to workers? NOBODY is guaranteed to succeed at their investment strategy............this is financial lunacy!

Those are just a few questions. Maybe we can now get a few answers. Oh, how about asking your readers, “What would YOU like to have answers for?” “Send those cards and letters in folks”

Editors note: Sounds like a great idea to us. We have spent several years trying to get answers to these and numerous other questions like, "Why do we have a bottleneck that congests traffic and is a public safety hazard?" Unfortunately, most all our questions have been totally ignored and, in some cases, even ridiculed for anyone having the nerve to ask. We are in the process of compiling a similar list of questions and concerns to present to the new city board. This list will be published here when it is completed. In the interim, please do send us your questions and concerns.

McCabe's Obnoxious Comments Hard To Find

From: Peachy24 - Hot Springs Date: October 31, 2010

Hooray, Hooray, Its Halloween and Weatherford has his orange and black signs all over town and Pat McCabe has his orange and black Halloween ad in the Sentinel Record newspaper again. I told you a couple of weeks ago about McCabes obnoxious comments and thanks to you for linking to them again. He is warped to say those things about women and is just plain vulgar. I see Dr. Robertson finally ran an ad saying McCabe lied about him but the link in his ad goes to the long court documents on your website and his vulgarities are hard to find unless you read for an hour. Can you link to something shorter or point to his vulgar comments about women?

Editors note: We received several comments similar to yours and published the entire PDF document to avoid any appearance of not providing what we think is the entire court documentation relative to his comments. Those can still be seen by clicking here. However, we did convert the document to Word, highlighted the more abusive comments in yellow, shortened the document, and converted it back to PDF format. We did note that some conversion errors occurred but most of the "vulgar" comments to which you refer are still basically intact. You can see this shortened version by clicking here.

Taxpayers Pay Thousands for Director and Mayor Personal Cell Phone Calls?

From: Fact Digger - Hot Springs Date: October 31, 2010

Call Director Elaine Jones at 545-3426 and ask her (concerning the attached cell phone records):

What the $40 per month office sync feature does?

Did she reimburse the city for any of the calls?

Does she think it is right for taxpayers to pay $20 - $40 for her roaming calls to friends and family?

What did she do with the $100 plus data charges she made several months?

What business does the city have with Jamie Calhoun (200 calls)?

Editors note: Wow! That is a lot of calls apparently paid for by we taxpayers. Click here to access the attached list of phone calls made on Jones' and Bush's city provided cell phones. Click here to see the actual bills. We would have the same questions but don't think either of them would give us honest answers so we have decided to forward the lists to the state ethics commission, FBI, and, after the election, to the attorney general. In the interim, why don't we just vote both of the abusers you list (Jones and Bush) out of office in the next couple of days and have such abuses ended for good. Oh, while we're at it, let's also get the other two "good ol' boys," Ramick and McCabe out. Okay?

Not All Realtors are Part of the Good Ol' Boy Network

From: Laurie Rushing - Hot Springs Date: October 21, 2010

Please note and be aware that The Rushings that are being referred to in support of the article written about the City Good Ol’ Boys- is DEFINITELY NOT Cliff and Laurie Rushing or any relation. We are very much in favor of seeing a new group of leaders in the city and ones that are conservative and fight for the rights of the people.

I am a Realtor, but not any affiliation with the ERA Rushing McAdams Polychron. I am the Executive Broker of Trademark Real Estate, Inc. I don’t support or endorse any of the City Directors that were appointed and not elected to the city. I do not support Mayor Bush, I attended a city meeting that the water treatment plant was being discussed and Mayor Bush was very rude and disrespectful to a little old lady that was just asking some questions.

It is time for change- and these Rushings, that are REALTORS, support change.

Editors note: Thank you for being a conservation who is not afraid to use the term. We are hearing this more and more. We corrected the "Commentary" page to eliminate any future confusion. Eliminating the Good Ol' Boy network that has run our city for so long will help us all to get our city going in a new direction. Hopefully then, we'll have plenty of activity for those ethical realtors, like you, who want to promote growth and see our city reach it's real potential. Dear readers, this is a realty company you need to remember and refer.

"King" Larry Williams Issues Illegal Edicts ?

From: Fact Digger - Hot Springs Date: October 18, 2010

It was with amusement that I read Judge William's edicts in the newspaper on October 12. He needs a course in 1st amendment rights. The only edict that he laid down that was even remotely legal was about electioneering within 100 feet of the polling place and that one is based on a law that the Arkansas AG has opined is unconstitutional.

Since they are prohibiting the tea party insignia I assume that fifty for the future, the chamber, Mr. Plumber, and the thousands of people whose names appear in the paper supporting a candidate and their clubs, associations and businesses should be prohibited from any wording on their clothes. Oh I forgot Jewelry, at the recent lakeside school tax election, all of the class rings worn by alumni were in violation.

Also you should not pull through the driveway without sanitizing your car of bumper stickers, ink pens, political junk mail etc... because you can't loop through the parking lot without getting within 100 feet of the entrance.

Williams in absolutely nuts!!! I hope Crass puts him out to pasture.

Attached is a State Attorney General's opinion on the 100 feet. I actually like the law, but I agree it is unconstitutional. Click here to see the Attorney General Opinion

Editors note: For the benefit of those who didn't read the article you reference, Larry Williams stated from his Judge's throne at the Quorum Court that campaigners could not park inside the fence at the election commission, could not attach signs to the fence, could not stand inside the fenced area, could not have more than two people holding signs or handing out literature even outside the fence. Guess what? King Williams showed up this morning to enforce his rules which he obviously made up without checking to see that he doesn't have the power to make laws, especially ones that are unconstitutional. Someone probably needs to point out to King Larry that his edicts based on his control of what he calls, "county property" really means he is trying to control "public property." The same is true for city property, state property, and federal property. These are all "public properties," King Larry. The law supports our rights. We likely should get an injunction to keep King Larry from violating the public's rights.

Funny Business on the City's Television Network

From: TB - Hot Springs Date: October 14, 2010

Go to the website www.cityhs.net/hstv.html and read the schedule. Then tell me if there is anything funny here.

Editors note: Surely you are not inferring that the city would promote one candidate over another during a heated, close campaign. That wouldn't be proper (perhaps legal), would it? Oh, they will probably discover that fact eventually and remove the candidate's free ads at the taxpayer's expense. We are providing the attachment (click here) so you can see it even after it is removed which will likely be after the election.

McCabe is "Most Despicable Human" to Walk the Planet

From: Peachy24 - Hot Springs Date: October 13, 2010

Pat McCabe has the be the most despicable human who ever walked the planet. How can he possibly be a city director? My husband just showed me your web site and how McCabe is saying "re-elect" when he was not elected to his seat on the city board because he was appointed. His ads in the Sentinel Record newspaper also say re-elect. Those alone are enough to label McCabe as a liar trying to deceive our voters. But what Mr. Toth had to say about director Pat McCabe makes him totally despicable (see 2 letters on Sept. 29, 2009 below). His comments have to be the most obnoxious thing I have ever read. Why is he not on the sexual predators list? Every woman in this town should demand that he be placed on the list for their own safety and well being. A friend told me he was forced to leave his job at St. Josephs and they created the job he has at Levi. I saw where his boss there disiplined him for his improper activities but he should have been fired. How any human can say those things about women and think they are funny is unbelivable. He is totally warped and should be in a mental hospital not as the head of it but as a patient in a padded cell.

Editors note: Okay, but do you have any strong feelings about what he said? A condensed list of the "things" Mr. McCabe is credited with saying is actually in the second letter sent to us on September 29, 2009 listed far below or you can see his reported actual letters by clicking here (do not click if you are offended by crude language or at least, skip page 4). Note that McCabe often signs himself as "The Commissioner." We actually think the most telling insight into his ability to "tell the truth" are his newspaper ads, one of which is in today's local newspaper. In addition to misusing the word, "re-elect," he begins the ad by falsely stating, "A little over a year ago you and I recalled the then seated District 4 City Director and I was elected by the City Board to complete his term." The facts are that he was APPOINTED by the "good ol' boy" Directors who were friends of the recalled director. Not a single resident of District 4 got to vote. What is a real falsehood is his claim to have "recalled the then seated" Director. He in NO WAY assisted in the recall effort. He did not circulate or turn in any petitions and did not even sign a petition to recall the director. In fact, if he had done so, the "good ol' boy" friends of the recalled director would likely not have "appointed" him to fill the vacancy. Mr. McCabe is simply trying to play both sides of the fence. His (and Weatherford's) Halloween colored signs and advertisements are misleading at best and intentionally deceptive at worst.

"Scoundrely Wascals" Further Explained by Reader

From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: October 6, 2010

As Elmer Fudd would say, Those "Scoundrely Wascals" you have a picture of (October 2, below) didn't give us much of a story. I took the liberty of touching up the picture which is attached and provided a few facts so people can know why they are scoundrels.

The guy on the left is Don George who was the Garland County supervisor that ran Cedar Glades Park and oversaw the guy on the right who is Carroll Weatherford for about $110,000 worth of work for the county. Don was fired by the county and word on the street is that the Arkansas State Police have concluded their investigation of him and Weatherford and have recently turned the information over to the prosecutor with an incitement expected. The second guy from the left is Rick Ramick who is now a city director and is running again. You already printed his campaign signs showing how deceptive he is (Sept. 28, below). The big story you barely touched on is the fact that he was friends with and in business with both guys on the right but lied about it in a public meeting. He made headline news (Sentinel Record - Aug 16, 2010) recently being named as a defendant owing some $600,000 due to land development or financial problems. The second guy from the right is Rodney Meyers who spent time in a federal prison for scoundrely behavior involving land developments or illegal financial dealings. Director Ramick admits to driving him to prison but won't admit to being his partner even tho there are public records showing business transactions. The guy on the right has a long history of bad behavior including several bankruptcies, long police rap sheets, abuse of travel privileges while a city director, ethics complaints and fines for improperly using the city attorney for personal legal matters, several citations and state fines for conducting business without a license, and the list goes on. On top of that history he is now running for Mayor even tho he is on the city's delinquent tax list. There appears to be another man cut from the picture. Who is he and why is he not shown?

Editors note: The scenario you list is, no doubt, scoundrely behavior. You state that Ramick is currently serving as a city director. The primary point made in the post of September 28 (below) is that Ramick was NOT elected although his signs ask people to RE-elect him. He was appointed by the city board, none of which live in city district 5. The same is true for director McCabe as stated in the same post. Your comments relative to "the big story" we "barely touched on" are not totally accurate albeit we have not reported anything recently. Read the stories about Director Ramick below dated August 8, 16, and 20 of this year. Ramick's business relationships you reference were reported way back in 2009 (see Apr 8, May 11, and June 4) with many other posts and comments concerning him and the other "guys" activities even before that. Click here to see an Arkansas Times story involving all these guys. As to "another man cut from the picture," there were actually two other men. We cut them because we were unable to identify them and thought they may not wish to be seen with others in the photo. We finally discovered the man on the left is Darrell Allison, friend of Rodney Myers, a real estate broker, developer type (condos and timeshares), and owner of Diamondhead Realty (click here to read about he and Rodney Myers). Another reader identified the man on the right as attorney Mike King. Two readers said they thought the photo was several years old. Okay, here is the complete intact photo with the camera's photo date also shown.

Amendments on Ballot Would Allow Politicians to Play Games With Our Tax Money

From: James McCafferty - Hot Springs Date: October 6, 2010

The Arkansas Constitution limits the interest rate which the State and its creatures can offer on bonded debt to a small margin above a certain “Federal funds rate.” This has seriously impaired issuance of State and local bonds, since the controlling Federal rate is real low. The State Legislature wants to eliminate this Constitutional rate limit with “Referred Issue No. 2,” on your November 2^nd ballot.

Perhaps it is reasonable to let the market for such bonds set the rate, and not have some arbitrary rate limit which impairs the government's ability to borrow money.

But alas, Referred Issue No. 2 goes farther than simply curing this little problem: in Section 4 it authorizes the issuance of new bonded debt for "energy efficient projects," whatever those might be. The Legislature thus overreaches, opening up a new "opportunity" for enterprising politicians and their pals to speculate in feel-good capital projects at taxpayers' risk. Can you even imagine the whacky new "green" projects that will show up looking for this new money? Al Gore would have never had it so good.

Referred Issue No. 2 should be rejected because of Section 4. The present problem of the interest rate cap can easily be remedied without providing another opening for public borrowing.

The same thing goes for Referred Issue No. 3, which removes certain key conditions for publicly financed "economic development projects." Think of all the more modest "economic development projects" which the Legislators could dream up to get State debt money, without those current pesky requirements of employing 500 people and investing more than $500 million.

These two blatant and unnecessary attempts to change the present law will only ten to increase the amount of public debt in this state, which has until now been reasonably contained compared to most other states. Arkansas voters should keep it that way by voting “NO” on Referred Issues 2 and 3.

Editors note: What? You don't trust politicians to use our tax-money properly? Wish we had more skeptics. Some of us had never heard of the word "Trillion" until it was used to describe our national debt. Now, even local politicians throw around "Millions" like it is no big deal. We do agree that voting for the "Referred Issues" would just open the purse strings for politicians and their schemes.

Mayor Putting Up Campaign Signs Without Property Owner's Permission? Shame!

From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: October 3, 2010

Your site showed pictures of campaign signs on Sept 28 that were not accurate and you criticized whoever put them up for not being accurate about re-electing McCabe and Ramick since they were appointed - not elected. Well I have one worse and hope you are interested in getting it corrected. Mayor Bush had the guy that works for channel 7 out putting up his signs Friday and Saturday and he put one on my property with out asking my permission. I checked with others I know with Bush signs and every one of them said they did not give anyone permission for Bush to put his sign on there property. Some of them did give permission for others but not for Bush. Two said they support tea party which I think are mostly Republican candidates and they could put signs up but I am sure Bush is not supported by those groups. One guy took Bush's sign down while I was talking to him and said he was going to put it in the trash. Another guy told me where to find the city sign ordinance and I found it and it says: (1) No political sign may be placed upon private property without permission of the owner; and (d) Authority of the city. If a political sign is placed improperly or is not removed as required herein, the city is authorized to enter upon private property and to remove the sign. That was what Chapter 6 of the Hot Springs Code says - not me. Can you get the city to have those signs removed?

Editors note: We found the ordinance to which you refer. It is Hot Springs Code 16-6-1 which can be seen by clicking here and scrolling down to page 202. Do you really think any city employee will remove the Mayor's political signs? Get real, irrespective of what the law requires, city employees are intimidated and don't dare touch the mayor's signs. What is more important is the fact that the mayor would violate the law and demonstrate callous disrespect for your private property rights. This seems to be quite consistent with how he treats the public, with rudeness and little or no concern. We don't know for certain but we feel fairly confident that, like your friend, you should have the right to remove anything from your own property that you didn't authorize.

Circle of Friends Kickoff Weatherford for Mayor Campaign

From: Anonymous - Hot Springs Date: October 2, 2010

Thought you may be interested in seeing about half the people who showed up at the Weatherford for Mayor kickoff party September 22, 2010. We understand 250 were invited and 9 showed up. At least we know who the main supporters are. These could also be half the voters that vote for Weatherford also.

Don George, Rick Ramick, Rodney Myers, Carroll Weatherford

Editors note: Thanks for the photos. You are the second source to tell us about Ramick crying like a baby after he and another guy (cut from the photo) had finished off a few beers and then driven Mr. Myers to prison. Several people are working to substantiate the information before it is posted. Thanks for the info but send more firm data. Oh, we do remember how Director Ramick told the public (with a straight face) that he was not friends or business associates of some of the people in the photo above. We wonder how many will remember that little fib at the polls. Oh, our sources tell us between 20 and 30 people showed up but that still is a small percentage.

Observations of City Board Challengers

From: Brian White, President Garland Good Government PAC

Date: September 30, 2010

I wanted to take a minute and share some of my observations and personal experiences with the candidates who are running for city positions in opposition to our current board of directors. Each and every one of them are proven leaders, and I am proud to know them.

I will start with mayoral candidate Ruth Carney. I can't say enough about the admiration and respect that I have for this very special lady. Ruth has been a leader for years in ways that don't receive a lot of attention. In the mission field, she has led countless volunteers in building churches, schools, and generally improving the quality of life for those less fortunate. She and her husband, Pastor Ken Carney, have been long time advocates for children, serving as Therapeutic Foster Parents for special needs children. The rewards for this commitment are not monetary, but even more meaningful. I have seen it in the eyes of some of the children who have been the recipients of the love of the Carney family. On a personal note, when my youngest son was in the emergency room, Ruth Carney stopped what she was doing and came to pray at his bedside, providing comfort to my entire family. Ruth doesn't have to do any of these things. That is just the type of lady she is, and are just a few of the reasons why this sort of compassion and leadership is needed in the office of mayor.

In District 2, Willie McCoy is running against incumbent Elaine Jones. If you are looking for a leader, Willie has an incredible track record. As a career law enforcement officer, he retired from the HSPD several years ago with the rank of Capitan. More important to me, he has been involved with the youth of our community through decades of service with the Boy's Club, impacting the lives of hundreds of young people over the years. In fact, my wife told me that Willie was her softball coach when she was young. That is exactly the sort of long term commitment to the community that we need on the Board of Directors.

In District 4, Blake Robertson is the clear choice for taking the board in a new direction. Blake's vast experience in the fields of education and criminal justice are invaluable resources at this pivotal point in our city's history. Having gotten to know Blake, I am very impressed by his personal humility. He would rather listen to people than hear the sound of his own voice. When he does have something to say, listeners can be assured that he has examined every possible aspect of the issue at hand, and can bank on the fact that his words ring true. Blake lives in a neighborhood within District 4, not on the fringes of the city with a boat dock in the county. When Blake Robertson says that he wants to take the city board in a new direction, he means it, and has the character and experience in leadership to do it.

In District 5, when it comes to community leadership, there is no comparison to Glenn Gallas. Glenn typifies the term "grass roots", and has the track record to back it up. Glenn has always believed in being "inclusive". In the early days of his residency in Hot Springs, Glenn organized his neighbors in the area around the old Jones School, cleaning up the area and enlisting the help of the people in creating the park next to the school. While Glenn and his family lived in the area, the neighborhood was a lot safer than it is today. Glenn still believes in the power of neighbor helping neighbor, and will play an integral role in reclaiming and revitalizing the neighborhoods of District 5 and Hot Springs as a whole. Business leader, community leader, a man who lives his faith and principles... the choice is clear.

Our current Board of Directors, with a couple of notable exceptions who are not running this cycle, have brought Hot Springs to the brink of chaos. The candidates that I have spoken of here, all time tested and proven leaders, will strive to give Hot Springs back to its rightful owners... the citizens.

Editors note: Thanks for your observations. We know what you say is correct and we are unbelievably fortunate to have such well qualified candidates seeking office. We also know why most of those well qualified candidates are seeking office. It is so that the "chaos" the current office holders have brought about can be corrected.

How could any decent city representative allow our city to become this many millions of dollars in debt, allow our crime rate to become the highest in the country, still propose even higher taxes, do nothing for our underpaid and underappreciated rank-and-file city employees, perform selective enforcement and improper favoritism, continue to ignore obvious conflicts of interests, set the embarrassing standard for rude behavior, cater to only select special interests, continiously abuse travel and phone privileges, ruthlessly waste of our hard-earned tax dollars on unnecessary and extravagant programs, and continue to refuse to allow the citizens to have a voice or a vote on everything from a new city hall to denying citizens a public forum at board meetings. The November 2nd election is finally our chance to elect our own representatives. Never again should we be forced to sit helplessly on the sidelines and watch as they appoint more "good ol' boys" as our representatives.

More Bad Words to Describe the Good Ol' Boy Candidates on the City Board

From: The Flash - Hot Springs Date: September 28, 2010

Hey you guys missed the boat on Bush's campaign claims. Bush says we need to reelect him so we can "continue the progress we've made" and your response was good because all the progress was in the wrong direction but you missed a lot of his missteps and painful lack of leadership. His being a board member on the chamber is a big big conflict of interest since the city gives them hundreds of thousands of tax dollars every year. You missed his nightly drinking binges and several other things I will send you later after I get them all together because I have spent years gathering info for a time like what is about to come. Another issue or two you didn't mention is how all the board except Maruther has been screwing the public for years. You missed several more words that describe Bush and the board. Some of them are deceptive, scheming, complicit, sell out, opportunists, misrepresentative, deceitful, and liars. Think back about how three of the board members met most every morning at Grannys Kitchen to decide what happened at the next board meetings discussing things like how to get the new city hall without letting the public have a vote. You guys have videos, pictures, and recordings of some of the meetings. The pictures attached to this email show how deceptive and misrepresentative two of the board members are. Try to tell me they are not liars when they put up signs telling the public to RE-elect them when they were never elected to their present positions in the first place. Both Ramick and McCabe were appointed by the other board members - not elected - even tho you guys complained about it at the time.

The pictures don't lie but the candidates sure do. They think the public won't notice these little lies like Re-elect since we didn't notice the big big lies they have been telling us ever since they were appointed. Don't forget McCabe was appointed to replace Weatherford who was recalled in disgrace and Ramick was appointed when Bill Edwards died even tho he was a friend and business partner of the guy he drove to prison and Weatherford. Ramick pulled some questionable deals while he was a director and now has a recent lawsuit the public needs to know about. McCabe hates women and you already have some of that proof on your website. I saw where their buddy Weatherford is delusional and is running for Mayor. He was on the list of delinquent taxes on page 3A of the Sunday paper. There is a law against running for office when you owe delinquent taxes isn't there?

Editors note: We think that you are correct. Our recollection is that citizens cannot seek office with an entity to which they owe taxes. We did go look at the list to which you refer and it does, indeed, list Weatherford Construction LLC. Hey, over 7 out of every 8 voters in his own district voted to remove him. What chance do you give him to be a serious contender for mayor? We look forward to your additional information and will publish it here as soon as you send it. Speaking of "delusional," the current mayor's ads all say, "Experienced Leadership for Hot Springs' Future." Is he serious or does he think no one has noticed what his leadership has done to our town? The post below does a good job describing where his (and his board's) leadership has gotten us.

Mayor Thinks Hot Springs Progressed Under His Leadership. Really?

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: September 26, 2010

The following is a letter to the Sentinel Record but has not yet been published:

Like many of your readers, I saw the re-election ad placed by Mayor Mike Bush. Three words really stood out to me. Those were “honor”. “progress” and “leadership”. I would like to expound on these three words in relation to the ten years that Mike Bush has served as our Mayor. Mr. Bush is quite correct in his statement that it is an honor to serve as Mayor of a city such as Hot Springs. Yet one must ask, has Mike Bush brought “honor” to the office of Mayor? I cannot count the number of times that I have witnessed Mayor Bush treat his fellow board members or citizens with disrespect, rudeness, and outright sarcasm. Is this the way that an honorable mayor should conduct himself? And what of the other “honorable” men of the board. Did they stand up to their colleague or just sit smugly by and snicker their agreement.

Perhaps no other incident defines Mayor Bush's version of “honor” than a 2007 Board of Directors meeting in which former Director Steve Smith profanely denigrated fellow director Peggy Maruthur. Did Mayor Bush tell Smith that he was out of order, as one might expect an honorable man to do? On the contrary, he did nothing at all, except to be quoted as saying that such behavior “makes our meetings fun”. Incidentally, Steve Smith and Mike Bush are a part of the same Rotary Club that the Mayor refers to in his ad, as are several other individuals who have benefited greatly during Bush's tenure as mayor.

Let's talk about “progress” for a moment. Under Mayor Bush's administration, Hot Springs has “progressed” to the number one position for overall crime in a city its size. This information is available from a variety of sources, including the New York Times 2010 Almanac. There are some neighborhoods within the city that are progressing through revitalization; but this is due in large part to the efforts of concerned citizens and neighborhood associations, not city hall.

Hot Springs has also “progressed” from being a community which draws retirees and families wanting to establish long-term residency to a mecca for short-term tourists and get rich quick gamblers at Oaklawn's casino. Mayor Bush made his stance on this issue quite clear during the 2009 visit to our city by a group of Nicaraguan mayors. In his welcoming remarks, he informed our international guests that “tourism is the engine that drives Hot Springs”. That was about thirty seconds before he looked at his watch, concluded his remarks and left. I was embarrassed for our city by our mayor's casual disregard for these men who had traveled so far. Thankfully, the other Hot Springs elected officials in attendance stayed and made our guests feel welcome, as City Manager Lance Hudnell had done very admirably earlier in the day.

Now let's talk about leadership. I know a thing or two about leaders. I have been one in one form or another virtually my entire adult life. A leader directs and inspires through example. Perhaps the example of our current mayor is partly responsible for this city's current plight. Of course, to catch a glimpse of the realities of Hot Springs today, you must step outside the gated communities and gatherings of the social elite and get your hands dirty in the trenches with the rest of us.

Hot Springs can no longer afford, ethically or financially, the “honor”, “progress” or “leadership” of Mike Bush. Ten years of watching the will of the citizens disrespected in favor of the privileged few is enough.

Editors note: Most citizens of Hot Springs can identify with the "rudeness" of the mayor and "disrespect" from most of the board. Our primary concern is that the mayor and board may not understand the real meaning of the word "progress." Do you suppose that they think achieving the number one position of being designated the "most dangerous city in the nation" is progress? Having the highest serious crime rate in the nation is progress? Having the highest property crime of any U.S. city (over 30,000 in population) is progress? Being several million in debt, imposing furloughs and pay cuts on the city's rank-and-file employees while giving certain department heads huge raises is progress? Wasting millions of dollars to design a water treatment after the state made it clear it cannot be built is progress? No maintenance programs for city property and buildings and admitting they are losing up to 43% of our treated water is progress? Spending over $10 million for new water meters and fouling up charges during the transition period is progress? Spending millions of our tax dollars on expensive out-of-town consultants, early warning systems that take inordinate amounts of time to activate, Little Rock attorneys, hot air balloons, etc. is progress? Sending half the board and administration on trips all across the country plus constant trips to our sister city in Japan is progress? Not allowing our citizens a voice or a vote on a new city hall or replacement of a recalled director is progress? Firing every member of the three most important citizen boards because they disagreed with the "good ol' boys" is progress? What the mayor and the other "good ol' boys" on the city board refer to as "progress" is not the same as our definition of progress. Words that do come to mind include: "uncaring," "unqualified," "cronyism," "self-serving," "elitist," "unethical," "immoral," "unaccountable," un-representative," and mostly, "incompetent." That can all change on November 2nd if the public is informed and then votes.

"Super Scooper" Terry Smith and His "APERS Caper"

From: James McCafferty - Hot Springs Date: September 23, 2010

Brian White's letter yesterday (9/22) on Terry Smith was right "on the money." Smith's successful strategy against Jo West should not go unnoticed by our candidates running against Rima and Short: attack 'em on the "double-dipper" issue. It's a sure winner.

Smith has been hanging around Hot Springs for years, taking advantage of the addiction of Arkansans to political plunder in the form of pork from the Legislature, or advantage granted by some "special legislation" like the Oaklawn gambling charter. His "history" ought to be reason enough to send him packing.

But there is even more, and it ironically involves APERS. Smith may not be a "double-dipper," but he surely wants to be a "super-scooper." Smith has been laboring away through his term limits in the Legislature and other assorted jobs at a modest average pay rate - let's say in the $20,000 range. That would be his "base pay" for APERS retirement benefits. But that's such a paltry sum, and Smith knows the system and how to get that number up. He knows that if he could only get some high-paying job on a government payroll, he could raise his APERS base pay big time. The APERS system pays a percentage of the highest 3-years pay, based upon years of service. And elected officials get 2 years credit for each one year served. "Viola!," says Terry, "How about the County Treasurer job? Hell, I can do that." Let's say the Treasurer's job pays $80,000 annually, and that Smith has accumulated 30 years of APERS service. At the going rate of about 2% per year, that means Smith would get about 60% of his APERS base pay once he elects to retire. Now it would be much better for Smith if he could get 60% of $80,000, his Treasurer's pay rate, rather than 60% of a paltry $20,000, in his reclining years.

Smith has no experience as a "treasurer" other than keeper of his own piggy bank. We've not heard him expound on any life-long yearning to be a county treasurer. It is clear that his motivation can only be to boost his APERS base pay. His candidacy is another "APERS caper." For only one term of serving as "County Treasurer," Smith gets to jack up his retirement benefit by a factor of four times. Now that's what we should call a "super-scoop." Terry Smith should be the poster boy for this scam - "Terry Smith - Super Scooper."

Editors note: That works out to a retirement pay of $48,000 annually rather than the $12,000 he has earned so far which is 4 times as much. We suppose that qualifies him to be called a "quadruple-dipper" but we like your term, "Super Scooper" better. Thanks for the insight.

Gambling Issues, Drinking, and Improper Lambasting by Elected Officials?

From: Brian White - Hot Springs Date: September 22, 2010

This post was also printed in the Sentinel Record on this date as a letter to the editor but was edited.

Having term-limited out of both the Arkansas House and Senate, Senator William "Terry" Smith" is now running for Garland County Treasurer in November against challenger Tim Stockdale. Is Smith the right man for the job? Having done a little research, I think not. Here are just a few reasons why.

At a GGGG candidate forum held just before the primary election this spring, Smith strode to the podium and proceeded to lambaste his opponent, current county treasurer Jo West Taylor, for her role in the infamous "double-dipper" scandal. There was very little, if anything, said about what he would do if elected, just a lot of accusations and innuendo about his opponent's lack of judgment.

However, Senator Smith said nothing about his own lapses in judgment. Does he think that voters have forgotten his 2003 arrest in Little Rock on charges of Driving While Intoxicated, or additional charges of refusing to submit to a breath-alcohol test? In a copyrighted story appearing in the Sentinel - Record on March 13, 2003, John Pennington wrote, "... As details of Smith's arrest came to light Wednesday, Smith pleaded for forgiveness from the Senate floor. In a prepared statement Smith faxed to the Sentinel - Record Wednesday afternoon, he said the following. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I want to apologize for the embarrassment my lack of judgment last evening had on my family, this institution, each senator, my friends, and my constituents. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."

Two years later, Smith and house colleague R.D. "Rick" Saunders, now a candidate for Garland County Judge, were co-sponsors of Act 1151, which brought electronic games of skill - otherwise known as a casino - to Hot Springs. In the language of the bill, which may be found in the Arkansas Statutes 23-113-201 (2) (A) (ii), "If the racetrack park is located within the corporate limits of a city or town, the question shall be submitted to the electors of either the city, town, or county in which the racetrack park is located, as requested by the franchise holder.

In this case, Oaklawn would make the decision where the vote would take place, which in this case was the City of Hot Springs. Garland County voters were disenfranchised and excluded from having their voices heard in that election, Smith and Saunders knew that this language was in this bill, and that it was up to Oaklawn to decide that they had a better chance of getting their casino approved by giving county voters no choice in the matter. Now, both of these men want the previously disenfranchised and disrespected voters of Garland County to elect them to high county office. I think not.

The antics of Senator Smith do not stop there. As reported last month by Jason Tolbert of www.FamilyCouncil.org, Smith demonstrated incredibly rude behavior toward a citizen who appeared before the Legislative Oversight Committee for the Arkansas Lottery, of which Smith is a member. Kenneth Wallis, a citizen who was in attendance to speak against lottery ticket vending machines, became the target of Smith's outrage when he appeared wearing a Jim Keet for Governor tee shirt. Smith called a point of order in the proceedings and demanded that the man remove his shirt before continuing. Fortunately for the victim of the outburst, Representative Rick Green intervened and offered Wallis his sport coat, which the young man gratefully accepted. Video of the embarrassing antics of Smith are available at www.FamilyCouncil.org. I have seen the video, and agree with others that Senator Smith was completely out of order.

Finally, at the GGGG candidate forum held earlier this month, Senator Smith used his time to talk about the reported 9 million dollars of taxpayer money that he has managed to bring to Garland County. Very little was said about anything that would qualify him as the next Garland County Treasurer or what he would do if elected. Concluding his remarks, Smith quoted the GGGG motto of "open, honest and transparent" government, which I personally find laughable. The outgoing Senator certainly has not applied any of these principles in any of the instances which I have cited here.

It is for these and many other reasons why I can not and will not support Terry Smith as Treasurer for Garland County.

Editors note: We always sort of wondered why Garland County citizens didn't get to vote on the "games of skill" at Oaklawn. Thanks for the info.

School Superintendent Telling Teachers Who To Vote For, Really?

From: Brian - Hot Springs Date: September 20, 2010

School Board meetings are generally routine affairs. The last Hot Springs School Board meeting was attended by the board members, administrators, principals, other staff members, and one citizen. Me. The meeting was the usual round of presentations and reports, but ended on a very peculiar note.

If you read the minutes of the meeting, there will be a notation that Superintendent Joyce Craft reminded those in attendance to vote in the upcoming school board election. Sounds innocent enough, right? Except that that is not what happened. What REALLY happened was that Joyce Craft told the gathering to spread the word to their teachers and employees that it was "vital" to keep the school board "intact". She further stated that the existing board had been in place for quite some time and "knew how things were done around here." Although stopping just short of ordering her employees to vote for the incumbent, Bob Freeman, one doesn't need a Master's Degree in education to get the implication.

The existing board may have been around for awhile, but after seeing the number of schools that are on year five or six of improvement, or the several that are on restructuring (where the administrators and staff are supposed to be replaced), it is obvious that the board has been doing a fine job at doing nothing.

Back to the board minutes for a moment. If the district administration will cover up the small things, can you imagine what they would do with the big ones?

Editors note: For a school administrator to even influence an election of her board seems highly unethical, possibly illegal. Does it not. If this is documentable, we strongly recommend a complaint to the State Ethics Commission with a copy to the State Department of Education and the Arkansas Secretary of State/ Election Commission. Oh, be sure to vote Tuesday, September 21. You may even want to vote to change the Superintendent's board. She should answer to them, not the other way around, right?

What Were You Thinking, Judge Williams?

From: Brian White, GGG PAC - Hot Springs Date: September 19, 2010

While at the Garland County Courthouse on other business this past Friday, I decided to take the opportunity to invite outgoing County Judge Larry Williams, who is running for the state house against Keith Krass, to the next GGGG meeting, which is scheduled to be a forum for candidates seeking state office.

Upon entering the office, I didn't get the chance to extend the invite. Although Williams shook my hand, he opened the conversation with," I have nothing to say to you. You're the one who wrote the letter about my Dad, and we have nothing to talk about. I also won't be having anything to do with your forums." I politely took the hint and left.

Just to set the record straight, Mr. Williams, the letter that appeared in the Sentinel Record on September 8, 2010, was not about your father. It was about YOU. There was not a single disparaging or disrespectful remark about your father, but rather, pertinent questions about issues that are relevant to voters in Garland County. Did you really think that there would not be questions about the Arnold architectural firm? Do you really think that there won't be questions and concerns about your role in the whole "double dipper" fiasco? That was what the letter was about.

As far as you not wanting to take part in the political forum next month, that is your choice. If you do not wish to face questions from your opponent, or the voters, that is your decision to make. However, if you change your mind, the invitation is still open. I promise that I won't throw you out. I'm a bigger man than that.

Editors note: We suppose that are always "supposing." However, we were just supposing that the good judge may be using this as a lame excuse not to show up and have to face questions about his role in the "double-dipper" cover-up or if he was attempting to steer business to this father's employer. Arnold's name did show up on the "good ol' boy" list referenced below (Sept.13) and on the "Commentary" page of this site.

How Can You Be Re-elected if Your Were Never Elected? Good Question!

From: Black Sheep - Hot Springs Date: September 19, 2010

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. I'm not talking about the old song, but about the campaign signs that are springing up like Surprise Lillies everywhere in Garland County. Some are professionally and tastefully done, while some are plywood and stencils. Of all of them, one in particular caught my attention. It was a rather large sign featuring the familiar smiling face of Pat McCabe asking voters of District 4 to re-elect him to the city board.

Now, I'm no rocket scientist, but doesn't someone have to get elected before they can get re-elected? If my mind hasn't completely stopped functioning, Pat McCabe was appointed to the board after Carroll Weatherford was recalled in disgrace. Yep, the same Carroll Weatherford who believes that all of his past shenanigans will be forgotten and is now running for Mayor.

I suppose that if a lot of imagination were used, it could be argued that Mr. McCabe was elected by the other good ol boys and girls on the city board who appointed him, but he was certainly not elected by the voters of District 4. Was the wording on Mr. McCabe's sign an honest mistake, or does either the candidate or his sign maker not understand the concept of election before re-election.

Editors note: The reasons you list could be accurate but isn't there also a slight possibility of intentional deceit? That would be more consistent with most actions of the good ol' boys, would it not?

Rick is a "Decent Man" But He Won't Get This Friend's Vote

From: Anonymous - Hot Springs Date: September 19, 2010

I have a government job which is important to my family so please sign me as anonymous but I must tell you that Rick Saunders is not a bad guy. I think he may be desperate, because his opponent is going to win the election for county judge unless Saunders can find a miracle. I was disappointed to see him ally himself with the group your blog likes to call the good old boys. I would have voted for him until he stooped that low. Oh well he will live and learn and maybe come back to run for something else when that crowd has lost all their greedy power.

My point is I have known Rick Saunders as a friend for many years, He is a decent man but sometimes has had to go along with things in Little Rock he didn't like. Maybe he just thought this was another bitter pill that could help him get elected. I know several of his friends who won't vote for him now because you can't take support from that group without them wanting something in return. It is kind of sad, he will learn.

Editors note: We have heard similar sentiments from several people. We have also heard that Mr. Saunders has just done a good job of keeping his alliances with the "good ol' boys" quite. Whatever the case, you are likely correct in your prediction of the next county judge.

Bond Daddies Behind Those Great Sounding Ballot Issues?

From: Jim McCafferty