Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Northwest Arkansas Times endorses Candy Clark for Quorum Court
For Candy Clark
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/70538
In the race for Washington County’s District 5 seat — which mostly covers the southern portion of Fayetteville — voters are being asked to choose between a pair of intelligent and sincere candidates who clearly have the area’s best interests at heart. Having said that, we believe Candy Clark, the Democratic candidate in this race, will serve District 5 the best.
Her opponent, Jim Reavis, told us he believes the election will come down to a contest of personalities — and if so, we believe that bodes well for Clark, who holds two degrees from the University of Arkansas and is a graduate of Fayetteville High School.
A former member of the Fayetteville Planning Commission, we found Clark to be extremely forthcoming about her life (Mayor Dan Coody vetoed her reappointment onto the Planning Commission in March 2007; Clark told us she always got along great with city staff and called her dismissal “ personal” ) and a variety of issues regarding county government. For example, Clark is a strong supporter of animal control; refers to countywide zoning as “ a protection agent for citizens”; is not a big fan of County Judge Jerry Hunton’s eminent domain proposal south of the courthouse; strongly believes in public transportation as well as energy efficiency; and strikes us as the analytical type who will research problems without jumping to easy conclusions.
We can easily imagine Reavis, a moderate Republican, serving the public someday. But today, we believe Candy Clark will do the best job filling the seat of longtime JP Jessie Bryant, who is stepping down.
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/70538
In the race for Washington County’s District 5 seat — which mostly covers the southern portion of Fayetteville — voters are being asked to choose between a pair of intelligent and sincere candidates who clearly have the area’s best interests at heart. Having said that, we believe Candy Clark, the Democratic candidate in this race, will serve District 5 the best.
Her opponent, Jim Reavis, told us he believes the election will come down to a contest of personalities — and if so, we believe that bodes well for Clark, who holds two degrees from the University of Arkansas and is a graduate of Fayetteville High School.
A former member of the Fayetteville Planning Commission, we found Clark to be extremely forthcoming about her life (Mayor Dan Coody vetoed her reappointment onto the Planning Commission in March 2007; Clark told us she always got along great with city staff and called her dismissal “ personal” ) and a variety of issues regarding county government. For example, Clark is a strong supporter of animal control; refers to countywide zoning as “ a protection agent for citizens”; is not a big fan of County Judge Jerry Hunton’s eminent domain proposal south of the courthouse; strongly believes in public transportation as well as energy efficiency; and strikes us as the analytical type who will research problems without jumping to easy conclusions.
We can easily imagine Reavis, a moderate Republican, serving the public someday. But today, we believe Candy Clark will do the best job filling the seat of longtime JP Jessie Bryant, who is stepping down.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Mark Kinion the clear choice for Ward 2 seat on City Council. He has built a resume of actual service to this community.
Mark Kinion
AGE: 51
EDUCATION: University of Arkansas, BS, food science and technology
OCCUPATION: Retired senior executive for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY IN THE AREA YOU WISH TO SERVE: About 20 years
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Fayetteville Housing Authority, board of commissioners, past vice-chairperson;
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, member;
Partners for Better Housing, board of directors, founding board member;
Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods, past chairman; Wilson Park Neighborhood Association, past coordinator;
Humane Society of the Ozarks, past president, past finance committee chairman, lifetime member;
Ozark StageWorks, board of directors, financial development chairman; Planned Parenthood of Arkansas/Eastern Oklahoma, advisory board;
University of Arkansas Alumni Association, lifetime member;
United Way of Pulaski County, former vice president of campaigns;
No. 1 issues: Transparent government, open communication, mutual respect and trust.
No citizen should feel disenfranchised from local political activity. All residents should feel they have an avenue to be heard and know their opinion is respected and valued.
I will have regular Ward 2 meetings to let people know relevant information in a timely manner regarding issues facing our city. Additionally, I will encourage open and mutually respectful dialog between the constituency, other members of the City Council, city officials and city administrative divisions.
Trust will be built by promising transparent and measurable actions in regard to economic, environmental and social impact of city projects.
By open dialogue, transparent action, and measurable benchmarks accountability can be established.
This open communication model will be applied to every issue and concern.
AGE: 51
EDUCATION: University of Arkansas, BS, food science and technology
OCCUPATION: Retired senior executive for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY IN THE AREA YOU WISH TO SERVE: About 20 years
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Fayetteville Housing Authority, board of commissioners, past vice-chairperson;
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, member;
Partners for Better Housing, board of directors, founding board member;
Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods, past chairman; Wilson Park Neighborhood Association, past coordinator;
Humane Society of the Ozarks, past president, past finance committee chairman, lifetime member;
Ozark StageWorks, board of directors, financial development chairman; Planned Parenthood of Arkansas/Eastern Oklahoma, advisory board;
University of Arkansas Alumni Association, lifetime member;
United Way of Pulaski County, former vice president of campaigns;
No. 1 issues: Transparent government, open communication, mutual respect and trust.
No citizen should feel disenfranchised from local political activity. All residents should feel they have an avenue to be heard and know their opinion is respected and valued.
I will have regular Ward 2 meetings to let people know relevant information in a timely manner regarding issues facing our city. Additionally, I will encourage open and mutually respectful dialog between the constituency, other members of the City Council, city officials and city administrative divisions.
Trust will be built by promising transparent and measurable actions in regard to economic, environmental and social impact of city projects.
By open dialogue, transparent action, and measurable benchmarks accountability can be established.
This open communication model will be applied to every issue and concern.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Writ large: Firefighters, police officers endorse Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville
Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Police and Firefighter banner endorsing Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, on October 25, 2008.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Video clips supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Please click on control below each video to play.
Fayetteville High School to be rebuilt on current site
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Fayetteville High School To Be Rebuilt
By Rose Ann Pearce
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Just to be very clear on the future, the Fayetteville School Board plans to replace Fayetteville High School on its current site, not remodel the existing building.
During a workshop meeting Tuesday, board member Tim Kring made a motion "to proceed in the development of a 21st-century curriculum plan and a matching new, not renovated, facility on the current site."
But before voting on Kring's motion, board member Becky Purcell suggested the board delay the vote until the regular meeting on Thursday to allow public comment.
Several board members said they opposed attempting to remodel the 50-year-old building, noting it should be replaced.
"I don't think remodeling is economically efficient," said board member Tim Hudson. "Just rehabbing the current building is not worth it."
The workshop was to give members a chance to discuss specific direction for the district's administrative team for the next nine months and to determine what decisions should be made before a new superintendent comes on board.
The board is conducting a national search for a new superintendent to replace Bobby New who will retire June 30. The board hired Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to guide the search.
Susan Norton, the district's chief information officer, said the administrative team is moving forward on determining site visits for teachers and principals to visit 21st century schools. There they will gather ideas as well as work internally on developing a 21st-century learning plan and accompanying staff changes.
"All this is huge and leads up to what a 21st-century school looks like," Norton said. Student achievement and closing the performance gap are driving the process, she said.
The board agreed design elements, such as technology, open space, small learning communities within the school, as well as instructional planning and staffing changes can be accomplished before the new superintendent is hired.
There was little discussion on specifics of a millage campaign that would be crucial to building a new high school. The earliest a millage increase could be voted on is probably in September 2009.
The discuss on building a new school or remodeling the old one was introduced by Purcell, who said she had no preconceived ideas about the high school except to the fiscally responsible.
She hasn't been able to determine specific problems with the buildings, she said.
"The appraisal says the buildings are in excellent condition," she said. "I've been trying to find a solid list of the problems with that building."
Other board members said the building is inadequate for developing a 21st-century curriculum in which teachers are more like facilitators in the classroom.
"The 21st century curriculum can't be done in the building we have," Kring said. "We need to have that decision made. Once the decision is made, we have to sing with the choir."
MEETING INFORMATION
Fayetteville School Board
When: 5 p.m. Thursday
Where: Ray Adams Leadership Center, 1000 Stone St.
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Fayetteville High School To Be Rebuilt
By Rose Ann Pearce
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Just to be very clear on the future, the Fayetteville School Board plans to replace Fayetteville High School on its current site, not remodel the existing building.
During a workshop meeting Tuesday, board member Tim Kring made a motion "to proceed in the development of a 21st-century curriculum plan and a matching new, not renovated, facility on the current site."
But before voting on Kring's motion, board member Becky Purcell suggested the board delay the vote until the regular meeting on Thursday to allow public comment.
Several board members said they opposed attempting to remodel the 50-year-old building, noting it should be replaced.
"I don't think remodeling is economically efficient," said board member Tim Hudson. "Just rehabbing the current building is not worth it."
The workshop was to give members a chance to discuss specific direction for the district's administrative team for the next nine months and to determine what decisions should be made before a new superintendent comes on board.
The board is conducting a national search for a new superintendent to replace Bobby New who will retire June 30. The board hired Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to guide the search.
Susan Norton, the district's chief information officer, said the administrative team is moving forward on determining site visits for teachers and principals to visit 21st century schools. There they will gather ideas as well as work internally on developing a 21st-century learning plan and accompanying staff changes.
"All this is huge and leads up to what a 21st-century school looks like," Norton said. Student achievement and closing the performance gap are driving the process, she said.
The board agreed design elements, such as technology, open space, small learning communities within the school, as well as instructional planning and staffing changes can be accomplished before the new superintendent is hired.
There was little discussion on specifics of a millage campaign that would be crucial to building a new high school. The earliest a millage increase could be voted on is probably in September 2009.
The discuss on building a new school or remodeling the old one was introduced by Purcell, who said she had no preconceived ideas about the high school except to the fiscally responsible.
She hasn't been able to determine specific problems with the buildings, she said.
"The appraisal says the buildings are in excellent condition," she said. "I've been trying to find a solid list of the problems with that building."
Other board members said the building is inadequate for developing a 21st-century curriculum in which teachers are more like facilitators in the classroom.
"The 21st century curriculum can't be done in the building we have," Kring said. "We need to have that decision made. Once the decision is made, we have to sing with the choir."
MEETING INFORMATION
Fayetteville School Board
When: 5 p.m. Thursday
Where: Ray Adams Leadership Center, 1000 Stone St.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Fayetteville police and firefighters urging people to vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor
Please click on image to ENLARGE Firefighters and Police officers' endorsement of Lioneld Jordan for mayor.
Fayetteville police and firefighters urging people to vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor
Please click on image to ENLARGE Firefighters and Police officers' endorsement of Lioneld Jordan for mayor.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Fayetteville police organization endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor
Please click on image to ENLARGE for easy reading of the Fayetteville, Arkansas, chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police's endorsement of Lioneld Jordan for mayor.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Firefighters endorse Lioneld Jordan for mayor
Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association endorses Jordan
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/70088
The Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 2866 has endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville in the Nov. 4 general election.
Other endorsements by the association:
• Don Conner — Ward 1, Position 2
• Mark Kinion — Ward 2, Position 2
• Craig Honchell — Ward 4, Position 2
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/70088
The Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 2866 has endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville in the Nov. 4 general election.
Other endorsements by the association:
• Don Conner — Ward 1, Position 2
• Mark Kinion — Ward 2, Position 2
• Craig Honchell — Ward 4, Position 2
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Artist William Flanagan supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor
Lioneld listens - and gets things done
I first met Lioneld Jordan at a union meeting on the University of Arkansas campus, where he played an important role in revitalizing the AFSCME chapter. What struck me about Lioneld as a union leader and later as a city council member was the way he listened to the concerns and ideas of his constituents and then planned and worked to answer those concerns and to make those ideas reality. He is a leader who pays close attention to the details while seeing the big picture. As union leader, he understood that making the university a better place for the workers would make it a better place for students, faculty and all staff. He took that same approach to his position on the city council. He listened and responded to his constituents while keeping the needs of the whole city in mind. Lioneld also shares two of my priorities for Fayetteville's future. He is dedicated to developing a green economy for our area to sustain our environment and make Fayetteville livable for all. As an artist, I particularly appreciate his support for a Cultural Arts District and a vibrant arts life in our city. I am confident he will follow through on these priorities, because here's what I know about Lioneld Jordan: He's an honest, trustworthy man who loves Fayetteville and has worked to make this city prosper. His door is open to all. He has served Fayetteville well on the city council and will be a mayor for all the people.
William Flanagan
Fayetteville
I first met Lioneld Jordan at a union meeting on the University of Arkansas campus, where he played an important role in revitalizing the AFSCME chapter. What struck me about Lioneld as a union leader and later as a city council member was the way he listened to the concerns and ideas of his constituents and then planned and worked to answer those concerns and to make those ideas reality. He is a leader who pays close attention to the details while seeing the big picture. As union leader, he understood that making the university a better place for the workers would make it a better place for students, faculty and all staff. He took that same approach to his position on the city council. He listened and responded to his constituents while keeping the needs of the whole city in mind. Lioneld also shares two of my priorities for Fayetteville's future. He is dedicated to developing a green economy for our area to sustain our environment and make Fayetteville livable for all. As an artist, I particularly appreciate his support for a Cultural Arts District and a vibrant arts life in our city. I am confident he will follow through on these priorities, because here's what I know about Lioneld Jordan: He's an honest, trustworthy man who loves Fayetteville and has worked to make this city prosper. His door is open to all. He has served Fayetteville well on the city council and will be a mayor for all the people.
William Flanagan
Fayetteville
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Good idea only if using waste material from agriculture and timber production and without decreasing wildlife habitat. Clearing land pollutes air
Summit promotes growing high-energy plants
BY DUSTIN TRACY
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/69979/
Northwest Arkansas Times Fayetteville’s first ever Sustainability Summit brought more than 300 people to the city’s center to talk about ways organizations can become more environmentally friendly. One way discussed was a switch from conventional diesel fuel to the use of bioenergybased fuel. Jim Wimberly with BioEnergy System LLC in Fayetteville talked about the energy-efficient idea at a small breakout session during the summit. “ Agriculture and energy are so intertwined, ” Wimberly said.
He said the idea is to start promoting the growth of high-energy yielding plants that can be processed and manufactured into a full spectrum of energy projects, including fuel for automobiles.
“ In essence, plants are batteries, ” he said. “ They store energy through photosynthesis. ”
Arkansas provides a large amount of natural resources to make bioenergy manufacturing a reality, Wimberly said, and if the state takes an active interest in the concept, it could cut in half its yearly 1 billion gallons of petroleum used each year.
“ It would take just under a million acres of herbaceous energy crops (crops high in energy ) to displace half of that diesel used, ” he said.
Wimberly said a lot of research is being done on soybeans to create biodiesel, and that it’s a good fuel. However, he said fuel users need to broaden their horizons.
“ We need to quit being worried about planting a future around traditional approaches to biofuel, ” he said.
The state has the forest and farmland to support biofuel operations, which makes it already an attractive location to bioenergy companies, Wimberly said, but Arkansas and its cities need to work towards sealing the deal with the green fuel producers.
“ We are in competition with neighboring states, ” Wimberly said.
Financial incentives as well as getting state landowners and far mers on board with the idea could be the key, Wimberly said.
“ It’s not going to happen unless (farmers ) can make at least as much money as they do growing traditional crops, ” he said.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com
BY DUSTIN TRACY
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/69979/
Northwest Arkansas Times Fayetteville’s first ever Sustainability Summit brought more than 300 people to the city’s center to talk about ways organizations can become more environmentally friendly. One way discussed was a switch from conventional diesel fuel to the use of bioenergybased fuel. Jim Wimberly with BioEnergy System LLC in Fayetteville talked about the energy-efficient idea at a small breakout session during the summit. “ Agriculture and energy are so intertwined, ” Wimberly said.
He said the idea is to start promoting the growth of high-energy yielding plants that can be processed and manufactured into a full spectrum of energy projects, including fuel for automobiles.
“ In essence, plants are batteries, ” he said. “ They store energy through photosynthesis. ”
Arkansas provides a large amount of natural resources to make bioenergy manufacturing a reality, Wimberly said, and if the state takes an active interest in the concept, it could cut in half its yearly 1 billion gallons of petroleum used each year.
“ It would take just under a million acres of herbaceous energy crops (crops high in energy ) to displace half of that diesel used, ” he said.
Wimberly said a lot of research is being done on soybeans to create biodiesel, and that it’s a good fuel. However, he said fuel users need to broaden their horizons.
“ We need to quit being worried about planting a future around traditional approaches to biofuel, ” he said.
The state has the forest and farmland to support biofuel operations, which makes it already an attractive location to bioenergy companies, Wimberly said, but Arkansas and its cities need to work towards sealing the deal with the green fuel producers.
“ We are in competition with neighboring states, ” Wimberly said.
Financial incentives as well as getting state landowners and far mers on board with the idea could be the key, Wimberly said.
“ It’s not going to happen unless (farmers ) can make at least as much money as they do growing traditional crops, ” he said.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Lioneld Jordan elated, humbled by learning he has received Sierra Club's endorsement in Fayetteville's mayoral race
Please click on images to ENLARGE view of Lioneld Jordan after learning that the Sierra Club has endorsed his candidacy for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The button on his shirt tells the story. Lioneld is serious about environmental concerns as he looks across Martin Luther King Boulevard to a small but environmentally sensitive area in south Fayetteville.
SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES JORDAN FOR MAYOR OF FAYETTEVILLE;
THIEL, KINION AND LEWIS FOR CITY COUNCIL
The Sierra Club's Ozark Headwaters Group announced Thursday the club's endorsements for Fayetteville races in the November 2008 elections. The endorsements are based on (1) candidates' public records; (2) their responses to a series of detailed questions about environ mental issues; (3) their presentations at the candidates’ forum held at the U of A School of Law on Sept. 25; and (4) our assessment of the candidates’ likely effectiveness as public servants with attention to environmental values.
The endorsements are:
Mayor of Fayetteville: Lioneld Jordan
Fayetteville Ward 1, Pos. 2: Brenda Thiel
City Council: Ward 2, Pos. 2: Mark Kinion
Ward 4, Pos. 2: Sarah Lewis
"It’s a testament to the citizens of Fayetteville and their commitment to the environment that we have a choice among strong environmental candidates in every race this year," said Molly Rawn, the group's chair. "While Dan Coody, for example, has often done a good job over the years, Lioneld Jordan’s outstanding track record as alderman, his excellent values and his staunch trustworthiness make him our clear choice for mayor.”
The Sierra Club is the only environmental advocacy organi zation in Arkansas that makes political endorsements. The club, now more than a century old, has over 1.3 million members and supporters nationwide, of whom more than 300 members are Fayetteville voters.
FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT: Rob Leflar
Tel. 443-5121 or 575-2709, E-mail
The button on his shirt tells the story. Lioneld is serious about environmental concerns as he looks across Martin Luther King Boulevard to a small but environmentally sensitive area in south Fayetteville.
SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES JORDAN FOR MAYOR OF FAYETTEVILLE;
THIEL, KINION AND LEWIS FOR CITY COUNCIL
The Sierra Club's Ozark Headwaters Group announced Thursday the club's endorsements for Fayetteville races in the November 2008 elections. The endorsements are based on (1) candidates' public records; (2) their responses to a series of detailed questions about environ mental issues; (3) their presentations at the candidates’ forum held at the U of A School of Law on Sept. 25; and (4) our assessment of the candidates’ likely effectiveness as public servants with attention to environmental values.
The endorsements are:
Mayor of Fayetteville: Lioneld Jordan
Fayetteville Ward 1, Pos. 2: Brenda Thiel
City Council: Ward 2, Pos. 2: Mark Kinion
Ward 4, Pos. 2: Sarah Lewis
"It’s a testament to the citizens of Fayetteville and their commitment to the environment that we have a choice among strong environmental candidates in every race this year," said Molly Rawn, the group's chair. "While Dan Coody, for example, has often done a good job over the years, Lioneld Jordan’s outstanding track record as alderman, his excellent values and his staunch trustworthiness make him our clear choice for mayor.”
The Sierra Club is the only environmental advocacy organi zation in Arkansas that makes political endorsements. The club, now more than a century old, has over 1.3 million members and supporters nationwide, of whom more than 300 members are Fayetteville voters.
FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT: Rob Leflar
Tel. 443-5121 or 575-2709, E-mail
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
NOBODY has suggested turning the Government Channel into a community-access station. Read the policy document created by the Telecom policy committee
Policy document prepared during a series of meetings in July, August and September 2008 by the Telecom Board's policy committee
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Televised Forums Spark Debate
By Skip Descant
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE - It's still not clear if issue and candidate forums will make their way to the Fayetteville Government Channel's prime time.
But after months of study, the topic is expected to be hotly debated at tonight's Fayetteville City Council meeting. The item was briskly yanked from last week's council consent agenda session, when practically every council member pushed the issue to open debate.
Moderated public forums involving candidates and ballot issues would be recorded and broadcast by the government channel, according to the proposed new policy. The moderator must be a nonpartisan group such as the League of Women Voters, "and will be overseen by a public forum committee, responsible for considering the issue representation with regard to participants, content and format."
Nancy Allen, a council member from Ward 2 who is not seeking re-election, raised the question of having the government channel record and broadcast a Ward 2 candidate forum. The request came from a citizen group, Allen said.
The request was denied because the group did not fall under the umbrella of city government. Allen asked last week how this topic differed from some of the more innocuous programming she's seen on the channel.
In the past, Allen has requested that issue forums about the future of Fayetteville High School or the Walton Arts Center be broadcast. Those requests were denied by the city because the discussion was not directly related to the workings of the city.
"How does that differ from showing animals in need of adoption?" Allen said. "Anyone could make an argument that walking around looking at flowers, shaking hands, that's not 'government.'"
Without directly naming him, Allen was referencing news conferences and other events called by Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody, who has received much criticism alleging he's used the government channel as his own personal publicity agency.
"I see much more reason to debate those issues - Fayetteville High School and Walton Arts Center - than to show video of the mayor walking around the square," wrote Allen in an e-mail. "That borders on propaganda in my view."
Susan Thomas, public information officer for the city, and one of the architects of the proposed policy, has maintained that the channel can only be used by government and for government-related programming.
Thomas said a Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods mayoral debate aired because the council is comprised of city-appointed members, meets at city hall and has city staff assigned to the group, therefore, it operates under the umbrella of the city.
"Any other organization, they don't get city staff, and they're not covered on a regular basis," Thomas told the council.
Citizen groups like the one Allen mentioned would be better served by Community Access Television, say officials. Allen admitted she had not contacted CAT.
The mayor has said repeatedly that the city council has the discretion to create the government channel in nearly any image it wishes. It only needs to write the appropriate policy and carry it out.
"If you want to turn the government channel into a community access television station, then just do that," Coody told the board last week.
Policy document prepared during a series of meetings in July, August and September 2008 by the Telecom Board's policy committee
MEETING INFORMATION
Fayetteville City Council
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Room 219, City Hall, 113 W. Mountain St.
Also on the agenda: Urban Design Associates, the Pittsburgh design firm responsible for the conceptual plan for SouthPass, will give a presentation.
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Televised Forums Spark Debate
By Skip Descant
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE - It's still not clear if issue and candidate forums will make their way to the Fayetteville Government Channel's prime time.
But after months of study, the topic is expected to be hotly debated at tonight's Fayetteville City Council meeting. The item was briskly yanked from last week's council consent agenda session, when practically every council member pushed the issue to open debate.
Moderated public forums involving candidates and ballot issues would be recorded and broadcast by the government channel, according to the proposed new policy. The moderator must be a nonpartisan group such as the League of Women Voters, "and will be overseen by a public forum committee, responsible for considering the issue representation with regard to participants, content and format."
Nancy Allen, a council member from Ward 2 who is not seeking re-election, raised the question of having the government channel record and broadcast a Ward 2 candidate forum. The request came from a citizen group, Allen said.
The request was denied because the group did not fall under the umbrella of city government. Allen asked last week how this topic differed from some of the more innocuous programming she's seen on the channel.
In the past, Allen has requested that issue forums about the future of Fayetteville High School or the Walton Arts Center be broadcast. Those requests were denied by the city because the discussion was not directly related to the workings of the city.
"How does that differ from showing animals in need of adoption?" Allen said. "Anyone could make an argument that walking around looking at flowers, shaking hands, that's not 'government.'"
Without directly naming him, Allen was referencing news conferences and other events called by Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody, who has received much criticism alleging he's used the government channel as his own personal publicity agency.
"I see much more reason to debate those issues - Fayetteville High School and Walton Arts Center - than to show video of the mayor walking around the square," wrote Allen in an e-mail. "That borders on propaganda in my view."
Susan Thomas, public information officer for the city, and one of the architects of the proposed policy, has maintained that the channel can only be used by government and for government-related programming.
Thomas said a Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods mayoral debate aired because the council is comprised of city-appointed members, meets at city hall and has city staff assigned to the group, therefore, it operates under the umbrella of the city.
"Any other organization, they don't get city staff, and they're not covered on a regular basis," Thomas told the council.
Citizen groups like the one Allen mentioned would be better served by Community Access Television, say officials. Allen admitted she had not contacted CAT.
The mayor has said repeatedly that the city council has the discretion to create the government channel in nearly any image it wishes. It only needs to write the appropriate policy and carry it out.
"If you want to turn the government channel into a community access television station, then just do that," Coody told the board last week.
Policy document prepared during a series of meetings in July, August and September 2008 by the Telecom Board's policy committee
MEETING INFORMATION
Fayetteville City Council
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Room 219, City Hall, 113 W. Mountain St.
Also on the agenda: Urban Design Associates, the Pittsburgh design firm responsible for the conceptual plan for SouthPass, will give a presentation.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Ducks Unlimited dinner at 6 p.m. at Fair Grounds; Green Infrastructure meeting on Mount Sequoyah at 7 p.m. today
Please click on images to ENLARGE.
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