County government reform?

This one will probably not dominate barbershop and beer bar conversation all over the state, but there is a little item proposed as a constitutional amendment that caught my eye. The Attorney General has certified a proposal to lengthen the terms of county officials from two to four years.

In Pulaski County, Buddy Villines has had the job forever. I know that many of you know similar situations. It is a fairly responsible job. There was a time when running the road and bridge department was an open invitation to self-enrichment, but I am sure nothing like that goes on these days.

The County Judge is, at least indirectly, responsible for the county jail, the county courts and sheriff’s department. Just wait for something to go wrong and watch who catches the dickens. Villines had to take the heat for a former underling facing criminal charges just the other day.

The job doesn’t look like much fun, and neither do most of those other thankless courthouse positions. Four year terms sound like a good idea, though I am not sure this one will inspire a spirited debate. The times they are a changin’. Next thing, the do-gooders will want to limit each county to just one courthouse.

(Broadcast June 6. 2007)

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A small rip in the social safety net

Hard to believe that the greatest, and most generous, nation on earth has failed the men and women who served in uniform. After all, President Reagan did promise not to hurt the “truly needy,” didn’t he?

On this D-Day Anniversary, consider this release.

Hunger Caucus Senators Step up Fight against Veterans Homelessness
Senators team up with National Veterans Organizations, DC Central Kitchen to bring attention to plight of homeless veterans

Washington, DC – On the 63rd anniversary of the Normandy invasion, Senate Hunger Caucus co-chairs Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) today stood up to shed light on the problems of hunger and homelessness facing today’s veterans. An alarming one-third of homeless men nationwide at one time wore our country’s uniform and on any given night 200,000 veterans are sleeping on the streets.

“Veterans have served nobly and selflessly – we need to be ready to help them with the problems they will bring home from the battlefield,” Smith said. “Far too many veterans are leaving military service without proper treatment for mental illness and substance abuse. This Congress can not and should not leave these troops behind. We need to see innovative approaches such as peer mentoring and continued funding for veterans programs to keep our vets from going down a rough road.”

“One aspect of the homeless crisis that often gets overlooked is the homeless veteran,” Lincoln said. “Our veterans who have served so bravely on our behalf deserve the best from a grateful nation, and we must do all that we can to honor their commitment by offering assistance in the transition from service to civilian life. That means providing jobs, rent assistance, and access to quality physical and mental health care for our returning veterans. It’s the least we can do for those we owe so much.”

The most recent estimates by the Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that 45 percent of homeless male veterans suffer from some psychiatric disorder and upwards of 70 percent struggle with substance abuse. Smith and Lincoln urged Congress to take greater efforts to help homeless veterans and to ensure our newest veterans are not set on a path towards poverty and instability upon returning home. They urged Congress to fully fund programs such as the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, Health Care for Homeless Vets, and the Guaranteed Transitional Housing for Homeless Vets.

Reports published by Mental Health America show that adjustment disorders are the most common form of mental illness after mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. To help veterans overcome these obstacles, Smith recently introduced legislation to help ease the struggles faced by our returning vets as they attempt to rejoin their communities. The Heroes Helping Heroes Program authorizes $13.5 million over three years to create and expand peer-support programs for veterans returning from the battlefield.

Lincoln, a long-time advocate for hunger and homelessness relief programs, has supported several initiatives to aid veterans so that they don’t fall into homelessness. She has cosponsored legislation requiring the VA to pro-actively inform veterans of the benefits that they have already earned. In addition, Lincoln has supported an increase in funding for the treatment and research of traumatic brain injuries and other mental health programs.

Senators Smith and Lincoln also presented food items collected during the 2007 Senate Hunger Caucus Food Drive to the United States Veterans’ Initiative, a non-profit organization that works with homeless veterans in the DC area. Smith and Lincoln were joined at today’s event by Stephani Hardy, Executive Director of United States Veterans Initiative and Michael F. Curtin Jr., Executive Director of D.C. Central Kitchen.

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Wednesday summary

Rep. Marion Berry says Congress should ease trade barriers that limit U.S.-grown foods sold to Cuba after returning from a trip to the communist nation. Berry and four other lawmakers spent five days in Cuba last week in conjunction with that country’s annual meeting with American agricultural producers.

Many Arkansans on Medicare could be turned away by physicians if Congress does not block a estimated 10 percent cut in funding planned to go into effect in January, according to a survey released Tuesday by the American Medical Association.

Arkansas may be better off than other states that have seen their revenues grow in recent years because the state has not greatly expanded government programs, the state’s deputy finance director said Tuesday.

Mike Huckabee strongly defended his stands on evolution and abortion Tuesday in his effort to emerge from a crowded Republican presidential field, then went on the offensive against what he said was an unfair debate format.

ADEVCO Inc., formed by Marcus Devine, the former executive director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and chosen to become the sole disadvantaged business enterprise partner in the concession contract at the state’s largest airport, isn’t eligible under federal guidelines, a state committee has ruled.

A Jonesboro man shot and killed his estranged wife then fatally shot himself, ending a hostage standoff with police of more than 12 hours. The ordeal marked the second time in nine years that James Rouse had held Donna Rouse against her will. Authorities dismissed the charges in a 1999 incident in Truman.

A Siloam Springs father is behind bars on suspicion of having shaken his 3-month-old son who remains in a Tulsa hospital. Brian Sousley is in the Siloam Springs Jail being held on one count of felony first-degree battery.

Joseph Michael Bresnahan, a former assistant band director at Bryant High School, will serve 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction, with 10 years suspended, on four counts of first-degree sexual assault, a Class A felony. The charges followed his admission to four instances of molesting a 15-year-old male Bryant High School student.

A 19-year-old Gravette man was sentenced to 120 days in jail for soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl. Casey Derieux Faddis pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexual indecency with a child.

At the arraignment of former Pulaski County Comptroller Ron Quillin on embezzlement charges, it was revealed that Quillin had been arrested in Clark County on two charges of forgery and was convicted in May 1988. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to make $615 restitution in the case. County officials say they were unaware of the conviction prior to investigating Quillin.

Felony theft of property charges are pending against an 18-year Pine Bluff police veteren accused of falsifying time sheets for court appearances. Charges were filed against Ronald “Ron” Miller, who was fired last month.

A deal approved by the North Little Rock City Council in February to help the city’s largest electric customer cope with increased power bills never went through, with no substitute yet to replace it. Polymer Group, formerly known as Chicopee, employs about 200 workers manufacturing nonwoven fabrics and other materials.

After 133 years, Winslow has no school. Winslow elementary closed yesterday. The high school shut down two years ago.

The Mayflower School Board needs to reduce its expenditures by $407,486. The shortfall comes as a result of among other things a $262,305 shortage in property tax money which the school should have received, but has not yet been turned in by the district’s taxpayers, as well as several school programs which have gone over budget.

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Food fight

My newspaper column this week is about the Arkansas Travelers supposed failure to pay the local hamburger tax for over 30 years. Like many good stories, it wasn’t exactly that outrageous. The city board’s action in 2003 to clarify which businesses must pay the tax shows that there was a question, and gives credence to Bill Valentine’s claim that he was not required to contribute.

It’s something of a local story, though you need to see the new ballpark in North Little Rock. It is a tremendous source of pride. In fact, that park is the home of a somewhat upscale Italian restaurant bearing Bill Valentine’s good name. Now, this entire issue is real sensitive to some local restaurant operators and one got in my face wondering how the city can build a business that will compete with existing eateries.

I may be smart, but that question is way above my IQ. Bill Valentine has that kind grandfatherly quality, but don’t believe it. He can be a pretty tough customer. The food business has a very tight margin and it is very competitive. It is highly taxed.

Restaurant operators are an anxious bunch and I would be mad if the local government put a competitor into business with a brand new place.

(Broadcast June 5, 2007)

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