Red Oak Park plan would tear up the ground and displace mature trees and other significant vegetation but do nothing to protect the park from the huge upstream flow of water from the south, east and west

Red Oak Park Plan

MAYBE, this plan would help protect the property of the landowner downstream to the north toward Hamestring Creek. But it will totally miss the point of trying to protect the existing mature trees and will allow an incredible increase in erosion during construction and have only a minimal chance of improving the park in any credible way.

The only worthwhile and effective use of the money set aside for this plan would be KEEPING the water WATER WHERE IT FALLS: On the lots in the subdivisions to the south, east and west in raingardens created in the yards and in the treeless portion of the park at the southeast corner.

Helping people create raingardens using the natural soil remaining in the area and encouraging NOT to mow but to protect native vegetation there would decrease the dangerous runoff to a manageable level.

It is illogical to spend money doing some that won't meet the goals of the people who originally began complaining about the situation.

Ducks Unlimited Banquet October 29, 2009, in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on images to move to Flickr site and use magnifying tool above photo to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Runners and Sponsors sought for Nov. 7, 2009, 5K veterans' memorial race to benefit Fayetteville National Cemetery

Please click on image to move to Flickr site and ENLARGE for easy reading. The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation meets at 10:30 a.m. Saturday October 10 and needs to add sponsor names to the file for the race T shirts and the brochures so that printing can begin. Already, Tyson Foods has donated at the Medal of Honor level and has challenged others to join them at the top of the list, thanks to the effort of RNCIC Secretary Peggy McClain.

Bonnie Cook talks with Mayor Lioneld Jordan about issues she wants to ask Senator Blanche Lincoln to address on Thursday morning July 2, 2009

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Bonnie Cook and Lioneld Jordan at the Drake Field while awaiting the arrival of Senator Blanche Lincoln.

Butterfly gardens easy to grow in the black, rich soil of the Illinois River valley and the Town Branch vallley of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on image to ENlarge view of obedient plant on Pinnacle Foods Inc. Prairie west of World Peace Wetland Prairie on June 19, 2009, a big non-native pink flower whose name I can't remember at the moment at the entry to the trail through Pinnacle Prairie and a butterfly milkweed near WPWP.




Butterfly gardens can be grown throughout the
United States. There is a wide variety of both butterfly
attracting (nectar) plants and host (food) plants cover-
ing climates zones throughout the country.
Creating a Garden
Gardens can range in size from containers to sever-
al acres. Butterflies like sunny sites and areas sheltered
from high winds and predators. Warm, sheltered sites
are most needed in the spring and fall. Butterflies are
cold-blooded insects that can only fly well when their
body temperatures are above 70oF. They are often seen
resting on rocks, which reflect the heat of the sun help-
ing to raise their body temperatures, so be sure to
include some rocks in your garden. It’s also beneficial
to have partly shady areas, like trees or shrubs, so they
can hide when it’s cloudy or cool off if it’s very hot.
Plants that attract butterflies are usually classified
as those that areafood source,anectar source or both.
Butterflies require food plants for their larval stages and
nectar plants for the adult stage. Some larvae feed on
specifichost plants, while others will feed on a variety
of plants. If possible, include both larval host plants
and adult nectar plants in your butterfly garden.
Butterflies also like puddles. Males of several
species congregate at small rain pools, forming “puddle
clubs”. Permanent puddles are very easy to make by
buryingabucket to therim, filling it with gravel or
sand, and then pouring in liquids such as stale beer,
sweet drinks or water. Overripe fruit, allowed to sit for
afew days is a very attractive substance to butterflies
as well!
Life Cycle of A Butterfly
Butterflies go through a four-stage developmental
process known as metamorphosis (egg, larva or caterpil-
lar, pupa or chrysalis and adult). Understanding a but-
terfly’s life cycle can make butterfly watching more
enjoyable, andthis knowledge is an important asset to
those who want to understand the principles of attract-
ingbutterflies to their gardens.
Butterflies begin their life as an egg, laid either
singly or in clusters depending on the species. A very
tiny caterpillar emerges and, after consuming its egg
shell, begins feeding on its host plant. Caterpillars must
crawl out of their skin or molt, usually around five times,
before changing into a pupa. Finally, an adult butterfly
emerges, spreads its wings and flies away.
Butterflies typically lay their eggs in late spring and
hatch 3 to 6 days after they are laid. It takes 3 to 4
weeks for a caterpillar to pupate and 9 to 14 days to
emerge as an adult.
Host Plants
Adult female butterflies spend time searching for
food plants required by the immature caterpillar stage.
Most butterflies have specific host plants on which they
develop. For example, caterpillars of the monarch but-
terfly develop only on milkweed, while the black swal-
lowtail feeds only on parsley, dill and closely related
plants. Planting an adequate supply of the proper host
plants gives butterflies a place to lay their eggs, which
will successfully hatch and result in butterflies that will
continue to visit thegarden. Providing the necessary
food plants for the developing caterpillars also allows
production of a “native” population that can be
observed in all stages ofdevelopment.
To enjoy adult butterflies, you have to be willing to
allow their caterpillars to feed on foliage in your garden.
Food source plants that support caterpillars include the
annual marigold, snapdragon and violet; the perennial
butterfly milkweed, daisy and various herbs; the ash,
birch, cherry, dogwood, poplar and willow trees; lilac
shrubs; juniper evergreens and more.
The weediness of some host plants makes them less
than desirable for a space within your more attractive
garden beds, but they serve the same function if you
place them away in a corner of the yard. To keep them
from becoming invasive, remember to remove their
spentblooms before they go to seed.
Plants to Attract Butterflies
To attract the most butterflies, design a garden
that provides a long season of flowers (nectar plants).
The time of flowering, duration of bloom, flower color
and plant size are all important considerations when
selecting plants to attract butterflies. A wide variety of
food plants will give the greatest diversity of visitors.
Choose a mixture of annuals and perennials.
Annuals bloom all summer but must be replanted every
spring (after the last frost). Perennials bloom year after
year from the same roots but their blooming periods are
typically limited to a few weeks or months. To ensure
the availability of nectar sources throughout the sum-
mer, long-blooming annuals should be planted between
the perennials.
Try staggering wild and cultivated plants, as well as
blooming times of the day and year. Planting in mass
(several plants of the same kind) will usually attract
more butterflies, as there is more nectar available to
them at a single stop. Plants with clusters of flowers
are often better than plants with small, single flowers
because it is easier for butterflies to landon clustered
and/or larger flowers.
Many plants which attract butterflies, especially
trees and shrubs, may already be present in a specific
area. Shrubs include azalea, spirea, butterfly bush and
lilacs. Although weeds andsomenative plants are gen-
erally not welcomein a garden, allowingthem to grow
under supervision may be an option, as these plants
help attract butterflies. Try to avoid plants that readily
reseed and may take over and dominate garden sites.
Perennials, such as chives, dianthus, beebalm, but-
terfly weed, mints, black-eyed susan and purple cone-
flower offer a succession of blooms, other perennials
include coreopsis, lavender, phlox, sedum and yarrow.
Add annuals that flower all season, such as cosmos, lan-
tana, pentas,petunias, phlox, salvia and zinnias. Select
flowers with manysmall tubular flowers or florets like
liatris, goldenrod and verbena. Or chose those with sin-
gle flowers, such as marigold, daisy and sunflower.
Butterflies are attracted to flowers with strong
scents and bright colors, where they drink sweet energy-
rich nectar. Planting a variety of nectar sources will
encourage more butterflies to visit the garden.
For better butterfly viewing, plant the tallest
plants in the rear of the garden and work smaller or
shorter towardthefront.
Butterfly
Gardens
Creating, Growing and Enjoying
EARLMAYSEED&NURSERY
www.earlmay.com
SHENANDOAH, IOWA51603
Butterfly Host Plants(continued)
Trees Herbs
Ash Dill
Birch Parsley
Cherry Sweet Fennel
Dogwood
Linden
Poplar
Willow
Butterfly Attracting Plants
Annuals Perennials
Ageratum Aster
Cosmos Beebalm
Gomphrena Blanket Flower
Heliotrope Butterfly Milkweed
Lantana Coreopsis
Marigold Daisy
Nasturtium Dame’s Rocket
Nicotiana Daylily
Pentas Dianthus
Petunia Liatris
Phlox Phlox
Salvia Purple Coneflower
Snapdragon Rudbeckia
Statice Russian Sage
Sunflower Salvia
Sweet Alyssum Scabiosa
Verbena Sedum
Zinnia Veronica
Yarrow
Shrubs Herbs
Azalea Catnip
Butterfly Bush Chives
Lilacs Lavender
Mock Orange Mint
Potentilla
Viburnun
Cut Back on Insecticides
It’s difficult to have a successful butterfly garden
inalocation where insecticides are used. Pesticides,
specifically insecticides, kill not only the insects you
want to get rid of – they also kill the insects you want
tokeep, such as monarch caterpillars. Even biological
controls such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) will kill but-
terfly larvae. When treating for insect pests, always
consider non-chemical methods of pest control before
turning to pesticides.
Let Your Garden Grow
Most butterfly species over-winter nearby. This
means that their eggs, chrysalises, or larvae are likely to
be in or near your yard during the non-gardening
months. Some will even hibernate as adults. Do not
mow weed sites, cut down dead plants or dismantle
woodpiles which provide them safe shelter in the off-
season until the weather warms up.
Enjoying Your Butterfly Garden
Butterfly gardens are a great source of enjoyment
for everyone. Visiting butterflies include a variety of
different species and names, depending upon the region
of the country in which you live. To learn more about
which plants help in attracting butterflies get your copy
of National Wildlife Federation Attracting Birds,
Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife by David
Mizejewski or the Earl May Perennial Guideavailable at
your local Earl May Nursery & Garden Center.
Butterfly Host Plants
Annuals Perennials
Marigold Butterfly Milkweed
Snapdragon Daisy
Violet
Shrubs Evergreens
Lilacs Juniper
IBM# 912600 750 4/08
Copyright Earl May Seed & Nursery L.C. ©

Arkansas officials say 'Don't Do Fescue'

Arkansas “Don't Do Fescue" is theme of AGFC public campaign
JONESBORO - Tall fescue is a widely used forage crop. It is insect resistant, tolerates poor soil and climatic conditions well and has a long growing season. Unfortunately, tall fescue also has a downside.

With approximately four million acres of pasturelands planted in tall fescue, Arkansas has a great deal of this crop. According to David Long, agricultural liaison with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the agency is working diligently to help the public understand the shortcomings of this type of grass.

"The AGFC has developed a new tool in its effort to educate landowners about the toxic and negative effects of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue to farm wildlife. A new bumper sticker entitled 'Don't Do Fescue' is now being distributed to agency employees and others interested in spreading the word," Long said. Tall fescue is a common forage grass that has been planted across Arkansas for over 40 years.

Estimates are that about 70 percent-95 percent or 4 million acres of the pasturelands planted with tall fescue in Arkansas are infected with an endophyte fungus. The fungus causes declines in bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, grassland songbirds and also limited other game populations such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

"The fact that the plant is actually toxic to both domestic livestock and farm wildlife species is accepted by agriculture extension specialists and wildlife biologists alike," Long said. "The plant produces chemicals causing the fescue to have very toxic qualities. The alkaloids are found throughout the plant, but are especially concentrated in the seeds and leaves," he explained.

In cattle, the fungus causes excessive body temperatures, elevated respiratory rates, loss of appetite, body weight loss, lowered fertility rates and abortion of fetuses. Dairy cows often show sharp declines in milk production. Horses are affected also with more aborted fetuses, foaling problems, weak foals and reduced or no milk production. The CES estimates that this endopytic toxin cost American beef producers up to $1 billion a year in lost profits.

"It's very important for private landowners who desire viable wildlife populations on their property to know the effects of planting fescue," Long noted. "Many species of wildlife would directly suffer these same negative effects if they were confined to the pasturelands as are livestock. However, since they are free ranging, they simply avoid the fungus infected fescue pastures, but nevertheless, this results in loss of farm wildlife habitat on these acres. You may have deer and turkey travel through tall-fescue pastures, but they rarely find food sources available they can utilize, since the aggressiveness of the fescue usually results in solid stands of the plant," Long concluded.

The grass is a sod-forming turf with thick matted growth that also limits movement of young bobwhite quail, turkey and cottontail rabbits, provides no nesting habitat for wild turkey or quail, and is extremely poor habitat for many declining grassland species of songbirds. "Bottom line, fungus infected tall-fescue pastures offer little food, cover or nesting habitat to a broad range of farm wildlife," he said.

"Tall fescue has been planted in an estimated 4 million acres of the 5.4 million acres of pasture scattered over the state and for all practical purposes is of no value to farm wildlife. With the widespread establishment of tall fescue pastures, a great loss of wildlife habitat for deer, turkey, quail, cottontails and grassland songbirds has occurred.

Many landowners now recognize this problem and are interested in eliminating tall-fescue on some or all of their acreage. However, many landowners continue to plant tall-fescue, not knowing the detrimental effects it will have to wildlife. (There is an endophyte-free variety of tall fescue available for planting but it is less viable and hardy, and still provides very limited habitat for wildlife.)

We want to educate all landowners regarding this fact because there are other planting options to providing livestock forage and wildlife habitat on their farms," Long explained.

Please help spread the word to landowners "Don't Do Fescue!" by requesting a bumper sticker to place on your vehicle. Especially if they have an interest in managing for wildlife on their farm. For more information contact David Long at 877-972-5438 or dlong@agfc.state.ar.us.

How close to Partner's Branch should development occur?

Frog songs from Pinnacle Prairie adjacent to World Peace Wetland Prairie

FarmToTable theme of today's program in the Rose Garden of the Walton Art Center with renewable-energy lecture at Night Bird bookstore at 2 p.m.

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of OMNI Springfest poster.

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of poster.

Solar Power Struggle
Professor Richard Hutchinson of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston will speak on "The Struggle for the Solar Future" at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
An inquiry into environmental change and the obstacles and opportunities in the path of the renewable energy transition.
Sponsored by OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology.

Honeybees and all pollinators threatened by pesticides

Please click on images to ENLARGE view in top photo of honeybee on redbud and bumblebee in second photo on redbud in a chemical-free area around World Peace Wetland Prairie on April 8, 2009.



Honeybees in Danger
Sunday 12 April 2009
by: Evaggelos Vallianatos, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
When I was teaching at Humboldt State University in northern California 20 years ago, I invited a beekeeper to talk to my students. He said that each time he took his bees to southern California to pollinate other farmers' crops, he would lose a third of his bees to sprays. In 2009, the loss ranges all the way to 60 percent.
Honeybees have been in terrible straits.
A little history explains this tragedy.
For millennia, honeybees lived in symbiotic relationship with societies all over the world.
The Greeks loved them. In the eighth century BCE, the epic poet Hesiod considered them gifts of the gods to just farmers. And in the fourth century of our era, the Greek mathematician Pappos admired their hexagonal cells, crediting them with "geometrical forethought."\
However, industrialized agriculture is not friendly to honeybees.
In 1974, the US Environmental Protection Agency licensed the nerve gas parathion trapped into nylon bubbles the size of pollen particles.
What makes this microencapsulated formulation more dangerous to bees than the technical material is the very technology of the "time release" microcapsule.\
This acutely toxic insecticide, born of chemical warfare, would be on the surface of the flower for several days. The foraging bee, if alive after its visit to the beautiful white flowers of almonds, for example, laden with invisible spheres of asphyxiating gas, would be bringing back to its home pollen and nectar mixed with parathion.
It is possible that the nectar, which the bee makes into honey, and the pollen, might end up in some food store to be bought and eaten by human beings.
Beekeepers are well aware of what is happening to their bees, including the potential that their honey may not be fit for humans.
Moreover, many beekeepers do not throw away the honey, pollen and wax of colonies destroyed by encapsulated parathion or other poisons. They melt the wax for new combs: And they sell both honey and pollen to the public.
Government "regulators" know about this danger.
An academic expert, Carl Johansen, professor of entomology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, called the microencapsulated methyl parathion "the most destructive bee poisoning insecticide ever developed."
In 1976, the US Department of Agriculture published a report by one of its former employees, S. E. McGregor, a honeybee expert who documented that about a third of what we eat benefits from honeybee pollination. This includes vegetables, oilseeds and domesticated animals eating bee-pollinated hay.
In 2007, the value of food dependent on honeybees was $15 billion in the United States.
McGregor also pointed out that insect-pollinated legumes collect nitrogen from the air, storing it in their roots and enriching the soil. In addition, insect pollination makes the crops more wholesome and abundant. He advised the farmer he should never forget that "no cultural practice will cause fruit or seed to set if its pollination is neglected."\
In addition, McGregor blamed the chemical industry for seducing the farmers to its potent toxins. He said:
"[P]esticides are like dope drugs. The more they are used the more powerful the next one must be to give satisfaction" and therein develops the spiraling effect, the pesticide treadmill. The chemical salesman, in pressuring the grower to use his product, practically assumes the role of the "dope pusher." Once the victim, the grower, is "hooked," he becomes a steady and an ever-increasing user.
No government agency listened to McGregor.
The result of America's pesticide treadmill is that now, in 2009, honeybees and other pollinators are moving towards extinction.
In October 2006, the US National Research Council warned of the" "demonstrably downward" trends in the populations of pollinators. For the first time since 1922, American farmers are renting imported bees for their crops. They are even buying bees from Australia.
Honeybees, the National Academies report said, pollinate more than 90 crops in America, but have declined by 30 percent in the last 20 years alone. The scientists who wrote the report expressed alarm at the precipitous decline of the pollinators. Unfortunately, this made no difference to EPA, which failed to ban the microencapsulated parathion that is so deadly to honeybees.
Bee experts know that insecticides cause brain damage to the bees, disorienting them, making it often impossible for them to find their way home.
This is a consequence of decades of agribusiness warfare against nature and, in time, honeybees. In addition, beekeepers truck billions of bees all over the country for pollination, depriving them of good food, stressing them enormously, and, very possibly, injuring their health.

-------

Evaggelos Vallianatos, former EPA analyst, is the author of "This Land Is Their Land" and "The Passion of the Greeks.

Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association's green-infrastructure project report online

Green-infrastructure report from Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association project

Earth Day celebration on April 19, 2009, at World Peace Wetland Prairie

Please click on image to ENLARGE to read details of the poster.

Bird-watchers welcome every day from dawn to dusk!

Ward One council members, residents of south Fayetteville to meet to discuss proposal to build student apartments on Washington County Sale Barn land

Town Branch Neighborhood Association meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday April 6, 2009

Ward One City Council members, members of the Town Branch neighborhood association and the public will hear a presentation from a developer seeking to rezone the Washington County Sale Barn property to allow construction of student apartments. Everyone is welcome to the meeting in the church at 1136 S Ellis Avenue south of the intersection of S. Hill Avenue and Eleventh Street at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 6.
For details, please call 479-444-6072 or visit http://townbranchneighborhood.blogspot.com

Earth Day at World Peace Wetland Prairie from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday April 19, 2009

Members of the Town Branch neighborhood association and the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology present the fifth-annual Earth Day celebration with activities for kids and adults. Wildflowers will be planted in the butterfly garden and peace-circle garden on the east portion of the city-owned nature park by children and adult volunteers. Ice-storm damaged limbs will be removed by those who wish to help. Volunteers may dig out fescue grass or remove Japanese honeysuckle that is suppressing native plants in parts of the western 2 acres.
Musicians and poets will be invited to play, sing or read in a pleasant outdoor setting.
Still on the Hill and Emily Kaitz are the headliners.
Several activities for youngsters will be provided by volunteers.
Parking is free from 1 to 5 p.m. at the the Hill Avenue Church of Christ south of the intersection of S. Hill Avenue and Eleventh Street, and street parking is legal in much of the neighborhood.
Everyone is welcome. For details, call 444-6072
or visit http://worldpeacewetlandprairie.blogspot.com
World Peace Wetland Prairie is at 1121 South Duncan Avenue in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Reagan family farm north of Arkansas 16 exemplifies the kind of land that must be protected in the cities of Northwest Arkansas to save Beaver Lake

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Bill Reagan pointing to the line of trees along the fence on the south edge of his family farm along the north edge of East Fifteenth Street.


The Reagan family has owned the land for many years and Bill said that he has bought it from his mother and will keep it in the family. The farm is prairie that has been used for cattle grazing and other agriculture over the decades. It is an example of a heritage farm of the sort identified in the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association's Green Infrastructure plan. Its rich soil captures water where falls and does not cause flooding downstream with its limited stormwater runoff entering the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River without causing siltation or pollution. See Google map with view of Fifteenth Street area in a preceding post on this subject.
Democrat-Gazette on widening of Arkansas 16


View Larger Map
Please use controls and cursor to move the image, zoom in or out and trace the whole route discussed at the meeting yesterday. The Reagan property is near the middle left part of the image above.
If you use your cursor to travel north of the open Reagan property between Washington Avenue and Wood Avenue from 11th Street up to near 9th Street you can see the 7 wooded wetland acres that the Partners for Better housing board is trying to buy to dredge and fill for a low-income housing development. Water drains from north of Jefferson School, all the way from north of MLK Boulevard (former 6th St.) down to 15th St. and into the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River and is slowed and purified by the moist-soil area where the tiny branch overflows.
This portion of the Beaver Lake watershed is under extreme threat. Thanks to the Reagan family and others for keeping a bit of green infrastructure intact and allowing a small part of the rainwater to stay it falls.

Public invited to view plan for widening portions of Huntsville Road and Fifteenth Street from 4 to 7 p.m. today

People interested in protecting Northwest Arkansas' two major watersheds, in this case, the watershed of the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River and Beaver Lake, need to turn out and make sure that the planners are taking into account the potential affect of this project on water quality and the need for stormwater retention to avoid increasing the flooding and erosion threat downstream.

View Larger Map
Please use controls and cursor to move the image, zoom in or out and trace the whole route to be discussed this afternoon.

Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department officials will reveal the first phase of design for widening a 2.7-mile stretch of Arkansas 16 between S. College Avenue and Stonebridge Road to four lanes and installing a traffic light at the Stonebridge intersection, east of Crossover Road from 4 to 7 p.m. in the activity center of Fayetteville First Assembly of God at 550 E. 15th St. There won't be a presentation; residents can look at displays, ask questions and give feedback verbally or on survey forms, The Northwest Arkansas Times reported in its March 31, 2009, edition.

Severed limb budding at end. Birds and squirrels and rabbits may eat them

Here is the caption with the photo of limbs burning in Benton County:
Up in smoke:
Benton County employee Harvey Johnson watched a fire at 10791 Stoney Point Road near Lowell on Thursday. The county is burning limbs and trees broken by this winter’s ice storm. Other burn sites are at 9900 Marchant Road in Elm Springs, 21447 Waukesha Road in Siloam Springs and 19941 Bettis Hill Road near War Eagle. Washington County is also burning ice-storm debris on North 40th Street in Springdale. DAVID FRANK DEMPSEY / Benton County Daily Record

If no one in either county had a fireplace or a wood stove, this might seem slightly less ridiculous.
I hope a lot of people who can use firewood or who would collect it and sell it will be at those sites before more is burned and load it up and take it away.
This wood would save people money, reduce air pollution now and save the carbon in these limbs for actual home heating and reduce global climate change (because people with wood stoves and fire places will be buying wood next fall and reducing the tree cover even more in Northwest Arkansas).
Additionally, birds and squirrels are eating buds on those limbs where they are lying. In fact, many large limbs or trunks lying separated from the main trunk for nearly two months are budding right now! So wildlife are having to search a bit more for food, which may be tough for birds facing nesting season.
Burning material with this much value is WRONG.
It is even worse than chipping it all. This is incredibly wasteful and inconsiderate of people and other living things. I am proud to live in Fayetteville where an effort is being made to separate potential firewood for sharing and where the rest is being chipped rather than burned.
This is an example of the need for cross-training and keeping all environmental enforcement under one big umbrella. Apparently, it would be the responsibility of the EPA to see that FEMA's requirements for subsidizing "cleanup" efforts meet environmental guidelines. But I would bet that the EPA has had no input in the cleanup efforts. Otherwise, they would have required sound environmental use of the downed trees and limbs.
And, if there were any budgetary control of FEMA, their pet contractors would be required to compact and compress the loads of loose limbs in their trailers and trucks before claiming a load is full and counting it on the basis of cubic yards.
If you take waste metal to a steel yard or aluminum-recycling facility, you will have your vehicle weighed and then weighed again after the workers pull off what can be recycled. They don't pay more for half-empty truckloads or uncrushed cans that fill a big bag. The scales tell the story.
Should the taxpayers support a system that rewards only selected contractors and ignores the value of the material being destroyed in the pretense of "cleaning up" after a disaster? And requires the hiring of "inspectors" or whatever from different pet companies to make sure the trucks aren't overfilled?
My questions aren't original. I have heard these questions from residents of Fayetteville who are offended by the appearance of poor management and waste.
The city can't ask these questions because the EPA MIGHT look into the problem and FEMA MIGHT delay reimbursement of the city for the work that took a big chunk out of the city's reserve fund.
But somebody has to ask why they don't just weigh the loads and pay and reimburse on the results. My neighbors have asked.

Please go to CAT's Community Media Summit Web pages for schedule of events today and Saturday

Community Media Summit
Greetings from Community Access Television. We are pleased to announce
CAT Fayetteville is hosting the Create~Connect~Community Media Summit at the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the historic Fayetteville downtown square March 27-28.

The idea is to bring together community media makers, artists, activists, and advocates beginning a dialogue about how community media will thrive and continue to be a rich source of news, ideas, and inspiration. We are reaching out regionally in areas of community radio and TV, print media, visual arts, music, theatre, and entities using the internet. Our goal is to create a networking and educational event involving community media and anyone who values free speech, localism, inclusion, diversity, creativity, and media literacy.

*Events include:
Luncheon Workshop with Paper Tiger TV, Media & Democracy: The Next
Frontier
Opening Session Speaker, Mr. Charles Benton of the Benton Foundation
Workshops/Panels on Outreach & Diversity, New Media 2.0, Future Media
Policy
Show Your Stuff Trade Show with local and national vendors
Video Reception on Friday night - submit Your video today!
Alliance for Community Media Regional Meeting
Freedom Stage - Your chance to Speak or Perform publicly
FAT CAT Awards Banquet

There are a variety of ways you can participate:
We invite you to set up a table at our Show Your Stuff Trade Show (rates
on registration form).
We are also having a Show Your Stuff Video Reception which is free to
attend and only $10 to enter your video
(10 min. or less) to play on the big screen.
The Freedom Stage will be set up throughout the day on Saturday and
provide an opportunity to speak or perform for 5 minutes. This is similar
to our Short Takes at CAT which we offer free twice weekly.
The workshops/panels that are planned are on three main subjects:
Outreach - how you as an artist, non-profit, or local business owner can reach the public with emphasis on inclusion and diversity. Media 2.0 -
how you can use the new digital tools and social networking sites to enhance your message. Policy - how local and national legislators affect policy on media and how to keep media open and accessible to the People.
The FAT CAT Awards Banquet will be the grand finale of the Summit and will celebrate our C.A.T. Producers who aired shows in 2008. This is our red carpet catered event with 10 categories for producers to enter. If you would like to be a judge for this event, please contact us at: 479-444-3433 or email heather@catfayetteville.org
Please check out the official website at: summit.catfayetteville.org Community Media Summit for details. See flyer and registration form attached.
In Community,
Jori Costello, CAT Fayetteville Outreach Specialist
Community Access Television
101 W. Rock Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
watch online at: www.catfayetteville.org

Schedule
Friday, March 27, 2009
noon-6:30pm - Registration - top of stairs
4-6pm - (FULBRIGHT ROOM) ACM SW Regional Meeting
6-9pm - (PIKE ROOM)Video Reception -
FREE and open to the public $10 to show your video - 10 minutes or less

Saturday, March 28, 2009
8am-4:00pm - Registration - top of stairs
8am-5pm (GARLAND ROOM) Trade Show
8-9am - (GARLAND ROOM) Opening Session Speaker with Contintental Breakfast - Webinar with Mr. Charles Benton of the Benton Foundation
9-10:30am - (GARLAND ROOM) Outreach Workshop/Panel - "Diversity Discussion"
9-10:30am - (McILROY ROOM) Raising Funds for Your Independent Film
9:30-10:30 - (PEG CENTER) PEG Center Tour
10:30-11am - (GARLAND ROOM)Entertainment - Everyone Can Sing Community Choir
11-12:30pm - (GARLAND ROOM) LUNCH with Keynote Speaker - PaPeR TiGeR TeLeViSioN -"Media Democracy:
The New Frontier"
12:30-1pm (GARLAND ROOM) Entertainment - Mashburn Scholarship Recipients present "Love or Money"
1-5pm (GARLAND ROOM) Freedom Stage
1-2:30pm - (McILROY ROOM) Media 2.0 Workshop/Panel - "New Media and YOU"
1-1:30pm - (UATV) UATV Tour
2-3pm - (UA LEMKE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM) Free Speech Lecture Dr. Steve Sheppard
3-4:30pm - (McILORY ROOM) Policy Workshop/Panel - "The State of Community Media Today and Tomorrow"
6-9pm (CAT STUDIO) FAT CAT Awards Banquet
Community Media Summit

Focus group to discuss plan for Beaver Lake

On Wednesday, March 25th, you are invited to a focus group meeting with Tetratech to discuss the status of the Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan that they have been helping facilitate. This follow-up focus group meeting with conservation and environmental representatives will take place on Wednesday, March 25th at 3pm in the Chicago Room (room #220) at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale. They want to gather your feedback on some of the management options that they have been developing for the watershed.
I believe each of you participated in the first focus group meeting Tetratech convened a few months back. If you have suggestions for other folks who should be included in this focus group, please let me know or pass this invitation along to them.
Tetratech has put together a series of newsletters to update you and other focus group members on the status of the project. I will distribute some of the newsletters attached to this message and others attached to another message early next week.
Please let me know if you have any questions and whether you will be able to attend the meeting on Wednesday, March 25th at 3pm.
Thank you!
Mike Malone
387-5590 (cell)

Fayetteville Forward Summit set March 31-April 4

Fayetteville To Hold Fayetteville Forward Summit

Fayetteville, AR – The City of Fayetteville invites all of the public to participate in the Fayetteville Forward Summit. The summit will run from March 31 through April 4, 2009 and consists of a two day collaborative process. Everyone is invited.
The Fayetteville Forward Summit is about more than economic development. It is an open, inclusive, participatory event. Citizens will build on existing work, and connect these efforts with the best ideas to create a compelling vision for our future.
Participants will create action steps through collaboration so that implementation of an economic development plan can begin immediately. The end product will be a detailed economic development plan and timeline which can be utilized to move Fayetteville Forward.
The summit will include four steps: Discover, Dream, Design, and Deploy. Summit participants are encouraged to attend both Day 1 (Discover and Dream) and Day 2 (Design and Deploy) in order to contribute to the full process and resulting action plan. There are three sessions for Day 1 (Discover and Dream) to provide more flexible opportunities for participation. We encourage the public to participate in one of the three available times; Tuesday March 31, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 2, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., or Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone then comes together for Day 2 (Design and Deploy) on Saturday April 4, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a Summit Social on Friday evening, April 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fayetteville Public Library.
More information about the summit and registration is available on the event website
or by contacting Julie McQuade,
Project Coordinator at 479-575-8253 or jmcquade@ci.fayetteville.ar.us..

SUMMIT EVENTS
Day 1 Discover and Dream
Participants should plan on attending BOTH Day 1 and Day 2 of the summit. There are 3 choices for participation in Day 1 of the summit. Choose one that works with your schedule.
Session 1 Tuesday - March 31 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Town Center
Session 2 Thursday - April 2 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Town Center
Session 3 Friday - April 3 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. UA Global Campus
Day 2 Design and Deploy
All Sessions Saturday - April 4 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. UA Global Campus
Summit Social
Friday, April 3 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Blair Public Library

Contact:
Don Marr
Chief of Staff
479-575-8330
Julie McQuade
Neighborhood Coordinator
479-575-8253
jmcquade@ci.fayetteville.ar.us

Don't let the contractors take all your brushpiles; the birds won't forgive you

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of mockingbird on brushpile at World Peace Wetland Prairie on February 25, 2009,


The more buds you spot on the ends of small limbs the more likely these limbs are the ones to keep on your property if you want plenty of song birds to be in your neighborhood when spring comes. You might also try to convince your neighbors to preserve some similar brushpiles on their property. And urging neighbors to preserve ice-damaged trees on their property also will help.
Many won't understand. But every property owner who keeps a brush pile or resists pressure to cut down a damaged tree can make a difference in the reproductive success of song birds in the coming spring.

Rosa Rosales, president of Lulac, in Fayetteville to fight discrimination; Mayor Lioneld Jordan speaks in support of equality

Please click on image to enlarge view of Mayor Lioneld Jordan quoting President Abraham Lincoln in support of human equality before the Citizens of NWA Against Racial Profiling on Dickson Street's walk down Dickson Street to protest discrimination. Members of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology walked in support of the anti-discrimination effort. Please see story below from the Northwest Arkansas Times for Saturday, February 21, 2009, for more information about the issue.
Northwest Arkansas Times

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Rosa Rosales, national president of LULAC, addressing the crowd in front of Walton Arts Center at 7:37 p.m. Saturday February 21, 2009, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For more about Rosoles, please visit
Rosa Rosales elected president of LULAC


Allegations of racial discrimination on Dickson Street have prompted one local group to take a stand.
Members of the online Facebook group, Citizens of NWA Against Racial Profiling on Dickson Street, plan to raise awareness this weekend by taking part in the African American Heritage Walk at 7 p.m. today.
The walk will start at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church parking lot on Dickson Street and will end at the front of the Walton Arts Center.
"It's a way to celebrate African-American heritage achievements in Northwest Arkansas and to bring attention to issues like racial profiling," said Corbin Blake, who helped create the online group. "We want this to be a peaceful awareness type of event. We don't want to overstep our boundaries - we're just out to try and help the situation."
Since joining the group several weeks ago, Blake said membership numbers have continued to skyrocket.
The site, which can be access by visiting www. facebook.com/group. php?gid=61630505119, features an open forum where members can share their thoughts, ideas and experiences.
"We started the Facebook page to try and collect as many stories as we can from people," Blake said. "It's pretty powerful right now. Last week we had 200 members and this week we have over 700."
Site administrator Lesleigh Creel said the group's popularity has prompted numerous residents to come forward with their own stories of racial discrimination. Blake said tonight's walk aims at furthering the group's awareness initiative through community education. Instances of racial dis- crimination on Dickson Street, he said, have become an all-too-common experience.
"I didn't realize it was so prevalent," he said. "I've experienced a couple things personally and have heard the same stories from a lot of other people. We just feel like this has gone on long enough and someone needs to be held accountable."
Though he admits that instances of racial discrimination aren't a common experience at every bar, Blake said most stories have centered around two Dickson Street bars owned by David Bass.
Bouncers at both Shotz and Stir, he said, have been accused of selective policy enforcement.
"There have been times when I've been asked to remove my hat, while other, white people in the bar didn't have to," Blake said. "I've also been told that my pants are too baggy but have seen other, white people with clothes a lot baggier than mine."
According to a sign posted on the window of Stir, the club prohibits customers from wearing sunglasses, hair net, hats, baggy clothing, jerseys, hoodies, towels and or chains.
Willy D's Piano Bar has a similar sign prohibiting the same items, in addition to tank tops, sweats, medallions, oversized T-shirts, bandanas, cut-off sleeves, skull caps or beanies. The policy also bans hats from being worn sideways.
"The dress code isn't a problem for me," Blake said. "They have the right to enforce their own policies. What bothers me is when they apply them to whoever they choose."
Blake said group members attempted to contact Bass to no avail.
"We feel like it's a slap in the face," he said. "We were taking the stance that maybe he didn't know this was going on, but he hasn't returned any correspondence with us or the mayor in about a month. We'd just like to talk to him."
As of Friday, Bass said he didn't plan on contacting the group.
"There's no discussion here," he said. "Any allegations of racial profiling are absolutely untrue. The inference that such statements are being made is extremely disappointing and unfortunate."
Bass described most of the allegations against the business as "hearsay."
"Anytime you're in the club business, you'll have a lot of gossip and water cooler talk," he said. "The fact of the matter is that we, like any other business, have a policy set in place that we will enforce and abide by. If you don't meet the conduct or dress code, regardless of race, creed, nationality or age, you won't be welcome nor should you be at any other business."
"If you conduct yourself in a professional manner, then you're welcome here," he said.
In addition to starting a Web page and hosting awareness events, members of the anti-racism group have submitted letters to the mayor, the police chief, local media and business owners to address the issue.
"We haven't received any complaints about racial profiling, other than the letter that was sent out," Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor said. "It's against the law for a business to discriminates against someone based on age, race, gender or religion. It's not a criminal offense, but it is something that could be pursued civilly."
The letter, which can be accessed by visiting the group's Facebook page, asks that Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan take a stand by publicly addressing the issue.
Calls made to Jordan weren't returned Thursday or Friday.
Copyright © 2001-2009 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Fayette Junction Master Plan to be presented at 6 p.m. Thursday

Please click on image to ENLARGE one of the slides found at the link below.

All,
The Fayette Junction Master Plan Community Presentation has been rescheduled
for Thursday, Feb. 5 at BioBased Companies, which is located at the SE corner of Razorback Road and Cato Springs Road. Over 100 stakeholders contributed to the vision that will be presented, and a draft of the vision document and Illustrative Plan are now available at http://cityplan2025.accessfayetteville.org.
Please paste in address above or go directly to the information at the link below:
Access Fayetteville drawings and photos from Fayette Junction planning session

Please join us on the 5th for tours at 6:00 p.m., the presentation at 6:30 p.m., and light
refreshments following the presentation.

Best,
Karen Minkel



Karen Minkel
Interim Director of Long Range Planning
City of Fayetteville
(479) 575-8271

City link below offers wide range of information to help cope with ice-storm problems

Fayetteville city Web site offers information on ice-storm related concerns, debris pickup, shelters, other services

Mayor Jordan urges residents to work together

Working Together;
Meeting the Challenges
Mayor Lioneld Jordan
January 30, 2009

My central message today is this: No one in Fayetteville should have to suffer unduly from the effects of this ice storm. It doesn't matter whether you're poor or unemployed, a renter or homeless, a student or a corporate executive- you should be able to stay safe and warm, and the City is doing and will continue to do everything in its power to help you.

I want to recognize the outstanding work of our city employees in all divisions and departments. It is an honor for me to work with such dedicated people who are committed to serving our citizens at all times and under such difficult conditions. I also appreciate the work of the Red Cross to establish an emergency shelter and the ongoing efforts of the private utility companies –SWEPCO and Ozarks Electric Cooperative – to restore electrical power to our homes and businesses.

Our citizens have responded with compassion and concern. Many have called my office to report conditions and alert us to the needs of their neighbors, and the number offering to volunteer to help has been heartwarming. I thank you for everything you do for our community.

I am grateful that President Barack Obama has issued an emergency disaster declaration allowing us to avail ourselves of federal resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and funding, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act. Governor Mike Beebe has declared a state of emergency allowing state agencies to more easily coordinate with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan's 2009 state-of-the-city address to the city council

http://www.accessfayetteville.org/government/mayor/documents/sotc/State_of_the_City_2009.pdf



Partners in Progress

Mayor Lioneld Jordan

State of the City
January 20, 2009

I am privileged to serve as Mayor of our wonderful city, and I am humbled by the
responsibility that the people have entrusted to me. I am honored to be your servant, and I
will work every day to make our community better for every citizen. That is my solemn
pledge to you.

Thanks to the vision of Mayor Dan Coody, the dedicated effort of our fine Aldermen, the
hard work of our outstanding city employees, and the contributions of many individual
residents who share our civic concerns, I am pleased to report to the City Council and to
my fellow citizens that the State of our City is sound.

We begin the year with a balanced city budget, solid progress on improving our
infrastructure, dedicated police officers and fire fighters who assure our safety, and a
commitment to institutional and individual partnerships to nurture and sustain the things
we love about this great community.

We also begin the year facing many new challenges and we must be prepared to face
those together with resolve. We are not immune from the problems of a faltering national
economy, and we must anticipate and be prepared for the consequences of any revenue
shortfall. We must be responsible stewards of our tax dollars, and we must maintain
essential city services for our citizens. Toward that end, I have already begun to identify
potential cost savings and have implemented a more effective management structure to
improve efficiency and control costs. Our staff already has offered many good solutions,
and we will institute an ongoing, frequent, consistent review of cost/benefit analysis of
operations and projects to assure the services and quality of life that our citizens expect
and deserve.

I believe in leadership by example, and I have proposed to cut the mayor’s salary and roll
it back to last year’s level. I have signed an affidavit that I will not avail myself of the
special lifetime retirement plan funded from general revenues. I have asked to return the
2
$5,000 annual car allowance formerly paid to the mayor and instead, to use a vehicle
from the city fleet when necessary to travel on city business. We have already achieved
some savings in the salaries of top staff, and I will continue to look for savings in all
areas of city operations. My staff and I are partners in this effort.

Even in uncertain economic times, we must be bold in our efforts to develop and
implement a strategic economic development plan for our city. Not only can this lead to
increased revenues without a tax increase, but more importantly, it can help assure green
jobs, good jobs that pay a living wage, allowing individuals and working families to have
the basic necessities and a better life. We already know that we need greater efficiency in
the development approval process, a workforce trained for the jobs of the future, and
better methods to accurately measure the results of our efforts. We can draw on the
suggestions of recent studies and the work of my outstanding Transition Team to craft a
plan that is consistent with Governor Mike Beebe’s long-term strategic plan to help
achieve economic improvement for our state through collaboration and cooperation.

To that end, know that I am serious, and within six weeks I will host a Community
Summit on the Future of Fayetteville that will be open to every citizen and I will consider
all views in forging our own economic and community development strategy. We must
have the participation of the business community and advocates for working families,
students and retirees, public institutions and private citizens, as partners in our shared
progress. We will have, within 90 days, an economic and community development
strategy that considers support for existing small businesses as well as nurturing new
opportunities, and together we will work to make it a reality. A slow national economy is
no excuse for inaction but an opportunity for us to move quickly and prepare now for our
shared future.

My first and immediate goal will be to do everything possible to secure and support the
establishment of a Satellite Campus of the University of Arkansas Medical School and a
Regional Trauma Center in Fayetteville. In the longer view, we should also develop a
close relationship with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and seek a regional presence for that
institution. This commitment clearly illustrates the close connection between economic
development and our quality of life.

The University of Arkansas is a priceless resource, and it is one that helps define
Fayetteville. We must be active partners in progress with the University, drawing on the
vast local resources of knowledge and expertise as we grow together and achieve our
mutual goals. From the development of knowledge-based industry, to community design
plans, to solving social service needs, to collaborating on support for a vibrant arts
culture, the possibilities are limitless. I will actively reach out and pursue this partnership.

The economic, environmental, and cultural aspects of Fayetteville’s advancement are
deeply interconnected. For example, any consideration of transportation policy must
consider getting to work, moving goods, access to cultural resources, and environmental
impact, requiring an integrated and connected system of streets, mass transit, multi-use
trails, bike lanes, sidewalks, and parking, along with a revised transportation impact fee
3
to help growth pay for itself. We will pursue the development of each of these elements,
and we will urge the Regional Mobility Authority to support a feasibility study and
planning for a future light rail system.

As we consider infrastructure development, we must seize the same opportunities. My
administration will go beyond the current recycling program to implementation of a
comprehensive waste minimization program for our entire community. We are pursuing
the idea of solar greenhouses to kill pathogens and reduce the volume of bio-solids now
going to landfills. We are investigating an effective Hillside Development Ordinance and
a storm water utility to better control the primary transmitter of pollutants into our water
supply, and we will implement and enforce a better plan for the protection of riparian
zones. We will be active partners with the “Green Infrastructure” project being developed
with the help of the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, Arkansas Forestry
Commission, the city’s Urban Forestry program, the Tree and Landscape Committee, and
citizen volunteers. Our ongoing city sustainability efforts can also be expanded and
shared to benefit the entire community, evidenced by our new initiative to provide and
exchange CFL light bulbs in the apartments at Hillcrest Towers. In each instance, we will
be partners in progress.

One major change that will be implemented is a reorganization of our Parks and
Recreation Department. While much attention in the past has been focused on sports
playing fields, we know that our outdoor public spaces can serve other essential
functions. I will propose a new division, to be implemented without additional costs, that
emphasizes our community heritage and citizen participation. Examples to be considered
will be increasing the number of way-finding signs and local historical markers, planting
of native trees and grasses in portions of the parks, establishing a community garden
program in appropriate neighborhood parks, opening a convenient dog park, and
partnering with the University, the County, the Fayetteville School District, the
Washington County Historical Society, and private citizens to identify, preserve, and
promote our historic buildings and other cultural resources. In conjunction with these
changes, I will appoint a volunteer citizen task force on Festivals and Community Events
to seek a closer partnership with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to identify needs
and opportunities, and we will promote the “creative economy” in Fayetteville by
developing a comprehensive Cultural Plan, in partnership with the Fayetteville Arts
Council, the University, local artists, entertainment businesses, and concerned local
citizens.

Finally, I want to reiterate and make clear my unwavering commitment to Open
Government. This administration is dedicated to access, transparency, inclusion, timely
responses, personal recognition, and exceptional customer service for our citizens, and
we will be held accountable to those we serve. From Town Hall Meetings to an improved
interactive city website to information on civic literacy to empowered Neighborhood
Associations, we are preparing to implement real changes to better provide information to
our citizens and, more importantly, to seek and consider ways for citizens to
communicate their ideas, arguments, suggestions, and problems to their city government.
My Transition Team has listened to your ideas and has made a series of steps we will be
4
implementing to assure an effective community conversation. We must be partners in the
progress of our community, and every citizen must have a voice and be treated with the
respect and dignity that they deserve. You have heard my ideas, I now ask our City
Council to help me work toward these goals and I look forward to hearing their input and
the input of citizens, especially how I can be a better mayor and do a better job for our
city.

Thank you for your patience in listening as I share my plans and thank you for the
opportunity to serve you and our city.

Northwest Arkansas Times reports highlights of Lioneld Jordan's first day as mayor and retirement of vice president of Chamber of Commerce

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Virgil Neuroth, who is retiring from his post as vice-president of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, and Gary Dumas, Fayetteville's highest-paid city employee, on December 30, 2008. Links to related stories below photo.

NWAT report on Lioneld Jordan's first day as mayor
NWAT report on retirement of Virgil Neuroth

Lioneld Jordan sworn in as mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Mayor Lioneld Jordan a few minutes after being sworn in by Judge Mark Lindsay on Friday, January 2, 2009, being congratulated by admirers and supporters in the Washington County Courthouse.

NWAT editorial on Jordan's rise to mayor's office

Times Editorial : Heir Jordan
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Thursday, January 1, 2009
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/72606/
Each New Year's Day the editorial page discusses the reasons behind the newspaper

staff's decision to name one person, usually, who through news developments locally can rightly be named as the year's top newsmaker.

The decision, reached through voting among the newsroom staff members, isn't a judgment about good or bad or an evaluation of the person's performance or anything of the like. Instead, it's a reflection of the impact the person had during the year or, one might say, the significance of the news that person played a role in making.

Heck, at least once, the newsmaker was an inanimate object.

Developer John Nock, former Fayetteville Alderman Don Marr, local parent-advocate Laurie Taylor, the high-arching crane that once stood above the intersection of Mountain Street and College Avenue atop a development that has yet to develop, are among our notables in recent years.

Sure, 2008 brings us a variety of notables. Washington County Judge-to-be Marilyn Edwards is a big change for the face of county government. Arkansas amendments (yes to a state lottery, yes to annual state legislative session, yes to barring unmarried adults from adopting children) might have been a unique choice. Or simply change in general (goodbyes - from Razorback track coach John McDonnell and UA Chancellor John A. White to any number of local officials - were the order of the day in 2008.) And the list goes on and on.

But, just as it was a foregone conclusion that Time magazine would name President-elect Barack Obama its Person of the Year, there was never any doubt in our minds who the Northwest Arkansas Times' 2008 newsmaker of the year had to be.

Who else, of course, but Fayetteville Mayor-elect Lioneld Jordan?

A council member for the last eight years, the Ward 4 alderman was a well-known commodity to residents long before announcing his intention to follow Dan Coody as the city's mayor. From day one, too, it was obvious that his resume would make him a formidable candidate. As chairman of the Fayetteville Street Committee, Jordan has steadily evolved into the city's defacto point man on a variety of transportation issues; his beliefs about which roads are most deserving of expansion will likely shape our city for several years to come.

During his 26 years with the University of Arkansas, he probably gained more knowledge of what makes the Fayetteville institution tick than most local residents have. Again, that type of knowledge will mean something whenever the city and university visit. Then there's his relationship with organized labor. Some business proponents see this as a negative. At a bare minimum, though, it gives him an opening with working men and women all over town.

But there's more. Fayetteville residents for 35 years, Lioneld and Diana Jordan have witnessed the incredible changes that have come to Northwest Arkansas. The Jordans probably "get" what it is that makes Fayetteville tick as well as anybody. That's no little thing to bring to the table.

But his designation as newsmaker really stems from the scenario from which he earned the city's top administrative role, some would say against the odds. When he announced intentions to run a full year before the election, neither Jordan nor anyone else could have predicted how intense the mayor's race would become. He joined a race that already had businessman Jeff Koenig and consultant Walt Eilers in it. Before it was over, Koenig dropped out for health reasons, former Attorney General Steve Clark shocked everyone by getting into the race, and Coody himself reneged on plans to step down and filed for re-election.

In that amazing circumstance, Jordan survived in the general election then came around in the runoff to beat the incumbent. It is a testament to Jordan himself and the political machine of supporters he put together. Working with less money, they nonetheless changed the direction of Fayetteville. Just how much and exactly how will have to be reported over the next four years of Jordan's term.

Every town is the sum of all its parts, so the election of one man won't determine its future. But Lioneld Jordan certainly made the news in 2008 and deserves notice for having done so.

Copyright © 2001-2009 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

NWAT news-maker of the year

From Ward 4 to mayor's chair: Jordan is newsmaker of 2008
BY DUSTIN TRACY Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Thursday, January 1, 2009
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/72600/
For Mayor-elect Lioneld Jordan, 2008 was a year of choices.

Should he recommend the city of Fayetteville enter an interlocal ambulance agreement? Should he vote to support SouthPass? Does the city need a property tax increase? Should he run to hold onto his Ward 4 alderman seat or run one step higher for the mayor's seat?

The decision made on that last question was the difference between being just another Fayetteville politician and being named the Northwest Arkansas Times' newsmaker of the year.

"I had been considering running for mayor since early 2007," Jordan said. "We went through just such a turbulent time in 2007."

Jordan said the year prior, he dealt once again with property tax increase proposals and he worked hard to see an ordinance on road impact fees pass, only to see it voted down.

"That took a lot out of me," Jordan said.

In October of 2007 Jordan said several friends approached him about running for mayor.

"I felt I could run for alderman again. I felt confident I could win that," Jordan said.

But he also thought there might be a lot of support for him if he decided to seek the mayor's seat. He and a few friends put out some feelers to confirm that thought. A month later Jordan started putting a campaign team together that included former Fayetteville Alderman Don Marr and University of Arkansas communication profes- sor Steve Smith, both longtime friends of Jordan's.

"We had determined in December that we would make an announcement [that Jordan was going to run for mayor] in February," Jordan said.

A few distractions popped up in January. Jordan, who chaired the Fayetteville Ambulance Committee, was pushed to make a recommendation to the City Council on an interlocal ambulance agreement proposed by Washington County and Central Emergency Medical Service Inc.

"I know people were impatient, but at the end of the day Fayetteville pretty much got the best ambulance service available," Jordan said about the agreement reviewed by his committee for almost two years.

By the time February rolled around, Jordan had collected a very diverse team to help him run his grassroots campaign. Jordan added that putting together diverse groups is one of his specialties. He made his official announcement in March.

And so the campaign had started. Jordan said the road wasn't easy.

"We had no money. We never had any money. The bulk of our money came from people giving us $25 and $50 donations," he said. "We did it on shoe leather determination."

Up until April Jordan only had two opponents, a couple of local businessmen, Jeff Koenig and Walt Eilers. But at the beginning of that month the competition got a bit stiffer when former Arkansas Attorney General Steve Clark announced his intentions to run. Jordan said that after that announcement he told his team that they had their work cut out for them.

In May Jordan was out walking door to door working the campaign trail. He said it was not unusual to start campaigning at 5 a.m. and work till 11 p.m. By July Jordan and one of his best friends, Larry West, had contacted 3,000 voters via doorto-door campaigning.

But another twist to a bumpy year happened in July. Incumbent Mayor Dan Coody decided to seek a third term in the office. Jordan said he expected that to happen.

"I picked the month and the week (Coody would announce)," Jordan said.

Jordan said he wasn't worried. He said the doorto-door polling was showing that Fayetteville wanted a change in its highest office. In October the campaign got a gift when it received the endorsement of the Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.

"That was a tremendous lift for us," Jordan said.

The race got hotter when the candidates, six in all after Koenig dropped out and Sami Sutton and Adam Fire Cat jumped in, started debating. Jordan said he was unsure how well he would do in the debates but felt he had always been a good public speaker.

The campaign went on. More and more people started getting behind Jordan and his "citizen-oriented, transparent-government" ideals. College students, firefighters and police officers, even Jordan's wife and kids, were all going door to door. By the end of the campaign Jordan said his crew had contacted about 20,000 voters door to door.

"It wasn't any single group or any single person," Jordan said. "It was everybody helping out."

Push came to shove on the night of Nov. 3, the eve of the general election. With six candidates it was a near impossibility that any one candidate would acquire the 50-plus-1 percent needed to win the seat, Jordan said he was really hoping he would get into a runoff election.

When the results came in, Jordan trailed Coody by 9 percent. Coody had 37 percent of the votes; Jordan carried 28 percent. That gave the Jordan campaign a jolt of hope.

"We had seen that if an incumbent does not pull at least 45 percent in the general election that he does not win a runoff," Jordan said.

So the campaign was extended three weeks, till Nov. 25. Jordan took a vacation from his job at the UA to focus on the runoff. More debates were in store; this time Jordan spent nearly a full day preparing for each head-to-head run-in with Coody.

"We had to show a difference between myself and the mayor. We had to show there was a need for change," Jordan said. "I'm not a real politician, but I'm a real leader."

On Nov. 25, Jordan was on edge. He said he remembers watching Marr get a phone call from one of the campaign's representatives waiting for the results at the courthouse.

"He picked it up, said something and hung his head before telling me that they had delayed announcing the results for another half-hour," Jordan said.

When Marr got the actual results, he remained emotionless, Jordan said.

"He walked up to me and said very solemnly, 'Just take it easy, I'm going to announce the percentages ... Mr. Mayor,'" Jordan said with a laugh.

And so Lioneld Jordan went from being an alderman starting a grassroots movement to mayor in 2008.

"It was a mandate from the people for change," Jordan said.

The change officially comes at 9 a.m. Friday in the Washington County Courthouse, where Jordan will be sworn into office.

Copyright © 2001-2009 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Mayor-elect Lioneld Jordan chairs Tuesday's agenda-setting session preparing for his first meeting as mayor on January 6, 2009

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Lioneld Jordan chairing meeting of the city council to set agenda for its January 6 meeting. Jordan has served as vice-mayor and chaired many meetings the past few years. Next Tuesday will be his first as mayor. Jordan is to be sworn in Friday morning at the Washington County Courthouse.
Please see Jeff Erf's Web log for the tentative agenda for the Jan. 6 meeting at Tentative agenda for Jan. 6, 2009, city council meeting

For the final agenda, check the same link Friday or Monday or go to Final agenda for Jan. 6, 2009, city council meeting for the agenda and link for live web streaming on Tuesday.
Below the photo, please find final report on campaign spending including the runoff from The Morning News edition for Wednesday, December 31, 2008.



The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Coody Outspends Jordan In Mayoral Race

By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody raised more money for his re-election bid than his opponent Lioneld Jordan. The incumbent mayor raised $87,375 -- and $12,464 was his own money that he lent the campaign.

But it was not enough. Coody lost his bid for a third term to Jordan, a two-term city councilman who raised $49,615. Final campaign finance reports were due Tuesday.

Jordan won the 2008 mayoral race in a runoff, capturing 57 percent of the vote to Coody's 43 percent.

"It's got to make you feel good when you raise $50,000 and your opponent raises nearly $90,000 and you win by about 14 percentage points," Jordan said Tuesday.

All told, the 2008 mayoral race picked up $200,857 in contributions. Steve Clark, a former state attorney general and the new president of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, picked up $46,214 in contributions. More than $11,000 was a loan to his campaign made by Clark and his wife.

In Coody's final report, which spans Nov. 14 to Dec. 6, he accumulated $14,205 in contributions, much of it from developer interests. For example, Ruskin Heights LLC gave $1,200. Nock Investments contributed $1,000.

"The business community was supportive of my campaign. They recognize that I recognize the importance of a strong business base," Coody said Tuesday.

Jordan's final report, which spans Nov. 16 through Dec. 26, shows $8,000 of his final $10,131 in contributions came from union organizations such as the American Federation of State and Municipal Employees or the International Association of Fire Fighters. All told, union organizations contributed $12,099 to Jordan's mayoral campaign. But unions notwithstanding, the bulk of Jordan's contributions came from local residents.

"It was just a huge diverse group and it was an amazing campaign," Jordan said.

And ultimately, the challenger rallies the troops, Coody said.

"Unhappy people always go vote," he said. "And Lioneld had a broad base of support. And my supporters were happy."

With sizable amounts of money being spent in the last leg of the election --$19,169 going toward television, newspaper and radio advertising -- and other expenses, Coody's campaign ended in the red, owing $11,416.

Jordan closed his campaign with $2,951 still in the bank.

Three-hour public-listening session fills Chamber of Commerce meeting room early with small groups toward noon

Transition team committee Dec. 29, 2008, NWAT

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Linda Ralston (from left), Michelle Halsell and James Phillips facing the camera, with Cindy Cope at right and Julie McQuade facing the table. Not pictured were Jeff Erf and Walt Eilers (chairman of the Jordan mayoral transition teams' communition subcommittee).

Mayoral Transition Task Force communication subcommittee holds final public hearing January 13

Please announce:

The Transition Task Force Communication Subcommittee holds its concluding open public
hearing Tuesday, January 13 from 6:30 to 8 PM.

This 90 minute open hearing will be held in the Council Chamber (City Hall 219). The
hearing will be broadcast live on the Government Channel (Channel 16).

It will feature live public input for those attending and both a call in or an email
option for those viewing from home.

The contact information for the live call-in open hearing is:

Live Call-In 575-8299

Live Email: GOVERNMENTCHANNEL@YAHOO.COM

For more information please contact Transition Team Chair – Don Marr 479-236-1739 or the
Communications Sub-Committee Chair Walt Eilers at 479-582-0784

Transition team meets with mayor-elect to plan long-term goals

If you want to do the homework along with Lioneld Jordan's mayoral transition team, please see Documents being studied by Lioneld Jordan's mayoral transition team
Please click on images to ENLARGE view of second mayoral transition meeting.



Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of second meeting of Lioneld Jordan's transition team on December 18, 2008.

NWAT report on second transition meeting

EPA newsletter on watershed issues and sources of information

A site to learn about watershed management

Southpass, budget pass, Hoskins freeway subsidy delayed

The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas

SouthPass, Budget Move Forward
By Skip Descant
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/02/news/120308fzcitycouncil.txt
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody cast the deciding vote Tuesday night to extend a sewer line to the SouthPass regional park. The council tied 4-4, with Nancy Allen, Shirley Lucas, Bobby Ferrell and mayor-elect Lioneld Jordan voting against.
Please click on images to ENLARGE view of Fayetteville, Arkansas, city council on December 2, 2008


Because of many issues, such as cost and concern about developing on Mount Kessler, the SouthPass project has been controversial. The move Tuesday night was just another step in its slow march forward. Should the city kill the project -- a large mixed-use residential and park project in southeast Fayetteville -- it has been suggested by the city attorney that Fayetteville could be sued for not following through on contact obligations.
"I don't have any choice but to vote 'yes,' because I don't want to see the city end up in a lawsuit," Coody said.
The cost-share approved Tuesday night means the city will pay roughly $745,000 as its half of the cost of bringing sewer service to the project. The money will come from water and sewer impact fees.
The council also unanimously approved its $119.5 million 2009 city budget.
Jordan, who will be Fayetteville's next mayor and campaigned for cost-of-living raises, said the city could revisit raises in the first quarter of next year when officials know exactly how much surplus money the city finished 2008 with.
A 2 percent cost-of-living raise would cost roughly $800,000, said Paul Becker, Fayetteville's finance director.
Chickens can now legally cluck, scratch and lay eggs in Fayetteville backyards.
By a vote of 7-1 the council approved an ordinance to allow up to four hens per home. Robert Rhoads voted against, saying the ordinance seemed vague. It allows for both the slaughter of chickens, and prevents cruel treatment or killing of the birds.
"What is our business is passing legislation that may be confusing," Rhoads said.
"When it comes to the issue of slaughter, you know, we really haven't addressed it," said Jill Hatfield, superintendent of Fayetteville Animal Services.
A plan to require the chickens be registered with the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission did not receive support.
"It would become a permitting process," said Brenda Thiel, a council member. "And I don't think we're really going to have enough chickens to justify that."
By a vote of 5-3, the council voted down an appeal by developers for Amberwood Place, a 40-acre development with 177 dwelling units, some of them slated as attainable housing. Lucas, Jordan and Ferrell supported the project, primarily because it provided homes in the $110,000 to $135,000 range, a house type many say Fayetteville is lacking.
"If we want some (affordable) places -- and we've asked our developers to do this -- we've got a situation right here, and I'm all for it," Ferrell said.
"I really think we need some more homes that people can afford," Lucas added.
Other council members agreed with the city's planning staff and Planning Commission, saying Amberwood Place is contrary to Fayetteville's City Plan 2025. And also, some council members were not in favor of grouping affordable housing as a bloc.
"I have a lot of concern about it being bunched together," Allen said. "I have concerns that today's affordable housing may be tomorrow's slums."
And a move to enter into a $2.16 million cost-share with developer Park West LLC to extend Arkansas 112 into an open field to both encourage and access new development was sent back to the Fayetteville Street Committee for further study.

Times editorial supports Jordan now that he has won

Times Editorial : A new day
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/71598/
Despite taking months (years, really ) to get here, we finally found the finish line. With the completion of a handful of runoff elections last Tuesday, campaign 2008 at last came to a close.

Fittingly, perhaps, everyone in Fayetteville had to wait until Nov. 25 to learn about the year’s biggest bit of breaking news. Quite obviously, that would be the winner of the race to lead their city into the future over the course of the next four years. And that person is Alderman Lioneld Jordan. Correction. Make that Mayor-elect Lioneld Jordan.

It may not mean much coming from a newspaper that editorially endorsed his opponent, but Jordan deserves a hearty congratulations, and we offer it here. The outgoing Ward 4 alderman, his family and all his supporters worked hard to turn a second-place finish in the general election into a final victory against an incumbent mayor. Jordan’s 57. 3 percent of the vote (5, 796 votes ) easily bested Mayor Dan Coody, a two-term incumbent, who finished the night with 42. 7 percent (4, 319 votes ).

It’s clear that residents across Fayetteville were ready to make a change in 2008. That sentiment was in evidence during the general election, when a majority of votes went to Jordan, Steve Clark and Walt Eilers. Sure, Coody received 37 percent of that first tally — but surely his supporters feared a runoff, and that everyone who had already voted against Coody the first time around would not suddenly return to the fold just to keep Jordan out.

A big reason this newspaper’s editorial board backed Clark in the general election was that we felt Coody and Jordan both had been involved in unnecessarily contentious relations in city government. We wanted a truly fresh start with a candidate that didn’t carry any local baggage (although Clark’s past was clearly enough baggage to dissuade many voters from supporting him ). Among those three — the top three in the general election — the ideas for the future didn’t dramatically differ. Many folks made it clear they were as interested in kicking Coody out as they were in hiring a new mayor.

Now that the race is finally over, however, we hope that all the members of all the varied factions can take a deep breaths, put the past behind them, and do their very best to make a fresh start of things in 2009.

Coody’s supporters are no doubt disappointed in Tuesday’s results, and that’s natural. But the question of who leads Fayetteville isn’t so much about the “ who” as it is about the ideas the leader brings to the table, his abilities to lead others and the results he can produce. The mayor’s post today remains as it always has: a vehicle by which the brightest future for Fayetteville can be pursued and achieved.

Personality should never be THE factor that determines which candidate one should support. Because campaigns involve our collective future, they need to be about ideas and strategies toward achieving a desirable outcome for our community. One reason we disagreed with some of Coody’s opposition is that their perspective appeared to be influenced, if not determined, by their dislike of Coody personally, not by his results or the direction he’s taken Fayetteville under his leadership. Indeed, the ideas advanced by the victor in this race didn’t differ that strongly from the current administration; he pledged to pursue similar goals while stressing his promise to “ listen to the people” and offer “ experience you can trust. ”

The message was clearly one that the voters heard, and agreed with. And Lioneld Jordan will become mayor in January because he delivered it convincingly. And now, the election is over. The decision is made. And the next four years are about what Fayetteville’s citizens and leaders can achieve together regardless of which candidate one supported in the election.

Mayor-elect Jordan believes in Fayetteville as much as anyone we’ve met, and his motivation — pursuing the city’s best possible future — never came into question once during the campaign.

Come January, he’ll get busy charting the course to get to that goal.

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Richard Drake's Street Jazz column on substandard housing quotes Lioneld and Nancy

Street Jazz

Commentary from Northwest Arkansas

Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 18:31:17

Hell by the Week

I wrote this article earlier this year, about a situation that has been a festering sore in Fayetteville - and other communities in Northwest Arkansas - for a long time now. Lioneld Jordan, who is quoted in the article, may have a chance to have some influence in the matter, now that he has been elected mayor.

Hell by the Week

In Fayetteville, the "affordable housing" no one wants to talk about

Written by Richard S. Drake

It is a blow to reform and the political hopes of the poor that the middle-class no longer understands that poverty exists. But, perhaps more important, the poor are losing their links with the great world . . .They are not seen and because of that they themselves cannot see. Their horizon has become more and more restricted; They see one another, and that means they see little reason to hope. - Michael Harrington, "The Other America"

In an ever-uncertain economy, more and more families find themselves unable to provide even a shadow of the lives that their parents provided for them.

Some find themselves lost in a crippling cycle of poverty, unable to thrive in a community which seems either unaware or uncaring of their problems. Many in this Northwest Arkansas community find themselves living in conditions that can only be best described as sub-standard.

Be careful when you walk out onto the porch - the boards might give way. Don't flush the toilet if all you are going to do is urinate; the landlord hasn't come to fix it yet.

For many, the Dickensian world of poor houses and slums where families struggle by on a few dollars a week may be a sort of Victorian fantasy, but they exist here in our midst. And for many of us, they exist only a few blocks away, in places you would barely suspect.

The debate over what constitutes "affordable housing" has raged in Fayetteville now for over a decade, with most of the conversation having to do with the price of homes. While this is a laudable goal, very little public debate has dealt with rental properties, and ever increasing rents.

And one subject which is never touched upon is the subject of landlords who charge rent by the week, or on a month-to-month basis.

One converted motel in Fayetteville, for instance, charges $275 a month (plus $125 deposit) for a 15x18 ft. room, sans furniture. Naturally, being a former motel, there is no kitchen, though microwaves and hotplates are allowed.

Many older homes rent rooms by the week, to college students or industrial workers. For the most part, these are fairly decent places to live. But there are situations can only be described as unpleasant, and those are conditions that might be found in trailer parks which charge by the week.

While most trailer parks are well-kept properties, some are truly hellish places to live, and while moving in can seem like a good idea at the time, it doesn't take long before one realizes that one is in a financial bear trap.

A financial swamp - just blocks from the UA

Kevin and Mary (their names have been changed) are a young couple who have been living in a small trailer park located just a few blocks from the University of Arkansas. Residents of the park for the past six months, their rent is $165 a week.

Let's not gloss over that. It's not $165 a month. It's $165 a week, payable every Friday. That's $660 a month, except for months with five Fridays - then it is $825.

For this princely sum they have a two-bedroom trailer with all utilities paid - cable TV is extra. The owners of the trailer park insist on cash; checks and money orders are not accepted.

When they moved in, the trailer was roach-infested, and mildew had marred the areas under the sinks.

Mary said, "The light fixtures were also loose when we moved in."

When someone is between jobs, or has to move out from another place suddenly, such trailer parks can seem like a godsend. After only a short time, however, economic reality sets in.

Kevin said. "I bring in two hundred and fifty a week from my job, and we have food stamps." The couple have three children living with them in the small trailer. Even with food stamps, Mary said, "We usually have less than $20 left at the end of a week."

Kevin added, "At my last job, I was always having to get an early draw on my weekly paycheck, just to make ends meet." His new job does not allow this practice.

Kevin travels back and forth to his job on a small scooter.

They are quick to admit that the living conditions are less than ideal, and that the park is no place to raise children. In frustration, Mary pointed out that several of the other park residents are drug addicts.

Occasionally on the roads between trailers, drug syringes can be found on the ground. In fact, after Kevin and Mary moved into the trailer, they found a syringe under the cushions of their couch.

And, of course, others in the park are simply in the same boat as Kevin and Mary, people who had fallen on hard times, and now find themselves further trapped.

The day I visited them in the trailer, I had to be careful not to flush the toilet, as the park maintenance man had not yet been in to fix it since it had stopped flushing properly over a week before. There was also a small saucepan under the toilet to catch leaking water.

In addition to the faulty toilet, Kevin and Mary recounted how their smoke detector had stopped working, and it took several weeks to replace. Finally, a new one was simply placed on their doorstep, so they could replace the unit themselves.

Their ultimate dream - like that of so many other young couples - is to be able to save enough money so that they can find a nicer place to live. Their need for a nicer place to live may be more immediate than that of most young couples, however.

They recounted how sewage pipes from several trailers stick up out of the ground, and become clogged with toilet paper and excrement, and that children often play through the area, both before and after park management treat the area with lime.

They do not allow their own children to play around the pipes.

The writer pretends to be looking for a place to live

While taking pictures of various rent-by-the-week parks in Fayetteville, I visited the site with the open sewage. Sure enough, at least one pipe seemed to be clogged with toilet paper. As I came around the corner, putting my camera in my pocket, I walked - almost literally - into the park maintenance man.

"Can I help you?" he inquired.

"Why yes," I answered quickly. "I'm looking for a place to live. Do you have any trailers available?"

Two minutes later I was speaking with the manager, a heavy-set middle-aged woman. She explained the payment schedule to me, and how if my rent was late by a day, a daily charge would be put on my rent, until I was evicted the next week.

"That's okay," I said. "I think I may be able to work things out with my wife fairly soon. I don't anticipate being here very long."

I then found myself standing in a dark, dingy two-bedroom trailer, much like Kevin and Mary's. Even if one broke all the windows, and took off the doors, the trailer would still be as dark as a cavern. I have no sense of smell, so I can't report on that, but the signs of mildew stain in the bathroom and kitchen were evident.

In one bedroom, the door was only standing upright because a wire was affixed to the closet, holding it in place.

Possibly the most disturbing thing was the back door of the trailer; the lock was completely broken off, and it was only held in place by a wire holding it to the frame. One good tug or shove would no doubt give entry to anyone desiring to break in.

I told them that I might be back. On the way out of the park I noticed that there was no sign out front, advertising the park's presence. Under one streetlight was a video surveillance camera, the lens broken, and the wire
cut.

Before this article went to press, I spoke with the Code Compliance Division at Fayetteville City Hall, and learned that in the summer of 2007, the owner of this particular trailer park had been sent a certified letter which declared the park a "Public Nuisance."

The letter was never signed for or picked up.

After we spoke, city inspectors came out again and looked over the property, investigating plumbing and taking photographs for possible code
violations.

Of course, if pressed, the owner may simply decide to shut the trailer park down - thus throwing all of the tenants out on the street, forcing them to look for new homes.

For families who can barely save $20 a week after rent and groceries, this may be next to impossible. If they are lucky, they might move in temporarily with family or friends.

But if they are not so lucky?

This taking advantage of people when they are already down does not sit well with some in local government. Alderman Lioneld Jordan (Ward 4) had this to say when he read the interview with Kevin and Mary, and saw the photographs of the plumbing at the park:

"It is a sad state of affairs to think that anyone would be living in that kind of condition. We as a city must make sure that all citizens are cared for and are treated humanely. To have a decent place to live would be at the top of the list."

There are other places in Northwest Arkansas where landlords, eager to make a quick buck, see tenants as nothing more than income, and not as human beings.

For some it makes no difference that the tenants are Hispanics, or U.S. citizens down on their luck. For them, these individuals and their families exist only to be fleeced, whether the housing is adequate or not.

Fayetteville may have come a long way from the days when it was rumored that one trailer park in town put plywood down the center of a trailer and would rent out both halves - one half with a toilet, the other with a kitchen.

But not much more, evidently.

But perhaps things may turn around, with increased scrutiny on the part of the city administration and city council. As Alderman Nancy Allen (Ward 2), said about the situation, "This is shameful. In my opinion, a moral city can no longer turn its back on a segment of our population and just give lip service. It is time to back up the talk. I don't know the answers, but it is time to find them and take action. No one should be living in sub-human conditions. We must take an ethical stand and quit pretending the poor are invisible or wish them out of our eyesight."

In January, inspectors from the city of Fayetteville went out to the trailer park. The City informed the park management that, due to the obvious sewer water over flow problems, the situation must be fixed or they would risk having their water disconnected.

The manager indicated in a phone conversation to the city that the problem had been fixed. Nevertheless, city inspectors planned to revisit the site the next week.

As for Kevin and Mary? Their pipes were fixed, but they were then informed that they would have to clean their front yard or be charged $30.

The trash in the yard included the mess left over from fixing the sewage lines.

Life goes on.

Richard S. Drake is the author of a novel, "Freedom Run," and a history of
Fayetteville, "Ozark Mosaic: Adventures in Arkansas Alternative Journalism,
1990-2002."

Arkansas Free Press - February, 2008

rsdrake@nwark.com

Posted by Richard S. Drake | Permalink | Comments (0)

Arkansas Traveler reports that Lioneld Jordan beats Dan Coody in mayoral runoff

Jordan beats Coody in Fayetteville mayoral runoff

By: Miles Bryant

Posted: 12/1/08

The cards hit the table last Tuesday in the mayoral runoff between alderman Lioneld Jordan and incumbent Dan Coody. While most non-local students were packing bags and heading home, the city of Fayetteville changed its mayor for the next four years.
Jordan won the runoff election with a total of 5,796 votes, 57 percent, opposed to Coody's 4,319 votes, 42.7 percent.
"I'm excited and I'm humble all at the same time," Jordan said. "The first thing I'm going to do is meet all of the department heads, look at all the staff in January and get an idea of who's doing what."
Jordan is a fifth-generation Arkansan who went to high school in Madison County, and he has lived in Fayetteville for more than 30 years.
Jordan's blue and white campaign signs were titled with the slogan "Experience you can trust." And he often emphasized true open-door policies.
For 26 years, Jordan has been working with UA Facilities Management, and he has often expressed his love for the university and its students. For the past seven years, Jordan has been an alderman, and was elected vice mayor by the City Council for the past four years.
Throughout the campaign, Jordan said he wanted to bring town hall to the people and hear from the students. He has fought for student involvement, and has said that the first town hall meeting will be open-mic and hosted at the UA.
Coody, originally from Texas, moved to Fayetteville in 1987 and has been involved in city politics since. He was elected to the City Council in 1991 and first ran for mayor in 1992 but lost to Fred Hanna. However, he ran again and took office in 2001.
The Coody mayoral campaign ran with the slogan "Let's keep a good thing going" crossed along the top of his green and yellow campaign signs, and he often encouraged voters to look at his accomplishments as mayor. He emphasized the importance of arts in Fayetteville, and he was encouraged to look for a singer-songwriter festival he thought could compete with many of the music festivals in the area.
Since 2001, Coody has stacked a list of accomplishments, including hiring a sustainability coordinator to encourage environmental care, putting sustainable policies into the city government and creating a trail system for alternative transportation that he wants all students will use.
Though Coody has spent eight years in office, he will return to a normal life in January, when Jordan will take the reins as Fayetteville mayor.
© Copyright 2008 The Traveler

Doug Thompson pinpoints reason that Lioneld Jordan was elected mayor of Fayetteville

Doug Thompson explains Lioneld Jordan

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Please click on image to Enlarge photo of Mary Dunham with her grandson, Brandon Odom, holding signs at South School and Martin Luther King Boulevard, formerly Sixth Street.
Time is short to vote. Don't miss the chance to help elect an honest, steadfast mayor with a heart big enough to value everyone.

Runoff early voting continues Monday at the Courthouse with voting at regular precinct polls on Tuesday

Early voting is to be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Washington County Courthouse at Dickson Street and College Avenue for the runoff election for mayor of Fayetteville between Lioneld Jordan and Dan Coody.

The following are precincts and polling locations for Tuesday’s runoff election. Voters will be asked for photo identification at the polls. Voters unsure of their precincts should call the Washington County Clerk’s office, 444-1711. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

FAYETTEVILLE

1, 15, 26, 35 — Clarion Inn

2, 20 — Covenant Church

3 — Sang Avenue Baptist Church

4, 5, 33, 36 — Central United Methodist Church

6, 30 — Trinity Fellowship Assembly of God

7, 29 — First United Presbyterian Church

8, 25 — Yvonne Richardson Center

9, 10, 16, 24 — Wiggins Memorial United Methodist Church

11, 42 — Baldwin Church of Christ

12 — Buckner Baptist Church

13, 34 — Trinity United Methodist Church

14, 22, 38, 41 — Dwelling Place

17, 18, 32 — Sequoyah United Methodist Church

19 — St. John’s Lutheran Church

21 — First Assembly of God Church

23, 27, 31, 37, 40, 43 — Mount Comfort Church of Christ

28, 39 — Northeast Southern Baptist Church

Firefighters support Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Firefighters group back Jordan
In October, the Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association and the Fayetteville Fraternal Order of Police decided to endorse Lioneld Jordan for the mayor of Fayetteville. Both organizations interviewed candidates and made recommendations to their respective memberships on which candidate to support. Lioneld Jordan received our endorsement for mayor because he is accountable, trustworthy and experienced. We believe that as mayor he will continue to be accountable and trustworthy and he will use his experience to move the city of Fayetteville forward. He has never missed a City Council vote in eight years as a Ward 4 alderman. He has conducted more than 100 Ward 4 meetings to make sure that his constituents were able to stay informed and educated with regard to city business. Lioneld Jordan has a 100 percent voting record for Fayetteville’s trails and natural areas. Lioneld Jordan has served as vice mayor since 2004, a position that he was elected to by his colleagues on the council. He has received endorsements from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and the Washington County Green Party. Lioneld has gained the endorsement of the Seirra Club and some of the current and past members of the city council. Lioneld Jordan has gained the respect of former mayoral candidates Steve Clark, Walt Eilers, Sami Sutton and Adam Firecat, which is why they chose to endorse Lioneld Jordan. Wednesday afternoon he also received an endorsement from former attorney general and mayoral candidate Steve Clark, who was once his opponent but now is his respected friend. We believe that Lioneld Jordan will bring accountability, integrity and trustworthiness to the position of the mayor for the city of Fayetteville.

Jeremy Ashley, 
president
Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association

Praton Young finds Lioneld Jordan the best pick for mayor of Fayetteville

Jordan concerns “ baseless ”
I am ashamed of my hometown newspaper. I have never seen such a poorly written editorial [endorsing Dan Coody for mayor ]. Your inference that [Lioneld ] Jordan would be a more liberal mayor than Coody, and that Coody represents a larger portion of the people, is ridiculous. Coody has spent millions on his “ pet” projects that have benefited only a small percentage of Fayetteville’s citizens. Your accusation that Jordan wants to hold town hall-style meetings so that people can tell him what to do is insulting. When you say people will not want to attend these meetings, nothing could be further from the truth. The people that Jordan represents love to participate in the Ward meetings that he holds regularly, and people from other wards often attend. They provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where people feel free to express their concerns and ask questions, quite unlike the City Council meetings where Mayor Coody has been rude and condescending to the public and aldermen alike. Your implication that under Jordan the extreme fringe will have a more active role in dictating Fayetteville’s direction is baseless. You are just instilling fear. These are tactics much like those used by the candidate you support. What I would like from my newspaper are answers to the following questions based on facts: (1 ) How did Coody get by with spending almost $ 1 million renovating the Square garden without approval of the City Council ? (2 ) What are Coody’s successful projects and how much revenue have they brought to the city ? (3 ) How much money has he spent on his travels and have the benefits offset the costs ? (4 ) How did the contract for the SouthPass project get executed over the objections of so many ? (5 ) I would like an accounting for taxpayer’s money given to the [Advertising and Promotion ] Commission. Why were they allowed to purchase a building for a little more than $ 1 million to promote tourism in Fayetteville when there are greater needs that are not being met ? (6 ) Why can’t we do more for the children in our town ? There are excellent agencies that do a wonderful job, but are in need of more money.

Praton Young

Fayetteville
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Marion Orton and Paula Marinoni support Lioneld Jordan

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Lioneld Jordan, former Mayor Marion Orton and former mayoral candidate Paula Marinoni on November 18, 2008.

Louise Mann says support Lioneld Jordan to support our police and firefighters

Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of Louise Mann supporting Lioneld Jordan.



I'm sure we all want to show support for our fire and police, the people who risk their lives for us, daily.

They have now stood up against the current mayor. The Fire and Police have come together and endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor.

Why would they do that, if they did not feel very strongly there was a need for change? This is an endorsement that comes from the guys in the trenches. They have worked with both candidates.

Please think about this next question? Would you have the courage to come out and openly endorse against your boss? Have you ever taken such a courageous stand? It's not a small thing to do. Imagine the consequences.

Both Walt Eilers and Steve Clark have endorsed Lioneld. The Green groups have endorsed Lioneld. And the Unions have endorsed Lioneld.
These people/groups did not make their endorsements lightly. People are speaking out because they know, from firsthand experience, what kind of leadership would be good for Fayetteville.

I think most of us would agree that our fire and police have been darn good to us over the years.

Let's support our Fire and Police Depts. and give them the leader they have requested, Lioneld Jordan!

NANCY Allen says Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville's best bet

Hope you don't mind an endorsement and plug from me for the runoff mayoral race.

I have never done this before, but I have never been on the City Council before and will not be again. So, I feel I have a "one time" unique perspective.

My Council seat is beside Dan Coody's. Lioneld Jordan is the vice mayor. So when the Mayor is out of town, I sit beside Lioneld.

The first time that occurred, Lioneld pulled a crinkled dollar bill out of his pocket and said to me, "The buck stops here."

Mayor Coody has never done the same, literally or symbolically.

I have heard Lioneld say, "I made a mistake."

I have never heard that from the Mayor. If there is a problem, Dan Coody blames the Council.

I have never heard Lioneld be rude to others on the Council.

Our mayor has been condescending and patronizing when an alderman asks a question which a constituent wanted answered.

For example, the $60 million plus sewer overrun or the hotel that became a hole in the ground.

Lioneld has never missed a Council meeting and has monthly Ward meetings to keep in touch with people in his Ward.

The Mayor was in France last year during budget time.

Lioneld conducted the budget meetings. Working together with the Council, Lioneld produced a balanced budget.

Lioneld Jordan cares about ALL the people of our city. I have never known a more pure public servant. Lioneld is a good listener. He will work from daylight to dark for us. He will work to create a better economic base so that our people have decent paying jobs. Lioneld is a fine and ethical man with a pure heart. I hope you will join me in voting for my friend, Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville on November 25th. He has experience you can trust.

Best regards,
Nancy

Aubrey Shepherd supports Lioneld Jordan in the Nov. 20, 2008, Fayetteville Free Weekly

Lioneld Jordan offers fair and open government



In the general election, Lioneld Jordan got votes from people from all political parties. Independence of thought and freedom from prejudice are two important qualities people admire about Lioneld Jordan.

Some said they follow city-government meetings on Government Channel and respect Lioneld for his work in eight years of City Council, committee and ward meetings.

Several said his work for neighborhoods made them trust him more than any other official.

Others said they met Lioneld years ago and respected his integrity in private life. Some said they had worked with him and recognized his consistently good judgment and kindness as he rose to a supervisory management position.

Some city workers have said privately that after years of interaction with Lioneld they felt more comfortable working with him than with any other elected official.

People who care about the fertile soil, clean air and water, trees, tall-grass prairie, wildlife, streams and all things living in Fayetteville said they voted for Lionel because of his consistent support of trails and parks and especially his voting to protect Wilson Spring and to create World Peace Wetland Prairie.

Some people said they voted for Jordan because of his support of well-planned developments and because he invites developers to his Ward Four meetings to interact with constituents BEFORE developers commit to projects with flaws easily recognized by people who live near the projects.

Most important is that many long-time Fayetteville residents recognize that Lioneld is dedicated to improving life for everyone in our city, regardless of economic status. He is a working man who reads constantly, listens to everyone and learns every day.

Early voting begins November 18 at the Washington County Courthouse. The county Website lists polling places for runoff election day, November 25.

Please vote to elect Lioneld Jordan mayor of Fayetteville.

Aubrey James Shepherd

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Marsha Melnichak's passing leaves an empty spot in the hearts of Fayetteville residents

Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Marsha Melnichak (right) and friends visiting the Fayetteville Farmer's Market on October 25, 2008.


Marsha Melnichak died in her sleep Thursday night November 20, 2008, or early this morning, at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I was told.
Having visited her Wednesday night at the hospital, I knew her time was short. During the meeting of the Telecommunication Board on Tuesday night, several people spoke off camera of their sadness that she would likely never again attend such meetings and report on them with her clear sense of reality and highly developed ability to sort through the chaff and find the significant points of such city meetings. She earned universal respect from city workers, public officials and area residents who read her news stories.
Few people reach Marsha's high level of competence and integrity in reporting the news.
She covered the beginning of the mayoral campaign well, and it was clear in brief conversations in the weeks since she found herself unable to work that one of her concerns was not being able to continue her work and be on hand next Tuesday to report on the final chapter.
Maybe she realized that she would not be with us by this time. Most of us did not.
Her absence should be a reminder that, whatever goals we set, pursuing them with honesty, good humor and grace is as important as the result.

Steve Clark's endorsement of Lioneld Jordan on Google video

Please click the "play" arrow to view video of Steve Clark endorsing Lioneld Jordan.

Steve Clark endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click image to enlarge view of Steve Clark as he announces his support for Lioneld Jordan and Alderman Jordan applauding.
Former Arkansas Attorney General Clark finished third in the race for mayor in a six-person field of candidates during the general election. Jordan is in a runoff with the incumbent mayor for the highest office in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Early voting has begun at the Washington County Courthouse and is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Monday will be the final day to vote early at the courthouse and runoff election day is Tuesday, November 25 at regular polling places in Fayetteville.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette endorses Lioneld Jordan in the runoff for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

 
EDITORIALS : Still for Lioneld Jordan
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/244000

LIONELD JORDAN, the
conscientious alderman, is in a run-off for
mayor of Fayetteville. He’s trying to unseat Dan Coody, the two-term incumbent who’s seeking a third term. Mr. Jordan was our choice in the general election earlier this month. He remains our choice in Tuesday’s run-off.
Lioneld Jordan has much to recommend him. In his eight years as alderman, he’s never missed a city council meeting. He’s held monthly meetings in his ward to stay in touch with those who elected him to the city council. Known for his open approach, he listens to all. Even when he disagrees, he’s straightforward enough to explain why. He takes the time to master the difficult issues that come before a city council, and he’s been willing to admit he was wrong when he’s decided to change his mind.
He’s in a tough runoff. His opponent, Mayor Coody, has been a fixture in Fayetteville politics for many years, long predating his first election as mayor in 2000. And the mayor has got lots of supporters to show for it. But his opponent in this runoff has put together a notable coalition in his campaign to become Fayetteville’s next mayor. Mr. Jordan has won the endorsements of Fayetteville’s police officers and firefighters, as well as that of the Sierra Club and the local Green Party. In addition, three other candidates for mayor in the general election have now offered their support to him.
Mayor Coody has had his share of difficulties over the years. He bears ultimate responsibility for the $ 60-million-plus cost overrun for the expansion of the city’s wastewater system. The project came in three years late and had to be rescued with an increase in the city sales tax. He pushed hard for putting up a big hotelplus-condo at the site of the old Mountain Inn. But it has yet to materialize. Instead, the city has gotten a parking lot on the site.
The mayor has also disappointed with his heavy-handed take-over of the city’s Government Channel, which resulted in the cancellation of its public opinion forums. Those forums had been a popular way to provide non-partisan information about issues of interest to anyone who lives in Fayetteville.
Nobody expects Lioneld Jordan to do everything right if he’s elected mayor. But the city can be confident he’ll approach city government with a willingness to hear all sides and take all opinions into account before making the decision he believes is best for Fayetteville. He’s shown commendable openness in his years as an alderman. Based on his record, voters can expect the same from him as mayor. Which is why we’re endorsing him—again.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Six fire departments put out fire started by neighbor's brush burning

 
EDITORIALS : Still for Lioneld Jordan
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/244000

LIONELD JORDAN, the
conscientious alderman, is in a run-off for
mayor of Fayetteville. He’s trying to unseat Dan Coody, the two-term incumbent who’s seeking a third term. Mr. Jordan was our choice in the general election earlier this month. He remains our choice in Tuesday’s run-off.
Lioneld Jordan has much to recommend him. In his eight years as alderman, he’s never missed a city council meeting. He’s held monthly meetings in his ward to stay in touch with those who elected him to the city council. Known for his open approach, he listens to all. Even when he disagrees, he’s straightforward enough to explain why. He takes the time to master the difficult issues that come before a city council, and he’s been willing to admit he was wrong when he’s decided to change his mind.
He’s in a tough runoff. His opponent, Mayor Coody, has been a fixture in Fayetteville politics for many years, long predating his first election as mayor in 2000. And the mayor has got lots of supporters to show for it. But his opponent in this runoff has put together a notable coalition in his campaign to become Fayetteville’s next mayor. Mr. Jordan has won the endorsements of Fayetteville’s police officers and firefighters, as well as that of the Sierra Club and the local Green Party. In addition, three other candidates for mayor in the general election have now offered their support to him.
Mayor Coody has had his share of difficulties over the years. He bears ultimate responsibility for the $ 60-million-plus cost overrun for the expansion of the city’s wastewater system. The project came in three years late and had to be rescued with an increase in the city sales tax. He pushed hard for putting up a big hotelplus-condo at the site of the old Mountain Inn. But it has yet to materialize. Instead, the city has gotten a parking lot on the site.
The mayor has also disappointed with his heavy-handed take-over of the city’s Government Channel, which resulted in the cancellation of its public opinion forums. Those forums had been a popular way to provide non-partisan information about issues of interest to anyone who lives in Fayetteville.
Nobody expects Lioneld Jordan to do everything right if he’s elected mayor. But the city can be confident he’ll approach city government with a willingness to hear all sides and take all opinions into account before making the decision he believes is best for Fayetteville. He’s shown commendable openness in his years as an alderman. Based on his record, voters can expect the same from him as mayor. Which is why we’re endorsing him—again.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

November 17, 2008, mayoral debate in The Morning News

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of laptop view of video being recorded during the November 17, 2008, debate between Dan Coody and Lioneld Jordan sponsored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce at the UA Continuing Education Center.ñ

The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas

Mayoral Candidates Trade Quips
By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/11/17/news/111808fzmayoral.txt
FAYETTEVILLE -- If elected, Lioneld Jordan aims to have an economic development plan within 90 days of taking office as Fayetteville's next mayor.
"After eight years we still do not have an economic development plan for this city. And that needs to change," Jordan told a nearly packed auditorium Monday night during a mayoral debate between Jordan -- a council member -- and incumbent Mayor Dan Coody. The debate was sponsored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.
The discussion followed eight topics as diverse as growing collegiality on the council to how to mange building impact fees to how to "Keep Fayetteville Funky."
Coody, in his own calm style, spent much of his time explaining various aspects of the last eight years and the vision he holds for the future.
"We've worked to rebuild infrastructure. We're rebuilding the very basics on what you can build economic development," Coody said.
Jordan, who at times sliced the air with his hand to get his point across, reiterated many past segments of his stump speech, such as growing job training and being a better manager of the public's money.
"I don't plan on bringing a millage increase in 2009," Jordan said. "If I'm elected mayor of this city, we will have a balanced budget."
Coody also did not propose a millage increase, but his proposed budget dips into the city's reserve funds.
But when the evening's final question came up -- how to fund cost of living raises for city staff -- Jordan, a union member, reiterated that he does not plan to unionize the city work force.
"If I wanted to unionize this city, I've had eight years, and I never did it," he told the room flatly.
The issue was raised at the last debate and Coody stoked that fire a little further when he recalled a prior conversation he says he'd had with Jordan.
"He (Jordan) did say that if he had the chance, that he would unionize this city so fast it would make my head spin," Coody said.
Jordan denied the accusation, adding that if he did say something to that effect, it was an off-the-cuff joke.
"Let me tell you, I didn't come to unionize this city," Jordan said, and added, any such move would require City Council approval.
But the two men also quipped back and forth around economic development, even though both want to grow green-tech jobs. But Jordan wants to see less dragging of feet and fewer "outside consultants" brought in.
"I'm ready to hear from the business community of this city," Jordan said, subtly hinting at one the main themes of his campaign -- communication.
"And set down and hammer out an economic plan that will protect the businesses that we have and move this city forward," he added. Though Jordan did not offer any specifics to what that plan might include.
"This city needs to move forward economically, and we have not had a plan in eight years," Jordan continued.
"Sounds easy doesn't it?" said Coody, who then went on to call this approach "unrealistic."
"It is not 'unrealistic,'" Jordan said. "It takes attitude."
Coody then embarked on a his own dossier of his work with the Fayetteville Economic Development Council and the recent economic development strategy planning session the city held jointly with the university by bringing in Eve Klein and Associates, an economic development consulting firm.
And it would be almost impossible in this election to not touch on the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant, which upon completion, was three years behind schedule and ended up costing some $60 million more than planned. Coody has half-heartedly taken the blame for the debacle, but adds that part of the problem was his office not having all the information regarding how wrongly the project was heading.
"If there's going to be a project going out of whack, I'm going to know about it and the people will know about it," Jordan said. "The buck always stops at the mayor's office, and when I'm mayor, the buck will stop with me."
"The reason the buck stops with me, is because everybody gets to pass it," Coody said.

Richard Drake's letter to the Morning News online

Bottled Water At City Hall

With all the debate about Mayor Dan Coody’s accomplishments in office, the Great Bottled Water War should never be far from anyone’s mind. On June 12, with great public fanfare, Dan announced that not only would there be no more bottled water in City Hall machines, but that the city would no longer use public funds to buy bottled water.

This, of course, is just going along the lines of a much larger trend. Dan was hailed as a true friend to the environment.

Like other (foul-ups) in City Hall, we can all understand that, hey, it’s not Dan’s fault that those pesky machines never actually stopped stocking bottled water until some months later. That the water only seemed to be removed abruptly after several local bloggers took delight in calling attention to it is just some sort of cosmic coincidence.

I think we all understand how the universe sometimes conspires against Dan.

A little harder to explain might be Dan’s performance when he spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors a few months ago, and informed the crowd that Fayetteville had discontinued the use of bottled water several years ago.

Several years ago? Was there some sort of time travel involved here? Was Future Dan telling the present of Fayetteville’s glorious future — under his continuing leadership, of course?

Or was Dan — who was also co-chair of the Conference’s Water Council — stretching the truth to make himself seem just a little bit cooler in the eyes of his fellow mayors?

Oh, Dan, do you think that nobody in Fayetteville knows how to use the Internet, and can read what you tell folks when you are out of town?

Richard S. Drake
Fayetteville

Lioneld jordan seeks others' views

Jordan seeks others ’ views
Many people have asked me why I support Lioneld Jordan over Dan Coody in Fayetteville’s mayoral race. “ After all, ” they say, “ Mayor Coody has done a lot of good things for Fayetteville. ”
I never contest a person’s claim that our current mayor has accomplished some good things for Fayetteville. I know that he has. Additionally, I realize that there is no one whose decisions I am going to agree with all of the time. Instead, I simply relate an experience that I had some time ago. It speaks for itself and I would like to tell that story here, with the hope that the reader will understand that I harbor no anger or malice toward Mayor Coody. The following experience does explain however, why I do not support his bid for a third term as mayor.
Several years ago, one of the hotly contested issues facing Fayetteville citizens concerned the fate of some wetlands on the northwest side of town known as Wilson Springs. On one warm summer evening, the Green Party of Washington County held a forum on the issue at the pavilion in Agri Park. Several speakers had been scheduled to give presentations that evening. To be honest, these pretty much supported the Green Party’s position on the issue. Mayor Coody and some members of the City Council attended the event. I was the moderator for the evening.
In my opinion, one of those giving a presentation that evening was being extremely critical of Mr. Coody and his point of view. Although I did not agree with the mayor’s position, and although he was not a scheduled speaker, I approached him and offered an opportunity for rebuttal; I felt that it was only fair. My offer was accepted graciously, and Mayor Coody had his time before the audience.
Between one and three weeks later, I found myself in Room 111 at City Hall. If I remember correctly, the occasion was a Ward 4 meeting. Once again, the theme concerned Wilson Springs, and it was Mayor Coody this time that was fielding the questions and comments. Several citizens were called upon to offer their comments; yet, although my hand was raised politely throughout this question-and-answer period, I was never given an opportunity to speak. Mayor Coody already understood that my opinions on this issue conflicted with his. I left the meeting feeling as though my voice was denied because of that difference of opinion.
Through relating this experience to various people, I have found other Fayetteville residents that have told me of their own similar experiences with the incumbent mayor; that is, whenever their opinions had differed from his.
Lioneld Jordan, however, not only listens to his constituents, but he actually solicits their viewpoints. Further, after making a decision, Lioneld is always open to discussing it with anyone. That’s the way it should be. For all of the above reasons then, I am asking Fayetteville voters to support Lioneld Jordan in the Nov. 25 runoff election.
Al Vick
Fayetteville

Letters supporting Lioneld Jordan on November 16, 2008

Letters to the editor
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/71174
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2008

Jordan can be trusted

Early voting for the mayoral runoff election begins on Nov. 18, and Election Day is Nov. 25. I urge you to get out and vote and, when you do, to vote for Lioneld Jordan. Here are three of the many reasons why I will be voting for Lioneld: 1. We need a mayor who believes in balancing the city budget and living within our city income. Last year, it fell to Vice Mayor Jordan to lead the City Council through this difficult task while the mayor was off in Europe doing other things. This year, Jordan joined the Council in passing a resolution directing the mayor to submit a balanced budget, which the mayor refused to do. Lioneld will not need that kind of direction. 2. We need a mayor who believes in closely monitoring large multi-million dollar city projects right from the beginning, not after they have fallen years behind schedule and are running millions of dollars over budget. Contrast the initial mismanagement of the sewer and trails projects by the Streets Committee under Lioneld Jordan’s chairmanship. 3. We need a mayor who not only believes in regular two-way communication with the people, but actually practices it. Contrast Lioneld’s 110 face-to-face Ward 4 and other meetings with the number of such appearances by our mayor over the past eight years. Again, please get out and vote during this runoff, and when you do please remember: Lioneld Jordan — Experience You Can Trust !
William A. Moeller
Fayetteville


Incumbent’s campaign disappoints

The Sunday, Nov. 9, Northwest Arkansas Times illustrates strongly why Lioneld Jordan should be Fayetteville’s next mayor. In the article about the runoff race, incumbent Mayor Coody disappoints, but hardly surprises me, by resorting to the politics of fear to down Mr. Jordan. Coody uses the buzzwords “ union, ” the Wal-Mart bogeyman, and “ radical, ” which actually translates as from the roots, to frighten people worried about the city budget. Check the record. Mr. Jordan has certainly had a grassroots campaign, but he has never proposed unionizing city employees. It is Coody who defied the elected city council’s directive to present a balanced budget. Dr. Nick Brown, in a letter the same day, eloquently defines “ sustainability, ” one of Coody’s favorite terms, as including social justice. I believe that if the mayor treats city employees well, they will not need to unionize; the fact that two of the largest, most visible and most depended-upon groups of city employees, namely our firefighters and police, support Lioneld Jordan speaks volumes. As mayor, Lioneld will not throw away money on fancy consultants, when we have plenty of expertise here in town. How difficult can it be for the mayor to put the UAF chancellor on speed-dial ? Lioneld will not direct the city attorney to fight a private howeowner over a sewage mishap, when simply fixing the problem would cost less than 10 percent of the eventual legal bills and settlement. Lioneld has learned that illconceived real estate dealing, such as the Mountain Inn / TIF fiasco, the Wilson Springs purchase, and the Tyson Building saga, are budget drains and not economic salvations. Join with me to return our city to the citizens. Vote for Lioneld Jordan Nov. 25.
Rick Belt
Fayetteville

Regarding the runoff

Although two of Lioneld Jordan’s former mayoral opponents (Eilers, Fire Cat ) have now endorsed Jordan, his runoff opponent informs us that the “ dynamic of the campaign will change as mayoral forums allow more time for two candidates to answer questions than was possible with six. ” (Northwest Arkansas Times, Nov. 6 ) Jordan’s opponent asserts that the more “ in-depth ” answers provided in debates will allow voters to “ delve more deeply into issues and public records and history of leadership ” However, those of us who’ve long appreciated Lioneld Jordan’s leadership in Ward 4 and as vice mayor are sure that Lioneld has already outlined the best long-term approaches for Fayetteville’s future development. His mayoral platform and track record build on proven experience, hard work and accountability, rather than rhetoric. And his strong backing and endorsements by Fayetteville’s police and firemen and the Sierra Club, clearly affirm his competence and leadership skill, as well as his working knowledge of how the city operates. Thus we can agree that debates between the two candidates will allow Fayetteville voters to delve into the deeper needs of our community and to judge the two candidates’ respective track records over the past eight years. And we’re certain that voters will agree with us — and his former opponents — that Lioneld Jordan is our best “ in-depth ” candidate to lead the city staff and City Council toward a sustainable, economically-sound future for all of Fayetteville. His honesty and hard work have earned our trust and yours. Please join us in voting for Lioneld Jordan on Nov. 25 — or better yet, vote early, beginning Nov. 18.
Jim Bemis
Fayetteville

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Melissa Terry explains why she supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Why I support Lioneld Jordan

In the 10 years I've know him, Lioneld Jordan has consistently been the kind of leader who lets the facts speak for themselves. When we organized the first Scull Creek Clean Up, Lioneld came and worked with us all day pulling tons of trash out of that creek, whereas others showed up only in time for press opportunities. Additionally, when the question came to the city council about ways we can improve our city's recycling program, Lioneld Jordan is the only elected person who ever came out and did a day's work with our awesome recycling crew to see what really needs to be done to improve our current waste reduction program. Lioneld's the kind of guy whose principles are his politics, rather than the other way around. He can bring diverse points of view to tough issues and not burn bridges along the way, as evidenced by the fact that he enjoys the same supporters today as when he ran for office eight years ago. This consistent support base is because Lioneld Jordan understands how to treat people with the respect of an individual and the professionalism of a leader.

Most importantly, Lioneld's a dad. In few other forums are your powers of diplomacy more tested or more tried. He's brought up four children on a state employee's salary for 26 years, so we know he understands about managing a budget.

As an example of making the most of a limited budget, Lioneld had a third the amount of his primary opposition's campaign budget, yet he still managed to wage a successful campaign. Additionally, he garnered the support of both the Fayetteville Police Department and the Fayetteville Fire Department. These are people we trust with making lifechanging decisions and their endorsements are a decisive call for new leadership. The Sierra Club's endorsement also shows that Lioneld can work with our vibrant conservation community to ensure that Fayetteville's local economy and ecology thrive together.

Lioneld can help lead Fayetteville toward being a training hub for the emerging green collar economy by working with technologies incubating at the Genesis Center and by forming a working partnership with John Brown University's Renewable Energy degree program. Building a bridge between these partnerships and service programs like CityYear, AmeriCorps and VISTA can help our community grow more sustainable - without draining our coffers.

And, most importantly, I support Lioneld Jordan because I like him. What he says to your face is what he says behind your back. When he tells you that he supports your program, cause or concern, he actually does. When he doesn't like your position, he tells you. As a downtown property owner, a transparent city government that stands on principles rather than politics sounds pretty good to me. I encourage you to support Lioneld Jordan.
Melissa Terry / Fayetteville

Candidates Eilers and Fire Cat joined by State Rep. Smith in endorsing Lioneld Jordan for mayor, Northwest Arkansas Times reports

 
Eilers endorses Jordan for mayor
Ward 4 alderman also gets nod from State Rep. Smith
BY KATE WARD Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/70930

Two former Fayetteville mayoral candidates pledged their support for Lioneld Jordan on Saturday at the Fayetteville Square.
Walt Eilers and Adam Fire Cat urged area residents to vote for Jordan during the upcoming runoff election Nov. 25 against Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody. Fayetteville police also expressed their support by wearing T-shirts with Jordan’s name across the front.
“ He’s been my friend and my competitor for a long time, ” Eilers said. “ He has the sort of skills and experience that will help Fayetteville move forward, and I will do whatever I can to help. ”
Eilers listed Jordan’s people skills and experience as reasons why voters should choose him for Fayetteville mayor. He added that Jordan’s support for dog parks, economic development and recycling are in line with his own goals for the city.
Fire Cat, dressed in a black and white suit, said Jordan would do a better job of balancing the city’s budget.
“ There’s this illusion that everyone is at war, ” he said. “ We’re not at war with each other; we’re at war with concepts. While [Jordan ] may never agree with me on ordinances, we do believe in a balanced budget. The city has incurred a massive debt. As far as I’m concerned, numbers are black and white. ”
Fire Cat also delivered an endorsement for Jordan from Sami Sutton, another former mayoral candidate who was unable to attend the announcement.
“ It’s been a long campaign, and we’ll have to continue to have good, solid support, ” Jordan said. “ These gentlemen ran a good, clean solid race, and now we have to keep pushing forward. ”
Following the announcement, Coody said he expected the former candidates to endorse Jordan but urged voters not to be swayed.
“ I know Lioneld would make a radical change in direction that I don’t think would be positive for the city, ” he said.
Coody said he thinks the city’s fire and police departments will likely become unionized if Jordan is elected. The city of Fayetteville must maintain control of its own taxes, revenue and budget, he said.
“ If police and fire unionize, they’ll have the ability to do collective bargaining, ” he said. “ It would eventually have to extend to all 730 city employees. We don’t want to take the lead of so many other cities that are declaring bankruptcy to meet union demands. ”
Jordan refuted the mayor’s claims, saying he has no intention of unionizing the city.
“ I’ve been on City Council for eight years. I’ve never brought any labor legislation forward, and I don’t intend to, ” he said. “ I’m not running for mayor to unionize the city; I’m running for mayor to properly manage the city, which is what it needs right now. ”
Also following the Square announcement, State Rep. Lindsley Smith of Fayetteville declared her support for Jordan via e-mail.
“ I know from personal experience that (Jordan ) cares deeply about the interests of his constituents and has demonstrated a commitment to be a problem solver, cutting through red tape and getting it fixed, ” Smith wrote. “ I have been especially impressed with his effort to cut wasteful spending and be a good steward of our tax dollars.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

The Morning News reports that Walt Eilers endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Walt Eilers and Lioneld Jordan after Eilers threw his support to Lioneld Jordan in the runoff for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Mayoral Candidate Gets Backing of Former Opponents

By Charles Huggins
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE -- Hoping for a last-minute push in the final leg of the mayor’s race, current Alderman Lioneld Jordan announced Saturday morning he has cultivated the support of two former candidates.
Supporters gathered at the Washington Square to hear Walt Eilers throw his weight and 2,189 votes to Jordan before the Nov. 25 run-off election.
“Lioneld has the set of skills to help the city move forward,” Eilers told the crowd. “I encourage you to help him out.”
That set of skills includes having good communication skills, knowing how city government works without micromanaging, and having a good working relationship with the City Council, Eilers said.
Former candidate Adam Fire Cat, donned in a half-black, half-white tuxedo, brought his off-beat but straightforward perspective with his endorsement of Jordan.
Fire Cat agrees with Jordan’s philosophy of fiscal responsibility and operating a balanced city budget, he said.
“To me, numbers are black and white,” Fire Cat said, drawing a chuckle from the crowd.
Jordan stumped on having a better relationship with the City Council than Coody, and said as mayor he would hold townhall meetings for each ward to give residents more participation in their government.
“This whole campaign has been about two words: The people,” Jordan said following the announcement.
Having the support of Eilers and Fire Cat could be what Jordan needs to put him over the top, Jordan said. Coody received 9,806 votes, or 37 percent, in the Nov. 4 general election, and Jordan received 7,380 votes, or 28 percent.
Coody agreed the race is about the citizens, but said, “It’s also about how to best bring about change based on the public input. There’s a long track record with me to prove that.”
Coody contested the claim that Jordan has a better relationship with aldermen than he does.
“We got 99 percent of everything passed,” Coody said. “We get along fine.”
Early voting begins on Nov. 18 through Nov. 24, with the run-off election on Nov. 25.

Walt Eilers endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Walt Eilers and Lioneld Jordan after Eilers threw his support to Lioneld Jordan in the runoff for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

David Pieper says Lioneld Jordan is a man of integrity

Let's make Lioneld Jordan our next mayor

I have had the privilege of knowing Lioneld Jordan for more than 10 years. For the past seven years, he has demonstrated his commitment to the city he loves by his dedicated service on the City Council. In these tough times, we need solid, tested leadership in the mayor's office. Lioneld is a man of integrity and a man of his word. He is the candidate I trust to take our city in the right direction. On Tuesday, I will be voting for Lioneld Jordan and will be honored to have him as our mayor.
David Pieper
Fayetteville

Please vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Lioneld Jordan has been my choice for mayor of Fayetteville since the beginning of discussion of the upcoming election more than a year ago.
There is no one in the race who can be expected to do more to protect the environment of our city, the people of our city or make better decisions for the future of our city.
Lioneld was born in Fayetteville. I wasn't. I have never been able to call any other place home even when I worked in Little Rock for a few years. But, if anyone loves Fayetteville more than I do, it is Lioneld.
And no one in public life since I first attended graduate school at the University of Arkansas in 1966 has more consistently earned my respect.
I have found him always willing to listen to the concerns of everyone. The fact that he understands and relates to working people in my Town Branch neighborhood in south Fayetteville has been very important to us in recent years.
He supported our effort to save a parcel of wetland prairie from an intense development as we raised money to make the land a city nature park. The project would have wedged 48 apartments into a beautiful and old single-family neighborhood with no concern for the sensitive environment.
He voted to protect the Wilson Spring property, a much bigger and more unusually delicate ecosystem than almost any place this side of the Buffalo River,
He earned the endorsement of the Sierra Club in part for those votes and for his support of parks and trails and the steep, timbered hillsides of our city.
He has earned the endorsement of the firefighters and police officers of our city. He has earned the endorsement of the union of members of the staff and faculty of the University of Arkansas, where he has worked for decades.
He has earned the respect and endorsement of the local Green Party.
Among people I know, he has strong support among those whose statewide and national votes will be for candidates of both Democratic and Republican parties. His record stands on its own. He is the kind of person that most members of both major parties want to see on their ticket.
And he has been endorsed by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
As a member of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology, I am only one of many who have voted for Lioneld, because he is strong in all the areas of OMNI's concern.
I am among the members of the Carbon Caps Task Force who support Lioneld.
I have friends who support the Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, Audubon Arkansas, the National Audubon Society, Quail Unlimited and many unaffiliated hunters and fishermen and bird-watchers and nature lovers who have expressed support for Lioneld.
Most important, however, are the working people of Fayetteville who know and respect Lioneld and believe that he will continue to give them a voice in city government, even as he works to create new jobs in the city and housing for low-income residents and to protect the environment while negotiating the best possible development plans as our city continues to grow.
Lioneld respects everyone and shows no prejudice toward anyone. He listens to all and learns and strives to make decisions fair to all. He is indeed the real deal.
Aubrey James Shepherd

Lindsley Smith supports Lioneld Jordan for Mayor

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Lioneld Jordan TV spot

Lioneld Jordan visits with supporters on East Dickson Street

Please click on images to ENLARGE.

Susan Young dead swanky at Dickson and College

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Aubrey James Shepherd's fourth video short take supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Aubrey James Shepherd's third video supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor

For Lioneld Jordan

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition

Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/241825

LIONELD JORDAN has a reputation for working hard. He’s the city alderman in Fayetteville who’s never missed a city council meeting in his nearly eight years in office. Alderman Jordan has brought the same dedication to the monthly meetings he’s held in his ward.
He’s also known for his thorough knowledge of city government, for his ability to understand complicated city business, and his just plain love of his hometown.
One of the candidates Lioneld Jordan is running against is the incumbent, Dan Coody. Mayor Coody is winding up his eighth year as mayor with a mixed record. He’s certainly done some good things for Fayetteville. Like establishing the current system of trails in the city. And he talks up environmental issues, even if he hasn’t always lived up to his own standards.
But the Coody administration has had some notable shortcomings, too. There’s the $ 60-million-plus cost overrun for the expansion of the city’s wastewater system. The project came in three years late and had to be bailed out with an increase in the city sales tax. Then there’s the stalled development the mayor backed on the site of the old Mountain Inn. Instead of a big hotel, the city got a big hole, which is now to become a big parking lot. That’ll be an improvement, but not much of one.
The mayor’s also presided over a takeover of the city’s Government Channel. The biggest result has been an end to its forums, where issues were discussed openly and fairly. A fear of fair and open discussion is not a good sign in a mayor, especially a mayor of a town as freespirited and open to argument as Fayetteville. What a shame.
Mayor Coody, maybe reflecting what he learned in the military, says a city’s chief executive is responsible for what happens during his administration. We agree. The wastewater project, the downtown hole in the ground, the canceling of issue forums... he must take responsibility for all of them along with the city’s accomplishments during his tenure.
As an alderman, Lioneld Jordan hasn’t always been right. But he’s consistently shown a willingness to dig into issues and take every side into account. As his supporters have noticed, when he disagrees with anybody, he tells them why. And his explanations tend to be well thought-out. (It’s hard to imagine him shutting down any public forums. )
His long service on important committees, such as the Street, Water-and-Sewer, and Equipment committees have given him a thorough understanding of how the city works. He does his homework. And he’s served as vice mayor, which would be good experience for the top job.
If it’s time for a change in Fayetteville, and it is, its name is Lioneld Jordan. That’s why we’re endorsing him today.

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Business man supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Give a friend the chance he deserves

I am writing today in complete support of Lioneld Jordan for mayor. I decided to support Lioneld and work for his campaign because he is the change we need in the mayor's office in Fayetteville. I am a management consultant with a business perspective. My job is to help companies avoid union organization and representation of their workforce. Lioneld is a union member who sees things from an employee's point of view, and he was a leader when his union fought to save and protect the jobs of physical plant workers at the University of Arkansas. You can't get much different than that. Yet during our time serving on the Fayetteville City Council together, Lioneld and I became great friends. That didn't just happen. We built a trusting relationship - one which has lasted beyond our years together on the City Council. Ironically, now Lioneld is in management at the UA, and I am his campaign manager. Lioneld can be trusted. He doesn't tell you one thing, then do another. What he tells you he will do, he does. He listens ! I have been able to persuade him on business issues because he realizes that people with opinions differing from his own have things to contribute to the conversation. He speaks with conviction and is able to influence those of us who are sometimes on the other side. It is the ability of elected officials to convince others; to understand and support their constituent's wishes and to explain to their constituents when they need to change their point of view which truly gives the elected official power and respect. Lioneld is factual, and doesn't make issues personal. Just because you happen to disagree with him (and Lord knows we have at times ), his respect for the other person and his ability to walk out with them together after deciding tough issues is something he has always demonstrated. In Fayetteville we have widely divergent opinions of what is best, and we need someone like Lioneld who will bring everyone to the table, work to find consensus, make a decision and then move us forward. I respect him so much. You'll hear some of his opponents say why he shouldn't be mayor, but I think Lioneld is one of the most caring people I know, truly interested in helping the city and all of the citizens. I hope you will support and vote for Lioneld Jordan as our next mayor. I know I will !
Don Marr
Fayetteville

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.

University of Arkansas group representing faculty and staff employees has endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville

University workers’ union endorses Jordan for mayor’s seat
Special to the Times
Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/70353/
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 965, representing faculty and staff employees at the University of Arkansas since 1962, endorsed Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville in the Nov. 4 general election.

After reviewing the records of candidates and the responses to its candidate questionnaires, for the first time in the group’s 46-year history, it was unable to reach a unanimous decision on endorsements for City Council candidates: Don Conner, Brenda Thiel, Mark Kinion, Matthew Petty, Craig Honchell, Sarah Lewis and Bernard Sulliban.

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Another video supporting Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Aubrey Shepherd speaks in support of Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Editorial points out similarity of today and in fall 2000.

Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of public-safety worker supporting Lioneld Jordan for Mayor and Craig Honchell for Ward 4 alderman.


Geroge Arnold today (Tuesday) in ADG

"In the Fayetteville mayoral race, things are starting to look like it’s 2000 all over again. Back then, Fayetteville had a two-term mayor running for a third term and being challenged by a large field of opponents. The opponents included a couple with colorful names. The incumbent mayor wound up on the defensive about his record. Then, one of his challengers landed a key endorsement from the firefighters’ union. He got the mayor into a runoff and went on to beat the incumbent. The incumbent in 2000 was Fred Hanna; the eventual winner of the race was Dan Coody. This year, Dan Coody is the two-term incumbent trying for a third win. He’s being challenged on his record by, among others, Adam Fire Cat, the waiter with the unusual name. And by Lioneld Jordan, an alderman since 2001 who’s been mounting a strong challenge to the incumbent. Lately, Lioneld Jordan has picked up the endorsement of the firemen’s union, the police association and the Sierra Club. It’s too soon to say that history will repeat itself, but events sure are falling into place for a repeat of the way things turned out eight years ago. —––––– • –––––—George Arnold is opinion editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s northwest edition.

It'll be great when Lioneld is mayor

It’ll be great when Lioneld is mayor

If you support trails and parks, economic and environmental sustainability, livable wages, affordable housing, open-door government and accountability, then Lioneld Jordan is your candidate for mayor. Lioneld has consistently voted to support our trails and parks. He is a team builder, open-minded and eager to learn from others. Giving credit where due, Lioneld draws together a variety of people who enjoy working cooperatively. Every month for the past eight years he has invited constituents from all over the city to Room 111 in City Hall for Ward 4 meetings. He informs us about city projects and listens to our feedback. As chair of the street committee he has the Street Department report monthly on their budget and project progress. These reports are given in front of TV cameras. Despite his full-time job at the University of Arkansas, Lioneld has never missed a City Council or Ward 4 meeting. He regularly puts in 30-plus hours a week as our alderman. It will be a great day when Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville’s full-time mayor and able to devote his entire workweek to the city. His straightforward manner is refreshing and inspiring. His love of public service is contagious. You will see innovative economic ideas put into action as a wide variety of citizens get engaged in moving Fayetteville forward because of Mayor Jordan’s open-arm approach to city government. Lioneld brings out the best in people and he will bring out the best in our city. Vote for Fayetteville. Vote for Lioneld Jordan.
Louise Mann / Fayetteville

Students a true part of the city

Mayoral candidate Jordan speaks about UA, Dickson Street

By: Miles Bryant

Posted: 10/20/08

Lioneld Jordan has lived in Fayetteville for more than 30 years, been on the City Council seven and a half years, been vice mayor four years, fought for equal pay for women faculty at the UA, fought for the proper observance of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, fought for a polling booth for the students and is "ready for the next level," he said.

"I truly know the campus better than any of the candidates," Jordan said. "I'm part of this campus, and this campus is part of me. It's been wonderful to be a part of this family."

Jordan's tenure at the UA has led to his affection for the students and a desire to include them into the city.

"One thing I'm going to offer the students, even though we didn't get the polling booth - I'm going to offer them a town hall meeting at least once a year on this campus," he said. "They'll know where the city's at, and they'll be part of the city. My whole campaign has been about the people and pulling people together.

"I think sometimes the student body feels that they're not really part of the city, but they are part of the city. I'm going to bridge that gap because I know the UA, and I know the city. We've got to pull everything together."

One of the things Jordan would like to see is a committee of students that would advise the city with students' needs.

"I find it's paramount to have that line of communication," he said.

Jordan said he thinks the city needs to partner the UA and Ozark Regional Transit in their efforts for public transportation.

In his view of public transportation, Jordan sees a box lined with kiosks around the city of Fayetteville, with Sam's Club in the center. He crosses the box with boulevards that have 10 feet of green space and six-foot sidewalks. He calls this "the box" and wants to hook a trail system onto the box so people can ride their bikes to the kiosks and board the buses. He also would like to run a light rail system along the railroad tracks Fayetteville has.

"I'm very interested in light rail," he said. "Light rail, with one motor, will haul 15,000 riders. A boulevard road will haul 5,000."

Jordan also said he thinks Razorback Transit deserves more money from the city.

"We're giving Razorback Transit, I think, $50,000 a year," he said. "I think we need to give them around $100,000 and really partner with them."

With 38 percent of Fayetteville's population making less than $30,000 a year, Jordan has a plan to shift the middle class. He'd like to train people, through the governor's workforce plan, in green collar jobs and then recruit green companies to come to the city of Fayetteville.

"It elevates the blue-collar workers to a new standard of living, which creates a new middle class in this city, which then creates a disposable income they'll spend back into the community," Jordan said.

For the city park system, Jordan would like to section one-third of city parks into three sections: one section with trees, one section with Arkansas natural grasses and one section with a shared community garden.

"Anybody that wants to can get a piece of this garden," he said. "Either they maintain it or they lose it. They can take a section of this and grow their own food. It creates community."

Jordan also would like to see the new parks planted with a "sustainable" grass that grows five to six inches tall and only requires cutting once a month.

"If we start to sod the new parks in this grass, how much more do we save on gas just mowing once a month instead of once a week?" Jordan asked. "We create a sustainable park."

When it comes to businesses, Jordan's primary concern is keeping local businesses in Fayetteville.

"We've got to keep the local businesses that we have here solid and then recruit the new businesses," he said.

Jordan's most heartfelt answers come from questions about Dickson Street.

"I have not supported large hotels downtown, especially on Dickson Street," he said. "When I was here, Dickson Street was the most unique place in this whole town. It was a melting pot of different cultures and diversity, and different ideas, and free-flowing thought and entertainment.

"I think it defines this city. There's no place like Dickson Street to me, and I'm going to keep it unique; I'm going to keep it like it is."
© Copyright 2008 The Traveler

Margaret Hunt says Jordan best choice possible

Lioneld Jordan is the best choice possible.
My family has been involved in the life of this city for more than 100 years, beginning with grandparents who arrived in a wagon from the plains of Kansas following the dust bowls. I was born and raised here, married my high-school sweetheart, and returned after college to raise a family and pursue vocational opportunities.
We have witnessed much growth and change in our city and have enthusiastically supported most of it. We returned to Fayetteville to retire and care for elderly parents in 1998 and supported a change in the office of mayor in 2000.
We supported Lioneld Jordan for alderman in the ward where we were living at the time on the advice of a friend. It was great advice!
Fayetteville has made some great advances in the past eight years, as well as some colossal blunders (think budget over runs ) under the leadership of our present mayor. But should we think that no one else can "keep a good thing going"except this mayor? I think not.
I do not want to settle for mediocrity. I choose instead to push beyond that and work for "excellence in all things for Fayetteville," but with integrity and fiscal responsibility.
I grew up during the end of the Great Depression and learned firsthand how to live within our means.
I was taught to treat all people in my life with courtesy and respect.
I was taught to work hard and to enjoy my work.
I was taught to respect my elders.
I was taught to accept responsibility for all my actions and not to blame others.
These are the qualities we expect in the leader of our city.
We find these qualities in Lioneld Jordan.
Lioneld was elected to the city council the same year our current mayor was elected and has been in the legislative branch of our city government with responsibility for voting on issues that have produced all the wonderful improvements that the mayor is claiming as his products.
Lioneld has chaired major committees and hammered out proposals that were forwarded to the council for their vote.
The mayor is responsible for doing the work after the council has legislated.
The job of governing the city is the responsibility of the mayor AND eight aldermen - not one man claiming honors.
In these economically challenging times, I want a mayor who will be fiscally responsible, who will treat all citizens with respect, who will accept responsibility for his actions, who loves Fayetteville, who has endless energy for the work, and who will promote Fayetteville and not himself.
Please vote for Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville on Nov. 4. Thank you.
Margaret J. Hunt
Fayetteville
EARLY voting begins tomorrow!

Nancy Allen says Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville's best bet

Lioneld Jordan is Fayetteville's best bet.
As you evaluate the candidates for mayor of Fayetteville, please consider:
Who has never missed a single meeting in his eight years on the City Council? Lioneld Jordan.
Who serves as vice mayor and actually ran the 2008 budget meetings when the mayor was out of the country? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will reduce wasteful expenses and present a balanced budget? Lioneld Jordan.
Who chairs the street committee? Lioneld Jordan.
Who has had a ward meeting each month, has been on the council to keep his constituents informed and to hear their concerns? Lioneld Jordan.
Who always takes time to listen? Lioneld Jordan.
Who is a man who cares about all the citizens ? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will see to it that our poor and elderly are not forgotten? Lioneld Jordan.
Who has an excellent voting record for parks, trails and green space? Lioneld Jordan. Who has championed the Fayetteville Public Library? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will have, and implement, an economic development plan to recruit green jobs that pay a living wage? Lioneld Jordan.
Who will work for an affordable housing that is not set apart to become tomorrow's slums? Lioneld Jordan.
Who is a proven supporter of the arts? Lioneld Jordan.
Who does the right and ethical thing even if it is less popular? Lioneld Jordan.
Who is accountable and does not pass the buck? Lioneld Jordan.
Who has experience you can trust? Lioneld Jordan.
When I think of Lioneld Jordan, the first thought that comes to mind is "passion for Fayetteville." He lives and breathes our beloved city. Please join me in voting for my friend Lioneld Jordan for mayor on Nov. 4. One can vote early starting October 20.
Nancy Allen
Ward 2 Alderman
Fayetteville

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.

Jordan effective leader

Lioneld's honesty gets my vote
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/70153
With the mayoral debates rerunning on television, it seems the sewer plant just won't go away. Critics of the mayor continue to complain about a $ 60 million overrun and three-year delay in project completion, and the mayor continues to blame someone else and events beyond his control.
In blaming the delay on the consultant initially hired to manage the project and the overrun on rapidly increasing construction costs early in the project, the mayor glosses over the fact that it was his administration's failure to properly monitor the consultant's performance that led to the delay, which in turn caused the project to slip into a period of rapidly rising construction costs.
Contrast this with the refreshing candor of Lioneld Jordan's public statement about the hole in the ground on College Avenue: "I made a mistake when I voted for that. I won't make that mistake again."
I come from a corporate culture where a man is not judged by whether he makes mistakes, but by how he behaves after he makes them. Lioneld would do well in that culture, just as I know he will do well as our next mayor. Please remember when you go to the polls: Lioneld Jordan - Experience You Can Trust ! 
William A. Moeller
Fayetteville

Letters supporting Lioneld in the Arkansas Traveler campus newspaper

Posted: 10/17/08

Jordan is committed to city, students

My state legislative district includes the university and much of Fayetteville Ward 4, so I have had many occasions to work with alderman Lioneld Jordan on issues of common concern to our constituents.

He always responds quickly to all questions and acts immediately to address any problem. Lioneld cares deeply about the interests of his constituents - including UA students - and has demonstrated a commitment to be a problem-solver, cutting through red tape and getting it done.

I appreciate Lioneld's effectiveness in lobbying the legislature for progressive legislation to benefit students, faculty, staff and all the residents of our city.

He advocated support for legislation to reduce the sales tax on groceries, establish need-based college scholarships, provide funding for workforce training, address workplace health and safety issues, regulate nonconsensual towing of private vehicles, and expand technology-based professional development opportunities. ??

Lioneld also supported legislation I sponsored to protect citizens' rights to participate in government and a bill to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act, reflecting his strong commitment to open government in Fayetteville.

When not working together as elected public servants, Lioneld and I also work for the university, where he has been on the staff for 26 years. We share a love of the university and are dedicated to its success.

Lioneld is a supervisor with Facilities Management and is responsible for those core academic facilities on our campus - Old Main, Mullins Library and others in the oldest part of our campus. He consistently brings projects in on time and under budget.

Please join me in voting for my friend Lioneld Jordan for mayor.

Rep. Lindsley Smith
Research assistant professor
Communication


Jordan is passionate about Fayetteville

As a friend and coworker of Lioneld Jordan for the past 26 years, I know Lioneld to be an honest and trustworthy man of passion, conviction and seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for all of Fayetteville.

I'll definitely be voting for Lioneld Jordan for mayor on Nov. 4, and I hope you will, too!

Larry West
Carpenter
Facilities Management

William Flanagan letter in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Candidate will serve all

I first met Lioneld Jordan at a union meeting on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus, where he played an important role in revitalizing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 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 a 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 that he will follow through on these priorities because here's what I know about Lioneld: 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

Mayoral candidates debate at the University of Arkansas, according to student-run newspaper

Mayoral race visits UA campus
By: James Baker
Posted: 10/17/08
The mayoral forum Wednesday in the Arkansas Union showed universal agreement among the four candidates present on the necessity for student involvement in the local community and environmental development.
However, tensions between candidate Lionel Jordan and incumbent Dan Coody continued to simmer.
With candidates Steve Clark and Walt Eilers wedged between them, Jordan and Coody sparred over Jordan's proposal to bring town hall meetings to Fayetteville to let students and residents become involved in city governance.
Students "are just as much a part of this town as anyone else," Jordan said. "People want to be informed and are tired of surprises."
Jordan also referred to the city's wastewater treatment project that ran $60 million over budget and was completed three years later than previously scheduled.
"Who wants to go to a meeting where nothing gets accomplished?" Coody said.
Coody, running for a third term, responded to Jordan's reference to the surprise of an extra $60 million spent on the treatment center project by mentioning Jordan's position on the city water and sewer committee, to which Jordan replied, "The buck stops with you."
Coody countered by saying the "buck stops with all of us in leadership positions."
All candidates emphasized the importance of the relationship between the city and UA students, both civically and economically, in the Associated Student Government-sponsored forum.
"We're not homogenized," Steve Clark said. "We all don't think alike, and that's a good thing."
Clark, a distinguished alumnus of the UA School of Law, said several short-term solutions should be implemented in the next term of office while others are planned out, including the addition of broadband to the city and covers for the multiple bus stop benches that currently lay bare.
"We can do that now," he said.
Clark also said that lack of preparation is responsible for the city not taking full advantage of its economic opportunities, and the next mayor needs to either "take action, or get out of the way."
Students "are the largest economic consumers in town," said Eilers, who supports putting a student representative into City Council and also mentioned the case for broadband throughout the city, including buses.
When asked what qualified him for the position, Eilers joked, "When you've been in business 42 years ... I've earned my white hair."
Eilers encouraged students to get out into the local community and volunteer, and he also said the "city of Fayetteville needs to care about the UA."
Coody emphasized the importance of bettering the town for the future, as many students "will want to come back and raise their families" in Fayetteville.
Jordan, who has worked in UA Facilities Management for 26 years, said communication between city government and small businesses must be "one on one, face to face."
Candidate and UA student Sami Sutton was unable to participate in the debate because she didn't hear about it until it was too late, and candidate Adam Fire Cat didn't show up.
© Copyright 2008 The Traveler

__________________________________________________

Ward Four meetings led by Jordan always highlight major issues

Ward 4 meeting highlights city budget

Lioneld Jordan and Shirley Lucas hold their Ward 4 meeting on the last Monday every month at City Hall. They're always timely - usually covering the next council agenda or some new plans or development in the ward. Lioneld always gives us a monthly update on the city's Street Improvement Project. So it wasn't surprising that the September meeting turned out to be a short course in political science and city finance, sort of a Participatory City Government 101. It's also a working model of the quarterly town hall meetings that Lioneld will be committed to when elected mayor. As an impromptu leadoff, our three candidates for the Ward 4 Council seat - Lewis, Honchell and Sulliban - introduced themselves and their platforms for five minutes each. All showed themselves to be worthy choices for our next alderman. Then the meeting was turned over to Paul Becker, Fayetteville's Finance Director, who gave an update on the city's budgeting process. His presentation proved to be a rich learning experience for everyone. Mr. Becker treated us to an expert and fast-paced analysis of our city budget, punctuated by comments from Shirley and Lioneld and audience questions - all in less than 45 minutes. He shared a half-dozen easily read cardboard charts that he described as "old fashioned," but they painted a graphic picture of the major portions of our city budget, detailing sources and distribution of the funds. He fielded our questions directly and clearly - even from those of us who know little about the complexities of the city's budgeting process. Characteristically, the general tone of the meeting was like a family or neighborhood get-together, with Lucas and Jordan supplying additional information on budget items that most affected our ward - including some straight talk about the options for balancing the 2009 budget. Although we've had Ward 4 budget discussions annually, I believe that Becker's was the first we've applauded. Maybe that's because we have some especially difficult needs to be resolved and our U. S economy is suffering. We urged Becker to put his charts on the city's Web site for the community. And later, we posted the meeting videos online and requested replays of the complete Ward 4 meeting on CAT. An edited version also is showing on the Government Channel. You'll see the kind of accountability that we've learned to depend on in Ward 4 for the past eight years. Lioneld has promised to hold similar quarterly meetings that will be rotated among the wards when he's elected mayor, another reason we'll be voting for him in November. It's the kind of experience and sharing that we've learned to trust. Join us at the Oct. 27 Ward 4 meeting. In these lean times, we especially appreciate the careful stewardship that Lioneld and Shirley give us for our tax dollars. It's another reason to vote for Lioneld Jordan - experience you can trust.
Jim Bemis / Fayetteville

Fayetteville police organization endorses Lioneld Jordan for mayor

Please click on image to ENLARGE for reading.

Woodlee supports Jordan in Arkansas Traveler letter section

Experience matters in mayoral candidates

Why would we want Lioneld Jordan for mayor? I suppose if integrity, trustworthiness, accountability and, of course, more service and relevant experience than all the rest of the candidates combined didn't matter, maybe we wouldn't.

But as I see it, these are the very attributes that will take Fayetteville to the next level.

For me, the choice is quite obvious. We need Lioneld Jordan as our next mayor. Please remember to vote your choice Nov. 4.

Randall Woodlee
Fayetteville, Ark.

Early voting starts October 20, 2008

Early voting:

County Clerk’s office beginning October 20, 2008. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. M – F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Monday before the election.

Springdale Rodeo Center beginning October 20, 2008. Hours 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. M-F and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. This site will not be open the Monday before the election.

Monday, October 12, Fayetteville mayoral candidate Lioneld Jordan to be a
guest on “On the Air with Richard S. Drake.”

Jordan, currently a Fayetteville alderman, will discuss budget issues,
transportation, low-income housing, attracting industry to Fayetteville,
and working class matters, among other issues facing voters.

Show days and times:

Monday, October 12 - 7pm
Tuesday, October 13 - noon
Saturday, October 18 - 6pm

C.A.T. is shown on Channel 18 of the Cox channel line-up in Fayetteville.

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

Susan Young tells why, like her mother decades ago, she supports a 'man of the people'

Jordan Represents All People

One day back in the early 1970s, perhaps awash from the knowledge I was gaining in Mrs. Parnell's Civics class at Ramay Junior High, I came home from school and asked my mother who her favorite president was. Mama thought about this for a minute before she answered, "Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was a man for all the people." Mama was a child of the Great Depression. Her opinion of FDR was borne of life's experiences. The conviction in her voice still resounds in my mind today.

Recently I attended the Fayetteville mayoral debate sponsored by the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods, and I heard Lioneld Jordan say, "Theodore Roosevelt gave you the Square Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt gave you the New Deal, and I'm going to give you the Real Deal." At that moment, I was reminded of Mama's praise of FDR as "a man for all the people." I believe Lioneld Jordan is also "a man for all the people." Like Mama's opinion of FDR, my opinion of Lioneld is borne of life's experiences. As Ward 4 alderman and vice mayor of Fayetteville, I have seen Lioneld talk openly, honestly and respectfully with people from all walks of life. I have seen him stand firm for what he believes in. I have seen him humbly admit when he is wrong. I have grown to admire him for his common sense ideas and plain-spoken solutions, for his tireless efforts to make Fayetteville the best it can be, and for his genuine love for our city and its people.

With the same strength of conviction that Mama had for FDR, I am proud to support Lioneld Jordan for mayor of Fayetteville. Lioneld Jordan is a man for all the people.

Susan Young

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.

Ozark Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club endorses local candidates

Sent: Wed 10/08/08 11:48 AM

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

Professor Steve Smith says Lioneld Jordan is the right choice for mayor of Fayetteville

http://media.www.thetraveleronline.com/media/storage/paper688/news/2008/10/08/Opinion/Letters.To.The.Editor-3475050.shtml

Support staff member for city mayor

I am delighted that UA students are politically active this year, and I appreciate the Traveler's coverage of those who have become candidates for City Council, mayor and Congress.

Vice Mayor and Alderman Lioneld Jordan, a 26-year member of the university staff, has an outstanding voting record and history of public service.

Lioneld is a zone supervisor with Facilities Management, and he has been an outstanding advocate for our students and staff.

When 32 staff workers were threatened with losing their jobs, Lioneld stepped up to lead the fight and involved local legislators to reverse the decision. When the Associated Student Government proposed establishing an early voting site on campus, Lioneld contacted the election commission and threw his support behind that effort.

In hundreds of ways, he has been there advocating for the best interests of our university community, including successfully lobbying the state legislature on behalf of UA employees.

Lioneld has been a guest speaker in my classes and a guest on "Book Notes," a program on Community Access Television.

As a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, he has been active in organizing the monthly food drive for Seven Hills Homeless Shelter, the Christmas toy drive for children and the Curb the Clutter program that collects trash along Razorback Road.

Lioneld has been recognized with the Outstanding Community Service Award from the UA Staff Senate; nominated for the Peace Hero Award by OMNI; twice recognized as the outstanding local government leader by Sierra Club; received the Torchbearer Award for Exemplary Community Service from Alpha Phi Alpha; and he is one of only 75 employees to have received the UA Diversity Certificate.

I am proud to call Lioneld my friend, and I hope you will join me in supporting him for mayor.

Stephen Smith
Professor
Communication

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.

Lioneld Jordan the right choice for mayor of Fayetteville

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Pulled from The Iconoclast blog spot

aubunique said...

Some big farms hurt the Beaver Lake watershed, but most of the farms in the area with a dense animal population hurt the Illinois River watershed.
The development sites allowing uncontrolled runoff of red dirt affect the water quality of Beaver Lake the most. And the yellow fill dirt is as bad in its own way, probably causing the most algae bloom in the lake.
That yellow dirt, like runoff from golf courses and many private lawns and other green space where pesticides and herbicides and FERTILIZER are used, also contributes tons of silt and chemicals that affect the cost of cleaning Beaver Lake water. The algae bloom results in the poor taste and smell of the water.
Dan has had eight years to stop the use of chemicals in the urban part of the Beaver Lake watershed. Decades ago, many Fayetteville residents were trying to get chemical fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides banned in the city. A lot of longtime residents mention the failure of this administration to address those concerns adequately and make them a part of the development code among the reasons they will not vote for the incumbent now. The council voted for a strong hill side ordinance but the mayor protested strengthening the tree ordinance on the hills without doing so in the rest of the urban forest. But, so far, he has not brought forth a strengthened tree ordinance for the whole city. Mature trees and understory vegetation keep the shallow topsoil on the hillsides. Clear-cutting a slope guarantees siltation and pollution downstream
Federal and state environmental officials will tell you and have stated publicly that cities can make their own stricter rules for managing stormwater and urban pollution.
Those plastic bottles are bad for the environment. But using the bully pulpit to announce that city projects would no longer pollute or destroy trees and vegetation would be a lot more valuable than announcing a ban of city use of water in plastic bottles.
Both are important. But laws to prevent pollution are many times more significant than laws to prevent litter. Right now, our city allows violations of state and federal law frequently, not only with city projects but also by failing regularly to inspect construction sites that have been approved by city government.

CAT channel Cox 18 in Fayetteville for September 21-27, 2008

CAT 18, public-access television schedule through October 4, 2008

Lioneld Jordan the right choice for mayor of Fayetteville

Please click on image to ENLARGE.