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.

Candidate forum at law school on Thursday was sponsored by Sierra Club's Ozark Highlands Group

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of mayoral-candidate forum sponsored by the Sierra Club on Thursday September 25, 2008, at the University of Arkansas law school's courtroom.


Candidates in consensus on ‘going green’
BY DUSTIN TRACY Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/69497

Fayetteville mayoral and alderman candidates are in favor of sustainability, being environmentally friendly and creating a city that will lead the nation in “ green ” development. But not all the candidates agreed on exactly how to do so.
The Ozarks Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club hosted a forum Thursday night for all candidates to weigh in on the environment issue. Recycling, environmentally friendly development, public transportation and green ordinances were among the topics discussed.
Mayoral candidates present included Incumbent Mayor Dan Coody, Walt Eilers, Steve Clark, Lioneld Jordan and Sami Sutton. They squared off for their fifth debate in a month. Candidate Adam Fire Cat was not present.
Northwest Arkansas Times report on Sierra mayoral debate
Eilers kicked off the forum stating that he wanted to be a servant leader and focus on bringing a “ Green Valley Initiative ” to Fayetteville to encourage environmentally friendly businesses to settle within the city limits and provide economic growth. He said that a government providing tax breaks or incentives to sustainable businesses could be very successful.
Coody told the audience to let his resume as mayor for the past eight years speak for itself. He pointed out that he brought in the first city sustainability coordinator in the state of Arkansas and has consistently pushed for innovative energy-rating systems to be used for judging new homes.
Clark said he wants to see a tree for every parking spot and more parks filling the city of Fayetteville. He added that public transportation is one of his priorities and buses, satellite parking and park and ride programs would be a nice addition to Fayetteville.
Jordan also asked the public to look at his service record when they hit the voting booths. He said when it comes to voting on environmental issues, he’s cast 143 “ yes” votes and very few “ no ” votes. Projects like the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and the citywide smoking ban top his list.
Sutton said she’d like to put more focus on recycling and tree planting. She said wants to see more businesses and apartment complexes offering recycling programs and she’d like to do away with bottled water and switch the city to tap water.
On the alderman side of the debate Ward 1 candidates Brenda Thiel and Don Conner; Ward 4 candidates Craig Honchell, Sarah Lewis and Bernard Sulliban; and Ward 2 candidates Mark Kinion and Matthew Petty talked about environmental issues as well.
Thiel asked that voters consider what she said is an excellent record of service. During her two terms in office, Thiel sponsored and supported ordinances dealing with hillside development, water runoff and drainage issues, animal protection and services, and sidewalk and trail development.
Conner said he wants to put more teeth in the city’s ordinances dealing with hillside development and he wants to create more environmentally friendly ordinances.
Kinion said that he’s very sincere about protecting the environment, stating that he wanted the city to become less dependent on automobiles and he supports the 2025 plan while encouraging environmentally friendly businesses to come to Fayetteville.
Petty said protecting the environment is his lifeblood and his experience in lobbying for climate change and running social sustenance programs should be proof of how committed he is to “ going green” in Fayetteville.
Honchell said he’s just an average guy who’s learning about how he can help the environment. He said that he’s interested in environmental ethics and the green technology that’s being produced.
Lewis said basically her whole educational background is in environmental studies and she works with developers around the region teaching them how they can be environmentally friendly and can save money in the process.
Sulliban said he’s a community activist who’s been involved in many grassroots movements. He said pushing for recycling for businesses and apartment complexes is one of his priorities. He said he’d also like to see entire neighborhoods of environmentally friendly houses built.
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

The Morning News reports that school-board supports new high school on old site

The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


New High School Gets Green Light On Current Site

By Rose Ann Pearce
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- A 21st century high school will be built on the current site of Fayetteville High School.

After more than two years of contentious, often divisive discussion, the Fayetteville School Board authorized the school district's administrative team "to conceptualize and present a plan for a 21st century pre-K through 12 school system that includes one new high school on the existing site."

Thursday's vote was unanimous, climaxing 26 months of conversation, research, study and community input that divided many patrons into one of two camps, one supporting the current site and the other in favor of selling the property and building at a new location.

Assistant Superintendent Dick Johnson said the nine-member administrative team is ready to move forward with planning a new school on the current 40-acre site.

The district already has asked city officials about closing Stone Street, which could add just more than an acre to the construction site.

No other details on construction were discussed. The administrative team as well as principals and teachers are expected to visit 21st century schools. Several such schools have been identified, including one with an enrollment of 3,000 built on 16 acres in Boston, Mass., Johnson said.

Technology will be the centerpiece in Fayetteville's 21st century school, Johnson said.

"Throughout all of this, everyone wanted a new school. That's a unifying theme. I think we're there," said board member Tim Kring. "We had to look at all the options. I'm glad to see where we are. We have to ask our community to focus on helping us move forward."

Board member Becky Purcell said she is concerned the board may not gain the community trust without a discussion on the size of the new school.

The board has settled on a configuration of grades nine through 12 but hasn't been able to agree on the maximum size of a new school and at what point the discussion would shift to a second high school.

If a new high school is opened in four or five years with the ninth grade, enrollment could be about 2,700 students, based on current figures. A growth spurt in Fayetteville could send that number upward.

"We have had size discussions all the way through with so many camps of thought," said board member Susan Heil. "I would like to trust you to have that conversation."

Johnson said the administrative team is "very comfortable" in discussing size and making a recommendation to the board.

The administrative team doesn't have a timetable for bringing any recommendations to the board for action. Johnson said the site visits will be done first and could start in the next few weeks.

"Tonight was the go button," Johnson said.

At A Glance

No New Boundaries

The Fayetteville School Board probably will delay any major revisions to elementary school boundaries before the 2010-2011 school year.

Assistant Superintendent John L Colbert recommended the delay Thursday, noting, however, attendance boundaries for Root and Holcomb elementary schools may have to be modified this year to alleviate crowding.

Board member Becky Purcell has been meeting with administrative staff to lay some groundwork on criteria and suggested the board could wait to review the boundaries until after the completion of renovation at Butterfield Trail Elementary School.

The original plan was to have new attendance zones drawn for the entire district when the Butterfield renovation was completed in 2009.

Source: Staff Report

Governor's commission on global warming tentatively says NO to new coal-fired power plants

The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Panel Tentatively Endorses Ban On New Plants

By Peggy Harris
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LITTLE ROCK -- An Arkansas commission studying ways to reduce global warming tentatively endorsed a ban Thursday on new coal-fired power plants, saying a proposed $1.5 billion facility in Hempstead County shouldn't open until at least 2020.

The preliminary proposal would allow the John W. Turk Jr. plant near Fulton to open eight years later than planned, when new "sequestration" technology presumably would be available to capture harmful carbon dioxide emissions and store them in the ground. The plant could open sooner if the technology becomes available.

Under the proposal, the $1.3 billion Plum Point plant being built near Osceola could open as planned in 2010 but operators would have to retrofit the plant with the new anti-pollution technology once it becomes available.

Any other new coal-fired power plants in Arkansas would have to have the new technology when they open.

Currently, sequestration is not in use at any commercial power plant in the country. But the new technology is among the many innovations being discussed nationally and worldwide to reverse global warming.

State Rep. Kathy Webb, who chairs the Governor's Commission on Global Warming, said the draft proposal was one of about 50 the group has analyzed over the last several months with the help of consultants. The panel expects to have its final recommendations in a report to Gov. Mike Beebe by Oct. 31. Legislators could consider the measures when they meet in regular session next year.

Webb, D-Little Rock, said the proposed ban has been among the most controversial of the draft recommendations.

Coal-fired power plants and automobiles are the leading producers of carbon dioxide, the chief culprit of global warming. They also are a primary generator of electricity in the U.S. and considered essential to economic growth.

Commission members from the energy industry Thursday voiced opposition to the proposed ban.

Gary Voight, chief executive of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, said scrapping plans for new plants would mean using "dirtier" inefficient plants that produce more pollution and fail to meet consumer demand.

He said a ban would effectively make it more difficult for utilities to produce electricity economically and free up more money to invest in energy-efficient technology. In addition, Voight said, the Arkansas Public Service Commission has already imposed conditions on Southwestern Electric Power Co. to address pollution at the planned 600-megawatt plant in Hempstead County.

"This is a bad plan. It's retroactive regulation," said Voight, whose cooperative plans partly own the SWEPCO plant. "The commission has already ruled that SWEPCO must evaluate all carbon sequestration and capture technologies as available in the future so this (proposal) is pointless. It's a waste of time, and we should all vote against it and get it off the table."

Other commissioners spoke of the seriousness of global warming and the need to take strong action.

"This is what Congress is talking about. This is what a lot, a lot of scientists are concerned about. New coal plants, we're talking about moratorium until sequestration," said Art Hobson, a physics professor at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Commissioner Kevin Smith, the former state senator from Stuttgart, said without a moratorium Arkansas could become "the new Pittsburgh -- not the Natural State." And commissioner Rob Fisher, executive director of The Ecological Conservation Organization, said the proposal was the most important recommendation the panel could make.

"If we don't pass this option, everything else we do is pointless," he said.

The commission endorsed the recommendation by a vote of 11-10.

Kacee Kirschvink, a spokeswoman for SWEPCO, said the Turk plant would be one of the cleanest coal plants in North America. She said it would use "ultra-supercritical" technology that requires less fuel and produces less carbon dioxide. In addition, she said, the plant could be retrofitted for newer technology once it becomes available.

"It would not be good public policy to change the rules now after much planning and investment has been done to meet the energy needs of SWEPCO's customers," she said.

Shreveport, La.-based SWEPCO wants to open the plant in 2012 and has begun site work, while awaiting an air-quality permit from state environmental regulators. SWEPCO is a part of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power Co.

David Byford, a spokesman for Plum Point developers Dynegy Inc., said the commission proposal was in the early stages and Dynegy might comment later after further study.

Web Watch:

Arkansas Governors Commission on Global Warming

www.arclimatechange.us

Ducks Unlimited Banquet October 2, 2008

Please click on images to ENLARGE.

Real change is a vote away

Letters to the editor
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/69414/
Real change is a vote away

I have never been one to view any individual running for public office as a savior or fix-all for our local or national problems. The American political system simply doesn’t work that way. Instead, I have always believed that “ we the people” should be the driving force behind government policy and that our collective vigilance is necessary to keep government on the straight and narrow. That said, I do acknowledge that there are some who rise up from the ranks of the people in order to seek political office — not for self-serving purposes but rather, because they believe in their hearts that we are capable of creating better situations for our communities and the world. There are three such people that I would like to discuss.

When Lioneld Jordan ascended to his position on the Fayetteville City Council early in 2001, I immediately became impressed with him. One of his first notable acts was to establish his now legendary Ward 4 meetings. Here was an alderman that sought out the opinions of his constituency. Here was an elected official that was approachable and who, I soon learned, often agonized over the decisions he had to make. In the seven plus years that he has sat on the City Council, Lioneld has truly supported the concept of open government, remained approachable and, most importantly, has always stood for honesty. Who can ask for more ?

In spite of the fact that many mainstream politicians, including both major presidential candidates, are talking about change, a quick glance at their proposals will show that once they are elected, it will pretty much be business as usual. In the race for Arkansas’ third congressional district seat, a golden opportunity for real change is in the offing as self-defined “ green Democrat” Abel Tomlinson is running on the Green Party ticket against Republican John Boozman, a man who has, for the most part, supported the disastrous Bush agenda since coming to office.

Tomlinson, who got involved in politics due to his horror over the invasion and occupation of Iraq, offers the voter well-articulated ideas for efficient universal health care, combating global climate change and the restoration of democracy and our Constitution. There is no Democrat running in his race against Mr. Boozman; yet, there is a very clear choice. In the Arkansas race for the U. S. Senate, incumbent Mark Pryor, who also has supported many Bush administration policies, has no Republican opposition. Still, Senator Pryor will face Green Party candidate Rebekah Kennedy, a young woman who stands as an intelligent voice for change. Kennedy is also interested in ending the ill-conceived occupation of Iraq as well as the widespread destruction of our environment. Further, she supports universal health care and well thought out programs for developing clean alternative energy sources while implementing programs which would delay the impending energy crunch. All three above-mentioned candidates offer real change for the voter. I hope that you all will seize this golden opportunity for real change.
Al Vick / Fayetteville

Walt Eilers would be a great mayor

As president of the board of directors for Let’s Bring Them Home, and as someone who is politically “ in tune” in my community, state and nation and is vested both personally and professionally in the Northwest Arkansas community, it is refreshing to see that Walt Eilers has entered the political arena in the quest to become the mayor of Fayetteville. I have known Walt and Linda Eilers for many years. Walt and I first met when Walt chaired (what was then called ) the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In those days, my nonprofit experience was in the “ fledgling” stages. Walt’s leadership, professionalism, kindness and guidance not only inspired me, but taught me a valuable lesson: We all have something to give back to our community. And in this instance, Walt, as he always does, was serving the Northwest Arkansas Community, but he was also becoming a mentor... to me. However, Walt took his belief in the nonprofit work I am so passionate about a step further. He has selflessly volunteered his time and talents toward a nonprofit (Let’s Bring Them Home ) that I helped to found in 2005. In fact, Walt is an active advisory board member, supporting Let’s Bring Them Home with expertise in the area of fundraising and board development. Because of the long hours of volunteering and hard work, Walt, along with our entire exceptional board of directors, has grown Let’s Bring Them Home into an organization that is meeting the needs of children and families across the nation. And amazingly enough, Walt Eilers, like our other hard-working board members, has never asked for anything in return. Walt has personally spent countless hours reviewing documents, attending events, offering advice and lending a helping hand to further the mission of Let’s Bring Them Home. Why ? That answer is simple: Walt simply believes in making the world a better place. Walt believes in championing those causes and people that offer hope and help to those in need. And now, in my most personal time of need, as I face a health crisis and pending surgery, Walt Eilers stepped up to the plate without even being asked; he generously donated a pint of his own blood in my name. Why ? Because Walt truly cares. Fayetteville should be so lucky to have Walt Eilers elected as the next mayor. As voters decide which candidate is best prepared to run the city of Fayetteville and manage budgets, people and the like, Walt’s rich resume makes the decision clear: Walt is the candidate for the challenge. But as voters also weigh which candidate will lead from the heart as a servant-leader, it becomes even clearer that Walt, again, is the clear candidate for the job. Walt’s selfless devotion to the people and places that make up the city of Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas will make us all better people. I know from personal experience that my family is better for having known Walt Eilers.
LaDonna Meredith / Rogers

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

Fran Alexander's Northwest Arkansas Times column explains reasons she supports Lioneld Jordan for mayor

CROSS CURRENTS : The real deal
Fran Alexander frana@nwarktimes.com
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/69388/
What is the starting point ? Where do we begin our evaluations that lead to our perceptions ? Do we make judgment calls on people based on how they treat others or just on how they treat us in particular ? Are our opinions of candidates reached via their actions or decisions on issues, or do we rely on the gut response we have toward their personalities ? Do we take the time to figure out our own motives and behaviors before we choose others to represent our values ?

In sorting through my own assessments of Fayetteville’s mayoral choices, my checklist has stayed consistent with what I wrote in my April 21 article, “ And they’re off ! ” when there were only three runners in this race.

First and foremost, I want someone who bases his or her “ actions on an internally consistent framework of principles, ” the best definition of “ integrity” I’ve located so far. Next, from the experience side of the score care, I want someone who knows in his or her bones what it means to be on the citizens’ side of the City Council’s podium, asking questions or expressing heart and soul concern on an issue. I also want a candidate who has served on city committees or on the council, gaining not just experience in dealing with the public, but also a familiarity with how the city works or fails to work. Equally important, when candidates have served in some capacity, the rest of us have had a chance to get to know them from hearing them discuss, justify and vote their values. That’s what “ vetting” is all about.

Only two of the six candidates for the city’s top job have been active in city matters for years. If you don’t know incumbent mayor, Dan Coody, and Alderman Lioneld Jordan by now, you haven’t been paying attention to what goes on in City Hall and need to do some homework before you go vote.

Having traveled through a seemingly endless assortment of issues over almost eight years with my eyes on these guys, my support goes to Lioneld Jordan. The basic boiled-down reason is I know who he is. I know who he is now, who he has been for eight years, and who he will be in the future because of his “ internally consistent framework of principles. ”

If we disagree, Lioneld discusses our differences one-onone, but votes his conscience. A fellow I know here in town told me, “ I come from a corporate culture where a man was not judged by whether he made mistakes; he was judged by how he behaved after he made them. In my view, Lioneld would have done very well in that culture. ”

I’ve never known Lioneld to back-peddle, back-slide, or back-stab. Oh, he can get fed-up, fired-up, and want to bite nails in half at times, but you can always predict he’ll work his way through the rough spots using the same tools he always uses: determination, consistency, and responsibility. And, he apologizes if he thinks he got something wrong.

Jordan is also full of curiosity and always eager to learn, characteristics that have been very gratifying to me when we discuss environmental problems and protections. He extensively researches items that come before the City Council, which can entail reading volumes of documents. This means his decisions do not come from seat-of-the-pants guesswork or knee-jerk reflex.

Management of the University of Arkansas’ oldest and most-loved core buildings gives this candidate more of an on-the-ground knowledge of how to keep the nuts and bolts of physical infrastructure functioning than perhaps any other mayoral candidates we have seen in decades. His 120 hours of business management training, 80 hours of supervisory training, 1, 500 hours of apprentice schooling through the Department of Labor, and 20 hours of diversity coursework combined with his work experience have given him an educational foundation in managing both the structural and the human sides of problems. And, his long involvement with labor issues has provided him the real-life basics of dealing with a workforce. Using this background in his role in the political realm, he has been chair of the Street Committee for four years and spent seven years on the Water and Sewer and the Equipment committees, just three of the seven working groups on which he has served.

Jordan, if elected, wants to use his monthly Ward 4 gatherings as a pattern for town hall meetings for each ward in the city, taking government to the people in their part of town at least three or four times per year. One of his supporters told me, “ He wants to make sure that no one is missed, that everyone has a chance, no matter what side of the tracks they are from. Everything else will flow from there. I love the idea of the town hall meetings, and I know Lioneld will follow through with them. ”

Outside city business, Lioneld reads for pleasure, especially history and literature. When he quotes Emerson, Roosevelt and Eugene O’Neill, his favorite playwright, to make a point, you get the impression that he’s not just been reading comics in his spare moments. He does, however, take the time to delve deeply into the joys of Razorback devotion.

Probably the most telling attribute about Jordan’s character and seriousness about his role in city government is a little something not many people know. One evening after a council meeting was over, I saw him pick up a dollar bill from his desk and put it in his wallet. I teased him that being alderman did not pay very well. He laughed and agreed, but then added that he tries to remember to put a dollar in his view during council meetings to remind him of Truman’s motto, “ The Buck Stops Here. “

If the voters truly want to be able to trust their representatives, then Lioneld Jordan is the real deal. The experience that citizens have had with him is “ experience you can trust. ”

Fran Alexander is a local resident and an active environmentalist.

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

Former member of City Council trusts, supports Lioneld Jordan

Lioneld Jordan — our next mayor
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2008
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I support Lioneld Jordan for mayor because he will open up city government to the citizens of Fayetteville and continue to bring diverse groups together. As a member of the Fayetteville City Council, he has invited developers to ward meetings where concerns of citizens can be addressed before they become controversial. Lioneld continuously asks people's opinions about issues facing the city while he is deciding how he will vote on the subject. One of the other candidates for mayor has been saying that Lioneld is not polished enough or that he is not sophisticated enough to be mayor. I wonder if that candidate thinks Lioneld would not be able to misrepresent things and mislead the public about issues important of Fayetteville. Having served with Lioneld Jordan on the City Council, I know that when Lioneld makes a decision on what he thinks is best for Fayetteville he will tell you how he will vote, and that's what he's going to do because he is not "polished "enough to speak out of both sides of his mouth. When talk turns to economic development, whether it is land development or business and industrial recruitment, one key factor that is always mentioned is that these people want to know what is expected of them if they come to Fayetteville. I have heard too many times "I just need to know where I stand with the city and what I am supposed to do. "These people will not have a problem knowing what they must do or where they stand with Lioneld. I know I stand with Lioneld Jordan for mayor. Cyrus Young Fayetteville

Fayetteville mayoral candidates debate in Springdale

Mayoral Candidates Sharpen Attacks

By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- As election day draws closer mayoral candidate attacks are getting more pointed. And as expected, the crosshairs seem centered on the incumbent.

When asked about the relationship between the City Council and the mayor's office, Lioneld Jordan, an alderman from Ward 4 and a candidate for mayor, admitted "a very strained relationship right now."

"And it's not coming from the body, it's coming from the head," he added.

"There's not very much going through the city right now, because of who's in charge of it," Jordan snapped during a Friday candidate forum hosted by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

"You need to listen," remarked candidate Walt Eilers about the job of mayor and the relationship the office holds with the council. "If you're always talking about yourself, you're not listening."

"It's the mayor's job to lead, either by example or persuasion," said candidate Steve Clark.

Some of the chamber questions were more than a little hypothetical, but clearly targeted at exploring different candidates' personal philosophies and goals.

One question presented each potential mayor with $5 million. What would the candidate do with the money if he or she were elected?

Coody said the money should be invested in the Arkansas Research and Technology Park as the boost it needs to further attract the types of clean-tech industry the city often touts.

"Fayetteville is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the growing green economy," Coody said.

Adam Fire Cat, another candidate who often speaks of what he sees as Fayetteville's dismal economic and financial picture, would squirrel the money away into a "rainy day fund." Cat would also put a freeze on all nonessential spending. And he casts that net pretty wide to include public parks, libraries and other programs or city services he deems not strictly necessary to the city's operation.

Clark would use the $5 million as seed money to spread across industry recruitment as well as the library system, landing a regional park and building a new police station.

Candidates were also asked about their thoughts on SouthPass, the 1,000-acre mixed-use development on the edge of town, that's to include a 240-acre regional park. After fully completed in 25 years, the project would house some 11,000 people, and more than 200,000 square feet of retail and office space.

Jordan, who's never been a huge fan of extending the city's boundaries and infrastructure beyond where they already lie, has been calling for the brakes on the project.

"Do we really need a new Fayetteville on a two-lane road at the edge of the city?" he wondered.

"I have great concerns about that development," Clark said. He went on to suggest, "Make all 900 acres the regional park."

Jordan also wants more specifics about costs for infrastructure and what share the city will shoulder.

"The administration is also supposed to provide us the cost that it would be and we are yet to have those costs, and I think that needs to be addressed," Jordan said.

Southpass is being developed by the same development team behind East Square Development. East Square Development is the same company leading up the stalled Renaissance Tower hotel project downtown. Clark and Eilers both support a move to have the developers make some assurances of the viability of the financial muscle behind the project.

Coody, a supporter of SouthPass, sees this type of public prying into the affairs of private business as an unrealistic request that would create an unfriendly business environment for Fayetteville.

With the city in budget season and the mayor's proposed budget would dip into reserve funds for $535,000, candidates were asked about their fiscal philosophies.

Coody defended his budget, saying Fayetteville residents should not be asked to shoulder a tax increase. He's also unwilling to eliminate jobs and programs.

"We're too understaffed as it is," Coody said.

Jordan offered few specifics about how to shave costs, only saying basic services like police, fire, sewer or water need to be covered.

"First the core, and then you've got to properly manage your money," Jordan said.

Eilers stressed his plan is to do more listening.

"You meet with your employees and say, 'How can we reduce the cost of doing business?,'" Eilers said.

Clark deferred to making some "really tough decisions," and not dip into reserves.

Article submited for posting by Lioneld Jordan

Bush Officials Sued for Steering $350M to Forest Foundations

SEATTLE, Washington, September 11, 2008 (ENS) - A coalition of conservation organizations filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Bush administration alleging that federal officials diverted $350 million from the public treasury to forestry foundations "dominated by the timber industry."
The suit alleges that the administration violated federal appropriations law when, in September 2006, without any public process or congressional approval, the administration steered $350 million from Canadian lawsuit settlement funds to the foundations.

The plaintiff organizations - the Forest Stewardship Council-US, Conservation Northwest, and the Center for Biological Diversity - say they filed the lawsuit because they are committed to promoting sustainable forestry in the United States.

The Washington Forest Law Center, a public interest law firm based in Seattle, filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs in federal court in Seattle.

The defendants are the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

"Once again the Bush administration has made up its own rules," said Joe Scott, International Programs director of Washington-based Conservation Northwest.

"Here, the administration illegally gave away hundreds of millions of public dollars to organizations whose programs are not clearly established to advance the public interest," said Scott.


An example of Georgia's upland maritime forest. (Photo courtesy U. of Georgia)

The groups are asking the court to declare that the Bush administration violated the law and asks the court to take reasonable and fair steps to ensure that the money is safeguarded until the administration follows the law.
One of the co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit, represents a forest certification system.

Corey Brinkema, president of the plaintiff Forest Stewardship Council-US, said the organization joined the lawsuit because, "FSC-US and our partners work tirelessly to develop and promote the highest standards for forest management, as well as provide the public the opportunity to reward responsible forestry through choosing FSC-labeled products. The administration�s action is a huge setback that, if left unchecked, could significantly lower the bar for what is represented as sustainable forestry."

The suit alleges that money the Bush administration earmarked to the two timber industry-dominated organizations, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Inc. and the American Forest Foundation, should instead have gone into the US Treasury.

"How this money is spent should have been up to Congress, not timber industry executives in a backroom deal with the administration," said Bill Snape, senior attorney for the plaintiff Center for Biological Diversity.


Forested land in northern Idaho (Photo by Terry Gray)

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit corporation established in September 2006, at the request of the governments of the United States and Canada in accordance with the terms of the Softwood Lumber Agreement between the two countries and endowed with $200 million. The Endowment is one of three entities designated to share in a one-time infusion of funds to support "meritorious initiatives" in the United States.

The American Forest Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works with family forest owners. It was chartered in 1981 "to encourage the long-term sustainability of America's forests, restore wildlife habitat, and develop quality environmental education programs."

The AFF Board of Trustees includes officials of the National Audubon Society, the Aldo Leopold Foundation, and the American Bird Conservancy as well as packaging company MeadWestvaco and timber company Weyerhaeuser, as well as keyboardist Chuck Leavell, known for his work with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and The Allman Brothers Band, among others.

The AFF adheres to the sustainability standards of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification PEFC, based in Geneva, Switzerland, a rival of the plaintiff Forest Stewardship Council.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.

Big, blue hose takes water beyond nasty construction site

Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of view northeast from W. Center Street where Sweetser crew members are rapidly replacing an old rock-walled storm drain with a new concrete culvert. The big, blue plastic hose is designed to collect water flowing from the Dickson Street area to be pumped across the street to reenter Tanglewood Branch downstream. This reduces the load of mud from the construction site and thus the load of silt flowing toward Beaver Lake.

Clear water pumped from upstream of the construction site enters Tanglewood Branch to thin out the silt-laden yellow water that escaped the site on Monday and Tuesday. The 70- or 80-year-old rock-lined tunnel recently collapsed under the north lane of West Center Street, creating an emergency repair need on a busy street near the University of Arkansas.

Diverse plants and wildlife call World Peace Wetland Prairie home on August 29, 2008

Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of butterflies and flowers and tall grass on August 29, 2008, on World Peace Wetland Prairie.



First and second photos above feature a monarch butterfly nectaring on native thistles on World Peace Wetland Prairie. Native thistles are NOT outlawed and are exceptionally valuable to butterflies, bees and numerous species of birds.
The following two photos (below) feature Centaurea Americana, the American basketflower, surrounded by Demaree's gaura or Gaura demareei, and Dematree's gaura is seen up close in the fifth photo.




Gaura demareei above.
A small, pale butterfly rests on tall grass in the sixth photo (below).





Florida lettuce above (Latuca floridana) above.