ROGERS — Numbers can say whatever you want them to say.
This is one of the very first things you are taught in journalism school. Or was. I am always curious about why they don’t teach and what they should teach in J-school, but that is a story for another day.
I employ the numbers theory all the time; it serves me well.
So when I sat down to read our pro/con opinion pieces on the Benton County wet/dry issue, my numbers skepticism got a workout.
Marshall Ney wrote in support of Benton County going wet. He is legal counsel and spokesman for Keep Dollars in Benton County.
Writing for the opposition was Bobby Hester, director of the Arkansas Family Coalition. He lives in Jonesboro. What he knows about Benton County is a mystery to me, but wherever there is an issue of personal freedom, you can find Bobby weighing in.
It is no secret I believe it is time for Benton County to go wet. I believe way too much tax money goes to Washington County, to Missouri and to Oklahoma. I can tell that by looking at the vehicle licenses sitting in the parking lot of the liquor stores on any given day.
Keep Dollars in Benton County commissioned a study from the University of Arkansas to determine the estimated impact if the county went wet. “Hogwash” is how Hester described the report. I suppose that’s because it didn’t back up his theories.
As a general rule, I find Kathy Deck knows what she is talking about, and she is the one who did the study.
Never fear, the Arkansas Family Coalition has numbers to support their “agginer” stance.
Hester said the group did “some statistical studies” comparing wet and dry counties but did not say where the numbers they used for comparison came from.
For example, Hester said there are 299 percent more robberies in wet than dry counties. I need more details. How many of those counties are surrounding Little Rock or Memphis? As a rule, I find areas in proximity to urban areas with high crime rates experience some of the fallout.
Besides, one must remember, under Arkansas state law, one can be charged with robbery if the suspect pushes a loss prevention officer as he or she runs out the door. Robbery is not all about Benton County residents “giving up their hard-earned money to thugs,” as Hester would have you believe.
Hester would also have you believe we have a “drinking problem” in Benton County. He said that. In black and white. He said we consume “174 percent more mixed drinks and wine by the drink and 107 percent more package store beer, wine and liquor than the average Arkansan.”
Again, where did these numbers come from and just who is an average Arkansan? I don’t think you can compare the Arkansans of the northwest corner to those living south of Interstate 40. The culture is completely different. We are more urban and, dare I say, more sophisticated. One of the few things we have in common is our passion for the Razorbacks.
Hester may or may not be right when he says the majority of the money from liquor sales will go outside the county. For one thing, you can bet Walmart is going to sell alcohol — and that will benefit Benton County. Macadoodles will no doubt try for a license, and despite their best effort to fight the initiative, I’ll bet my bottom dollar Springdale Liquor Association will be in line for a license, too.
Hester all but ignored the tax revenue that now goes out of this county like water down a flooded river. Deck estimated Benton County stands to experience a $33-million-a-year economic impact if it goes wet.
More than 56,000 people signed petitions to get the matter on the ballot. Not all of those will count because they don’t live in Benton County or because they aren’t registered to vote. That tells me there is a desire to put this matter before voters and let them speak. If they vote against it, so be it.
I believe, however, people recognize the arguments Hester made as, to use his own word, hogwash, and it is time to bring Benton County into the 21st century.
Leeanna Walker is editor of the Rogers Morning News. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NWALeeanna.