How a Benton County political machine operates
The governing body of Benton County, the Quorum Court, has begun the process of working toward a recommendation for where much needed additional court rooms for the county should be located. There are two choices under consideration: downtown Bentonville as an addition to the 90-year-old courthouse with no feasible space for future expansion and difficult access for the public, or on land the county owns on 14th Street next to the jail — probably for less cost, convenient public access and prisoners could be walked over from the jail rather than the cost and inconvenience of being bused downtown and held in a secure place until their court appearances.
The Quorum Court will make a recommendation for the location, but the county judge as head of county government will make the final decision. Only one of the locations makes sense.
The unbelievable outcome of the March primary election for Benton County judge was shocking to those who knew the qualifications of the two candidates. In addition to the voters who apparently were oblivious to qualifications, I personally know a large bloc of voters were told whom to vote for — which was surely tied to the huge disparity in campaign contributions received by each candidate.
A county judge has a wide range of responsibilities, but citizens probably consider building and maintaining roads, and now the new court facilities, as primary. The qualified candidate’s formal education is in construction management, he has run his own business and for three terms has done a good job for Benton County. He had $6,500 to support his campaign. The other candidate is educated in “political science,” has worked in sales and marketing and now sells real estate — somehow he garnered $80,000 in campaign support. Does that tell you anything?
There are certain powerful interests which, apparently to maintain the historic ambiance of downtown Bentonville, want everything kept downtown. Is it surprising that the qualified candidate who lost the election favored the common-sense plan to build the new courtrooms on 14th Street, and the candidate who had $80,000 to win the election is adamant they should be squeezed into downtown Bentonville, tacked onto the dilapidated old courthouse?
My dad sat on the Benton County Quorum Court for over 30 years and was a driving force in major decisions such as establishing the Sunshine School. I can imagine his outrage that this could happen in Benton County — reminiscent of the days when cities like Chicago and Kansas City were controlled by political machines.
BARBARA FOREMAN
Siloam Springs
Money for stadium, or academics, doesn’t exist yet
For those of you who may be “up in arms” concerning the $160 million the athletic department wants to spend on Razorback Stadium and are wondering why the University of Arkansas doesn’t spend that amount of money on the academic side for more classrooms, lab equipment, etc., here is something you need to realize: The $160 million doesn’t exist.
It would be a loan taken out by the athletic department that would be paid back mostly by the supporters of the sports program. The $160 million will be a debt. If the academic side were to take out a loan of this magnitude, the only way it could be repaid would be by raising tuition rates, something I’m sure you and the U. of A. want to avoid if at all possible.
In a slightly related area, many years ago, when I was teaching at Loyola University in Chicago, I was asked if I thought it unfair that coaches were paid so much compared to teachers. I replied that if 40,000 people were willing to pay $30 each to attend my classes every week, I would ask for an appropriate salary increase.
JIM STOWE
Fayetteville