California’s good idea
Editorial cartoonist Lisa Benson probably lived in California, or perhaps still does. Her offering published Oct. 17 shows a man and woman entering what appears to be a tunnel, waist-deep in water. The woman holds a book that is labeled Voter’s Guide.
I have lived in six different states and the golden one was the first one that told voters in plain English what to expect. Each proposition, as they called the ballot’s array of possible and diverse choices, was explained. Arkansas should have been on board with a similar breakdown, particularly on the 2016 pot questions.
PATRICK McKELVEY
Bella Vista
Money-saving tactics
Perhaps we can now save some money at the football powerhouse school in Fayetteville. Fire the staff and the athletic director and go back to truly amateur football.
JOHN LEONARD
Fayetteville
A friendly discussion about medical marijuana
Walking through the park the other day, I came upon my friend Tommy, who was sitting on a bench getting ready to look for work. He gets ready a lot. “Hey, Tommy. What’s happening?” I asked. “Wow, man, it is so good to see you,” he said. “I was just thinking about the vote coming up, ya know? Most important vote we’ll ever make, man.”
“Yes,” I replied. “Deciding a new president is always important, Tommy.”
“Oh no, man, not that,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m talking about the medical marijuana issue, dude!”
I thought a moment before replying. “So you know someone who needs medical marijuana, Tommy?” He nodded. “Yeah, man, my mom. She has guacamole or something like that. And that medical weed would really help her, ya know?”
With no prompting, he went on. “I mean, like, I could help her, sure. Dude, like first I could light it for her, ya know, and maybe take a few drags to get it going really good, ya see? And then, if she couldn’t finish it, well I could do that for her, too, dontcha see?” He smiled. “Can’t let that stuff go to waste, right?”
“No, Tommy,” I said. “I guess not.” He continued, “Well, anyway, that’s why it’s probably the most important issue on the ballot this year, right, man?”
“Yes, Tommy,” I said. “It may very well be.”
I said goodbye and started on my way. Tommy yelled after me, “So don’t forget to vote on that issue, OK, dude?” I waved back. “I won’t forget, Tommy,” I thought. “Believe me I won’t.”
JIM STOWE
Fayetteville
Re-electing Jordan will
bring citywide benefit
Lioneld Jordan has earned a third term as mayor of Fayetteville, not for his benefit, but for the overall benefit of the residents of our city.
Lioneld got my attention when he became a member of the City Council nearly 16 years ago because he paid attention to the comments of those who attended committee meetings and City Council meetings. He cared about the needs of residents not only those at his Ward 4 meetings, but also those at meetings in our Ward 1.
Lioneld, as mayor, has considered the beauty of our urban forest as well as our urban prairies, recognizing that maintaining green space is the first line of local defense against global climate change and the easiest way of protecting the two major watersheds into which our stormwater flows.
He has supported tree planting, stronger hillside development rules, continuing trail construction, protecting Mount Kessler and building the adjacent regional park, the citizen-driven Enduring Green Network, the state’s first low-impact development ordinance, the importance of Fayetteville becoming Arkansas’ first Certified Wildlife Community, encouraging community food gardens in city parks, creating the first streamside protection ordinance in the state and pushing for energy efficiency in numerous ways.
These examples of his work are among my favorites as a lifetime outdoorsman.
Lioneld listens to everyone and makes new friends every day! He works longer hours and more days a week than anyone I have ever known.
I voted early for him and I hope every resident of Fayetteville has a list of reasons to make voting for Lioneld a priority.
AUBREY JAMES SHEPHERD
Fayetteville