Wednesday's rains forced postponement of the St. Louis Cardinals game against Toronto to a double-header tonight and the delay of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals game against the Springfield Cardinals until June 7. Other events set for this weekend were canceled on predictions of more rain. Perhaps only the serious kayakers were thrilled with Wednesday's deluge, but it may have proven even too much water for them.
Water was, indeed, everywhere Wednesday, but we stilled pulled our thumb out of the dike long enough to compile this week's collection of thoughts on a few recent developments in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. We'll try not to gush.
[THUMBS UP] The folks at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania very well might need a telescope to discover where Northwest Arkansas is, but they are nonetheless making a big donation toward efforts to build a science and engineering center in our region. The college has agreed to give its 106-year-old, 36-foot-long telescope to the group Supporting STEM and Space Inc. The 35,000-pound device is the sixth-largest refracting telescope in the United States, and will make a grand addition to the efforts to develop a science and engineering center in Northwest Arkansas. Getting the telescope to Arkansas won't be easy, however, and moving it 1,200 miles may cost between $10,000 and $20,000. The nonprofit Supporting Stem and Space Inc. would no doubt thank the moon and the stars for gifts from generous donors.
[THUMBS UP] It's always great to see a vital community institution make a smooth transition from one executive leader to another, and that's what's happening at Washington Regional Medical Center. With Bill Bradley's decision to retire, the hospital system has named J. Larry Shackelford, its senior vice president for strategy and outreach, as its new CEO. We wish him well in leading the Fayetteville-based hospital into a strong future and look forward to
[THUMBS UP] Finding positive movement in Cave Springs' government has been a challenge lately, but perhaps there's something in the hiring of Justin Eichman as the city attorney worthy of celebration. He departed that capacity last year after a dozen years in the role, but things haven't been going too well for the city lately. In his return as a contracted city attorney, Eichman started by asking city leaders to get back to the basics of government to restore public trust in the city's political processes and the handling of its financial matters. "We need to work on everybody understanding their role. I hope they are ready to do that," Eichman said. That is wise advice, but some city leaders haven't been very keen on following good advice. Perhaps that's changing. Every position in city government needs a clear definition of role. Creating institutional roles should help diminish conflicts, which in turn can create an improved atmosphere for better decision-making among elected officials. Is Eichman a miracle worker? No, and the burden of forward progress cannot rest solely on his shoulders, but his presence is a good start, and a good place for a fresh beginning among elected officials.
[THUMBS DOWN] Wendell Griffen has generally been Pulaski County's problem. He's a circuit judge from a Little Rock subdistrict, but his recent decision to issue a stay in an execution case was issue of statewide significance. That he issued the stay on the same day he personally participated in an anti-death penalty protest is troubling for the principle of a unbiased judicial system. Griffen has long been outspoken on social justice issues, far more so than most of his robed colleagues. He is an intelligent man charged with an important task. In the case of his death penalty protest, he went too far. Regardless of how one feels about the death penalty, there should be a widespread desire that a state judge, in seeking election, agrees to somewhat moderate his activism on issues for which state needs an impartial judge. Griffen has walked a line for years, but this time, he crossed it. The Arkansas Supreme Court rightly withdrew Griffen's authority to preside over death penalty cases.
[THUMBS UP] We usually use our index finger to cast ballots on electronic machines come election time, but we'll give an upturned thumb to the leadership shown by the Washington County Election Commission in developing a more responsive advocacy group for election commissions in Northwest Arkansas. A similar statewide effort has fallen apart, and Washington County election officials have led the charge to ensure election officials in the counties of Northwest Arkansas are heard when it comes to legislation and funding decisions at the state level. Local election control is vital, but that doesn't mean those charged with running elections shouldn't put their heads together and be a resource for those wanting to improve the voting system in Arkansas.
[THUMBS UP] Tyson Foods Inc. issued a statement this week committing to several initiatives designed to build a better work environment for its employees at production plants around the country. Those who often criticize Tyson gave high praise for the commitments, saying it sets Tyson apart from the meat processing industry. Of course, issuing a statement is the easy part. Yet it signals an apparent desire to do better by those the company employs. Time will tell whether words and action meet, but the statements are a step in the right direction for Tyson's massive workforce.
[THUMBS UP] Education is the foundation for all advancement in life. Whether a person is a stay-at-home parent who cooks and organizes a family's life or goes to work with mechanical skills that keep machinery going or is college educated and serves as a company executive, acquired knowledge forms the basis for their contributions. Good schools are vital to all young people and our communities, so it's great when a respected national analysis of high schools ranks several of Northwest Arkansas' among the top 10 schools in the state. Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville earned high national marks and is rated the top high school in the state. Others include the Arkansas Arts Academy in Rogers, Rogers High School, Bentonville High School, Prairie Grove High School, Fayetteville High School, Southside High School in Fort Smith and Heritage High School in Rogers. Congratulations to students, faculty, staff and administrators for their daily hard work.
Enjoy today. It looks like the thumb may have to go back in the dike if weather forecasts for the weekend hold out.
Commentary on 04/27/2017