First, thank you for your work as journalists. The 45th president of the United States may speak of your work with disdain, but the soul of this country depends on your work, investigating, reporting and informing the public.
Second, I encouraged you to continue your investigation of Ecclesia College and the elected officials who gave taxpayer funds to this institution. We must know if quid pro quo has passed between this institution and these elected officials. We are counting on you to uncover the facts behind these questionable transactions. Gov. Hutchinson should conduct an independent investigation into this dark affair, but it should be noted that all these elected officials are Republicans. Rather than investigating, Gov. Hutchinson is most likely circling the wagons.
All the elected officials involved in Ecclesia-gate -- Bart Hester, Jim Dotson, Stephen Meeks, Randy Alexander, Cecile Bledsoe, Debra Hobbs, Charlie Collins, and Bob Ballinger -- have breached the public trust and should resign if they are still in office. In addition to resigning they should return the funds they gave to Ecclesia College to the state treasury.
If there is nothing to hide, why is the staff of Ecclesia College hiding behind closed doors? Keep digging and get to the bottom of this affair. Thank you.
Ken Leonard
Bentonville
'Sick bank' intended to aid those with major illnesses
Wow! It seems Mr. Mike Clifford ("Sick bank will cost Benton County taxpayers," Feb. 7) thinks his property taxes are going up after the Benton County Quorum Court decided to allow employees to donate sick time to other employees in need. It's not like someone needs it for a head cold. Its intent is to help our public servants who have been stricken by a catastrophic illness not face financial devastation as well by not being able to provide for their family while recovering. I associate that type of attitude with walking by a Salvation Army kettle and never reaching into your pocket or leaving a gate open so you don't have to pay a vet bill.
Steve E. Coble
Bentonville
Adjustments to recycling plan best for community
I am writing to express my support and thanks to the Fayetteville aldermen and alderwomen who recently met and changed the city's proposal for recycling changes. Lowering the diversion goal from 80 to 40 percent is much more attainable. The new plan includes the composting of kitchen waste, recycling more construction waste and picking up recycling at more apartments than is currently done.
I appreciate them for listening to concerned citizens and for keeping the high quality of Fayetteville's recycling program with important additions.
Annee Littell
Fayetteville
Commentary on 02/18/2017