Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Early voting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning June 1 at the county clerk’s office on the first floor of the Union County Courthouse.

There will be no weekend early voting. On June 7, early voting will resume at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

On June 8, voters must report to their respective polling sites between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Remember, if you voted in the Republican Primary, you will not be able to vote in the runoff election, since both races are Democratic.

There will be a runoff in the El Dorado mayor’s race between Democrats Clara Jones and Luther Lewis, and in the Union County Sheriff’s race between Democrats Mike McGough and Clark Burton.

Mike Loftin won a majority of the votes and will be the next Union County judge.

Loftin secured 50.8 percent of the vote, edging out Mark Smith, who received 36.1 percent of the vote. Charles Connor placed a distant third with just 13 percent of the vote.

By the numbers, 4,380 voters cast their ballots for Loftin, while 3,109 voted for Smith and 1,121 went for Connor.

In the Union County Sheriff’s race, McGough received 48.73 percent of the vote, or 4,380 votes; Burton received 42.73 percent, or 3,720 votes; and Bryan Baker received 8.54 percent, or 743 votes.

The winner of the runoff race between McGough and Burton will face Republican Johnnie Mitchell this November.

In the El Dorado mayor’s race, Jones received 38.28 percent of the vote, or 1,290 votes; Lewis received 31.63 percent, or 1,066 votes; and Yancey Kyle received 30.09 percent, or 1,014 votes.

The winner of the runoff race between Jones and Lewis will face Independent Benito Glosson and Republican Frank Hash in November.

Click the jump for polling site information.

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Former Smackover resident vying for D.C. council seat

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

Clark Ray, former class president and star athlete of Smackover High School, is challenging Washington, D.C., council member Phil Mendelson in the September Democratic Primary.

Click here for the scoop from the Washington Post.

Vote early, vote often

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Well, maybe not the latter.

Early voting begins at 8 a.m. Monday. Early voting hours are as follows:

• • •

• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday,  May 3-14.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 8 and 15.

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 17.

*NOTE — All early voting will be held at the Union County Courthouse.

• • •

ELECTION DAY (May 18) voting hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Candidate forum tonight at SouthArk

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Here’s your chance to see and hear candidates for Union County judge and sheriff and mayor of El Dorado.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the South Arkansas Community College Library. Get there early; it will be packed. Look for full coverage of the event in Tuesday’s News-Times.

El Dorado will be in spotlight once again

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

The El Dorado Promise brought national attention to our city — we were highlighted in major publications, on talk shows and radio shows, and on national television.

On April 22, some of that white hot spotlight will return when former president George W. Bush arrives to speak at the annual Academic Signing Day at El Dorado High School.

The event will honor more than 250 graduating seniors who will receiving El Dorado Promise college scholarships.

This will be Bush’s second visit to El Dorado. He also visited during his first term as president.

••NOTE•• Between Editions first broke the news about Bush’s visit; however, details of the event were released before those involved wished it to be made public, which is why the original post was removed. We have since announced this event in the News-Times.

El Dorado mayoral candidates speak

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Three of the four candidates vying for the El Dorado mayor’s seat spoke today at the Union County Bar Association luncheon at the El Dorado Golf and Country Club.

Clara Jones, Yancey Kyle and Luther Lewis — all Democrats — presented their ideas and visions for the city. See more in Wednesday’s News-Times.

Republican candidate Frank Hash was not in attendance.

Your choice for mayor is?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Democrat Yancey Kyle and Republican Frank Hash are currently the only two candidates to file for the office of Mayor of El Dorado.

Any thoughts, comments, gripes or suggestions regarding these two men?

I know you do. Share them, please.

Ross, Lincoln visit El Dorado

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

It’s rare to have both a Senator and Congressman in town at the same time, but it’s a good thing to see, and something I’d like to see happen more often.

U.S. Rep. Mike Ross spoke this morning to a group of about 60 gathered at the El Dorado Chamber Commerce. Ross addressed, among other things, health care reform and the economy.

He said that he doesn’t and will never support a government-run public option, and that he won’t support federal dollars paying for abortions.

On the economy, Ross said the nation needs to spend more money at home on infrastructure rather than aboard in places like Iraq.

Sen. Blanche Lincoln is scheduled to speak to local poultry growers at 2 p.m. today at the South Arkansas Community College Library.

Look for more in Thursday’s News-Times.

Remembering Jodie Mahony

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

mahonyprogram

Hundreds filled the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado Wednesday to honor the life of  Jodie Mahony. Mahony, who became a fixture in Arkansas politics after nearly four decades in the state Legislature,  died Saturday night at the age of 70 after a long bout with cancer.

Dozens of Arkansas legislators, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, and former governors Jim Guy Tucker and David Pryor were among the dignitaries in attendance.

During the service, Beebe said that “there will never be anyone like Jodie Mahony” again in Arkansas’ legislative body.

“When you’re known by one name,” Beebe said, noting that Mahony was known as simply “Jodie” by hundreds across Arkansas and, indeed, this entire region.

“And when that one name is associated with excellence and a worthy cause, it elevates you to a different plain. It makes you a different person. That one name has to be associated with excellence, and in Jodie we had that name coupled with excellence and a worthy cause.”

Beryl Anthony Jr., a close friend of Mahony’s since childhood, told of hunting trip antics and other moments that were “uniquely Jodie.”

“One of my favorite stories about Jodie…we were fishing in a little 16-foot aluminum boat, and I just happened to catch the spot (where all the fish were biting),” Anthony said. “Then all of the sudden this pole comes over my left shoulder. And It’s Jodie fishing cork to cork.

“He turned around and looked at me and said: ‘Fishermen have no conscience.’”

The crowd erupted in laughter.

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Mahony funeral should be well attended

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

A large number of people are expected to gather tomorrow for former State Rep. Jodie Mahony’s funeral.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe will be among the dignitaries to attend the services, which will be held at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. No word yet on Bill Clinton. The two were close friends, and Clinton has already issued a statement about Mahony’s death.

If Clinton appears, it will likely be under a cloak.

In any case, Wednesday will be a sad day for El Dorado and the rest of the state.

**UPDATE** President Clinton’s press detail tells me that he will not be attending Mahony’s funeral.

Former President, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton issues statement on Jodie Mahony’s life, legacy

Monday, December 7th, 2009

clintonmahonyJodie Mahony, left, speaks with Bill Clinton in this contributed photo.

Clinton issued the following statement Monday afternoon about Mahony:

“Arkansas has lost a great public servant and a very great man with the passing of my friend Jodie Mahony. He dedicated his life to giving our children better education and our citizens better government. Right to the end, he was always working longer, learning more, and fighting harder for what he believed.

“And he had great fun doing it. Arkansas will miss Jodie Mahony’s service. And those of us who knew and loved him will miss his wit, his wisdom, and his friendship. Hillary and I join his legion of friends in sending our thoughts and prayers to Bettie Anne (Mahony’s wife) and his family.”

Tributes to Mahony pour in

Monday, December 7th, 2009

mahonysmile

Photo credit: Jim Lemon/El Dorado News-Times
Retiring State Rep. Jodie Mahony and his wife, Bettie Anne, enjoy the comments of his past associates during a recognition dinner at the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce in 2006.

• • •
Among the comments I’ve gathered for an article on Jodie Mahony’s life to run in Tuesday’s News-Times:

“He was a wonderful legislature, a focused individual who was interested in everything that would benefit Arkansas.”

“A true gentleman, and a lover of all things education.”

“He will be greatly missed. There will never be another champion of South Arkansas like Jodie Mahony.”

Tuesday’s article will also focus on Mahony’s legislation that allowed leftover nursing home medication to be used by non-profit medical clinics throughout the state. El Dorado’s Interfaith Clinic has benefited greatly from this practice.

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

mahonyheader2Mahonywork

Photo Credit: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEVE KEESEE

Information gathered Sunday morning from friends and those close to the Mahony family indicated that Mahony,70, succumbed to the cancer that he had bravely battled for years.

Look for more details in coming issues of the News-Times. Mahony, who had served in both the Arkansas House and Senate, was a leader in education issues throughout his 36-year political career. Afterward, he served as a trusted advisor on many issues facing Arkansas. He will be greatly missed.

Union County Justice of the Peace John Baine said Sunday of Mahony: “He was a class act that made politics fun and interesting, and someone that was always dedicated to better the public. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.”

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe issued the following statement Sunday:

“Jodie Mahony never quit. As a legislator, he fought until the end for causes important to him and to the betterment of Arkansans. When term limits dictated that he could no longer serve, Jodie joined the House staff and remained a key advisor on education issues.

“And when the doctors said that cancer had won, Jodie fought and stayed with us far longer than anyone expected. To his final days, you could find Jodie in the Capitol, still upbeat, still working the halls, and still fighting. Arkansas has lost an outstanding man who exemplifies public service in our State. ”

Quotes will be pouring in over the next few days, no doubt.

Click here for the Arkansas Times’ coverage of Mahony’s death, and still more quotes about Mahony’s life.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Young’s Funeral Directors, 508 Champagnolle in El Dorado. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Joseph K. Mahony II Scholarship Fund at the South Arkansas Community College Foundation, 300 South West Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730, or the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado, 300 East Main, 71730.

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Lt. Governor to visit El Dorado

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

bill_halter

Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter will be in El Dorado Thursday to talk about the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. His schedule is as follows:

• From 10:50-11:45 a.m., he will address El Dorado High School seniors.

• From 1-2 p.m., he will hold a town hall meeting at the South Arkansas Community College’s East Campus in conference room No. 101.

Maddow rails Ross

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Queen of MSNBC, Rachel Maddow (and I use the term queen without much affection) railed on our Congressman Mike Ross last night, as you can see in the above video clip.

I haven’t studied enough about the Ross pharmacy sale to USA Drug to make comments yet. There will likely be investigations. As for the above clip, I have to wonder why Ms. Maddow decided to drag the beloved Arkansas Razorbacks into her diatribe.

Leave the Hogs alone, woman! Leave them alone!

Related: The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington asked the Department of Justice to investigate whether Ross engaged in bribery and honest services fraud by selling his former pharmacy for more than its worth to a pharmacy chain (USA Drug) with an interest in pending legislation. Click here for more.

This will likely get worse for Ross before it gets better.

And for even further perspective, check out this National Public Radio piece on Ross and the health care debate. Arkadelphia gets a mention in the piece.