→ Judge Deakins appointed Jackie Perry Ryan to the Board of Equalization and Butch Barthelemew and Larry Walker to the Water Authority. So, Beth, how did the meeting go? Well, not so great for fairness and democracy. When I asked to speak, the county judge, chair, refused (two times) to recognize me, the JP from District 9. Has that ever happened, or was that just for me? Read more about that here…
→ The ordinance for the SCAAP FY2022 Grant passed. I told Sheriff Cantrell if he or someone from his staff could tell me with 100% certainty that the sheriff’s participation in this program did not result in the tearing apart of families or deportation of our immigrant neighbors, I would withdraw my objects. The result was complete silence. JPs voting against continuing this harmful program: Coger, Washington, Highers and Rios Stafford. Want to understand more about this? Read it here…
→ The county judge called it a “lie” that he was abolishing the CJCC. Listen to the entire rundown starting at 23:15 in the video. The ordinance that created the CJCC is very specific about who can serve. It’s not like he has to figure that out. Getting the CJCC up and running should be our top priority. I have more on that right here…
→ JP Evelyn Rios Stafford’s resolution supporting the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act passed. JPs Lisa Ecke, David Wilson and Kyle Lyons voted against.
→ The ordinance to spend $20K ADDITIONAL tax dollars in the County Attorney’s budget for 2023 passed. Originally, County Attorney Lester said this was to appeal my three AFOIA judgments, but Thursday (starting at 35:47 in the video) he said there were other cases in addition to mine.
The county’s time to appeal my two judgments in Coger v. Woods, Lester, Ecke, Pond Etal expired and they did not appeal. Thus, it seems they’re conceding that the JESAP meetings are public meetings, but not the CJCC? I don’t know, ask Attorney Lester.
On one hand the county supports AFOIA? (see resolution above) but on the other hand, wait, not so fast, let’s show the community we can close a public meeting, then when we’re sued and we lose in court, we’ll just say we don’t like that ruling, judge, and file an appeal. That will be a deterrent to the average Washington County citizen. Actions speak louder than words.
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Where we need YOU this week!
WC JOBS EVALUATION SALARY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM (JESAP), Monday, 10/23 @ 3:30 pm, WC Courthouse, Fifth Floor Conference Room. IN PERSON ONLY.
Here’s the full meeting agenda and if you know county employees, please make them aware of this meeting. There are changes proposed to the WC Employees Handbook with reference to employees’ sick leave, family leave and worker’s compensation. If you’re an employee and you have questions or concerns, please contact me and let me know. PH: 479-306-9994.
WC ELECTION COMMISSION, Tuesday, 10/24 @ 9 am at the Road Department, 2615 Brink Drive, Fayetteville. The meeting will be live streamed here. You must be present to participate.
The agenda covers some very important topics, including ballot draw notification to party chairs for the 3/5/24 Preferential Primary Election; review of off site early voting locations and election day sites for the 2024 election year.
AR CITIZENS FOR TRANSPARENCY (ACT) - the group formed to support an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution known as the “Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment” will conduct a town hall meeting Thursday, 10/26 @ 7 pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N East Avenue, Fayetteville. Everyone is welcomed and the event is free. The meeting will be to discuss and explain the substance and importance of the amendment.
You can read the amendment here and ACT’s representative, Nate Bell, will moderate the meeting and answer questions.
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We NEED Your Help!
Continue to ask Judge Deakins to appoint members to the CJCC and to do so immediately and take necessary steps to see the CJCC is properly appointed and operational. The CJCC wants to bring a pretrial services program to the quorum court for funding, but it must exist in order to do that or anything else.
Contact your JP and set up a time to meet them for coffee or just to get together. Become a regular voice in their ear and urge them to vote for criminal justice reform and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. I write this each week, but it really is important. That’s how I got started advocating to the court back in 2019. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. CAN YOU TAKE AN HOUR OR TWO AND MEET WITH YOUR JP AND SHARE YOUR CONCERNS OR COMMENTS, OR WHATEVER YOUR THOUGHTS ARE.
Share this Newsletter with your friends and neighbors!
Write letters to the editor.
I welcome your questions and comments, also suggestions you have for any county related business. You can reach me at ejcoger@gmail.com or text or call 479-306-9994.
Here’s the link to email addresses and telephone numbers for JPs, County Judge, and others.
See you at the courthouse!
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