WHAT IS GOING ON?
Dear Neighbors,
Resolution for a Welcoming and Inclusive Community Fails to Pass
It is with deep disappointment that I share that the resolution to declare Washington County a “Welcoming Community” did not pass in the full Quorum Court. Up until the final vote, I remained hopeful, especially after the majority succeeded in removing key language from the resolution. That indicated to me that if they got certain words removed, they would support the resolution. They did not.
A motion by JP Lyons resulted in the removal of the words “immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ+.” These words were intentionally included, by someone that I love and respect very much, as they directly addressed the marginalized communities I sought to support. Removing them would have meant abandoning those individuals, something I was not willing to do.
Despite my disappointment, I ultimately decided that even a weakened version of the resolution was better than nothing. However, in the end, even after amending it, the majority still voted against its passage.
Votes on the Resolution:
✅ JPs Who Voted FOR the Resolution:
Vladimir Lopez
Robert Massingill
Beth Coger
Suki Highers
Evelyn Rios-Stafford
Gary Ricker
❌ JPs Who Voted AGAINST the Resolution:
District 1: Brad Bruns
District 2: David Wilson
District 5: Kyle Lyons
District 6: Lisa Ecke
District 7: Charles Dean
District 8: Shawndra Washington*
District 10: Robert Dennis
District 13: Willie Leming
District 14: Butch Pond
Note: JP Washington spoke eloquently and frequently in favor of the resolution in both committee and full court meetings. She was in tears after the meeting. While she ultimately voted No, I believe it was due to the removal of the key language. Like her, I had to weigh whether I could support the resolution after those words were stripped away.
I think that might have been the plan - to remove "immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ+" which they knew I would not support, thinking I would then withdraw the resolution, but that was not going to happen. Video @1:48:10 Deakins says: "... I'm, I'm giving her the opportunity to back out of this motion if she'd like to. She's voted against the amendment. I don't know if that's a I would just wanting your wishes..." Note: I did oppose the amendment. My motion to pass the resolution was already on the table and I did not need to make another.
📌 Watch the discussion (Resolution debate starts at 48:47 in the video) [Link to Meeting]
Even after the majority’s “win” on removing “immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ+” THEY STILL VOTED NO! What’s up with that? Amend my resolution against my wishes. Vote and have the votes to adopt the amendment, then STILL VOTE NO!
You can read the transcript here of the entire discussion on the resolution. Decide for yourself.
We did make history, though, as far as I've been able to determine, by having the first ever "musical public comment." Thank you Jen Cole and Sonia Guiterrez for the history making performance, and a big THANK YOU to everyone who came out in support of the resolution.
WASHINGTON COUNTY MEETINGS WEEK OF 3/23/2025:
📅 The March meeting of the Washington County Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
📍 Location: 280 N. College, Washington County Courthouse, Fayetteville, AR 🕕 Date & Time: 3/27/25 at 5:00 PM. This is an in-person meeting only and will be livestreamed here.
What’s on the Agenda? A lot! Some highlights:
Variance Hearing: Lot 5A Magnolia Acres Variance - Acreage. 18488 Lake Sequoyah Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Owner Gary Fithian is seeking a variance to be able to split a 6.03 acre tract into two tracts. Tract 5C would be 5.63 acres and Tract 5D would be 0.40 acres. Staff Report with much more information is here.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT HEARINGS:
The Blackburn RV Resort CUP. Applicant Brent M. Wells. Location 10076 E Devil’s Den RD, Winslow, Arkansas 72759 Hwy 74. Proposed Use: Commercial RV Park. Approximately 85.00 acres. 1 Parcel 0.99 acre will be used. Read Staff Report. A commercial RV Park could be important to neighbors. Please share this information with others who may be interested.
LAND DEVELOPMENT HEARINGS:
Replat Lots 7 & 8 Country View Subdivision Phase I. Applicant Matt Buescher. 18638 Harmon Rd WC 312, Fayetteville, AR 72704. Proposed Use: Single-Family Residential. Read Staff Report
Replat Lot 5A Magnolia Acres Subdivision Phase I. Applicant Alan Reid & Associates. 18488 Lake Sequoyah Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701. Read Staff Report
Replat Lot 9 Black Oak Addition Subdivision. Applicant Daryl V. Doyal. 11080 Black Oak Addition, WC 2002, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Proposed Use: Single-Family Residential. Read Staff Report.
Replat Lots C1 & C2 Stephens Minor Subdivision. Applicant Atlas Professional Surveying/Tim West. 14276 Bethel Blacktop Rd. WC 62, Farmington, AR 72703. Read Staff Report.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Repeal Discussion of Ordinance 2023-26. (Ordinance 2023-26 has already been repealed. See Ordinance 2024-36)
Eagle Crest Recover CUP. Applicant Chris Conway. 19965 Lakeview RD, WC 515, Springdale, AR 72764. Proposed Use: Residential Treatment Center. Read Staff Report.
Discussion of Current Development and Planning Department Activities.
📌MEETINGS TO WATCH FROM LAST WEEK
The Washington County Quorum Court met Thursday 3/20/25. Here’s video of the meeting. Please watch the entire meeting to get a full understanding of what happened.
Zoning starts at 22:40 - 38:52 in video. We amended the new zoning ordinance (NO MAP) again, and it was sent back to the Washington County Planning Board for a public hearing as is required by A.C.A. 14-17-207(c). The ordinance was amended to include this Section 5) ZONING ADMINISTRATION.
I do not know what date will be set for the Planning Board hearing, but whenever it is, I will share that information as soon as I have it.
At 1:49:07 in the video, the judge had a young man removed from the public meeting by Sheriff Cantrell. He spoke from the audience without permission. The judge had warned others already, but this young man came into the meeting very late and I don't think he knew about the warnings.
🌟 DETENTION CENTER INFORMATION 3/23/25
As of Tuesday, 3/11/25, there were at least 746 individuals currently detained in the Washington County Detention Center.
An estimated 80-100 additional detainees are not publicly listed due to "restrictive bookings."
71 detainees list their addresses as either "homeless" or "1832 S School Street" (Seven Hills Homeless Shelter).
A huge thank you to Sheriff Cantrell for providing me this information on the number of cases that have been seen, pled, reset or other since 1/1/25 through 3/12/25. Judges Taylor and Bryan have been busy. That means our public defenders have been extra, extra busy. These two judges handle the criminal dockets for Washington and Madison Counties. For that time period, they've seen 657 defendants; 259 entered pleas; 383 were reset (likely a continuance, waiting on lab results, or testing from State Crime Lab); and 15 "other."
Here’s the link to the Detailed Charge Report:
You can check the “Calls for Service” board here.
Here’s a list in alphabetical order to search for people.
READ AND STUDY THE 2020 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSESSMENT STUDY PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS HERE. READ AND LEARN WHY WE DO NOT NEED TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON JAIL EXPANSIONS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE!
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County Bid Postings (as of 3/23/25)
County Bid Postings (as of 3/23/25)
🔹 Outfitting of Sheriff's Office Vehicles (Bid 2025-06)
🔹 Automated Library Software & Hosting (Bid 2025-07)
📌 View all current RFQs and bids [here].
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County Job Openings (as of 3/23/25)
🚨 Hiring Now:
Office Manager – Animal Shelter ($19.95-$21.98/hour)
Planning Technician ($21.25 - $22.31/hour)
🔹 The Road Department and Sheriff’s Office are consistently hiring!
📌 View all job openings here:
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Stay Informed & Engaged
More updates are coming soon! If you know anyone who would like to receive this newsletter, please let me know.
📧 Contact Me:📞 479-306-9994📩 ejcoger@gmail.com
Thank you for staying engaged in Washington County affairs!
Beth CogerJustice of the Peace, Washington County Quorum Court, District 9