The North Little Rock mayor's race is getting almost as hot as the August weather. Mayor Hays has never had serious oppostion in a Mayor's race, this year he will have at least 2 other people running against him.
Tonight, Aug. 4th, Michelle McLelland, a 37 year old Underwriting Analyst at the Arkansas Farm Bureau and mother of 2 formally declared her intention to run for Mayor of NLR, the third candidate to do so. McLelland is a long time resident, although she lacks political experience.
She has stated that she is running because "In recent years this administration has lost focus on some key and core
services that are the backbone and foundation for our city. Our city’s
infrastructure is weakening and we only have ourselves to blame! A Fresh Approach also means shifting the focus from the “Wants” of the
Mayor to the “Needs” for our ever-changing city."
Some of the "core services" she is proposing to improve would be the tax and finance system, schools / education, as well as the fire and police departments.
The Arkansas Public Service Comission released a press release last Friday, Aug. 1st, informing natural gas customers that natural gas bills for the 2008-2009 winter heating season will be significantly higher than last winter. CenterPoint Energy customers can expect an increase of around 24% from last year. The price of natural gas is determined by commodity markets and with the economy as it is, there have been significant price increases over the past year. This gas price pice increase is on top of the 38% electric rate increase inrease and City franchise tax increases on utlitities last year. Then there is the dramatic increase in gasoline prices this year. Look for a tough winter on top of a challenging summer for family budgets
To see the commissions recommendations for how to prepare for the price increase see the jump
The North Little Rock Fire Department was called out on early Sunday to the IHOP on Warden Rd. behind McCain Mall, to investigate a report of smoke. After an investigation they found the source of the smoke to be a burning 2x6 inside one of the walls. The fire was quickly extinguished and the IHOP was re-opened.
Richard Carroll, who is running for State House District 39 Representaive as a Green Party member, was recently featured on a national Green Party Talk Radio program distributed through the internet. He spends about 45 minutes discussing his background, why he's running, and what he wants to do for the district. District 39 covers a significant part of the City of North Little Rock including most of Ward 2.
Today's Aug 4th, Democrat Gazette has an excellent piece on departing Ward 2 Alderman Olen Thomas. It's a large piece documenting Alderman Thomas' 48 years of service here in North Little Rock, 28 years of which he's served as the Ward 2 Alderman, making him the longest-serving Alderman in city history.
Pick up a copy, or if you have a subscription to ArkansasOnline follow this link.
(picture by Rob McFarland from the DemGazette webpage)
We have added a feature to the right labeled "Inside Posts" This is a listing of the most recent stories that did NOT show on the front page. With the increased number of daily stories and more expected to be added in the future, we came to the realization, not everything needed to be on the front page and it was gotting scrolled off too fast. However, we did want you to be able to quickly see and link to those stories that are inside Dogtown Wire. We anticipate these inside stories will be things like obituaries, meeting announcements, and possibly some lifestyle stories.
So make sure you check the "Inside Posts" box and click on ony story headline that interests you.
I've been watching the comments and noticing that we have had a lot of activity on the last Op-Ed piece by Eric Frances about the opening prayer at City Council meetings. I thought I would write my first Op-Ed piece about a slightly controversial topic. Here goes...
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Loving God, our mighty rock and fortress, we have no secrets
from You. You know us far better than we know ourselves. Help the
Members of this body to humble themselves before You and find in Your
love a very present help in times of trouble. Touch every person in the
Senate with grace and love and healing. Forgive and restore wherever
there is need in heart and office and home. Help us to see that it is
our weakness that qualifies us for Your strength.
Lord, we commit this day to live and work for You, inviting
the indwelling power of Your spirit to control our minds and give us
discernment. We pray in the Name of Him who never fails to supply our
needs. Amen.
The Invocation (or opening prayer), like it or not, has been a part of American political culture since before the Bill of Rights and the Establishment Clause, the basis of "the separation of church and state", were even written. Based on this fact the Supreme Court ruled in 1983 (Marsh v. Chambers), by a vote of 6-3, that the practice of chaplaincy, or prayers delivered by a chaplain, is "part of the fabric of our society." In these circumstances, an invocation for Divine guidance is not an
establishment of religion. "It is," wrote Chief Justice Warren Burger, "simply a tolerable
acknowledgment of beliefs widely held among the people of this country."
The theme for National Night Out
2008 is “Give crime a going away party.”
Held the first Tuesday in August each year, National Night Out is,
according to Matt Peskin, Executive Director of the National Association of
Town Watches, “…a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote
police-community partnerships, crime prevention and neighborhood camaraderie.”
National Night Out began in
1984. It was organized by the National
Association of Town Watches. The vision
was a national program, but one coordinated on the local level. That first year, 400 communities in 23 states
participated. The program has grown steadily
over the last 24 years. In 2007, over 35
MILLION people from 10,325 communities participated. These communities ranged from big cities to
small farm towns in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Two
Canadian Provinces are participating, as are a number of colleges and
universities, and even military bases both at home and abroad.
This month the NLR Sertoma Club meetings, which are held Wednesdays at noon in the Royal Buffet at Main and Pershing (behind the
Moose Cleaners), will feature as guest speakers local political candidates.
Aug 6 - Phil Wyrick, candidate for County Judge;
Aug. 13- No speaker scheduled
Aug 20 - Buddy Villines, current County Judge;
Aug 27 -
Sandra Prater, State Rep Dist. #42 - Northern Pulaski County and Faulkner County
The North Little Rock mayor's race is getting almost as hot as the August weather. Mayor Hays has never had serious oppostion in a Mayor's race, this year he will have at least 2 other people running against him. 
Richard Carroll, who is running for State House District 39 Representaive as a Green Party member, was recently featured on a national Green Party Talk Radio program distributed through the internet. He spends about 45 minutes discussing his background, why he's running, and what he wants to do for the district. District 39 covers a significant part of the City of North Little Rock including most of Ward 2. 
Today's Aug 4th, Democrat Gazette has an excellent piece on departing Ward 2 Alderman Olen Thomas. It's a large piece documenting Alderman Thomas' 48 years of service here in North Little Rock, 28 years of which he's served as the Ward 2 Alderman, making him the longest-serving Alderman in city history.
