PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE


Planning, workshop topics, speakers make for a top-notch conference


were outstanding, with each meal being served without any delays or problems. But much more than that, the conference was educational, moti-


A


vational and highly relevant to the 500 county and district officials in attendance, with interesting and helpful workshops that included high-profile presenters such as James Lee Witt, former FEMA director – and who, by the way, was the Yell County Judge before being picked to serve our country in the role of Federal Emergency Management Agency director. Tis was Chris Villines’ first convention as Executive Director of


AAC and he performed in the same excellent fashion that we have grown accustomed to with our previous directors. Former Director Eddie Jones was also there “just to keep an eye on the proceedings” and make sure things went as they were supposed to, and they did. With the economic situation plaguing many of our Arkansas coun- ties, I wasn’t sure how it would affect the outcome of our meeting, but from the beginning, with the opening general session, things went great. When Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb finished with Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American”, I knew everyone in the audi- ence was inspired and ready to go. Keynote speaker Lyle Sumek gave a challenging and humorous presentation on leadership in our changing world in 2010 that was tailored toward public officials in Arkansas and he kept all of us on the edge of our seats. And to top off the first day, we enjoyed a first-rate fried catfish spread at the Hot Springs Market Pavilion. Even though the temperature was around 100 degrees, a great time of food and fellowship was had by all. Te second day began with an excellent speech by Gov. Mike Beebe.


He spoke of the challenges facing each of us as public officials all across the country. Tere were many timely topics each day during the break- out sessions with an outstanding group of presenters and facilitators. An abundance of good information was presented in these sessions that we can take back to our respective counties and help us to do a better job serving our constituents. I felt like the highlight of the conference was on Friday morning


when we had the forum between two of our candidates for the U.S. Senate, Democrat Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Republican Congressman John Boozman. Eight questions that will directly affect county govern- ment were addressed by each candidate. Each of their positions was presented in a dignified manner by each candidate despite their oppos- ing views on some of the issues. Te following excerpts from an article by John Lyon pretty well summed up the meat of the forum: Sharing the stage Friday for the first time in their U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat Lincoln and her Republican challenger, U.S. Rep. Boozman, clashed over earmarking federal funds for projects in the state. Both pledged at a forum sponsored by the Association of


COUNTY LINES, FALL 2010


nother AAC annual meeting has come and gone – and what a conference it was! Te facilities at the Hot Springs Convention Center are second to none; the food was great; and the attitude and service of convention staff


Arkansas Counties to fight in Congress to secure federal funds for county needs. But Lincoln chided Boozman for back- ing away from earmarks. Lincoln said Boozman used to fight alongside her for special projects in Arkansas, but “in this election year, things have changed”. Congressman Boozman has signed a pledge of no more earmarks for Arkansas.


MIKE JACOBS AAC Board President


Lincoln said so-called earmarks – appropriations for projects in lawmakers’ home states that are written into unrelated bills – are now completely transparent, and that they help Arkansas level the playing field with larger states. “We need Arkansas to be a team,” she said dur- ing the hour-long forum. “We did do a moratorium on earmarks on the Republican side because they’ve simply run out of control,” Boozman said. “Right now 41, 42 cents of every dollar we spend is borrowed money. You can’t do that. You can’t do that at your level. Families all across Arkansas are tightening their belt. We’re in a situation where it’s untenable.” Boozman said that Republicans’ promise of a one-year moratorium on earmarks would not stop him from working to see that Arkansas gets its fair share of federal dollars. “My commitment is to do like we’ve done in the 3rd District and just be there for you,” he said. Te candidates also clashed over the health care reform package that Boozman opposed and Lincoln helped pass earlier this year. He said the law does nothing to control costs and in fact will cause costs to soar. He said the law eventually will add $200 million to Arkansas’s Medicaid budget and will be a burden on small businesses and rural community hospitals. “As costs soar, then rationing will occur, consoli- dation will occur,” he said. Lincoln said the health care system is broken and reform was


necessary. She said the reform law is deficit-neutral, adds 12 years of solvency to the Medicare Trust Fund and exempts small businesses that employ 50 or fewer people from its mandates. “Not to say that the health care bill that we passed is perfect. I’ve already signed on as a co- sponsor of an amendment to… a small business bill that will be taken up this fall that will correct some of that for small businesses,” she said.


As you can see, if you were unable to attend this year’s conference,


you missed some great educational and motivational materials and presentations. Also, you missed a great time of fellowship with your friends and neighbors. Te staff at AAC pulled out all the stops to plan and make this one of the best conferences of all time. Tank you staff for all you do – you’re great!


The Hon. Mike Jacobs, Johnson County Judge / AAC Board President 9


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