Hi Community Members!
Due to an upcoming vacation, I’m rotating the timing of my biweekly email newsletter. Normal two weeks will be in place for the next issue. Hope all of you get an opportunity to take some time off with friends/family this summer!
Storm Resources
Benton County Relief Fund has been established to provide short-term financial assistance to households impacted by the storm, as well as customized resource plans that will connect them to as many resources as possible to ensure that any needs they have are addressed as quickly as possible. The Fund will also support local service providers in their relief efforts for Benton County and its communities.
Donate HERE (this donation process is being hosted by the Excellerate Foundation)
Apply to receive funds HERE (this application process will be managed through Hark NWA)
FEMA has opened a Mobile Unit in Decatur and a Disaster Recovery Center at NWACC to help people apply for disaster assistance. Representatives can answer questions about what kind of assistance you may qualify for from FEMA. Individual assistance is to help those who are uninsured or underinsured.
FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center
Falling Springs Church Parking Lot
21822 Falling Springs Rd, Decatur
Hours: 8:30AM - 6:30PM DailyFEMA Disaster Recovery Unit
Becky Paneitz “Student Center,” SC 108
1211 SE Eagle Way
Bentonville, AR 72712
**Parking is available in the adjacent multi-level parking garage
Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM DailyYou can also call the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362) to apply for assistance or apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov
Need help figuring out how to sort through debris? Call the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management at their Crisis Cleanup Hotline at (479) 358-1131 for help answering questions.
Municipal Details:
Local Events
Monday, June 10th at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic County of Benton County Monthly Meeting - join us at the Arvest Conference Center location in downtown Bentonville (yes, we were able to secure our normal location for June); we’ll be electing a new Democratic candidate for the Justice of the Peace position for district 4 among other items at this meeting
Tuesday, June 11th at 5:30 p.m. - DPBC Monthly Happy Hour at Rendezvous Junction Brewing Co (2225 S Bellview Rd, Rogers) - All are welcome to meet other Democrats
Wednesday, June 12th from 4-6 p.m. - Urban Land Institute Young Leaders Group Pinnacle Hills Development Presentation and Happy Hour at Supply Chain Hall of Fame (5111 W. JB Hunt Dr, 6th floor, Rogers) - Join for an exciting event featuring Tom Allen, President of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, as he shares the story behind the transformation of the Pinnacle Hills area in Rogers. This event is tailored for young professionals and stakeholders with an interest in real estate, development, investment, and economic growth in the Northwest Arkansas region. Register HERE
Monday, June 24th at 11 a.m. - Senior Democrats of Benton County Lunch & Meeting at Golden Corral (2605 W Pleasant Crossing Dr., Rogers) - lunch is available beginning at 11; meeting will begin at noon and this month’s guests include Justice of the Peace candidates Carol Vella (8) and Lon Cross (10)
Community Involvement Opportunities
Pride Weekend Participation Options!
Register to join the Democrats of Arkansas at the following 2024 NWA Pride Parade & NWA Trans March events:
📅 Friday, June 28, 2024
Trans March Line Up Time/Location: To be announced
Trans March Start Time: 7:00 PM - march will end at Fayetteville Town Center
📅 Saturday, June 29, 2024
Pride Festival Time/Location: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Fayetteville Entertainment District
Pride Parade Line Up Time/Location: To be announced
Pride Parade Start Time: 5:00 PM.
Complete the form linked HERE to get registered to walk with Democrats from all over in the Northwest Arkansas Pride Parade and/or the NWA Trans March. You can also help by volunteering to work at an information booth during the Pride Festival.
Once the exact time and location for the Trans March and Pride Parade line up location is provided by the organizers, you will receive an email/text with those details.
Latest Kid’s Count Report Released
“Of the 16 measured indicators, Arkansas’ outcomes were worse than the national average in 13.”
“The experience of growing up in Arkansas has worsened in most areas of child well-being according to the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation report. The group’s latest KIDS COUNT Data Book, released Monday, shows 2022 was the deadliest year on record for child deaths in Arkansas. Child poverty and low educational performance persisted.
The report uses information from 2022 to analyze nationwide data from 16 indicators in four domains: family and community, education, health and economics. The report then ranks states by overall child well-being. Arkansas’ position at 45th is down ⬇ two slots from its ranking the last two years.” Read more of Mary Hennigan’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Bentonville
Committee of the Whole Mtng: Monday, June 10 at 6 p.m. - Council will be receiving a disaster recovery update
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
CNBC recently released an 8 minute video highlighting the rapid growth of Bentonville
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Comment on AR Dept. of Transportation Hwy 102 expansion plan by Friday, June 21st at 4:30 p.m. - Details and comment submission options can be found HERE
The Council will be asked to reappoint Jeff Seyfarth, Devin Murphy, and Jerry Harris to the Centerton Planning Commission this week (terms set to expire June 30, 2027)
Coffee with the Mayor will be on June 15th at 9 a.m. at the Centerton Community Room (290 N Main)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. (911 Weston St.) - Committee of the Whole; and Tuesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. - Regular meeting
Items of Note:
Mosquito Control Begins June 11th - The city will start fogging for mosquitos on the east side of Curtis starting at sundown until finished, which is usually 3 or so hours and the west side on Thursday’s, same time frame. This will go through August. Please email your name and address to [email protected] if you like to be on do not spray list.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
Special board meeting will be held Tuesday, June 18th at 2:30 p.m. - purpose of the meeting is to go into executive session to consider the appointment of a person to fill the vacancy made by Carol Smiley’s resignation of her at-large position on the City Board of Directors. The meeting will be held at City Hall.
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Finance Committee Meeting - June 11th at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - June 12th at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole - June 18th at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - June 19th at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
94th General Legislative Assembly:
In “something smells funny” news…
After debate in legislative meetings late last month, Solution Tree, one of the state’s education vendors, asked to have their nearly $100 million contract withdrawn from consideration. Read Antoinette Grajeda’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate HERE.
State Democratic Party Convention
View from State Rep candidate Billy Cook of the Congressional District 3 delegation
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Democratic Party of Arkansas’ State Convention in Little Rock. On Saturday, I along with the amazing Democrats pictured participated in electing delegates from Arkansas that will represent us at the Democratic National Convention in August.
10 of the 37 delegates plus 3 alternates selected on Saturday were from Benton and Washington Counties!
Benton County: Felipe Guzman-Zamarron, Cody Little, Maritza Munich, Parker Stohlton, and Carol Vella
Washington County: Dana Deree, Representative Denise Garner, Hershel Hartford, Justice of the Peace Evelyn Rios-Stafford, and Councilmember Bob Stafford
The Benton County delegation on Saturday!
📽 Bentonville Film Festival 📽
The information below was provided by Clint Schaff (many thanks!):
We're excited for the return of Bentonville Film Festival June 10-16, as we celebrate its 10th year of championing inclusion in media! Join us in supporting an amazing lineup of panels and film screenings that showcase diverse voices and stories. See the entire program schedule and get your tickets HERE.
In this post, I’m highlighting several can’t miss panels as well as an AMAZING opportunity to hear from music legend Linda Perry! Don’t miss out—use code PANELS24 for a BOGO deal on all panel tickets! 🎟️
Here’s a sneak peek of the incredible panels and speakers:
📅 Tuesday, June 11:
10AM - Breaking Barriers: Finding Your Voice and Paving Your Own Career Path: Join moderator Jaclyn House and panelists Lauren Sayeski, Kristen Moss, and Alexandra Burnley as they share their journeys and offer insights on overcoming career challenges.
2PM - The Power of Women Investing in Women: Moderator Madeline Di Nonno, along with panelists Fawzia Mirza, Sejin Croninger, and Shannon Baker, celebrate women driving change by investing in women.
📅 Wednesday, June 12:
10AM - Making an Impact: Breaking Barriers & Challenging Biases: Pam Kaufman moderates a discussion with Julie Barber, Erica Grundish, and Dawn Norvell on gender equity in the workplace.
11:30AM - Impact Over Intent: Craig Robinson leads a panel with Reuben McDaniel, Bradley Archer-Haynes, and Laura Rush to explore the impact of purpose-driven campaigns on social issues.
2PM - Navigating Minds: Exploring Mental Health and Media Influence: Moderator Madeline Di Nonno, joined by Nadine Crocker, Set Hernandez, and David Anderson, discusses the media's role in shaping perceptions of mental health.
3PM - Emerging Storytellers Showcase: A collection of short films from mitú x Walmart Filmmaker Mentorship Program, Ghetto Film School, and Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program.
📅 Thursday, June 13:
11:30AM - Portray Her: Women in STEM On-Screen: Madeline Di Nonno moderates a panel with Melissa Navia, Diona Reasonover, and Heidi Lagares on improving media representation of women in STEM.
2PM - If She Can See It, She Can Be It: Join moderator Madeline Di Nonno and panelists Geena Davis, Cassie Freeman, and Michelle Krusiec as they highlight the impact of women-led content.
8:30PM - 🎬 Special Film Screening: Linda Perry: Let it Die Here: Don't miss this special screening, followed by a Q&A with Linda Perry and the director, and an intimate 5-song performance by Linda herself! 🎶
📅 Friday, June 14:
11AM - The Next Generation of Media: Moderator Kate Erbland, with Stephen Hodge, Kennan Beasley, Chevonne O’Shaunnessey, Sophia Sandoval (TBD), and Enourage TV (TBD), explores new strategies in film sales and media investment.
2PM - AI in Storytelling: Kate Erbland moderates a discussion on AI-driven tools in filmmaking with Nem Perez, Rachel Victor, Walmart Connect Exec (TBD), and Comcast Exec Raina Mehta (TBD).
3:30PM - Pitch-a-Thon in Collaboration with SeriesFest: Claire Taylor moderates as filmmakers pitch their projects to Erich C. Smith and Lisa Ann Walters, offering a peek into the TV development process.
Odds & Ends
Read Antoinette Grajeda’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate about Get Loud suing election officials about the new wet signature voter registration form rule, “Arkansas nonprofit sues election officials over new voter registration signature rule”
Read Dan Pfeiffer’s post about “Why You Shouldn’t Panic about the Polls” - Trump's advantage is small and fragile, which is why this a very winnable race
Read Jessica Venti’s update on Arkansas in Abortion, Every Day, “An Arkansas Nightmare is Anti-Choice ‘Victory’”
Arkansas Republican Party’s Convention in Rogers happened this weekend and things did not go according to plan… read more from Doug Thompson at the NWA Dem Gazz HERE — I’ll have more updates in future newsletters about the GOP rule change to close their primaries