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Hi Community Members!

Happy Labor Day! In addition to the content you usually expect, today’s email contains pictures and thoughts from the five local Benton County Democrats who were able to attend last month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago as representatives of Arkansas.

- Christine

Local Events

  • Thurs., Sept. 5th at 5 p.m. - Groundbreaking Event for the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center - Celebrate the beginning of construction/renovation of the Downtown Activity Center (215 SW A Street). The facility will undergo a 40,000 square foot expansion for the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center; complete with a wellness pool, fitness center and studio, indoor walking track, gymnasium with pickleball courts, multi-purpose rooms, cafe, and more.

  • Fri., Sept. 6th at 11:30 a.m. - Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas meeting at Mermaids Restaurant (2217 College Ave., Fayetteville); Featured speaker is John Davis (author of “From Blue to Red") - Lunch costs $15 and is paid at check-in. RSVP by noon on Wed., Sept. 4th by emailing [email protected].

  • Mon., Sept. 9th at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Monthly Meeting at the Arvest Conference Room in downtown Bentonville (behind the Arvest building off of Legion Rd) - doors open at 6 p.m.; Hear from a few of our Justice of the Peace candidates, learn about our county election processes from one of the Benton County Election staff members, and get your Harris/Walz yard sign (with a $20 donation)

  • Tues., Sept. 10th at 9 a.m. - Onward Ozarks Inspiring Leadership and Resilience zoom discussion with Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman, Rogers Mayor Greg Hines, and Benton County Judge Barry Moerhing; they’ll share their experiences, discuss the coordinated response efforts and reflect on the collaborative approach that ensured the safety and recovery of the community after the May storms. Register HERE.

  • Thur., Sept. 12th at 5 p.m. - Groundbreaking Event for Gateway Park in Bentonville - Celebrate the city’s largest recreation project to date at Gateway Park (1815 SW 8th Street). The park will be divided into three cores or sections with dedicated space to explore, play, gather, and commune. Key features of the project include a destination playground, pavilion, event plaza, active and passive recreation areas, access to trail connections, and a state-of-the-art wheel sports garden for stunts, skills, and sessions.

  • Sun., Sept. 15th at 2 p.m. - DPBC Annual Little Flock Picnic at the park in Little Flock (1500 Little Flock drive) - all ages welcome; Picnic food (Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, etc.) will be served; Sponsor or purchase tickets ahead of time HERE

Catch a ball game this month and support Habitat for Humanity:

DNC 2024 - Felipe Guzman:

Community Involvement Opportunities

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) Focus Group Request

AACF is currently recruiting Arkansans between the ages of 18-24 for focus groups they are conducting. They want to hear from young adults to find out what they see as the biggest issues impacting the well-being of Arkansans and potential policy solutions they'd like to see. The focus groups are on Zoom, and each participant will receive a $25 gift card.

Please share this FORM with anyone age eligible that you think might be interested in participating by Sept. 12th.

Register for the Fall AACF educational webinars

  • The 2024 KIDS COUNT® Databook - Each year AACF releases the KIDS COUNT® Data Book with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The book is a 50-state ranking on child well-being in four domains: education, economic well-being, health, and family and community. This year, Arkansas ranked 45th overall. In this webinar, they will go over how Arkansas's kids are faring across different indicators and how we compare nationally. They will also discuss how children's well-being shifted because of the pandemic.

    • When: Thursday, September 5 at 12:00pm

    • Where: Zoom Webinar; register HERE

  • Medicaid 101 - Medicaid provides vital health insurance to many Arkansans. It allows children to get their annual check-ups. It ensures Arkansans with disabilities can get the services and support they need to work and go to school. It helps pregnant women get lifesaving care. In this webinar they will go over the basics of Medicaid — who qualifies, what is covered, and how you can help people enroll. At the end of the event, you will have the information you need to advocate for the Arkansans who depend on Medicaid to stay healthy, to get treated for serious illnesses, and manage chronic disease.

    • When: Tuesday, September 10 at 2:00pm

    • Where: Zoom Webinar; register HERE

  • Nonprofit Advocacy - Do you work at a nonprofit and want to speak up about laws you'd like to see passed to help the Arkansans you serve? Would you like to contact elected officials about the harmful impacts of a law they are considering? Do you want to educate lawmakers about the work you do and the needs you see in your community? Nonprofits CAN lobby and advocate! In this webinar they will go over the basic do's and don'ts for nonprofit advocacy and provide some tips to help in your advocacy.

    • When: Thursday, September 19 at 12:00pm

    • Where: Zoom Webinar; register HERE

  • The ABCs of the State Budget - Arkansas's state legislators are about to head to the Capitol to work on one of their most important responsibilities — making a budget for the many programs, agencies, and departments of the state government. Over the course of several weeks, the Joint Budget Committee will be considering budget proposals they will vote on in 2025. But how exactly does the budget process work? How can you advocate while the Joint Budget Committee is meeting? In this webinar they will go over the basics of the budget process, including the ABCs of the state budget. And they will talk about opportunities for advocacy when legislators convene at the Capitol in October.

    • When: Thursday, September 26 at 11:00am

    • Where: Zoom Webinar; register HERE

  • Preparing for Medicaid and ARKids First renewals - Every year, individuals and families insured through Arkansas's Medicaid programs, ARHOME and ARKids First, have to renew their coverage. Last year, thousands of Arkansans lost Medicaid coverage due to paperwork issues, even though they were still eligible. Help spread the word about what Arkansans need to do to keep their Medicaid coverage up to date. In this webinar, they will go over the processes for renewal, what information you need to give to the Department of Human Services, and what resources there are to appeal if you've lost coverage. They will also provide information you can share with your community to raise awareness across the state.

    • When: Wednesday, October 9 at 2:00pm

    • Where: Zoom Webinar; register HERE

DNC 2024 - Parker Stohlton:

Municipal Government Awareness

Bella Vista

  • Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. (Bella Vista Police Training Room) - work session

  • Items of Note:

    • Read about the cyber security incident that impacted the city during mid-August HERE

Bentonville

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • The City of Bentonville is seeking city residents interested in serving as the City of Bentonville representative on the Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) Board. The board of directors provides oversight and guidance to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission and serving its stakeholders in the most effective and efficient way possible. Interested residents may apply online HERE; deadline is Sept. 5th.

    • Bentonville Mayoral Candidates incumbent Mayor Stephanie Orman and challenger Steve Galen are scheduled to participate in a DBI hosted debate in October. The debate will be posted to DWTN Now’s YouTube page and it will air on the CBS (channel 5) affiliate at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 6th and Oct. 20th

    • The Bentonville E-Bike Rebate Program application portal opens Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. Bentonville residents 18 and up will be able to apply here. Rebates are awarded through a random selection process each month from September to November. Learn more about requirements, income qualifications and where to use the rebates HERE.

    • Comment on the City of Bentonville/ARDOT and FHWA designs for the proposed new NE J St interstate interchange HERE by Sept. 13th

Cave Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.) - work session

  • Items of Note:

    • The City of Cave Springs is updating its Comprehensive Zoning Map to reflect recent annexations and ensure all properties within the Cave Springs City Limits are conforming to the City's zoning regulations. A Public Hearing will take place on September 3rd at 6:30 PM at the American Legion Building located at 168 Glenwood Ave, Cave Springs. The proposed Zoning Map is posted in City Hall and viewable Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00AM- 4:30PM.

Centerton

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Last month, the Centerton Planning Commission approved the proposed expansion project for the Post Office (100 Monroe St.)

    • Centerton Day celebration will be on Saturday, September 14th, follow the city Facebook page for updates on the schedule

Gravette

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE) - Committee of the Whole

Lowell

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • The city is seeking public input for the second phase of the play area at the Kathleen Johnson Memorial Park to add a neurodiverse playground. The current play area constructed at the park is an all-inclusive playground that gives children of all abilities the opportunity to play together in a common area.

Pea Ridge

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. (911 Weston St.) - Committee of the Whole

Rogers

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)

  • Items of Note:

    • Council voted 5-1 last week to approve rezoning for the Barrington Place project planned on 43 acres between South Dodson and South Rainbow roads. The property will be used for a new 500-unit apartment complex.

    • Join the Rogers Parks & Recreation team on Sunday, September 15th from 1-3 pm as they conduct a litter cleanup on Osage Creek. This is a great opportunity for students to get volunteer service hours!

Siloam Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)

Springdale

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)

County Government Awareness

Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission

Doug Thompson with the NWA Ark Dem Gazz covered last month’s NWA Regional Planning Commission meeting. The Beaver Water District Executive Director, Lane Crider, updated the planning committee on the Beaver Lake drinking water supply projections for the expected future growth in our region. Read Doug’s reporting, “Beaver Lake can handle NWA water demand, but [federal] law needs changing, planners told”.

Benton County Quorum Court

Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:

  • Planning Board Meeting - Sept. 4 at 6:00 p.m.

  • Election Commission Meeting - Sept. 6 at 1:00 p.m. (at the Election Commission offices in Rogers)

  • Finance Committee Meeting - Sept. 10 at 6:00 p.m.

  • Developmental Review Committee - Sept. 11 at 10:00 a.m.

  • Committee of the Whole - Sept. 17 at 6:00 p.m.

DNC 2024 - Carol Vella:

In the Ear

Election Information

From Mary Hennigan at the Arkansas Advocate, “More than 4,800 Arkansans submitted voter registration forms to the secretary of state’s office following Biden’s announcement to not seek reelection and Harris’ campaign launch on July 21, according to an analysis of data as of Aug. 1”. Read more of her coverage HERE.

Which leads to the question… Have you checked your voter registration lately?

VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Now is the time to make sure you and your neighbors’ voter registrations are up to date. THE site that you should have people use to confirm if their registration is correct is the Arkansas Voter View website hosted by the Arkansas Secretary of State office.

Voter Registration Deadlines in Arkansas for the Nov. 5th General Election:

  • Oct. 7th - Last day to register as a new voter in Arkansas

  • Nov. 1st (close of business) - Last day to update your voter address if it is in a different county

  • Address changes within a county can be updated through election day (but it's better to do it early - I believe people can call the County Clerk's office and do over the phone)

Absentee Ballots:

  • Complete the application as soon as the voter can; last day to request will be Nov. 1st (close of business)

  • Deadline for Delivery of Voted Ballot to County Clerk:

    • In Person: by close of business the Friday BEFORE the election.

    • By Designated Bearer: by close of business the Friday BEFORE the election.

    • By Mail: received at clerk's office by 7:30 p.m. ON election day

    • By Authorized Agent: by 7:30 p.m. ON election day

Voter registration rules continue to be in the news. On August 23rd, the Arkansas Legislative Council Administrative Rules Subcommittee agreed to the new rule requiring “wet” signatures for voter registration forms. On August 29th, a federal judge temporarily blocked the implementation of this new rule. With this ruling, Get Loud Arkansas has relaunched its online tool that allows Arkansans to complete their voter registration application online. Read more about the ruling from Antoinette Grajeda at the Arkansas Advocate HERE.

DNC 2024 - Maritza Munich:

Citizen Led Ballot Initiatives Update

  • Abortion Amendment

    • Not on the ballot in Nov.

    • State Supreme Court broke 4-3 and ruled against the supporters of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment. The majority opinion agreed with the AG Griffin and ruled that the amendment would not be eligible for ballot access due to paperwork issues. Read the writeup from Tess Vrbin at the Arkansas Advocate HERE. Also read David Ramsey and Matt Campbell’s legal analysis on the decision in the Arkansas Times HERE.

  • Marijuana Amendment

    • On the ballot in Nov.

    • Sponsors of the ballot amendment turned in an additional 38k+ signatures last Friday to the Secretary of State’s office. If the total signatures collected meet the threshold, the votes for/against the amendment will be counted this November (barring any other legal action that could throw the votes out)

  • Pope County Casino Amendment

Local ART Event

Catch a Picture with the RED BALL next week.

  • Wed., Sept. 11th - 112 W. Central Ave., Bentonville

  • Thur., Sept. 12th - 119 W. University St, Siloam Springs

  • Fri., Sept. 13th - 227 W. Dickson St, Fayetteville

  • Sat., Sept. 14th - Shiloh Square pavilion on Emma Ave, Springdale

  • Sun., Sept. 15th - 130 W. Central Ave, Bentonville

DNC 2024 - Cody Little:

Odds & Ends

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