Local Events
Mon., Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Monthly Meeting at the Peterson Auditorium at NWACC in Bentonville; this month’s meeting will feature candidates running in contested nonpartisan municipal races across the county - open to all to come and meet the folks that will appear on your ballot this Nov.
Tues., Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. - Poverty Day Data Rapid Response Webinar featuring leaders from the Center for American Progress, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) - learn what the latest census report tells us and the potential impacts to advocacy. Register to attend HERE.
Wed., Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. - League of Women Voters Benton County Meeting at the First United Methodist Church in Bentonville (2nd St. entrance); meeting featuring Angela Belford, the president of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas
Thurs., Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. - Flip Benton County event at the DPBC Headquarters (1504 W Walnut) in Rogers; join for an evening of music, inspiration, and a chance to hear from candidates. This will be an outdoor event, so bring a lawn chair!
Sat., Sept. 19 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. - Indivisible NWA Monthly Meeting at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (2925 Old Missouri Rd) in Fayetteville; Katie Teague, from UADA Cooperative Extension, will speak on Arkansas’ ballot initiatives. More information can be found HERE.
Sat., Sept. 19 from 6 - 9 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County Game Night at the DPBC Campaign Headquarters in Rogers (1504 W. Walnut St.); HQ! Games and snacks provided- or bring your favorite to share! Not a gamer? Come hang out - there will be plenty of camaraderie, too. Register to attend HERE.
Tues., Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. - Groundwork Presents Creating Lasting Housing Solutions: Modular Housing Webinar; This session explores how modular housing can help Arkansas towns expand housing options and respond to growing demand in new ways. Register to attend virtually HERE.
Sun., Sept. 27 from 1 - 4 p.m. - DPBC Little Flock Picnic; featuring Benton County JP and House Candidates, Senate Candidate Hallie Shoffner, Congressional Candidate Robb Ryerse, Gubernatorial Candidate Fred Love, Arkansas Secretary of State Candidate Kelly Grappe - sponsorship and tickets to the event are available HERE
Community Involvement Opportunities
DPBC Headquarters Office Hours and Volunteer Opportunities
The DPBC headquarters office is open (see hours listed below). If you would like to help volunteer for office hours, please sign up for a shift HERE. A typical volunteer shift may include answering questions about candidates, voting, and/or voter registration, and assisting with ongoing efforts to strengthen the party by writing postcards or making phone calls. If you are able to financially contribute to the headquarters, you can do so HERE.
Office Hours (1504 W Walnut in Rogers)
Monday & Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesdays from 5 - 8 p.m.
Thursdays from 4 - 7 p.m.
Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Coffee with the Mayor featuring the Bentonville Police Department will be held at the Museum of Native American History on Sept. 15 at 8 a.m.; RSVP HERE
Appointments from last week’s city council meeting: Thomas Bailey to the Construction Board of Appeals (exp. 7/15/28) and Hunter Hook to the Parks and Rec. Advisory Board (exp. 12/31/27) - <CEJ: if that name seems familiar, he’s the son of current council member Holly Hook>
The City is seeking qualified residents to serve on the Airport Advisory Board, which provides guidance to the mayor, city council, and city staff on long-term planning, operations, and policies related to the Bentonville Municipal Airport. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 27th.
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bentonville City Council denies rezone request; hears about impact fee study for city services - Bentonville briefed on impact fee study”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. (120 S. Main St.)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Cave Springs commission approves site development plan for the city’s first Walmart Neighborhood Market - Approval contingent on addressing drainage plan, other issues”
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Centerton’s Downtown Master Plan will require public-private partnerships, officials say - Planning director: Seeking out funding for roads, trails will be key”
Decatur
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. (310 Maple Ave.)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
Mayor Chris Holland announced the resignation of a City Council member during the September 8 meeting, creating a vacancy for Ward 3, Position 1. Learn more and apply by 4:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 5th HERE.
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
From Annette Beard with NWA Dem Gazz, “Pea Ridge residents invited to public engagement meeting on proposed Active Transportation Master Plan - Public hearing will follow in early October”
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
City launched a website to provide information to voters about the Nov. 3rd bond issue (an extension of the existing 1% sales tax); review HERE
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs appoints new interim police chief”
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Ron Wood at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale Fire Chief: New station aims to make sure department keeps pace with city’s growth - Grand opening ceremony set for Friday”
From Miceala Morano at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale district forecasts tight financial picture this school year - Decreasing enrollment, funding reductions cited”
County Government Awareness
County News
“Benton County Judge Barry Moehring urged presumed judge-elect and former state Rep. Austin McCollum during a press conference [Sept. 9th] to not take office in January amid McCollum's ongoing legal battles.” Read more from Alex Golden’s reporting with Axios NWA HERE. Also from Alex read, “McCollum pleads not guilty.”
From Miceala Morano with NWA Dem Gazz, “Benton County Planning Board of Appeals overturns denial of cell tower construction”
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Board of Equalization - Sept. 15 & 22 at 8:30 a.m. (Rogers Office)
Committee of the Whole - Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
Budget Committee Meeting - Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.
Developmental Review Committee Meeting - Sept. 23 at 10 a.m.
Quorum Court - Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (Last reading of the ICE fund creation. Public comment time available to speak out on this issue- 3 minute speaking time)
State Government Awareness
Information impacting the state:
Earlier this month, Arkansas Appleseed released their “School Readiness: An Examination of Arkansas Early Childhood Education (ECE) Policy” to the public. This report is an exploration of how the state got where it is now; the gaps in current ECE and pre-K systems; and policy options that would yield expanded ECE care infrastructure, more quality early learning options for more families, and better early learning outcomes for more Arkansas children.
From Ainsley Platt with the Arkansas Advocate, “Trump administration approves Arkansas’ plan to consolidate functions of workforce boards”
From Josh Snyder with NWA Dem Gazz, “Tuition at Arkansas’ top private schools rising faster than LEARNS Act funding”
November 3rd Election Information
Election items to share with your friends and family:
Last call for new voter registration - those that are new to vote in Arkansas must be registered by Monday, October 5th. Learn more about voter registration HERE.
Sample Ballots for Benton County are available on Voter View for all registered voters
ARvotes.org has been updated for the Nov. 3rd election - see information on the candidates on your sample ballot
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Services has updated their website with information on the Nov. 3rd ballot issues; learn more via:
Website: State-wide Ballot Issues and KUAF’s interview with Kristin Netterstrom Higgins HERE and read an opinion piece on Issue 3 from Tracking Arkansas HERE
Website Local Ballot Issues
Political News:
From Tess Vrbin with the Arkansas Advocate, “Democrats see rare signs of hope in solidly red Arkansas’ midterms - Party still faces long odds, but candidates try to capitalize on Trump’s disapproval ratings”
From Sarah Longwell with The Bulwark, “The Three Issues Souring Trump Voters on Trump - Most Trump scandals don’t bother his voters. These are the exceptions.”
Watch Roby Brock’s interview with Democratic strategist Robert McLarty and GOP strategist Bill Vickery analyzing the state of elections HERE
From Alex Thomas with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Arkansas’ U.S. Senate candidates consider debates hosted in state - Two accept invites to events; Cotton has yet to respond”
Local Candidates Events
Please consider attending the following upcoming event to learn more about and support like-minded candidates running for office in Arkansas.
State Legislature: Candidate meet and greet for Mitchell Smith in House District 13 (south Bentonville and northwest Rogers)
RSVP to attend HERE
Odds & Ends
From Paul Krugman, “Where’s the Beef (Coming From)? - Meat and freedom!”
From Adrian Carrasquillo at The Bulwark, “Trump Took His Status. ICE Took His Dignity. He Took His Life. - This promising young Haitian immigrant was humiliated and tormented until he lost hope.”
And finally, from Letters from an Arkansan, “Unpopular Opinion: How to Stop Preaching to the Choir”