Opinion

Monday is Memorial Day, a day to remember those who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s always had a special meaning for me, growing up in the grandfather’s house.

2022 Seniors ... Well, here you are about to graduate. I’m sure you’re pinching yourself at the prospect of reaching your goal of the last 12 years. I think of you all as caterpillars. You’re about to leave your cocoons; your high school and homes, to emerge as butterflies and fly away to your futures.

Bob Ballinger will tell you, if you’ll listen and not ask any pesky questions, that the focus on his candidacy for the District 28 seat in the Arkansas State Senate should be on his “record.” He’ll also tell you that he’s finally paid his debt for three years of advertising in the Ag Days program, and that he doesn’t owe any state taxes. The truth about the Ag Days bill depends on whether you’re asking Ballinger or someone who’s involved with Ag Days and would be in a position to know.

Small towns are a place where values are important, they are practiced, and the people are authentic. One only has to look at the popularity of Hallmark movies, the Andy Griffith Show, Sweet Magnolias, Bedford Falls and the Gilmore Girls’ town of Stars Hollow with themes around small town living to see that people embrace small towns and all they symbolize.

The graduation season is upon us, so today I am congratulating the members of the Class of 2022 who overcame the expected difficulties of high school and college and then surmounted the totally unexpected challenges of a worldwide pandemic.

There is no question that many families suffered financial setbacks as the coronavirus swept across the nation two years ago. Today I’d like to discuss my vision to stabilize housing and to assist Arkansans with opportunities to move up the economic ladder.

For most people, Sunday was Mother’s Day. For me, it was just another day.

I make no secret of the fact that I believe in journalism that is aggressive, objective and accurate, in ascending order of importance. That’s the kind of journalism we strive to practice at Carroll County Newspapers.

Dear Readers: This column was originally published on May 9, 2017. It is one of my favorites and I share it again today in memory of my mom.

I don’t get out on county roads that much. I usually prefer to stick to pavement, and — despite the driveway where I live and parking lot where I work — gravel just doesn’t do it for me.