A taxing problem
Now comes the saga of Secretary of State Mark Martin improperly claiming homestead-tax exemptions on two properties.
That’s a no-no, which meant Martin coughed up $2,100 to get himself financially squared away.
That development comes on the heels of GOP gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson having to do virtually the same thing after he’d improperly claimed the exemption on two homes in 2008.
Actually, Hutchinson said he would pay a penalty for his mistake even though he wasn’t bound by the statute of limitations to do so.
Both public officials claimed they didn’t realize they’d wrongly claimed improper exemptions and were ready and eager to repay what was owed after their transgressions were revealed on the Blue Hog Report.
It’s always nice when folks do the right thing, even after the fact. But oversights like this naturally make headlines and just don’t look good in the public arena.
Some unsolicited advice: What say everyone holding or seeking a position as a public servant take a few minutes to examine their own homestead exemptions and, through a modicum of due diligence, thereby put a merciful end to what apparently can easily become a seeming pattern of such painfully embarrassing exposures?
Speaking of legally sticky wickets, I join others in wondering what the details are behind the special prosecutor named to investigate elected Rogers City Attorney Ben Lipscomb.
A news account by reporter Tracy Neal says Crawford County Prosecutor Marc McCune will investigate the complaint that Lipscomb allegedly impersonated a police officer.
McCune, who was sworn in last week, wasn’t saying anything about the complaint originally filed with the Benton County Prosecutor Jim Clark, who recused. That was wise since, before becoming the county prosecutor, Clark spent 11 years working for Lipscomb in the city attorney’s office.
Lipscomb wasn’t talking much either, except to say there supposedly isn’t a statute concerning impersonating a police officer, adding “It’s impersonating a law enforcement officer, and as a prosecuting attorney, I am a law enforcement officer.”
I suppose a city attorney might refer to him or herself as a prosecuting attorney, although I’ve always believed (perhaps ignorantly) that city attorneys were administrative lawyers who dealt with the day-to-day legal challenges of their communities.
Hmmm. I gotta wonder what’s really up here, valued readers. I can’t see a special prosecutor being selected and sworn in simply to investigate whether a city attorney is a law enforcement officer, can you? And what is the specific complaint against Lipscomb anyway?
Methinks there’s much more to this mysterious fiasco than revealed or discussed, which, if true, would be the only time in Benton County that sort of thing has happened. Well, OK, yeah, I exaggerate.
Best college town
It’s no surprise to me or others who live in Fayetteville that Livability. com just named it as the fourth-best college town to call home. Hey, what’s not to like in the Athens of the Ozarks? Plenty of trees, water, beautiful Ozark mountains, a majestic university on a hill and an arts auditorium second to none in the state.
Here is how the selection committee described Fayetteville:
“Fayetteville’s Southern charm, modern arts scene and innovative business schemes create a place that draws young families who crave a unique yet traditional small-town vibe. The University of Arkansas provides a base for the local economy that continues to grow as the college expands its programs and companies move in to take advantage of the school’s research facilities. Breathtaking natural attractions like the Ozark Mountains provide an abundance of outdoor activities, and areas like Dickson Street offer entertainment options.”
Finishing just ahead of Fayetteville in the annual findings were: Ames, Iowa; Logan, Utah; and Oxford, Ohio.
Light for Eureka
I do believe I see a glimpse of daylight shining through a crack in what hopefully will be a bright future for seemingly endless stormy city politics in Eureka Springs.
Butch Berry, a 65-year-old personable preservation architect and UA graduate who over the years has spent four terms on the notoriously contentious Eureka City Council, plus served on numerous boards and commissions in that charming community will become its newest mayor on Jan. 1, 2015. Berry is running unopposed for the job.
The fourth-generation Carroll Countian is known as a reasonable Arkansan with sufficient patience and intelligence to be the guiding hand of one of my favorite cities has long deserved.
From what I’ve learned of Berry’s temperament, abilities and commitment to the town, he’s likely to emerge as the consensus builder and leader Eureka has desperately needed. Hopefully, he also can create some badly needed new parking space downtown.
My only unsolicited advice to Mayor Butch: Never, under any circumstances, vote twice in the same election.