Representative Keith M. Ingram Named Chair Elect of the Southern Legislative Conference

Charleston, West Virginia – Delegates to the 66^th Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Rep. Keith IngramConference (SLC), the Southern Office of The Council of State Governments (CSG), unanimously elected Arkansas State Representative Keith M. Ingram chair elect of the Conference. Ingram will succeed Speaker Mike Hubbard of Alabama who is currently serving as head of the 15 member organization. Ingram will preside over the 68^th Annual Meeting of the SLC in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2014.

Founded in 1947, the Southern Legislative Conference is one of four regional offices operating under The Council of State Governments. The mission of the Southern office is to foster and encourage intergovernmental cooperation among its 15 member states. By working together within the SLC and participating on its committees, Southern state legislative leaders are able to speak in a distinctive, unified voice to address issues that affect their states and the greater region.

Each annual meeting focuses, in part, on the innovative programs of the host state. In addition to their regular meeting schedule, technical tours provided legislators a chance to see first-hand many innovative approaches to common challenges which could potentially be replicated within their home state.

Ingram is State Senator-Elect for Arkansas District 24, and will be only the fifth Arkansan to serve as Chairman of the SLC.

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Five More People Arrested in Crittenden County Voter Fraud

Hallum Legacy of Corruption Grows

 
(Crittenden County, AR) Five people were arrested on state charges of voter fraud Tuesday, on top of the four people who already pleaded guilty to federal charges earlier this month.

Eric Cox, Lisa Burns, Amos Sanders, Deshay Lorenzo Parker III, and Leroy Grant were chargedFmr. Rep. Hudson Hallum (D) with possession of more than 10 absentee ballots with the intent to defraud election officials.

This charge is a class D felony, which can result in up to six years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.

Earlier in September, Rep. Hudson Hallum pleaded guilty to buying votes. Kent Hallum, his father, Philip Carter, a West Memphis councilman, and Sam Malone, a West Memphis police officer, also pleaded guilty.

An indictment accused the four of them of buying chicken dinners and cheap vodka in exchange for votes. They are also accused of destroying ballots cast for Hallum’s opponent.

In the run-off election in 2011, Kim Felker was Hallum’s opponent. She noted some suspicious incidents, like people who had mentioned they turned their absentee ballots into certain people, or people who said they didn’t vote but were recorded as having voted.

Family, Mid-South Community College Establish Endowment in Memory of Patrick Michael Murphy

Patrick Michael MurphyThe Murphy family and Mid-South Community College have established the Patrick Michael Murphy Endowment for Business. The endowment, in memory of the long-time Foundation Board chair and friend of the college, will be used to enhance business education and instruction at MSCC. 

“Mike played a vitally important role in this community for a number of years, and what he did for the college was extraordinary,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter. “Mike, both personally and professionally, set a great example of philanthropy in our community, and it would be difficult to find someone who hasn’t been touched by his generosity.”

“While this endowment doesn’t begin to demonstrate our full appreciation for all Mike did for the College, we anticipate that it will keep his memory and spirit alive for generations to come.”

Murphy family members said the endowment will keep Mike’s community spirit active.

“During his 20 years as president of Fidelity National Bank, Mike took every opportunity to make a difference in our community. This endowment will enable Mike to continue serving the residents of Crittenden County for many years.”

Patti Coleman, MSCC Director of Advancement, said Murphy helped her grow personally and professionally as they worked together to strengthen the college.

“Mike always provided invaluable advice and direction to me in my service to the college,” Coleman said. “As someone who was relatively new to fundraising, I greatly appreciated his willingness to share his overall knowledge and expertise with me.”

“Mike was always a great supporter of

CrittendenCountyArkansas.comMore Americans turn to the world wide web to get their news nowadays, but nearly as many still think television news is the most reliable news source available.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Adults think the Internet is the best way to get news and information in today’s world. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say television is best. Just nine percent (9%) believe the radio is the best way to get news and information, and even fewer (7%) still go with print newspapers. 

(To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 12-13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.

MSCC Establishes Scholarship in Honor of Coach Grafton Moore

          Grafton MooreMid-South Community College has established the Grafton Moore Scholarship in honor of the contributions he has made to education, students, and his community.

            “Grafton Moore has spent most of his life helping young men and women become better people,” said Dr. Glen Fenter, MSCC President. “By establishing this scholarship, we are recognizing and acknowledging the tremendous positive impact he has had on this community and this region.”

            “His accomplishments as an athletic coach are many and varied, and he has stacks of trophies and awards to prove it. But his greatest contribution to the educational process is the long list of people he has guided toward successful lives.”

            Coach Moore said he is honored to be associated with the MSCC scholarship.

“I was just overwhelmed when I first heard about it. It caught me completely off guard. But I think it’s a great honor, and I certainly appreciate Dr. Fenter and the college for this recognition.”

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In The First District: A Debate, A Departure, and An Early Poll Result

First District Cong. Rick Crawford (R) will debate his three challengers in October at a forum to held at Arkansas State University.

Crawford will meet Democratic challenger Scott Ellington, Green Party nominee Jacob Holloway, and Libertarian candidate Jessica Paxton at a debate to be hosted by ASU’s political science department.

The date and time is still not settled.

The debate news follows a report this morning from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that says Ellington’s campaign manager, Mark Warren, has exited his post. Warren was being paid by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

Warren’s departure is a sign that Ellington’s campaign is not making much..... (Original Article)

Rep. Ingram Lends a Hand to 8^th Street Mission

State Representative Keith M. Ingram made a special presentation recently to Larry Brown, Executive Director of the 8^th Street Mission. Ingram was able to secure grant funds to assist Brown in purchasing a large walk in refrigerator.

“The Mission provides temporary shelter and food, serving three meals a day, to the homeless and destitute while administering other programs and services. They do an incredible job in our community, and I was happy to help them,” said Ingram.

Pictured with State Representative Ingram at the presentation is 8^th Street Mission Executive Director Larry Brown and his wife.

"The Princess Tree""The Princess Tree", a photograph by West Memphis native, Jason Stark has been chosen to be a part of the 2013 Arkansas Arts Council "Small Works on Paper" traveling exhibit. The exhibit, which opens January 5th in El Dorado, features prominent Arkansas artists from all disciplines.

37 pieces were chosen from the 300+ entries. An independent juror from Rockhurst University Gallery in Kansas was used. Of the 37 pieces chosen for the 2013 tour, 7 were selected for purchase by AAC for their permanent collection. "The Princess Tree" was also chosen and purchased for the permanent collection.