The guest will be Joyce Hale, who will speak about gas drilling and the proposed severance tax for gas wells. An initiated petition, to allow the question to be on the ballot next November, is circulating in the community at this time.

Mrs. Hale lives in Fayetteville and has been an active member of the League of Women Voters of Washington County. While serving in various leadership capacities, her main focus has been a five year study of natural gas development, its environmental impacts, and economics of the industry. She is currently writing a series of articles called “Fracking in Arkansas” for the Fayetteville Free Weekly. She has also been involved in issues of water quality and land preservation through public policy, legislation, and public education.

She and her husband, Jay Hale, are retired from Hale Engineering, a mechanical engineering job shop which they operated in Pea Ridge, Arkansas for over thirty years.

Make reservations for a seat to hear the program, or for a seat and $12 lunch, payable at the door, by calling Georgiana Sterry 876-5843.
by May 17.

Ms. Peters  is the owner of Peters Health Care Consultants and she currently is also a Senior Associate of MatrixPointe, LLC, a consulting firm based in Washington D.C. who assists various states in pursuit of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Until recently, J.P. was the District Director for AFDW in our own third district.  She has been actively involved in AR politics since relocating here from the Dallas area a few years ago.  She works very closely with the DPA office in Little Rock as part of their speakers bureau.  J.P. has a seat on the AR Commission that has worked for the past two years in setting up the AR health care exchange program as outlined in the health care bill passed in 2010.  She presented a power point  review of  the status of the PPACA, Arkansas’s current plans, and other aspects of health care in AR.

Pictured during the filing process is Sean Barnes, a native of NW Arkansas,  now residing in Lowell.   He attended NWACC and University of AR before beginning a career in sales, currently a real estate agent with Crye-Leike Realty,  Fayetteville.  Sean’s focus for the Quorum Court is to “make Benton county a great place to live, work, and play”.   His goals include lowering Benton county’s carbon footprint and focus on making life easier for special needs citizens.

Also a candidate for JP is Bobby Beene, a native Arkansan, originally from Quitman, AR, who has been a resident of Bethel Heights for the past year.  He is a registered EMT with several years experience with ambulance providers in the Conway area.  He has recently returned to the medical field and is currently in RN training.   After about 18 years of prior business experience in restaurant  management, he believes he can utilize that experience toward the benefit of Benton county and as a representative of the 14th district.

Another Democratic candidate is David Ibarra, a Rogers resident who is running for Constable in the 3rd district.  After several years of law enforcement training and three tours of duty in Iraq and Afganistan, he brings appropriate experience to the post.    Pictured with Jimmy Russell,  Vice – Chair of the Benton County Democratic Central Committee, if elected, David will be able to utilize his experience for the benefit of Benton County.

Brenda Gullett, a former Arkansas Democratic Representative and Senator from Fayetteville  presented a humorous program on the above  topic at the monthly Benton County Democrats luncheon meeting on February 27, 2012.  

She is the owner of “Brenda Gullett Associates” which specializes in maximizing human potential.  She currently serves on the Arkansas state Board of Education and has served 6 years on the Jefferson County Quorum Court.   Brenda, as a former member of the Arkansas legislature, has many experiences to share with attendees of her presentations.  She remains active in a variety of community organizations in the Washington county area.  

Past President, Mary Lee Hay presented a certificate and a $50 donation to the charity of Bill’s choice with the following introduction:

“Each year the BCD recognizes a member who encourages and supports the Benton County Democrats.  In the past we have recognized Agnes Williams who at age 100 attended a gathering at Lake Atlanta to support a Democratic candidate for Congress, and the Roberts sisters, Mary Margaret and Lucille….Democrats through and through.   For the year 2011,  the Benton County Democrats say thank you to ….our Bill.  Bill Beck.  Bill is an involved and supporting member of  BCD.    He  keeps us informed about issues that are being pursued in Congress.    He is our very own David Axelrod.  Bill is passionate and knowledgeable about environmental issues.   Through the past years,  Democrats of Benton County have  benefited from the hundreds and hundreds of dollars we receive from our Movie Night Out fund raising events.  With proceeds from these fund raisers BCD has had the opportunity to donate needed funds to Democratic candidates……But also the incentive for members to turn off the T V and join friends at the Malco to see Oscar winning movies.  We thank you for that.”

Watch this space for news of the next movie night planned for May 2012.

Judge Keith spoke from his knowledge and experience to the topic “How the Judicial System Works”.   An attorney since 1973, Judge Keith was Benton County’s first public defender.  In 1982 he was elected Rogers Municipal Judge where he became widely known for his demand for proper courtroom etiquette. He was elected in 1986 to Benton County Circuit Judge where he went on to become the Senior Circuit Judge. He has served on several state committees regarding the administration of justice.

Today he is of counsel  with the firm of Keith, Miller, Butler, Schneider, and Pawlik PLLC.  His practice focuses on criminal defense and civil litigation.  Additionally he serves as a replacement Judge across the state when there are conflicts with the local judges serving. He has consistent office hours and is involved with many different cases within the firm. He and his wife Henri reside in Bentonville.

Ken Aden For Congress

A frequent columnist for the Northwest Arkansas Times, Grisham is a graduate of the University of Mississippi. His experience growing up in Mississippi in the days of the struggle for Civil Rights made a big impact on him, and Grisham left law school to enter the seminary in 1976. He feels strongly about the need for tolerance in a diverse society.

Steve presented information and maps related to redistricting of Arkansas Senate and House districts that will be voted into effect on July 29, 2011.

Phil Pumphrey, Executive Director of Ozark Regional Transit, was the featured speaker at the regular monthly meeting of Benton County Democrats on Monday, June 27, 2011.  He presented an overview of ORT’s services and plans for future expansion.  ORT is asking for a 1/4% increase in sales tax to fund these expansion plans but the Benton County Quroum Court has denied the opportunity to have that increase placed on the ballot for voter approval.  Other avenues are being explored and opportunities for citizens to help will be posted here as soon as plans are complete.

Dustin McDaniel took office in January 2007 and is currently the youngest Attorney General in the nation. He serves as the Chair of the southern region and member of the Finance Committee for the National Association of Attorneys General; Co-Chair of the Democratic Association of Attorneys General; and has been awarded an Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership. McDaniel began his career as a uniformed patrol officer in his hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was also a Democratic Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives.