BITS & PIECES: That’s my job

By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com

In recent days we reported details of a school teacher’s arrest, and later a pursuit on I-30 that ended with a pit maneuver by a state trooper. Both stories generated feedback. One reader questioned why we would tarnish the reputation of a school teacher, and another argued that a video accompanying the pit maneuver was distasteful because the injured suspect’s relatives might see it. While teachers are certainly not infallible, parents deserve to know when one engages in criminal, potentially violent behavior, even if the action happens off campus. As for the pit maneuver video, which was captured by a passing motorist and graciously shared with us, we’re willing to wager that it will be subpoenaed for evidence in court and the family will see it anyway. We appreciate feedback and realize criticism comes with the territory, but if we don’t do our job, who will?

We dropped the bomb last week and forgot to remind our readers that sanitation routes wouldn’t run Monday, as city offices were closed for President’s Day. Our apologies to readers who rely on arkadelphian.com for announcements related to trash routes. Only U.S. presidents should be allowed to observe this holiday. We highly doubt government employees on the federal, state or city level sang “Happy Birthday” to George Washington or honored any president in any way.

Why are we clapping for people who aren’t in the room?

Sunshine Week starts March 16. A conversation with the spouse about a planned editorial hit a snag when we learned she had never heard of Sunshine Week. Having been married to this person for 19 years and working most of that time in journalism, how did we neglect to enlighten her? One reckons it’s high time we do a better job of explaining the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and fighting to maintain open government and access to public information.

In the past couple of days we’ve seen what appears to be a demolition crew at the former NAPA auto parts store at 10th and Clinton streets. On Tuesday we observed someone on a cherry picker removing signage from the fuel pump canopy at Winner’s Circle #6, located at 10th and Caddo streets, an intersection that will be made larger for the Arkadelphia Bypass. The Arkansas Highway Commission owns much of the parking lot along 10th Street, including where the fuel pumps and canopy are located. The convenience store is owned by Loman Management LLC of Malvern.

We occasionally leave town for places like Hot Springs or Little Rock, although we dread every minute spent in either city. We’ve noticed a Dollar General going up on Highway 7, just a few miles south of Bismarck. Also, we curse the architects who designed Cornerstone Marketplace, and strongly feel that he/she/they should be stoned with the very boulders that hinder our view of crossing the boulevard. As for Little Rock, we survived a close call with an 18-wheeler on I-30 in the Benton construction area. We’ll stay in Arkadelphia until that perpetual project clears up for a while.

Joel Phelps is publisher and editor of arkadelphian.com. Opinions expressed in Bits & Pieces are his own. Contact Phelps by emailing editor@arkadelphian.com. “Wish a Ford and a Chevy could still [fit in a parking space] like they should.”