Text The Times.

Text The Times.

Well looks like the good ole boys from Marion are at it again guess it’s who you know or are kin to huh!

[ Editor’s Note: I’m not usually one to cry “ Shenanigans!” about most things, but it does seem like this was a case of someone feeling they were a bit above the process. It seems as though the proper course of action will ulti-mately be taken though]

*** I would just like to comment on the City of Marion’s idea of there so called in house street overlay LOOK AT IT! I mean as a taxpayer of this city I would prefer a reputable company to do it instead of spending tax dollars for what they got next to the police station I mean come on taxpayers do you not want to see your money spent better? [ Editor’s Note: I have actually been fine with most of the street work that has been done in my neighborhood… even if it seemed to take forever to get it done. I’m not familiar with the particular spot to which you refer. I’ll have to check it out. It seems as though Marion has some long- range plans in mind for it’s street maintenance. We’ll see how it all pans out]

*** I would love to know who is in charge of the softball/baseball fields in West Memphis? It’s a crying shame that these kids and some adult leagues can’t ever play because the fields aren’t taken care of. Whoever is in charge of maintenance for the fields, lights, concession stand etc. needs to retire and let someone take over that actually cares!! These kids and some adults are trying to have a good time and I believe it’s a good chance for the kids to grow up with good role models and helps keep the children out of trouble. Can I please get a detail explanation on this topic please! [ Editor’s Note: The West Memphis Parks Department is overseen by Lorenzo Parker. Parker and his crew are responsible for upkeep and maintenance of West Memphis’ 10 city parks as well as a handful of green spots around town. Back when I was covering West Memphis city government, Parker always lamented that the bulk of the Parks Department’s budget went to basic maintenance like mowing and weed- eating, leaving little for improvements or other upkeep. I have been to Tilden Rodgers a few times this year but haven’t seen anything that I would call overtly dilapidated, although I always hear bad things about the restrooms. I know the storms back in 2011 did a number on some of the structures out there and there really isn’t any reason why at least some of those repairs haven’t been made over the last five years. I haven’t heard of any games being canceled due to field conditions, though, except for on the days where we’ve had heavy rains, and there’s not much that can be done about that]

*** If your vehicle gets damaged by a shopping cart at Walmart, don’t expect them to pay. Mine did at the Walmart in Marion and it was confirmed by video but the video also showed that a customer had left it out there and therefore, they were not responsible, according to the claims department at the home office. I would be curious to know how many carts are left out there by someone other than a customer.

[ Editor’s Note: Well, that’s an interesting interpretation of how liability works, and it turns out, from the law’s point- of- view, they are correct. One legal advice web site I found explained it like this: “ A parking lot operator, esp. a free one, is usually not considered a custodian of your car” — that is, you didn't turn over your car to Wal- Mart when you parked there and ask them to watch over it, like you would such as when you turn your coat in to the coat- check person at a restaurant, or hand your keys to the valet parking attendant, and get a ticket stub to turn in to retrieve your property). This, it appears, is called a “ bailment.” The use of a free parking space is, in legal terms, a ' licensure' to use one of their spaces on your own, with you keeping your own keys, and remaining responsible for the property you left there — same as if you parked it on a public street. So, again from a legal perspective, unless you can prove that it was a Wal- Mart employee who actually caused the damage, you're probably out of luck. And while I would be just as angry as you surely are, I can actually see that argument]

*** Concerning the highway funding. If Sen. Hickey’s [ Editor’s Note: That is an interesting point. I think, fortunately, that with the governor’s “ no additional taxes” highway funding plan having passed, the good senator’s ideas no longer matter]

[Editor’s Note: I’m glad to see one of the region’s small communities with something positive going on. With the problems towns like Parkin are having and with other small rural towns on the downturn across the state, I’m happy to run these pictures]

constituents in Texarkana paid state income tax like everyone else in Arkansas, there would be considerably more revenue for the general fund as well as highway funding, without taxing other state taxpayers.

870-225-1456

Here’s what everyone is talking about this week: