BETTER THAN FIREWORKS: The main course of my July 4 picnic tomorrow.

  • BETTER THAN FIREWORKS: The main course of my July 4 picnic tomorrow. Fresh picked near Otto, Ark.

The line is open for a fireworks-free night before July 4 in parched Arkansas (103 in Little Rock today). Final words:

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* DOUBLE SLAYING SUSPECT: Fox 16 reports the arrest of a suspect in a double fatal stabbing Sunday in Little Rock that left another person injured.

* BURNING UP: Fire talk all over the state, including some home evacuations near Atkins.

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* TECH TALK: Mayor Mark Stodola responded to an e-mail from me today. He reiterates his belief, in response to my skepticism, that the Forest Hills and Oak Forest residential neighborhoods are off the table for Technology Park sites, based on the City Board resolution asking a review of alternatives and Authority Chair Mary Good’s letter acknowledging the board action. Mary Good, however, has continued to say the residential neighborhoods are being evaluated. Also, criteria for site selection will be set by the private consultant who chose residential locations between UAMS and UALR in the first place. Still, the city board does control the money. Stodola said he continues to question minimum acreage and minimum distance from UALR and UAMS preferred by the Tech Park Authority. He adds: “I intend to submit additional locations not encumbered by residential neighborhoods and Dan [Rahn of UAMS], Joel [Anderson of UALR] and I all wish to meet after the 4th of July holiday. I am also researching the distance issue with other research parks.”

But, I asked Mayor Stodola, what about Good’s continued interest in the neighborhoods if they show interest, as some rental property owners have. His response:

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It seems to me that there is substantial neighborhood opposition to locating in the areas mentioned. I understand her letter to say “unless there is substantial neighborhood support” they will no longer be considered. While that is slightly different in context, all we have seen is letters from absentee landlords. Absentee landlords do not a “neighborhood” make.

Amen

* FIGHTING FOR A BETTER ETHICS LAW: You may think it’s a holiday. But the Regnat Populus 2012 committee is soldiering on tomorrow and through Friday in a desperate drive to meet the signature requirement to qualify the ethics reform law for the ballot. They might make it (if Secretary of State Mark Martin, reflecting the general Republican disgruntlement with stronger ethics, doesn’t throw a monkeywrench in the operation during the review process.) Marie O’Connell’s update follows. It gives would-be volunteers an idea of where they might be able to help, along with a window into how hard this group is working, along with the Better Ethics Now committee’s paid canvassing effort.

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