A Better REGION 8

What Are You Thankful For?

As we the holiday season starts and we begin wrap up a year that has been difficult at best, it seems that Americans have a new use for the internet. Folks all across the country are taking the time to appreciate the things that we take for granted every day, and they are sharing that thankfulness with the world. Weeks ago on facebook, a simple task was requested: Post what you’re thankful for. Thousands of facebook users continue to respond daily. This morning a Google search for the words “what are you thankful for?” returned over 90 million results and that number continues to grow. In a year when the economy has been tougher than any year since the great depression, it seems Americans have stopped complaining and instead are expressing their thankfulness online. It shows just how far we have come. We have shared our hard times,  we have endured and we are now realizing just what we all have to be thankful for. It is refreshing to say the least. As you share this holiday season with family and friends, I hope you consider sharing what you are thankful for. Whether you say it in person, post it to the web, or text it from across the room, I believe you will find it refreshing and I truly believe it will make this a Better Region 8.

Putting Food in the Hands of the Hungry

You can tell by looking at me that I haven’t missed many meals in my life, but I have a question for you,  Have you ever really been hungry? I’m not talking about skipping lunch hungry, or needing a snack hungry – I mean missing meals because you have no way possible to provide food for yourself or your family.  Did you know that right here in Region 8 one in four children is at risk of hunger? One in five adults is at risk and one in seven seniors is malnourished.  Statistics like these should alarm you.   This is not a third world country we live in, this is the land of plenty. There is no reason for anyone in Region 8 to go to bed hungry tonight . . . but some will.  The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is doing everything possible to put food in the hands of the hungry, but this year that need is greater than ever. We are nearing a hunger crisis. And we all need to pitch in to help. That’s why this Thursday KAIT and Triple FM are partnering with the Food Bank to help raise food donations. We’ll be set up at Bill’s Fresh Market at Hilltop in Jonesboro all day long and we would love to see you there. Hunger is a solvable issue. Come out and donate food to help us solve the problem. It’ll make this A Better Region 8.

One word for our Veterans... Thanks!

Saturday’s turnout in Region 8 and the support for our veterans and the troops about to deploy was heartwarming. Several folks, me included, took the opportunity to thank every man and woman in uniform for their service to our country.  After the parade the ASU Ball game was designated Heroes’ Day and the 875th was honored. The football team ran onto the field and then immediately ran to the troops to thank them for their service.  It was a proud moment. Seated immediately behind me was a soldier, Tim Augustine from Manila, who was taking his family to their first ASU game. Several of the people around us took the time to thank him for his service. He is one of many preparing for another deployment. His third. And you could just tell from talking to him, he was proud to be serving our country. Proud to provide the freedoms we take for granted every day. Many others wore the uniform before him and they deserve our thanks as well. But they aren’t as easy to spot. Without that uniform, they are the unseen among us. They are either retired or work alongside us every day. They no longer carry a rifle, just the memories and the battle scars from previous generations. They fought their battles years ago in places like Normandy, Iwo Jima, Korea, and Viet Nam. They won the Cold War.  And we enjoy our way of life thanks to all of them. So to all the active servicemen and women and to all the veterans of Region 8. Please always know that even though we don’t always express it, we love you. We appreciate you. And We are more indebted to you than we will ever even comprehend. Thank you for making this A Better Region 8. 

The Pump is Primed

Two weeks ago Governor Beebe announced that he would cut the state budget by $100 million due to a revenue shortfall. Last week Governor Nixon cut the Missouri State Budget by over $200 million for the same reason. Local officials are now looking at county and city budgets as they try to trim as well due to the state of the economy. We could all easily take a “woe is me attitude” about these events.  However, the thing to remember is that governments operate with tax receipts. Money that is measured from three months, six months and in some cases even a year ago. We all remember where we were a year ago when it came to the recession. Right? But folks, we’re now starting to see signs of life in this stagnant economy.  Leading economic indicators show that we are growing our way out of the problem. There is still a long way to go, but you cannot ignore the signs that things are beginning to get better.  This is perhaps a defining moment for our capitalistic society and perhaps a time to take some risk.  70 percent of the U-S economy is based on the spending habits of consumers.  Additionally, recent data shows that while the East and West coasts are still sluggish, the mid-section of the country is doing well and poised for a quick recovery.  It is time for consumers – both you and I - to consider making purchases that we have delayed due to the uncertain economy.  This will be the fuel to move Region 8 to the forefront of the recovery.  Local businesses have weathered the storm and most retailers are still offering aggressive price reductions and good financing terms. Now, don’t think for a minute that I am suggesting you go out and dig a hole by spending with credit cards or being irresponsible. I’m not. But it just makes sense that if there are purchases that have been delayed, now is the time move forward.  Now is also a healthy time for innovation and entrepreneurship.  The pump is primed and the power to get the economy on its feet rests in our hands. The power that consumers have in their wallet will do more than any stimulus bill ever could. If we use that power wisely we can reap the rewards and in the process make this a Better Region 8.