A Better REGION 8

If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Don't Say Anything At All...

March 5, 2012

SURELY BY NOW YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE RUCKUS RADIO TALK SHOW HOST RUSH LIMBAUGH CAUSED LAST WEEK WHEN HE CALLED A GEORGETOWN LAW STUDENT A PROSTITUTE AMONG OTHER THINGS. 

LIMBAUGH CALLED SANDRA FLUKE THESE NAMES AFTER SHE TESTIFIED TO CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES THAT WOULD REQUIRE EMPLOYERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE THAT COVERS BIRTH CONTROL FOR WOMEN.

8 ADVERTISERS ON LIMBAUGH'S RADIO SHOW HAVE NOW PULLED THEIR ADS.  LIMBAUGH'S WORDS HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED BY BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

LIMBAUGH ISSUED AN APOLOGY, BUT DEFENDED HIS STANCE ON THE ISSUE.

BUT THE ISSUE IS NOT THE ISSUE.  THE ISSUE THIS TIME AROUND IS THAT WORDS CAN HURT.

I THINK THIS IS A GOOD LESSON FOR ALL OF US.  IT'S A GOOD TIME TO STEP BACK AND THINK ABOUT TIMES WE HAVE HURT OTHERS BY SOMETHING WE'VE SAID.  REMEMBER WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING DEROGATORY ABOUT  ANOTHER HUMAN BEING -- YOU MAY NOT FACE THE FUROR RUSH LIMBAUGH HAS FACED, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THE WORDS AREN'T AS HURTFUL.  AS MY GRANNY USED TO SAY -- IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE, THEN DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.  AND THAT CAN HELP MAKE THIS A BETTER REGION 8.

 

USPS proposes to close Jonesboro processing center

February 27, 2012

THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCED THE JONESBORO CUSTOMER SERVICE MAIL PROCESSING CENTER WILL CLOSE ALONG WITH 2 OTHER CENTERS IN ARKANSAS UNLESS CONGRESS ENACTS LEGISLATION TO SAVE THEM.

THE ALTERNATIVE COST SAVINGS PLAN FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE COULD KEEP THE JONESBORO OPERATION OPEN AND KEEP IT FROM MOVING TO MEMPHIS.

THE POSTAL SERVICE STARTED A STUDY ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AGO TO ASSESS WHAT PROCESSING CENTERS COULD BE CONSOLIDATED IN ORDER TO CUT COSTS BY 20 *BILLION* DOLLARS BY 2015.

A UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE SPOKESPERSON SAID CUSTOMERS WON'T SEE A DIFFERENCE IN SENDING AND RECEIVING MAIL, BUT AFTER MAY 15TH EMPLOYEES WILL FIND OUT HOW THEIR JOBS WILL BE AFFECTED.

IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE CENTER OPEN AND TRY TO SAVE THESE JOBS, LET YOUR SENATOR AND CONGRESSMAN KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS.

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OPINION KNOWN BY CONTACTING SENATOR JOHN BOOZMAN'S OFFICE AT 870-268-6925 OR CONGRESSMAN RICK CRAWFORD'S OFFICE AT 870-203-0540.  

VOICE YOUR OPINION AND HELP MAKE THIS A BETTER REGION 8.

 

US-49 Stadium Blvd. congestion solution

February 6, 2012    

  The city of Jonesboro is growing and that growth is putting stress on some of our busiest roadways.

   All you have to do is take a drive down Stadium Boulevard to see just how congested things can get.

  Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin told Region 8 News a new study is in the works to track traffic all the way down US-49.

    The traffic count on Stadium by Arkansas State University is 38-thousand vehicles per day. 

    Perrin wants this study to not only count cars, but also show traffic patterns on Highway 49.

    The Mayor says this is a milestone toward the city's ultimate goal, an Eastern Bypass. 

    I applaud the Mayor and his team's efforts to get the study done so they will have data to make their case before state legislators and then our state lawmakers need to show Region 8 the money.

   This will benefit anyone who lives, travels and calls Region 8 home and will 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.