February 19, 2020
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THE POLK COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S ● Mena, AR 71953 ● 479.243.9600
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Highway Leaders Rally in Mena for Highway Sales Tax
The Arkansas Department of Transportation held a public meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at the Ouachita Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain in Mena to emphasize the need to maintain the state sales tax on the sale of gasoline. It is set to expire in 2023. Featured speaker Scott Bennett, Director of ArDOT, advocated a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2020 general election ballot – Issue 1 – that would make the tax permanent. The half-percent sales tax was originally approved by voters in 2012, and was to expire after ten years. Bennett expressed concerns in Mena about a grim future for Arkansas’ infrastructure if the half-percent sales tax dedicated to transportation is allowed to sunset. Bennett projects the tax will raise about $205 million a year for highways and about $89.6 million to be split between cities and counties. Approval of the proposed amendment would provide funding for thousands of
miles of interstate highways and farm-tomarket roads, as well as money to repair and replace deteriorating bridges. Bennett said the measure is needed because highway revenue has remained flat over the past 30 years. “We have had three fuel tax increases since 1983, but people are also buying vehicles that are more fuel-efficient,” Bennett said. “It has kept the revenue flat while prices for construction and repairs have continued to increase.” Bennett said $10 million could have paid for 200 miles worth of overlay in 1995, but today, it would cover only 54 miles. Bennett said allowing the tax to sunset would mean a 30% reduction in funding. The November, 2020 ballot proposal, referred to voters by the Legislature, is the second part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s $300 million highway plan. The meeting in Mena is one of 12 across the state. Attendees had the opportunity to look at displays, and speak with ArDOT staff
Polk County Jail Escapee Back in Custody Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer reported a trustee at the Polk County Detention Center ran off from a work assignment on Thursday evening, February 13 at about 8:15 p.m. Sawyer reported, Timothy Jay Robertson, age 33, was serving time for multiple drug offenses. A short time later, Robertson was spotted at a residence on Tyler Street in Mena at approximately 8:25 p.m. A resident at
that address reported they recognized Robertson. Robertson was apprehended a short time later and is now facing additional charges in the Polk County.
Mean Middle School teacher, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Johnson was named the DAR Outstanding American History Teacher. Pictured from left to right: Johnson, Cortez James Copher, Regent of the James K. Polk Chapter NSDAR, and Clifton Sherrer, Mena Middle School. Submitted photo.
Johnson To Receive DAR Outstanding American History Teacher Award By Cortez Copher, Regent JKP DAR
Mena Middle School Teacher, Thomas Johnson, has been chosen as the 2020 James K. Polk DAR Chapter Outstanding American History Teacher. He will receive the award Thursday evening during the James K. Polk Daughters of the American Revolution Meeting. Teachers considered for the award were from both Polk and Montgomery County Schools. Mr. Johnson, known as Coach Tommy Johnson, received his teaching degree from the University of Central Arkansas
and came to the Mena School District in 2005. Presently he is teaching American History while coaching football and baseball. He fosters a spirit of patriotism and loyal support of our country by serving as the school’s liaison for the VFW Patriots Pen essay contest each fall, and actively partnering with the James K. Polk Chapter, NSDAR, in Constitution Week activities. In one yearly project in September during the study of the Constitution, Mr. Johnson's students create posters related to the ConOUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD CONTINUED ON PAGE 19