Comments on: Milligan Stepping Down as GOP Chair

By: Ret Miles

Ret Miles — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:21:02 +0000

Correction: George was my cousin. Sorry — my typing was faster than my brain (and I’m a slow typist).

By: Ret Miles

Ret Miles — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:19:18 +0000

Oh, brother! “Observer” needs to check his or her unhelpful regional resentments and petty jealousies at the door. Many people in NWA have strong ties to the rest of the state and do have a clue. In my own case, my father was an editor at the PB Commercial, my grandfather was postmaster at Des Arc, the family church on my Dad’s side of the family is Immanuel Baptist in LR. George Purvis was my uncle (if that name is unfamiliar, you are either young or a newbie to the state). My uncle Glen Edgmon, from Harrison, was twice president of Ark Cattlemen’s Assn. I grew up in Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Gaither (outside Harrison), Ft. Smith, Memphis, Waldenburg (where I will be eating Thanksgiving Dinner next week), Greer’s Ferry, Rogers and Russellville. Heard the PB Band when Watson was still the director. Attended Camp Orr. Graduated Arkansas Tech (one of Gene Witherspoon’s students). For awhile I was step son of John H. Neal (he and my Mom were introduced by State Senator Knox Nelson). Ate at the Shack back in the day. And I was at the 1969 shoot-out. Listened to the Louisianna Hayride as a tyke. Rice is a staple in my diet, and I know how rough the water situation is for farmers in the east part of the state. Cardinals fan. Listened to the games on the radio as a little kid. Harry Carey was the announcer for the Cards back then. It was nap time, and to this day if I hear anyone in the Carey clan announce, I fall asleep. Prefer duck to turkey. Fly-fish the Little Red. Stayed at the Marion Hotel. Know firsthand that the best Reubens are at Oaklawn. Slopped hogs, broke pond ice, bucked hay bales, hunted squirrels as a grade schooler. Tal Bonham was my pastor in PB. Played as a kid with the Gathright kids across the street. Know that no matter what those idiots in the Ledge say, the official cooking implement of the State is the iron skillet. And once in a Hong Kong elevator I met an Arkansas cousin. They’re everywhere.

That Arkie enough for you?

And I’m not the only one up here. As for the newbies up here, they might have something to offer if you would let them.

The two major Civil War battles of the State were fought in NWA, partly because of this kind of regionalism, and in the late 50s, early 60s Dad wrote an editorial for the Commercial about how wrong the anti-NWA feelings were then. It’s insane that it continues today. Enough already.

If you can’t get over yourself and accept that NWA is part of Arkansas and has something to offer, then go back to reading *A Painted House* and let the rest of us work together.

By: The Insider

The Insider — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:04:29 +0000

I hear Tyler Dunegan is going to announce by the end of the week. I was told he has a large list of endorsements and supporters that he will be mailing out to state committee members.

By: Jason Tolbert

Jason Tolbert — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:24:39 +0000

Rich and well connected? I still say this sounds like David Kinkade!

By: David Kinkade

David Kinkade — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:38:01 +0000

Rex,
I just ran your list of criteria through the Arkansas Project mainframe computer and it came back with the name of the perfect chairman: David Pryor. Hmm, I think this thing may be on the fritz.
D.

By: Fourche River Rex

Fourche River Rex — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:23:57 +0000

And they circle and circle! Each one throwing out their buddy’s names to be chairman.

No offense to the folks that suggested that Josh Hutchinson, Jake Files and Carlton Saffa be chair, while I respect all of these individuals and think they bring many qualities, you seem to not understand what the point of the chairman’s job is…raise money and find candidates. The best fund raisers are rich people that run around with other rich people and can call in favors. While Josh, Jake and Carlton are great guys, they are not rich.

We need someone that has wealth, has contacts in business and is well respected in the philanthropic communitiy, not just someone that happens to have done some volunteer work for the party or has connections to the party.

The lower level executive positions can be filled with your younger activist types, people that will do more than show up at state committee meetings. Draft young people for those positions, but make the chairman someone that is well off and well connected.

By: Hillary

Hillary — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:40:16 +0000

I second your motion, Nope.

By: Nope

Nope — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:44:37 +0000

Joseph Wood is my choice

By: Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:26:04 +0000

Jake Files in Fort Smith is definitely interested in the position.

By: The Insider

The Insider — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:16:05 +0000

Source rechecked – Seems to be true.