Young Emerging Leaders

I must say, I don’t know what I’m more disappointed with; Leroy Stollard’s letter to the editor from the March 23, 2008 Times Record, or the fact that it was ever printed in the first place. Sure, people are entitled to their opinion, but what has happened to the accountability of said opinions?

Mr. Stollard prefaced his remarks by stating that he had no personal animosity toward former City Director Ken Pyle, or City Administrator Randy Reed. That’s nice and all, but what about his animosity toward one the candidates to replace Ken Pyle’s vacated City Director seat?

Would it be fair to Mr. Stollard if I wrote that I “understood” that he likes to kick puppies, or that he enjoys swerving his vehicle toward squirrels if they dare try to cross the street while he’s driving? How about if I said that I “understood” that Mr. Stollard only bathes during the full moon due to his Wiccan beliefs, therefore his neighbors refer to him as “Stinky Stollard” behind his back? I’m sure some would view my writing of those things that I “understood” to be true as damaging to Mr. Stollard’s reputation within the community. Heaven forbid he ever gets involved in local politics. Based on my “understandings,” some people would view him as a dog-kicking, squirrel chasing, smelly guy that practices modern witchcraft. While I’m sure all of this is not true of Mr. Stollard, it could probably sway the public’s opinion of him, especially if he were in tightly contested election.

I write all of this to try to squash the “understandings” of Mr. Stollard and his public disapproval of Travis Stephens for Fort Smith City Director based on those “understandings.” I am proud that Mr. Stollard has taken an interest in the community. However, if you don’t have all the information about something, you shouldn’t put it in print. Sure, Mr. Pyle has publically endorsed Mr. Stephens, but that doesn’t mean that Mr. Stephens asked for it or had any say in the endorsement. Is Sandy Pyle Mr. Stephen’s campaign manager? The answer is no. Mrs. Pyle isn’t running the campaign. Mark Meyers and Steven Bell are managing the campaign.

Let’s talk about the preservation of the “good old boy” network. Mr. Stephens signed the petition that was circulated to KEEP Chief Lindsey. Mr. Stephens has also publically stated that he would not rehire Mr. Reed; he views rehiring Mr. Reed as a horrible move for the future of this city. Does this sound like a candidate trying to emulate the predecessor? I “understand” that to be a couple of plain and direct signals that Mr. Stephens could care less about being considered a member of the “good old boy” network perceived to exist within our city’s leadership.