Watchdog Signing Off

At the end here of 2023, we want to thank you for all your shares, likes, and views as Faulkner County Reports has “watch-dogged” Faulkner County government for the last five-plus years.

Since 2018, we dug into several FOI issues, former County Judge Jim Baker’s illegal use of his county-provided phone for electioneering, the players and activities surrounding the Conway School Board, and the federal EEOC lawsuit against the County for sexual harassment.

We brought you details on key legislative issues in Little Rock, how your state lawmakers voted, and voter guides during election seasons plus one of the first comprehensive reports on all those cryptomining sites that are popping up across Arkansas.

We also provided behind-the-scenes facts on persistent county financial issues such as the 911 program, ongoing need for an animal control program, our jail situation, and how county finances have affected our Sheriff’s Department.

We shed light on how the County conducts business under Democrat and Republican County Judges and the roles our JPs play. Over the years FCR helped spearhead a substantial, almost-successful “David-and-Goliath” campaign in favor of reallocating taxes for our jail and we won an FOI lawsuit or two. We’ve seen that our conservative views on county politics have changed a few minds along the way, as well.

We filled a gap in local news (that yet exists) by giving you local, in-depth reports on county business with a particular focus on how our government spends your taxpayer money — and now it’s time that we move on to other concerns and projects.

Challenges Ahead

With a new jail and animal shelter coming thanks to millions in federal COVID relief money to be spent over the next few years, Faulkner County has a lot of changes in the works. We have other important struggles coming up as some politicos want to continue their attempts to take away the people’s right to transparency from their government.

It’s Up to YOU

We’ve demonstrated the value of seeking out and understanding the facts (transparency). It’s time now to do your part as watchdogs to ensure the individuals we elect will do the things they say they’ll do (accountability) and demand they carry out their duties with their representation of We the People and our pocketbooks foremost in their minds (ethics).

Transparency is up to you, and if it’s important, the citizens must go after verifiable information about how our government functions in order to make informed decisions at the voting booth. We trust you will carry on in 2024 and beyond!