DEVELOPING NEWS:
SHERIFF'S ELECTION - A hearing is set Friday at 10 a.m. in Little Rock for a complaint filed Wednesday morning seeking to prevent the Aug. 3 Special Election to choose a Democratic nominee for Stone County Sheriff.
Republican nominee Russ Aiken is requesting an injunction to stop the election for which early voting is already underway.
His complaint, filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court, states that there is no statutory or constitutional authority authorizing a special election for this purpose. He requests a temporary restraining order and a preliminary and permanent injunction preventing a special election on Aug. 3 or any other date prior to the general election. He is also requesting attorney fees and costs.
The Democratic nomination has been undecided since the Preferential Primary in May, when none of three candidates received a majority of votes. Incumbent Todd Hudspeth and challenger Lance Bonds advanced to a run-off election on June 8, after which the vote was tied. Aiken’s complaint asserts that state law provides for methods to fill a vacancy in nomination that exists due to death or refusal of nomination due to serious illness, moving out of state or filing for another office; and that no statute provides for filling of a vacancy in nomination in the event of a tie vote.
BARNETT vs. SCHOOL DISTRICT - Circuit Court Judge Adam Harkey issued an oral ruling Wednesday in favor of a former teacher seeking reinstatement, with monetary damages to be determined later.Harkey issued an oral ruling in favor of Troyce Barnett’s summary judgment request in Barnett’s case against Mountain View School District.
Donn Mixon, attorney for the school district, said he is "virtually certain" there will be an appeal and he will seek a stay of the order that Barnett be re-hired until the appeal is heard.
Meadors, attorney for Barnett, estimates his client is owed about $80,000 plus legal fees.
Barnett was terminated in Dec. 2008 and he filed suit alleging violation of the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act. In that case, a summary judgment requested by the school district was granted, and Barnett appealed the case to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, which reversed the summary judgment and remanded the case back to the circuit court.
See complete stories in the Aug. 3 issue of the Leader.
IN THE JULY 28 ISSUE:
School Election: Six candidates filed for the two open school board positions in the upcoming school election.
Mayoral Candidate: Daniel Martin announces he will be candidate for Mountain View Mayor.
Ozarka: Ozarka College announces groundbreaking plans for facility addition.
City Council: Action on nuisance animals requested.
Photo Feature: Antique Riddles, p. 1B.