Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Demos Getting Active

Becoming more active was the decision made by the Clark County Democratic Central Committee Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Dr. Dave Luck, county chairman, said the state Democratic Party is asking all county organizations to work harder to help make sure Democratic candidates are elected in the General Election Nov. 5. "We need to support those candidates who have Republican opposition," he said.

"They need our moral support, for us to call people to go vote and help with money."

Dr. Luck said the Clinton Day Dinner was a success and lauded the small committee that put it together. He said this should be an annual event and, hopefully, the county party can entice President Bill Clinton to attend at some time in the future.

Bill Wright, who is taking over the helm of the Clark County party, said the Clinton Day Dinner raised $4,500 for the party and its candidates. The challenge, he said, will be to do better in 1997, an off election year.

"We've got to keep the party enthused and pumped up," he said concerning next year.

A suggestion was made to start a Democratic Women's Club. Dr. Luck said such an organization would be helpful and the executive committee will take it under consideration.

In the meantime, however, he said it is imperative to make it hard on Republicans running against Democrats in Clark County.

"The other party," Wright said, "describes us as a 'nest of Democrats.' I want to strike and let them know we're here and alive."

The committee agreed to donate $1,000 to the Lt. Governor's campaign of Charlie Cole Chaffin, who faces GOP foe Winthrop Rockefeller, Jr.

It was then suggested Clark County's Democratic Committee issue a challenge to other committees across the state to come up with similar amounts to help Democratic candidates with GOP opposition.

State Rep. Percy Malone said at this time no one knows what to expect from the Governor's Office during the coming General Assembly.

However, instead of waiting to see what may transpire, a group of Democratic representatives and senators decided to have a caucus and develop legislature, instead of having the proposed laws be brought up by individuals, boards, committees or special legislation.

"With Mike Huckabee in office," Malone said, "the Democrats don't want to wait and see what he's going to propose. We'll have legislation ready that we believe will help Arkansas and carry the state into the 21st century.

"The House Democrats will have an agenda in January," he continued, "and won't be on the defensive. We'll do the best we can to have solutions to problems we see in the next session."

Malone said Gov. Huckabee has made the statement he will do business differently than past governors, making use of a three person staff instead of one chief of staff.

However, the staff of three has become five and there are no clear lines of power, Malone said. "There's a lot of confusion there as to who's responsible for what," he told the committee."

On the other hand, Malone said he expects Gov. Huckabee to be a benefit to Southwest Arkansas, where he grew up.

"I'll work with him and hope he works with me," Malone said, "to get things we need here."

According to Malone, Gov. Huckabee has promised to do whatever he can as governor to help attract business and industry to this part of the state.