Doug

A vote for Sanders is a vote against local control of Arkansas land. There is only one candidate in this race that loves this land and is tired of the political profiteers. Over the last three years, political and corporate interests have pushed projects that prioritize outside money and top-down decisions over the people who actually live here. Here’s a quick look at what they’ve tried: Buffalo National River redesignation: Efforts (involving the Runway Group/Walton interests and connections to the Sanders administration) to reclassify it as a National Park and Preserve for more tourism dollars and funding. Locals strongly opposed it over secrecy, potential restrictions, overcrowding, and loss of the river’s character. The push was largely dropped after public backlash. Franklin County prison: The administration secretly bought ~815 acres for a 3,000-bed mega-prison without proper local input or infrastructure checks. It faced massive bipartisan community opposition, failed to secure full funding, and has been stalled or effectively abandoned in favor of other capacity options. Act 576 (Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act): Passed in 2025, this lets counties/municipalities form IDAs with powers that include eminent domain to acquire land for industrial projects. Attempts to create a regional IDA covering Washington, Benton, and Madison Counties collapsed amid strong local pushback over eminent domain, loss of local control, and unelected boards. Critics saw it as a tool that could benefit large corporate interests. Carroll County wind turbines (Nimbus/Scout project): Industrial-scale turbines on private leases along ridgelines sparked years of local resistance over roads, water, property values, wildlife, and character of the area. The Quorum Court later enacted a multi-year moratorium on new commercial wind/solar; lawsuits and disputes continue. Data centers: Major projects (e.g., AVAIO in Pulaski County near Wrightsville, Google-related efforts, and proposals in places like Grant, Crittenden, and others) have drawn strong local opposition over water/power use, noise, land conversion, and lack of transparency. Multiple counties have passed moratoriums or regulations; processes have sometimes limited community input. A related bill/process has been cited as allowing easier county-level approvals in some cases. Ouachita National Forest quartz mining: A federal proposal to lease hundreds of acres for prospecting and mining raised concerns from residents and conservation groups about sedimentation in watersheds (including drinking-water sources like Lake Winona), public access, and environmental impacts. When you vote November 3rd you better vote like the future of your children and grandchildren depend on it, because it absolutely does. If you are voting for Sanders for EFA accounts only then I suggest you pray very hard on what you are giving up for money.

Last interview for the election season. Thanks everyone for all of the early votes. I’d appreciate the opportunity to earn the votes of those who have not cast theirs yet. Arkansas has the opportunity to elect a common man that will work for you. kark.com/news/your-local-ele…