GRAVETTE -- The commons area at Gravette High School was filled with guests Tuesday evening, Oct. 9, who came out in full force for the annual county Republican Party Lincoln Reagan Day dinner. State representative Kim Hendren was master of ceremonies for the event which was attended by about 225 guests. Reverend James Brownell gave the invocation to open the meeting, followed by members of the Gravette High School select choir who sang the national anthem.
The visitors to GHS were greeted by members of the robotics class. The dinner menu was prepared by students in the high school culinary arts class, and the meal was served by members and sponsors of the GHS band and choir, FCCLA, FBLA, Skills USA and HOSA.
Following dinner, the program began with the screening of the film, "Has America Ever Been Great?" which concluded with the rousing call to action, "Let's make America great!" Hendren introduced special guests, U.S. Congressman Steve Womack and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, and called on all current and past elected officials and all candidates for public office to introduce themselves.
Gravette mayor Kurt Maddox welcomed visitors to the city and noted that it had been named one of the 10 safest cities in the state for the past two years. He outlined several recent improvements in Gravette, including the Main Street renovation project, and invited everyone to drive around town and observe them firsthand.
Richard Page, superintendent of Gravette public schools, welcomed visitors to the school and pointed out that the school is taking the lead in implementing many of the Governor's initiatives. He said Gravette School District has been a Professional Learning Community District for the last six years and Gravette upper Elementary school is a Model PLC School, one of only two elementary PLC schools in the state. He said he was pleased that Gravette schools now offer computer coding instruction in kindergarten through 12th grade and students have begun competing with other schools.
The administrators in Gravette School District are meeting the Governor's challenge to implement R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Success) and are doing a book study during their administrators' meeting. Teachers are required to get 18 hours of training in the next three years. Page expressed pride in Gravette's Western Benton County Career Center which has students from Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Gentry, Decatur and Gravette enrolled. A video presentation, "Gravette Public Schools, the Pride of Arkansas," showcased many activities in the local school system.
Hendren introduced the culinary arts students who prepared the meal, and a certificate of appreciation was presented to culinary arts instructor Savannah Cauthon and her students. Shannon Mitchell, high school principal, accepted the certificate for Mrs. Cauthon.
The national committeeman and national committeewoman were introduced. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge then briefly addressed the group. She said hers was a farm family.
"Arkansas is just one big small town," she said and noted she was proud of Arkansas citizens' tradition of taking care of each other. She outlined some of her efforts to protect Arkansans against telephone scammers, opioid manufacturers and other schemers who threaten their freedoms.
A letter from U.S. Senator John Boozman was read. He urged those present to work to get conservative candidates elected.
Congressman Womack said he was happy to be in Benton County, "one of the most dynamic counties in the United States," and noted the county is leading the state in virtually every major category of economic productivity. "Our economy is roaring again," he said. "People respect America again. We should celebrate our accomplishments and make sure the 2018 elections in Benton County, the state and the U.S. validate our progress."
Kim Hendren told a brief history of John and Coral Hutchinson and family and introduced the honored guest, Governor Asa Hutchinson, their youngest son. Asa said he is proud to be the only Arkansas governor from Benton County and he is thankful for the work ethic and the values he learned as a youth in Gravette. He reminisced about a shoeshine kit he was given on a 2017 visit to the town in recognition of his first job as a shoeshine boy in Johnny's Barber Shop on Gravette Main Street. He acknowledged his brother John and sisters Jerri Jean and Marylea who were in the audience.
Governor Hutchinson thanked the members of the Benton County Republican Committee and said, "We need to come together on our principles and our values. Even though we have disagreements, we need to stand united on the big issues. We have a lot to be proud of in this state."
Hutchinson outlined several accomplishments of his term in office, including reducing state employees by 1,500, creating a savings account that is $120,000 and growing, lowering taxes and creating 70,000 jobs. Unemployment is the lowest in the history of Arkansas and fewer people are on food stamps "because we have concentrated on putting dollars in people's pockets."
Coding is being taught in every high school in Arkansas, and the state is leading the nation in computer science education. Establishment of a crime laboratory in northwest Arkansas will save officer time and money since it eliminates trips to deliver evidence to Little Rock. Military retirees are now exempt from paying state income tax.
Hutchinson said he plans to raise state teachers' minimum pay by $4,000 over the next four years, which will reward teachers and attract the best. He also plans to improve the maintenance of state highways by seeking approval of a new highway long-term improvement plan.
"We have inherited incredible freedoms from our forefathers who sacrificed for the sake of freedom," the governor said. "Let's do our part. Let's not drop the flag." He concluded by expressing thanks to everyone "for coming to support our conservative cause, especially the young ones who are the future of the party."
General News on 10/17/2018