The University of Arkansas at Monticello Journalism Club sponsored a South Arkansas Gubernatorial Debate between independent candidate Rod Bryan and Green Party candidate Jim Lendall with Scott Kuttenkuler, director of forensics, acting as speech moderator. 

   The debate offered students and visitors the chance to learn about the two candidates and their campaign platforms. Democratic nominee, Mike Beebe and Republican nominee, Asa Hutchinson declined the invitation to debate. 

   Lendall and Bryan agreed on the majority of the issues presented, which included conservation, economics, school system reform, the completion of I-69 and other issues involving capital punishment and illegal immigrants. 

   When asked if student financial support should be distributed by academic achievement or according to the enrollment numbers, Bryan suggested the money be reallocated for the good of all. He hopes for a new bond issue, which would prove more equitable for everyone.  

   “Test scores are designed for certain segments of the population,” he said. “There needs to be some changes made in order for it to be fair for everyone.” 

   Lendall sees the consolidation of school districts as key to improving the Arkansas school system.  

   “We have a huge overhead, which takes away from the education of these students,” he said. “Some districts remain understaffed.” 

   Bryan added that the problem facing the Arkansas school system remains more economic than consolidation. He said large corporations evaporated the small mom and pop businesses in many communities across the state, and he noted how our schools can flourish within a growing economy.  

    “The entire education system needs an overhaul; it has to change from top to bottom,” Bryan said. 

   Asked about the advantages of I-69, Bryan said we need to weigh the facts of what goes in and out of it.

   “We need to build new strategies for a growing economy. “Personally, I ride my bike to work everyday,” Bryan said. 

   Both candidates agreed on conservation issues, promoting uses of alternative energy and electricity sources whenever possible. 

   Bryan sees solar energy as the long-term answer. 

    “It won’t run out; we need to capture it!” he said. “We need to learn to build our own solar panels since the demand for them continues to be on the rise.” 

   Bryan told the audience he contributes to the ecology by driving a vehicle fueled by used vegetable and fish oil obtained at one of the local Chinese restaurants in Little Rock. He uses fluorescent bulbs in his home, composts garden waste and collects and reuses rainwater for his garden and plants. He does not believe in using pesticides of any kind and when he discovered he had a problem with termites, he rubbed pepper on the floors to get rid of them. 

   Lendall drives a fuel economy car and gets 50 miles per gallon. 

   “Think green,” he said. “What will be left in 20 years for our children and grandchildren?”  

   When commenting on the traditional political parties, Bryan said actions speak louder than words. He said other candidates are spending $9.5 million in campaign funds to obtain an $80,000 a year job. 

    “Corruption is at hand,” Bryan said. 

    Lendall noted how the parties have drifted away from the people, distancing themselves from racial issues, urban concerns and abortion issues.  

    “Green party folks believe in the future,” he said. “The other two parties will not change. We want to offer you another choice.” 

   With regards to the grocery tax, both candidates support a bill to repeal the grocery tax in order to circulate more money in the state. Bryan suggests we cut waste out of government spending first and then cut tax on local and organic food. 

   Lendall, a nurse at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, supports the consolidation of nursing schools and researching better ways to educate nurses for the future. 

   Both candidates opposed the death penalty because recent studies indicate many people on death row eventually get proven innocent.  

   The candidates supported gay rights. When asked if gays should be permitted to foster homeless children, Lendall replied that thousands of children remain in need of homes in Arkansas. He said many people willing to give them a place to live find themselves discriminated against because they are gay. 

Photo by Brittany Pickett

Rod Bryan

   Both candidates advocate pro choice. Bryan said, Roe vs. Wade is just another law against the poor people, and only the wealthy can afford the choice to have an abortion.  

   Lendall said he ran a crisis shelter for people trying to get an abortion in the 1970s and the closest place they could reach help, at that time, was New York.  

   “We don’t want to revert back to those types of situations,” he said. 

   The candidates agreed something needed to be done to assist the illegal immigrants in this country who are subject to abuse in the system. Lendall noted the vast amount of immigrant workers that work and don’t receive pay from their employers. 

   “Think about it! Who’s profiting here?” he said. “We need to change immigration laws. They are very discriminatory; we let some in from certain countries.” 

   Bryan wants to see human rights provided for everyone, which would make for a better working environment and boost our economy.  

   “Who’s an immigrant? We are a nation of immigrants starting with Christopher Columbus,” Bryan said. 

   Lendall agreed that a lottery would benefit the state of Arkansas noting that we are surrounded by states that have lotteries to help fund their education goals. 

   Though not opposed to the lottery issue, Bryan said, “It isn’t high on my agenda.” 

   The candidates encouraged students to vote in the November elections saying it would take three percent of the vote to guarantee their names on the next two election ballots. They thanked the Journalism Club for extending the invitation to debate. 

   For further information regarding the candidates and their platforms click on www.JimLendall2006.com or www.RodBryan.com. 

   Prior to the debate, Lou James, dean of business, provided a short presentation on ACT 1, the $250 million higher education bond. James said the money would be used for new classroom and laboratory facilities, the upgrading of information technology and assist libraries with collections. He told the group UAM would receive about $4.1 million, which would be used to update data network and administrative and instructional software.
   
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