|
EDITORIAL: Maybe this issue will spark action |
|
|
Sunday, 24 May 2009 |
We will concede that the city of Benton unwittingly gained association with House of Yaweh, a controversial fringe sect based in West Texas.
Although, the argument certainly can be made that Mayor Rick Holland or any other city official receiving an award may want to take a few minutes and become familiar with any organization so eager to heap honor.
That is how this issue began to unravel, you may recall. David Knighten, a Saline County resident, presented an award to the mayor. Knighten was soon linked to Yisrayl Hawkins, the House of Yaweh leader, and the links to Character Solutions and Peaceful Nation also were made rather quickly. A video clip of the mayor appeared on one of the organization’s Web sites, and Knighten, who has become quite involved in the production workings of the city’s Channel 12, was able to get lengthy programs featuring Hawkins aired on the public access channel.
Long story short, some city officials insisted that the city’s association with the organization end immediately. They said that the city’s association, no matter how innocent, offered a wrong perception. They also argued separation of church and state, while Johnny McMahan, another Channel 12 insider, argued that the city cannot deny First Amendment rights to free speech. City Attorney Brent Houston even drafted a letter to Hawkins’ organization stating, in essence, that if ties with the city of Benton are not cut, legal action could ensue.
Two clear needs have emerged from this issue.
One, the city desperately needs to draft a set of bylaws governing Channel 12. There are a few rules now, but they are flimsy at best and covered in dust. The city needs definitive regulations governing programming, and the regulations need to be enforced. If city officials are worried about perception problems, why are they not concerned about the perception that Channel 12 has long escaped the leash? And City Council members should not try to place blame entirely at the feet of the mayor; the council has had ample opportunity to fashion legislation pertaining to Channel 12 and has found numerous excuses not to do so.
Two, the mayor needs to exhibit leadership rather than reaction. Mr. Holland recognizes the need for stronger guidelines governing Channel 12; he has said so. But he also has said on more than one occasion that his hands are tied, that it is up to the City Council to resolve this problem. Perhaps, but that should not prevent the mayor from leading by example and insisting that the city make Channel 12 a priority. What is to prevent the mayor from insisting that Channel 12 offer limited programming — City Council meetings and perhaps some committee meetings — until this issue is resolved? That may not be particularly popular, but it surely would be effective.
As long as city officials insist on playing the blame game, nothing much is going to get done.
|
Razorbacks
