By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Leaving home to serve his country is just another part of the job of National Guard Sgt. Daniel Poole, and while he has done it for 15 years, leaving home for over a year does add some strain to family life.
"It's hard, really it is, to leave your family and your life behind. For some soldiers getting deployed can be a homebreaker," said Poole.
"There comes a time for everyone when you wonder if you'll have a family when you get home and you begin to miss home but you still have a job to do and that makes the job even harder," he said. "I've been in the military for 15 years, and that makes this a little easier on me, but it's hard. I've got a good wife at home and a family that loves me, and that will keep you going," he added.
Poole, along with the other soldiers in Company C, left Forrest City Thursday headed to Fort Polk in Louisiana where they will await their deployment to Kuwait.
According to Sgt. Dewitt Strickland, troops are scheduled to serve for a year in the Gulf, with the tour of duty beginning once they touch the ground in Kuwait.
In September it was announced that Company C, 2-153rd Infantry base was one of 47 Army National Guard Units across the state notified that soldiers will be headed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit's soldiers will be among 3,000 soldiers to serve in support, along with a battalion of soldiers from the Oregon National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade. The two groups will join the First Calvary Division as part of the Army's force rotation plan.
In October of 2001, Company C was a part of a group from Arkansas that traveled to Egypt to serve on the Sinai Peninsula as a part of a multinational force. The troop served in Egypt for close to a year.
For Mary Ella Poole, whose husband is a sergeant, the second mobilization in three years may cause stress on the family, but adds with the help of God she will make it through.
"I'm not going to say that this isn't hard, but I'll be here when he gets back. I'm not going anywhere. It's kind of hard dealing with everything from missing him to adjusting to paying the bills and everything. We do have a strong group to support us, and with the help of God everything will be fine. Prayer is the most important thing for me. It helps me keep my head together," she said.
Leodis Williams Sr., today announced he is a candidate for the office of St. Francis County Justice of the Peace for District 10, subject to the May 18 Democratic primary.
Williams is a lifelong resident of St. Francis County. He is married to the former Pauline Cooper. They are the parents of five sons and have 13 grandchildren.
Williams is a member of the Salem Baptist Church where he serves as chairman of the trustee board and is a member of the choir. He is employed with the Forrest City School District.
Williams is serving his first term as a member of the quorum court and serves on the budget committee and the building committee.
"I have enjoyed being back on the quorum court. It has been an honor to serve, and I hope to continue to serve the citizens of District 10 and St. Francis County.
"I would appreciate your vote and support in the upcoming
Democratic Primary," Williams said.
Senator Jim Luker announced today that he is running for reelection to the State Senate. He plans to file qualifying papers next week at the Secretary of State's office.
Pledging to continue to fight for the people of Northeast Arkansas, Luker is asking to continue to serve the people of Senate District 17 covering Cross, Monroe and Woodruff Counties, and portions of Crittenden, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis.
"I pledge to the voters that I will continue to work for the improvement of our education system, greater health care availability for all our families, and for fairness in our tax system," declared Luker. "It's been my great honor to serve the people of Arkansas."
Luker was elected to the Senate in 2002. He previously served as mayor of Wynne and as a State Representative for Cross and Woodruff Counties. He is an attorney in Wynne.
For his work in championing causes for the elderly and disabled, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) recognized Luker for his work during the 2003 Legislative session.
"It's our moral responsibility to make sure we lift up the most vulnerable people in our society," said Luker. "I've made it a priority to hold down taxes for everyone especially the many seniors who are living on a fixed income."
Luker said he has played a significant role in expanding the Homestead Property Tax Credit allowing more senior citizens and the disabled to receive a significant reduction in their property taxes.
Luker presently serves on the Legislative Joint Budget Committee, the Joint Committee on Retirement and Social Security, and the Senate's Committees on the Judiciary and Technology. On the Arkansas Legislative Council and on numerous subcommittees having oversight over budget, personnel and the activities of state agencies. He also said he has been instrumental in bringing revenue for highway and public improvement needs to Northeast Arkansas.
"I have a lifetime invested in this part of Arkansas," noted Luker, who has lived in District 17 for more than 38 years. "I have a very personal interest in protecting the future of our community."
For brokering a deal to pass substantial tort reform in Arkansas, Luker was applauded by the business community. The new legislation eases the burden on small business owners and limits unnecessary lawsuits, according to Luker's press release.
In the recent special legislative session, Luker was active in trying to hold down taxes through education reform and efficiency.
According to the press release, Luker has become well recognized in the Senate for his common sense approach to government. He passed legislation to deter casinos from extending credit to high dollar gamblers, and he successfully fought to increase jury compensation to an acceptable level.
He said he is an advocate of moving welfare recipients to the workforce, and he helped increase the childcare credit so working people can get adequate day care.
"I've been very proud of the many things I've accomplished in the past few years," said Luker. "A good leader is open and responsive to everyone in the District. I want to continue to provide the best possible representation to the many citizens who have placed their faith in me."
Luker is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law. He is married to the former Myra Burford of Wynne. They have three sons, Jay, Hunt and Stan. The family attends Wynne Presbyterian Church where Luker has served as a deacon and elder.
The St. Francis County Election Commission met briefly on Thursday, and decided to purchase some more metal ballot boxes.
The commission also decided that early voting will be done in the County Clerk's office for the May 18 primaries. County Clerk Elizabeth Smith was at the meeting and had no objections.
Early voting will begin May 3, 15 days before the primary, Smith said.
A training session is being organized for poll workers. Those who take the training will receive an extra $25 for working the polls.
The commission will meet again at 1:30 p.m. on March 30, after the filing period ends at noon, to draw for ballot positions.
Commission members Joe Young and Bettye Proctor also expressed hope that by the next meeting, there will be a replacement for Paul Spears, who recently resigned from the commission.
Four more candidates have filed for office in St. Francis County as of press time today.
L.T. Gardner filed for Constable of Garland Township.
Ernestine Weaver filed for the Democratic Central Committee from JP District 5, Position 1. Bettye Proctor filed for Democratic Central Committee from JP District 7, Position 1. Joe Young filed for Democratic Central Committee from JP District 1, Position 2.
A Forrest City man was treated and released at a local hospital after an attack early today near his home.
Tommy Austin, 51, told the Forrest City Police Department that he was walking to his home at 720 W. Buford, about 1:18 a.m., when two subjects jumped from behind a bush and attacked him. Austin suffered a four-inch cut to his side.
According to police, the suspects fled on foot after the attack. Nothing was reported stolen from Austin.
The Forrest City Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at city hall.
Commissioners will consider a revised copy of the city's zoning code.
Commissioners are asked to review the document prior to the meeting so that changes may be discussed.