Getting to Little Rock
The author has gotten some heat for Monday's trip to Little Rock, which included a lift from the helicopter owned by the Arkansas State Police between Arkadelphia and Little Rock once the interstate closed on me for the 2nd time. Here's a pic from my viewpoint at daybreak Monday on I-30.
Having driven I-30 so many times I could make it with my eyes closed, I knew I wasn't going to make it on Sunday night after the weather had turned from freezing rain to sleet during church and hearing from my cousin and fellow legislator from Nashville, who spent nine hours on Interstate 30 from Arkadelphia to Benton Sunday night.
With no apartment in Little Rock to go up on Saturday, I knew my only option was to hope that the roads cleared on Monday with the additional traffic and higher temps. After five hours of travel and only 70 miles of headway in that span, I finally called the Senate to advise that I'd miss the opening day's activities. Senate staff then put me in touch with the state police after they indicated I'd be the lone person not in attendance, and the ASP said its helicopter was already in the vicinity and was about to head back to the ASP base in LR and that I could tag along. I did so.
I made the conscious decision to travel back and forth daily between the Capitol and my district in extreme southwest Arkansas in order to keep a better pulse on my constituency, and that's looking like a tall order this week.
Alas, I did finally get sworn in:
Having driven I-30 so many times I could make it with my eyes closed, I knew I wasn't going to make it on Sunday night after the weather had turned from freezing rain to sleet during church and hearing from my cousin and fellow legislator from Nashville, who spent nine hours on Interstate 30 from Arkadelphia to Benton Sunday night.
With no apartment in Little Rock to go up on Saturday, I knew my only option was to hope that the roads cleared on Monday with the additional traffic and higher temps. After five hours of travel and only 70 miles of headway in that span, I finally called the Senate to advise that I'd miss the opening day's activities. Senate staff then put me in touch with the state police after they indicated I'd be the lone person not in attendance, and the ASP said its helicopter was already in the vicinity and was about to head back to the ASP base in LR and that I could tag along. I did so.
I made the conscious decision to travel back and forth daily between the Capitol and my district in extreme southwest Arkansas in order to keep a better pulse on my constituency, and that's looking like a tall order this week.
Alas, I did finally get sworn in:
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 1/11/2011 01:35:00 PM | Permalink |
8 Comments:
For the record, I have absolutely no problem with you hitching a ride with the ASP. They were already in the air. You were stuck on the ground. It makes perfect sense.
However... Don't say that you couldn't drive up Saturday because you don't have an apartment. It's a nice gesture to show that you're a hometown boy and not someone who lives at the capitol. But Little Rock has PLENTY of hotel rooms. Your hands weren't tied. You could have come in early (as many police, fire & EMS people did so they could be at work on time for their jobs).
I agree with Hawkeye. It did not start snowing in Little Rock until around 3-4 o'clock on Sunday. You could have driven up early on Sunday. Oh, and by the way, you told me it was someone from the Senate that contacted the ASP. Now you say you contacted the ASP. And the Helicopter was not on the ground. According to Bill Sadler of the ASP, they landed the Helicopter for you. How many stranded folks (Tax Payers) would loved to have used a ASP Helicopter (Tax Payer Provided) to get to thier final destination on Monday. And you told me if you had it to do over again you would not use the Helicopter. Where was that comment in your statement to the press or on this blog?
Typical boarderline abuse of privilege. As with all the other Senators and Representatives you feel you are above everyone else.
I think this is much worse than the G&F personnel and AHTD personnel that have been under the gun for use of state vehicles. They are at least on call and have to respond 24x7 if the need arises. I know for a fact that AHTD personnel are deducted a certain amount each day if they are assigned a state vehicle and drive it to work. I'm sure the helicopter would cost so much more for fuel. What were you thinking??? You could have driven up and spent the night....it's not like you didn't know the weather forecast. Bad planning??
As one of your constituents I would prefer you had driven into Little Rock BEFORE the snow started Sunday afternoon and taken a room at Motel 6 or somewhere else for about $50.
You would have demonstrated your ability to read and understand a weather forecast and time your activities to coincide with weather events.
Barring that, you might have just stayed home in TexArk 'cause I couldn't care less when and where you are sworn into office. Couldn't you just get a hometown judge to do the honors or delay the whole mess until the show melts?
How much did taxpapers spend so you could make NOT an important vote but a ceremonial ego-stroke?
Shame on you Sir.
Bet you don't second guess the weather forecast again. :)
You commute to LR daily? That must suck.
Best regards, topix hc
Senator Harrelson:
I think you showed good decision making in the face of your committment to our State. Thank you for risking the weather and making the trip anyway. Who doesnt deserve a chopper ride on their first day as a Senator. This Patriot group leader supports you.
Dwayne Hall, Miller County & Little River County Patriot Founder
Anonymous on Jan. 12 hit the nail on the head. He should have planned ahead like average Joe and gotten a cheap hotel room. Mr. Hall please remove your head from the senators rear end.
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