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Alderman In Eureka Springs Is Revolting
Last updated Saturday, August 2, 2008 5:38 PM CDT in Columns
By Bob Caudle
THE MORNING NEWS
Whenever you hear the words, "Eureka Springs city government," the lyrics to the Bellamy Brothers song, "He's an old hippie, and he don't know what to do ... " just spring to mind.
It's not like they don't have other lifestyles besides registered hippies in Eureka Springs.
There's that alternative lifestyles bunch ... alternative lifestyles meaning Eureka is the place where the men are men, and then they marry.
There's also the other alternative lifestyle ... politics.
Alderman Eric Scheunemann said Eureka Springs city government has operated illegally since December, according to his reading of the law. He has refused to vote on action items for several months, and he said the mayor and all other council members should be removed from office.
This being Eureka Springs, you just know the situation isn't going to turn out well. But before things get better, they're going to get really, really goofy.
Scheunemann said he is taking a stand - a small step toward replacing a corrupt federal government with the citizen government envisioned by the nation's founders.
Ah, Eureka Springs, the Little Switzerland of the Ozarks, birthplace to a second American revolution.
The town that has more nuts than an oak forest.
To wit: Scheunemann's nonparticipation in a six-person council, already missing one member and with a history of internal conflict, has made it difficult to pass ordinances and appoint commissioners, according to a report in The Morning News.
The four participating council members have to vote unanimously to pass anything.
Scheunemann's complaint against the city is rooted in the December selection and subsequent mayoral veto of a woman to fill the vacant council seat.
On Dec. 10, the council voted in Pat Matsukis to fill an empty council seat.
Mayor Dani Joy vetoed Matsukis' appointment.
In the veto, Joy wrote that Matsukis' appointment "does not represent the will of the majority of the city and would further serve to divide an already fragile political atmosphere."
Therein lies Scheunemann's problem (well, it sounds like he may have a few more problems than that, but ... ): The state law governing vacant seats says the council "shall proceed to elect" a replacement, not appoint a replacement. Mayors don't have the power to veto elections, so Joy's action was illegal, Scheunemann said.
Scheunemann's opponents said "elect" in this case, is synonymous with "choose" or "appoint."
Despite what Scheunemann's opponents say, or what Scheunemann says, the state law is quite clear about the matter.
A mayor can veto any vote of the council, excluding a few, statutory items prescribed by state law.
A council can override any mayor's veto with a two-thirds vote.
That's the way the Constitution is set up to work.
Of course, this IS Eureka Springs, where laws are in the mind of the beer-holder.
Remember, this is the city that wants to legalize marijuana and issue certificates for same-sex "marriages," despite what the state law says.
If Scheunemann wants to truly introduce a revolution into Eureka Springs' politics, try coming up with an ordinance that follows state law and one that introduces some common sense into the city's government.
That, in Eureka Springs, would be a true revolution.
Scheunemann said he will abstain from voting until Joy is ousted and Matsukis is seated as a councilor, or until his term ends in January. He said he will not run for re-election.
That's a shame.
Good column material is hard to find.
lll
I need to run a correction on a recent column I wrote about Springdale mayoral candidates.
In the column, I'd said candidate Ray Dotson's biggest feat in life had been learning to tie his own shoes.
Dotson called and pointed out that he wears boots all the time, not shoes.
So, in the spirit of accuracy, I stand corrected. Dotson does not know how to tie his own shoes.
I sincerely regret the error and the implication that Dotson can outwit a shoelace.
Bob Caudle is a senior writer for the morning news who writes a humorous commentary on local, state and national issues. His column appears every Sunday. He is an equal opportunity insulter.
About this columnist
Bob Caudle is a senior reporter with The Morning News. He writes a humorous commentary on local, state and national issues every Sunday. He is an equal opportunity insulter.
Reader Comments (9 comment(s))
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island2some wrote on Aug 3, 2008 10:17 AM:
Since he feels council meetings are "illegal" (is his own mind and the law according to Eric) a ethical approach would be to:
1. Resign from Council
2. Pay the City back every penny he has collected since Januray
3. Forget about any future endeavors in politics.
As it stands, this is NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE OF EUREKA SPRINGS HAS ELECTED HIM TO DO.
He continues to take up a council seat, and collecting a paycheck that comes from my tax dollars.
Let him pursue his "revolution" on his own dime. The citizens did not vote for him to take up a council seat for his own platform of the law according to his own backwards thinking.
RESIGN!! "
voter wrote on Aug 3, 2008 12:28 PM:
Like a couple articles back you talked about looking for your head, now you are writing about men and men.
What are you trying to tell us?
It is ok to come out.
We will not call you a hippie or one of the "nuts" you call the citizens of Eureka.
Wait did you use the word "nuts"?
Subliminal Bob? "
nwareader wrote on Aug 3, 2008 1:07 PM:
skeletons in the closet bothering ya, bob? "
Michael Walsh wrote on Aug 3, 2008 1:18 PM:
It does not by any stretch of the imagination equal, imitate or approximate legal marriage.
It is in accord with the Arkansas State Constitution.
It is one of the few issues the Eureka Springs City council has agreed on. Three times. Unanimously every time.
It is available to any adult couple in a committed relationship--regardless of sexual orientation.
Unlike you, Bob, it doesn't promote discrimination.
So far, more than 200 couples from 11 different states have found the Registry to have personal value.
If you don't, that's fine. You can save yourself $35 and a drive over to Eureka Springs.
Oh, and the marijuana thing? You're wrong about that too. There has been no move to legalize the stuff in Eureka Springs.
So, that's two good reasons for you not to visit. "
abloger wrote on Aug 6, 2008 8:53 AM:
I am sure there are many readers interested on the courage it takes to step through the closet door.
It would make a good read.
Thanks Bob "
friday wrote on Aug 9, 2008 6:56 AM:
I have read this editorial a couple of time trying to understand why you would even wrote this.
You are one insulting indivisible!
Be careful how you make fun of other people. You demeanor just might influence one of your family members.
Then when it hits close to home you will use your writing skills for something productive.
You are a reason I do not buy a newspaper and you are the reason I will not buy a newspaper. "
island2some wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:13 PM:
His revolution is starting!
His name is nothing more than the morning garbage that is thrown out each day.
He is not serving the citizens of Eureka Springs, only Eric and his platform that he is pursuing.
Don't worry about material, Bob.
You described Mr. Schuenemann to a T, and I will make it my personal business to keep you up to date on this situation.
Meanwhile, our City remains in Hostage due to his disgraceful antics. "
Not already registered?
drconcerncitizen wrote on Aug 2, 2008 10:40 PM: