My Monticello News - Gov. Beebe Holds 'Early Vote Rally' on Town Square
News Article
By Beverly Burks
Governor Mike Beebe held an "Early Vote Rally" on the town square Wednesday afternoon, reminding those in attendance to keep their head up and keep their optimism, because, despite recent tough economic times, Arkansas has endured and progressed, and will continue to do so.
Beebe's trip to Monticello came on the heels of an announcement this morning that Georgia Pacific would be investing $250 million dollars in the company's toilet paper mill in Crossett. That investment, Beebe said, would mean the addition of 40 new permanent jobs, as well as 400 temporary construction jobs. It will also mean that the 1,300 people currently employed at the mill will be able to keep their jobs.
"I'm here to tell you regionalism really does work," said Beebe in sharing the news. The governor pointed out that many of the people who work at the mill in Crossett live, shop and eat in Drew County, and that the money they spend is turned over many times in the local economy.
Beebe stressed that Arkansas is one of only four states in the country currently not "in the hole" and facing layoffs of state employees or releasing prisoners early, as well as other severe budget crises. Some budget cuts have had to be made in state funding, and there have been no raises, "but people still have jobs," he noted. When the current economic crisis is over, Beebe said, "We'll come out better than most everybody."
He also touted the fact that Education Week's annual Quality Counts report had ranked Arkansas public education as tenth in the nation in education policies and student achievement.
Arkansas has opportunities now that it has never seen before, Beebe said, "and if we don't take advantage of them, and continue the momentum, shame on us. But I have every confidence we won't do that," he concluded.
In other political news, Republican Senatorial nominee John Boozman will make a campaign stop at the Holiday Inn Express at 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
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