Committee OKs pair of resolutions

Measures supporting Bill of Rights, police goes to Quorum Court next

BENTONVILLE — Residents on Tuesday night voiced their backing for resolutions supporting county law enforcement and the Bill of Rights.

Benton County’s Committee of the Whole then followed up by passing the resolutions without discussion. The resolutions will move to the Quorum Court for approval.

The resolutions were the only items on the agenda at the meeting at the Benton County Fairgrounds auditorium before a crowd of more than 100 people. Many residents drew applause after they spoke.

Scarlett Basore of Bella Vista urged the justices to pass both resolutions during public comment. She said her husband is a law enforcement officer and she worries for him each time he leaves home for work. She said passing the resolutions would send a huge message to the community.

“It’s not a resolution,” she said. “It’s more than that. It’s a belief.”

Lisa Richards of Bentonville supported passing both resolutions. She proposed increasing the pay for law enforcement officers instead of defunding the police.

Quinton Hilburn of Bentonville told the justices they had a duty to take action on the resolutions.

“You have a God-given obligation to the community to vote this in,” he said.

Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith wrote a letter to the Quorum Court in support of local law enforcement. Smith also spoke at the meeting.

“To ensure that all our citizens can fully enjoy their God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we must continue our support of the brave men and women who actually protect these rights,” he wrote.

Justice of the Peace Debra Hobbs was the sponsor of the law enforcement resolution first brought up at the June Quorum Court meeting. The resolution was tabled to Tuesday night after some wording changes were discussed by a few justices of the peace. The court passed an updated resolution with two sections from her original version taken out.

Justices of the Peace Tom Allen and Pat Adams said they were in favor of Hobbs’ original resolution, but were OK with the changes.

Adams said after the meeting he was happy to see both resolutions pass.

“It worked out as positive for law enforcement and the citizens of Benton County,” Adams said.

The Bill of Rights resolution was sponsored by Justice of the Peace Michelle Chiocco, who told the crowd she believes in the Bill of Rights with all of her heart.

The resolution grew out of a proposed Second Amendment/Bill of Rights sanctuary ordinance submitted in January by members of the Libertarian Party to the Committee of the Whole.

Chiocco said she approached County Attorney George Spence after February’s Quorum Court meeting about a Bill of Rights resolution. She planned to bring the new resolution up for discussion in March, but then covid-19 hit.

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to the government, according to the National Archives.

Mike Jones may be reached by email at mjones@nwadg.com. Tracy M. Neal can be reached by email at tneal@nwadg.com.