In November of 1789 Benjamin Franklin¹ wrote French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy concerned about Le Roy’s health due to long overdue correspondence from the Frenchman. Franklin was brilliant, as most of you dear readers know, and he wrote the letter in French. In 1817 the letter was translated as part of the effort to print his private correspondence. Franklin notes the major event in the United States at that time, namely the ratification of the Constitution the year before and the beginning of our new government. He then writes: “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” The Local Controller has taken a look-see over my shoulder and has noted: “Nice cheery start. Maybe you can work in the apocalypse, too.” Love is in the air.

Friday, March 3, was Employee Appreciation Day. I confess that it slipped up on me. We do after all have some legislators in Little Rock holding some meetings and such. If you want to note it in your calendar for next year, the unofficial holiday is recognized on the first Friday of March. Even though it slipped up on me, I did email the League staff telling them how much I appreciate them and, more importantly, how much they mean to you, the League’s membership. I wrote: “Y’all rock! Every one of you is dedicated to our mission of making great cities and towns. Thank you!” If you get a chance, please let them know just how great they are.

Employee Appreciation Day was created in 1995 by Dr. Bob Nelson and Workman Publishing. Nelson² was a founding member of Recognition Professionals International and got the organization to assist him in reminding managers everywhere to thank their employees. A laudable effort for sure, although I do have a curmudgeon buddy who takes the position that holidays include only those recognized by law and not those created by “greeting card” companies. “That’s funny, I don’t care who you are.”³ While I don’t fully subscribe to my buddy’s lack of enthusiasm regarding the non-governmental holidays, I did run across an interesting website. (And right on cue L.C. notes that “interesting” is a relevant term and not likely one that I need to be following up on right now. Got it. Following up now!) The site National Today⁴lists dozens of “days” recognizing dozens of things. Here are a few from the first and last day of March:⁵

National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
Baby Sleep Day [I’m pretty sure that doesn’t always work.]
National Dadgum That’s Good Day⁶
Public Risk Management Day [A favorite of mine!]
Plan A Solo Vacation Day⁷
Crayola Crayon⁸ Day
International Hug A Medievalist Day [How is that even possible? Aren’t they all dead?]
National Tater Day⁹[How can this only be a national holiday?! What say you, world?!]
World [see, not national] Backup Day [Not the walk backwards backup. The other one. The one regarding data.]

Some of these are humorous and no doubt bring a little joy into the world. Nothing wrong with that, particularly when being appreciative of municipal employees. Cities and towns wouldn’t be communities of love and trust without them. Thank you, city officials and employees! You rock!

Even the Local Controller in Training¹⁰ is suggesting I move along. Righto!¹¹ ¹² I shall.

March is Women’s History Month, sometimes referenced as Women’s Empowerment Month. Its origins date back to 1981 when Congress marked a week in March as Women’s History Week. In 1987 the week became Women’s History Month. Since 1995 the President of the United States has issued a proclamation designating March for the month of recognition.¹³ The presidential proclamations are all different and some of them are quite moving.¹⁴[1] Here are a few excerpts:

President Joseph R. Biden, March 2022: “Throughout our history, despite hardship, exclusion, and discrimination, women have strived and sacrificed for equity and equality in communities across the country. Generations of Native American women were stewards of the land and continue to lead the fight for climate justice. Black women fought to end slavery, advocate for civil rights, and pass the Voting Rights Act. Suffragists helped pass the 19th Amendment to the Constitution so that no American could be denied a vote on the basis of sex.”
President Donald J. Trump, March 2020: “This month, we pause as a nation to pay tribute to the women who strengthen and enrich our society through civic action, devotion to family, and tireless dedication to community, innovation, peace, and prosperity. We pledge also to continue fighting for the further advancement of women in our society and around the globe, living up to the promise of our nation’s founding.”¹⁵
President Ronald Reagan, March 1982: “In 1981, the Congress, by joint resolution (P.L. 97-28, August 4, 1981), designated the week beginning March 7, 1982, as ‘Women’s History Week’ and asked the president to issue a proclamation to commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. In formally acknowledging the achievements of women, we honor a vital part of our common heritage.”¹⁶
President Barack Obama, March 2010: “Women from all walks of life have improved their communities and our nation. Sylvia Mendez and her family stood up for her right to an education and catalyzed the desegregation of our schools. Starting as a caseworker in city government, Dr. Dorothy Height has dedicated her life to building a more just society. One of our young heroes, Caroline Moore, contributed to advances in astronomy by discovering a supernova at age 14.”¹⁷

Powerful words indeed. It’s not lost on me that our state has been enriched by the leadership of women from local offices such as mayor, council member and quorum court to our state’s highest offices of the senate, house of representatives, supreme court and, for the first time in our state’s history, governor. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders noted in her 2023 proclamation: “Each woman is extraordinary in her own way, proving that women working inside the home, or outside in academia, science, technology, business, labor, governance and more maintain a critical role in every sphere of society.”¹⁸ She also noted something that I believe will resonate loudly with every single municipal official in the state. She proclaimed: “When women succeed, their communities prosper.”¹⁹No truer words were ever spoken. I say thank you to all the women who work and lead in municipal government. We are indeed better because of your commitment, intellect and decency.

Women’s History Month demands respect!²⁰ Let’s make every effort to do so.

Now, what about my earlier comment regarding hope?²¹ Recently the Arkansas Times ran a piece regarding Arkansas’ efforts to fight the fentanyl and opioid epidemic that has plagued our state for a decade or more. It’s no secret that my family suffered the ultimate harm when we lost our boy Wells. The Hayes-Bratton family, like thousands of other Arkansans, feels that void every minute of every day. Last year at this time I wrote about the February, March, April sandwich.²² Wells’ birthday is February 24 and he died on April 18, 2020, from fentanyl poisoning. March is our middle of the sandwich so to speak. His addiction, like that of many of his peers, consumed him and ultimately terminated him. As has been our custom we gathered as a family on the evening of his birthday to celebrate his life and help each other with our pain. This year we went to one of his favorite places, Cantina Laredo.²³ We laughed quite a bit and yes, shed a tear or two. In the end, however, we felt a glimmer of hope that our state maybe making a dent in this terrible scourge that has claimed too many of our youngest and brightest.

The Times article spotlights the partnership between your League and the Association of Arkansas Counties.²⁴ ²⁵ We created the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, affectionately known as ARORP!²⁶ I’m thrilled to report that new Attorney General Tim Griffin has jumped in with both feet to ensure that all three levels of government in Arkansas tackle this menace with the combined weight and strength of every person in our great state. ARORP’s not only up and running, but it is doing so at pace not matched in any other state. In fact, most states, even if they have received settlement funds, haven’t spent a dime towards fixing the problem. They are mired in bureaucracy and politics while we are proceeding at light speed. We are funding evidence-based, boots-on-the-ground local solutions and we’re doing it right now! Take a look at the website, please. Find out what the gaps in addiction services and products are in your community and find the solutions through ARORP. Talk with others in your county and join forces. There is money available right now to make a difference. All that’s needed is your involvement.

Together we can make this work. Together there is hope. Hope that we don’t lose another young person. Hope that we heal. Hope that we lead the way to saving lives for a lifetime.

Until next month, peace.

1
https://bit.ly/3F6vzT9 Franklin was an incredible man. Born January 17, 1706, in Boston, he apprenticed as a printer at the ripe old age of 12. In 1724 he moved to London, the one in England, to work as a journeyman printer and by 1729 he purchased the Pennsylvania Gazette! He published Poor Richard’s Almanack from 1732-1758, was a clerk in the Pennsylvania Assembly for 15 years, appointed postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737 and invented the Franklin Stove in 1740. All of that was done before he turned 35! He also founded hospitals and universities, experimented with electricity, helped write the Declaration of Independence, served as the American “commissioner” to France and helped negotiate peace with the British. http://bit.ly/3kTdpgQ
2
Not coincidentally, Nelson was also celebrating the publication of his book 1001 Ways to Reward Employees. I’m not suggesting his declaration of the appreciation day was guided by the possibility of driving up book sales, I’m just mentioning the close proximity of the two actions. In 2012 the book was revised and is now 1501 Ways to Reward Employees. I bought the book, all 1,594 pages, because most of the reviews were glowing. It all begins with saying “thank you.” Pretty good advice. Low-cost items like nice pens, a pocketknife and gift certificates are also suggested. https://bit.ly/3SYgqJw
3
Many of you have heard that line uttered originally and frequently by the comedian Larry the Cable Guy. He was born in 1963 in Pawnee City, Nebraska, as Daniel Lawrence Whitney and has starred in his own comedy specials and trilogy of the Cars movies starring as Mater. His catch phrase is “Git-R-Done!” The Local Controller is not a big fan. As a result, I’m getting a concerned look as I mention him in the column. http://bit.ly/41OsVez
4
http://bit.ly/3EXMIhV
5
L.C.: “Please don’t. Please.”
6
L.C.: “Stop! Dadgum?! Really?!”
7
L.C.: “Finally a good idea! I’ll be searching for flights for one to small, secluded beaches if you’re looking for me.” Not sure what the current Moi v. L.C. score is, but that comment just lost me the competition. Well done, m’lady. Well done.
8
Alice Binney, a schoolteacher, and her husband Edwin Binney, founder of the Binney & Smith Company, invented crayons in 1902. Production and sales started in 1903. Alice suggested the name Crayola combining craie, the French word for chalk, with the suffix -ola, referencing the type of wax used to make the crayon known as “oleaginous.” http://bit.ly/3IYX5TA The Local Controller is not happy. The Local Controller in Training, however, is ecstatic! She loves a good crayon, Sharpie or other bedazzling tool!
9
Tater tots. French fries. Mashed. Boiled. Baked. Hashbrowns. Ya gotta love taters!
10
A reminder to any novices reading my column: L.C. is my wife. L.C.I.T. is my daughter.
11
“Mark, I’m begging you. Stop. Nobody cares about the origin of the word ‘righto.’ Nobody.” Says the L.C. with much exhaustion in her voice. Au contraire, mon cheri! That did it. She’s rubbing her temples whilst walking out of the room and mumbling. I’m calling it mumbling despite being able to understand her not so nice comments. I thought about calling out: “Mon amour! Please don’t leave!” I decided not to. “Righto” is a colloquialism meaning alright used frequently in Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland. http://bit.ly/3kLRyYR
12
Can you believe that in footnote 11 I used some French and explained a colloquialism of the British realm?! I’m pretty sure I can hear L.C. growling. Best to move on.
13
http://bit.ly/403IbCP
14
http://bit.ly/3Zx3r3N If you’re interested in history and the many thousands of presidential proclamations this is your website. There are quite literally tens of thousands of them.
15
Id.
16
Id.
17
Id.
18
http://bit.ly/3ZNioOO
19
Id.
20
All teasing aside, the women in my life are nothing short of remarkable. I’m honored to work with a team that goes beyond the call of duty each and every day. In my personal life, Mother Hayes is our rock and spiritual leader. We are so fortunate that even in her 90th year she brings constant perspective and love to our family. The local controller in training is an amazing, talented and vibrant young woman who brings joy to whatever room she enters. She’s a phenomenal sister and daughter. I leave the best for last. My local controller is truly one of the most loving and gifted human beings this world has ever seen. Her resilience and heart know no boundaries. She’s an artist, writer and the best life partner I could ever hope to have. I haven’t been keeping score but I must have scored enough points with those last comments to have outscored L.C.!
21
L.C.: “You better hope you wrap this up quickly!” And just like that whatever lead I had is gone! Score is L.C.: way more than I’ll ever have!
22
https://bit.ly/3Jt0JFd
23
Not to worry, I’m getting no pay for mentioning the restaurant!
24
http://bit.ly/41TDCfO
25
A special word regarding our friends at the AAC. Chris Villines and Colin Jorgensen have worked tirelessly to make a difference. They are not only great partners, they are now my dear friends and part of my family. Your General Counsel John Wilkerson likewise did the same and is the same. I would also be remiss if I didn’t note the support and love my family received from the entire League staff and you the membership. I’m a blessed man indeed.
26
https://www.arorp.org/