Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Arkansas Politics Kathy Webb picked for Hunger Relief job
Posted by Max Brantley on Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 10:34 AM
- wikipedia
- TAKES NONPROFIT JOB: Rep. Kathy Webb
Webb will succeed Rhonda Sanders, who left the alliance about a month ago for another job.
Webb, who's had a long career in the restaurant business, has been an active volunteer over the years in hunger relief efforts and has been on the board of the Arkansas Foodbank Network. She was a a co-owner and co-founder with Nancy Tesmer of Lilly's Dim Sum Then Some, but no longer has an interest in the venture.
Hunger agencies sometimes have an interest in legislative issues, though the coming fiscal session is supposed to deal strictly with budgetary matters. The 2011 legislature adopted a one-year waiting period for legislators who hope to become lobbyists, but it didn't apply to current legislators who didn't seek re-election this year. Webb is term limited. It's unclear whether her work as director of an agency that is essentially a trade organization for anti-hunger group will include lobbying, but it seems unavoidable.
UPDATE: Webb confirms the new job, says she won't begin until March 15, which should be after the conclusion of her final legislative session.
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
What a great choice. Webb has championed hunger issues for years. She has shown that she can get things done. It is a hopeful day for all those in this state who face how they are going to eat and feed their families everyday. I think the new politically correct term is "food insecurity." The Alliance does great work, I am sure it will only get better under Webb's leadership. Congratulations.
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Great news to hear about Kathy Webb's new job. I'd want a smart, educated bulldogette like Kathy on my side if I was working to help alleviate hunger in Arkansas.
The state's loss when her legislative service ends due to term limits will be state's gain on the issue of hungry Arkansans.
Good for her! I had no idea she was no longer affiliated with Lilly's! That is one of my favorite places!
Hopefully, Kathy Webb in her new role can make connections with Hunters Feeding the Hungry, a worthy program in which deer and duck hunters donate some of what they kill to processors affiliated with the program. The hangup is money to pay for the processing. These processing companies may give a reduced price, but they can't stay in business doing charitable work for nothing.
And just think of the potential with the overabundance of feral (wild) hogs in Arkansas. Yeah, health checks would be essential. But deer meat is not government inspected, is it?
Another politician usg thir title to get a job...wish I had a tite AND a job!!
Larry - if there is anyone who is a more compassionate, humble person than Kathy Webb I have yet to cross their path. Kathy did NOT use political influence for this job, but rather, the Hunger Alliance saw someone who is a true public servant. Like a lot of non-profits, I doubt this job pays that much, so Kathy's not in it for the money. She has been very successful in life due to her ability to manage and work well with others - something you should clearly think about.
If the session goes long will she postpone starting the lobbying? No matter the role it would seem to be a conflict of interest for a current lawmaker.
There's no legal bar against serving with a future expectation of work, I don't think. But I agree that appearances are a problem. This is no defense, but I have good reason to believe that there are other current members with post-service government consulting plans after this, their final year under term limits. Hell, Gilbert Baker's already doing it.
Still learning to spell, Larry? Just goes to prove the weblink I posed a few days ago was right. Can;t find it? Here ya go:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/i…
Good for her and the Alliance. She's always been a straight forward legislator. And if it's ok for her , so be it for Baker and others. We have a citizen
legislature- thank goodness. Let the people decide who is sincere , credible , and true to their convictions.
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