Arkansas Blog: In other news ...

Our attention has been focused today on the shooting of Bill Gwatney. Other things have occurred.

The post-Broyles era continues with news that KATV has given up its exclusive rights to Razorback sports. The contract has been sold for big bucks to ISP Sports. KATV has a piece of the action as "flagship" station for Hog broadcasts. Media mavens will have to explain the ins and outs of this.

The new Arkansas Times is on the web. It includes our first look at UCA Foundation records for the expense account it provides for UCA President Lu Hardin. They spend far more than the $57,000 per year reported as the value of the expense account in a recent state Higher Education Department survey. A university official explained after we went to press that the university only counted strictly personal expenses by Hardin, not expenditures clearly for university purposes. So far, the Foundation has only disclosed spending in broad categories. We've asked for itemized expenses on travel, meals, home furnishings, gifts to others, etc.

Also in the Times: Check out how a UCA trustee, Michael Stanton, wound up getting a free wedding reception for his child at the UCA student union.

Comments

I think the Times has given the ball a good shove in the direction of College presidents pay and how it needs an examination and analysis. Is it time to remove some of their financial independence?
Is any of this in the authority of Legislative Audit? It's taxpayers' money and state appropriations must
pay for some of it.
.

Posted by: eLwood | August 13, 2008 08:06 PM

Lu is such a loser. He has created a sense of "we are entitled" to all the UCA leadership. I tried to alert others to his lack of candor on his ethics reports about a week ago. Yeah Lu, that dog also hunts. This is just the beginning. Lu treated our money as his. Sure he is generous as he doles out gifts to the BOT FROM US. This is a real [problem. Move on Lu!

Posted by: thenaturalstate | August 13, 2008 08:10 PM

Gwatney's murder shouldn't distract from the job of ruining Lu Hardin before he can run for anything. Very important, that.

Posted by: Prouster | August 13, 2008 08:30 PM

>>the job of ruining Lu Hardin<<

Have we an aversion to truth? How could the AT or the ADG have reported anything if Lu had not done it and compounded his wound with additional dishonesty and deceptiveness.

Next time the Western Union guy brings you some negative news, punch him.

Posted by: eLwood | August 13, 2008 08:56 PM

Yes, prouster, we shouldn't be distracted from holding Lu and every other politician/government official accountable for their actions.

Posted by: zelda | August 13, 2008 08:59 PM

ISP Partners with KATV on Arkansas Multimedia Rights

Could someone in media, esp tv rights and other media revenue streams please enlighten us on this.

Posted by: eLwood | August 13, 2008 09:02 PM

I'm sorry. Whores and Crooks. They took a public institution and turned into their own private little country club. That money was supposed to go for, uh, education. It's sick. But, at least you finally understand why Lu was worth the half a mil.

Posted by: Fletch | August 13, 2008 09:04 PM

I'm noticing a theme: UCA as a big ole credit card for 'special' people who know 'special' people. A $2,700 'gift' 'cause some punch spilled and a mom complained...give me a break. A fence, a house, a tent...all for our asking...us non-special people just never knew. And, who do they (Gilbert et al) think they're kidding; reimbursing after the fact stinks to high heavens...and assumes we're idiots.

I'm so happy the Times is holding the Foundation accountable. It's been a 'special' unaccountable fund for too long.

Posted by: zelda | August 13, 2008 09:08 PM

eLwood, if you've got a link, that'd help.

Posted by: John A Arkansawyer | August 13, 2008 09:57 PM

Zelda, we don't really hold anyone accountable unless they're Republican. We had this big discussion yesterday in another thread about how no woman who claims to have been raped can be taken seriously unless they successfully bring charges against the rapist, no matter how powerful he is. When it comes to Hardin, I'm thinking I'll adopt that standard. He's not guilty until he's prosecuted.

Posted by: Prouster | August 13, 2008 10:26 PM

Max ask Lu two things: 1. How many times, if any, has Lu gone to a casino or gambled in the last 24 months? 2. Does he currently receive a retirement payment from the Public Employees Retirement System? Max then check to see if his retirement (if received HA HA) was omitted also from his ethics form.

Posted by: thenaturalstate | August 13, 2008 10:30 PM

Prouster, who's this 'we' you're referencing? The state/legal system are suppose to have blinders on, suppose to enforce rules/laws equally; and citizens are suppose to monitor their government. Guess Clinton hatred blinds you to the reality that it's your money, too, that UCA/Lu have been playing with. Sad, but telling.

Posted by: zelda | August 14, 2008 06:01 AM

Zelda, here's the future for Lu. Perhaps? Click on Cato

Posted by: Cato | August 14, 2008 08:17 AM

Re: KATV/ISP. The pearl-clutchers in East Arkansas will at least be able to stick with one tradition: keeping KATV preempting primetime ABC programming way past the analog era.

Posted by: Ms_Haley_1965 | August 14, 2008 08:52 AM

Look, Lu apologized and said that he handled that extortion (I mean salary) thing terribly and promised more transparency. When he is feeling better, he will probably also admit to errors in judgment regarding housing perks. And then also about tents and receptions. And then also about the not-so-transparent expense account. And then about what comes out next. And the one after that.

Give the guy a break. He said he was sorry, and he truly is.

Posted by: ben-there | August 14, 2008 09:36 AM

eLwood,

This is simply a guess, but will ISP be the future provider of pay per view (PPV) telecasts of UofA sporting events? No mention of PPV in today's Demo-Gaz article, which makes me think even more that this is the direction the university will pursue.

Posted by: scrapper72 | August 14, 2008 09:38 AM

Not extortion, not salary, BONUS.

Posted by: ben-there | August 14, 2008 09:40 AM

Scrapper72, the pay-per-view issue is covered here.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_home.asp

or click on name.

Posted by: jimmyboy | August 14, 2008 02:54 PM

sorry, scrappers72, here are the links

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_article.asp?aID=107289.34847.119408

or click on name

Posted by: jimmyboy | August 14, 2008 02:55 PM

Thanks jimmyboy. Looks like the UofA will be limited to 2 PPV games per season, per SEC rules.