Wednesday, May 4, 2022, was a good day.
As a 34-year veteran of state government in Arkansas, I’ve seen a little bit of everything. Some pretty, some not so pretty. Some good, some…. well, you get the picture.
And I’ve always been careful to differentiate between government and politics. I’m extremely proud to say I work in government, but politics and personal opinions have had little bearing in my role as a state employee. There’s no doubt in my mind that staying neutral and impartial has helped me throughout my 34 years with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
So, May 4 was a good day.
In Arkansas City, a boat ramp was dedicated. The boat ramp was a project of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). And from my perspective, the day was about much more than the boat ramp.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson was the featured speaker at the event, the purpose of which was to dedicate and name the boat ramp in honor of former Gov. Mike Beebe. Yes —parts of two decades, two governors, two administrations and two political flavors, if you will.
Hutchinson, Moore and Beebe on May 4.
The project was initiated during the tenure of Beebe. Robert S. Moore Jr. of Arkansas City was Rep. Moore, Speaker of the House Moore, during that time. Now Moore is chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission, and his passion for southeast Arkansas in general, Arkansas City in particular, is undeniable. But it was Gov. Hutchinson and his administration that continued, and ultimately completed, this part of Moore’s vision.
Not only were two governors involved in the project, but there were also three state agencies:
• ARDOT has an agreement with AGFC that identifies gas-tax revenue that generated from boat motors as opposed to cars and trucks. That’s where the funding for the new ramp came from, so those two agencies have been involved since the
beginning.
• The ramp and scenic overlook are accessed from the Delta Heritage Trail State Park, the most unique park in the state park inventory, so the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism also is involved.
Let’s count again. That’s two governors, three state agencies, three governor-appointed commissions, at least six state agency directors, all from varying perspectives and backgrounds, and about 16 years. From my historical viewpoint, those are the ingredients for a challenging project.
And there were others involved who were not even part of the program on May 4. Approvals from the Southeast Arkansas Levee Board and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers were needed along the Delta Heritage Trail to provide access to the new boat ramp. That adds a local and a federal aspect to this project.
But there they were on May 4, two governors and representatives from all the entities involved. No political talk. No debates. Just honorable individuals celebrating the completion of a worthy project and recognizing all those involved in the process. I couldn’t have been more proud to be a state government employee on that day. I was continually reminded of a famous quote, which I’ll paraphrase — “It’s amazing what good can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.”
I’m happy to say I have been involved in many successful projects in my time, so May 4 wasn’t unique. But it was special and very gratifying. So many entities and people involved.
I can see why Robert Moore and his wife Beverly (and many others) are so passionate about the new ramp and the area. And it’s all adjacent to the Delta Heritage Trail and Choctaw Island Wildlife Management Area. Google ‘em when you have time. They’re amazing.
Some of you astute readers have probably picked up on the fact that I said earlier in this article that I attribute part of my longevity in state government to keeping my opinions to myself — and then I write this article, a reflection of my personal thoughts. But I couldn’t help myself in this case…
Wednesday, May 4, was a good day.
Randy Ort is the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Arkansas Department of Transportation. He spent most of his 34-year career in the ARDOT Public Information Office, where he took part in hundreds of public meetings and served as primary spokesperson for the agency.
