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A candidate for Benton City Council, Andrew Pickett, recently filed a case with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, asking them to investigate an action by a current Council Member, Steve Brown.
Read below for:
1. the basic disagreement,
2. some background info on the candidates,
3. Pickett’s statement,
4. the full ethics complaint, and
5. Brown’s statement in reply.
Then we present some evidence…
6. the A&P meeting video, and
7. the A&P Meeting Minutes.
And finally,
8. MySaline’s concluding statement.
READ MORE BELOW
1. The basic disagreement:
City Council contender Andrew Pickett states that incumbent Steve Brown should not have voted on a request brought to a City Commission, because the request was by a person with whom Brown conducted business.
Brown, who is a Commissioner counters in a statement, saying, “There was no reason to recuse myself.”
2. Some background:
Brown, Pickett, and Sara Peppard are running for Benton City Council’s Ward 1, Position 2. Brown currently holds that office.
Brown is President of Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU). Pickett is President of Hurricane Creek Federal Credit Union (HCFCU). The two financial institutions are coincidentally located next door. Peppard works with the blind and with veterans, according to her social media.
3. Pickett’s press release 10/21/2024:
(exact text)
Andrew Pickett, candidate for Benton City Council representing Ward 1, Position 2, has filed an official ethics complaint against his opponent, Steve Brown, citing misuse of public resources to support individuals involved in his re-election campaign.
The complaint centers on Mr. Brown’s vote, as a member of the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission, to allocate $6,000 of public funds to a person directly involved with his campaign efforts. This vote raises significant concerns regarding conflicts of interest and the ethical use of taxpayer dollars.
“As elected officials, we have a responsibility to ensure that public funds are used to benefit the community, not to advance personal political agendas,” Pickett stated. “Mr. Brown’s vote to give public money to someone working on his campaign undermines the trust of Benton’s residents and raises serious ethical questions.”
Pickett has long emphasized transparency and accountability in government, highlighting his own commitment to ethical leadership. “This complaint is about ensuring that the people of Benton are represented by leaders who prioritize the public good over their own political interests.”
As part of his campaign, Pickett has pledged to uphold higher standards of transparency, including making all public meetings available online and ensuring that decisions are made openly and in the best interest of Benton residents.
4. The full ethics complaint 10/9/2024:
(Images below)
This is the exact text of the complaint, below. There are images of the two pages of the complaint below that:
Case No. 2024-CO-080
This letter serves to confirm receipt of your citizen Complaint against Steve Brown. That complaint was filed against Mr. Brown in his capacity as Benton City Council member, Ward 1. Position 2.
Briefly restated, the complaint contains the following allegations:
1. On September 11, 2024, the Benton A&P Commission met for its monthly meeting.
2. Mr. Brown sits on this Commission as a Benton City Councilman.
3. During this meeting, the Commission was to have the second reading of a request for funding from Kerry Murphey.
4. After discussion about the request, Mr. Brown stated he was for this proposal.
5. During the meeting, Mr. Brown voiced that the Commission has an *extra $8,000 this year for this request, so giving Mr. Murphey the full $6,000 would still leave it with money,
6. Mr. Brown voted to approve this request.
7. Prior to this request, Mr. Murphey had been helping with Mr. Brown’s reelection campaign.
8. You have been told that Mr. Murphey called a Benton resident and stated that he was helping Mr. Brown with his campaign.
9. Mr. Brown should have recused himself from this matter, but he chose not to.
10. This makes one question if this was promised to Mr. Murphey for the work he did for Mr. Brown’s campaign.
It has been determined that said complaint meets the requirements set forth in subparagraph A(3) of Section V of the Ethics Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Accordingly, an investigation is being commenced.
With respect to allegation numbers 1-10 above, the focus of the investigation will be whether or not Mr. Brown violated Ark. Code Ann. $ 21-8-304(a) in his capacity as Benton City Council member, Ward 1, Position 2 by using or attempting to use his position to secure special privileges or exemptions for Kerry Murphey.
In accordance with Section VI(3) of the Ethics Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, I am requesting that you submit any and all evidence which you may have concerning this matter.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Graham F. Sloan
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- Ethics Complaint, Page 1
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- Ethics Complaint, Page 2
5. Brown’s statement 10/21/2024:
“He’s claiming Quid Pro Quo with Kerry [Murphy]. I hired Kerry’s firm. I purchased my signs from Kerry and his company, and he has a service that puts the signs out. So I’ve got receipts, I’ve got everything in the world to show that it was a business transaction between me and Kerry for those services. That’s all Kerry was doing for my campaign.
“It’s basically the same thing as if I was to buy advertising from you guys. It’s a paid service,” stated Brown.
DISCLOSURE: Brown was referencing MySaline. In full disclosure, MySaline and/or its owner Shelli Poole (myself) has requested funding from the A&P Commission in the past for events. MySaline’s owner Shelli Poole holds accounts at both HCFCU and ACFCU and has obtained loans at both financial institutions. Both Brown and Pickett have advertised with MySaline in the past.
In item 9 of Pickett’s complaint, he stated that Brown “should have recused himself from this matter, but he chose not to,” therefore, I asked Brown why he voted instead of recusing himself.
“From my perspective, there was no reason to recuse myself, because I purchased a service from Mr. Murphy, so there was nothing – there was no reason to recuse myself, other than the fact that I had purchased a service him,” stated Brown. “Just as if I would go purchase a service from anyone else, and then they ultimately came and made a request from the A&P. So I did not feel like there was a conflict of interest since there was services purchased.
“If I was going to recuse myself, I would have to recuse myself from half the votes that are taken, and as would other members of the commission,” said Brown, referring to the small community of Benton as a city. “As long as we’re reviewing stuff and it’s not – we’re not doing favors for anyone, we’re treating exactly the same as their applications come in… I didn’t feel a need to recuse myself.”
Brown stated that his formal interview with the Arkansas State Ethics Commission is scheduled for after the election.
6. A&P Meeting Video 9/11/2024:
(Video below)
The following is the video from the September 11, 2024 Advertising and Promotions Commissions meeting. At 8:05 in the video, the Commission addresses funding requests, beginning with the request by Kerry Murphy Promotions for the Murphy Gun and Knife Show. A&P Commission Chair Bill Eldridge (of Gateway Mortgage) stated that Murphy was requesting $6,000 for promoting his event, and that this was the second reading for the request.
Commissioner Luke Moody (owner of Burger Shack) paused discussion about Murphy’s request to ask about previous approvals for other events.
Commissioner Alison Burch (General Manager of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott), initially recommended approving less money, but returned to the requested amount, with consideration that the funding is to be divided for two events. She commented that the event brings lots of customers to stay at the hotel, which is located next door to the Benton Event Center, where the gun show is held four times per year.
Commissioner Brown stated that he spoke with Commissioner Elgin Hamner who couldn’t be present, and Hamner told him that it’s evident that the gun show brings more customers to Hamner’s restaurant, Wood Grill, which is located across Interstate 30 from Benton Event Center. Brown also stated that it was nearing the end of the time when requests would be taken for 2024.
“We’ve got $8,000 available – round numbers – left in the budget this year, so this still would give us some – a little capacity if we fund this request,” stated Commissioner Brown. “Just trying to add some perspective there.”
There was further discussion among Commissioners Moody and Gregg Shinn (owner of HTeaO) about the proper amount, as well as the potential of events to become independent from funding. Next Chairman Eldridge asked for a motion.
Commissioner Burch moved to approve the $6,000 request. Commissioner Moody seconded the motion. Eldridge asked “all in favor?” There were ayes heard over the microphone, and no voices were heard that opposed. Keep in mind that some forget to turn on their microphone, so we show the official 09/11/2024 A&P meeting minutes after this video.
7. A&P Meeting Minutes 9/11/2024:
(Images of Meeting Minutes below)
According to the City of Benton A&P Commission minutes from the Sept 11, 2024 meeting, approved at the next meeting, which was October 9, 2024, the following actions were taken (exact text):
Kerry Murphy Promotions for Murphy’s Saline County Gun & Knife Show- 2nd reading and vote. Request is for $6,000. Discussion included: the funding request is for two shows remaining in 2024 and vendors routinely stay in Benton hotels and eat at restaurants. Alison Burch made a motion to approve funding of $6,000. Luke Moody seconded. Motion carried.
The following are the three pages of Minutes from the A&P Commission meeting, held September 11, 2024. The above text was taken from the bottom of page 2, and continuing on the top of page 3.
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- 09/11/24 page 1
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- 09/11/24 page 2
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- 09/11/24 page 3
8. Concluding note:
In conclusion, it’s MySaline policy to give all the facts available to allow the public to make an informed decision. Watch for updates here as any become available. Meanwhile, you can browse the list of candidates, along with all the General Election information at the links below.
All 2024 Candidates:
www.mysaline.com/2024-elections-candidates
All 2024 Elections info:
www.mysaline.com/2024-elections
This includes when and where to vote, the candidates and issues, sample ballots, and eventually the results of the election.
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