Well, OK
It was indeed the Highway Commission, the independent powerhouse generally considered the governor's chief plum, and it was Cliff Hoofman, veteran former state legislator from North Little Rock. Central Arkansas now has two of the five commissioners, but the rule is that one commissioner must come from each of the four congressional districts with one at large, so somebody has to have two. It's fair to say, though, that the southwestern and southeastern corners are now basically unrepresented, with the other three from Blytheville, Siloam Springs and El Dorado. Hoofman is a beloved friend of Gov. Beebe, a man of uncommon personal loyalty who called me up short more than once a few years ago when I tried to make something of Cliff's unfortunate matter of driving under the influence. Cliff was paying his price and owning up to his problem and was a good man, the governor-to-be would say. Indeed Hoofman is a capable man whose intense interests in the Highway Commission and its issues date back to another of his intense friendships — with the late and legendary highway director, Henry Gray. Hoofman knows the territory. As for that preceding speculative post on Suskie to the PSC, I think I'll just leave it there for a few days.