Sunday, Jul 20, 2008
Allegations of deceptive politics and public giveaways shroud plans for the Clinton presidential library.
Jul 6, 1999 | Ah, the presidential library. After eight years of scandal and intrigue, President Clinton is dreaming of a $125 million facility in Little Rock, Ark., that will serve as both a getaway and international think tank. It will be a refuge where Clinton can come and stay in an adjoining posh apartment and focus on international diplomacy issues and domestic race relations. The center will also serve as both a library and a museum to honor Clinton's legacy in concrete and offer a place for 21st century thinkers to gather and ... think.
But like all things Clinton, plans for the new facility have already been ensnared in scandal. Some of the president's opponents back home in Little Rock have decried using public funds for the facility. While money for construction will come from private donors, the city of Little Rock has agreed to provide the land for the library, valued at an estimated $15 million. While Clinton tours glitzy galas in Los Angeles and New York with his hand out, a political war has erupted back home in Arkansas over the public giveaway.
It all began in 1997, when the Clintons chose a site for the library near Little Rock's revitalized River Market District. The area is now teeming with shops, restaurants and bars, only a few blocks away from the Old Statehouse where Clinton made his two presidential acceptance speeches.
But the neighboring city of North Little Rock, which also wants the presidential library, has accused Little Rock of a shady scheme to lure the Clintons to its side of the river. North Little Rock officials allege Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey promised the Clintons the city would buy the 27 acres of land needed for the library. A $15 million commitment was made by the city although no means of financing existed.
The Board of Directors, Little Rock's version of the city council, rejected several financing possibilities. A 1 percent tax on restaurants and hotels proposed only a few days after the site selection stirred restaurateurs into protest. The idea was quickly quashed.
Finally, the city approved a way to fund a revenue bond that would use its proceeds to acquire the library land without an election. The bond issue, though, created fireworks. Tax opponent Nora Harris sued the city in 1998 for illegal use of the bonds.
"I'm not against the library or Clinton," said Harris, a Republican. "I'm against the city using money illegally."
Harris' attorney, David Henry, contended that money from the general fund is indirectly funding the $16.4 million bond issue. That's because general fund money is replacing lost park user-fee revenue that is paying debt service for the library bonds.
A year after the lawsuit was filed, Pulaski County Chancellor Alice Gray finally ruled last week that the city was fair in its use of bond revenues, giving the go-ahead to the Clinton project. Harris said she will appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
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