FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – More than a dozen Republican legislators signed a letter to University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart this week, expressing disappointment that he involved the university in a “divisive” city issue in Fayetteville.
The letter, which can be read by clicking here, states that the Fayetteville City Council recently passed “a poorly drafted ordinance” that has become divisive.
In August, the Fayetteville City Council approved Ordinance 119, prohibiting local businesses and entities from discriminating against customers and others based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and other factors.
Opponents contend the ordinance would require church officials against their wishes to perform same-sex marriages and would allow transgender people to use a public restroom of their choice.
After opponents gathered the required number of signatures in a petition drive, the ordinance was placed on a special election ballot to be voted on by the public Dec. 9.
The letter to Gearhart, dated Nov. 17, is signed by, among others, state Reps. Bob Ballinger, Jim Dotson, Justin Harris, Jana Della Rosa, Robin Lundstrum and state Sens. Bart Hester, Cecile Bledsoe and Jim Hendren. In all, 18 legislators signed the letter, written on Ballinger’s House of Representatives letterhead.
“As an alumnus of the University of Arkansas and as a legislator, I am disappointed that you involved the University of Arkansas in the public dispute over this issue,” the letter states.
“The failure to include all ex-officio members in the discussion contributes to the perception that the board operated under a veil of secrecy and was opposed to any divergent views,” Gearhart said.
In his letter, he asks the chamber to rescind its resolution of Nov. 7, stating it supports the repeal of Ordinance 119.
Gearhart could not be reached Friday night for comment, but state Rep. Greg Leding, a Democrat from Fayetteville, said he is proud that Gearhart challenged the chamber.
“As the chancellor is an ex-officio member of the board, he and other such members should have been included in that process,” Leding said in a text message to 5NEWS on Friday. “The university is part of the fabric of Fayetteville, and as such, it’s only right and fair that its leadership be allowed to weigh in on important local issues.”
Leding noted that none of the 18 Republicans who signed the letter represents Fayetteville.
“Ordinance 119 is an important issue, and our City Council has shown its commitment to getting it right by addressing concerns with recent amendments,” Leding wrote. “In the end, this is an issue for the people of Fayetteville, and they’ll settle it on December 9.”
After Gearhart sent his letter on Nov. 10, Hester posted several tweets critical of Gearhart, saying the university and chancellor support “preventing pastors from practicing free religion” and support a “grown man sharing a public bathroom” with a 7-year-old girl.
In another tweet, Hester added that he cannot support the university’s 2015 budget. Lawmakers are set to convene in Little Rock in January for the 2015 legislative session.
At the time, 5NEWS asked Gearhart for a response to Hester’s tweets, but the chancellor declined through a university spokesman.