Official Language Resolution Tabled

In Sevier County, a proposal to make English the county's official language has been tabled after Hispanic residents questioned the measure.

County Judge Dick Tallman says the resolution was proposed to encourage all residents to learn English to improve communication.

Locals took note of the communications gap when officials asked the Catholic priest assigned to De Queen to translate the proposal for Spanish-speakers.

The resolution says failure to learn English causes social and economic problems. More than two dozen Hispanic residents attended a recent meeting and said the measure wasn't necessary, as did Bob Campbell, a Sevier County native who called the resolution patronizing toward the county's newer residents.