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| LITTLE ROCK MAYOR MARK STODOLA AND TWO NEW PANHANDLER FRIENDS - MAIN STREET MIKE AND ROOSEVELT ROB. |
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola wanted to reduce the number of panhandlers in Little Rock and so he hired a consulting firm to study how to accomplish that.
The city spent over $500,000.00 in the process and the recommendation by the consulting firm was to hold a contest for the panhandlers that could fly the best signs. Winners would received $1,000 cash and a one-way bus ticket to any destination of their choice.
Once word got out about the contest, hundreds of panhandlers flocked to the city to try and get some easy money and a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize.
"Winner winner chicken dinner" said one panhandler who did not want us to post her photo or name as she spends her lunch hour and days off making extra money panhandling and did not want her employer or neighbors to find out.
Panhandlers took up positions at intersections all over the city trying to raise cash and have a chance winning a prize for their sign. Some even worn costumes to increase their odds of winning.
Others took to the steps of Little Rock City Hall to try and get Mayor Stodola to pick them.
Mayor Stodola and the city gave out over $100,000 in cash and hardly any of the panhandlers that won a cash prize opted for the one-way bus ticket out of town.
The Little Rock Board of Directors will be discussing what to do about the panhandlers that decided to stay in the city and call it home at their next board meeting.
