LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Knock knock

The Bella Vista City election isn’t over.

On Nov. 23, Bella Vista citizens have a very important vote to make.

Bella Vista City Council candidates, James D.

Shrum and Julie Hull will be in a run-off election for alderman.

Election rules say that a candidate must receive 50 percent of the vote plus one additional vote to be elected. Neither Shrum nor Hull did that.

They were in a virtual dead-even heat from the Nov. 2 election.

Dead-even does not mean both are equally qualified to serve.

James D. Shrum brings years of city government management experience to the table. Julie Hull none.

Yes, I understand that Mrs. Hull is a nice person.

Folks this election isn’t a popularity contest based on niceness, gender or age. It is based on experience and vision.

The future of Bella Vista must be in the hands of experienced, qualified alderman.

As your alderman, Mr.

Shrum brings to our city: experience, integrity, and fresh ideas.

Your city’s future is in your hands and James D.

Shrum is the alderman that can. Knock-knock, is anybody home? Vote for James D. Shrum on Nov. 23.

John Blair Bella Vista Who’s responsible?

Isn’t it just so wonderful we have two forms of government in Bella Vista?

Tell me, exactly whodo we get to thank for the new waterfall at Concordia - the Bella Vista Property Owners Association, the city or maybe the planning committee?

Never mind long-term planning - no one seems to be able to do short-term planning.

As one of the gals on “The Golden Girls” used to say, “Picture this,” and would proceed to tell a story.

Did anyone “picture this” water running out and across the street from this waterfall?

Can anyone “picture this” this winter when it is a sheet of ice?

Who designed this waterfall anyway?

I hope we didn’t pay some engineering company in Kansas City or Chicago big bucks to design it, since that is what other cities like to do.

It will be interesting to see who will step up to the plate and take responsibility, and let us know how they plan on fixing this rather poorly designed waterfall that is wasting water, creating an accident waiting to happen during winter months and what it will cost Bella Vista taxpayers.

Phyllis Lafferty Bella Vista

(Editor's note: The waterfall in this letter was constructed using private funds. No city or POA money was used.) Thank you all

Thank you to the people of Bella Vista and surrounding communities for supporting the Country Music Show presented at Riordan Hall on Oct. 29.

Appreciation also goes out to the Bella Vista Arvest banks, Riordan Hall staff and the Bella Vista Animal Shelter volunteers for helping make this a successful evening of entertainment and fun for the audience and musicians.

Vance and Lila Monday Bella Vista Wilms: "Thanks"

A big personal “thank you” to everyone who supported me in my campaign for City Council alderman in Ward 2, Position 1 in the General Election.

I want to wish Jim Wozniak well in his win and know he will be effective as we shared similar goals, but we each offered different experience and knowledge on local government.

I want to thank the Bella Vista golfers for their patience and perseverance with the yellow info flyers - an attempt to inform the electorate about my background and experience in local government. Thanks again for your support!

Larry Wilms Bella Vista More birds this year

In spite of all the hot weather in the summer of 2010 it didn’t seem to bother the Bluebirds as we fledged 1,458 on our monitored trails and you good citizens of Bella Vista called in 349 fledgings for a total of 1,852.

This was a total of 401 more Bluebirds than was fledged in 2009.

In addition to the Bluebirds, we fledged 420 Tree Swallows on ourmonitored trails.

I am happy to report that our population of English Sparrows, a predator to Bluebirds, with the help of Tree Swallows, was way down.

It appears that the Bluebirds with the help of Tree Swallows are keeping the sparrows out of our 432 boxes on the monitored trails.

Thanks to all of you who made these figures possible and keep Bella Vista “The Bluebird capital of the U.S.A.”

Our total of Bluebirds fledged since our beginning in 1980 is 34,034.

Jim Janssen Bella Vista Letters Policy

Opinions are those of the author. Letters to the editor should be on subjects of interest to city residents and property owners. The Weekly Vista gives preference to original letters that have not been previously published, to local writers and subscribers and to subjects pertaining to life in the city.

Letters should be limited to 500 words or less. Longer letters will not be accepted, or will be cut to conform to requirements. The Vista also reserves the right to edit all submissions.

Send letters to: Editor,The Weekly Vista, 313 Town Center West, Bella Vista, AR 72714; or send an e-mail to [email protected].