Eagle Observer LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

— Editor,

Concerning the letters about the proposed grant-funded nature area, I love it! It’s a healthy debate on a great project and it’s good to hear people voice their opinions on public issues.

Whether the city applies for the grant or not is not a personal issue to me. My grandkids have ponds to fish in and creeks to play in at our farm. It's the other kiddos that don't have these opportunities that I am working for. From a business perspective, if someone offered to give me up to $100,000 to improve a piece a land that I already own; and I would reap economic and quality-of-life benefits from those improvements from now on, as would my neighbors, and the foreseen future costs to me would be very low maintenance, including mowing and possible flood and downed-tree clean up, would I be interested? In a New York minute! I dare to say any other business person in Gentry would answer the same way.

In regard to William Otis, the hoodwinker, I can understand, in extreme situations, the need for an alias if someone’s job or personal being could be harmed or threatened. But that was not the explanation in last week’s paper. It was basically because it could embarrass his family and friends. To that I reply with a line from a VanZant song, "Better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you’re not." Come on, William Otis, the Hoodwinker, step out in the sunshine. It’s warmer out here!

My friend Amos Carver wrote a long letter and I agree with some of his opinions. But in the end, if Gentry does or does not apply for this grant, it will not change Amos’ or anyone’s Social Security entitlement. Someone will get the money from this grant being offered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. I prefer it be Gentry so our citizens and visitors will have this facility where families can find a safe and peaceful place and enjoy nature and wildlife at no charge. When visitors visit Gentry, they will spend money that will help our local businesses, our city’s sales tax revenue and Gentry’s overall economy.

All three letters published last week mentioned that there will be some maintenance work in the future. I agree. This has been discussed several times. Themaintenance involved here would include some cleaning up and mowing. Several folks have already volunteered to help with these efforts because they believe in the project, and I believe several more will come forward and help occasionally. I also believe there are some foundation grants that will help the city with expenses when they see what a jewel this project is, when they see children fishing on the banks of the pond or bird watching under the trees or catching crawdads in the creek, when they see families enjoying the peace and safety of the area while having a picnic, and when they see how it improves the quality of life of Gentry residents and visitors.

These ponds are not just beaver dams. The property was first used as a water reservoir for the city of Gentry. A professional engineer will be selected by the city council to assess the ponds and make his recommendations for enlarging and dredging the ponds before one scoop of dirt is moved. We also recognize that our law enforcement presence will be needed periodically to patrol the property. Mike Jones, captain of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, said he and the sheriff supported the new city project and would gladly provide the service of patrolling the area.

There were some comments at the last city council meeting about the individuals that have put a lot of time and work in getting this project to this point. That’s too bad. The project is one everyone in Gentry can take advantage of and enjoy. I hope Gentry and its citizens will move forward and not allow what we can’t do to keep us from doing what we can. I also hope those who are working on this will not get discouraged by those who have done nothing to help but continue to throw darts at it.

One of my favorite people in the world, my husband’s Aunt Jac Saunders of Tulsa, Okla., has a saying, “Build it and they will come and if you add water.”

Gentry doesn’t even have to add the water, it’s already there. We just have to clean it up and develop it. Anyone who would be interested in helping in any capacity can contact me at the chamber office, 736-2358. Because I’m part-time, please leave a message and I’ll get back with you.

Bev Saunders Gentry Chamber of Commerce Director

Opinion, Pages 8 on 02/16/2011