Eagle Observer

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor,

In the June 8 edition of the Westside Eagle in the article Money moved for walks, in reference to the $120,000 line item budgeted for the Main Street railroad crossing Mayor Johnston said, “The city could save the money and wait for additional state or federal money to become available to complete a rail crossing or use the money to build connecting sidewalks everywhere but on the rail crossings.” He said it would “put the city in a better position to receive grant money for the rail crossings.”

First, the $120,000 is based on a contract presented to the council from the K.C.S. Railway in 2010. The contract would be for building pedestrian crossings on both the north side and the south side of the rail crossing at Main Street. The cost would be about $112,000 so the $120,000 would be more than enough for this crossing. If the city wanted to build a crossing on just one side of Main Street, they could conceivably negotiate the contract down to $56,000 and save the extra $64,000 for another crossing or for sidewalks.

Second, the Americans With Disabilities Act is federal law which every government entity must comply with. This legislation makes it necessary to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities by making it illegal for anybody to create barriers to access to any facilities that serve the public. The situation Mayor Johnston is creating violates the intent and the letter of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The city is creating an inviting hazard coaxing people to use a sidewalk that terminates at the railroad. For a person in a wheel chair that leaves you no choice except to enter the traffic lane unprotected to compete with the trucks, cars and buses. It sounds like the message the city is sending to people with disabilities is “we are not going to try to protect you and you just don’t matter.”

Third, violating the law and creating a dangerous situation for persons with disabilities is not going to put the city in a better position to receive grant money but it may put the city in the position that the federal and state government withhold grant money until you clean up that mess. It is the job of government to protect people’s rights to barrierfree access, not to violate them.

That is the other side of the story.

Wes Hogue

Gentry

Dear Senator Hendren,

On behalf of the Gravette city government and Gravette’s residents we would like to thank you for donating an American flag to replace our old one in front of City Hall. Councilman Howard just put up the new one and it looks great. Symbols, like freedoms, can never be taken for granted and we are grateful to you for helping us maintain ours.

Appreciatively

Allyson Ransom

Director of Communications

City of Gravette

On behalf of my family and me, I would like to thank the community of Decatur for the Jumpstart June’s Heart benefit. I couldn’t begin to thank all of you enough for your generosity and donations. I appreciate all of the time and hard work that went into preparing for the benefit and the work at the benefit by community members, Decatur School employees and Decatur churches.

The community’s support during this difficult time in my life is invaluable and cherished beyond words! I cannot express enough the overwhelming feeling of love I felt when I heard about the turnout the night of the benefit!

Each and everyone’s thoughts, prayers, love and support help give me strength each day to face this difficult time. I am truly blessed and lucky to live in such a caring and loving community.

Once again, I would like to thank area businesses, Decatur School employees, Decatur churches and the community for everything you are doing for my family and me.

Thank you all again.

With all my love,

June Walls