I have been told that Benton County Judge Robert Clinard is scheduled to hear Tired Iron of the Ozark’s request for relief from property taxes at 10 a.m., May 16, in the Benton County Quorum Courtroom located on the third floor of the Administration Building, 215 E. Central Ave., in Bentonville.

While I cannot claim to be thoroughly familiar with all the requirements for exemption from county property taxes contained in the state constitution and Arkansas Code 26-3-301, I would certainly urge Judge Clinard to considerthe work of this club and the benefits it brings to the northwest Arkansas region. Property taxes on the club’s show grounds would leave little or nothing of the club members’ dues to pay for the educational services the club continues to provide in our region.

Each year, since coming to northwest Arkansas in 2006, I have photographed spring and fall shows at the club’s show grounds on Taylor Orchard Road between Gentry and Siloam Springs, and each year I’ve witnessed the same thing: Club members, on their own time and at their own expense, teaching anddemonstrating old tractors and farm equipment, saw mills, antique engines and tools, blacksmith work and antique household items.

Never have I seen anyone charge a dime to the hundreds and sometimes thousands of visitors who came out to see the antique machinery and learn about rural life in the region a half century or more ago. The only place money was exchanged was to purchase a hamburger, a drink or a piece of pie - and that was to cover expenses, not to make a profit. I know of no profit or personal benefit to any club member other than the joy of sharing with the public local and regionalhistory.

The club members, again on their own time and at their own expense, take their equipment to other area festivals and events to show and teach thepublic about old farming methods and ways of life which are quickly being forgotten.

A specially-converted hay wagon provides hayrack rides each year, at no charge, during Gentry’s Freedom and Fall Festivals. A new “driver’s education tractor,” with an extra seat and second brake pedal and clutch, gives children the opportunity to safely drive an antique tractor - again, at no charge - this tractor was at the spring show and will be brought to community festivals and other shows as well to give kids this unique experience of a lifetime.

I can remember driving a tractor, riding on hay racks and even stackinghay bales in a hay loft, but our children have never had that experience, nor would they be able to understand anything about past rural farm life if notfor the efforts of organizations like Tired Iron of the Ozarks which bring history to life.

The club provides field trip opportunities for schools at its grounds and takes tractors and equipment out to area schools for demonstrations and educational presentations. This is an organization devoted to preserving history and educating young people - and again, at the risk of being over-redundant, at no charge to those receiving the benefits.

If the Tired Iron of the Ozarks must pay property taxes on its show grounds, then how can museums or libraries be exempt?How can the county fairgrounds, owned by BCFA, Inc., be exempt? There’s more commercial activity at the county fair each year than there’s ever been on the Tired Iron of the Ozarks show grounds.

Tired Iron members are encouraging everyone to attend the above-mentioned hearing and support the club. Non-members who have benefited from the club’s role in the region are being asked to attend and perhaps testify.

I doubt I’ll be able to make it to the hearing because I’ll have a newspaper to get out, but I do hope everyone who can do so will let our county judge know of all the good the Tired Iron club has done for our communities and for our children.

For more information on the club and its property tax woes, call Glenn Smith at 736-2841 or John Burger at 736-5800.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/11/2011