Westside

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Editor,

Mayors of Bentonville, Centerton, Gravette and Sulphur Springs, this month the Bella Vista City Council will present their second reading of their proposal to annex the community of Hiwasse. It is very obvious that the residents of Hiwasse are vehemently opposed to this idea. Hiwasse is basically an agricultural/rural community; the city of Bella Vista is historically a retirement/recreational village. The two communities’ demographics, culture and lifestyles are completely adverse to one another. Any future city ordinances imposed would probably be unacceptable to either one orboth parties. If annexation must take place, one of your cities would be a more compatible host.

The residents of Hiwasse are totally defenseless to stop this assault on their land. Most of the people of Hiwasse are busy working their farms, owners or employees of small businesses, retired or involved in supporting their families. They do not have an adequate organization to resist Bella Vista’s annexation proposal. This is why the Bella Vista Patriots choose to enter the fray. The Bella Vista Patriots do have the experience and influence to support the residents of Hiwasse.

The Bella Vista Patriots make the simple statement: “Without the action and influence of the Bella Vista Patriots, Bella Vista would probably not be a city today.”

Arkansas Code Annotated §14-40-501(B) gives you four mayors the power and authority to object to the annexation proposal. All it takes is for one of you or all of you to file an objection to the current annexation plan and that would place a delay on what has been publicly referred to as a “land grab.”

This would create a “cooling period” to allow time for cooler heads to decide the future destiny of Hiwasse. In the minds of the members of the Bella Vista Patriots, whatever the future plans arefor Hiwasse, those plans should be made by the residents of Hiwasse.

In closing, the Bella Vista Patriots respectfully request that any of you or all of you come to the aid of those who cannot help themselves. We are notasking that the annexation question be abandoned permanently, but we are suggesting that this is just not the appropriate time to make an irrevocable decision.

Please keep us informed of your decisionin this matter. If we can provide any further information or assistance, please let us know. Thank you for all the service that you provide for all of us.

Jim Parsons, Chairman Bella Vista Patriots

Opinion, Pages 5 on 11/30/2011