GRAVETTE — Six-thirty-eight p.m. last Thursday, March 29, 2012, was a historic moment for the city of Gravette and the community of Hiwasse as they joined in a massive spirit of cooperation.
Following a public hearing that preceded the special meeting of the Gravette City Council that evening, the Council unanimously accepted Hiwasse and a connecting link of properties between the two to become a unified community.
The action followed five months of uncertainty for Hiwassians after the city of Bella Vista proposed a public vote to annex Hiwasse, and also two other parcels along Highway 71.
The action took many Hiwasse residents by surprise until an article appeared in the Nov. 16 issue of the Westside Eagle Observer explaining the proposal, and opposition to the plan began to coalize. Soon afterwards, a Hiwasse Community Association was formed to discuss citizens’ concerns.
Petition Circulated.
On Jan. 10 about 100 residents attended a meeting at the Hiwasse Baptist Church, where several options were discussed to thwart the election plan: 1) to lobby the Bella Vista Council to oppose the third reading of an ordinance authorizing the election; 2) for Hiwasse to seek incorporationas an independent city, a move that it appeared Bella Vista could potentially legally veto; 3) for Hiwasse to voluntarily seek annexation into Gravette. Petitions for that possibility were available for persons to support that proposal. However no formal vote was taken.
By the following Sunday, more than 70 land owners in the affected area had signed the petition. Leon Bertschy was the driving force in seeking signatures. Earlier, the Farm Bureau had expressed support.
County officials and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission provided legal descriptions and maps for the Gravette plan which basically followed the land area Bella Vista was seeking. It also included connection linkage of properties between Hiwasse and Gravette which also required land owners’ signatures.
On January 20, completed petitions and other legal requirements were filed with the county clerk’s office. More than 200 land owners’ signatures had been secured.
At the meeting of the Bella Vista Council Jan. 23, the council voted to proceed with the election process. Bella Vista council member Jim Wozniak was not present for the meeting and the position of alderman J.D. Shrum, who was the victim of a motorcycle accident, had not been filled. May 22 was determined to be the election date.
Gravette Support
Also on Jan. 23, the Gravette City Council voted unanimously, 6-0, supporting the Hiwasse residents in their annexation plan. Until that time, Gravette officials had indicated Gravette would consider the question and agreed that the will of the Hiwasse residents was the most important.
Gravette Mayor Byron Warren and City Attorney Tom Smith researched the procedures such action would involve as well as considering the financial and legal obligations such an action would require.
The question involving Hiwasse annexation was heard before County Judge Bob Clinard Thursday, Feb. 7. A standing-roomonly crowd in the Quorum Court meeting room heard presentations from the Hiwasse petitioners and also from Bryan Vernetti, attorney for the city of Bella Vista. The area involved about 4,000 acres being sought by Bella Vista through election and about 6,000 acres south by Hiwasse petition. This included the connecting link between Gravette and Hiwasse.
Following about two hours, which included an executive session, Judge Clinard ruled “the technical requirements have been met in the Gravette annexation petition.” He also noted that “no one from the area to be annexed or from Gravette spoke against this. This was a factor in my decision. I also think Gravette and Hiwasse are morealike in their thinking with both being more farming and agricultural communities, and that should make this more suitable.”
Opponents of the decision had a 30-day appeal process to the Circuit Court.
Bella Vista Reversal
On March 7, the Bella Vista Council reversed its earlier position and voided the Hiwasse annexation ordinance, opening the way for the Gravette voluntary annexation plan to be considered by the Gravette council.
The Gravette Council met Thursday, March 29, and, after hearing six persons speak during a preceding public meeting, the six-member governing body, on three readings, voted unanimously “that annexation of said property is approved by the City Council of the city of Gravette.”
The ordinance, No. 12-03, will become effective 30 days following its passage.
Almost all of the estimated 80 persons in the audience stood and clapped, and there were a few shouts and hugs as the decision was announced.
Mayor Warren said the 30-day period will give Gravette time to make final plans involving fire and emergency service and police protection for the area, as well as other details which must be worked out.
Many in the crowd stood around visiting and thanking those involved in the way the entire annexation question was resolved.
News, Pages 1 on 04/04/2012