GRAVETTE — U.S. Representative Steve Womack of Rogers, accompanied by Bootsie Ackerman, his district director, visited in Gravette Thursday morning. Among their stops were Gravette’s new Wildlife Walking Trail, the Gravette Historical Museum, the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center and the Gravette Library.

Joining them at the walking trail were Mayor Byron Warren; Michael Finker, president of the Centerton Chamber of Commerce; Bryan Johnson; superintendent of Gravette Schools Richard Page; Ron Teasley; and Allyson Ransom, the city’s communications director.

As they walked along the paved trail, Womack, who is seeking re-election to his second two-year term, admitted, “I’ve never workedas hard in my life” as these two years in Washington.

He admitted frustration with the gridlock that grips our nation’s Capitol. Paraphrasing his comments, he alluded to the fact that the House of Representatives has passed much needed legislation only to see it die in the Senate because the Majority Leader there, Harry Reid, will not bring it to a vote in the Senate chamber.

Mayor Warren provided an update on many of the progressive activities in Gravette during the past two years, including not only the walking trail but also work involved in saving citizens money by finding a less expensive solution to the sewer treatment problem.

Ransom explained how the trail was partially funded through a grant from the Game and Fish Commission and said it is being utilized by old and young alike, including the Senior CitizensCenter and youth groups. She added that when funds become available, it is hoped to extend the trail to other parts of the city.

Museum Visit

Following the trail walk, Womack visited the museum where museum commission member John Lee Mitchael provided a tour of the Kindley home and the new exhibit building. While admiring the exhibits, Womack also looked through class photos of past Gravette graduates in which he identified his neighbor, Mitchael said.

The final stop on the agenda was a visit to the Senior Center, where Womack interacted with the residents, asking questions and answering questions about their concerns.

The visit to Gravette was one of several to area communities in the Third Congressional District, which Womack represents.

Opinion, Pages 7 on 08/15/2012