HIWASSE — After spending more than an hour hearing updates on the proposed annexation of Hiwasse by Bella Vista, looking at maps and discussing the issue, many of the nearly 100 people attending lined up to sign petitions requesting voluntary annexation into Gravette.
The meeting was held Thursday evening at the Hiwasse First Baptist Church.
Larry Kelly, president of the Hiwasse Community Association, which was formed to oppose the Bella Vista plan, outlined work the group has been doing toward thwarting the plan. This includes three possible courses of action, Kelly indicated.
One plan is to lobby the Bella Vista City Council to vote against the third reading of an ordinance which is required to call an election on the question. The council has previously approved the measure on two readings. It also has voted 3-3, with the mayor not voting, on a question to table the ordinance. Four yes votes are requiredfor the measure to proceed.
A second plan would be for Hiwasse to seek incorporation as a city. This idea has not been successful in past attempts.
The third plan would be for Hiwasse to voluntarily seek annexation to become a part of Gravette.
No formal vote was taken on any of the ideas.
Kelly told the group that Gravette Mayor Byron Warren is seeking guidance from that city’s attorney on the annexation question.
By Sunday at noon, following the Thursday night meeting, more than 70 landowners had petitioned to annex into Gravette, according to Leon Bertschy, association member, who along with others continue to seek petition signatures.
Bertschy said when enough land ownersgive approval, help from the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission will formulate maps and legal descriptions, hopefully by the Jan. 23 date the Bella Vista Council is expected to hold its vote on the election ordinance. If that is approved, an election, which will include all voters in Bella Vista, theHiwasse area and residents of two other small areas adjoining Bella Vista, will allow voters to vote separately on the three annexation questions.
Justice of Peace Dan Douglas, who is also president of the Benton County Farm Bureau, said that organization, as well as the State Farm Bureau are opposed to the Bella Vista plan.
“Bella Vista is a lot different from Hiwasse,” Douglas said. Mentioned were agricultural odor problems and stricter Bella Vista code enforcement. “The whole (Bella Vista) idea doesn’t make any sense.”
The Benton County Quorum Court also unanimously approved a resolution opposing Bella Vista’s plan.
John Paul Holloway, a member of the association,echoed the wish for “Hiwasse to remain the way it is” but acknowledged that even if the plan is defeated this time, “it will come up again,” in the future.
Kelly told the group that Jim Parsons, chairman of Bella Vista Patriots, a group opposing that city’s plan, has filed a complaint asking the Arkansas Attorney General to intervene. Kelly noted the support is appreciated but reminded the group “they (and Parsons) are not speaking for the people of Hiwasse.”
Anyone desiring information and those who want to sign the petitions may contact Bertschy at 787-9968. Quick action by mid-week, this week, is necessary because of the Jan. 23 Bella Vista council vote, it was noted.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 01/18/2012