NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Watching Gravette move forward, after being away for the past two years, I am very proud and pleased of the accomplishments that have been awesome. When the new administration took office, I did not know how they would be, but all doubt has been removed.

Walking trails, Old Town Park, swimming pool, sewer system (great savings), general upgrade of facilities citywide and Hiwasse inclusion - Mayor Warren, the city council and city staff are to be commended for their steadfast devotion to the people of the area. As I read the Eagle-Observer, I see a bright future taking place in the Gravette area.

It is good to see the effort and energy that is being expended on behalf of the population of the area. We appreciate it.

Best of luck on all of your endeavors! May they enhance the city of Gravette and instill the population with pride.

Robert Roberson Oxford, N.C.

Editor,

I recently wrote a letter to the editor of three newspapers, telling of the shoddy care that is given to inmates in the jail. My letter was not printed because I sent the letter to three different papers, and apparently if you do that, they won't print your letter. So, I am writing this letter directly to this paper. My cousin was sick, needing care at the jail. I had asked the people that meet you at the jail to please help my cousin. She was in poor shape and she needed medical care. I should have been more specific and said, “She needs to be taken to the hospital.”

They answered with, "If she needs to see a doctor, all she needs to do is ask."

So, I again said she was in bad shape, and I did not want her to die. I was answered with the same thing.

Well, I wrote letters to the judge, called the public defender, asking to get her help, and the only help she was given was a ride to the hospital after she died.

Do not think I am a happy camper with the care my cousin was given.

Charlotte Robinson Siloam Springs

Editor’s note: We are unsure to whom the original letter to the editor was addressed, but this is the first letter submitted to the Westside Eagle Observer. Though we did not receive it, we did note a letter from Robinson published on May 2 by the Siloam Springs Herald-Leader. It is reprinted below:

I have never in my life had to deal with the prison system, until last year, when my cousin was arrested. Unfortunately, she did not have rich relatives, nor is she rich, so she has had to spend 10 months in jail, when she was told by the arresting officer, she would “be out in two days.”

Because she does not have money for an attorney, a worthless, thoughtless public defender was assigned to her case. I have never in my life thought less of the defense system, that theyclaim is beneficial, than I do now. The public defenders will not talk to any family member, will not let us leave a message (as we may find out which worthless lawyer we are speaking to), so we have to write letters, leave notes, whatever, to beg them for help. My cousin is in great need of proper medical attention and she is not getting it at the jail.

Since someone needs to speak up for her and the injustice being done in this case, I will do that. Do not think for a moment that poor people are not misused, neglected or forgotten. Prejudice abounds toward poor people and, unfortunately, much of it comes from the hands ofpeople who are supposed to care. I now think public defenders are people who could not get a job at a nice attorney’s office, so they take a job where they get paid from our taxes.

Charlotte Robinson Siloam Springs

Editor,

The Gravette Wildlife Observation Trail had a successful grand opening Saturday, April 28, and the city would like to thank the citizens and visitors who attended to show their support and have a fun time. It is obvious that Gravette is a great place to live with so many generous individuals and businesses.

Our sincerest thanks go out to the following, whose efforts and contributions made the day a success: Arkansas Department of Parks and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Gravette Gleamers, Bank of Gravett, Teasley Drug, Arvest Bank, Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, R & R Solutions, Farmers’ Supply, Wizard’s Works, The Old Town String Band, the Arkansas Naturals and Strike, Representative Mary Lou Slinkard, Jim Janssen, Lynn Sciumbato, JoeNeal, Tina and Chris Crose, Byron and Tracy Warren, Steve Huckreide, Rhonda Brinkley, Dodie Evans and, last but not least, the Gravette Parks Department employees.

Allyson Ransom,

Organizer, City of Gravette

Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/09/2012