About Town...

January was a roller coaster month for Decatur. Walmart unexpectedly closing for good caught us all off guard. This one announcement has brought uncertainly to our community. I have taken every opportunity to stay in close communication over the past month by using Facebook, Decatur's city website, the Westside Eagle Observer (newspaper) and local television and radio interviews.

We support the many local businesses who added grocery items to their normal product line so all of us could get grocery items at locations that are convenient. There are eight of these stores in Decatur.

I have referenced potential companies that might be interested in selling groceries in Decatur: Harps, Dollar General Market Stores, Fred's, Kroger, Allen's, Aldis, and the list is ever expanding. Last Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to visit a Dollar General Market Store in Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. What a great full-line grocery store with traditional Dollar General items!

I believe strongly that my role as your mayor is to provide strong leadership. My leadership would be found weak if I don't offer ideas to you, to your city council, chamber of commerce and to the Decatur Economic Development Committee.

You can help Decatur right now by making contact with any and all of the grocery companies you would like to see come to Decatur.

I have been meeting with Walmart's real estate division several times per week. I have no specific knowledge of any sale of the now-vacant Walmart store, but I do know that Walmart has received a substantial amount of inquiries about the store. Harps and I have met several times. I have met with management in Dollar General locally, nationally and in Georgia.

I want the best for Decatur. With the loss of Walmart sales tax dollars, which I think will be about $30,000 to $35,000 for the 2016 budget, we need to quickly replace the store with a new one.

We can sit back, do nothing and just hope, or we can join others in Decatur by using computer technology, going to the company of your choice's website and requesting it consider Decatur for its next store location.

Some would say we are not smart enough, rich enough or savvy enough to get a replacement store. I just smile and say, "Watch us go!" Decatur is doing awesome things because we are working together.

In March, I will talk more about a $250,000 highway department grant we are receiving for overlays to our city streets.

To stay connected with local news and events, read the Westside Eagle Observer and check the city's website, www.decaturarkansas.com.

God bless you and may He grant our community a prosperous New Year.

Bob Tharp is the mayor of Decatur and uses this monthly column to keep Decatur residents informed. Tharp may be contacted by email at [email protected].

Editorial on 02/10/2016