LETTERS EDITOR TO THE

Observations and questions

The Jan. 17 edition of the Weekly Vista included an article in which the director of golf operations complained people are slipping onto golf courses without paying greens fees, particularly during shotgun starts. His answer is to implement a new system in which each golfer will be issued a colorcoded and timestamped tag. He claims this tagging system will allow the play managers to identify the culprits who have snuck in “at a glance.” Additionally, the time stamp will assist the play managers in maintaining the “pace of play.” I offer a few observations and questions regarding the extent of the problem and his proposed solution. First, the observations — Golfers with tee times are required to check in with the starter before beginning play. Unless a threesome is picking up a fourth on the second tee, out of sight to the starter, it would be difficult for a golfer to get on the course without paying the greens fee. Therefore, the majority of the unpaid play must be occurring during shotguns.

While timestamps may be useful during tee times, timestamps would be of no use during a shotgun, since everyone starts at the same time — 0800, 1100, etc.

The courses have not had regular play managers for several years due to budget cuts and staffing reductions. Unfortunately, four-and-a-half to five-plus-hour rounds are becoming commonplace, particularly during shotguns. Play managers have been replaced with placards in the carts reminding everyone to maintain the “pace of play,” with the goal of a four-hour round. Now, the questions — How much revenue is being lost annually because of unpaid greens fees? And how much will be recovered by the new system?

During an average shotgun start, what percentage of players have annuals and what percentage pay cash?

What is the cost of the equipment and supplies for the new color-coded and timestamped tagging system?

What are the color codes, and what do they represent?

What is the benefit of a timestamp during a shotgun start since all golfers start at the same time?

How many play managers are to be hired and at what courses will they be assigned? When will they provide coverage, and how much will be spent on additional salaries?

Finally, will the revenue recovered pay for the tagging system and the new play managers?

Over the past couple of years, there have been numerous changes to golf in Bella Vista (new rules and regulations, course closings, new greens that cannot tolerate cold weather, new traps, loss of play managers), many of which have done little to enhance the golfing experience. Will this new tagging system improve the golfing experience in Bella Vista, and will it pay for itself? Bill King Bella Vista

DACA and Immigration, Pt. II

Here’s a fictional story to address the ideas in a letter on DACA and immigration in which the writer claimed it was “our fault” for allowing immigrants to illegally cross into our country, therefore we simply need to give them citizenship.

A man broke into my home the other night, ate my food and slept in my bedroom. He knew it was wrong, but his home and bedroom were not as nice, so he broke in any way. He also brought his 10-yearold daughter, not wanting to leave her behind and wanting her to have a better home and bed as well. The police came and caught them.

It was decided that the girl was innocent and only there because her dad brought her. Because his daughter needed him, the man couldn’t be sent to jail. Further, my neighbors took a vote and decided it was my fault for not having more security, so I have to let them stay in my house, feed them, give them medical care and pay for her school. Because he successfully invaded my home, he is now also entitled to get a driver’s license, job training and protection from jail while our politicians fight for him to be given the right to vote on what I do with my home and money. Meanwhile, he’s sent for his wife, parents, siblings and grandparents, who now get to stay in my home as well.

If you think this is all wrong, then you see how I feel about DACA. Glenn Smith Bella Vista

Feeling left out

Have you seen the new free, great copy of the Bella Vista City Guide magazine powered by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and written by Dave Woods and staff of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette?

It includes great articles: BV Trails, BV School, BV Real Estate, BV Memorial Chapel, BV Animal Shelter, BV Historical Museum, BV Fire and Police Departments, and comments by

our BV mayor and BV POA manager.

Shame-shame, not one single word about BV veterans or veteran organizations such as the American Legion Post 341, whose headquarters have been in Bella Vista for more than 40

years, or the new Veterans Memorial — Veterans Wall of Honor — completed in 2004 at a cost of over $700,000. The wall was built with contributions from the state of Arkansas and over 70 individuals and organizations, plus the 4,848 veterans and friends of veterans who purchased honoree granite bricks which are the prime reason for the memorial. The mission was to honor

all veterans from all conflicts of war from 1776 to present. Unlike many monuments, this memorial is probably the only one in the U.S.A. that honors all veterans since 1776. Brochures describing the features of this memorial have been available since 2009 at the Wall and also at the 13 Arkansas Travel Welcome Centers throughout the state. We are honored by that gesture.

The current Veterans Council is made up of 12 volunteer directors who meet monthly. Their purpose is to keep the memorial beautiful. Free tours of the memorial are available.

We felt left out not to be included in this important and beautiful magazine which describes Bella Vista. Leonard Eisert and Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas Bella Vista