LETTERS EDITOR TO THE

We are so lucky

We recently had an extensive tour of Cherokee Village, the very first Cooper Community. By comparison, we here in Bella Vista are so very lucky. At Cherokee Village, the roads are in disrepair, the recreation center is small and dated, dues are doubling (without the opportunity to vote on them), there are only two golf courses, the nearest hospital is an hour away, shopping other than Walmart is an hour away, the nearest airport is three hours away, and the population is stagnant and aging.

Despite our many challenges, we should feel blessed to have all that is available to us. Stu and Debbie Sorensen Bella Vista

Numbers should matter

In the Aug. 8 POA report on its survey to gauge interest and support for the construction of a new 12 to 14 million dollar community center, you could draw the conclusion that over 62 percent of the community supports this idea. If you take a closer look at the numbers, you might be surprised by what you find.

The POA states it sent email surveys to approximately 19,000 email addresses it had in its dadatabase This would represent roughly 62 percent of Bella Vista’s total population of 30,078. Of these emails, 2,564 responses were received, representing a return rate of 13 percent, which the POA deems to be an average return rate. However, 2,564 responses represents only 8.5 percent of our total population. The POA data also indicates 2,521 responses were from actual property owners, 8.4 percent of the total population, and only 1,821 responded to question #5 regarding the respondents willingness to support the idea.

Have I bored you yet? Just hang in there. Now, of these, 1,821 responses 62.34 percent or 1,135 support the idea. So the bottom line on this is the survey, while well intentioned, represents the interest of only 3.8 percent of our total population.

I would hope this is not seen as a mandate to pursue this project. The POA seems to do a good job at seeking input on questions such as this and recently on the golf courses, but something is lacking in its application of the feedback they receive. Want some more numbers … sure you do. As of the June 30 financial statements available on line, the POA has cash reserves of -$340,100, yes that’s a negative $340,100.

Should we really be pursuing a 12 to 14 million dollar project with no cash reserves? Numbers can inform, but they can also be used to mislead.

Mike DeShon Bella Vista

It’s time to move forward and build it

Bella Vista is by every definition an amenities community. In fact, most of the residents living here are not life-long Arkansans but, rather, specifically moved here to enjoy the amenities. Some, admittedly, chose to live in Bella Vista because they work in the area and preferred Bella Vista over Rogers, Bentonville or Centerton, and that is just fine.

Our new POA administration, headed by Tom Judson, recognizing the fact that our community which only a few years ago was primarily a “retirement community” now includes younger POA members, has recommended that we replace our outdated and inadequate Riordan Hall pool complex with a beautiful multi-functional community center. This new center could offer a childcare area allowing residents with children to drop their kids off for an hour or so while the parents use the fitness center. The basketball gym would be a terrific addition for all ages. And an indoor walking or running track would be a great addition, not to mention the lap pool, and the fun families could have with a large indoor pool including a slide and lazy river. Personally, I would like to see us add an additional story to the facility for card rooms, billiards and table tennis, but I’m certain whatever we end up with will be a hundred times better than Riordan Hall.

Last week, we saw the same old tired and gloomy letters to the editor from the small minds with no vision. To them, I say, “If you want to live in a rundown, dowdy old town or city, pack your bags. There are plenty of them (communities) out there to choose from.”

Before Tom Judson and his new administration got here, Bella Vista was looking extremely dated. It is incredible how many improvements have happened under this new leadership, and I suspect the best is yet to come. A few whiners will complain about raising our assessments a few dollars a month, but if we were a Del Webb community we would be paying dues of $175 to $250 (maybe more) per month for what we have here in Bella Vista. No one from our administration or POA board is suggesting an assessment anywhere near that. This is an amenities community for budget-minded middle America and, with our new community center, we will

be right where we need to be — a very reasonably priced, vibrant and active community where anyone in his or her right mind (except maybe the filthy rich) would love to be.

It’s time to ignore the negative voices and come together to make this an even better place to live.

Ralph Patterson Bella Vista