LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A litmus test

Concerning Doug Fowler’s and Mary Green’s letters which were printed April 13, 2022, I congratulate them for being loyal friends to Peter Christie. They insisted he was a good mayor. And I agree and even told Doug Fowler Mr. Christie was a decent man and a good mayor. But Christie now wants to be a state legislator which is a totally different ball game.

State legislators (at least those worth their pay) do not sit at their seat waiting for the bill to come to them. Which is what Christie said he would do with the Metfield/Dollar General controversy. When forced to vote, he told people he would vote for the Metfield Neighbors.

Arkansas legislators are expected to be advocates for their district! They help and support their local groups’ legislative agendas. Legislators are constantly talking for and about their district’s concerns. A state legislator is expected to lobby for their district’s agenda before a vote ever arrives at a legislative committee which happens long before it arrives at the Senate floor.

For me the Metfield/ Dollar General was a litmus test. Two questions would be answered.

First: Would Christie be an advocate for us in Little Rock? I had hoped Mr. Christie would go on record by stating to the press that he supported Metfield Neighbors’ endeavor. He could have helped our cause by aligning with us, but that didn’t happen. He had in the past shared his views concerning taxes before the vote was held by the city council. Why not us?

Second question: Would Christie be willing to vote against the interest of political and financial powers if the majority of Senate District 34 held a different view of the situation. I agree it is hard and sometimes gut-wrenching to cast a vote Walton or Cooper families will not appreciate. Sometimes, legislators become invisible when the debate is being pursued. Yes, when it finally reaches their desk

and they have to cast that vote, they will begrudgingly follow the desires of the district….but they aren’t going to do anything to help the bill get to the floor of the senate. Which seems to be what Mr. Christie did in the Metfield/Dollar General discussion.

Christie moved here in 2010; the issue of Walmart opening in Bella Vista was debated in 2012. If he was involved in stopping that from happening, I apologize but no one remembers him being active.

Mr. Fowler said using the phrase “done deal” was not proper. Three townhouse owners sold their homes because they were told it was a done deal. Others were looking for a realtor, but we convinced them to wait until we could try to stop the rezoning. They no longer felt alone; someone would advocate for them. I

only wish Mr. Christie had been one of those advocates.

Donna Hutchinson Bella Vista

Assessment: The gap will get larger over time

Beginning in August, we will be asked to vote for a $3/month increase in the POA monthly assessment. Although we want to vote “yes,” we will be voting “no,” unless improved and unimproved lots are charged the same assessment amount.

We are aware the POA declaration and “Mr. Cooper” have restrictions which make change difficult, but this difference in assessments must be fixed. Don’t tell us it can’t be done!! Don’t kick the can down the road!

In The Weekly Vista, March 30, 2022, Mr. Judson noted the unimproved lots out number the improved lots and thus an increase on unimproved lots would not pass. Let me guess, “Mr. Cooper” owns a lot of these unimproved lots! He also said, “The Majority of the unimproved lots are owned by investors who have no interest in using or supporting the amenities.” I have heard several residents say they have no interest in using or supporting the amenities either and they must pay the full assessment. There are many unimproved lots bought just for the purpose of using the amenities!

If a property is purchased, the amenities go with it, no matter what you do with the property! There is a property we are aware of on which there is a permanent shelter and a dock. The owners come and use the lake periodically. I wonder what amount they pay? Is it an improved or unimproved lot? And wouldn’t you know, the lot belongs to the Cooper extended family.

If a lot is bought on a golf course or a lake and these amenities go away, the investment would be diminished! If there were no longer trails, tennis courts and swimming pools investments would diminish! The recent enhancements to our amenities have increased lot values.

Thus, we will be voting “no” until this is fixed. We are no longer interested in subsidizing and supporting the investments of unimproved lot owners. The gap will just continue to get larger with time. If unimproved lot members don’t support amenities, why are they considered members at all? It’s a sweet deal for unimproved lot owners, to get others to pay for increasing/maintaining lot values and amenities.

Since the first draft of this letter, we have learned if the $3/month increase doesn’t pass, fees will be increased. Now, the improved lot owners, who enjoy our amenities, are being threatened with higher fees. Either way we vote we will be subsidizing and supporting the property investments of others. If all lot owners paid the same amount, imagine where we would be!!

We urge you to contact POA Board members and ask them to start working to fix this problem now! Then, we can ALL vote “yes” to the future for ALL property owners in Bella Vista!

Ellen and Gary Creakbaum Bella Vista

Successful tree giveaway

The City of Bella Vista had a very successful Spring Tree Giveaway on Thursday, April 14. Special thanks go to the Walton Family Foundation for the grant for the trees and shrubs; The Bella Vista Foundation for administering that grant; and St Bernard’s Church for the use of their parking lot, giving us enough space to be efficient.

We had three types of trees and three types of shrubs and before 9 a.m. we successfully found new homes for all 200.

Thanks also to the volunteers - Community Development staff Kay Curry and Doug Tapp; councilman John Flynn; and the Bella Vista Tree Board members - Graham, Chuck, Cheryl, Nancy and Mike.

We hope to have another giveaway in the fall and hope to see you then.

Linda Lloyd Bella Vista Tree Board member/

volunteer