Ramsey Tells Chamber About Road, Highway Money

PRAIRIE GROVE — One of the founding members of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce recently returned to talk about his new position as executive director of the Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council.

J.W. “Bill” Ramsey owned the Crescent store in Prairie Grove for 18 years. He was the Prairie Grove city treasurer in the earliest days of his career and served as a state representative for 18 years.

After leaving the Legislature, Ramsey worked as a legislative consultant for the Associated General Contractors, was president of the Prairie Grove Industrial Development Corp., and most recently was president and CEO of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

He joined “Arkansas Good Roads” in January.

Ramsey addressed the Prairie Grove Chamber at its April luncheon meeting to talk about roads and highway funding.

He said he has logged 12,000 miles on his vehicle since the first of the year, spending lots of time with legislators and traveling to talk about Arkansas Good Roads with groups across the state.

The purpose of Arkansas Good Roads, Ramsey said, is to inform and educate the public on the importance and value of the state’s highway system.

A safe highway system is important for economic development, tourism and statewide mobility, Ramsey told the chamber members.

The organization originally was formed as a part of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. It now is a separate non- profit membership organization. Members pay an annual fee and include companies, organizations, associations and individuals.

Ramsey said the most important tool used by Arkansas Good Roads is its quarterly, full-color magazine. Ramsey handed out copies of the magazine and the latest 24- page issue includes articles about the Arkansas Highway Commission and its new leader, highway construction bonds and the highway department’s new policy for cable median barriers.

He said the organization mails out more than 2,000 copies of each magazine and in addition to members of the Arkansas Good Roads, the magazine also is distributed to mayors, county judges and legislators.

The organization has been involved in several projects to help provide funding for highways. Ramsey talked about two measures approved by voters.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER State legislators David Whitaker, left, and Uvalde Lindsey met recently with Farmington Mayor Ernie Penn and other city staff.