William Barr

William Barr

William Barr

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

William Barr is already very involved in the POA as the chairman of the Joint Advisory Committee on Golf and is its liaison to the Marketing Committee. Since he's already working with the board, he understands the commitment it takes to be a board member and he's willing to do it.

"I think I'll be good at it," he said.

Nine candidates are running for the POA board of directors. There are four seats open, but one position will last only one year — completing the term of a director who resigned. Ballots are mailed on April 9. Completed ballots must be returned by May 11. Online voting begins April 9 and continues through May 15 at 5 p.m. the day of the annual membership meeting.

Members in good standing, with POA assessment fees current, are eligible to vote. One person per lot can vote but, according to the bylaws each voter can choose four candidates, one for each vacancy. The candidate who comes in fourth will have the short term.

The Weekly Vista will talk to three candidates each week until all nine have been interviewed.

A candidate forum, hosted by the POA, is planned for 6 p.m. on May 20 in Riordan Hall. All photos courtesy of the Bella Vista POA.

Barr's background includes a military career, small business ownership and several years as a fisheries biologist in Minnesota. As a disabled veteran, he was able to retire early and move to Bella Vista.

Barr believes an assessment increase will be needed.

"We haven't had an increase in a long time," he said, "The costs keep going up for everything."

He mentioned cost increases for golf maintenance, including the cost of grass seed and fertilizer.

But he's not ready to attach an amount to the increase. The board will need to decide how much of an increase is necessary, he said.

In the eight years he has lived here, Barr has watched the population change. There are now more young families and they are important too. He believes the board has done a good job of providing amenities -- including the new swim beach -- for the newest demographic.

"We have to serve the whole community," he said, "As members, everyone is equally important."

The POA will have to continue to run the amenities, he said, because the city has no interest in taking them over.

Barr said he's heard the mayor confirm that the city doesn't want the amenities because of the expense involved. The city would not get the monthly assessment fees that help support them.

General News on 03/14/2018