William "Rex" Butler was looking for a constructive way to spend his time when he decided to run for the POA board of directors. He's already a member of the Joint Advisory Committee on Golf, but he's ready to be even more involved. As a single retiree, he believes he has plenty of time to give.
He spent his career as a data analyst working in the oil industry and built a business in Dallas, Texas, and in Perth, Australia. He has been in Bella Vista for five years.
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. This is the second in a series of three sets of profiles.
All photos courtesy of the POA.
Although he understands that there is still more he has to learn about the POA and its amenities, he believes that the golf courses need to be run as a business. He would like to help make Bella Vista a golf destination. But he doesn't believe the city can market or maintain the courses the way the POA can.
"I believe our golf courses are our largest asset and potential revenue generator and should be self-supporting financially," he said.
Butler knows that there will be some members who don't like to see nonmembers using the courses, but they will have to adjust. They still get a good deal on golf, he said.
Butler said he's also prepared for complaints from older members if more attention is spent on amenities that are popular with younger members.
"There's such a disparity between the two groups," he said, adding that there are fewer residents who can be called middle aged. "We have to cater more to the younger crowd."
If improving amenities requires an assessment increase, he's ready for that. There's probably no other way to maintain the assets the POA must manage. When he lived in the Dallas area, he paid a higher monthly fee to maintain the entrance to his subdivision. Bella Vista residents get more for their money, he said.
General News on 03/21/2018