"Destination Bella Vista" just rolls off the tongue. To some, it conjures up visions of exotic places seen on Discovery Channel or National Geographic, like European castles, Polynesian Islands or the Taj Mahal. When I think of "Destination Bella Vista," I envision destinations, like Branson, Mo., Ocean City, Md., or Las Vegas. Most of them have one "main drag" through town congested with endless traffic, gawking tourists and cheap souvenir shops. That's not why I relocated to Bella Vista. If I wanted traffic and tourists, I would have stayed in the D.C. area.
It appears that Tom Judson (T.J), the POA Board, and Mayor Christie are in lockstep. Is their "Plan for the Future" to become Branson 2.0? Has T.J. or Mayor Christie asked their constituents if we want to live in a destination city? I've not seen a survey or poll asking for our input. Perhaps they are getting some input from the Walton Family Foundation.
Mr. John Walters from upstate N.Y. recently wrote a letter describing Bella Vista as "quaint" and "friendly" with "smalltown ambiance." However, he's reconsidering plans to retire to Bella Vista. He cites the push for more bike trails, the unbridled spending and "big city push." I cannot blame him if he looks elsewhere. How many others are reconsidering their plans?
T.J.'s "Plan for the Future" describes benefits of the new Community Center and Berksdale South. The Community Center projected costs are $14 million, and Berksdale South, "costs unknown." We know the amphitheater, arboretum, nature center, sculpture garden, kayak/tubing facilities ... will not be cheap. No matter, we'll be the envy of NWA, perhaps the nation. We'll have every color under the rainbow to make us a true destination, the "Redway," the "Blueway," and the "Razorback Greenway." My heart swells with civic pride thinking about the possibilities.
This year has been very dry and Little Sugar Creek is really low. Does T.J. plan to construct a "low-water dam" to ensure constant water levels for the "Blueway Trail?" Who wants to go tubing only to bump their butt on the rocks with the current water levels? However, if he builds a dam, the folks who just forced the demolition of the Lake Bella Vista dam won't be happy.
In the "Bella Vista by the Numbers" section of the Plan, T.J. claims 62 percent of residents favor the Community Center. Actually, it was 62 percent of survey respondents (1,097) favoring the Center. At best, this error is a poor job of drafting the text of the Plan, or at worst it's a bold-faced lie attempting to influence POA members by distorting statistics -- hence "lies, damn lies, and statistics." Did anyone proofread it?
T.J. and Mayor Christie, please ask Bella Vistans if they want to live in a destination city before you ink another deal. Don't commit us to decades of outside influence until you do.
Thank you for your time.
Bill King
Bella Vista
Editorial on 10/17/2018