Over the past few years we rejuvenated our aging amenities. The quality and variety of our facilities, and the general beauty we enjoy, is unmatched for the costs we bear.
Yet we have detractors. They pen nasty letters and Facebook posts. They attend public meetings and voice their anger, often in a manner devoid of civility. I try to understand their wishes. I listen for constructive suggestions. I mainly hear they want expenditures to cease, in hopes they can stop paying assessments. Lock the doors of our club houses, restaurants and recreation facilities? Nail boards on the windows and watch them decay? Close golf courses and parks and watch weeds grow? Stop caring for lakes and watch algae and pollution take over?
One can drive in any direction to see what that looks like. Small, sad, dying towns. Declining populations and collapsed property values. Abandoned businesses. Beauty faded into blight.
I don't think the detractors represent the majority. But it can feel like it, particularly if the majority remain silent while the detractors remain vocal.
Our board members bear responsibility. It's reasonable for us to expect from them a vision and strategy that's consistent with our reality, and consistently followed. It's understandable to be distracted by neighboring communities with large community centers. But, in addition to huge private donations, the economic support of such facilities is best served by a large tax base, which Bella Vista will never have.
But look at the assets we do have that Bentonville, Rogers or Springdale will never have. We can focus on the things that make Bella Vista uniquely spectacular. And it's a short drive to neighboring community centers we can all enjoy for a modest fee. We can have our cake and eat it too!
You can help. It's easy to email the board and let them know you don't share the views of the detractors. I'm sure they would also find specific, constructive suggestions to be refreshing.
Ron Stratton
Bella Vista
Editorial on 10/17/2018