The Weekly Vista

News

Community hears about assessment options Although the monthly Questions and Coffee meetings seldom draw a crowd, on Tuesday morning about 40 POA members met at Metfield with POA general manager Tom Judson. Golf maintenance director Keith Ihms was also present, but the 90-minute meeting -- including questions from the audience -- focused only on the coming election to approve an assessment increase. by Lynn Atkins

City council discusses legal help for bond election The Bella Vista City Council discussed a resolution to hire legal counsel for next year's proposed sales tax and capital improvement bond election during its Monday, Sept. 16, regular meeting. by Keith Bryant

Final costs to clean up golf courses could reach $100,000 On Wednesday, the Joint Advisory Committee on Golf heard from maintenance director Keith Ihms about the damage done by the Aug. 26 storm. The final cost to clean up the golf courses may reach $100,000, he said. by Lynn Atkins

Instruments in search of musicians The Bella Vista Community Band has the instruments, but they need the musicians. by Lynn Atkins

Boys & Girls Club provides activities for children The unit director of Bella Vista Unit of the Boys & Girls Club is a former "club kid" and so is most of his part-time staff. In fact, when he was a part-time staff member, some of his current staff were the club kids he supervised. For David Nicholson, the Boys & Girls Club is family. by Lynn Atkins

Cooper Elementary sees new faces in 2019 When school began at Cooper Elementary in August, there were a lot of new faces in the halls. More than 150 students were added to the school, along with five new classroom teachers and several aides and paraprofessionals. by Lynn Atkins

One tournament; two holes-in-one When Alex Sanford, golf pro at the Highlands Course, heard about last Thursday's high school tournaments, he thought his staff was playing a prank on him. He was helping out at a different tournament during the afternoon and heard the news when he returned to the Highlands. by Lynn Atkins

Annual NW Arkansas Preparedness Fair set BENTONVILLE -- The annual Northwest Arkansas Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 1101 McCollum Drive in Bentonville. by Staff Report

Community

Library Days Closed in September The Bella Vista Library will close for a few days in September to allow for work on the current expansion project to continue safely. by Cassi Lapp

Perfect Harmony Women's Barbershop Chorus celebrates 20 years For 20 years, Perfect Harmony Women's Barbershop Chorus has been making beautiful music. The group will celebrate with a free concert and reception at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Highland Christian Church, Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista. The members invite everyone, especially their families, friends, former members and potential new members to attend the event. by Staff Report

Library News Expand the Library by Bella Vista Library Staff

Club News NAGS by Staff Report

Meetings City by Staff Report

Cards and Games Monday St. Bernard Double Deck Pinochle -- Second by Staff Report

Mark Your Calendar Sept. 19-21 by Staff Report

Historical Museum News Music Program September 29 by Xyta Lucas, president BV Historical Society

Opinion

OPINION: Does state need a special session on e-cigarettes? Is it "alarmist rhetoric" to say we need a special session for e-cigarette usage in Arkansas? Some will say yes others no, and more might just not care. by Maylon T. Rice Columnist

OPINION: On being elite The word "elite" is apparently a derogatory term now, if one is to take seriously the comments from various pundits. Being "elite" used to be something to which we aspired, as it is defined as something "superior in quality, rank, or skill" according to Merriam-Webster's dictionary. Now, as populism seems to be taking over this country, it is used to designate one as an over-educated, liberal, arrogant snob with little empathy for those who have not achieved the same level of status. Sounds more like sour grapes to me. by Devin Houston Write On

LETTER: It's time for assessment increase It is time for an assessment increase for Bella Vista. Just a few short years ago, our facilities and amenities were falling into disrepair. If the leadership of the POA had not changed, I am not sure where we would be today. Yes, money was spent and it was to the benefit of all of us. by Janet "Jan" Dobbertin Bella Vista

LETTER A vote for the plan As a Bella Vista resident who has lived here, moved away out-of-state and then moved back, I think I have a pretty good idea of the challenges that have faced our community over the past several years. I also believe I have more appreciation for this wonderful place than many who may simply have forgotten how great it is here or who perhaps have taken Bella Vista for granted. by Marshall McCall

LETTER: Congrats to POA for 2020 plan Dear Editor, by George and Carrol Hildre

LETTER: Proposed assessment winner for all! We are excited for the proposed assessment plan for 2020 and feel this is a winner for all. I hear people say they do not use the amenities here in Bella Vista. Not only are there so many different amenities, but the beauty and surrounding area are part of the amenities too. If you walk, swim, work out, golf, shoot, play tennis, play miniature golf, bike ride, have kids who enjoy the playgrounds, etc., these are all included. Also, Blowing Springs offers beauty, nature trails, an arboretum and a great RV park and camping area. Tanyard creek offers a wonderful walking trail. Even looking at the flowers surrounding the area at Riordan. Every amenity in Bella Vista costs money to maintain. by Stuart and Debbie Sorensen Bella Vista

OPINION: Mirrors and windows Dr. Phil, the famous TV psychiatrist, is known for asking his clients, "How's that been working for you?" Of course, this question assumes the person is self-aware; that they realize their bad behavior is ruining their life. But for some reason they continue down the same path, hurting themselves and their loved ones. His question becomes a family crisis intervention. by Ron Wood

LETTER: Do we need two forms of government? Something is bothering me that I would bet a lot of citizens of Bella Vista are thinking about. The POA is once again asking for a raise in the POA dues. First off, I have to think to myself and ask these questions. "What has the POA done for me?" and "Exactly how much money is brought in to the POA for dues each and every month now?" by Michael Holmquest Bella Vista

Religion

OPINION: It will take years to undo culture of violence Every time there is a mass shooting, a cry goes out from people all over the United States to limit the ownership and use of lethal weapons. Mass shootings in California and Texas have prompted our president to suggest that we need better background checks and to somehow limit people with mental disorders from owning and acquiring guns. Those are good ideas, but has anyone checked lately to see how many of the shooters were mentally incompetent or who would have been identified through a better background check? The answers are shocking. These shooters did not have any problem obtaining a weapon and were mentally competent. They knew precisely what they were going to do and exactly how to do it. by Robert Box Columnist

Church News Village Bible Church by Staff Report

RELIGION: God uses means to grant us forgiveness "And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain." Mark 7:32-35 by Randy Moll

OPINION: It's legal; is it right? Some time ago, the Bella Vista Police Department held a community meeting on church safety in one of our churches and several hundred people attended. This was in response to the number of "active shooter" situations in churches across our country. I thought the presenters did a pretty good job for that particular time, although there are much better presentations available now. I was discouraged with the response from those in attendance. One attendee reflected the thoughts of many others when he suggested that, under the circumstances, perhaps the best way to prevent a tragedy in our churches is for everyone to obtain a concealed carry permit. by Robert Box Columnist

Church News Unity Church of the Ozarks by Staff Report