Dear editor: A money issue

Dear editor:

While the city continues to chant "water-shortage" as their excuse not to allow residential or commercial development in the county, they, at the same time, encourage development within the city limits, even dropping fees as an incentive.

Everyone knows it is impossible to specifically predict the weather in Arkansas, at any time, much less figure if or when a future water shortage could manifest.

I personally believe we need to focus on today's problems, where one such issue is the need for jobs, as pointed out by our county Judge Rick Davis. It is fact, there is much interest in a super Wal-Mart locating at the corner of Pittman Road and Highway 70 west. One such store could provide employment for some 450 people. Now, stop and think about that. You read about people in the paper, who have forged checks, stolen items, burglarized and so on, which cannot be justified, but can be explained, when put in a position, unable to pay regular everyday bills. With the creation of 450 new jobs, many who currently feel helpless, while simply trying to survive, would be given the chance to make it on their own. Families worry about having food on the table and meeting everyday expenses, not a questionable water shortage, in the future.

That is why I have a problem with the city disguising its issue with the county as being one of a water shortage, when it is quite obvious, it is an issue of money. I understand the city's need for revenue, that's a fact of life. But stop and consider the history of the 70 west water district, for which property owners in that area paid for the infrastructure and owned the land for its own water district, with project engineer, Don Beavers. The city convinced them to let that project go by the wayside and have county residents pay the city a water rate of one and one-half times the city's residential water rate, with the city's agreement that they would provide for the 70 west area's water needs. The city was, then, given all of the "paid in full" infrastructure as their own. These facts definitely put a different spin on what is happening, now, where the city has all but put a stop to county development by the withholding of water meters for such, even after raking in much income from county residents for city projects.

No doubt, if that super Wal-Mart had wanted to locate within the city limits, there would be no problem in their receiving all permits desired. And while I am all for the development of the city of Hot Springs, I have always considered Hot Springs to be synonymous with all of Garland County. "All for one, one for all." Until the city sees it that way, as the county being no less than its equal, we shall continue going down the same dead-end road, which profits no one.

Gail Parkerson

Hot Springs

Editorial on 07/31/2014

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