Dear editor:
During the Nov. 22 city board meeting, the incoming chamber chairman made totally inaccurate statements that need correcting. He stated, "Everything they have supported has been defeated soundly time and time again." Factually, there are no such defeats. Corrections follow:
GGGG sponsored successful referendum petition allowing public to vote on taxes for new City Hall.
GGGG successfully reported true crime rates for Hot Springs.
GGGG sponsored successful Public Safety Appreciation Day with law enforcement and fire departments from city, county, state and federal participating.
GGGG sponsored successful referendum petition drive removing city director from office.
GGGG successfully hosted numerous foreign visitors in conjunction with the U.S. State Department. Visitors were from Nicaragua, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.; http://www.GGGGNew.com.
GGGG successfully led effort to stop the city's wasteful spending for water treatment plant on south Lake Hamilton that the state consistently stated would never be approved.
GGGG successfully led effort requiring the election commission to open proper number of polling locations.
GGGG successfully provided recognition and awards to Public Servant of the Year, Citizens of the Year, Law Enforcement Agency of the Year, etc.
GGGG successfully defeated tax proposal with no sunset to fund fire stations, city radio system, construction of new jail, wage increases, etc.
GGGG successfully led effort to fund new jail with properly structured tax that would sunset. Tax has now sunseted and we have the new jail.
GGGG successfully provided update on crime rates for Hot Springs (e.g., 2010 New York Times Almanac listed Hot Springs with country's "highest crime rate," Page 321).
GGGG successfully sued city for violating state FOIA laws.
GGGG sponsored successful initiative petition drive to overturn city board vote approving spending $3.86 million for engineering and design to build water treatment plant and 20-mile pipeline in Hot Spring County.
GGGG sponsored successful referendum petition drive to overturn city board vote to annex Enclave B. The city refused to accept petitions because they claim they were turned in one day late, although state law provides 30 days more than the city ordinance (i.e., city contends city law trumps state law). GGGG sponsored lawsuit on this issue which is pending at Arkansas Supreme Court.
GGGG sponsored numerous successful candidate forums and debates allowing voters to meet and ask questions of candidates irrespective of party affiliations.
GGGG successfully sponsored various information forums and presentations from the State Ethics Commission, judges, senators, representatives, superintendents, city managers, police chiefs, fire chiefs, etc.
The GGGG attended the last board meeting repeating what we always say, "Let the people vote." We will continue this message until the city has a board that allows their citizens to have a voice and a vote in matters that concern them. We only ask that our chamber and others learn the true facts before spouting slanderous falsehoods. In fact, many have asked if this is really a chamber's job, to be so divisive and political.
Bob Driggers
Hot Springs
Editorial on 12/07/2016