Fix the streets now
Dear editor:
I would suggest that Hot Springs make some serious street repairs prior to the big eclipse on April 8, 2024, where thousands of people are expected.
The downtown area and prior and beyond on Highway 7 is one big disaster. Not a good picture for the eclipse people.
A friend, who is a traveling reporter, once said "If I go to a town/city that has bad streets, I will never go back."
So get busy Hot Springs -- don't worry about the cellphone and internet service -- fix the streets.
Nancy Lee Long
Hot Springs Village
Hot Springs is a 'mess'
Dear editor:
I recently saw our mayor's reelection slogan "continue the progress."
Huh, what progress?
Egregiously high water bills, $37 million under-budgeted not-needed waterline, broken and decayed streets that evidently only get repaired by higher taxes and only at election time.
Our police department pays less than Malvern PD, and the highest-paid city executives in the state.
I know people that have to choose between prescription drugs and paying their water bill each month.
This is the arrogance of the "good ol' boy" system.
We the people need to elect someone else as mayor dedicated to solve these problems our mayor calls progress.
On Election Day throw him out and elect someone to "clean up the mess."
Beth Scaife
Hot Springs
Irresponsible spending
Dear editor:
The last month leading up to school, a lot of stores I went into asked me to donate money. Which isn't out of the norm. Always some charity they are collecting for. But what they were asking for this time annoyed me.
What, you ask? They were asking for donations to buy books for schools in our county and other counties in Arkansas for the school libraries. Now you ask why would this upset you or anyone?
Well, it's the fact when I drive by these schools and see the tax money and other moneys wasted on sports facilities, that makes me mad.
It's not my job or the job of my tax money to make sure little Johnny gets to play in million-dollar high school stadiums. If the parents want this, they should flip the bill for all sports.
This money should have gone to libraries to buy books. Not having cashiers at a local business begging me to donate. Computer labs, anything for education!
This is irresponsible spending of money by schools. School is for learning. Not grooming children who have less than a 1% of having a college sports career, let alone going pro. This has to stop. Unless parents in Arkansas like their kids stupid like them.
Ron Swanson
Hot Springs