LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Fair fees ?
Well, come this Nov. 4 Election Day an interesting election will be held for those electors residing outside the incorporated city limits of Pea Ridge but within the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department service area. You lucky people get to vote to add $ 50 more to your real property tax bill which will be collected by the County Collector at the same time and in the same manner as real property taxes. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it ? But let's see if it is.
First, residents inside the incorporated area of Pea Ridge and on city water service have a $ 2 monthly service fee added to their bill so they will pay $ 24 annually. However, there are some residents inside the incorporated area who have no city water service, so they pay nothing.
Then there are some lucky ones who receive city water service but are in the unincorporated area so they will be privileged to pay $ 24 plus $ 50.
And then there are those living in the unincorporated area without city water service and pay nothing and are the reason why electors living outside city limits get to vote.
So here's the mess if the measure passes. People within incorporated limits not receiving water service that pay nothing will still pay nothing for fire protection service. People within city incorporated limits receiving water service will pay $ 24 for fire protection service. People outside city incorporated limits will pay $ 50 for fire protection service. People outside city incorporated limits who receive city water service will pay $ 74 for fire protection service. And the final difference is since the collector is required to collect fire dues in the same manner as taxes; he will foreclose on delinquent fire protection dues in the unincorporated area but not within the incorporated city limits. Is it fair to have fees for fire protection that range from $ 0 to $ 74 ? And have foreclosure threats against some delinquents and not others ?
Editor's note: Mayor Jackie Crabtree said city water customers who live outside the city limits will NOT be double charged and that a city ordinance providing for city water customers to pay for fire protection will be amended, if necessary. F. JOE HART Pea Ridge, AR 72751 Endorses old book Today I found three more copies of "Shepherd of the Hills "at Rogers' Friendly (used ) Book Store. I love that book and keep loaning copies out. Recently, I introduced some out-of-state friends to the Ozarks. I'll send them a copy of the book, so they better will understand the heritage that I revere. Barbara and I love spending an autumn evening enjoying the Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama.
In 1896, a young minister and writer from New York who was pastoring in Pittsburg, Kan., developed tuberculosis. He left the church and headed into the Ozarks to regain his health. When he reached the rainswollen White River, he sheltered at the homestead of John and Anna Ross on a ridge near Mutton Hollow west of Branson. He enjoyed the Rosses and stayed the summer with them, shepherding their sheep. He returned to their homestead each summer for eight years while he slowly regained his health. Wright was camping in the Ross's cornfield on Inspiration Point in 1902 when the worst drought in Ozark history parched the fields and dried up the streams, causing a series of desperate events. Wright recorded the events, and how the trying times changed peoples lives. His novel "Shepherd Of The Hills"was published in 1907.
The old shepherd's story begins: "This, my story, is a very old story. In the hills of life there are two trails. One lies along the higher sunlit fields where those who journey see afar, and the light lingers even when the sun is down; and one leads to the lower ground, where those who travel, as they go, look always over their shoulders with eyes of dread, and gloomy shadows gather long before the day is done... In life it has all happened many times, in many places before. The two trails lead afar. The story, so very old, is still in the telling."
The book was a great success, selling millions of copies in several languages. It launched Wright's career as a writer and put Branson on the map. When the Missouri-Pacific Railroad completed the White River Line through the Roark Valley, huge numbers of tourists began visiting the Ozarks to see the culture depicted in the book. Students from College Of The Ozarks performed "Shepherd Of The Hills "for the visitors. And in 1960, Old Matt's cabin was restored, and performances began at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead and Outdoor Theater at Inspiration Point.
Wright's novels changed many lives. The sequel novels were less exciting but more meaningful to the Christian life. President Ronald Reagan wrote," Harold Bell Wright set me on a course I've tried to follow even to this day. I shall ever be grateful."
Branson's music shows, Silver Dollar City, and other attractions followed the success of Shepherd of the Hills. When I want to share our Ozark heritage with anyone, my number-one suggestion is read "Shepherd Of The Hills"and then see the outdoor drama. We also recommend The Ozarks Legend and Legacy at IMAX Theater. www. theshepherdofthehills. com. ALLEN MERRITT Rogers, Ark. 72756
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