BELLA VISTA — Give the water to the City

With the confirmation from the City of Bella Vista by letter of Aug. 25, from Mayor Frank Anderson to Tommy Bailey general manager of the Property Owner’s Association that the City is interested in the transfer of the water utility to the City, the POA needs to immediately proceed with providing relevant information concerning water to them, and get the water utility under their control and supervision as soon as possible.

I would much prefer dealing with the City of Bella Vista regarding water rather than dealing with the POA, because the City is much more open and transparent regarding its activities as opposed to the secretive, closed manner in which the POA operates.

For example, how many POA members knew that the POA Board was going to be presented with a proposed water-bond issue prior to the September POA Board meeting?

I closely follow POA activities, serve on the Recreation JAC and attend POA Board committee meetings and Board meetings, and I had no idea that this water-bond issue was being considered.

Transfer the water utility to the City of Bella Vista and let a more effective, appropriate governing body manage this asset.

Charlie Teal Bella Vista Some insight into health care

I'm an AARP volunteer. Over the years I've grown to trust AARP. So when special interest groups started to scare me and other seniors with horrible things that would supposedly happen to my Medicare if health care reform passed, it touched a nerve.

People need to hear thegood things that will happen when we pass real reform. For people in Medicare, health care reform will close the Medicare Part D "donut hole," protect your choice of doctor, keep your premiums fair, hold down your health care and prescription drug costs, eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, and improve the care you receive.

None of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.

As you can see, those who say that health care reform will hurt Medicare are just plain wrong.

If we do nothing, more and more people will fall into the doughnut hole, fewer doctors will treat Medicare patients and wasteful spending would continue to threaten the financial security of the program. Don't be fooled by these scare tactics.

AARP has created a Web site to help you find out the facts about health care reform - HealthActionNow.org to. Wally Sheldon Bella Vista AARP Member Thank you from the submariners

On behalf of the USS Snook Base, of the United States Submarine veterans, I would like to thank all those who donated to the decommissioning ceremony of the World War II submarine veterans Diamond Chapter of Arkansas.

Without your donations, we could not have honored these WWII submariners, their widows and families in the fine manner in which we did.

While I would like to list all the donors here, the list is just too long. You know who you are.

Your thank you can best be described by the widow who came up to me after the ceremony with tears in her eyes and said “thank you forremembering and honoring my husband.” Pete Rathmell USS Snook Base Commander A vision to keep

Once upon a long time ago there was a sleepy little village of “beautiful views” - Bella Vista. For some of us it was many years ago. For others it was closer in time.

It is now a city of beautiful views and, of necessity, busier days. A city requires funds to support its needs and with growth comes enterprise to supply the funds.

Paul Harvey used to remind us: “Not everything called progress is progress!”

History and beauty are often paved over, sometimes only leaving a plaque displayed to remind us what once was there. Older people remember and newspapers, yellowed with age, tell a story if you can find them.

But then, occasionally, there is a man or woman who appreciates a place before it disappears in the name of progress. Such a man was Dr. Compton, who saved the Buffalo River from large dams that would have forever flooded that paradise.

In Bella Vista, our own paradise is the Tanyard Creek Nature Trail.

No, it isn’t the size of the Buffalo National River, but such beauty abides, designed by Mother Nature.

For 20 years people, volunteering have given of their time, their energy, their appreciation, their love and understanding of all that nature gives to the body and soul of those drawn to her bosom.

Yes, there’s a clear area with walking a trail for those who simply want exercise. But these simple natural trails wander through woods, past waterways, an old cave, a wall of rock, trickling water splashing over stones, placid ponds, foundation stonesof an early farm house. Wild flowers, bushes and trees mark the seasons, as do fish in the streams, birds nesting or passing through and animals, or signs of them. Over and around it all is a canopy of trees and a ceiling of blue sky or cloud formations. But, best of all, it is a place of peace and serenity away from our ever busier world.

Oh! Did you just see the Great Blue heron catch a fish near the rapids? And where will you find this Bella Vista paradise? Only minutes away, west of Town Center.

The volunteers have become discouraged and quit. Progress has reared its head.

After hours, days and years we must not let our tiny piece of history fail before our eyes, for it has an interesting story to tell.

When it is gone or changed in any way, we can only remember what was ours in the yesterday, and give thanks to all the volunteers for caring.

Ann Young Bella Vista Obama turns to the four Stooges

With growing national concern over Afghanistan, President Barack Obama meets with his top national security advisors. Included at the round table are Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and, of course, the always snub Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Larry, Moe and Curly is the best way to describe this band of nitwits that can’t muster up a single day of military experience among all of them, including the President.

After receiving a formal request for 40,000 additional ground troops from General Stanley McCrystal, the President remains undecided. Meanwhile, the Stooges are showing great skepticism over the general’srequest.

Pelosi said the American people are not behind the war in the poles. Sen. Reid said Democrats and Republicans alike will support whatever decision the President makes - Pelosi rolled her eyes at him on live TV.

Biden confiscated Wyle E. Coyote’s ACME Battle Plan and proposes drone strikes and the use of Special Forces to eliminate strongholds. Pelosi and Reid quickly jumped on the back of that wagon.

I am not a military strategist, but I believe that when you fight an air war, targets hide in civilian communities to prevent you from killing them.

While the Stooges poke each other in the eye, the President is trying to figure out who our enemies are.

He asked the obvious question, “Who is the enemy in Afghanistan”? The counsel replies “Al-Qaida.”

Well, that was easy - we go after Al-Qaida. They’ll be the ones who are wearing … they’ll look like everybody over there.

Every time we turn on the tube, we hear about the Taliban blowing up something or killing. What distinguishes them from Al-Qaida? They have the same goal - terrorism.

Here is the dangerous part - President Obama is accepting the Taliban as a part of future government in Afghanistan. Is he trying to represent the Afghanistani people or cater to terrorists? Maybe he can get his hands on the “Bad-Taliban” members list and snuff out those guys - in arrears first.

Gen. McCrystal’s formal request has had this reaction - Pelosi said the general should have used the “line of command.” It’s called “chain-of-command.” Obviously the weakest link. The Pentagon said the same thing, totally downplaying the nature of the request.

Reid said everybody is behind whatever the President decides. He’s jumped ship on us. Biden has his own plan - clueless, we expect it.

The four Stooges are chasing the wrong numbers. This is the defining moment for this administration. From this day forward, it will be known as the era Obama allowed [TBA] service members to unnecessarily make the ultimate sacrifice.

Our troops are calling upon us to help since the government won’t. For many, it will be the last words you hear from them.

If he acts today, the result is several months away. You fill in. Meanwhile, Obama wins a Nobel Peace Prize.

Mike Leimkuhler Bella Vista

Opinion, Pages 6 on 10/21/2009

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