BELLA VISTA — Patriots say "thank you"

The Bella Vista Patriots take this opportunity to thank the more than 400 people who participated in the Ole Time Camp Meeting and TEA Party held on the Ambassadors for Christ Academy Campus on September 12.

We especially want to recognize the Academy's music and drama students, the fifty men of the Singing Men of Arkansas, the Light Keepers Ministries, the horses and owner of Autumn's ReRide Youth Ranch, the TEA Party speakers, Patriot volunteers, members of my own family and all other performers who did such an excellent job of sending chills through the audience.

You could tell how the crowd was enjoying the music and the speeches by the way they were tapping their feet, waving their hands, and jumping up and shouting, "AMEN."

The TEA Party made their point that they want less taxes, less spending and less government.

The word limit in a Letter to the Editor will not allow us to acknowledge the many individual names of people responsible for making this event such a resounding success, but we must thank the Ambassadors for Christ Academy for being such a gracious host.

Jim Parsons

Chairman

Bella Vista Patriots

Not so fast with

the bond issue

The Sept. 23 Weekly Vista carried an article concerning the water utility.

Not too long ago, it seemed there was some discussion between the city and the Property Owners Association about the possibility of transferring the utility to

the city.

If that is under discussion, and if the POA does not qualify for stimulus money to improve the water situation on the east side, would the city qualify?

If so, why would the POA be trying to spend $10 million on bonds to improve the east-side water before deciding if the city would be taking it over or not?

We are already charged way too much for water when compared to the surrounding area, and this will add approximately $10 to the annual cost to the consumer, according to the report. Why not resolve the ownership question first, and if the city takes it over, perhaps they could get stimulus money to help pay the cost.

In addition, even though bids are coming in so much lower than usual, would it not seem advantageous to get more than one bid? There may be lower ones.

I sure wonder what the board members are thinking when it comes to spending.

Times are tough and getting tougher, but apparently not for the fat cats on our board.

Gerald Kitrush

Bella Vista

Domestic Violence Awareness month

Each year, since 1987, October is proclaimed National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a complex problem with no simple solutions, but there are countless steps we can take in our daily lives to stop an abuser, to support a victim and to save a life.

First, be clear about what not to do:

• Don't assume that domestic violence is a gender-neutral crime. It's not. In the overwhelming majority of cases, men abuse, women are abused; men kill and women are killed.

• Don't assume that someone else is helping an abused woman and her children. Chances are, no one is. Even if someone is, keep in mind there is strength in numbers.

• Don't assume that just because a victim of domestic violence doesn't ask for help doesn't mean she doesn't want or need help.

In a home where threats and violence are a way of life, fear can cripple and paralyze. She may not be able to reach out for help.

• Don't assume that safety and justice for victims of abuse could ever be possible unless and until we all become involved in a coordinated community effort to end domestic violence.

Domestic violence is everyone's business. It affects all of us - every family, every workplace, every community. And each of us has a role to play in stopping domestic violence.

Action can be as simple as making a monetary contribution to a local domestic violence shelter, volunteering time to a program that aids victims of abuse or talking to a child about relationship violence.

Domestic violence is not something that can be regarded as a "private affair" any longer, and only when individuals recognize this fact will violence come to an end.

If you or someone you know is being abused, help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services.

If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence at (800) 269-4668. Web site: www.domesticpeace.com.

Barbara Denson

Bella Vista Contact a state lawmaker

Arkansas Senate

• Kim Hendren, (R), District 9; 1501 Highway 72 Southeast, Gravette, AR 72756; (479) 787-6500 (business), (501) 682-2902 (Senate in session); e-mail hendrenk@arkleg.state.ar.us

• Bill Pritchard, (R), District 35; 19998 Mohawk Drive, Elkins, AR 72727; (479) 442-8611; fax (479) 448-8611

• Cecile Bledsoe (R), District 8, 709 Sky Mountai Drive, rogers 72757; bledsoec@arkleg.state.ar.us

Arkansas House of Representatives

• Jon Woods, (R), District 93; P.O. Box 8082, Springdale, AR 72766; (479) 200-3100; (479) 756-7655 (fax)

• Les Carnine, District 94; P.O. Box 615, Rogers, AR 72757; carninel@arkleg.state.ar.us; (479) 636-2619

• Duncan Baird, District 95; P.O. Box 185, Lowell, AR 72745; (479) 439-1717; bairdd@arkleg.state.ar.us

• Debra Hobbs, Distrct 96; 3901 Arnold Ave., Rogers, AR 72758; (479) 636-3982; dhobbs55@sbcglobal.net

• Jonathan Barnett, District 97; 1980 Highway 412 West, Siloam Springs, AR 72761; (479) 524-6254; jonb@msbarnett.com

• Donna Hutchinson, (R), District 98; 24 Rallington Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714; (479) 876-6011; jutchinsond@arkleg.state.ar.us

• Tim Summers, District 99; 1805 Kimberly Place, Bentonville, AR 72712; (479) 273-0773; summerst@arkleg.state.ar.us

• Mary Slinkard, District 100; 10422 Virden Lane, Gravette, AR 72736; (479) 616-2010; slinkardm@arkleg.state.ar.us

Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/30/2009

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