Trout Capital News, Cotter, Arkansas

Trout Capital News
Cotter, Arkansas

Good things are happening in Cotter; it's a great time to be here!

Number 18

Published by the City of Cotter, Arkansas
Trout Capital News Home Page

March 2002

Rainbow Arch Bridge Closed for Repairs

Gregg Harding, engineer with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, has advised that, weather permitting, work on the Rainbow Arch Bridge should begin in a matter of a few days. As early as Monday, March 4, 2002, the bridge will be closed until project completion in mid- 2003.

Downtown Renovation Underway

Cotter's flagship historic property, the old Baxter County Bank and Waverly Hotel building at Second and McLean, has been bought by Sharon and George Peters, new residents of Cotter.
Work has already begun to restore the property and Sharon plans to open "Rainbow Bridge Treasures" in May.

(Historic 2^nd Street photo at right)

The Great Cotter Trout Festival

     Plans are being finalized for "The Great Cotter Trout Festival" which will be held at Big Spring Park on April 20, 2002. River boats and fishing equipment will be displayed and demonstrated beginning at 9:00 a.m. near the gazebo and run all day.
     Boats from Supreme, Backwoods, J & S, Legend, Jammer, Ozark Canoe and Kayak, North Arkansas Kayak and others are expected. Some boats will be available for the public to try out.
     Major fishing clubs including the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, the Rod and Reel Fishing Club and Mid-South Fly Fishers will be demonstrating fly tying, casting techniques and giving practical fishing advice at the Spring House and Park Pavilion. A special program, "Trout Tactics and Techniques," will be presented to help even the novice angler catch more fish. For a small fee scenic boat rides on the White River will be offered to the public.
     A protected area downstream from the Big Spring "swimming hole" will be set aside for kids 16 and under to bank fish. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will provide the keeping size trout.
     Scheduled speakers at the Saturday morning seminars at City Hall include noted author Steve Wright, who wrote "Ozark Trout Tales," and Allen Carter, senior biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and head of the "Minimum Flow Study." Additional speakers are expected.
     For more information contact Festival Chairman Gary Flippin, 435-6144 or Bill Jennings, 435-6046.

At the City Council Meeting . . .

Council Approves Fire Service Contract with Gassville
At the regular meeting on Feb 21, 2002, the Cotter City Council approved an agreement with the Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Protection District to ensure continued services to the district. A new sub station will be established at the Wildcat Shoals Access on land donated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
In a related discussion the Council asked the local VFD to pursue a federal grant to enable purchase of a replacement fire truck. Feedback from the grant application is expected to be timely.

P & Z Commission members added
In other action Grant Dearmore and Keith Simmons were added to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission will elect new officers at their meeting on March 12, 2002, in city hall. The public is invited to attend the 7:00 p.m. meeting.

Back-up phone system proposed
The Council heard a proposal from the vendor who installed the current phone system in City Hall. The Telephone Connection offered the City a back-up system that included 10 refurbished hand sets for $800. He described the current system as damaged by previous lightning strikes and suggested that a back-up system was warranted. He was asked to provide a proposal in writing to compare the costs of a refurbished system and a new one. This proposal would be considered at the next meeting.

Expenditures Authorized
The Council approved an emergency measure to authorize the public works department to spend up to $6 thousand to repair a leak in the water tank on Highway 62/412. Up to $4 thousand dollars was authorized for interior renovation of City Hall. Ordinance 2002-03 was passed that authorized extensions and improvements to the sewer system of the City of Cotter and the means to pay for them.

Historic District Meeting at Spring House
A working session for those participating in the work of establishing a historic district has been scheduled for March 18, 2002, at 1 p.m. at the Spring House.
Participants will review research being done on the first group of properties to be included in the nomination of Cotter's downtown historic district.

The Bunny is Coming to Town!

     The annual Cotter Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Cotter Chamber, will be held at Big Spring Park on March 30. Open to all the children of Cotter ages 2-10, the festivities will begin at 9:00 a.m. when the bunny will arrive.
     If you’re 10 or under, come find some goodies. If you’re over 10, come watch the fun!
     Questions? Contact Carolyn Gill, Chief Bunny Helper, at 435-2267.

Upcoming Cotter Events

March 12 – Planning and Zoning Commission, 7:00 p.m.
March 13 - Tennie Craig Guild
March 16 - Saturday Club, 2:00 p.m.
March 19 - Chamber of Commerce, 8:00 a.m. (White Sands)
March 21 - City Council, 6:00 p.m.

Great Cotter Trout Festival
April 20, 2002
Come Fish With Us!

This newsletter is published monthly by the City of Cotter and focuses on organized activities. It is compiled by The Trout Capital News Association and published electronically at www.troutcapitalnews.com. Please e-mail material to Deb Peterson or Mo Mosely or mail to Box 128, Cotter, AR 72626.

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