The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a public meeting on May 21, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the old ASU Auditorium on Church Street in Mtn. Home. The purpose of the meeting is to gather public comments about proposed changes in regulations. Cotter area residents are encouraged to take note of the proposals and attend the meeting if possible.

     Proposed changes include a 12 to 21 inch slot limit for rainbow trout between Cotter's railroad bridge and new highway bridge. This would also include a 21 inch minimum length and one fish limit on brown, brook and cutthroat trout within this area.

     Another proposal is to allow fishermen elsewhere on the White River to keep up to five rainbow trout, but only one could be more than 21 inches.

     The bait restrictions in the catch and release areas below Bull Shoals Dam would apply to the slot limit area.

     The practice of culling trout would be prohibited statewide.

Comments and suggestions can also be mailed by May 24th to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Cotter Brings Home FBLA Winners
By Amanda Kray

     Cotter is proud to announce their four state winners. Amanda Johnson took 1st place in Marketing and Melissa Hurst took 4th place in Business Communications. Mandee Neal, outgoing FBLA State President, won the Mary Alice Elam scholarship of $400 and Cotter's FBLA Businessperson of the Year nominee, Mrs. Rogena Smith, was recognized.

    FBLA students will travel to Nashville, TN, for the National Leadership Conference held this coming June and July. FBLA members will be participating in the Cotter city-wide yard sale on May 18 to help raise money to pay their way. All proceeds raised from the yard sale will go towards helping these students represent Cotter at the National level.

City Council Approves Walking Trail Easement

     At their meeting on April 18^th the Cotter City Council approved a request by Paul Bayless for a permanent easement on the north end of the scenic walking trail. The request was made to ensure long term access to family property adjacent to the trail.

     The Mayor updated the Council that the city attorney was working on a repayment agreement to be entered into with David Crownover. The City of Cotter had provided him annual tuition assistance of more than $8000 a year for four years with the agreement that he would practice medicine in Cotter. This action became necessary when Mr. Crownover recently advised the Council that he would be unable to fulfill his part of the agreement and offered to repay the financial aid he had received.

     In other action the Mayor advised that bids for the Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion would be opened May 2, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Gassville City Hall.

     A new summertime service for Cotter called "Flavors In Motion" will begin April 20, 2002. This mobile ice cream truck is owned and operated by Leon Barden.

     The Mayor also praised our local emergency services personnel. They have made 29 medical runs and 14 fire calls already this year.

     Ronnie Smith advised that repairs to the water tank on Highway 412 have been completed and the tank will be refilled soon.

     Other comments from the council included praise for the recent City Hall renovation and the splendid program "The Last Dance" recently enacted at Cotter Schools.

     The next meeting of the Cotter City Council will be May 16^th at City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

     Evelyn Denton (left), President of the Saturday Club of Cotter, and Agnes Cramlett (right), president of the Tennie Craig Guild, are shown presenting checks to the two Cotter High School students who will attend Girls’ State. The clubs each donated $150 to the school to pay the expenses of the students. The girls who will attend are Amanda Johnson (center left), daughter of Chris and bill Johnson of Gassville, and Melissa Hurst (center right), daughter of Nancy and Phillip Hurst of Cotter.

     The Great Cotter Trout Festival provided the Cotter community a really "great" day at Big Spring Park on April 20. A steady stream of visitors enjoyed the major attractions and wonderful weather.

     Cotter Schools entertained a packed pavilion with their award winning chorus and band. Their "Stream Team" was one of several exhibitors, also in the pavilion.

     The specially designated kid’s fishing area below the footbridge was a popular place. Volunteers from the Rod and Reel Fishing Club provided tackle, bait and necessary instruction to help kids learn proper techniques to catch, handle and clean trout.

     Volunteers from the Mid South and North Arkansas fly fishing clubs provided fly tying and fly casting instructions. A number of colorful river boats provided a great show by the gazebo. Boat rides at the access ramp and the seminar series at city hall rounded out a wonderful experience by the river in Cotter.

     A number of visitors from outside this area attended. Registration at the Chamber of Commerce Information Booth included folks from throughout Arkansas, and guests from Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Maine, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

     As the evening closed Festival Chairman, Gary Flippin, was busy gathering input from exhibitors to enhance planning for next year. If you have suggestions, please send them to this paper at P.O. Box 128 in Cotter.