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Trout Capital
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Good things are happening in Cotter; it's a great time to be here! |
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| Number 29 |
Published by the City of Cotter, Arkansas |
February 2003 |
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Fire Department Chili Supper Set for February 22nd
The Cotter Volunteer Fire Department's annual fund raiser, their famous Chili Supper and Bake Sale, is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2003, at the Cotter Elementary School Cafeteria. The event is sponsored by the VFD Auxiliary. The prices of admission are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5-12, under 5 free, a bargain for great chili and entertainment. Come see your city fathers and other friends of Cotter try to outbid each other for some tasty baked goods. For more information call Jan Hallagin at 435-2608. City Council Approves Budget; Fireman Honored The Cotter City Council met twice during January and approved and amended the city's budget for 2003. At their regular meeting on January 16, the council approved Budget Ordinance 03-01 which included projected revenues of $773,305 and expenses of $723,028. The Council amended the ordinance to reduce the authority of the Mayor to pay bills up to $5000 to $500. Greater amounts would require Council approval. The limitation was found to be too restrictive and was further amended at a special meeting on January 22 to apply to only those items that occurred outside the approved operating budget. Other items included approval of Ordinance 03-02 to annex 6.65 acres. The property adjoins the Cotter city limits at the Denton Ferry RV Park on Denton Ferry Road (County Road 1). The property will be zoned R-1. The Cotter Volunteer Fire Department honored departing ten-year member and former chief Steve Leisey with a plaque and words of appreciation for his service to the city. Jean Leisey, Steve's wife, was presented with a bouquet of flowers. After the meeting, cake and coffee were served in the City Hall lobby by the VFD Auxiliary in Steve's honor. Several comments were made about the effectiveness of the Cotter Fire Department and how fortunate Cotter was to have such a group. VFD chief John Urban displayed a traveling trophy that has been won by the Cotter VFD the past two years at competitions with other departments in this area. The centerpiece is a "water ball fight" between two man teams. The event is fun to watch but is based on the deadly serious effectiveness of applying water to specific areas with firehoses. John Bell and Roger Olney have been Cotter's winning team. Jeff Holt, representing LEECO Inc attended the meeting and participated in general discussion of Cotter's plans to acquire a new fire truck. The truck will cost $129,000 and $90,000 is available. The difference would be satisfied over a 5 year lease period at just over $9000 per year. The matter will be scheduled for Council approval at next month's meeting, February 20, 2003. Likely items to be taken up by the Council in the near future include a resolution addressing the Governor's proposed school consolidation plan, review of further city expenses such as vehicles and cell phones, review of the park and cemetery operations, and a review of the Cotter 2025 study. Several council members stressed that reviews would be looking for positive improvements that could be made. Mayor Bill Jennings expressed his appreciation for the great attendance and invited everyone to come to future City Council meetings and become actively involved in Cotter. Cotter Chamber Hosts New Friends; Sets Agenda
A large crowd enjoyed a great breakfast and outstanding program at the Chamber's first meeting of the year at the White Sands Restaurant January 21, 2003. The crowd included Cotter's new Mayor, City Council, members of the Care Crew and a number of new Chamber members. The program was provided by Shannon Cavanaugh, Director of Development and Grants for the Hospital Development Foundation of Baxter Regional Medical Center. She explained that the process used to research, apply and obtain grants begins with formation of a grants committee that identifies and prioritizes projects. Based on the high level of interest indicated by the attendance at the meeting, she expressed confidence that grants should be available for projects in Cotter. A number of attendees expressed interest in serving on a grants committee. There will be more to come on this topic in the very near future. Donald Sharp, Superintendent of Cotter Schools, made a brief presentation and answered questions concerning the much publicized school consolidation proposal by the Governor of Arkansas. He explained that a plan was to be developed by Jan 1, 2004, and a great deal of discussion and debate will occur. Principal areas will center around the basis for consolidation, simply enrollment of 1500 or less, or school performance and other factors. More information will be obtained from our local representative, Johnny Key, and state senator, Shawn Womack. Jerry Stude of the Cotter Care Crew updated the audience on the railroad memorial project in Big Spring Park. The project should be completed in February, 2003. Dedication should occur in April 2003 and the memorial will be formally turned over to the City of Cotter. He emphasized that the project was privately funded and not funded by the City of Cotter. Cotter will have several major events in 2003-04. This year will include the second annual "Great Cotter Trout Festival" at Big Spring Park May 2nd and 3rd. The fourth annual fall festival "Art, Antiques and Architecture...A Cotter Open House" is scheduled for September 26th and 27th. In between will be the Easter Egg Hunt and City Wide Yard Sale. Next year will add the re-dedication of the historic Rainbow Arch Bridge, and celebration of Cotter's centennial. Committees are being formed now for these major events. For more information on these events contact Gil Stammer, President, Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce at 435-2663. Cotter Schools Look to Testing in the Spring
The recent proposal by Governor Huckabee for consolidation of smaller schools within the state has raised the level of awareness and concern by most parents. Cotter Superintendent Donald Sharp recently updated the Chamber of Commerce (see related article) and advised that a plan must be developed by 1 January 2004. Much remains to be developed but in the mean time Cotter schools go on providing quality education. In the January-February school newsletter, Superintendent Sharp explained the growing importance of standardized testing. In his letter to parents he explained "All Arkansas public school students in grades 5,7 and 10 must take the SAT-9. Students in grades 4, 6 and 8 must take the Arkansas Benchmark Exam and high school students must take End-of-Level tests in Algebra I, Geometry and 11th grade Literacy during the spring semester. "Schools will be placing more emphasis on the Benchmark and End-of-Level exams because these are the tests that we will be held most accountable for. Schools are going to be required to provide supplemental instructional programs for students who do not achieve proficiency level on the Benchmark and End-of-Level exams, and students will be required to participate in these classes. Schools who do not show adequate progress in helping students who fall below proficiency level will face possible sanctions from the Arkansas State Board of Education. In fact, some schools in Arkansas have already been identified as being in academic distress. "We have a very good school system here in Cotter. There is always room for improvement and we gladly accept the challenge to make our school second to none. It is critical for you the parents, help us to emphasize how important it is that your children apply themselves when taking these exams. Many times we hear students say that they could have done better if they had tried harder. We would hate for your child or our entire school system to be penalized bacause students didn't think it was important to try on these important tests." The newsletter reports further that "during the week of April 7, 2003, fourth and sixth graders will be taking the Benchmark assessment, which will be administered statewide. The following week (April 14-17) the SAT-9 will be administered to grades 1-6." For more information contact Cotter schools. HGTV Comes to Cotter
Home and Garden Television visited Cotter on January 15th. Producers of the show "Building Character" did a feature on "St. James Place," home of Jim and Sue Whittington. The show highlights the process of converting a former commercial structure to a residence. The former Methodist Church at 3rd and Combs was built in the early 1900s and purchased by the Whittingtons in 1996. The show is scheduled to air on HGTV sometime this summer. The Baxter Bulletin did a feature piece on the HGTV visit in their January 17, 2003, issue.
Some Methodist Church History On January 22, 1904, the Cotter Courier reported that a building board was appointed at Cotter to push the erection of a Methodist church. The paper stated that "the building will be erected on the corner of Third street and McLean avenue where the town company, through Mr. Thos. Combs, have donated two elegant lots to the church. The building will be a frame structure 28 x 44 with a fourteen foot ceiling and estimated to cost $800. On May 13 the Courier reported that: "The foundation for the Methodist church has been completed and Mr. Medlley , contractor for the masonry said Monday he would begin the foundation for the Baptist Church folks." The minister, L. L. Seawell, reported in the paper of June 3 that the first services would be held on Sunday, June 5. The July 1 Cotter Courier carried a message from G. W. L. Smith, minister of the Baptist Church at the corner of 4th street and Devereaux avenue, that the church would be opened for services on July 10, even though it wasn't finished yet. "A good rousing collection, not for the minister but for the building" was to be collected. New Businesses for Cotter People Skills Training and Consulting has opened at 408 Combs in Cotter. The business is owned by Lori Sloas and will offer seminars, training, and management consultations. Lori also is a licensed fly fishing guide and teaches at fly fishing seminars. To contact her, call 435-2169. John Berry and his brother, Dan, have opened Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter. Contact them at 435-2169.
How to Contact State Officials The continuing emphasis given to the statewide school consolidation issue will likely generate local interest in contacting our lawmakers. Here's how you can reach them. Governor Mike Huckabee Senator Shawn Womack (R-Mountain Home)
Representative Johnny Key (R-Mountain Home) Representative Jimmy Milligan (D-Yellville) When the Legislature is in session contact the Capitol at the following numbers and leave a message: Senate: (501) 682-2902 Write Legislators in Little Rock by addressing letters or cards to them at: Arkansas Senate Arkansas House of Representatives Meetings for February Feb 10 - Baxter County Quorum Court Please Return Cotter2025 Books The Cotter 2025 study, done several years ago by the University of Arkansas, was detailed in a large-format paperback bound book. Several books were made available to the public at city hall and checked out for review, but never returned. If you have one please return to the Mayor's office as soon as possible. Cotter2025 is a rejuvenation plan proposed by the University of Arkansas Community Design Center for the City of Cotter. Students and instructors from the center spent the summer of 1999 living and studying in Cotter and preparing this detailed proposal. From the Opening Remarks: One hundred and two Cotter area residents made the trip to the Cotter Youth Center for the UACDC final presentation on July 23, 1999. This is the largest attendance I have experienced in my four summers running this program . . . and Cotter is the smallest community I have worked in! So, what motivated us to put forth our greatest effort? You did! It was the enthusiastic support of Cotter residents that energized us to go well beyond standard achievement and produce something far more special and valuable to the Cotter community. If you have an Internet connection, you can read the entire study online at
Chamber to Collect Volunteer Information The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce plans to collect information toward applying for Volunteer City Designation. The application is to be submitted in July 2003. All organizations are asked to accumulate volunteer hours of their membership from July 1, 2002, and include descriptions of projects. Pictures would be helpful as well. More information will be provided in the near future. For more information contact Sonny Sharp at 492-4483. New Edition Planned for Cotter Calling A new edition of the Chamber of Commerce's city directory, Cotter Calling, is planned for 2003. Names and phone numbers of residents will be taken from public sources, but no strictly personal addresses will be printed. If you want to ensure that your name and phone number or the name, address, and phone number of your Cotter business is included in the new Cotter Calling, please e-mail chamber@cotterarkansas.com or call Gil Stammer at 435-2663, or Sonny Sharp at 435-6757 or 492-4483. If you want to make sure that your information is not used, please use one of the methods of contact above. Historic Cotter Bridge Now Undergoing Restoration
This picture shows the west side of the bridge last summer. Work has now moved to the east side of the bridge and can be observed safely and legally from Big Spring Park. During the winter, the work schedule has been limited. Work should resume on a more vigorous schedule on or around March 15.
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This
newsletter is published monthly by the City of Cotter and focuses on
organized activities. It is compiled by Sonny Sharp, and published
electronically at