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

Contractor's Truss Systems
Rekindles Railroad History

Cotter's roundhouse was once the hub of railroad activity here. Work started in late 1905, and what a place it would be. The Cotter Courier described construction in its Dec 15, 1905, issue:

The roundhouse, turn-table and approaches will occupy a ground space of about 300 feet north and south by 400 feet east and west. The pit for the turn-table is 75 feet in diameter with a depth of about 8 feet below grade at the center. A concrete foundation has to be laid for the circular track for the outer ends of the carriage. The entire pit will be floored and from its lowest point a drain will carry off water. The turntable is of the largest pattern and will turn a 95 foot coach or the largest engine and tender.

The roundhouse was needed to service steam engines and did so for many years as Cotter's largest employer. As railroads switched to more efficient diesel engines, roundhouses were no longer needed. Cotter's was closed, eventually torn down, and for many years the site had only an old foundation and weeds.

On September 16, 2003, the concrete was poured for the new Contractor’s Truss Systems manufacturing plant at the site of the old roundhouse in Cotter.

If you believe in railroad ghost stories, you may be hearing noises near the tracks. The site of the old roundhouse was alive again on September 16, 2003, as workers poured the concrete slab for Contractor's Truss Systems 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Forms were in place, re-bar was laid and lines of concrete trucks waited patiently to contribute their cargo. The most modern industrial equipment was used to complete that part of the job, including a laser leveler.

The next day the Cotter Volunteer Fire Department kept the concrete wet. Steel has been delivered and erection of the actual building is scheduled to begin during the week of October 6. Completion of the facility is expected by mid-December of this year.

The rail spur will be a vital part of the operation for both receipt of raw materials and shipment of finished products.

The Cotter City Council chose Gil Stammer to replace departed Alderman Bob Nordel for Ward 3, Position 2. Stammer, a Cotter community leader, is also president of the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Cotter's Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Council hired Ron Weaver as the second full time policeman for the City of Cotter. The new cell phone contract was approved for Chief Burkhart.

In other action, plans were made to re-paint the exterior of City Hall and also the Big Spring Park Pavilion and footbridge. Transfer of $1000 from the general fund was made to the waterline replacement account. The Council voted to move their monthly meeting date from the third to the fourth Thursday. Lots owned by the City on Harding, between Second and Powell will be appraised to assist future decisions on their disposition.

The information part of the agenda included representatives both for and against the Baxter County Library proposal, an update on the fall festival, and reports that speed limit signs have been ordered and testing on the new wastewater treatment plant will begin soon.

Mayor's Minute

     What a wonderful Festival! The Fourth Annual Fall Festival sponsored by the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce without a doubt drew the biggest crowd in the history of our town with the possible exception of the crowd for the dedication of the Rainbow Arch Bridge in 1930. I cannot start to thank all the people who worked so hard to make the festival such a success. Festival Chairman Sonny Sharp surrounded himself with dedicated people who completed their assignment and the combined effort resulted in the biggest and best ever holiday weekend.

     Back in the dark ages when I was young, I was always doing something that didn't suit my Mother. As she swatted me, she would say: "Monkey see, monkey do." She didn't want me teaching my little brother bad habits by his seeing me doing something "wrong."

     After all these years, when I am doing 50 miles per hour in a 45 zone and get passed by two huge trucks belonging to a Mountain Home company, going at least 60, I can't help but think "monkey see, monkey do." How will we ever teach our young drivers any respect for our speed limits if they constantly see flagrant violations by so-called professional drivers.

     A very wise man who served several terms as U.S. Senator told me that laws are passed to be honored and not enforced. It seems we have lost sight of the "honored" and do anything we can do and not get caught. Obviously, we will never qualify for some kind of traffic control at our most dangerous inter­section of Highway 62/412 and Denton Ferry Road, so the least we can do is honor our traffic laws and enforce those laws on the people who insist on endangering our school busses and our citizens just because a policeman is not watching them.

     Our Cotter Police Department does a great job, but they can't be out there all the time. However, don't be surprised if they again work with the Arkansas State Police, the Gassville Police and the Baxter County Sheriff’s Department and saturate the area between Cotter and Mountain Home. Your cost of honoring is much less than your cost of enforcement.

     The "2025 Progress" group meets every Tuesday night in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Your input is very important and welcome. Please join us!

Shown in the center cutting the ribbon during the grand opening of their business, The Old Lumber Company and General Store, are Tina and Sonny Cooke. The stone building, at the corner of South and Second Streets, was built after the great flood of 1927 by Clarence Hopkins, who came to Cotter in the earliest days of the city’s history. The five-story Tremain Hotel, which is shown in early county history books, was originally on this site.

Shown cutting the ribbon at his store, Cotter Hobby, is Mr. Duane Paulsen. The Grand Opening was held during the 4th annual Cotter fall festival. Cotter Hobby is located in the “old Jolly iron clad” building on McLean, one of Cotter’s most historic buildings. It is given credit for saving many of the businesses on the south side of McLean, which was then Cotter’s main business area, during the great fire of September 1905.

The North Arkansas Youth Center hosted the first Cotter Fall Festival Pageant Saturday, September 20. There were 49 contestants in 7 different categories. Congratulations to all the winners, who were:

Mr. Tiny Tot: Andrew McNair, 1st; Casey Osborn, 2nd; Derrick Beaver, 3rd	Miss Tiny Tot: Maysa Fouts, 1st; Dalton  McNair, 2nd; Sadie Rowe, 3rd.
Little Mister: Tyler DeCrow, 1st ; Aron  Rowe, 2nd, Cody Rowe, 3rd.	Little Miss: Mariah Wilkerson, 1st; Sunshine Tucker, 2nd; Kaylee Denmark, 3rd.
Junior Miss: Kaleigh Hammack, 1st ;   Brookland Campbell, 2nd ;Pamela Pendergrass, 3rd.	Princess: Nikki Powell,1st; Kendall Peterson, 2nd, Alannah Smith, 3rd.
Queen: Chelsea Heenan, 1st; Danielle McVicker, 2nd; Amanda Gadberry, 3rd	Chelsea Heenan, Queen of the 4th Annual Cotter Fall Festival, rides in the 3rd annual parade. Chelsea was chosen in the 1st Annual North Arkansas Youth Center Fall Festival Pageant.

     In the eyes of several thousand visitors, September 27 was a great day for Cotter. Perfect weather, great attractions, food and entertainment were everywhere. The downtown parade was outstanding and included high school bands from Cotter, Norfork and Flippin. Parade awards included Cotter Truck One, Best of Show; Cotter Cuties, the red hat ladies, Organizational Float; Stream Team, First Place School; and the Cotter Junior Beta Club, Warrior Traveling Trophy. The popular Antique and Classic Car Show had 24 cars. There were more than twice as many exhibitors as last year's festival, with a much wider variety. Traditional art and arts and crafts exhibitors were joined by commercial booths.
     A Bratwurst Dinner was served by the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce, Friday evening at Second and Combs. The Cotter High School Band and Chorus, plus the music of Southbound, entertained a large crowd. Cooking was done by renowned bratwurst chef, Gary Flippin, and 250 dinners were served.