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

December 2003

Carlson's Raiders Memorial Attended by Cotter Man 

     Cotter Hobby on McLean Avenue occupies one of Cotter’s most historic buildings, the “old Jolly ironclad,” and the proprietor, Duane Paulson, has a colorful history of his own. During WWII in the Pacific he was a member of an elite U.S. Marine fighting force known as Carlson’s Raiders.

     On August 17 and 18, 1942, the group made a daring attack on Japanese positions on the island of Butaritari, part of Makin Atoll, in the Gilbert Islands. Transported to the island by two submarines, the USS Nautilus and USS Argonaut, the force of over 200 Marine Raiders made their way to land at night in small rubber boats, fighting heavy seas with 10-15 foot waves.

     The raid was designed to divert Japanese attention from Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, where U.S. Marines had landed ten days earlier. The group included Major James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin Roosevelt.

     Despite confusion and heavy surf, the raid was deemed a success. However, 19 Marines were killed and their remains were buried by natives. These remains were recently discovered and have been identified and returned for individual burial. They included Cpl. Kenneth Kunkle of Mountain Home.

     In the confusion of the night time withdrawal back to the submarines, nine marines were left ashore. This was not discovered until some years later.

      The nine were captured and taken north to Kwajalein Atoll, in the Marshall Islands, where they were held as prisoners of war. Instead of being transported to Japan, the local commander beheaded the prisoners on Oct. 16, 1942, as part of a Japanese holiday celebration. The commander, Vice Adm. Koso Abe, was tried and hanged as a war criminal.

     Mr. Paulson was part of a group of 22 surviving raiders who gathered on Kwajalein Atoll for a solemn ceremony on Nov. 11, 2003, to dedicate a monument honoring the nine raiders executed there. The event was hosted by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, which currently operates a national missile range on Kwajalein. The visit also included briefings and tours of historical and current activities at Kwajalein and the nearby island of Roi-Namur.

Cotter Bands and Choirs Perform Holiday Concerts 

     The 4th-6th grade Amanda Gist Choir and the 6th Grade Band will perform a short program at 6:30 in the evening on Thursday, December 11 in the CHS gymnasium. The Cotter High School choir and bands will perform their holiday concert at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 14th, in the gymnasium. Both programs are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

     We are very proud of what our students are accomplishing and hope everyone in the Cotter and Gassville areas will come out and support them. Anyone who would like to discuss transportation to either concert should call John Devos at the school at 435-6323.

Mayor's Minute

          The Holiday season brings so many different activities to us Cotterites.   Light the Loop Holiday lighting program brings six of our neighboring communities together in the common effort to brighten our area for the holidays

     The involved towns and chambers of commerce furnish ribbons and cash prizes for the displays judged best in two categories; “Lights, Lights, Lights,” and “Traditional.”  This year, as a little added incentive, there will be a “Mayor’s Award” of $25.00 (my private funds), presented to a display inside the city, not chosen as a winner in the contest.  I will choose the display, and announce the winner on the same night as the Light the Loop contest winners.

          Ordinance 4-77 says: “trash containers shall be placed at the edge of the street for collection, no sooner than 12 hours prior to time of collection.  They must be moved off public property, out of sight, no later than 12 hours following collection”.  The ordinance has been in effect since 1977 and was amended in 1996, but has not been enforced for several years.  I have asked our Police Chief to start enforcing it immediately.  Our town will always look trashy if our streets are lined with partially filled trash containers.  The one thing you can do to improve your property value is keep the trash out of sight, and thereby improve the “curb appeal” of your home.

          My hat is off, and a big thank you to Debbie Simmons.  She seems to be wherever a job needs to be done.  She has been Sue Whittington’s right hand as the fountain park takes shape on the corner of  Second and McLean.  She has directed all the work recently done at Warrior Park using community service workers and volunteers.  She helped Carolyn Gill arrange the fantastic parade we all enjoyed during our Fall Festival.  Her most recent project involved decorating City Hall in Christmas finery.  Thank you Debbie, your hard work is greatly appreciated.

     On behalf of the City Council, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and look forward to 2004 being even better for all of us.

City Council Hears Water Assessment

      At the Nov. 20, 2003, meeting, Councilman "Mo" Mosley gave the Cotter City Council a detailed assessment of Cotter's water system. The assessment was made by Mosley and City Public Works Director Ronnie Smith, who has more than ten years experience with the Cotter water system.

     The system was described as a static head pressure system. The elevation of each house in relation to the elevation of the tank on Hwy 62/412 determines water pressure. The lines are quite old and were laid up hill, in reverse by today's construction standards and techniques. That stems from Cotter's history when water came from the Big Spring, one of the lowest points in the city. This caused a tremendous amount of looping and drawings of the early system are poor.

     Early pipes are ductile iron and were laid more than 50 years ago without today's standards for bedding the pipe. The flow of water and movement of pipe on bedrock has contributed to leakage. This past year has seen eight main line breaks and a number of service line breaks. The new well and tank dates from 1975 but newer lines are more than 25 years old. Mosley stressed that system upgrades are planned or in process and the water is safe to drink.

     Additional instruments have been bought that have helped increase pressure, and additions are nearing completion to the well house. Replacement of the system is a long term fix. In the interim additional switches will be bought to enable monitoring and quick fix of problem areas as they occur.

     In other matters The council tabled action pending further review of Ordinance 03-07 that would establish seasonal water rates by the City of Cotter. The Mayor's Budget for 2004 was approved as a starting point for detail budget review meetings to begin in December. Current 2003 financial numbers will be used as starting points for further discussion. The Council transferred $1000 from the general fund into the waterline replacement fund. Christmas bonuses of $100 were approved for Cotter city employees and volunteer fire fighters

     Cotter Fire Chief, John Urban, reported on the recent presentation of a $15 thousand grant for the fire department and Wanda Fielding reported the designation of two trees in Cotter as historic (see related article). The council will meet Dec 18th at 6 p.m. at Cotter City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.

Trees Recognized as Historic

     Two historically significant trees in Cotter have recently been recognized by the Arkansas Forestry Commission as part of the Arkansas Famous and Historic Tree Program.

     This program was established on National Arbor Day on the grounds of the state capitol April 25, 1997. Its purpose is to create a greater awareness and appreciation of Arkansas' trees by recognizing their historical background. The program was developed by a cooperative effort by the Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Department of Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs. 

     Wanda Fielding of Cotter has led the successful nomination effort. Cotter's historic trees are a large black walnut that graces the Walnut Hill Cemetery and the large cottonwood by the pavilion at Big Spring Park. Both are associated with historically significant landmarks in Cotter. The Arkansas Forestry Com-mission will provide care for the trees.

Cotter's Manufacturing Facility on Schedule

     Brick has been installed on the entry way of the Contractor's Truss Systems building, and equipment is scheduled to begin arriving during the first week of December. The location of the facility is the site of Cotter's historic roundhouse. The bricks on the front of the structure are also historic, from the old roundhouse shop building.

     Equipment should be in place by mid-December and office personnel could be moved in by Jan 1st. Approximately 20 employees will start 2004 with the possibility of more added during the year. The first railroad car of manufacturing materials has already arrived with another expected soon.

Cotter Chamber Prepares for Christmas

      The annual Light the Loop program has been expanded this year to include Yellville. Carolyn Gill outlined the new loop as from Cotter to Flippin to Yellville on Hwy 62/412, from Yellville back to Flippin on Hwy 202 to Hwy 178 to Bull Shoals to Lakeview to Midway to Hwy 126 to Gassville to Hwy 62/412 back to Cotter. The Chamber voted to contribute an additional $25 to cover the additional laminating costs.

     Several expressed the need to expand the number and location of Christmas decorations along Second Street between McLean and South Streets.

     In other business Gary Flippin donated a storage building for the Cotter Chamber. Additional Cotter shirts and caps will be purchased for sale locally. Collectible Great Duck Race shirts will be sold as well as specialized soaps. The monthly Hats Off Award will be awarded to the Rileys, who have remodeled the brick Masonic Building, on the Second and South Streets.

     The next meeting of the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce will be Dec. 16, 2003. Principal item of discussion will be planning for the Chamber banquet in Jan, 2004.

 Special Lighting Plans for Cotter Residents

      Carolyn Gill and the Light the Loop Committee wish to encourage the residents of the cliff side of Harding Boulevard to light the back of their homes. This will make the view of Cotter special from across the river on Highway 62/412 between Cotter and Flippin.

History of the Cotter Care Crews

Jerry Stude

During 1992, the Tennie Craig Community Guild, a women's club, saw the need for the cleanup and beautification of Cotter, as parts of the town were deteriorating. In May 1992, the club appeared before the city council and asked for its help in such a project, as apparently the city was unable to solve the problem on its own. Several other citizens were present at the meeting, and they, too, were concerned about the condition of the town.

Thus, Cotter Care Crews was organized during June of 1992 by several Cotter residents. The purpose of the non-profit organization was to improve the community of Cotter through beautification of streets and homes and the development of parks and other facilities; the objectives were to be met by residents volunteering their talents, time and efforts. Membership was to include all Cotter citizens, and no membership roster or dues were required. 

Meetings with elected officers usually are held monthly. Present and past presidents include Clyde Collins, Wanda Fielding, J. D. Pratt, Doris Anglin, and Lynn Anglin Stude.

The Cotter Care Crews have had many events to raise money for needed projects. Some of these events included Pig-in-a-Poke Barbecue, Two Cooks Tea Room dinners, bake sales, Cotter Tour of Homes, ball concession stands, Belgian Waffle breakfast, Ham and Beans dinner, Soup and

Salad luncheon, Adopt a Christmas Wreath, drawings for a quilt and paintings, and Pennies for Tots for playground equipment.

During its ten years of existence, Cotter Care Crews has completed or worked with the city or other local organizations to complete numerous projects by funding or labor or both. These projects have greatly aided the city and Cotter residents.  

Some of the major projects include the 1992 and 1993 community cleanup, Christmas programs with lighted trees, Christmas lighted figures and ornaments, Christmas wreaths for power poles, walking trail, pedestrian bridge across Big Spring outlet, planting of numerous flowers and trees, ball field fence and score board, remodeling and furnishing of Spring House Community Center, cleanup of Big Spring Park, playground equipment, co-sponsor of Smithsonian Art Train, Tour of Homes, start of the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Railroad Memorial. Other projects too numerous to list are the results of the hard work and dedication of present and past Cotter Care Crews members. 

The best and most heartwarming experience has been the caring and harmonious cooperation of citizens working together and sharing numerous pot luck meals. Unfortunately, due to the decline of membership during the last three years, several annual projects such as Christmas and Easter programs have been turned over to the city or to the Chamber of Commerce.