Jim Whittington Chosen New Cotter Fire Chief

Editor’s note: The Cotter Volunteer Fire Department has made some recent personnel changes. Chief John Urban retired January 1, 2004. The following article is by the new Chief, Jim "Whit" Whittington.

     First and foremost, I'd like to express thanks to the former chief, John Urban. He has put many, many hours into making the fire department what it is today. Our ISO rating, which is the rate insurance premiums are based on, has improved substantially during the years John served the department.

     I'd also like to express thanks to John's wife, Lucy, who served as the fire department secretary. Lucy and her sister Jan, have also been the hardest workers for the chili supper for the last several years.

     Along with John's retirement, Jan Halligan, our captain in charge of EMT's has stepped down. It will be difficult to fill the shoes of both John and Jan, but we still have a very strong base of volunteers serving our community.

     During my time as chief, I hope to continue to strengthen our organization. We are always looking for additional volunteers willing to make the commitment it takes to serve the community in this role. We hold meetings twice monthly. One meeting is a business meeting, and the other is a training meeting. In addition, as I become more familiar with the needs of the department, I will be developing a priority list of those needs.
I look forward to working with the remaining fire department members. In addition to my election as the chief, others elected include: John Bell, Assistant Chief; Ed Sessions, Captain; Keith Simmons, Safety Officer; Marty Halligan, Alternate Safety Officer.

Bev Pence Elected Cotter Area Chamber President

Editors note: The Chamber is delighted to welcome new President, Beverly Pence, of the Valley Fly In community. She has been actively involved in Chamber activities for several years. During that time she and her husband have been relocating themselves and their business and farming interests to the Cotter area. The following article is by the new Chamber President, Bev Pence

     As a successful business woman for 30 years, I am looking forward to a new challenge - using my experience to serve the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce. With the successful foundation that outgoing President Gil Stammer has laid, I will be working to further strengthen the Chamber with new people and new ideas. I need the cooperation of many of those who have worked so hard to help the Cotter community. As Patrick Henry stated, "I know of no way of judging the future but by the past."

     I honor those responsible for assisting Gil in his efforts to promote this Chamber into the success it has become. As we continue to work toward the future and meet our goals, there is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability. This, in turn, will promote growth and nourish our Chamber and community.

     Our slogan should be "Make Your Life Beautiful – Volunteer!” I am looking forward to working with Cotter City Hall, Cotter Care Crew and Cotter 2025 Committee. The future is a convenient place for dreams within our life in Cotter. I feel that this is extremely vital to the enrichment, restoration and modernization of Cotter, not only at the local level but the State and Federal levels as well.

     I wish all of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Mayor's Minute

     This new year of 2004 that just sneaked in on us in a quiet way will bring some real exciting times to Cotter. Kent and Teresa Newman are moving into their beautiful new building on the site of the old railroad roundhouse and are starting production of engineered building components there. The Rainbow bridge will be restored to its 1930 splendor, and we will celebrate Cotter's 100th birthday. What a wonderful set of events to look forward to.
     It will take the concerted effort of a lot of people to plan and successfully produce a gigantic combined re-dedication of the bridge and birthday party for our town. Please be ready to help when you are called, or better yet, call Bev Pence, President of Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce at 430-5012 or me at 435-6326 and volunteer the help of your club or yourself. This way we will have a pool of volunteers when the time comes.
     The new home being built in White River Bend Estates by Jodie Daniels is the first building in Cotter to use roof trusses built in the new Contractor's Truss Systems Inc. plant in Cotter. I was by the site and saw the crane from the new plant lifting the trusses into place, and realized I was seeing history being made -- and me without a camera.
     I hope you enjoyed the beautiful Christmas decorations in yards and on houses all over town. This year I restored the Mayor's Award of $25.00 to go to a non-winner in the Light the Loop Contest. There were so many beautifully decorated homes all over town that it took me two nights of driving and judging to come up with a winner. This year's award goes to Larry Rose in Rainbow Heights. He has had beautiful displays over the years, but this year, he surpassed his previous efforts. I have delivered his check, and I will have his certificate ready for presentation during our Council meeting on Thursday, January 22nd.
     All the driving around town I have done recently made sadly aware of something else. We are a bunch of litterers. I am really ashamed of the trashy roadways and ditches all over town. I don't understand why it is so urgent to get rid of a piece of trash, when home and a trash container is less than five minutes away. No one is volunteering to help, so you will pay Ronnie and Richard to clean up our streets. What a sad waste of your money.
     Mary Mc Laughlin is taking some time off to undergo treatment of a painful condition of the ulnar nerve in her elbow. Hopefully the treatment will be successful, so she won't have to have surgery. Suzanne Van Wambeke is helping out in Mary's absence. We were fortunate to get Suzy on a temporary basis. Stop by and meet her. You will like her.
     Our Fire Department held their election of officers for the coming year. Jim "Whit" Whittington was elected to replace retiring John Urban as Chief. John Bell is the new Assistant Chief. I congratulate the new officers, and look forward to working with them. Even though John is retiring, I hope he will continue to come by on his daily visits. While he modestly says he has had a bunch of "good guys" working in the department, the Cotter Volunteer Fire Department has reached its present excellent status largely through the untiring efforts of Chief John Urban. On behalf of our town, Thanks John!

Cotter Chamber to Hold 1st Annual Dinner

     Celebration of a great year and anticipation of an even better one will headline the first annual Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner January 17th, 6:00 p.m., at the Lake Norfork Inn. This will be a special evening filled with special guests and surprises, entertainment and introduction of new officers. For more information contact Cotter Chamber Treasurer Margaret Stammer at 435-2663.

Saturday Club to Present
Cotter History Program

     The public is especially invited to the Saturday Club's first meeting of 2004 at the Spring House at 2 pm on Saturday, January 17th. A special program of Cotter history as covered in local newspapers will be presented by Judi Sharp. For more information contact Saturday Club President Wanda Fielding at 435-6371.

Red Hat Society Wins Again!
     Cotter Cuties Red Hats won second place in the "Civic" category in the Mountain Home Christmas Parade. This latest win constitutes the third for the chapter in three 2003 parades – the Cotter Fall Festival and the Yellville Turkey Trot. Next year, the Rose Bowl!

“Bridge Work Heads Toward Final Stages”...Hardy Construction is working toward springtime completion. Preliminary discussions are being held with Arkansas Highway Dept about dedication.

"Up and Running" ...Cotter's 40,000 sq ft Contractor's Truss Systems manufacturing plant began operations in December. Pictured is a gantry table that uniformly connects engineered components.      Owner Kent Newman stated that additional equipment and materials will be transitioned to the new Cotter facility over the next several months prior to a formal grand opening.      Owners are Kent and Teresa Newman. The general manager is David Isakson. Plant manager is Pete Green. Full capacity of the facility will exceed 20,000 custom trusses annually.

2003 Was Outstanding

New faces and renewed energy took charge in January, 2003, with the swearing-in of Mayor Bill Jennings and the Cotter City Council. Mayor Jennings looked forward to the new opportunities and challenges to come. He pledged to work hard to better our town and provide citizens the services and efficiencies they desire.
February featured Cotter's outstanding Volunteer Fire Department. At the City Council meeting, departing ten year member and former Chief, Steve Leisey, was honored with a plaque and words of appreciation for his service. Mrs Leisey was also honored with a bouquet of roses. The annual Chili Supper and Bake Sale was held at the elementary school cafeteria. and raised $3600. Wal-Mart added $1000.

In March, the City Council approved purchase of a new pumper truck for the Volunteer Fire Department. The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a visit by Active Years Magazine. A great feature story about Cotter resulted. The Cotter Chamber heard a briefing about renovations to the historic rainbow arch bridge by representatives of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and Hardy Construction. There was "standing room only" at the White Sands.

April featured opening of the Rainbow Bridge Lodge in the historic Waverly Hotel building at Second and McLean. The Cotter Care Crew resumed activity with a potluck at the Spring House. The annual Easter Egg hunt was a big success in Big Spring Park.

The Anglin-Tinnon Railroad Workers Memorial was dedicated in May in conjunction with the 2nd annual Great Cotter Trout Festival. The memorial grounds honor Cotter's colorful railroad heritage and the people who lived it. The trout festival highlighted trout fishing at its best in the Cotter area. Great support was provided by the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, the Mid-South Fly Fishers, and the Rod and Reel Fishing Club. Cotter's post office celebrated its 100th birthday.

After a great summer Cotter's 4th annual Fall Festival drew record crowds in September. Grand openings of the Old Lumber Company Hardware and General Store and Cotter Hobby were celebrated in two of Cotter's most historic downtown buildings. The concrete slab was poured for the Contractor's Truss Systems’ s 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant.

October was a time of technological contrasts, seeing the return of old time music each week to historic Adams Hall while work was outlined for upgrades to the computer system in City Hall. November saw a major assessment and plans to upgrade Cotter's water system, and December saw holiday concerts at Cotter Schools and wonderful Christmas displays about town.

And Cotter Looks Ahead to 2004

     Good things continue to happen in Cotter, and there's a lot to look forward to this year.

• The new wastewater treatment plant should be brought on-line in several weeks.

• Major renovation of Cotter's historic landmark, the R.M. Ruthven Rainbow Arch Bridge, should be completed in a few months.

• The Contractor's Truss Systems manufacturing facility is now open on the historic site of Cotter's railroad roundhouse.

• The Fire Dept has a new Chief, new equipment and a new sub-station.

• The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce has a new President.

     Add a pro-active City administration, and more community involvement than ever before, and the future for Cotter is bright.

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 http://www.troutcapitalnews.com/. Please e-mail material to troutcapitalnews@cotterarkansas.com or mail to Box 128, Cotter, AR 72626. 

©2002-2004. City of Cotter, Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce.