AGFC proposes under-16 and disabled fishing rules for Big Spring creek

     The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, at the McMullen Lecture Hall on the campus of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. AGFC staff members will be present to take suggestions and recommendations from the public. These comments will be relayed to the Commission and the rules for 2005 will be set at the August meeting.

     One of the proposed changes would be to convert Big Spring creek in Cotter, from its source to its confluence with the White River, from a 'trout sanctuary' to an under-16 and disabled angler fishery, similar to Dry Run Creek below Norfork Dam. The area would be catch-and-release from November 1 to April 30 with only artificial lures and a single, barbless hook allowed. From May 1 through October 31, regular rules will apply.

2025 Progress Committee’s “Theme Team” brings more fish to Cotter

      Have you seen the big trout on the light pole in Big Spring Park yet? It’s just the first of about three dozen which will soon ornament power poles on Cotter’s streets -- the poles which hold Cotter’s Christmas wreaths. The fish may even be lighted during the holiday season as part of the city’s participation in “Light the Loop.”

     Sharon Peters, chairman of the “Theme Team,” initiated the project, which features a trout designed by Cotter artist Duane Hada of Rivertown Gallery. Jim Wallace, curator of the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, volunteered to advise the committee on the choice of metals and finishing, as well as mounting hardware.

     Twelve to 15 of the fish will be sold to cover the entire cost of the project. For more information, call Sharon Peters at 435-5555 or Denis Dunderdale at 435-2355.

“Watercolor for Dummies” offered at Annie’s Books and Curiosities 

     Norfork painter Coeita Batarseh will offer three watercolor workshops at Annie's Books & Curiosities on Friday, May 21. Participants need no prior experience and do not need to be able to draw, Coeita said. She calls the offering “Watercolor for Dummies."

     Participants will paint several bookmarks in 2-hour workshops

beginning at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and an 11 a.m. workshop will be devoted to painting note cards.

The fee for each session is $7, which includes materials.

     There is room for only five participants in each workshop. Those who would like to attend should contact Anne Ramey at 435-6018, email her at aramey@uark.edu; write her at PO Box 308, Cotter; or stop by Annie's at 125 McLean between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cotter FBLA competes at
Arkansas state convention
From Andrea Kray

     Twenty members of the Cotter FBLA chapter traveled to the Arkansas FBLA state convention on April 22, 2004.  Cotter’s very own, Hannah Kenney, was inducted into office and will serve next year as the District VI State Vice President.  Cotter students also competed in events ranging from marketing to banking and financial systems. 

     Cotter FBLA is proud to bring home a 2nd place finish in the American Enterprise Project thus qualifying the project to compete at the national level against the top two projects from each state. The project was named Operation Cookie and members presented a supply and demand lesson to first-grade students. Elementary students participated in a mock market economy and purchased cookies from each other. 

     Seven students will now travel to the National Leadership Conference in Denver, CO, this July. Jay Caple and Annie Miller will present Operation Cookie.  The four-day conference is packed with business-related workshops, leadership training, and competitions that provide knowledge and experience unlike any other.  Although this opportunity awaits them, they must finance their own expenses.  The cost is $787 per person, not including meals. 

     If you as an organization, individual, or business would like to help these students advance to nationals, one hundred percent of your contribution will be applied toward their fees. We are asking for $25 sponsorships; however any amount given would go a long way to help these students. 

     Cotter FBLA is very thankful and appreciative of the support we received from our community, family and friends.  If you are ever in a position that we may serve you, please let us know.

Council to hold monthly work sessions; New water committee named

     In response to a recommendation by councilman Keith Simmons, the Cotter City Council agreed to begin monthly work sessions to better address the city’s needs. This approach will provide a forum for increased discussion among council members. Meetings will be held in Council chambers at City Hall and will be open to the public. The first session is scheduled for 3 pm, May 12th. Following meetings will be scheduled for the second Thursday each month. Members unanimously agreed to waive the customary fee paid each member for extra Council meetings.

      The Cotter City Council heard a presentation by Bill Lord, Director, Northwest Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District about plans to purchase RLH Inc. trash operations including their landfill in northern Baxter County. He explained that board of directors of the district included County Judges and Mayors of the largest city and all other cities over 2000 within Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Marion, Newton and Searcy counties. He outlined the process to form the district including involvement by professional engineers, geologists, CPA’s, land appraisers, attorneys, banks, bond underwriting companies, financial and solid waste consultants. Lord further explained the formation of the district is consistent with

management of the majority of solid waste districts in Arkansas.

     Representatives from I.E.S.I., local trash company expressed their concerns about creation of a government entity to manage an enterprise they felt could be done more efficiently on a private commercial basis. Further concerns were expressed that the sale by RLH to the new district was essentially done on a sole source basis. I.E.S.I. felt they could manage the operation more efficiently. Their costs per ton they pointed out were considerably less.

     The presentation by both parties was informational and no action was taken by the council. Other issues on this matter will be addressed in court in the near future.

     In other matters the Council asked the Mayor to advertise for competitive bids on repairs of gutters and the facia behind City Hall. Also the Mayor was asked to looked for additional sources for brick work needed on the gate at Walnut Hill Cemetery. The Council also approved resolution 04-07 that would allow residents to buy flood insurance in conjunction with the Federal Flood Insurance Program.

     Councilman Mo Mosley announced formation of a special committee on water to review Cotter’s water system. The group will seek to identify new technology and other efficiencies to help the system pay for itself. Members are former Mayor J.D. Pratt, Sonny Cook, Linda Gleason and Leon Baker.

Mayor’s Minute

     For a town perched on the side of a steep hill, we escaped this last rain event with very little damage.  Chuck Majdanowski our official weather reporter, reported over 12 inches total rainfall for the event!  I’m sorry that it caused quite a little misery in the White River drainage area, but what a blessing for our fishing future.  As you know, Beaver Lake drains into Table Rock, which drains through Lake Taneycomo into Bull Shoals. All this water rising up our lakes’ shorelines covering the weeds and brush make great hiding places for the newly hatched game fish and provide excellent habitat for the little creatures that the new generation feeds on during their first weeks of life. The bass born during the high water of two years ago are now a healthy two pounds and will provide excellent fishing as they continue to grow for the next several years.  This most recent event should do the same thing for a new generation of the fish that we all like to catch.

     The lakes on White River (except Taneycomo) were built primarily for flood control.  When they rise into the upper area, called the “flood pool,” that portion of the water will be evacuated as quickly as the river below can take it.  With both Beaver and Table Rock filled into their flood pool, I look for a high water situation in our area for most of the summer.  This

would mean tough fishing for the wade fishermen in our river, but the long term effect would be that the trout presently in the river would have a better chance to survive and grow to a larger size, and the newly stocked rainbows could live longer than their present average of 21 days. Yes Virginia, the glass IS half full.

     I know I speak for Ronnie and Richard when I say that I appreciate the patience of all of you who have had some driveway damage.  The have had a busy time getting the town looking as nice as possible for our annual Trout Festival. And of course the big rain delayed some of those plans.   The weather finally allowed some warmer nights, so Guy King started producing hot mix that we can buy to repair our streets.  As you travel down 2nd Street, you will see what nice repairs they can make with our new roller and some hot mix.  Those repairs were made because of leaks in a line under the street.  Ronnie found out that line served only the old service station on the corner of Second and Harding Blvd.  He got permission to re route the service and connect to the line on Harding.  Then he capped the line under Second Street and I’m certain that is the last of the leaks in that block.

     I am looking forward to our Trout Festival because so many new things have been added, and also because it is the kick-off event of our Centennial year.  If you have any ideas of how we should celebrate this great event, please call or come by.

Description of pictures above: Following the presentation of the colors by the Cotter VFW, Mayor Bill Jennings prepares to read the proclamation of Cotter’s Centennial. He was followed by Baxter County Judge Joe Bodenhamer, former mayor J. D. Pratt, Saturday Club President Wanda Fielding, who read remarks from former mayor Rex Bayless, and the founder of Ranger Boats Forrest Wood. Centennial essay winner from Cotter High School, Sandra Bergey-Wilcoxson, reads her essay while vocalist Judy Webb looks on.
 

Description of pictures above: Centennial art contest winner, Bradley Hanes of Cotter Schools, is shown accepting his prize from Margie Beaver. A good crowd was present at the opening ceremonies and the Shore Lunch Fish Fry, prepared by Gary Flippin and the Rim Shoals gang.
 

Description of pictures above: Shore Lunch Cookoff winners were David McNair (2^nd), Rusty and Suzie Linquist (Champions), and Charlie Willett (3^rd). Despite threatening weather on Saturday, Cotter native Clyde Collins displayed his chairs, the fly fishing demonstrations went on, and Granny Judy’s funnel cakes were a winner, as always.