It’s Open!

     Dreams came true at Cotter about 3 p.m. September 24th when the cannon roared to announce re-opening of the historic R.M. Ruthven Bridge to vehicular traffic. At the signal, Hart's Battery, Civil War Re-enactors of Mountain Home and Bakersfield, Missouri, fired their 12 pound "Napoleon" cannon, and Mayor Bill Jennings of Cotter and Mayor Mary Jane Erwin of Flippin cut the ribbon. The mayors led a 10 car caravan of vintage cars which crossed the bridge from Cotter, turned around in Marion County and led traffic from both counties across the bridge for the first time in more than two years.

     Former Baxter County Judge Joe Bodenhamer was master of Ceremonies for the re-dedication program. Ceremonies started at 2 p.m. with singing of our national anthem and a perfectly coordinated fly over of three vintage aircraft from Cotter’s “Air Force” at the Valley Fly-In.

     Special guests included members of the Ruthven family, Mrs. Georgia Hughes, granddaughter of John Harley, one of the two men killed on the first bridge project, and Howard Ott, 95, who worked on the original bridge construction project in 1929-1930.

     Speakers included Cotter’s Mayor, Bill Jennings; Wayne Ruthven, Arkansas Emergency Management Director; Forrest Wood, Chairman, Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner; Jonathan Barnett, District 9 Commissioner, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Dept. A poem written by Herbert Messick was read by his daughter,

Baxter County Historian Mary Ann Messick, who also dedicated the bridge to “the workers and their families who built it generations ago and to those who rebuilt it today. They changed our world and our gratitude will endure forever.”

     The caravan of vintage cars included a 1923 Buick Roadster, 1926 Ford Phaeton, 1927 Ford Model T, a 1929 DeSoto, and several other beautiful vehicles. The ribbon cutting included the civil war cannon, and also Cotter's  Volunteer Fire Dept, who sprayed arches of water to add to the celebration.

      After the ceremony, visitors were entertained by the Cotter High School Band and Chorus prior to a barbeque dinner at the pavilion, sponsored by the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce. Gary Ash and "Wildfire" entertained.

Mayor’s Minute

     September 2004 has to be one of the outstanding months in the history of our town.  Not only did the town look great, but the bridge rededication and the 5th annual Fall Festival brought literally thousands of people to visit and enjoy the festivities. Sonny Sharp did a masterful job as Activities Chairman, enlisting the help of many hard-working and talented people who in turn found willing people to help produce the biggest and best two-day celebration since the original dedication of the Rainbow Arch bridge in 1930.

     The dedication program on Friday went off without a hitch.  Ronnie Smith and the City Crew cleared out a beautiful view of the clean new bridge, Former County Judge Joe Bodenhamer as M.C. kept the program moving, and the speeches were reasonably short.  However, I felt the mood of the afternoon was set by the beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Judy Byram and the thrilling fly over by three identical airplanes furnished by our neighbors at Valley Fly-In. I’m certain that my throat was not the only one with a huge lump caused by the simple majesty of the moment. 

      Congressman Marion Berry, Highway Commissioner Jonathon Barnett, State Senator Shawn Womack, State Representative Johnny Key joined Cotter Chamber of Commerce President Bev Pence, Festival Queen Chelsey Heenan, Flippin Mayor Mary Jane Erwin and I in vintage cars for the short ride up to the first arch of the bridge where, as the cannon boomed, Mayor Erwin representing Marion County and I cut the long, long yellow ribbon and the folks in the front row down in the park all pulled the ribbon to let the traffic flow. I’m told that people started cutting up the ribbon for souvenirs. What a wonderful day, to be finished off with a good barbeque dinner.

     Saturday’s activities officially started with another great Carolyn Gill-Debbie Simmons-Jack Burkhart Fall Festival Parade.  I have ridden in all five and they just keep getting bigger and better.  What a thrill to turn the corner onto Second Street and look down the hill to see what looked like New York City at Rush hour.  I think we attracted the biggest crowd I have ever seen in our town.  It is wonderful to know that folks trust us to have a festival that they can enjoy.  Many, many people both local and neighbors worked very hard to decorate the town and produce the 2004 version of the Fall Festival.  I can only say congratulations and thank you for a magnificent job.

    The bridge lighting project has been delayed a little, but will be back on schedule next week.  In the meantime, you can have a bulb on the bridge with your name on it if you “Buy a Bulb For a Buck”.  You can stop at Firehouse Antiques, Cotter Hair Studio, Rainbow Treasures, Old Lumber Company, Riverbend Trading Company or City Hall

     Pay $1.00 per bulb and write your name on it.  Each bulb will be installed in the beautiful array outlining the arches and the railings.  It was lighted first on December 2nd, 1996. Like before, the lights will turn on at dusk and off at dawn each day of the year.  Is that not a fun way of remembering family and friends?  Most of the original bulbs were still burning when they had to be removed for the renovation project.

     There seems to be some confusion about Holiday trash pick up.  The only holidays that the trash will not be collected if they fall on a Monday are: New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  All other holidays will be collected.

     Surely we are going to get some rain in October.  Crooked Creek is dry at Yellville.  Because most of the water in our Big Spring comes from Crooked Creek, it is almost dry also.  September, 2004 was dryer than any month I can remember in the 54 years I have lived in the area.  I will be going to the Black Hills of South Dakota for my class reunion in a couple weeks.  Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations are on the way, and I may need to bring back some rain dancers to help us.

    The Mid South Fly Fishers’ Reel Divas brought three boatloads of flashy fisherwomen to throw beads in the real Mardi Gras tradition. Cotter thanks them for participating in many Cotter happenings.

Council Hits Home Run for Little League

     At their September 23rd meeting at City Hall the Cotter City Council provided a major boost to plans to upgrade the little league ball field at Big Spring Park. What started as a simple proposal by local sponsor Kent Newman, to confirm preliminary support, ended in a firm $15,000 commitment. Newman explained that if lights could be added the field would be more accessible. More games could be played and more kids would benefit from organized baseball. If further improvements could be made, to add a concession stand, press box, plus upgraded rest rooms, Cotter could qualify for tournaments which would bring people to the City. He explained that he was looking for a sensing of the Council as a basis to pursue grants to fund the proposed improvements. Lights were the initial priority and estimated costs were $26-30 thousand. Bev Pence, President, Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce, voiced strong support for the project.

      The discussion came after mention had been made of a recent sale by the City of three lots on Harding Avenue. Councilman Keith Simmons proposed that $5 thousand of the proceeds be earmarked for the little league project. Councilman Chuck Flowers suggested the total proceeds from the sale of just under $15 thousand be committed to support efforts to obtain grant funding for the complete upgrade. The matter was approved unanimously.

     In other matters the Council approved Ordinance 04-05 to vacate an unused alley in Cotter Heights. The Council approved Ordinance 04-04 to control manufacture sale and use of fireworks in the City of Cotter. Approval was also given to replacement of overhead doors for the firehouse and a resolution was approved in support of ballot Amendment 2. The Council also heard plans for the fall festival and re-dedication of the R.M. Ruthven Bridge.

Fire Department Update
From Sue Whittington  

The new extrication equipment we were able to order thanks to the FEMA grant we were awarded has been received and installed on our rescue truck. With the new equipment, the time to open a vehicle to rescue an injured person has been reduced substantially.

Two of our members have completed the EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course and successfully passed the national test to qualify as certified EMT’s. Those members are Roddy Fraser and Tracey “TJ” Jackson. Both these individuals donated many hours of their time in the classroom and extra studying to better serve our community. Congratulations and thanks to both Roddy and TJ.

At our fall festival, the Cotter VFD Auxiliary and the Cotter/Gassville Rural Auxiliary joined forces to serve pork and beef sandwiches as a fundraiser. The sandwiches were delicious and generously portioned. If you missed having one, look for us next year at the fire station, as we plan to make this an annual event. The Cotter Auxiliary has recently voted to purchase a new AED machine (Artificial External Defibrilator) with pediatric capability for our rescue truck along with some other equipment. The Cotter/Gassville Auxiliary will be using their funds toward installation of a restroom and kitchen at the Wildcat Station.

We have recently begun a Junior Fire Fighting program with the addition of two Cotter High School students. Cory Weaver and Alan Holmes have been added to our roster as junior members. They will take part in training and all aspects of fire and rescue except that they will not enter an actual burning structure.

In addition to the above, we continue to make improvements to our fire station. We have painted, reorganized, recently refitted and installed lockers for our gear, and refitted our rescue truck with our new extrication equipment, power unit and air hoses to run the equipment. In September, the council voted to install new doors and openers on the fire station. 

We want to thank all of our fire department and auxiliary members who donate their time to help serve the community. Anyone interested in joining may call Chief Jim Whittington at 435-6989.

2004 Cotter Fall Festival
Pageant Winners

From Andrea Kray

 Winners and Runners-up in the 2^nd Fall Festival Pageant are listed below. They will reign through the year, until the end of the next fall festival.

 Mr. Tiny Tot
     Winner – Michial Thorne
     1^st  - Lance May
     2^nd  - Derek Beaver

 Miss Tiny Tot
     Winner – Myca Treat
     1^st – Maysa Fouts
     2^nd – Sadie Rowe and Zowy Parks (tie)

 Little Mister
     Winner – Cody Rowe
     1^st – Aron Rowe

Little Miss
     Winner – Jada Klunk
     1^st – Hannah Dover
     2nd – Mikaela Ewing

Junior Miss
     Winner – Keegan Palmertree
     1^st – Chelsea Snedecor
     2^nd – Kayla Harp

Princess
     Winner – Aubrey Williams
     1^st – Jessica Lube
     2^nd – Lindsay Lashley-Cheatham

Queen
     Winner – Heather Johnston
     Miss Congeniality – Rhiannon Garreans
     1^st – Courtney Jones
     2nd – Samantha Murphy