Mayor’s Minute

The word is getting out that there is a unique fishing area here in Cotter.  On Martin Luther King Holiday, I drove down to the foot bridge, and there was a young boy fishing, with a man beside him coaching.  The young fisherman was casting a small gold spoon on a Kiddy Zebco and was catching fish!  His Granddad had shown him how to bring the fish into shallow water, drop his rod tip and the fish shook out the hook and swam off.  The man said they had read about the new fishery in the Little Rock paper.  The boy was out of school for the holiday, and they drove up to give it a try.  If the boy's excitement was an indicator, they will be back.

The project is a “work in progress” and the Game and Fish staff is working hard to make the project a fun place for the youngsters and properly licensed handicapped people to get a taste of our famous trout fishing.  They would welcome any management suggestions, as there are only two other restricted fishing areas, and ours is unique because it is so accessible. 

January 2005 goes into the record books as one of the wettest in recent history.  It is also unusual that we have had so much moisture, and practically none came as snow and ice.  Of course, that means that the lakes will be lowered to the power pool level as quickly as the farmland below can take it without flooding.  Few fishermen have been going out in the high water, so the trout will have a chance to grow a little more before the warmer weather attracts the crowds. 

We are getting more and more complaints of dogs and cats running loose around town. Our laws state that when outside the confines of their residence, all animals - yes, this means cats also - must be on leashes.  Pet owners do not seem to understand that their animals can be a huge source of irritation to their neighbors.  The all night barking of a dog is a lullaby to the owner, but a very real irritation to the light-sleeping folks living close by.  So pet

owners, take warning.  When our police officers see infractions of our animal control ordinance, or when we receive complaints, of pets running loose or excessive barking, don't be surprised when an officer comes to your door with a citation in hand.  Come to City Hall and renew your pet licenses, and practice being a good citizen by not forcing you animals on your neighbors.

 Valentines are supposed to be mushy.  Tell them that you love them. You'll feel better also.

City Council members elected in November are sworn in at City Hall. Shown above from left are: Jim Wittington, Elwood “Mo” Mosley, Keith Simmons, Gil Stammer, and Peggy Dunn.

 Also sworn in was the Cotter City Clerk-Recorder-Treasurer, Peggy Hammack.

City Council passes budget, adds support for ball field

At the January meeting of the Cotter City Council,  City Budget Ordinance 05-01 for 2005 was passed with projected revenues of $954,106, expenses of $770,439 and end of year balance of $183,667. Budget Adjustment Ordinance 05-02 was passed to reconcile accounts for 2004. The Council also approved purchase of a Fire and Security Alarm for City Hall from Affordable Alarm Systems for $3000.

The Council approved a schedule and procedures for their monthly meetings during the year (See related article). Also, Mayor Jennings announced that City Councilman S.E. Copeland, Ward 3, Position 1, had resigned. Efforts will be made to appoint someone to fill the vacancy by the Feb 24th City Council meeting.

The Council gave further support to a community project to make major improvements to the ballfield at Big Spring Park. The Council had previously donated $14,800 from the sale of City

property. Work is in process and the Council agreed to front bills up to $10,000 pending completion of a major fund raising event March 12, 2005. Fund raising for the effort  is being spearheaded by the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce and the project is being coordinated by local businessman Kent Newman.

Volunteer police officer Bob Stewart named “Everyday Hero”

At their monthly meeting Jan 27, 2005, the Cotter City Council heard high praise from local resident, Mabel Greer, about volunteer police officer Bob Stewart. As she put it "Officer Stewart saved my life." 

The incident involved an attack by a large dog that was not on a leash. Officer Stewart was driving by, saw the incident, and subdued the attacking dog with a taser gun. Mrs. Greer recounted that after the incident Officer Stewart, and then Cotter Chief of Police Jack Burkhart followed up to make sure she was all right. She announced that she had nominated Officer Stewart and he had been selected for special citizen recognition as "An Everyday Hero" sponsored by the Red Cross and Television Station KYTV in Springfield, Missouri. Officer Stewart is to be honored at an awards breakfast at Springfield, March 15, 2005.

 Walking Group at Youth Center

Want to improve your fitness and meet nice people? A walking group has formed at the North Arkansas  Youth Center and meets from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. The cost is only $1 per session. For more information contact Frances Smith at 435-6653.

City Council Adopts Procedures for Future Meetings

To better serve the citizens of Cotter the following policies and procedures will govern City Council meetings during 2005. These will ensure that meetings will be conducted in an orderly manner and time involved kept to a minimum.

1. Monthly workshop meetings to discuss upcoming business will be held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM.

2. Regular Council meetings to be held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00PM.

3. All meetings will be held in the Council Chambers of Cotter City Hall, 115 McLean Avenue, Cotter.

4. The Mayor shall develop the agenda and place a copy in each council member's box by 1:00 p.m.

on Monday preceding regular meeting.

5. Items for the agenda that require action by the Council shall be in the Mayor's office by noon, on the third Friday.

6. Items of an informational nature and requiring no action by the Council may be received in City Hall until noon the day before each meeting.

7. State law says that the Council is not required to allow any public commentary during a meeting. However, in Cotter limited commentary on agenda items will be allowed prior to voting. A maximum of three people will be allowed to speak either for or against an item on the agenda. Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes, and must sign in prior to the start of the meeting.

8. Following the last item on the agenda, another period of commentary will be allowed. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes to speak on items of public interest.