Trout Capital News
Volume II Number 1	Published by the City of Cotter, Arkansas		September 2005
We hope you have missed seeing the Trout Capital News and are ready to welcome it back into our community.      We have a new staff and our intention is to make this newsletter as good as it used to be. We welcome your comments and suggestions, hopefully constructive in nature. We are seeking someone who would like to help in anyway with the newsletter. The three of us are rookies at this, so feel free to jump in and give us a hand.      We will be carrying reports from clubs and organizations in town, as well as a “Mayor’s Corner”, City Council News, Spotlighting Cotter History by Wanda Fielding and other exciting breaking news. If you have a favorite subject you would like to report on feel free to give us a call.      Advertisements will be solicited. They will be cheaper than the New York Times, but just as effective.      The first River Guide who writes a half page story about fishing on the White River in the Cotter area will get a free ad in the newsletter. ENJOY!!! the STAFF School Is Back In Session Watch out for school children and pay attention to school buses. Saturday Club Annual Bulb Sale ends Sept. 17. Contact a member or call 435-6371.		Celebrating 100 Years By Wanda Fielding      On August 6, 2005 the Saturday Club of Cotter, celebrated their 100 year anniversary. On August 5, 1905 several ladies of Cotter met at the home of Mrs. C. E. (Laura) Hopkins in Cotter Heights for a social afternoon of embroidery and luscious refreshments.      Meeting always on Saturday afternoons, the ladies adopted their name from a club in Springfield, Mo., in which charter member Mrs. E. J. Loop had been a member. Meeting twice a month for several years in member’s homes, the membership was limited to twenty. In 1916, the Saturday Club joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.      Early yearbooks (housed at the Baxter County Historical Society in Gassville) reveal the first project of the club, in 1912, to be the Walnut Hill Cemetery. In early years, the club ladies (joined by other townspeople) donned their bonnets and old clothes, took their own rakes, shovels and weedwackers, and literally maintained the cemetery for 20 years. They later started a campaign requesting funds from lot owners and their families to keep up the cemetery. In 1975 the club started a trust fund called the Cotter Perpetual Care Fund. The interest from the fund is paid annually to the City for upkeep of Walnut Hill.      Other major projects were for education and community improvement. Third and fourth generation members Marilyn Pittman Morris and Laura Morris, invited the Club to Hopkinswood (Laura Hopkins former home) to celebrate the 100th anniversary. Nineteen members and invited guests enjoyed the same tranquil atmosphere and luscious desserts as yesteryear. Marilyn served her Grandmother’s recipes of Tilden cake and orange mint.
Spotlighting Cotter History by Wanda Fielding This article is from the “COTTER RECORD” Published by Mr. & Mrs. H. D.Routzong November 2, 1923 - “Cotter, Arkansas” Cotter, population 1200 is on the banks of the White River. It is a passenger freight division of the White River Division of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, has a roundhouse and shops, large railway yards. The town is on a hill sloping from the river level to 250 feet above and no part of it subject to overflow. The usual Businesses are represented: Bank, General Stores, Two Hotels, Pencil Factory, Ice & Bottling Factory, A weekly Newspaper, A Credited High School, Four Churches, All Fraternal Orders, Two Garages, etc and is on a State Highway. Lands range in present value from $10 to $150 an acre. The Temperature Range is from 80 to 12 below zero. Board & Room by the week run from $5 to $7 at boarding house and $7 up at Hotels. Wages for a common days labor from 20 cents to 30 cents an hour and skilled labor  35 to 60 cents or even higher. There is little call for skilled labor, the Pencil Factory is employing a few girls on piece work earning from $1.50 to $3.00 per day of 8 hours.		City Council News      The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00pm, on August 25, 2005. The first order of business was to fill the empty seat on the Council for Ward 2 Position 1.      Mr. George Lanning addressed the Council presenting his qualifications and expressed his desire and willingness to serve. The Council went into executive session to discuss Mr. Lanning’s comments and to address two personnel matters. When the Council returned to regular session, Alderman Whittington nominated Mr. Lanning and the nomination was seconded by Alderman Simmons. The vote was unanimous and Mr. Lanning was seated on the Council. He was sworn in on August 30th. The personnel issues were deemed to be handled by the Mayor.     Council passed a resolution for conduct of council meetings, which will be posted in City Hall and around town. Passed was a resolution for an attachment to building permit applications requiring all council persons and the Mayor to review all applications before issuance of permits. This attachment will continue to be a requirement until new ordinances are in place.      Leon Baker and Roland Morris were appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board by unanimous vote.     Discussions were held on several topics.     Reports from the Aldermen were heard.     Council adjourned around 7:00 PM to reconvene September 22, 2005.
Cotter's Bits & Pieces  Landscaping Blocks      Plans are under way to retrieve the landscaping blocks that are located at the site of the abandoned “Dillard Park Project.”  As the weather cools, the stones will be removed from their location and placed on pallets. We plan on this work being done by prison labor. The bricks will be moved on pallets ONE TIME ONLY to the location where they will be used. One place that is being considered is around the flower beds at City Hall. If you are interested in helping, contact Carolyn Gill  @ 435-2207.       The 2025 Committee may have use for some of the blocks as well. Another use under consideration is around the sign at the corner of Hwy 345 & McLean.      The desire of ALL involved is to decide where the blocks will be used and move them once and be done with the moving. Farmers Market      The Farmers Market is now planning to remain open until October. Farmers Market is open on Thursday from 11am to 1pm in front of Riverbend Trading. The sellers have produce and plants, so the “beet” goes on. Class Reunion      Last weekend was Class Reunion at Cotter. There were many returning graduates who we hope enjoyed their homecoming to Cotter. Storm Drainage Project      You’ve probably noticed the City Crew working on the storm drainage project in the city. Recently, they have cleaned ditches through the “Bird Sanctuary”; cut a ditch between 4th & 5th on South St.; cleaned the ditch in front of Magness’s Bulk Plant; put a culvert across South St and reworked the ditch line; installed a culvert to a homeowner’s driveway on South St.; and installed and reworked the main drain between South St. and Tyler St. Several culverts have been purchased and the drainage work will continue at least until our allotted fund is used up. It will continue at a pace determined by the crew’s other work load.  Clean up Ordinance Enforcement      The clean up ordinance will be enforced to its maximum. This is a continuing problem and it will be addressed with all penalties of the ordinance being applied.  Cotter Launch Ramp      Work has been fast and furious on the launch ramp. It will be a great addition to Cotter when it is finished. Work has been temporarily halted for the crew to go to the Gulf Coast to work in the recovery effort from the Hurricane Katrina.		Mayor's Corner By “Mo” Mosley      This is my first opportunity to address the Citizens of Cotter in this newsletter.      I came to be the Mayor on July 28, 2005 by appointment by the City Council to fill the empty position. We have many challenging situations to address before we turn our efforts toward the changes I believe will be good for the City of Cotter. We have in place inadequate and out-dated ordinances that allow for mistakes that can and do put the whole town in a compromised position, causing conflict and concern. We must reconstruct our ordinance inventory and make sure we protect the city form being blindsided and coming to a standstill. Our building permit process is antiquated and requires a complete overhaul. We need to commit to the International Building Code and take steps to apply and support the Code.      I wanted this job and know that I have ideas, energy and attitude to make this a better, more forward looking place to live. What gets done here depends mainly on two factors. One factor is the approach taken by the City Council. This City Council is loaded with talent and I believe they are ready and anxious to get on with what Cotter needs. I intend to give them the help and the leadership needed to get their projects completed.  The second factor required to make change is the willingness of those who live in our great little town to provide input and support.      My vision for Cotter is for us all to work and live together in a helpful and cooperative atmosphere. We can do this if most of us want it.  My first out front project is to try and save this monthly newsletter. If you think it is worth saving and you are interested in helping, let me hear from you. See you at the City Council Meeting!!
Upcoming Events   Fall Festival September 24, 2005 In the park City Wide Yard Sale October 8, 2005      8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign-up sheet at Riverbend Trading Street Dance October 8, 2005    7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 2nd Street from Dalton to McLean Large Item Trash Pick UP October 10, 2005   Come to the Car Show at the Fall Festival September 24, 2005 Big Spring Park
This newsletter is published monthly by the City of cotter and focuses on local activities. It is edited by Mo & Theresa Mosley along with Tina Berry. It is printed by Good Impressions Printing of Mountain Home. It is also published electronically at www.troutcapitalnews.com. If you have information to contribute please e-mail to smberry13@hotmail.com, leave it at City Hall, or mail to PO BOX 9, Cotter, AR 72626/