Good Samaritans Stimulate the Economy

Television station KNWA reported police broke up a large, underage drinking party last Thursday at the faith-based Samaritan Community Center Thrift Store in Springdale's Mathias Plaza.
 
A clerk at neighboring business, Take Two Video called police when she noticed numerous people going in and out of the thrift store after hours with the lights turned out.

Times sure have changed. It used to be when police broke up a teenage party, they would just call the parents to come get them. I have been told that every teen present at this party was arrested and charged with minor in possession of alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia for the hookah.

Springdale may have come up with an efficient new way to stimulate the local economy. Just think of the huge boost to revenue collected from fines, increased business for local attorneys and conserving fuel in the squad cars all at the same time.

The Warehouse District

The June 8 Springdale City Council meeting was about more than the lame excuses for how the Chamber of Commerce spends our tax money. Try debating whether or not putting up metal warehouse buildings in a residential area is good economic development.

Alderman Bobby Stout needs to put down the pipe. Patsy Christy spent fifteen minutes explaining all changes to the Land Use Plan. When she is finished Stout wakes up and says, "Now what all changed?" Seriously.

The Planning Commission recommended they review the area around Wagon Wheel, Silent Grove and Apple Blossom again in two years and hopefully they would have more information about the 412 northern bypass at that time.

Perry Webb took to the podium claiming that companies have been contacting him like crazy. BIG companies with billions...repeat (Webb does) BILLIONS of dollars in potential projects. These mystery big spenders are just begging for this spot of land despite the fact that it will not have an exit for interstate access, does not have city sewer and the Planning Commission has twice recommended to the city NOT to change the land use for this area.

Resident David Gilbert said, "We've heard Mr. Webb tell us about business, business, business...well, we live there."

Springdale Attorney Jeff Slaton who lives in the area that would be affected said it is highly unlikely the northern 412 bypass will be built within the next nine years. Slaton, like others was asking the council to wait and see what develops with the bypass.

Slaton also invited Webb to share the information he has with us about who wants to build there. We will anxiously await his reply.

I've heard the whispers that if the property owners last name were something different, this would not be an issue.

The Fox

After a pledge, prayers, boy scouts and a photo-op, the June 8 Springdale City Council Meeting got underway.

About 6:20 minutes into the video, Mayor Sprouse tells us it is time for citizen comments. As a citizen, the mayor's traveling companion, Perry Webb takes the podium and tells the audience how the mayor had asked him - that very morning - to supply the council and the city with invoices of the chamber of commerce economic development activity for the first five months of the year. Maybe some people had been complaining or something.

The excitement didn't last long. Once again, the city is allowing this elusive and exclusive group to do whatever they want - including nothing - without any accountability. If you find economic development activity anywhere on page one let me know. Don't waste your time looking any further than that because the other months are just a photocopy of the first.

As a steward of the taxpayers' money, the mayor should be ashamed.

Doing the Math

A recent request for documentation showing what a check the Springdale Chamber of Commerce paid to President/CEO Perry Webb's daughter was for leaves more questions than answers.

First, we received the copy of the check back with "answered phones" written on it. Okay, that sounds reasonable enough.

Second, we were provided a weekly time record with somebody's name scribbled out and that of Sarah Gordley written in above it - in two places. Okay, that seems a little weird.

According to my calculator, Ms. Gordley was paid $22.222222222222222222222222222222 per hour for four and a half hours in order to equal the hundred dollar paycheck she received. This doesn't even take into consideration the fact they claim the work performed was in October and the check wasn't written until December.

Another explanation from the local CoC, that just doesn't add up.

Business Intelligence Report

In an effort to look like you're getting something for your money, the Chamber of Commerce is now distributing what they have deemed "The Business Intelligence Report" to their dues-paying members.

President/CEO Perry Webb takes credit for each new business license purchased in Springdale while claiming this new publication is FILLED with quality data gleaned from local research as well as from some of the nation's top business resources.

I'm trying to keep a straight face.

The Iconoclast: The Soul of Springdale - January 9, 2009

They're tomatoes, officer...

Jimmy Rutherford, 42, of Springdale was arrested Wednesday and charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, marijuana.

Rutherford claims he was growing vegetables in his backyard to sell at the farmer's market. He also claims some plants just sprouted up on their own and he thought they were tomatoes.

The value of the tomatoes that grew all by themselves was estimated by police to be worth $138,000.

Police conducted the search of Rutherford's home after receiving an anonymous tip.

Today's lesson is always be nice to your neighbors.