In Black and White for Deaf Ears

Should non-profit organizations and churches be counted as "new business" when reporting economic development? There is no tax revenue from them.  Should businesses that have been around for years, such as Acambaro and Well House Tavern be included in a list of new business for 2011?  Well, if you're Perry Webb reporting on all the great things he has done for the City of Springdale, you would.  He goes so far as to toot his own horn by listing every Red Box location as a new business. 


Reporter/Chamber of Commerce Cheerleader, Steve Caraway didn't give his readers a complete picture of what Kathy Jaycox actually said to the deaf ears and thick skulls of the Springdale City Council on December 13.  


If you don't want to suffer through an hour of listening to the city council meeting to find out what was said, you can read a transcript of Jaycox's statement.

Keep Sprouse Out of the Real Estate Business

The City Council discussed another brilliant proposal by Mayor Doug Sprouse on Tuesday (12/13/11). Sprouse proposed selling the Criminal Investigation Division building and buying a different building, owned by Dave Chapman. Chapman has graciously agreed to sell the building at a price set by a new appraisal. An earlier appraisal valued the building at $530,000.

There is some concern that the city can’t recoup its investment if it sells the Blair Street building.

“We were told we had to have this building when we purchased it,” said Alderman Eric Ford. “Now we don’t need it and are trying to sell it.”

The city bought the Blair Street building in 2004 for $300,000 and has spent $175,000 on renovations.

“We won’t get what we’ve put into it,” said Alderman Mike Overton.

I personally would like to propose that Mayor Sprouse restrain himself from making any more real estate deals with his buddies. 

While pondering this, I have come up with a more cost-effective plan for the city's shortage on space.  

The city is currently considering revoking the business license for the downtown landmark  Sunrise Inn. The Mayor could just kick out all the mini meth lab operations and...  ta-da!  New building, more space and all on the cheap. Everyone in the city could have their own office and the Mayor could oversee his little kingdom all in one spot without having to walk anywhere.

The only downside I can see is how to make this benefit Chapman. 

The Corruption Will Continue

We have known for quite some time that there is only one member of the Springdale City Council that has enough nerve to question the good ol' boys' status quo in this town.  


This is not the first time the Springdale Chamber of Commerce has been questioned about not providing adequate documentation to the city for how they spend taxpayer money. 

On Tuesday night (12/13/11), Alderwoman Kathy Jaycox proposed establishing a committee to see that the Chamber provides the invoices for their expenditures as they have promised - and failed - to do for years.

“The city paid the chamber $227,000 this year,” Jaycox said. “I doubt the accuracy of the numbers presented by the chamber. We need more accountability and transparency from them.”

What does Perry Webb have to say about being questioned again?  Not much, of course.  He claims to receive all figures from the city clerk's office. What he fails to mention is that he is the one telling the city clerk who and what to pay. 


Webb isn't worried, he has the mayor and the remaining council members willing to look the other way.  Webb seemed more concerned with which committee he is going to get Mayor Sprouse to increase next and it won't matter anyway, Webb controls all three.

“The A and P contract has not been raised since 1996 and the public facilities contract hasn’t been raised since 1998,” Webb said.

And just like the last time Mrs. Jaycox requested invoices from the Chamber of Commerce, no other member of the City Council said a word.  They're perfectly content giving our money to Webb to do whatever he pleases.


Watch the video of the 12/13/11 council meeting HERE (When/if they decide to publicize it)