City Council Meeting

Residents interested in suggested changes to Springdale's animal ordinance attended the City Council meeting on Tuesday to voice their opinions. One resident said the cost of identifying chips for pets would be too burdensome at $55-$65.

A spokesman for the animal shelter said there would be a one time cost of $20 which would save pet owners money compared to the current $5 per year cost of registering pets in the city.

Every lost pet that can be quickly reunited with its owner is potentially saving another animal from euthanasia by opening up that space in the shelter.

In other news, the city council approved the conditional use permit allowing Ozark Electric Cooperative to erect a communications tower on property located downtown on Emma Avenue.

NWA Online article here.

March 31, 2009 - How We See It Article here.

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue offers microchipping for $20.

For Pet's Sake

Humane Society of the Ozarks

Fayetteville Animal Shelter

Year of the Patch

KFSM reported yesterday the City of Springdale is referring to road conditions as "the year of the patch," due to damage caused by worse than average winter weather.

The short article goes on to say that the three worst spots are Huntsville Avenue at Elmdale Shopping Center, Randal Wobbe near the railroad tracks and Lakeview Drive by the Springdale Country Club.

Would you come up with the same three?

A&P

The Springdale Morning News reported Wednesday that the city's Advertising & Promotion Commission is considering hefty budget cuts to cover falling tax revenue.

The article quotes Chamber of Commerce President Perry Webb as the group's spokesperson. Apparently the chamber provides the A&P staft [sic]. What a convenient way to keep the chamber's paws in the pot.

If the A&P would break their old habit of annually tossing $60,000 at the Chamber of Commerce for their lavish luxuries the problem would be solved.

See how easy that was?

The best news came in a short sentence at the end of the article:

"The commission also approved moving its meetings to the council chambers, in the city administration building. The meetings can be recorded and televised at the council chambers."

This is GREAT news. I for one can't wait to watch these meetings in the future. Stay tuned to Jones Television Network for programming.

The A&P is regularly scheduled to meet the second Wednesday of each month.

Suspicious Activity Report

Just moments ago (10:00 AM on Thursday, March 18, 2010) motorists passing Price Cutter at 1109 N. Thompson Street in Springdale reportedly spotted Jim Phillips (Springdale Liquor Association Cartel) and Arkansas State Representative Jon Woods in the parking lot, cars facing each other in what appeared to be a suspicious exchange.

Exactly what the two were exchanging in such an inconspicuous manner is unclear at this time.

Google Fiber for Communities

Google Fiber for Communities is an experimental initiative that would offer open access direct-to-home fiber-optic connections for selected test communities. Towns across America are pulling out all the stops to get Google's attention.

Google hopes the experiment will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. They plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations that have a population of at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

From now until March 26, interested municipalities can provide information about their communities through a Request for Information (RFI), which Google will use to determine where to build their network.

I haven't heard a peep if the City of Springdale or the Chamber of Commerce has made any attempt to at least put our name in the hat to bring Google Fiber to Northwest Arkansas.

Maybe we can petition the city for economic development funds if we take it upon ourselves to nominate Springdale here.

Who Screwed Up The Census?

The 2010 United States Census is underway, but not without a few glitches. Census letters have been sent to residents of Springdale with the incorrect city printed on them.

This could mean a huge loss of dollars for the city if the records end up going to other towns such as Fayetteville.

40/29 reported that the Census Bureau has received numerous reports of incorrect addresses and is advising residents to cross out the incorrect information and write in manually the correct address.

SLA Cartel Strikes Again

We thought this was old news.

We thought Macadoodles was on the home stretch to opening their doors.

We were wrong.

There was no mention of the latest antics of the Springdale Liquor Association in the local newspaper today, but television station 40/29 reported a new battle is brewing just days before the store is set to open.

Springdale should be welcoming any new business with open arms rather than allowing the greed of one person to embark on a campaign that is nothing short of harassment. Does the SLA have new evidence that makes them think appealing an already lost appeal is necessary?

Is State Senator Sue Madison behind this latest stunt to delay a legitimate business from opening their doors? Last year Madison was quoted, "they have lured people across the state line to purchase alcohol. They should not get a license until they have repaid Arkansas all the tax dollars we've lost." Are you going to repay Macadoodles for any revenue they lose fighting this nonsense? Are you going to pay Springdale all the sales tax they lose because everyone is now driving to Sam's in Fayetteville? Maybe you can call it even.

Macadoodles was voted Best Liquor Store in Northwest Arkansas so the SLA needs to be worried and coupled with the latest antics they are running off even once loyal patrons in droves. People don't want to do business with a company that does things like this.

This Family Tradition Since Prohibition needs to get over it.

The Fayetteville Flyer is blogging the same story here.

Take the Survey

The Northwest Arkansas Strategic Economic Development Committee is conducting a survey of the area.

We can only hope that we will get to see the actual results this time. Not like the one conducted by now bankrupt Jeff Collins that was kept hidden from everyone as if there was no reason for us to find out what our own opinions are.

The Northwest Council uses the steady stream of luxury cars and SUVs on the roads as evidence the NWA economy is strong as an ox (or a bull). They also tout statistics such as Northwest Arkansas grew by 47 percent between 1990 and 2000, making it the fastest growing region in the state and the sixth fastest in the nation.

This is all well and good, but I would prefer to see more recent data. Maybe if we all take the survey we can get some data from at least the last decade.

Results of this survey are to be published sometime in April 2010 and posted at http://www.greaternorthwestarkansas.com/.

Historic Downtown Tower

The Springdale Planning Commission voted unanimously (9-0) to approve conditional use of the property located at 406 E. Emma Avenue to allow Ozark Electric Cooperative to erect a 66 foot communication tower.

The tower is not necessary for emergency communications but is planned to serve as a backup or duplicate of an existing dispatch center.

It's now in the hands of the city council who will vote on Tuesday, March 23.

Is this what residents and business owners have been working so hard on to revitalize downtown Springdale?

Springdale Tomorrow Today

In 2004, the Springdale Tomorrow fundraising campaign development budget of $2.2 million was to be implemented over the course of four years for the following:

INITIATIVE I: Elevate Springdale's Retail & Entertainment Profile. BUDGET: $970,000.

INITIATIVE II: Create Technology Jobs in Springdale. BUDGET: $320,000

INITIATIVE III: Pro-Business Governmental Advocacy. BUDGET: $110,000

INITIATIVE IV: Implement Business Diversity Education Program. BUDGET: $154,000

INITIATIVE V: Development for Historic Downtown. BUDGET: $646,000

Springdale Tomorrow Case For Investment

Springdale Tomorrow Prospectus - Pt 1

Springdale Tomorrow Prospectus - Pt 2

It appears this fund was kept separate from other bank accounts and because the money originated from citizen donations, we are not allowed access to it via any freedom of information requests.

However, we have located numerous transfers (see below) totaling over $650,000 (the entire amount allocated for historic downtown Springdale development) that was put directly into the Chamber of Commerce operating account that ultimately ended up co-mingled with funds used to pay for lunch, dinner, trips and clothing for the privileged few.

06/20/06 $16,155.00
07/25/06 $14,756.00
08/28/06 $28,186.60
11/30/06 $10,008.00
12/26/06 $15,091.00
02/07/07 $17,158.00
07/09/07 $57,221.00
08/09/07 $40,707.00
09/07/07 $59,025.00
10/29/07 $57,221.00
11/27/07 $40,457.00
12/20/07 $42,021.00
01/24/08 $32,969.00
01/24/08 $12,000.00
02/29/08 $31,054.00
03/25/08 $34,567.00
04/23/08 $29,669.00
05/23/08 $10,163.00
07/03/08 $2,837.95
07/03/08 $21,075.05
09/03/08 $21,322.00
01/16/09 $60,000.00

Mega Rip Off

On February 16, 2009 an $1,848.00 charge was made on the Chamber of Commerce's American Express credit card to a company listed as Mega Wholesale - Brooklyn for "office equipment."

I was curious to see what kind of mega buying was going on this time and located various reports where this company has been repeatedly accused of operating a scam - or two.

The phone number listed on the statement is 800-577-6791 which I was easily able to link to an 'F' rating with the NY Better Business Bureau. Apparently this outfit has several different names and locations. This was either taxpayer's or dues paying member's money they were being so careless with.

White Lie or Webb Lie?

In the October 20, 2009 Springdale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Minutes, President/CEO Perry Webb reported after reviewing the July, August and September financial statements he had to transfer $50,000 from the Chamber's reserve account to the operating account.

Webb goes on to say that this is the first time in fifteen years this had been necessary.

That being the case, I wonder what this $100,000 transfer from the reserve account to the operating account made much less than fifteen years ago (June 2008) was for.

Legal Expense

The Springdale Chamber of Commerce reported on their IRS Form 990 that they spent ZERO dollars for legal expenses in calendar year 2008. If that is the case, what or who was the $7,306.25 in payments to Little Rock Law Firm Friday, Eldredge & Clark for?

October 24, 2008 $5,850.00

December 22, 2008 $1,456.25

US Chamber

A few days ago we talked about Mayor Sprouse being featured in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce magazine, Free Enterprise.

With all the negative publicity the U.S. Chamber has received lately, I'm not sure this is an organization the Mayor should be proud to be associated with.

Then again, apparently he is proud to be a member of Springdale's Chamber Board of Directors who openly support the US Chamber on their facebook page and in their newsletter The Business Intelligence Report.

By the way, between 2006 and 2008 the Springdale Chamber handed over to the U.S. Chamber a whopping $23,581.00. This does not include the $17,883.33 paid to "Your Chamber Connection" which may or may not be connected.

SLATE: Chamber of Horrors

Climate Progress: US Chamber of Commerce

Velvet Revolution: Stop the Chamber

Apple Resigns from Chamber

The New Yorker

The Wonk Room

Friends of the US Chamber

Work in Progress

Lindsey Files Chapter 7

Everyone seems to be talking about John David Lindsey's recently filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition.

The multi-million dollar filing included three Springdale banks, the Chamber of Commerce and many other businesses and individuals.

The Iconoclast

Rogers Arkansas Blog

The following are listed as creditors from Springdale:

B&M Lawncare
Bolt & Screw Supply
Bub's, Inc.
Bumper to Bumper
Cintas
Digital Printing Solutions
E&E Parts & Equipment
Farris Insurance
First Federal Bank
Fuel & Supplies, Inc.
G&C Family, LLC
Grainger
Heritage Hills, POA
Kiewit Southern
Layman's General Hardware
Liberty Bank
Marks Supply
Meeks
MHC
Moore's Retread & Tire
National Home Center
Neil Johnson
Northwest Tire Service
Offset Press Ink
Ozark Laser Systems
PBS
Peaks Homes 2
Precision Service & Sales
Ruby Lawson
Springdale Chamber of Commerce
Springdale Water Utilities
The Peaks at Pinnacle Hills
Today's Office
Tuscaney LLC
United Bank
Word's Electric

The Truth Hurts

Just a few weeks ago, the Springdale Chamber of Commerce reported to the city council that unemployment is down, new business is up and everything looks rosy for the future (especially the ballpark district).

Then I read the Arkansas Watch blog. Moderator Mike Moore steers us to a nationwide interactive map of unemployment from January 2007 to December 2009. Click play and witness the frightning unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Economic Report - January 2010

The Springdale Chamber of Commerce is required to submit to the city council, documentation of where taxpayer money given to the chamber by the city is spent.

Perry Webb was quoted in December, "the reports will include invoices to show the money spent from public funds."

Well, the January 2010 economic report doesn't exactly say anything like that. The report consists of vague notations like a meeting here, a visit there, and maybe a discussion. The chamber doesn't name names and I didn't see any invoices.

Basically jobs are up, unemployment down, and the chamber is consulting about the ballpark region.

What question about money?

Chamber Board

Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse is featured in the February issue of the U.S. Chamber's magazine, Free Enterprise. The article entitled, "Dreamers and Doers -Running a City Like His Business" brings national focus upon our mayor, the city of Springdale and Springdale's business community according to Perry Webb.

Mayor Sprouse being on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce is a serious conflict of interest since the mayor is directly involved in the decision to hand over taxpayer's money to the chamber.

The business of politics and the politics of business should be separate. Maybe this explains the slogan: Leading Business Leading Springdale. Can you do both at the same time? Should you?

Chamber of Commerce IRS 990 Filings

2004

2005

2006

2007

Trash Talking

Was Mayor Sprouse bought off to rush the city council to pass the extension of the current contract with Waste Management another five years?

The Morning News quoted Sprouse as saying "if we wait and go to bid...we may lose our bulky waste program." Was that a threat?

Alderman Mike Overton and a few residents were on hand and requested the contract be put up for bid.

Sprouse is quoted as saying, "I think this is the best deal we can get for Springdale." How can he think such a thing if he didn't give anyone the opportunity to bid?

Maybe they will have a celebration party in the baseball suite.

Superintendent Looks at Property Tax Increase

We have a new blogger on the block, Wazup NWA who reported today that Springdale School Superintendent Jim Rollins is putting together a committee of 50 residents to determine whether or not to seek a property tax increase via special election in September to build a new middle school and junior high.

The Morning News article link here.

This reminded me that Rollins was also in the news recently when his contract was renewed through the end of 2012.

Rollins receives $206,698 plus $30,000 every three years, plus a paid vehicle (including all fuel, insurance and maintenance). Board President, Danny Dotson reported Rollins will be receiving a new ride this year to replace the Tahoe that has too many miles on it.

With that being said, a tax increase wouldn't hurt Rollins' pocketbook too bad.

I hope the committee doesn't fall for this special election nonsense. Special elections are nothing more than a way for the politicians to get their special interest groups to pass their pet projects.

Does buying a baseball stadium ring a bell to anyone?

Same Rules Apply

As I was driving up Huntsville Avenue yesterday, I pulled up beside a Springdale police car. I did a double take because the car had no license plate. I was too scared to hang my head out the window (plus it would have messed up my hair) to try and take a picture of it with my phone.

I wonder how long I could drive around town without a license plate before Number 0315 noticed me?

IRS Form 990 - Year 2008

We recently obtained a copy of the most current IRS Form 990 filing for the Chamber of Commerce of Springdale, Arkansas for the year 2008.

The return was signed by Perry Webb on October 13, 2009 after requesting an extension back in July.

It is certainly disheartening filers are not required to separate their actual income from the perks. I'm not a CPA or tax guru, but as an Average Joe I found a few interesting tidbits.

For example, Page 4, 28b asks: During the tax year, did any person who is a current or former officer, director or trustee, or key employee have a family member who had a direct or indirect business relationship with the organization. They answered no. The form lists Webb as an officer and we already know not only was his daughter a paid employee, but she and her husband were also being paid for landscaping. Is that not a business relationship?

Page 10 lists total travel expenses for the year as $14,631. [cough]


Page 10 also lists $0 spent for conferences, conventions and meetings. If it wasn't travel and it wasn't a meeting, conference or convention what exactly was Webb's purpose in Florida and Colorado in 2008?

Maybe his trips were included in the $563,969.00 listed as "activities" or the $282,647 for "other".

The Taxable Fringe Benefits Guide

January 2010 Taxable Fringe Benefits Guide.

Just a friendly reminder to report those fringe benefits to the IRS!

Definition of Employee: All of the following are considered employees for purposes of working condition fringe benefits:

Reg. §1.132-1(b)

• Current employees
• Partners
• Board of directors of the employer
• Independent contractors
• Volunteers

No Bids Allowed for Waste Contract

The City of Springdale has had the same basic waste removal contract since former Mayor Charles McKinney signed with Sun Ray Services on December 12, 1995.

An eight page addendum was approved in March 2007 by Mayor Jerre Van Hoose making the city responsible for billing and collection of residential payments.

Another two page amendment is currently to be added renewing Waste Management's contract for another five years.

At a recent city council meeting, citizen Tom Smith encouraged the city to take bids for the city's trash contract. Additionally, Randy Pounders, GM for Roll-Off Services requested the opportunity to bid on the service.

The minutes do not say exactly what the council's response was, but apparently it was no.