LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Police chief had another option
Bella Vista Police Chief Jim Wozniak seems to be a very compassionate person who went out of his way to save Cadet Scott Vanatta's career. I would think for the chief to do this the results of a background investigation on Vanatta must have been stellar or he is very well known in the community as being a forthright person.
However, there was another tack that could have been taken that might have been more beneficial for a new department.
Since this became a media event, roll call or briefing presentations could have been held with all sworn members of the department in attendance, and in the presence of reporters. In this forum officers could have been informed of Vanatta's dishonest conduct. They could have been told that there was great admiration for the sacrifices they have made to become a Bella Vista police officer through their ethical conduct and for their committed service to the community.
This could have been followed by informing them that Vanatta did not meet the professional standards expected of a Bella Vista police officer and therefore he is not worthy of wearing the badge that each of them are so proud of. This action would have confirmed their professional beliefs, let them know what the department expects of them and that there are ethical standards to maintain.
Instead, there is a blurring of what is acceptable. In this instance the department defended a cadet who (possessed ) the answer sheet for an exam and still deemed him worthy for a position of trust in the department if he completes the academy.
The consideration should have been what is best for the department, and more importantly, the community it serves, not a person who has proven himself unethical.
I believe the citizenry of Bella Vista would be more comfortable reading that their police department had high standards of integrity.
Lastly, high ethical standards are necessary in this profession, because the state gives sworn officers the unique authority to take away someone's freedom, and in some situations the lawful power to use deadly force. In these instance officers need to have sound judgment, something that has not been demonstrated by Vanatta.
Additionally, since Vanatta was dismissed from the state academy for dishonesty, it would seem the city of Bella Vista is incurring a great liability should civil litigation occur involving him in the future, especially when it is discovered he was terminated by the police academy. What would a jury think ?
Dan Miller / Lakewoood, Calif.
Carts on path will likely keep reader, others from playing
Excerpts from the minutes of the Joint Advisory Golf Committee as to the semi-annual visits by several USGA field representatives and other matters is as follows. May 19, 2005 - the Property Owners Association board approved "overseeding"this fall provided the golfer surcharge, Golf Improvement Fee, would pay and this account was charged $ 59, 722 when the courses were overseeded. Additionally, the Board approved overseeding as a "permanent"required maintenance program until / unless a more cold-tolerant grass is available. May 7, 2006 - The USGA made a suggestion on sand bunker work, but again, raves on the condition of the courses. On May 16, 2007, the USGA had concern over thatch accumulation on the greens, but stated "after looking at the budgets and golfer traffic on your courses, I do not believe you could produce a better product. "In August 2007, POA golf maintenance reported the Bermuda grass had transitioned much slower than normal and overseed had persisted too long. In October 2007, the USGA indicated the fairway conditions were a result of inadequate irrigation coverage and recommended irrigation upgrades and a need to establish a multi-year capital replacement program. Then came 2008 and JAGC minutes indicate 26 days were un-playable in March and April due to rain and flooding. No specific mention was made of the cold weather during this same period, which admittedly hampers the growth of any grass and Bermuda in particular. Almost immediately thereafter there was a visit by the USGA. The main thrust of comments offered at this time concerned the pros and cons of overseeding and the need to reduce and / or eliminate overseeding because of possible turf weakening over time. The rest is history, and plans to eliminate golf cart traffic on fairways from Jan. 1, 2009 until later on in the spring have been "cast in stone. "For the past several years at least three holes on each of the larger courses have not been over seeded (18 holes ) and carts were restricted to the paths. I wonder, did these come out of the rains and flooding any better than the other fairways ? Probably not. I have golfed in Bella Vista three times a week for 20 years, until the very most recent periods and when carts are "on path. "This is dictated by age and arthritis. To this point "member"golfers have accounted for over 85 percent of golf played. The recent "on path' proposal will force me to take an extended "sabbatical"from golf and I fear many others will be forced to do likewise !! As of this writing it appears the golf fairways have rebounded well from a poor start and perhaps the situation was not as critical as it appeared "at first blush. "I note that the JAGC voted 6-1 in favor and the Board 6-2. If golf falls off dramatically in early 2009, those 12 persons who voted in the affirmative may hereinafter be referred to as the "dirty Dozen"and / or whatever other words come to mind.
Ron Graham / Bella Vista
Make the sale of organs legal
The problem you (Editor Douglas Grant ) addressed in your Aug. 6 column, the lack of organ donors, actually has a solution which is practical and logical. Legalize the sale of one's body organs. Also, allow a person to designate them as part of his estate. His heirs would sell them to the highest bidder. This would reduce the shortage drastically, reduce the waiting times, save more lives and improve the financial state of the sellers. Most people react to this solution with," Ugh, how gross. You can't sell your body parts. "Of course you can. We already sell our hair and our blood. Men can sell their sperm. Surrogate mothers rent their wombs. Wet nurses sell their milk. The well-known economist Walter Williams has advocated this for many years. His position is that your body is your private property - you own it, and so long as it is not injurious to others, you should be able to do with it what you wish. Do you not agree ?
Norman Bocue / Marlow, Okla.
Many made reading program successful
The Bella Vista Library would like to thank the many sponsors who generously donated their time and services to making the 2008 Children's Summer Reading Program such a huge success. The library staff and all 80-plus children who registered for the summer program say," Thanks !"A heartfelt thank-you to the following individuals who volunteered their time to participate in our Saturday events: Mark Goss, Michelle Kays and Nathaniel Sweeney of Monitronics Inc.; Clem Morgan of the Property Owners Association's recreational department and his talented lifeguards; Bob Christenson, Myrt LaCrosse, J. D. Highfill and Ron Thurston of the Bella Vista Community Band; teachers Becci Neal and Kelly Lindstrom of Cooper Elementary; Lynn Sciumbato of Morningstar Wildlife Rehabilitation Center; Clarence Higdon, aka Claro the Clown; and Jerry "The Bug Man"Williams. The library also greatly appreciates the following businesses and individuals who cheerfully donated prizes for the Reading Roundup: Allen's Foods, Arvest Bank in Town Center, Batter Up in Bentonville, Dairy Queen of Bella Vista, McDonald's, POA recreational department, Marilyn Santa Cruz, Subway of Bella Vista and Wendy's of Bentonville. And a special round of applause to the enthusiastic youngsters who enjoy reading and proved it this summer. Keep up the good work !
Diane S. Hine / Staff member Bella Vista Library
Gov. Beebe needs to look at regulations
Gov. Mike Beebe continues to state that Secure Arkansas' initiative isn't necessary because illegal aliens can't receive restricted government benefits. He needs to take a close look at the regulations in some of his own departments to see just what kind of identification is required to access some of the very benefits the initiative would prohibit. Those wimpy identification requirements are the reason many department employees have told us illegals are already getting prohibited Arkansas benefits. I hope citizens are contacting their legislators to pressure them to resolve this situation during the next legislative session. That is the way Colorado took care of the same problem. With bipartisan support in an overwhelmingly Democrat legislature, they were able to pass a strong immigration law in 2006, called the toughest in the nation, that was based on an initiative very similar to Secure Arkansas'. Maybe with enough pressure, our Legislature will have enough gumption to support our citizens despite what the governor wants. When you consider that all of the surrounding states have passed very tough immigration laws, cracking down on employers who hire illegal aliens and eliminating much of the non-federal benefits illegals can collect, Arkansas becomes an obvious Mecca for them. It will be unconscionable for our Legislature not to remedy the situation.
Norvell Ogden / Bella Vista
Thank you' to good samaritan
I would like to thank the gentleman who called 911 when I had my severe allergic reaction while driving on Glasgow Road on Aug. 6. I also want to thank the Highlands ambulance paramedics for their help while transporting me to Northwest Medical Center.
Gabbi Farrell / Bella Vista
We have a lot to gain and to lose
The League of Women Voters of Arkansas committed to study gas drilling in the Fayetteville Shale Play in order to have an informed understanding of Arkansas's transforming phenomenon. In honoring the league's long-standing tradition of looking at all sides of an issue, the LWVAR study included environmental reports showing serious issues that were receiving little media attention. While a potential economic boon creates enthusiasm, long-term impacts have to be factored into the ultimate value of any activity. Arkansas is fortunate to have an experienced sister state to turn to for information. Texas' development of the larger Bartlett Shale Play is about two years ahead of activity here. Where many federal laws have been relaxed to benefit gas drilling, states have had to move quickly to legislate protection for their air and water. Companies resist severance taxes and best management practices they see as costly, but rapidly escalating energy values reward their efforts far beyond original projections and break-even points. For sudden wealth to appear at a time when many other states are in economic decline is certainly Arkansas' good fortune. But what are the hidden costs to water, infrastructure, longterm public health and economic sustainability ? The state does not have an adequate system in place to monitor and regulate the current pace of operations. Voices of caution are made out to be antiprogressive or environmentally radical. While companies benefit from accelerating activity, slowing down the process is needed to allow corrective measures to be taken to minimize negative impacts. After a full year's study, the LWVAR arrived at these consensus positions regarding the Fayetteville Shale Play: 1. Establish a single state water authority to coordinate use and regulation. 2. Provide greater funding for regulatory oversight that is not merely complaint driven. 3. Provide greater protection of landowners' surface rights and riparian areas. 4. Provide full disclosure of chemical additives used that are capable of infiltrating groundwater or producing air pollution. 5. Restructure severance tax so that it is based on market value rather than volume produced, and set at a rate comparable to the region. (Achieved April 2008 ) 6. Establish a fund to cover infrastructure changes and damage in areas which are impacted by gas drilling. There is much to be done to improve our regulations and drilling practices. Repairs are always more expensive than preventing damage in the first place. Arkansas has a lot to gain and a lot to lose.
Mary Alice Serafini / President, League of Women Voters of Ark.
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