Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Instructions that Natural Resources Conservation Service contractors are supposed to be following
Please click on image to go to Flickr site and ENLARGE for reading and find related documents and photos.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Theo Witsell of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission to speak on rare habitat and newly found wildflower species
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of invitation to FGNS meeting on November 21, 2009.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Senior Democrats meeting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday November 17, 2009
Hello Everyone!
Below is a quick notice from Bonnie Cook regarding Senior Democrats tomorrow. It is at the Western Sizzlin in Springdale. Make sure to attend!
We are very fortunate to have Brenda Gullett as our guest speaker at Senior Democrats on Tuesday, November 17th. Brenda is on the State Board of Education. She served four years as a State Senator and two as a State Representative. Brenda continues to participate in many other activities. Brenda's topic will be: Charter Schools and Home Schooling verses Traditional Public Schools in Arkansas--Pros and Cons. A question and answer period will follow.
Here are some other things that will happen tomorrow.
We will elect officers for next year. All officers want to return. You can nominate people from the floor.
You may want to join Senior Democrats now for next year. It will help if you print off the form and have it filled out. Hopefully, we will have or get some forms at some point in case you don't have a printer.
I did get in the newspaper twice and we are suppose to have press coverage. One more time, please make a special effort to attend tomorrow. I feel education is the key to our future in so many ways.
--
Below is a quick notice from Bonnie Cook regarding Senior Democrats tomorrow. It is at the Western Sizzlin in Springdale. Make sure to attend!
We are very fortunate to have Brenda Gullett as our guest speaker at Senior Democrats on Tuesday, November 17th. Brenda is on the State Board of Education. She served four years as a State Senator and two as a State Representative. Brenda continues to participate in many other activities. Brenda's topic will be: Charter Schools and Home Schooling verses Traditional Public Schools in Arkansas--Pros and Cons. A question and answer period will follow.
Here are some other things that will happen tomorrow.
We will elect officers for next year. All officers want to return. You can nominate people from the floor.
You may want to join Senior Democrats now for next year. It will help if you print off the form and have it filled out. Hopefully, we will have or get some forms at some point in case you don't have a printer.
I did get in the newspaper twice and we are suppose to have press coverage. One more time, please make a special effort to attend tomorrow. I feel education is the key to our future in so many ways.
--
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Red Oak Park plan would tear up the ground and displace mature trees and other significant vegetation but do nothing to protect the park from the huge upstream flow of water from the south, east and west
Red Oak Park Plan
MAYBE, this plan would help protect the property of the landowner downstream to the north toward Hamestring Creek. But it will totally miss the point of trying to protect the existing mature trees and will allow an incredible increase in erosion during construction and have only a minimal chance of improving the park in any credible way.
The only worthwhile and effective use of the money set aside for this plan would be KEEPING the water WATER WHERE IT FALLS: On the lots in the subdivisions to the south, east and west in raingardens created in the yards and in the treeless portion of the park at the southeast corner.
Helping people create raingardens using the natural soil remaining in the area and encouraging NOT to mow but to protect native vegetation there would decrease the dangerous runoff to a manageable level.
It is illogical to spend money doing some that won't meet the goals of the people who originally began complaining about the situation.
MAYBE, this plan would help protect the property of the landowner downstream to the north toward Hamestring Creek. But it will totally miss the point of trying to protect the existing mature trees and will allow an incredible increase in erosion during construction and have only a minimal chance of improving the park in any credible way.
The only worthwhile and effective use of the money set aside for this plan would be KEEPING the water WATER WHERE IT FALLS: On the lots in the subdivisions to the south, east and west in raingardens created in the yards and in the treeless portion of the park at the southeast corner.
Helping people create raingardens using the natural soil remaining in the area and encouraging NOT to mow but to protect native vegetation there would decrease the dangerous runoff to a manageable level.
It is illogical to spend money doing some that won't meet the goals of the people who originally began complaining about the situation.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Rogers group challenges Fayetteville's authority to regulate mining in county
ORDINANCE CHALLENGED: Quarry Files Complaint Against City
ROGERS GROUP REQUESTS PREVENTATIVE COURT ORDER
By Skip Descant
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE — The operators of a limestone quarry just outside Fayetteville want a judge to say the city has no authority to regulate activities there.
“The city has no authority to regulate the quarry, which is located entirely outside the city limits,” the Rogers Group argues in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
The Rogers Group is requesting a court order to prevent the city from exercising authority over its business operations outside the city.
Last month, the Fayetteville City Council passed a resolution to limit quarry activity inside the city, but also within one mile of the city. The council concluded in a 6-2 vote that because the quarry had become a “nuisance,” aldermen had authority to draft an ordinance to mitigate mining activities that create noise, dust and explosive shock.
The Rogers Group argues any nuisance it may cause by its operations must be proven in court.
“A city cannot just declare this operation to be a nuisance,” said Stephen Giles, a Little Rock attorney representing the Rogers Group. “If the quarry was located in the city limits, the city would have some more authority.”
The complaint also states restrictions on hours of operation would cause undue fi nancial losses.
“Although ostensibly intended to regulate rock quarries pursuant to the city’s police power, the ordinance will have the effect of putting the quarry out of business by making it impossible to operate the quarry in an economically viable manner,” the court fi ling reads.
“Some of the regulations in the ordinance are just totally unreasonable,” Giles said.
The city plans to deny the allegations made by the Rogers Group, said Kit Williams, city attorney.
The issue of mining and quarrying came to the forefront beginning in late 2008, when the Big Red Dirt Farm just outside west Fayetteville asked to convert to a limestone quarry. The red dirt operation was grandfathered in because it existed before zoning, but the change of use required county approval.
The planning board rejected the request, but the Quorum Court granted the changeover on appeal. Neighbors sued, and the case is pending in court.
Shortly after, the Rogers Group asked to expand its 45-acre quarry just north of Big Red into a neighboring 100-acre dirt pit. The planning board and Quorum Court both rejected the expansion, and the company sued.
ROGERS GROUP REQUESTS PREVENTATIVE COURT ORDER
By Skip Descant
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE — The operators of a limestone quarry just outside Fayetteville want a judge to say the city has no authority to regulate activities there.
“The city has no authority to regulate the quarry, which is located entirely outside the city limits,” the Rogers Group argues in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
The Rogers Group is requesting a court order to prevent the city from exercising authority over its business operations outside the city.
Last month, the Fayetteville City Council passed a resolution to limit quarry activity inside the city, but also within one mile of the city. The council concluded in a 6-2 vote that because the quarry had become a “nuisance,” aldermen had authority to draft an ordinance to mitigate mining activities that create noise, dust and explosive shock.
The Rogers Group argues any nuisance it may cause by its operations must be proven in court.
“A city cannot just declare this operation to be a nuisance,” said Stephen Giles, a Little Rock attorney representing the Rogers Group. “If the quarry was located in the city limits, the city would have some more authority.”
The complaint also states restrictions on hours of operation would cause undue fi nancial losses.
“Although ostensibly intended to regulate rock quarries pursuant to the city’s police power, the ordinance will have the effect of putting the quarry out of business by making it impossible to operate the quarry in an economically viable manner,” the court fi ling reads.
“Some of the regulations in the ordinance are just totally unreasonable,” Giles said.
The city plans to deny the allegations made by the Rogers Group, said Kit Williams, city attorney.
The issue of mining and quarrying came to the forefront beginning in late 2008, when the Big Red Dirt Farm just outside west Fayetteville asked to convert to a limestone quarry. The red dirt operation was grandfathered in because it existed before zoning, but the change of use required county approval.
The planning board rejected the request, but the Quorum Court granted the changeover on appeal. Neighbors sued, and the case is pending in court.
Shortly after, the Rogers Group asked to expand its 45-acre quarry just north of Big Red into a neighboring 100-acre dirt pit. The planning board and Quorum Court both rejected the expansion, and the company sued.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tour of Woolsey Wet Prairie and Fayetteville's westside sewage-treatment plant at 2 p.m. today precedes big evening for Illinois River Watershed Partnership
Illinois River Watershed Partnership
Annual Stakeholders Meeting
November 10, 2009
2:00 to 3:30 pm Tour of Fayetteville West Side Treatment Plant and Woolsey Wet Prairie
4:00 pm. Tour of Fayetteville Sam's Club
5:30 pm Hors d'oeuvres at Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
6:00 pm Sponsor Recognition and Golden Paddle Awards Reception
7:00 pm. Annual Membership and Board Meeting
Thank you for your dedicated efforts and support
to preserve, protect and restore the Illinois River Watershed.
To see evidence of the need for protection, please click on image to ENLARGE example of construction-site erosion in the Illinois River Watershed.
Annual Stakeholders Meeting
November 10, 2009
2:00 to 3:30 pm Tour of Fayetteville West Side Treatment Plant and Woolsey Wet Prairie
4:00 pm. Tour of Fayetteville Sam's Club
5:30 pm Hors d'oeuvres at Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
6:00 pm Sponsor Recognition and Golden Paddle Awards Reception
7:00 pm. Annual Membership and Board Meeting
Thank you for your dedicated efforts and support
to preserve, protect and restore the Illinois River Watershed.
To see evidence of the need for protection, please click on image to ENLARGE example of construction-site erosion in the Illinois River Watershed.
 |
| From Northwest Arkansas environment central |
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Washington County Quorum Court agenda for November 12, 2009
Wash. Co. Quorum Court Agenda - Nov. 12, 2009
From: nw-ar-list@googlegroups.com on behalf of Jeff Erf (jerf@sbcglobal.net)
Sent: Sun 11/08/09 4:35 PM
To: Northwest Arkansas List (nw-ar-list@googlegroups.com)
REGULAR MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY QUORUM COURT
Thursday, November 12, 2009
6:00 p.m.
Washington County Quorum Court Room
A G E N D A
1. CALL TO ORDER. JUDGE EDWARDS
2. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
3. ROLL CALL.
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA. At the beginning of each
meeting, the agenda shall be approved. Any JP may
request an item be added to the agenda subject to
approval of the Quorum Court.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Approval of the minutes of
the October 8 regular meeting of the Quorum Court. (5.1)
6. FINANCE REPORT. (6.1) STEVE ZEGA
7. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: AN ORDINANCE LEVYING
THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES
FOR THE YEAR 2009. The Quorum Court is required to levy the
county, municipal, and school taxes for the current year at its
regular meeting in November of each year. (7.1, 7.2) STEVE ZEGA
8. COUNTY JUDGE’S REPORT. JUDGE EDWARDS
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS.
10. AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECIAL
ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL DUES OF THE GOSHEN VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT A/K/A GOSHEN FIRE DISTRICT
ASSOCIATION; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS
PERTAINING THERETO. This ordinance contains an
emergency clause making it in effect immediately upon
passage. It is being recommended by the County Services
Committee. (10.1-10.3) JOE PATTERSON
11. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2009-43
AUTHORIZING THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TO RECONSIDER CONDITIONS IF NO APPEAL HAS
BEEN FILED. This ordinance is on first reading and is being
recommended by the County Services Committee. (11.1) CANDY CLARK
12. OTHER BUSINESS.
13. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS. Fifteen-minute comment period
with a three-minute limit for each individual to comment on
items on the agenda or other items.
14. ADJOURNMENT.
From: nw-ar-list@googlegroups.com on behalf of Jeff Erf (jerf@sbcglobal.net)
Sent: Sun 11/08/09 4:35 PM
To: Northwest Arkansas List (nw-ar-list@googlegroups.com)
REGULAR MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY QUORUM COURT
Thursday, November 12, 2009
6:00 p.m.
Washington County Quorum Court Room
A G E N D A
1. CALL TO ORDER. JUDGE EDWARDS
2. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
3. ROLL CALL.
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA. At the beginning of each
meeting, the agenda shall be approved. Any JP may
request an item be added to the agenda subject to
approval of the Quorum Court.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Approval of the minutes of
the October 8 regular meeting of the Quorum Court. (5.1)
6. FINANCE REPORT. (6.1) STEVE ZEGA
7. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: AN ORDINANCE LEVYING
THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES
FOR THE YEAR 2009. The Quorum Court is required to levy the
county, municipal, and school taxes for the current year at its
regular meeting in November of each year. (7.1, 7.2) STEVE ZEGA
8. COUNTY JUDGE’S REPORT. JUDGE EDWARDS
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS.
10. AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECIAL
ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL DUES OF THE GOSHEN VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT A/K/A GOSHEN FIRE DISTRICT
ASSOCIATION; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS
PERTAINING THERETO. This ordinance contains an
emergency clause making it in effect immediately upon
passage. It is being recommended by the County Services
Committee. (10.1-10.3) JOE PATTERSON
11. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2009-43
AUTHORIZING THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TO RECONSIDER CONDITIONS IF NO APPEAL HAS
BEEN FILED. This ordinance is on first reading and is being
recommended by the County Services Committee. (11.1) CANDY CLARK
12. OTHER BUSINESS.
13. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS. Fifteen-minute comment period
with a three-minute limit for each individual to comment on
items on the agenda or other items.
14. ADJOURNMENT.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Veterans Memorial 5K entry form for Saturday, November 7, 2009
Please click on image to move to Flicker site and ENLARGE.
Please click on image to move to Flickr page and ENLARGE view.
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of a sample of items that will be in the goody bags of the first 300 runners who sign up for the Nov. 7, 2009, Veterans 5K.
Please click on image to go to Flickr page to Enlarge logos of first two major sponsors of the Veterans' 5K race set for November 7, 2009, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Please click on image to move to Flickr page and ENLARGE view.
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of a sample of items that will be in the goody bags of the first 300 runners who sign up for the Nov. 7, 2009, Veterans 5K.
Please click on image to go to Flickr page to Enlarge logos of first two major sponsors of the Veterans' 5K race set for November 7, 2009, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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