Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2007

BCFT Director Frank Kaye opened the meeting at 1:00 pm at Western Sizzlin Restaurant.  He welcomed everyone and invited guests and new members to introduce themselves.

Treasurer’s report:  Balance as of 9-29-07 was $646.60.  Since then, deposits were made as follows: $31.25 in dues, $25.50 for shirts; withdrawals include 1 check written for the final room rental at Redeemer ($7.50), leaving a balance of $695.85 on 10-27-07.

Membership report:  Suzan reported a roster total of 57 paid members, and that a quorum was present at the meeting.  She asked if everyone had had a chance to read the minutes from the last meeting, and offered copies to new members and anyone who had not received them.  There were no corrections or additions.

Old Business

Committee meetings:  Frank again encouraged everyone to attend city committee meetings, stressing that the committees only meet once a month, for about an hour.  Our presence at these meetings is noted, and felt, and we should not ignore this opportunity to have an impact on the way local government is run.  Time and location may vary from month to month, so please call City Hall (425-5166) or check the BCFT website for updated meeting info.

Library capital campaign donation:  Frank asked everyone who was planning to contribute to the library’s ongoing capital campaign to place their donation in the envelope that was passed around.  He said that we were trying to raise at least $1000 so that we could have a photo taken of the donation being made to the library and published in the Baxter Bulletin – some positive press for BCFT, for a change!  The total amount collected was $655.  A second collection will be made the next meeting.

Chamber of Commerce board of directors elections:  Frank announced that the votes for the CofC board of directors election had been tallied and sent in by the deadline.  The four candidates selected by BCFT members were Dr. Bob Cogburn and Lynn Anderson (14 votes), Sandra Andres (16) and Dana Brown (18).  (Secretary’s note:  The winners of the seats, announced at the Chamber’s annual banquet on November 14, were Rob Griffith [(101 Boat Dock], Dr. Cogburn, Stewart Brunner [local radio station manager & former city council member who proposed the A&P tax!] and Heather Knight [BRMC foundation].)

New business

November & December meetings:  Frank polled the group to determine whether to hold meetings in November & December.  Yes to November, on the regular meeting day (last Saturday) even though it is the weekend of Thanksgiving; no to December. 

Frank opened the floor for general discussion.  James Bond told the group that he wanted everyone to understand that the Ethics Commission did not rule that he was wrong in his accusation that Judge Dan Hall and several Quorum Court members had held an illegal meeting in the Judge’s office, only that they did not have jurisdiction over that allegation.  The person to determine wrongdoing in that instance would be the county prosecutor.

He also said that he had received no “feelers” from the school board about whether they will consider changing their meeting day or time so that it does not conflict with city council meetings.

He also notified the group that 2 MHHS football coaches recently received speeding tickets driving home from an away game.  The local bus drivers do not have to keep logs of their miles traveled.  Coaches receive an extra stipend in addition to their salaries; Jimmy thinks the administration should take some of that stipend money to pay for actual bus drivers to transport the teams to/from ball games.  A member who used to be a bus driver for MH schools said that the buses used to have speed governors on them.  Jimmy said he would find out if they still do.  Another member said that this issue was definitely important, but didn’t think it was within our purview, that it is the school board’s responsibility.  Jim said that he didn’t want to take the chance that someone’s child gets killed because we didn’t investigate and made a motion that BCFT follow up on this incident; he received a second, and after some further discussion, the motion carried.

A member brought up his frustration with the local cable company (can’t pick channels, no local contact phone number, no apparent monitoring of rates/administration); Frank explained that the FCC controls the packages and Congress is unable to force cable/satellite companies to change.  The city council also plays a part, as they must sign off on the franchise; those contracts are in place for several years at a time, and nothing can be done until it comes up for renewal.  The member said that it was a paradox – illegal immigration cannot be controlled, but our cable TV rates can.

George Bethke suggested that BCFT members might consider adopting families from the Christmas Wish program; if a number of us were to do that (privately), he could get a little positive promotion for us in the Baxter Bulletin (George and his wife Bonnie are part of the backbone of the Christmas Wish organization).

A member said she was concerned that the quorum court decided not to adopt new regulations for developers in the county.  What follow-up can BCFT do?  Frank told her that the best route to take now would be to call your QC member and tell him/her what you think.  The issue will likely come up for a vote at the next QC meeting.  He also suggested going to the courthouse to get a copy of the actual ordinance and reading it carefully before calling the QC members.  Another member said that the state doesn’t enforce the current regulations unless someone complains; there are only 5 inspectors for the whole state of Arkansas.  Another member asked if there were any penalties for violations; Frank said that the AR Dept of Environmental Quality has severe penalties, but that he had not read the ordinance yet and didn’t know specific details.

Meeting adjourned at ???  pm (Secretary’s note:  I did not make a note of the time – sorry!).  Next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 24, 2007, at 1:00 pm at the Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant, Hwy 62 next to the Ramada Inn; please note new location, and come at least a half hour early if you would like to have lunch before the meeting starts.  There is NO requirement that you purchase a meal to come to the meeting.

                                                                                                                        Suzan P. Kaye
Secretary
Saturday, November 24, 2007