PUBLIC VIEWPOINT: How Important Is Football?

Little did I know when I moved to this area that football was more important than integrity.

(Sigh)

JIM SIMMONS

Busch COODY’S A ‘NICE GUY’ TOO Regarding Susan Young’s letter dated Sept. 14 applauding Lioneld Jordan for his integrity and authenticity. Lately, he seems to be more visible in public, so I have had the opportunity to observe him. He comes across as a very nice guy, and certainly enthusiastic as he points his finger at you and declares, “I love this city.”

But it takes more than being a nice guy to be an eftective mayor for Fayetteville; it takes someone with a vision for the future, and that man is Dan Coody.

During the eight years Dan occupied the mayor’s seat he:

(1) Started the biking/ hiking trails system throughout the city.

(2) Convinced Sam’s Wholesale Club to relocate from Springdale to Fayetteville, negotiated with Target and Olive Garden to build new stores here, and was instrumental in getting the Razorback Malco Theater built (at Joyce and Steele Crossing).

(3) Rebuilt and enhanced the town square including widening the sidewalks, expanding the gardens and adding stonework, new trees, and street lights.

(4) Initiated the renovation and beautification of College Avenue from the old courthouse to Maple Street with wider sidewalks, buried power lines, and the addition of landscaping and decorative lighting.

(5) Started the first-ever sustainability program for the city of Fayetteville, then attended the 2007 U.S.

Mayors National Conference and spoke, outlining this new program. He was selected as a keynote speaker at the same conferencethe following year, and discovered that 60 mayors from across the country had started sustainability programs in their cities as a response to his presentation the previous year.

(6) Encouraged the smoking ban in public places throughout the city.

(7) Added 700-plus acres of parks and wetlands to the recreation city areas.

It takes vision, initiative and enthusiasm to be an eftective mayor and Dan Coody has already proven that he has these qualities.

Plus, Dan also has integrity and authenticity, and he’s a nice guy.

ALLEN SEAY

Fayetteville

Opinion, Pages 5 on 10/01/2012

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