Once again, Mayor Beckford and Aldermen Mike Zulpo, Clint Penzo, and Bobby Pianalto (Joey Pianalto quit) have passed a city ordinance that affects all the citizens of Tontitown at the guidance of one man, Mick Wagner.

At the last council meeting these men made it very clear that they support Mick Wagner and want Mick to remain in our city government. Mayor Beckford even threw in his vote on this one to make sure it passed. Mayor Beckford and the Merry Men have passed an ordinance to turn us into a first-class city. Most people would not know what this means or how it affects us as citizens. Well, trust me, the Mick Men know what this means and they did it for a reason.

We do not have to become a first-class city until we reach 5,000 in population. That is when the government tells a city that they must become a first-class city. We can choose to become one at any time. Ask yourself, what would we benefit from becoming a first-class city? Absolutely nothing! I listened to Beckford's reasons and to be honest I was embarrassed for him. He stated "It would be hard to draw up a budget each year when the treasurer hasn't done it before." Well, first, Mayor Beckford, the treasurer is not to draw up any budget. That is the mayor's job. Guess who drew up our last budget? You will love this one folks and it is a fact: Recorder-Treasurer Alicia Collins and Mick Wagner. Then ask yourself what would the Mick Men benefit from this move? Everything!

If we become a first-class city, we must have a planning commission. One hundred-seventy (just needed 119) people signed my petition to change the Planning Commission to a Planning Board. This petition was done for the sole purpose of removing Mick Wagner as the chairman of the planning commission. I have enough signatures to have it put on the November ballot so the citizens can vote on it. Now the Mick Men want to keep Mick in his throne on the Planning Commission so he can charge what he wants for permits, harass any business he does not like, cost any new business big bucks over nonsense, and push the citizens around for sport.

We don't need to be a first-class city other than to make Mick Wagner happy. So once again, I have drawn up a referendum petition to shut down this nonsense.

There will be another petition signing in the park this Saturday (April 12) between 2 and 5 p.m. We will be located on the west side of fire department Fence in the park on U.S. 412. If you missed the first one you can still sign the petition to remove Mick from Planning Commission also.

Please come and bring everyone you know and make sure the Mick Men know how you feel. Let's start making a positive change for our future and not Mick's.

Rhonda Doudna

Tontitown