Atalanta Road Decision Disappointing

Friday, May 9, 2014

March 26, 2014, was a sad day for the people of Rogers. That is the day the City Council voted to close the road around Lake Atalanta. We have had the road around the lake for more than 60 years and fishermen and the disabled were able to drive to their favorite fishing spots, but no more.

It didn't have to be a fancy paved road. A one-way dirt road would have been fine. Barney Hayes said it would cost more than $1 million to build a proper road that would not cause erosion into the lake. I don't buy this, but even so, the city has $15 million to spend down there, so that wouldn't have been a problem. Three forums were held and the majority of the people who attended the forums wanted the road left open. The Lake Atalanta Committee was formed with 12 members.

The majority of those people recommended the road be left open. My question is, why did the council even have these forums or committees if they were not going to listen to what the people wanted? The whole thing stinks and is certainly not an example of government for the people.

They say the city is going to provide golf carts for the disabled and the fishermen who cannot walk around the lake. I'm sure most of them are not going to be happy with that idea. Some of the fishermen go fishing early in the morning and late at night when no golf carts would be available. That is about as ridiculous an idea as I have ever heard.

I realize Northwest Arkansas is pushing for trails and that Walmart has donated a lot of money to the Lake Atalanta project. However, not all change is good. I feel Rogers would be better off keeping at least some of the things that made Rogers unique -- one of them being Lake Atalanta and keeping a road around it the way the bequesters of Lake Atalanta

wanted.

Hats off to Bob Goodwin and Gary Townsend for having the decency and the integrity for voting the way the majority of people in Rogers wanted. Shame on the rest of you (exception -- Clay Kendall was not present and did not vote). I am also disappointed in Greg Hines for not voicing his support for the road. This decision is just another slap in the face to us Rogers natives. I will remember this when voting time comes around and I hope many others will, too.

Jane Whitlow

Rogers

Commentary on 05/10/2014