Cost increase for courts exposes location's flaws
The sad irony in the continuing saga for Benton County to have much-needed new courtrooms could be likened to a Shakespearean play ... but would it be a comedy or a tragedy? Regardless of how irrational it is, this project is being driven by one underlying goal--the courts must be located in downtown Bentonville. The latest revelation, the costs have now increased from $25 million to $30 million, with an estimated completion time of around four years.
This disaster was engineered through the use of power and money, and implemented by a clueless electorate. Now the governing body of this county, which functions like a mindless bunch of sheep following their leader over a cliff, has allowed the most illogical, inconvenient, costly location to be chosen for the courts.
The really sad consideration is that the citizens of Benton County--as well as judges and clerks involved with court proceedings--could already have a spacious, easily accessible counts building on 14th Street (Highway 102) on city-owned property next to the jail--another very important consideration--with convenient parking just outside the door.
A huge amount of county money has already been spent for professional studies and recommendations, but the above choice was shoved aside, because the courtrooms were "destined" to be downtown. Surely, tourists who visit Mr. Sam's museum in downtown Bentonville--which houses his old pickup and is deserving of pride--won't know or care where the courtrooms are located.
Hight Jackson's plan could surely still be constructed for $25 million at the 14th Street location--which originally had the lowest estimate--and also avoid creating a disaster zone for years to come in downtown Bentonville. However, this would require the citizens of Benton County to voice their outrage, and the Quorum Court to do its job and pressure the logical decision from the person who holds that authority.
Barbara Foreman
Siloam Springs
Letter sparks memories from Dickson Street
I thoroughly enjoyed the Feb. 14 letter from Billy Long. I, too, was occasionally a patron of the establishments he named.
I submit that there were two other businesses essential to full the experience of Dickson Street. One of those must be the De-Lux Café, a little farther east than most of the establishments he named. If I had the cash, it was my choice for many first dates for a cheeseburger, fries and beer. My date's reaction to the crowd there, or the owner's (Helen) opinion of my date was a good way to judge if there would be a second date.
The only reason I had money for a date was my employment at the other business, Ken's Pizza. To the best of my memory there were 15 or 16 tables, and five or six stools at the bar. On Sunday night, (when the dormitory food service did not serve meals), they were all full. But the major part of the week's business was Sunday evenings when there were as many as five VW Beetles and a full-sized van constantly traveling to and from campus delivering pizza.
I suggest that these two businesses might be rightfully included in Billy's list.
Blaine Jackson
Bentonville
Commentary on 02/20/2018