Family grateful

We would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, prayers, food, flowers and cards during this difficult time of losing our loving daughter, sister, wife and mother. Many words cannot express how thankful we are for the many acts of kindness from all our family and friends.

Thanks once again,

THE HENSON, LEACH AND SCHOOLEY FAMILIES

Pea Ridge Citizens need to ask questions

A trusted acquaintance of mine asked if I was aware the Pea Ridge city Council had lowered the pay rate for the mayor to approximately $25,000.

This results in a pay reduction of approximately $18,000. Of course the council has the option of raising the salary back to the previous level, but that would probably depend on who wins the election. Doing this just 40 days prior to the election smacks of “Good Ole Boy” small town politics. This action by the council could be interpreted as trying to discourage someone from accepting a position with a wage that may not be enough to support them or their family. If you have access to Facebook, read some of the posts about this and you will realize I am not alone in this interpretation. If the council is willing to do this in public, I shudder to think what they could come up with behind our backs.

Right is right and wrong is wrong.

On another note, is there any truth that city needs approximately 7 million dollars or more to satisfy requirements by the state?

This money is supposedly to update and protect the quality of life as we have it now. A good question is to ask all our council members is if they know about this and when did they findout. The next question to ask is when they are going to tell us about it.

I truly believe it is time for a change in leadership.

Please get all the information you can and let your vote be counted on Nov. 2, 2010.

GLENN BOONE Pea Ridge, Ark.

Voters should decide

Seems to me if the voters of Pea Ridge opt for a new mayor, that person is qualifed for the position and whoever it might be should get the same salary as the current mayor. That’s what the FACTS should be.

JERRY L. BURTON Pea Ridge, Ark.

Library is valuable

Dear Editor,

In the Sept. 29, 2010, Pea Ridge Times edition, a mayoral candidate when asked about the Pea Ridge Public Library, stated “I would see how many people actually use the library to see if it’s feasible to keep it.” To challenge the benefit of our community library and consider its closure is inexcusable, in my view.

I would like to remind the candidate that reading is one of the core subjects of education. Perhaps he isn’t familiar with the AR Reading Program. If not, it could benefit him to become acquainted, for every student enrolled in the public school system is required to participate.

Its purpose is to ensure that students are reading at their appropriate levels, and is meant to improve their ability. An individual reading goal is established for each student, and is required to be met as a portion of their grade. Due to the limited number of books that each student is permitted to check out from the school library, it is essential to offer our community library as an additional source for reading materials. To close our community library, would force residents to go outside the community and pay a fee for the use of other local libraries.

The “lady that runs it” as he refers to, is Mrs. Linda Whittaker. She is the person responsible for offering to a great number of children, the opportunity to hear a bedtime story - a moment of bonding for a parent and child. An el derly person who is no longer able to see the written words of a book may hear the words read to them by a loved one. How shameful it would be to live in a community with no library diminishing the opportunity to excel in knowledge, or an occasion to escape into a fairy tale land for a mo ment of time.

My children and I en joy walking to the library (consequently, eliminating the presence of a vehicle).

I embrace this foundation of a memory that may be treasured by my children as they grow. Please note, the library hours are visibly posted.

“I go into my library and all history unrolls before me,” wrote Alexander Smith.

KAREN HALL

Pea Ridge, Ark.

Library worth keeping

Dear editor,

In the Times paper dated Wednesday, Sept.. 29, 2010, were articles from each mayoral candidate. I hope that everyone took the time to read the goals and future plans of each of these men.

There was one stunning part that I have to question very seriously.

One of the candidate was very concerned about the amount of time spent and the quality of the shelves purchased for our library. I am sure the expense was well worth it. These shelves are used to supply books for our community.

The learning aspect and the thrill of a child walking into a library with walls and shelves filled with books is amazing.

When my family and I moved here 20 1/2 years ago, the library was the first place I checked out, as I love reading and enjoyed taking my children to the library. The library is a great activity for our children and grandchildren. It is good for children to continue reading during the summer months, but the school library is closed and they don’t have access to it.

I have seen elderly ladies using the library on many occasions. The computer is also available to help assist children and adults in learning. Believe it or not, there are still people who don’t have computers in their home.

Our librarian has a name, Mrs. Linda Whitaker. She is a very nice person, who knows her job well and is there to assist anyone who needs help.

As for the library being closed all the time, I know for a fact that it is open on the allotted hours that are posted on the door. There may not be a lot of cars parked in the front at all times, however, there may be people inside because they live close and have chosen to walk, as I do occasionally.

Suddenly after many years of service to our community, why would someone consider the idea of closing such a valuable resource? If it were closed, it would force people to have to drive to Rogers or Bentonville and pay their fees to use the library when we could keep the one in our town that is so convenient for all of us. The very idea of thinking that the library might not be feasible to keep causes me to believe that his goals may not have the benefit for our community in mind.

INA EASTER Pea Ridge, Ark.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 10/06/2010