On the editorial page of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Aug. 20, 2015, there appeared an article by Paul Greenberg titled "Why Do You Think That Is?" Obviously I was impressed because it is still in my possession just as it appeared in the newspaper. It was an opinion piece and covered several topics -- Hillary Clinton's e-mail scandal, Steve Stephen's fine as a participant in the Martha Shoffner bribery trial and the new, briefer contract offered to the teachers in the Little Rock school system. The thrust of the article is how we have become so deadened to the issue of corruption in public service areas that we no longer get involved in trying to correct it, we just accept it as "normal" and go on about our routine. Mr. Greenberg's question is something we should all consider. His question also fits into my own observation about the success of non-political candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the position of its candidate. Why do you think it is that the Washington outsiders must speak for us? Is it because we have become too content with our Smart Phone and the ability to take "Selfies" with our friends or celebrities, and bury ourselves in the availability of entertainment wherever we go and subsequently we have lost sight of the obligation to defend our own personal moral and political beliefs?
As the current septic tank ordinance, proposed by persons claiming the high ground in environment protection progresses, it amazes, and in many ways disappoints me. Where are all the property owners, who have septic systems, on the issue of increased cost for inspection of the system if they choose to sell their property? At last count, this ordinance was going to exclude Bella Vista property, as well as other systems in cities. This implies the only defective units must be in rural Benton County, otherwise why would septic systems, which are under the control of the Health Department, not include all septic systems regardless of their location?
There is to be another discussion of this issue before the Quorum Court's Legislative Committee Oct. 19 (if my information is correct). As I have mentioned previously, this sounds like a rerun of the proposal to pump all septic tanks at prescribed intervals to correct a supposed pollution problem in a Bella Vista lake. So many things that might be very good ideas on paper are not practical when prescribed by government edict. (Look at what comes out of Washington, D.C., in the form of unfunded mandates.)
The Legislative Committee has the option of letting the proposal die in the second meeting or trying to explain to a specific segment of Benton County property owners why they are guilty of polluting when the rest of the systems are not. What has been surprising to me, however, has been the acceptance of this proposal without the outrage that would indicate the property owners know the proposed ordinance exists, or that they understand the potential economic impact if it is put into effect. Probably the highest concentration of septic tanks is in the areas of Bella Vista not in the rural (farm) areas.
A recent Letter to the Editor in this newspaper gave some startling estimates of costs ranging from the initial inspection fee ($250 to $350) to repair of a system (estimated at $2,500 but probably much higher). Nowhere in the information discussing the ordinance has the newspaper reported any actual pollution problem. There must be, however, a lot of "possible problems" which have apparently not been documented.
If you are okay with this ordinance, please let your Justice of the Peace know. He, or she, will be expected to respond on the basis of residents' input. If you see this as a violation of your property rights, as I do, share your "outrage." There are ways proposed to satisfy the need to improve septic tank education and to attach information about septic systems on the property at the time of sale that should accomplish this goal without imposing additional fees on the homeowners.
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Editor's note: Leo Lynch is an award-winning columnist. He is a native of Benton County. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Editorial on 09/30/2015