Letter to the Editor

Why not increase council?

While attending the candidate debate at the school cafeteria last month, I was perplexed to hear the mayor's reply to the question as to why we have so few councilmen representing the city. It was the same answer I have been hearing since 2010. Something like "We know there is a need and we're working on it, it's going to happen," etc.

Meanwhile at the Council meetings he says, "It is a matter of redistricting which takes time and costs money, maps have to be drawn up." And the classic is, "even if we redistrict, no one will want to serve on the Council."

A couple of the Councilmen stated:

"It's working fine just the way it is."

"It will cost the city too much money."

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The Regional Planning Committee has been contacted and submitted proposals and maps for redistricting on several occasions, first in 2010, 2014, and just recently this year. They stated that we are justified to redistrict and add councilmen positions based on the fact that Pea Ridge is the most under represented city per capita in the state.

Now of course, it is too late to put it on the ballot for this voting cycle so it will be 2020 before it can be considered and voted upon. In the meantime our population continues to increase and housing is expanding with the same council representation we had with a population of less than 1,000.

I'm curious as to what answers will be when asked the same question in 2020.

The only quick remedy is to have a special election, which would be expensive and involved.

Again, if you have any questions about this, it is all public knowledge since the Regional Planning Commission representative addressed the City Council special meeting, which was open to the public. Minutes were taken and can be accessed at City Hall under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sue Cottingham

Pea Ridge, Ark.

Editorial on 10/17/2018