Ozark Roar Power Boat Races

 By Dan Feuer, Editor

On Monday, February 20, an open forum meeting was held in the Fairfield Bay Community Club office conference room to discuss the proposed Offshore Boat races scheduled for April 2007. The meeting was held to give the public an opportunity to listen to a presentation of what the boat races will bring to the three communities. The meeting also gave the public an opportunity to voice their concerns for such an event.

The meeting was headed by Angela Worrell, FFB Chamber Director and Kitty Gray, Steering Committee chairman. A brief presentation was given showing the potential national exposure this race will bring to Clinton, Fairfield Bay and Greers Ferry. The name of this event will be called the “Ozark Roar Power Boat Race.” The event will be held to help raise money for education and other charities yet to be announced.

The start and finish will be in Fairfield Bay, the pits and staging areas will be in Choctaw. There will be 35 to 45 boats that will race in six different classes. Top speeds, depending on their class, are from 100-200 mph. The course will be approximately five miles in total distance.

Some of the concerns from the public were regarding noise, wakes, gas, pollution and ruination of the natural beauty.

Benny Rorie of the Army Corp of Engineers was  present and assured the public that the Corp had their concerns and before a permit would be issued, their concerns would be addressed.

There seemed to be  overwhelming support for what this race would mean to the area. The economic impact could be substantial for all. Angela, Kitty and Mayor Duncan assured the public that everything will be done to ensure that the natural beauty of this area will be maintained.

The public is encouraged to fill out a survey to voice their opinions. All surveys  will be submitted to the Corp for review. Based on the consensus of the surveys as well as the  Corps findings for safety and maintaining the integrity of the lake, a decision will be made whether to issue a permit or not.

Anyone interested in learning more or becoming a volunteer for this event, contact one of the three chamber offices. Clinton, 745-6500, Fairfield Bay, 884-3324, or Greers Ferry, 825-7188.

Is there a hotel in Fairfield Bay’s future?

When the current Economic Development Committee was formed, there was a consensus that the primary need for Fairfield Bay was a hotel/motel and convention center.  Without such a facility there was no need to solicit any type of convention, tourist activity, sporting event or any other special event that could entice people to visit our area.  The committee made this objective its number one priority.

Due to the work of the committee, the last few months have seen a marked increase in organizations that have expressed interest in building a hotel in The Bay.  Several groups have sent representatives to tour possible sites and to talk with the City and Community Club Board about the benefits of locating in Fairfield Bay.  While they have been shown sites that are owned by individuals, the Community Club or listed with realtors, they seem to be interested primarily in two areas, the Conference Center and The Bay View Club (Racquet Club).  Both sites have advantages and disadvantages.

According to those who visit, the Conference center has a good central location, is easy to find and is great for the Mall Merchants.  On the other hand, the footprint is small and parking could be a problem.  The center needs a lot of remodeling or would have to be replaced all together, and there would be fewer incentives available from the Community Club, since they do not own it.

The Bay View Club location has the premier view in the area, has enough space to build, offers incentives and has attached amenities.  This site is preferred by almost everyone who visits because of the possibilities that it offers.  The downside would be having to relocate the Recreation Department and swimming pool to Mead Park ahead of the five year plan and the possible loss of a couple of the practice tennis courts located on the left of the building for a conference center.  There are other sites that have been looked at extensively, but in the eyes of the developers, they pose problems in licensing, construction or views.

The committee is currently working with two very serious prospects and there is a good chance that we will be able to convince them to locate here.  We encourage you to help with the effort and show your support.

New boat slips to be built

 Jim Stafford, Marina Manager

 In a special meeting in January the Board of Directors approved the construction of 44 new boat slips at the Fairfield Bay Marina, pending approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The new slips will replace Dock #7 which was severely damaged by the storm on November 27, 2005. Twenty two 10' X 24' slips will be used to accomodate the Marina's Rental Fleet and daily slip rentals. The remaining 22 slips will be 10' X 28' and will be available for lease. The new dock will also have a new fish cleaning area at the end of the dock.

 The existing leasee's on Dock #7 will be relocated to equivalent size slips on Dock #8. Dock #8 and the existing uncovered docks in the cove & along the shoreline will be reconfigured to allow for the construction of the new dock.

Van Buren receives funds from 2005 land sales

Commissioner of State Lands Mark Wilcox has released turnback checks totaling over eleven million dollars to county governments throughout 2005. The checks, which represent funding generated from redemption and sale of tax delinquent property during the preceding year, were released over a twelve-month period.  Van Buren County has received $99,366.

After one year of tax delinquency, Arkansas counties certify real property tax records to the State of Arkansas, where the State Land Office begins its efforts to collect the taxes.  If the properties are not redeemed within an additional two-year period, the land becomes eligible for public auction.  Whether the land is redeemed or sold, the revenue collections are returned to the county of origin after one year said Wilcox. 

Turnback monies in 2005 maintained the $11.3 million amount set in 2004, said Wilcox. This means that once again Arkansas counties will reap the benefits from this revenue to use for funding of schools, libraries, and local government services. Wilcox added, Millions of dollars would have been lost had these properties remained delinquent.  Turnback money is distributed to the county taxing units just as if the funds had originally been collected there.

Wilcox noted that the State Land office plays an important role in ensuring that county governments realize stable revenues from their property tax system. We continue to accomplish this goal by redeeming properties, rather than selling them, said Wilcox.  Redeemed properties are those in which the original property owner retains ownership by paying the taxes before the property is sold.

Paws Report

By Ingeborg Hollwoeger

February - National Spay/Neuter Month

February 28 is the National Spay and Neuter Day in Honor of the Doris Day Animal Foundation's 12^th Annual Spay Day USA. Well, if Doris day can do it, so can we. Please heed this reminder: Spay or neuter your pets.

Why? Let me quote you some mind-boggling statistics:

·               Cats and dogs entering shelters each year - 8-12 million

·               Cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year - 4-6 million

·               Animal shelters in the United States - between 4 and 6 thousand

·               Percentage of purebred dogs in shelters - 25 percent

·               Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year - 3

·               Average number of animals in an average feline litter - 4-6

In seven years, one cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats

·               Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year - 2

·               Average number of animals in an average canine litter - 6-10

In six years, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs

We are showing you the way by having spayed rambunctious Mimi - with her energy, this sleek tortoiseshell is a perfect inside/outside cat.  We also submitted boxer Buster to this ignoble feat (as far as he is concerned) and had him neutered.

 Adopted were lucky cats Molly, Whiskers, and Iris (all spayed, of course). Sweet Lori was discovered on Channel 11 by a talent scout; she'll be the star of that home.

Happily, one of the four Chihuahua puppies, Baby Girl, found her loving Valentine.

Membership Drive: This is my first year as membership chair, and your response to our annual drive is outstanding. It is heartening how loyal our supporters are year after year; treat yourselves to lunch or dinner at the Indian Hills Country Club, and note how the big heart in the entrance bursts with the names of our appreciated members. Thank you, IHCC, for allowing us this display of our donors' generosity.

Thank you  for supporting the FFB Animal Shelter.

 Another important way you can help is to:

Spay or Neuter Your Pets