Politics is good Bidness, always at the expense of the producers.        June 3, 2009

Let’s go directly to the River Plan. Another of City Manager Dennis Kelly’s  gems of wisdom regarding “Development Opportunities on the Riverfront”…..for whom?

Apparently the Mayor, the City Directors, et al have spent numerous hours in concert with the open-borders Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cushman & Wakefield (Dallas consultants), and property owner Bennie Westphal.  The city is contributing $62,000 to the Riverfront study, not serious money until you add it to all the other pernicious non-governmental projects, and then it becomes very serious money. 

Any logical citizen comprehends that if the riverfront offered viable economic opportunities entrepreneurs would jump on it like white on rice. When there was a viable opportunity to bring in a casino, it was rejected.

Now some of you boys in city government attended public schools where civics was taught and I suspect there are a few of you younger ones who are victims of the federal government school system where civics was not taught. ..Therefore you perhaps don’t have an understanding that non-governmental programs are not proper functions of government at any level.

The Fort Smith city government developing a plan to take control of the Ft. Smith Riverfront Project is another colossal case of government ineptitude and over-reaching.

Simply stated, if it is such a “good deal” why doesn’t Westphal and other entrepreneurs take charge of riverfront projects.  May I suggest you go to the de facto owners of downtown Mr. Sicard, Mr. Griffin, Mr. White, and of course Mr. Westphal, accompanied by lesser lites/lights .

Coming on the heels of the above extravaganza is Mr. Phil White’s, and apparently Mayor Baker’s superlative idea to lease White’s “West end Park” to the city of Fort Smith.  It is indeed a well thought out and beautiful park, but has been an economic failure from its inception.

These are insidious plans you gentlemen seem more than willing to strap on the backs of the struggling producers.

The Tea Party Reformers have it right:  America, and in this particular case the city of Fort Smith, needs a 1773 solution to a 2009 crisis.

Following on the heels of the above, Judge Hudson and the J.P.’s are giving pay raises to county employees.

You boys and girls need to understand we are in a full blown depression and if there are any pay raises to be given they should definitely be given to those providing your salaries.  You are obviously caught up in your sense of self-importance.

Kindest regards,

Joe McCutchen                           www.arkansasfreedom.com