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To the Editor:
In about a week the election will have taken place and the matter of whether Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia will merge will have been decided. Regardless of what happens, life will go on and we will move forward seeking to do what is best for our community.
We continue to believe that “Together We Can Grow.” We believe that one city with one government, one fire department, one police department, one street department, one water department, and one parks department will be able to better utilize the resources available than two cities with a duplication of these services.
This letter is meant to address what seems to be a major concern of some citizens of Caddo Valley. As mayor of Arkadelphia and at-large director, we wanted to write concerning the question of whether Caddo Valley will receive fair representation from the city board of a consolidated city.
The City Board of Arkadelphia has seven members or directors. Five of these directors are elected by ward and represent the wards from which they are elected. However, each director feels obligated to be a voice for all citizens of the city. The two of us are elected at large and represent the entire city. We try to listen to all our citizens in all matters. In the past, we have also had the occasion to listen to those who are not even citizens of Arkadelphia. Any time someone calls with a concern or question, we listen and try to help. We have even had parents of college students who live in other states call with concerns and we have tried to help them.
We want the citizens of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia to know that it is our desire to represent all our citizens wherever they may live. If the consolidation passes, we plan to seek re-election to the positions we now hold. If we are elected, we promise that regardless of where you live, we will strive to represent every citizen fairly. Both of us commit ourselves, if we remain on the board to never treat any area of our city any different from any other area.
Please vote on July 14, and please vote for a greater future for our community by voting to approve the consolidation of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia.
Chuck Hollingshead, Arkadelphia mayor
James Calhoun, Arkadelphia director at large
To the Editor:
In about a week the election will have taken place and the matter of whether Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia will merge will have been decided. Regardless of what happens, life will go on and we will move forward seeking to do what is best for our community.
We continue to believe that “Together We Can Grow.” We believe that one city with one government, one fire department, one police department, one street department, one water department, and one parks department will be able to better utilize the resources available than two cities with a duplication of these services.
This letter is meant to address what seems to be a major concern of some citizens of Caddo Valley. As mayor of Arkadelphia and at-large director, we wanted to write concerning the question of whether Caddo Valley will receive fair representation from the city board of a consolidated city.
The City Board of Arkadelphia has seven members or directors. Five of these directors are elected by ward and represent the wards from which they are elected. However, each director feels obligated to be a voice for all citizens of the city. The two of us are elected at large and represent the entire city. We try to listen to all our citizens in all matters. In the past, we have also had the occasion to listen to those who are not even citizens of Arkadelphia. Any time someone calls with a concern or question, we listen and try to help. We have even had parents of college students who live in other states call with concerns and we have tried to help them.
We want the citizens of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia to know that it is our desire to represent all our citizens wherever they may live. If the consolidation passes, we plan to seek re-election to the positions we now hold. If we are elected, we promise that regardless of where you live, we will strive to represent every citizen fairly. Both of us commit ourselves, if we remain on the board to never treat any area of our city any different from any other area.
Please vote on July 14, and please vote for a greater future for our community by voting to approve the consolidation of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia.
Chuck Hollingshead, Arkadelphia mayor
James Calhoun, Arkadelphia director at large
