The idea that we cannot openly post our concerns about Eureka Springs without a fair debate, when there is so much life experience among us, is indicative of the worst of our times today. We should not have to denigrate ourselves to shouting.
Our downtown is for all of us, yet residents are, by lack of affordable parking, transit, accessible sidewalks and restrooms, unable to enjoy what is ours. The reality that Northwest Arkansas is booming, yet downtown businesses are shuttering, demonstrates the need for enlightened leadership that has solutions instead of fighting for the scraps from big box chains, on-line shopping, and greedy storefront real estate owners.
In a recent conversation with one of our elected officials I was informed that sales tax revenue was stable and increasing because of the taxes collected by one rental service and on-line collections. Tax collection is for all of us. All resources from the CAPC, local, state and federal are here to help small communities such as Eureka Springs.
You are experiencing the reality of bullies in our community, many of whom do not reside here, forcing their form of autocratic “shouting” in an attempt to hide behind the hopes and fears we live within our daily life in Eureka Springs. Unless we can point out their counterproductive acts of greed, narcissistic practices and thinly veiled lies with threats, we have little to do but experience decline in all we value about living here.
T.R. Lewis