How has the economy impacted your life?

Talk about the 800-pound gorilla in the room. How about this economy? You certainly can’t avoid its impact, can you? I have been following this like so many others, particularly concerned about Martha’s and my retirement funds. But that aside, I also am finding a great deal of interest in what others are going through and, in particular, what they are having to give up in order to make ends meet. Watching CNN one morning last week, I saw a report in which people were asked how the sour economy has hurt them and what they are doing. I watched in disbelief as a photo appeared on the screen showing two beautiful basset hounds in a dog crate. The reporter said an Oklahoma couple had sent in the photo, along with a story about how the dogs were given up because the couple could no longer afford them. - Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The honor and responsibilities of citizenship

GOV . MIKE BEEBE

As a nation founded by immigrants, America has a rich and storied history. As a people, we are proud of our great diversity and our country's infinite promise. We have long been called "the great melting pot" , for we do not all look the same or sound the same. Not all of us come from the same background, practice the same religion, eat the same food, or were born with the same native language. But we share something greater than any of these qualities: a love of our country and all that it stands for. We share the values of freedom and liberty, of democracy and justice for all. And it is our mutual belief in these ideals that defines us as a people and binds us together as a nation. It is true that our diversity is one of America's greatest assets. Openness and freedom of opportunity were this country's founding principles and are her greatest strengths. What sets this nation apart from so many others in the world is the answer to the question of what makes a person an American. It has never been about linea - Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Distracted drivers

In Los Angeles last month, a Metrolink commuter train collided with a Union Pacific freight engine, killing 25 people and injuring dozens more. Authorities investigating the crash say that Robert Sanchez, the commuter train engineer who died in the wreck, blew a red signal and failed to hit the brakes before the collision. Though the investigation is ongoing and we’re awaiting the final, official analysis of the cause of the crash, investigators have confirmed that Sanchez was text messaging while on the job that day. In addition, two teenage train fanatics say they communicated with Sanchez via text message shortly before the crash. A Metrolink spokeswoman has said she would find it “unbelievable” that an engineer would be text messaging while driving a train. Unbelievable? Well, it is sad. It is foolish and it is careless. Unfortunately, we can’t say it’s all that unbelievable. In this age of the cell phone and the instant message, the desire to communicate seems to rise above all else, even safety. You see - Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Just considering us for a wind farm is one great thing

Lately we’ve been hearing about a wind farm possibly coming to Benton County. A wind farm, here? Our initial reaction is to say, “Wow, that’s pretty cool.” The proposal is in its early stages. Trade Wind Energy, the company that’s considering building a 25,000-acre wind farm that would cover parts of western Benton County and northeast Oklahoma, is first erecting a 200-foot-tall meteorological tower here to study area wind direction, speed and temperature. It’s far from a done deal, and there still are questions about it that will need to be answered. Let’s just say the wind-farm idea has not blown us away (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves ) yet. That having been said, it’s hard not to feel a tinge of excitement at the prospect. Aaron Weigel, a Trade Wind Energy official, answered local residents’ questions on the subject in Gravette last week. The entire project, Weigel said, would include 100 turbines and cost the company between $200 million and $400 million. Those 100 turbines would produce enough energy - Wednesday, October 1, 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cold noses and warm hearts The Bella Vista Animal Shelter extends grateful paws and claws to the citizens and businesses of northwest Arkansas for the untold generosity during the temporary, yet serious food shortage. The unending stream of animal food and cash donations given in these tough economic times reaffirmed to us the love and care felt for the homeless animals of our community. This would not have been possible without the great news coverage from our own newspapers and TV stations, The Weekly Vista, the Daily Record, the Morning News, Channel 16 Bella Vista Community TV and KNWA Fox 24. Our thanks to the many who cared and shared. Ron Krolikowski President of the Board BV Animal Shelter, Inc. - Wednesday, October 1, 2008