Letter to the Editor

Is Siloam Springs headed in the right direction?

Voters in Siloam Springs will choose new City Board of Directors members on Nov. 6 by selecting a candidate running in their ward, plus a director at large. There will also be an election Aug. 14 for Ward 1 residents to choose two candidates for the November ballot from the three now running.

The Herald-Leader published Q&A interviews with the Ward 1 candidates. The answers revealed how they view the city as to current issues, the direction the city is headed and major issues needing to be addressed.

Candidate David Allen is well-experienced in business and city government, having previously served on the board for several years and then as mayor, and believes Siloam Springs does have pressing needs -- especially the condition of our streets and unusually high taxes. Regarding streets, I'll interject my opinion.

While large sums of discretionary spending continue on "quality of life" projects, the condition of our streets is shameful. For years Holly and University streets leading to JBU have remained patched, rutted roadways with the corner at JBU absolutely pitiful. Elm Street between Tulsa and U.S. Hwy 412, a convenient route to reach businesses on 412, carries constant traffic. However, it's a dangerous street with narrow, eroded pavement and deep drainage ditches. Those sorts of situations exist all over town.

Regarding needed changes for the city, candidate Mindy Hunt replied, "Quite honestly, I feel we have made so many improvements in the last few years, and we are heading in a good direction." However, she also stated she would listen and seriously consider people's concerns.

Candidate Fares Trinidad said he would not say there are major issues, but expressed concern about the benefits, such as shopping and entertainment, which those who live on the I-49 corridor enjoy and would like to see an effort in Siloam Springs to increase those types of benefits to attract more residents.

Anger continues over the disregard shown for the historic cemetery on Tahlequah. However, now there's genuine outrage that on the new park site "out front" near Mt. Olive Street sits a newly constructed concrete block building partially obscuring the view of the Veterans Memorial -- which will house the toilets!

The American Legion fought a continuing battle to get the memorial erected. The city rejected naming the park Veterans Memorial Park. Chautauqua is an Iroquois Indian word or an educational institute in New York -- very meaningful for Siloam Springs?

Barbara Foreman

Siloam Springs

Editorial on 08/08/2018