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Dave and Jeanette Fitton … Community Heroes

Posted in Mayor Jim, Tributes on October 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »

In a previous blog entry, I wrote about the importance of downtowns. Important because they represent the community heart. Important because they usually reflect the history, the architecture, the “sense of place”, the place where people come together. Important as well as a center of Commerce and Trade.

Harrison has a long history as a regional trade center drawing from as far away as 50 miles. Over the past 15 – 20 years It has lost some of that energy due to the growth in Fayetteville area and the huge retail development and tourist industry growth in Branson, Missouri. Harrison was losing ground, was on a downward spiral and the future was looking pretty bleak. Well, “enough of that” became the battle cry from a few motivated, energetic folks who decided “to do something about it.”

From a few… now many… the leaders, businesses and citizens of Harrison have come together and are reversing the trend. They have formed a group called CORE with committees, weekly and monthly meetings, specific action steps to improve, revitalize and build for the future. They are now capitalizing on the obvious proximity of our nation’s first National River … The Buffalo National River … and are promoting Harrison as “The Gateway to the Buffalo”.

To my earlier point about the importance of downtowns, this community is successfully bringing new retail business development and entertainment events to the historic downtown square. For my money, “Harrison is coming back”.

How do Dave and Jeanette Fitton get my nod as heroes. Very simple … not only have they been advocates, not only have they been leaders and organizers but every day, every week, every month they have been the glue that has held this movement together. There are bigger names involved, but no one has done more to stay consistently engaged, to send the reminders, to publish the minutes, to follow up than this couple.

Harrison is on the move once again thanks to a bunch of people but my choice for the hero designation goes to:

Dave and Jeanette Fitton of Harrison Arkansas

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Hiking Wyoming: Tetons, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone

Posted in Mayor Jim on October 8, 2012| 1 Comment »

In a previous blog I alluded to the annual hiking trip I and three other guys take to one of the National Parks.This year from September 27 to October 2 we ascended and descended in and about Teton National Park and Yellowsone National Park with our base in Jackson Hole.

This post may be more pictoral than written because there is virtually no way to describe the incredible beauty and majesty of the Teton Mountains, the uniqueness of Yellowsone Geysers in our first National Park and the attractions of the Historic downtown and square in Jackson, Wyoming.

First the Tetons … and were we ever treated to beautiful weather:

Hiking the Summit:

And then there is the unmatchable Yellowstone with its upper and lower falls and the iconic OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER:

And then, there were the … well … kleidoscopic colors at their peak:

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Annual Guy’s Hiking Trip

Posted in Mayor Jim, Trails on September 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Okay, so this is not my hiking foursome. The truth is I am so excited about leaving later this week for another adventure … hiking in one of America’s incredible national parks, I simply had to inject a bit of levity. Two years ago we did hike in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and I took this photo of a photo hanging in the park’s lodge. It certainly gives one the sense of the size of these monsters.

During the past ten years we have hiked, camped and backpacked in Yellowstone, Smokey Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and this year we are heading for the majestic Grand Tetons. In addition to two or three days in the Tetons, we will spend one day sightseeing and hiking in Yellowstone. I am blessed to have been here before so my anticipation is only surpassed by the memories of this special place in Wyoming.

More actual current day pictures and tales to share when we return.

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Taos to Ocate

Posted in Mayor Jim, Trails on September 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Clearly, there’s something alien,mystical, maybe even spiritual about New Mexico. Patti and I love to spend a day or two in Santa Fe or Taos either before or after our annual Summer pilgrimage to Colorado. Taos though has become the favorite stop. It’s smaller, more manageable for a short trip, has the history (Kit Carson was born here), the culture, the Art galleries, great restaurants, the Southwest Native American Pueblo architecture, cool dry air surrounded by mountains and is a pleasant place to stroll the shops on the shaded square.

The architectural design standards are so carefully controlled, even a McDonalds complies by having no sign on the building … merely a small entry sign.

Okay, now on to the Mystical, Alien, Spiritual … and on to Ocate …

The picture below shows one of a community of Earth Houses. There are probably 30 of these, some very elaborate but all built to be energy efficient, sustainable and from recycled materials. To me they have an alien but fascinating story.

Upon leaving Taos we took one of those “roads less travelled”, this one a rough, narrow, steep, curvy dirt road to Ocate. The first sign we saw when the dirt road began shouted in large letters that truckers and those pulling trailers should reconsider this route. However, we continued and it was rough. But we were rewarded with a beautiful drive, almost no traffic and a “make a memory moment” at Ocate … our waypoint heading Southwest.

There wasn’t much there … the picture below was across the street from a weathered old general store, operated by a weathered 82 year old man (most likely the owner). On the wall behind the counter was a black and white photo of his wife of some 60 plus years … a strikingly beautiful girl … possibly in her early twenties when the photo was made.

This was and still is life at its simplest … a striking contrast with the wealth of Taos, a place of history none the less and an example of the treasures to be discovered in the lingering spirit of people and memories of days and trails gone by.

A waypoint on Highway 120 … while heading home.

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Frisco, Colorado

Posted in Mayor Jim, Trails on September 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Frisco, Colorado has such beauty, such history, such eclectic intrigue. From the simple craftmanship of hand hammered hinges to its mountain setting at the base of Mount Royal/Mount Victoria, once the home of small mining community destroyed by avalanche in the 1800’s.

This small recreation oriented town is nestled at 9100 feet just 75 miles from Denver and less than 30 minutes from Breckenridge and Vail. It’s a perfect stepping off point for skiing in the Winter, hiking, biking and boating in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Plus, there is no better choice to experience magnificent sightseeing year round. It is home to the Blue River, one of the finest trout streams in Colorado, a virtual hotspot for festivals, shopping, dining and quite frankly just a mighty pleasant place to spend time especially when it’s hot in your home.

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Stephan McAteer … a local Government Employee Hero

Posted in Mayor Jim, Tributes on August 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Stephan McAteer and the MacArthur Military History Museum

Government employees often get a raw deal lumped under the concept that they are paid too much, work too little and care less about the task at hand. Fortunately this is a perception, not fact … the real facts being, most government workers do care, work exceptionally hard, are underpaid, love their jobs and do it well.

One of these that has shown his passion for the task, is paid less than he could get elsewhere, is doing a fantastic job and continues to build a museum the citizens of Little Rock can be proud of is Stephan McAteer, Exec Director of the MacArthur Museum of Military History.

In his quiet unassuming way he has built one of the best Military History Museums in Arkansas. He has resurrected a decaying historic structure, the Birth Place of General Douglas MacArthur, and through sheer will has returned it to its deserved glory days. He has reenergized a Board of Commissioners, has lobbied successfully for funding from individuals, the city and the State and has organized significant events reminding all of us of Arkansans who have served our Country in Military roles.

I have proudly watched this humble committed man keep his energy and passion and vision alive. Thank you Stephan for a job well done.

Stephan McAteer is one of my Local Heroes. Stephan, I salute you.

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Street Olympics

Posted in Mayor Jim on August 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It’s virtually impossible for one with a computer, TV, smart phone or for that matter any other means of communication to be unaware of the Summer Olympics. I too have spent hours incidentally and intentionally following the “race for medals”.

Well, this morning it hit me “square behind the wheel” … most of us experience highway and street olympics every day. No sooner have we pulled into traffic than our personal competitive event begins … a little extra acceleration to beat the yellow light, a quick maneuver to avoid a pothole, an intense focus on the bumper five feet ahead, the personal satisfaction of last second lane changes leaving our most assertive competitor behind. On the Interstate, we are pitted against the fast, the furious, the slow and the lane hogs. Thru years of practice we have fine tuned the strategic art of acceleration, deceleration and timing … no way will that slow moving eighteen wheeler pull out to pass and force me to tap the brake.

And what about that kid that camps on “my” bumper when I’m in the left lane … finally risking his life and others to dart across two lanes, zip between cars and then back only to have gained one car length? My goodness, this is street olympics and every second or portion thereof separates the winner from the also ran.

I must admit I too sometimes find myself in this competitive arena. Hopefully, just like retiring Olympic Medalist, I’ll find less reason to compete and more reason to be like the old Triumph Stag pictured above … appreciated for my age, my wisdon and for avoiding the scrap heap.

Incidentally, the pictures were taken last year at a Triumph Sports Car Rally in Frisco, Colorado.

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A Family History and a Local Hero…

Posted in Mayor Jim, Tributes on June 17, 2012| 1 Comment »

For several weeks, my wife has been unsuccessfully attempting to contact the owners of this home seeking permission to take a photo. Well, not just any photo but a photo with her 106 years young aunt standing out front. It all comes together once told that Marguerite Alford was born in this house June 16, 1906 … yes, one hundred and six years ago and this still sharp little lady wants an updated picture of herself in front of her birthplace.

After two attempts seeking permission by mail resulted in returned letters, my wife persuaded me yesterday to accompany her hoping to present her aunt’s request in person. This is where the local hero enters. Not only were we warmly greeted by the owners we were invited inside for a personal tour. Shannon and Don ( I’ll stick with first names) have completely renovated, expanded and updated this home and made it available for rent. Unfortunately, the immediate past renters did not respect their efforts as can be seen by the damaged blinds, so Don and Shannon were back in the house repainting and preparing this old piece of history for the next family to occupy. This brought back treasured memories to Patti as she remembered she and her sisters visiting grandparents , sitting in the front porch swing, watching the men clean the fresh fish catch on the lower level and so many more reasons to feel something special about our visit. Don showed her the renovations, the addition made to the upstairs attic space. He shared with us his long time job as fleet manager for a local beverage company and his passion for making a few extra dollars restoring old homes.

Now that Patti has gotten the permission to bring her Aunt over for the picture (note the picture above is Patti not Marguerite … as if you haven’t figured that out) and now that we have met a delightful couple working against the odds but making a difference preserving the history and heritage of Little Rock, I proudly declare:

DON AND SHANNON H MY SELECTED HEROES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 17,2012. YOU MAKE US PROUD!!!

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Ron King … another local Hero.

Posted in Mayor Jim, Tributes on June 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This Hero entry was written in the fall of 2011.

Today was another very special day … A Cool, brisk and breezy fall day … certainly special in its own right but not the complete story of the day. Over lunch I met with my old friend and former coworker, Ron King. Ron was one of my first hires when I formed Dailey’s Office Productivity Center, an upscale office design company. In our years together we formed not only a great work relationship but a close personal friendship as well. However, in the mid 1980’s I sold the company, left the business and unfortunately lost contact with Ron.

Today we reconnected and it felt really good. Ron is still in the same business but now he’s the business owner. What made this reunion even more meaningful to me was his invitation to tour the business. What made this reunion a huge eye opening surprise to me was walking thru his front door, making a right turn and stepping into a cavernous warehouse space with more than one thousand bicycles neatly arranged row after row. And, What made this reunion so heartwarming was seeing and hearing his story.

After reading a newspaper article highlighting the need for bicycles for kids three years ago he formed a charitable entity named “Recycle Bikes for Kids”… . In this same three year period he totally refurbished more than 2000 bikes and donated them to kids at Christmas.

Wow!!! Talk about a “Local Hero” … I cannot imagine anyone more deserving than my recycling friend, Ron King.

PS: It’s also rather nice to have a recycled friendship.

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