Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I was pleased to see all the letters in last week's paper, but disappointed because not only has the City forsaken the People, but it would seem as though the Chamber of Commerce has too.

Simply put, I agree that the City has failed to serve its Citizens, not only by neglecting the needs of the City, but also by continuing its policy of excluding the People.

Otherwise, I am walking a fine line here, because on the one hand, I have had a respectful relationship with Jose and Kathy. We have agreed on many of the issues that plague Bartlett, namely the need for more youth programs and the lack of competent governance; but we have disagreed on the path that the Chamber continues to follow. And on the other hand, while I would never hold it against Jose and Kathy for having a social association with anyone, I have become increasingly concerned with the derogatory perception that there are special interests in play.

Like the other business owners, and especially those that also reside in our downtown area, for nearly 10 years, now, I have questioned what exactly the Chamber is trying to accomplish. I think it is a fair statement to say that the Chamber has primarily defined itself as a festival coordinator. In years past, it was limited to Friendship Fest, but then expanded to Cinco de Mayo under its current President; some have questioned that decision by asking will there be festivals celebrating the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Battle of Boyne, Kenkoku Kinenbi, and other such American, European, and Asian points of history - all were rejected out of hand. And so started another avenue of alienation, another point of tension, and another division within our Community - all supported by our governing body, apparently.

Another item specifically mentioned, was the "Brick Hunt." As a point of historical fact, Mayor Atchison had provisioned for those repairs, but then the election happened, and the money disappeared - interesting that members of that administration are still in office? Nonetheless, I had to hunt for it, but I found it, a tiny blurb buried on Page 2 of the July 23, 2008, Tribune-Progress. Not only was it buried, but it was so confusing I still would not have gotten the point of the article if it hadn't been beaten to death in argument after argument. Is it any wonder it looks like a put-up for special interests?

Having traveled the world, having studied many socio-political models, and having lived in communities even smaller than Bartlett, I will have to conclude that ours is unique of all of them. Even in Gosnell, the smallest town I ever lived in (about 150 at the time), the city was considered to be mired in corruption, but the streets were maintained, you could drink the water, you didn't smell the sewage, and electrical problems were unheard of. Taxes were quite tolerable and utility rates were reasonable. You could ask a question at the council meeting and actually get an answer, even an intelligent one. And guess what, it was farm country, just like Bartlett! And what's even worse, Gosnell is in rural Arkansas!!

As I have suggested before, and will continue to do so, as Citizens, we must hold our elected officials accountable! As business owners, especially those that are members, we must hold the leadership of the Chamber accountable. The City should make all efforts to meet the needs of the City, and the Chamber of Commerce should be promoting Bartlett commerce and representing the business owners in front of the City. With the right leadership in both organizations, our utility rates and taxes probably would not be as high, and increasing, again, as the bulk of the City's needed revenues would be appropriately generated through commerce and industry.

Good governance is not rocket science, but it does require an altruistic character anchored by morals, ethics, and integrity, and with methods based on a full education and guided by a little common sense.

Respectfully,

James M. Grant