Arkansas Blog

Hey Max,

Here are the facts. As previously reported in various press accounts, the $450,000 used to provide for the presentation of the "little rock" is being funded by privately raised money with a small portion to be paid for by the anticipated refunding of an old parks bond issue. The City has received a $250,000 Sturgis Foundation grant specifically for this project and a $100,000 donation from Riverfest Inc. for a total of $350,000. The remaining portion of the money will come from a future refunding of an old parks bond issue that can only be used for park projects. Isn't it nice that, despite hard economic times, we are finding creative ways to fund quality-of-life projects without sacrificing the public safety of our citizens?

Having attended a portion of the National Trails Symposium held here earlier this week, I heard Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods," praise Little Rock, specifically for this project and others in Riverfront Park for what they do to improve our children's outdoor recreational opportunities. He has visited cities and parks departments all over the country, but he singled out Little Rock's parks and the improvements in Riverfront Park as "getting it right."

Why is it that only out-of-towners recognize the good things going on in our city while the locals criticize? Perhaps you should take a walk through Riverfront Park. I will be happy to be your tour guide.

Best wishes,

M.S.

ARK. BLOG: I walk through the park frequently. Comments are not mine, but Sy B.'s. But, please, refunding bond issue money is still public money. I think there's a lot of room to argue about various park expenditures and which would be more popular and useful. Riverfest money is money that wouldn't exist without significant city investment of labor and property in the event. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm a trail fan. I wish the riverfront trail didn't end abruptly in th wilds by the Baring Cross bridge. I wish the city would get on Dillard's and the Stephens family to get something done on the missing link.

If you're going at night I suggest you bring an AK-47. This is Little Rock 2008 after all.

Max, you have hit the nail on the head. I appreciate the progress that LR has made on the trail system, and I'm all for all kinds of quality-of-life issues such as parks and greenspace. But maybe instead of responding to posts on the Arkansas Blog, we could send a few emails to the Stephens and Dillard families? It just seems as if there is STILL no one at City Hall with cojones. Dillards and Stephens/Cathedral should have been TOLD, not pussyfooted around, YEARS ago, "this is what the city is doing and we hope to have your participation."
That is why I voted for greater mayoral powers, but it seems to me as if it's still the same old pass-the-buck-who-you-know-Bruce-Moore business as usual down there.

Thanks for the thoughts, Max and Mrs. F. To bring you up to date, much work and effort has been expended on the trail extension from the Baring Cross Bridge. I hope to be able to detail it to you in the not too distant future.

Thanks for the thoughts, Max and Mrs. F. To bring you up to date, much work and effort has been expended on the trail extension from the Baring Cross Bridge. I hope to be able to detail it to you in the not too distant future.

Many sincere thanks to the Mayor for participating in the blog. I look forward to your announcement on the trail extension.

Perplexed, FYI - the Mayor did not write that. One reason, he does not know how to log in. Second reason, no typos. Your Mayor hired a Mayor Jr. who follows his every move and he is the one who blogs, not Stodola. Don't believe me, call the Arkansas Food Bank and ask them where one of their male employees went to work. Stodola probably only read the finished product. I doubt he even contributed. Please don't get excited with your Mayor. He has fallen way short of the expectations.

I'm not excited about the mayor. At least he had someone else post to us. That's better than us griping among ourselves all day long. I've yet to see many, if any other gov't types even have a flunky post here - unless as an anonymous poster parroting some position. Seen Beebe here lately? Admiral Hayes?

Maybe he doesn't deserve a lot of credit, but showing up is worth something.

My point, HE is not showing up. He only wants you to think he has. I do agree with you, less griping from the blogs and let's hear from our elected officials. Okay Mayor Hays and Governor Beebe - any comments? On anything?

Sorry to disappoint the "not too" Concerned LR Citizen, but I actually do know how to log in and I even actually wrote the posts above. Hope you have a better day! Regards, Mark Stodola

Please spare me. Stodola blogging, that is a laugh. We all know it is Griffin Coop writing for you. Stodola you are a disappointment. And as far as my day is concerned, I can guarantee it is, and will always be, better than yours.

I never bought the 'la petite roche' story.