Of the people, By the people, For the people
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Judy & Dwight Wilson
TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 / Vol. 5 Issue 14 / 75 cents
Board adresses transparency
A little rain didn't stop runners, walkers and observers from turning out Saturday for the annual Clinton Hunger Run through the downtown area. Funds raised go to food pantries in Van Buren County. (Photo from Clinton Hunger Run/Facebook)
Amid public concern about transparency, the Fairfield Bay Community Club board held its monthly meeting last week. It was noted several times that the turnout was much higher than usual and the audience was allowed to ask questions after the meeting adjourned. Asked why the board was not as open as the City Council, President Dave Foster responded that Arkansas’ sunshine law does not apply to the Community Club board because it is private, not public. “The general public has no right to know” what goes on at the meetings, another board member said. Board members reportedly have been admonished not to comment on social media, but Foster said the board will make an effort to be more responsive. The board will consider creating a Facebook page accessible only to club members. Two board mem-
bers will be leaving when their terms are up and ballots will be mailed in June. Deadline to return the ballots is June 20. Earlier at the meeting, the board heard that revenue is slightly down so far this year. “It’s going to be a tough year,” according to Community Club executive Rocky Nickles. He said he hopes to break even by the end of the year. In his report, marina manager John Conry said the Belle of the Bay is being refurbished. He said a floating stage has been made from an old gas dock and will feature live music. He also said more than 70 people are on a waiting list for slips. That, he said, is a three-year wait. The board unanimously approved spending $2,460 for some new outdoor furniture for the Cool Pool. It also approved spending $87,750 for three boats, including a 24-foot pontoon dubbed “The Big Sexy,” and two trailers.
Complaint: Mandatory club membership worthless A resident of Memphis has filed a complaint against Wyndham Destinations, Inc., Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Fairfield Bay Community Club, Inc., and several other companies claiming he has paid a monthly assessment for more than 30 years on a parcel of land and has received nothing for his money. Gordon Jackson, in his complaint, states that Fairfield Communities, Inc., was the grantor on a deed in 1983 that conveyed the parcel in Van Buren County to him. He
Baseball for literacy
The third annual Van Buren County Literacy Classic begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 6. 6 and Under and 8 and Under will play at the Clinton City Park and 10 and Under and 12 and Under will play at Clinton School fields. The event is a fundraiser for the Literacy Council's Adult Learning Center. Concessions will be available. Adults: $4 and children under 18 free. For more information call Chad Brown, 501253-8919.
Car show
The Archey Fork Car Club is holding a Classic Car Show and Shine from 10 a.m.noon Saturday, April 6. This event will be held in the Howard’s Antique parking lot. For more details contact 501-745-8377.
alleges that the sales agreements require the buyers to pay assessments for “rights, privileges and benefits of a member” in the club at the resort (currently $59.20 per month), but states there are none pertaining to any of the real property parcels at the resort. The complaint states that at the time of sale of the lots, buyers were induced to make their purchase decisions by statements made by sales representatives for the defendant to the effect that roads, water, elec-
tricity, and other improvements would be made. But none were made, the complaint states, and as a result, the plaintiff and class members continue to be prevented from enjoying their lots. The complaint states that the plaintiff, like all members of the class, has paid thousands of dollars to the defendant and received nothing in return. Whenever an attempt is made to stop paying the monthly assessments on the property, members are
threatened with various economic harm, including injury to their credit ratings, the complaint states. This continues the fraud and tolls the running of any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, the complaint states. D e l a w a re - b a s e d Wyndham Destinations is the successor in interest to Wyndham Worldwide Corp., according to the complaint. Others named in the complaint, which was filed March 19, 2019, in Van Buren County Circuit Court are: Wyndham World-
action under Rule 23 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. It also seeks a detailed accounting of all collections and expenditures of the assessments and requests compensatory damages and restitution. The complaint asks for a jury trial. William P. Creasman of Carney Bates & Pullium, PLLC, of Little Rock is representing the plaintiff. The complaint is Jackson v. Wyndham Destinations Inc., Case No. 71CV-19-36.
Report: Teen dragged Tahoe with no wheels
Lake level
The Army Corps of Engineers were scheduled to begin spillway releases April 1 from Greers Ferry Dam as part of the ongoing effort to evacuate water captured during heavy February and March rains. Greers Ferry Lake is still more than 8 feet above the top of its conservation pool. Those who live on the Little Red River below the dam should be aware of higher flows and plan accordingly. Barring additional heavy rain, the lake level is expected to drop about halfa-foot a day for about 12 days until the lake reaches elevation 463 feet. The releases are being made in accordance with the White River Water Control Plan.
wide Operations, Inc., Fairfield Communities, Inc., Fairfield Communities Land Company, Fairfield Glade Community Club, and Companies X, Y, and Z (unknown to the plaintiff at this time but included in this action as a matter of caution in the event one or more of the Wyndham–Fairfield web of business organizations not formally named in this action are determined to be essential or indispensable parties). The complaint asks that the lawsuit be considered a class
100th birthday - County Judge Dale James proclaimed March 8, 2019, as Dorothy Lee Brown Day. Brown was born to Malcolm and Alma Brown on March 8, 1919. She was married to Vern Brown and they had three children. Brown is now a resident of Ozark Health Nursing and Rehab in Clinton. (Photo from Ozark Health/Facebook)
A teenager has been charged with criminal mischief after apparently dragging a vehicle through a construction zone in Bee Branch. A deputy traveling through the area noticed an older model Chevrolet Tahoe in the construction zone on Highway 65 South. The Tahoe was missing its wheels and was buried to the frame in gravel. The vehicle appeared to have been dragged from the top of a driveway, over the asphalt and through the construction zone at the bottom of the driveway, according to an affidavit for arrest. Alex Graham told deputies where to find the wheels for the
Tahoe. He could not say why the vehicle was dragged, according to the report. A member of the construction crew showed up at the scene and stated that the damage would add up to a considerable cost and set work back by about a week, the report states. He said the area would have to be regraded, re-leveled and repacked and would require a density check by the state. The gravel work was being done by Bobby Kennedy Construction. Graham, 18, was arrested at a nearby residence and charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a Class C felony.