It seems that the Maumelle City Council decided to save us from ourselves. Not willing to allow a public referendum, they voted 5 to 3 to lift the dog-breed ban.
Council Members Steve Mosley, Ken Saunders and Jess Holt voted against the ordinance while the sponsor of the ordinance, Chad Gardner, and Terry Williams, R.J. Mazzoni, Michael Tierney and Doug Shinn voted to lift the ban.
I have never expressed my opinion either way. I have only advocated allowing the people to decide. Several of the Council members who supported the ordinance said they based their decision on their emails and — an even worse indicator — social media.
Social media postings are NOT a representation of how the people necessarily feel. They’re a representation of how the most vocal/passionate and online people feel. There’s no assurance that the posters are even registered voters in Maumelle.
But what is done is done and now the city will have to sort out the complicated issues surrounding enforcement of the ordinance. We’ll never really know how the majority of Maumelle citizens feel.
The Council has done us a disservice. But maybe they’ll move on to issues that are more important and particularly pressing to the needs of the citizens. Surely, they can think of something.
Don’t get me wrong. I love living in Maumelle, the home of first-world problems and complainers. I’ve been here over 15 years and really wouldn’t want to live anywhere else unless it was a home in the woods near the Buffalo River. Fighting over a dog breed is definitely a first-world problem and we’ve exhausted and spewed enough vitriol to last us for a while. Let’s move on.
In a quote to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mayor Caleb Norris said, “It has been disheartening and frustrating,” he said. “With this being over for now, hopefully we can get back to other issues.”
Amen.
Food Drive
According to the Maumelle Center on the Lake, over 500,000 Arkansans people — 1 in 4 children — suffer from food insecurity. In response, the center started a Canned Food Drive April 1 that will last through April 22. The donations will benefit the Hope Ministry Alliance and the Amboy Community Food Pantry. Some will also go to the food boxes around town. The center is asking for donations of canned and nonperishable food items to be taken to the center at 2 Club Manor Cove anytime between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. More information is available from Kim White at 501-851-4344 or kwhite@maumelle.org.
Foodie Notes
After having my second vaccination and moving toward invincibility, I felt more comfortable visiting one of my go-tos, Asian Buffet, which only reopened last week. The only change they have made is giving you disposable plastic gloves to wear while visiting the buffet. It was a good experience and I’ll certainly be returning. My next stop will be Bobby’s Café for a good ole country breakfast.
Get Your Vaccines
There are ample opportunities to get the Covid vaccine. Simmons Bank Arena is hosting mass vaccination clinics on April 10, May 1, May 22 and June 12. Everyone present at the clinics must wear a face mask. The clinics are prepared to vaccinate from up to 2,000 people daily. To make an appointment to receive a vaccination, call 501-526-2211 or go to VaccineSignup.UAMS.edu/mobileclinic.
Locally, Achor Pharmacy continues jabbing arms. It’s easy to sign up on Saturdays at 5 p.m. for the next week. Visit www.achorpharmacy.com for more information.
Remember, anyone 16 and older is eligible. GET IT DONE! I’m gonna keep wearing my mask and keeping my distance. Less than 20 percent of Arkansans have gotten a vaccine. There are virus hot spots all over the country. The pandemic is not over.
Coming Next Week: An Interview with Phil Elson, Voice of the Diamond Hogs
Next week, I am going to stray away from politics of any sort. Between our Council and our Mensa-level state legislature, I’m tired of all of them. I love Razorback baseball, and Phil Elson is one of the best play-by-play announcers in the business. Don’t miss it.
NOTE: If you haven’t been following the nationally ranked team, tune in this Friday at 6:30 p.m. on the SEC Network when they play Ole Miss, also at the top of the rankings. You can hear Phil at FM 103.7.
As always enjoy your articles