insideyournwa.com

Just as in recent presidential elections, the local political landscape is just as heated and divided, albeit the issues and candidates are extremely different. Rather than candidates, we argue over ideas, and rather than deficits and wars, we fight over growth.

Joe and I have had the pleasure to do our radio show at a local station, KERM 790 AM, and a national syndicate, Cumulus Broadcasting Newstalk 1030 AM. In both cases, the issues we have discussed have brought heated discussions, from baseball stadiums to impact fees, and many more.

The recent vote on Fayetteville’s impact fees concluded with 2,015 votes for and 2,014 votes against. The decision will now rest in the fate of 23 Fayetteville residents who are overseas. Can you believe that. A decision that will bring in the city millions and cost area residents more to buy a home, will be decided by an overseas ballot. When your curious if an idea has 50/50 support, just check whether or not it has to go oerseas for a decision.

But it wasn’t too long ago that another heated debate existed prior to residents voting on a tax that would allow for Springdale to build a baseball stadium to house a AA baseball team. What seemed like an obvious decision in order to support growth finished so close that the “in favor vote” tipped because of Springdale, Benton County voters, which registered less than 200. Granted, they weren’t overseas, but their small turnout tipped the scales and baseball will be played in ‘08.

In both these cases, the chamber of commerce for both Fayetteville and Springdale were in support of the measures that supported growth. Chamber of Commerce organizations exist in order to promote growth and commerce within a community. And in both cases, the city governments swayed towards the measures that prevented growth and chose a more fiscal approach to the betterment of the area.

On Saturday, Joe and I are discussing the book by Malcolm Maxwell, The Tipping Point. Do I believe Northwest Arkansas is nearing a tipping point? Absolutely. Unfortunately, with the general public so evenly divided on growth issues, we could tip either direction. For those hoping for NWA to return to its small town ways, its very difficult to go backwards. Be careful what you wish for. Many people would trade traffic for jobs. On the flip side, growth has to be measured carefully, and strong leaders must be in place to help give proper guidance.

We have only just begun in the evolution of Northwest Arkansas. Upcoming votes on a wet vs. dry Benton county, likely property tax increases, and many more will help shake Northwest for the next few decades.

Please listen in Saturday at 10am to NewsTalk 1030 and hear more about NWA’s next “Tipping Point”.