THE EDITOR DISCUSSES SALES TAX DEFEAT

Thanks to the voters of Garland County who used facts presented here and elsewhere to make an informed choice, we are not now straddled with a perpetual tax that the politicians can use as they please.  We feel strongly that the public voted properly in spite of, or perhaps because of, the deception, withholding of facts, and outright untruths fed to us.  However, we cannot celebrate while we still have a high crime rate, a "revolving door" jail, and poorly paid public servants.  We must all work together to solve these problems.

We have been told by members of the Garland Good Government Group that they intend to provide a forum for public input.  We would like to join them in their efforts so please e-mail us with your thoughts on where a new jail should be located, how big, how lavish, and how it should be operated.  Give us your ideas on public safety including PIT (prevention, intervention, and training) programs.  Please share whatever expertise or recommendations concerning public safety issues you may have and also join the Garland Good Government Group at their future meetings.

Your humble correspondent feels that the county should NOT share any taxes with the city and, in fact, should not allow the current "tax and spend" city politicians to have any influence in its design, construction, or operation.  Irrespective of what we were told, state laws provide for counties to own and operate jails and provide funding methods that do not require sharing of taxes.

We have left posted the unbelievable information about the "Jail Tax" election on the "Commentary" page and the Digital Radio Expert submission on the "News" page.  We note that topical information and Jail Tax News is at www.jailtax.com concerning the new radios for our police and sheriffs departments.  To be fully informed, you really need to click on "Digital Radio Concerns" at the top of the page and view the videos listed there.  Also check out www.spacityvoice.com for interesting articles.

Let us know what you think - read the "Commentary Section" and give us your comments

What is "Going On" in the Hot Springs Area?

Public Safety Special Election - Aug. 12, 2008:  Click here for www.JailTax.com information

Bond Issue Election Tuesday - June 10, 2008:  Click here for the Mid-America Museum Minutes

Important functions :

Tuesday - January 10, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - Judge David Switzer - Auditorium, Garland County Library

Tuesday - February 5, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - Steve Arrison - Auditorium, Garland County Library

Tuesday - February 12, at 6 PM: GGGG Special Meeting - Kent Myers - Hot Springs Transportation Plaza

Thursday - February 21, at 6 PM: Garland Good Government Group Business Meeting - Room "B" Garland County Library

Tuesday - March 4, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - Josie Fernandez - Auditorium, Garland County Library

Thursday - March 20, at 6 PM: Garland Good Government Group Business Meeting - Room "B" Garland County Library

Tuesday - April 1, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - Jo West Taylor, County Treasurer - Auditorium, Garland County Library

Tuesday - May 6, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - State Senators & Representatives - Auditorium, Garland County Library

Tuesday - June 3, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - General Bill Lefler - Hot Springs Transportation Plaza

Tuesday - July 1, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - Josie Fernandez, National Park Superintendent - HS Transportation Plaza

Tuesday - August 5, at 6 PM: GGGG Open Meeting - Jail and Tax Facts - Auditorium, Garland County Library

We know some of what is going on in Hot Springs and you know some of of what is going on.  Together we can have a complete listing!  So tell us what you know and we'll publish it right here.  This website belongs to YOU, the citizens of the Hot Springs area.

Nothing you want to talk about is "off limits" but if we consider it as untrue, damaging or obscene, we do  reserve the right to edit or not publish it.  Don't worry because to date, it had to be really "off-the-wall" before we have not published anything.

  The "News" Page is Now Available - Click Here 

Please note that this site is still partially under construction so we don't really have as much content as we would like just yet.  Send your info and comments to us at editor@HotSpringTalk.com and we will post it as soon as possible.  The format and content will be very similar to that used on the www.Hot-Springs-Metro.org website.  That site will continue to exist but more as an archive of information relative to the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). It is because of your participation that we are now providing you with your own website for whatever you want to talk about.  Heck, that's why we named it HOT SPRINGS TALK.

• This is the home page and you can go to the following pages even though there isn't much there yet.
  • Discussions page - This page is where your letters, both e-mails and snail mails will be published.
  • Commentary page - This is where our editors and guest editors will have their thoughts published.
  • News page - This is where relevant news of the area will be posted.  For older items, see www.Hot-Springs-Metro.org
  • Links page - This page will provide links to other sites similar to ours and to relevant government sites.
  • Contacts page - This page provides e-mail and, perhaps, even phone numbers of people you need to contact.
  • Other pages?  Let us know what you would like to see.  After all. it is YOUR site.