Honor merited

LITTLE ROCK — I’m not sure what’s behind the slight pause I’ve felt whenever I’ve written about my uncle over the years.

Like anyone who knows John Paul Hammerschmidt, I have the highest regard and respect for him and all he’s done for our state and our nation, especially the veterans.

Perhaps my odd reticence lies in the fact that, after 40 years in journalism, that world view is all I’ve known. You don’t want to appear as though you’re bragging or cheerleading for a close relative.

But the fact is that my uncle, a lifelong conservative, gets plenty of cheers, which he earned by 26 years of service to his constituents in the 3rd Congressional District. People aren’t applauding for anything he’s done to benefit himself, but for all he accomplished for so many others.

This gentleman from Harrison isthe epitome of what everyone who serves in Congress should strive to be. He always believed in placing the needs and voices of constituents above anything else he did in Washington. In the process, he made tons of friends and endeared others whodeeply appreciated all he did on their behalf. Part of that esteem is inscribed on the federal building, Interstate 540, a post office, an industrial park and even a restaurant in Harrison.

Now a lot of those folks whose lives have been touched by him will be gathering with others during his 87th year to honor John Paul and everything he will leave behind to benefit in decades to come those who can know him only as a long name on buildings and a highway.

The upcoming event, sponsored by Harrison’s Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, is set to be held inside the Fayetteville Town Center on Friday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. As you might suspect, the proceeds will benefit the many youths served by the foundation.

Foundation director Marty Burlsworth, also of Harrison, recently called John Paul, “one of the greatest statesmen Arkansas has ever known.” Board member Max Wright, also of Harrison, feels likewise.

“John Paul has been a godsend for us,” he wrote to me. “His gracious presence is allowing us to fund the organization to do all the wonderful things we could only have dreamed of doing.”

Laurie and I plan to be there to see John Paul being lauded for a lifetime of giving and to watch a film about his service.

Watch and learn

Before you invest nearly a million dollars in a new downtown parking plan or decide to fancy up a major connecting street with speed bumps,back-angled parking and traffic islands that “calm” the traffic and restrict emergency vehicles, you really oughta consider the experiences of Fayetteville.

It only took six weeks of paid parking for the merchants of the ordinarily thriving entertainment along Dickson Street to lose lots of business and cry uncle. Not only did the city’s leap into paid parking end with a resounding thud, it was confusing and a hassle for customers to make change and deal with the pay stations.

And so six weeks into this grand experiment, which cost the city about$800,000, the city council has voted to require paid parking only after 2 p.m. That means an estimated drop in city parking revenues of around 10 percent.

Good for the council. But I’m betting that when members review the situation again in a couple of months, merchants will still be hurting and more help will be needed.

The city’s aldermen are doing their best to find what’s been called the magic spot where the city collects for parking while the restaurants and others aren’t losing business. They need to do it before loyal Dickson Street customers change their habits. I’m feeling that all the scrambling for that elusive magic spot is likely to wind up with area business owners magically agreeing to validate parking for their patrons.

As for that mind-numbing, convoluted, constricted, totally confusing mess called Block Street, I’m still amazed that all the affected department heads ever signed off on such a maze. Block Street is one of two direct connecting streets between the square and Dickson. It has several businesses along a stretch of about 300 yards, which makes it a critical thoroughfare. It needs to be wide, unobstructed and easy to walk, bike or drive (slowly) through. I’m talking about safety vehicles as well. Instead, the city chose to go artsy and createan otherworldly “Where’s Waldo?” type of street.

Now the city plans to include area merchants in determining how to reshape it once again into a passable street. Funky is one thing, but this project flunks function and plain ole common sense.

Mike Masterson is opinion editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Northwest edition.