Breezes of discontent are sweeping through the normally placid community of Elm Springs.
A full-blown storm might better describe the attitude of many residents who don't want to see a proposed wind farm near the community.
A news account of the flap by reporter Dan Holtmeyer said around 150 Elm Springs residents jammed into City Hall for a question and answer brouhaha about the proposal to place 100-foot-tall wind turbines on farmland west of town within the next two years.
They were understandably concerned about the potential problems such a project could cause, not the least of which would be the effects on property values.
Dragonfly Industries International approached city fathers about annexing the property in question to accommodate the farm, claiming their new and improved technology is safer, quieter and smaller than those giant alien-looking whirling blades above the plains of west Texas and Oklahoma.
Holtmeyer reported that the system's designer, Phillip Ridings, said this new and improved wind technology has been proven and there's no doubt about how well and safely it will perform. He said this new turbine is the "silver bullet for wind energy and we want you to be part of it and make history here in Elm Springs."
In their sincere effort not to be misconstrued more as, well, pesky horseflies, the Dragonfly folks say it's their intention to do all they can to ease fears and accommodate public concerns.
Well, I gotta admit, all this sounds sort of enticing, but it's also obvious to me this is gonna be a hard sell. The good folks of Elm Springs just don't seem all that eager to become, in the words of one resident, "guinea pigs." Jonathon Hamby, whose property would be close to the farm, said he and others aren't at all sure the new turbines would be quiet and otherwise not annoying.
It did sound promising that this proposed wind farm would bring about 25 or 30 new jobs to the community just west of Springdale. But that didn't seem to impress many of those in the crowded room. And it appears from the discussion that the farm will be built whether the city annexes the property or not.
So, I suppose we'll wait and see what unfolds as temperatures outside (and within) increase and people on both sides continue to talk. At least they're communicating. Always a positive sign.
Back at Easter Feed
So here we all stood in the serving line at the annual M&N Augustine Trent Trumbo Easter feed. And here again was I manning the sliced-bread dispensary as hundreds of people from all walks of life filed continuously past to have plates loaded with ham, turkey, dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries and all form of pies and cake.
A record 6,500 people would be served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on this Saturday before Easter. How proud the late parents of Dr. Merlin Augustine and his wife Beverly would have been to see the $10,000 inheritance they left their compassionate son and family more than two decades ago selflessly used to start a foundation in their name and this Easter Feed now in its 22nd year.
The cavernous activities center at the First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville was packed as soon as the doors opened. Sen. John Boozman joined just plain folks to share a meal, as did the likes of five circuit judges, a Supreme Court justice, a congressman, Fayetteville's mayor, the Washington County prosecutor, sheriff and Quorum Court members, a deputy secretary of state and on and on.
This is the only day in Northwest Arkansas where so many with so little can freely visit with (and be served by) those charged with fulfilling so much on their behalf.
I was sandwiched on the bread line (where brightly attired Fayetteville attorney Jim Rose III had again assigned me) between Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor serving sweet potatoes and Terri Womack, wife of Congressman Steve Womack, who manned the gravy ladle. The congressman, clad in an apron emblazoned with a tongue-in-cheek "Hail to the Chief," waited at the end to dispense cranberry sauce.
Dr. Augustine mingled, greeting and hugging as many people as he could, so typical of this gentle man with a golden heart.
At one point, I was overcome by the mysterious urge to good-naturedly toss a wrapped slice of bread at Rose, who this year was clad in Razorback attire complete with pants adorned in tiny red hogs. With both hands jammed in those fashionable pants pockets, he wasn't quick enough to react. Probably why he never played wide receiver.
Every community across America would benefit enormously from the sense of caring and unity this unique Easter Feed, staffed with hundreds of volunteers and supplied by donations of food and contributions, has come to symbolize.
And for that alone, Fayetteville can rightfully count itself among one of America's most inclusive and accepting cities. Next year I expect to see Rose (aka the serving-line drill sergeant) sporting a tuxedo with hands free in the event I'm again overwhelmed by the compulsion to unexpectedly spiral him a slice of wheat.
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Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at mikemasterson10@hotmail.com. Read his blog at mikemastersonsmessenger.com.
Editorial on 04/07/2015