How does the newest mayor in a charming yet often tumultuous community navigate the political bear traps to achieve good things for his hometown?
Mayor Butch Berry of Eureka Springs in his first eight months appears to have carved a path through the briars. He became Eureka's mayor in January. Hooray! Then came some real fun.
A few weeks later, all rocky heck fell in around his shoulders when a section of a downtown parking lot became a sinkhole after more than a hundred years of erosion and pressure.
"I was throwing out SOS messages to everyone I could think of," said Berry, 65. "Thankfully, State Sen. Bryan King and State Rep. Bob Ballinger put me in contact with state agencies who could help us repair the sinkhole."
What initially seemed a catastrophe would prove to be a "pleasant blessing" for Berry in a significant way.
"The county government's quorum court and judge had a little more money than our city did to help with repairs. So we all agreed to work together toward repairing the cave-in," Berry continued. "Basically, the city provided services and they supplied labor. I was so glad to see that level of cooperation that I can't say I'd seen before."
After four terms under three mayors on the Eureka Council beginning in 2000, Berry certainly had enjoyed lots of "dog versus cat" dissensions.
The city's anti-discrimination ordinance Berry supported (and that passed by popular vote) was another issue Berry said became more a blessing than a problem. "It proved to be a reflection of good relationship between my office and the council, which also hadn't always been the case in our city's history," he said. "I inherited a veteran council with one new member. That was a blessing."
I recalled telling Berry and his wife, Lynn, before he assumed office that someone with his background and congenial demeanor could be an ideal person to hopefully help heal the notorious turmoil. Lynn understood the need for shared direction and cooperation, having served two years as Eureka's Chamber of Commerce director and today is communications director for the nearby city of Branson.
"I've been around Eureka long enough to see both sides of issues when they arise," said Butch. "I think one side does perceive me as more pro-business than they might prefer. But with my responsibilities to improve the overall community, I realize business, and the taxes they provide, is where the funds we need to operate positively come from."
Most recently, Berry is excited his Ozarks community of 2,000 souls has become eligible to receive community development block grants that can enable infrastructure improvements. "The most frustrating problem any mayor faces is having enough funds to get necessary work completed," he said. "Now that we're eligible for these block grants of usually anywhere from $200,000 to a half-million dollars, we can hopefully get ahead of some problems and needs."
For instance, Berry said a portion of century-old stone drainage tunnels carrying the convergence of two streams beneath streets beside Eureka's Grand Central Hotel have to be replaced as soon as possible. They are counting on an emergency services grant to help replace the worn stone channels with concrete culverts.
He's also hopeful of using a block grant to tackle the problem of the aged and leaky Black Bass dam behind the Inn of the Ozarks, which served as the town's water supply. "The dam has been in the process of failing," he said, ever since the storms wrought by Katrina. "We've already lowered the lake level so there's not as much leakage, but it badly needs repair."
Then Berry said he is seeking a grant to provide Eureka's first storm-warning siren: "For whatever reason, we've never had one here." There's also the recent grant that secured a ladder truck for the fire department.
It's interesting to me that Eureka, with some 2,200 hotel and motel rooms and an impressive array of three- to five-star restaurants, has more rooms available than permanent population. "Lynn and I play the license-plate game," he said. "We try to spot the states' plate farthest from Arkansas. It's amazing to realize how many people come from across our state and nation to escape to this romantic getaway with so many artists and so much music."
I asked what he believes is required as mayor to continue unifying so many differing viewpoints and varied lifestyles in his hometown.
"We all have to realize what we have in common regardless of which position one takes and any disappointments people may feel over matters," he said. "Everyone who lives here loves it and the people themselves are one big reason others come here to visit and live."
He cited the Passion Play as an example of one's beliefs living in harmony with another's. "I worked as a Roman Centurion in the very first Passion Play," he said. "And I remember the understudy for the character of Jesus was gay. In fact, others in the cast also were gay. I believe Jesus loved everyone. And getting along is the way we can get things done and improve our community."
Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at mikemasterson10@hotmail.com.
Editorial on 08/16/2015