Horseshoe Bend/Cherokee Village land auctions (Yellville: budget, house, price)

[easy123]

Hi Horseshoe, RogMar and y’all

Regarding Horseshoe Bend growth . . . and perhaps even survival.

In my mind the equation is a simple one- maybe not easy, but simple: capitalize of the community's biggest resource and asset: the land and the amenities.

If I were to map out a plan to generate growth, I would first have the city officials get together with the local business and finance structure to develop a strategy and operating plan:

Perhaps, appoint a small group to research industries for appropriate products that make sense logistically for the right manufacturers, contact appropriate manufacturers of established, successful products who are seeking ways to expand.

The Plan: Offer the company a tax and property incentive and an employee benefit support package that makes it hard to resist: free land, tax breaks, local support for the company itself; and every employee to receive a lot to build his home in the fabulous HB community, and be granted a loan by the local finance community to build that home at a low fixed interest rate. Job applicants would of course be screened with credit rating being included in the criteria. The local trades will benefit immediately too. I would suggest first contacting tech manufacturers linked to the Baby Boomers, like hearing aid manufacturers or maybe software companies that generate targeted software like memory improvement exercises and so forth. Tech manufacturers will tend to relate to and attract young employees. It is a win-win-win pact between the employee, the company and the community.

The company launches a national campaign on YouTube to solicit applications. News releases on this community/Manufacturer program will certainly get national coverage on many different kinds of broadcasts, .Young applicants would go to special web site for details and to submit applications. Thus the company would gain not only qualified candidates for jobs but also start getting national attention from its innovative employment strategy. The plan would attract both young blood into the community and retirees to drive the economy engine, and will infuse the area with enthusiasm and forward looking attitudes to produce a new sense of the future. When I read “death-rattles”, it certainly demonstrates that significant actions are necessary to produce the kind of cultural environment necessary to start shifting attitudes to the positive side. This cannot be done unless there are real steps taken with commitment that will show residents that something important to their future is happening. In short, it will take a demonstration of faith.

In the YouTube presentations, the concept of creating a dynamic, planned activity-oriented retirement community would be detailed: everyone joining hands toward a common goal. All of the steps in the plan would be detailed and explained, so that all viewers would see the step-by-step progression that helps each participant, and ultimately produces better lives for the entire population. The plan itself will act as a filter to attract the very kinds of persons that will best serve the interests of the community: active retirees who are not interested in sitting on front porches, innovative business persons who create and provide unique services, a growing manufacturing base and a proven strategy for attracting other appropriate companies, a fresh new employee base already invested in the success of the community and permanent types who will need schools and city services. All of the careful planning in the past will give HB a leg up on this kind of a future.

And what about those baby boomers? Can they not get interested in such a dynamic plan designed to cater to, serve and help their last years be happier, more secure, more energized and more fun than any other community, a place to come to live . . . not die?

I can think of only one issue remaining as a question, the issue of availability of medical services. I do not know what services are currently available in HB or at least accessible within a reasonable distance and travel time.

Something like this could all get started in a year's time if someone with clout and courage in HB would take the first step. I know one thing for sure; it sure would be interesting and exciting to watch. I hope others will contribute to the discourse on this subject.

Well y’all, I feel a little like I have just awakened and told someone about a dream I just had. Never-the-less, all of the tools are out there to achieve a growth strategy. It will take a few leaders with vision to make it happen. I can tell from the forum that there are established and pending HB residents with the necessary deep interest in the area and personal capabilities to get a ball rolling in this direction.

One last important issue, what is the biggest cat anyone has caught on a trout line in the area? Running a line on a late, dark night is one of my passions.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by easy123

Hi Horseshoe, RogMar and y’all


One last important issue, what is the biggest cat anyone has caught on a trout line in the area? Running a line on a late, dark night is one of my passions.

How y'all doin'?

I don't know about a trot line, but noodling season opened a while back (you know about noodling?), and the local station did a story that showed some ol' boys pulling out 25 pounders one after another. So they're out there.

As for the rest of your plan, what you've got to consider is that the majority will always rule, and the majority in HSB don't want growth.

When you get an area that is largely retired people, they have their clubs and organizations that they are involved in, and that's it. They don't want the traffic, they don't want a crowded lake, they don't want to have to compete for a fishing spot, they don't want to have to make a reservation for the Carriage Room......etc.

There has been *some* growth in HSB. They have built an industrial park, and have a company relocating that produces scaled down vintage military weapons. I'm sure some other companys will follow, but they'll make sure it's not much.

However, there just isn't going to be a transformation into an urban area, because that's exactly what most of these people moved to get away from.

Even out here in the hills, growth is guarded like the king's ransom. The worst thing anybody can do out here, is to start selling off 5 acre plots. That means that eventually what was a farmhouse and 200 acres, now becomes 20 more houses.

I think the issue in HSB is more management of current assets than adding to the pot.

[easy123]

Howdy -

I thought that I detected a cynical sense of criticism when I read death rattles, and responded with some tangible paths for growth that could be controlled by the residents. I see now that much of my comments were exactly the opposite of the goals of the community's majority. As I think about it, if I were a resident, I probably too would be one who jealously guarded the HB way of life, preferring to deal with the consequences of those choices over the ones that come from the stressful bustle of most cities. So with that issue out of the way and out of my mind . . .

I never had the courage to dive below the surface, carefully reach deep into a hole along the shore, feeling for the first twitch of a 25 lb cat, grab and wrestle it to the surface and get it into the boat without killing myself. My glass is raised to the few who can and do. That moment in the dark, knowing that there is a monster of the deep on the trout line, when it breaks the water and thrashes against my steady pull on the line is enough adventure for me.

I hope from time to time, you will take a few minutes and give us a general overview of the what is happening in the HB community.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by easy123

Howdy -


I never had the courage to dive below the surface, carefully reach deep into a hole along the shore, feeling for the first twitch of a 25 lb cat, grab and wrestle it to the surface and get it into the boat without killing myself.

Brother.........me and you both.

I've been 10 foot tall and bulletproof a few times in my life, but never crazy.

I know that the first time I did it, I'd get a beaver, and pull back a bloody stump.

[Bull Winkus]

It seems to me that the best possible industrial growth for HSB and CV would be one that uses the intellectual assets of a burgeoning retirement community. In the current age of mass communication through Internet, cell phones and multi-multi channel cable, some business model that leverages the knowledge of bored retirees to a profitable end would be just the ticket.

Hello everyone. I decided to chip in my 2 cents worth before it depreciated some more. I'm on my way to becoming a HSB resident as well. I currently live in the Detroit Downriver area. I'm in the process of buying a house that will close next month. I'll have to put off moving until 3/2010, unless I get frustrated and bail outta here sooner. I really feel like I can't wait any longer.

[easy123]

Hi Bull, I was first on the side of growth as a means to survive and prosper in HB, but it seems that the concept of bored retirees is one that we who are not residents have created in order to explain the easy going pace and gentle way of life that exists and waits for us. I have no idea what the economics are that impact HB, whether there are adequate funds to maintain and sustain. Perhaps someone can educate us both. At any rate, the idea of tapping into the wisdom of retirees is a concept that holds a lot a appeal and charm for me, being 74 years old. I forgot and am pleased to remember that experience could be held to be of value by society. What does your 1.5 cents say about possibilities? Yes, when the wind is blowing and covers the traffic sounds, I sometimes think I hear HB seductively calling.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by Bull Winkus

Hello everyone. I decided to chip in my 2 cents worth before it depreciated some more. I'm on my way to becoming a HSB resident as well. I currently live in the Detroit Downriver area. I'm in the process of buying a house that will close next month. I'll have to put off moving until 3/2010, unless I get frustrated and bail outta here sooner. I really feel like I can't wait any longer.

How y'all doin?

You'll find HSB very pleasent. Nicely located close, but not too close to everything. Lots of group activity around there.

I was in for brunch at the Carriage Room yesterday, which, unfortunately was probably the worst meal I've had over there. Maybe it was just an off day.

[Bull Winkus]

Easy, I know what you mean. This youth oriented society we have often overlooks the values inherent in having lots of experience. I first started thinking about the under utilized value in retirement communities when the news was full of stories about corporations off-shoring their call in support centers. The corporate concept is to hire a bunch of cheap labor that knows so little they can't even be understood in plain English, enclose them in a large room with supervision, and make them answer the phone to tie up customers having demands that might go to the bottom line. It is a large part of why Dell's stock is still directionless in the low 20s.

My concept is to sign up valued senior talent for their wisdom, give them access to the call center by routing calls to them, and paying them for their ability to achieve a resolution to the customer's problem. Piece work, if you will, with the employee setting his or her own hours by logging in and out as they become available to take calls.

It's the call center equivalent of a depository bank. It only works when the numbers of seniors signed up are large enough that their randomness of availability meets the demand of the dissatisfied customer base. The call center management's primary function should be to document the field of expertise of each field employee (senior) and direct incoming calls to the designated expert for the problem at hand. The business model must also be able to contract services with multiple corporations matching experts in multiple disciplines to their needs.

Of course, ... most seniors are retired to get away from other people's problems. But, I can't help but think that the extreme flexibility of the digital age coupled with the ability to work when one wanted to and getting paid might appeal to some.

I'll have to ponder this some more.

He he! When I said "bored retirees," I didn't mean it in a generic sense that all retirees are bored. I simply meant that retirees, like everyone, get bored from time to time. Especially given that, for most, their capacity for mischief is under utilized.

Where are you Easy? Where I'm at, downriver from Detroit, the traffic is not too bad. There does seem to be an inordinate amount of sirens, though. And, I'm not talking about the perfume kind.

[Bull Winkus]

Thanks for responding Roger. I appreciate it!

I take it you already live in HSB or at least close by. Would you believe I've only been there once? This past May 15, for one day? I was there to look at a house listed with Scenic Realty and I just fell in love with the place. I hope it doesn't change too much before I get there in 2010.

I used the Internet to look for a property to buy in Arkansas for about three years. I had narrowed my search to any location that was within 50 miles of the Buffalo National River. I was looking at Marshall, Yellville, Mountain Home, and Jasper as my favorites. I actually traveled to Jasper first on that trip and looked at several rural and very rustic dwellings. I only looked at one in Horseshoe Bend, and that's the one I bought. I think we'll be closing on the 8th. I'll have to check out that Carriage Room. Is it a members only thing, or can just any old coot like me wander in?

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by Bull Winkus

Thanks for responding Roger. I appreciate it!

I take it you already live in HSB or at least close by. Would you believe I've only been there once? This past May 15, for one day? I was there to look at a house listed with Scenic Realty and I just fell in love with the place. I hope it doesn't change too much before I get there in 2010.

I used the Internet to look for a property to buy in Arkansas for about three years. I had narrowed my search to any location that was within 50 miles of the Buffalo National River. I was looking at Marshall, Yellville, Mountain Home, and Jasper as my favorites. I actually traveled to Jasper first on that trip and looked at several rural and very rustic dwellings. I only looked at one in Horseshoe Bend, and that's the one I bought. I think we'll be closing on the 8th. I'll have to check out that Carriage Room. Is it a members only thing, or can just any old coot like me wander in?

I live in the hills about 15 miles south of HSB.

Wether I go to HSB, Ash Flat, or Melbourne, it's all the same distance.

Funny you should mention Yellville........

Many years ago, I got ready to buy, and I sat down and looked at a map and started doing research. Among the criteria I was going by was the *least* possibility for development and tourism.

Yellville came out very high on the list because of it's terrain and it was the most affordable of the areas I was looking at. Land was going for around $300-350 an acre.

Through a turn of events, I ended up in Izard county, at that time paying $400 an acre for my land.

Then....NWA started rolling......and rolling. Now, Yellville is a mecca for folks in NWA that want a place to "get away", and real estate prices are way up.

I am very, very glad that I ended up where I did.

The Carriage Room is a "private" club that you can just stroll into. They advertise to "members and guests". They have a restaurant and attached bar, and have a Friday night seafood buffet, Saturday night prime rib special, and Sunday brunch.

IIRC, it's about $20 a year, but I often wonder why I pay as I have *never* been carded or asked for it. Whatever....I still support it.

The food goes from very good to "I shoulda gone somewhere else", so.....it's a roll of the dice, but it is one of the social centers for HSB residents.

Mountain Home is a very nice area for recreation, but a little too populated and turisty for me to consider living there.

Nearby from HSB is Hardy, which is a tourist draw.

I had forgotten just how much until I went to an early farm auction north of there recently on a Saturday morning, and returning, I had to go through the center of old-town Hardy.

I didn't think I was gonna make it. The wafting smell of sun block before I hit town should have been a hint, then....*bam*...thought I was back in Chicago. Street full of tourists, and I'm going 2 mph, trying not to hit more than 2 or 3 of them.

Is your place in HSB on the lake?