Vote NO to Bella Vista poa fee increase (Pea Ridge: sale, closing)

[CatHerder]

My husband and I have been looking for someplace to retire within a few years, possibly NW AR, since we have spent 40 years driving across the MO/AR state line to canoe, hike, bike, and camp here. Bella Vista was one of the towns we were considering, but I'm a bit taken aback over the level of acrimony I've seen here and elsewhere regarding the POA issue. Are community issues in BV usually this contentious?

Another concern is that we're political moderates and I've seen BV Facebook posts that seem to indicate that everyone in the community holds far-right political views. Is that actually the case or is FB not providing a full picture?

P.S. We don't golf, fish, or own a boat (though we have canoes), so are mostly interested in the other outdoor aspects. The large number of golf courses in Bella Vista has given us pause in the past. Bentonville has great bike trails and a pristine downtown, but the housing is way too expensive for us.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by CatHerder

My husband and I have been looking for someplace to retire within a few years, possibly NW AR, since we have spent 40 years driving across the MO/AR state line to canoe, hike, bike, and camp here. Bella Vista was one of the towns we were considering, but I'm a bit taken aback over the level of acrimony I've seen here and elsewhere regarding the POA issue. Are community issues in BV usually this contentious?

Another concern is that we're political moderates and I've seen BV Facebook posts that seem to indicate that everyone in the community holds far-right political views. Is that actually the case or is FB not providing a full picture?

P.S. We don't golf, fish, or own a boat (though we have canoes), so are mostly interested in the other outdoor aspects. The large number of golf courses in Bella Vista has given us pause in the past. Bentonville has great bike trails and a pristine downtown, but the housing is way too expensive for us.

OK, I will do my best to answer some of your concerns and do it objectively:

Attitudes among the residence regarding the POA: The only time you see reactions like what you are reading here is when their is a vote coming up to increase the assessment and in the almost 12 years we have lived here this has only happened twice, including this time. Yes, there are those who feel very strongly one way or the other and generally for good reason. Right now, what you are seeing here is mainly between two people who are affected and we totally disagree. Most anyone else, and there are only a few, who have posted regarding the increase don't even live here. Why they post I don't know. I will add POA isn't perfect but muc of what they have done in the past few years has brought our property values up.

golf courses: yes, there are too many, probably the same with the lakes, but it is a pretty sure thing, some of these will be closed. Our 9 hole course here in the Highlands was closed and turned into a walking trail about 5 years ago. The entire region is involved in more waling and biking trails with additions being added all the time.

Politically: the city like almost all of Benton County does lean right, but don't pay too much attention to what you read on face book. Remember a very small % of people post on the site. Our daughters best friend and her husband just moved here less than a year ago. she is like a daughter to us because we have known her for 40 plus years: Politically she is left leaning. Both she and her husband think BV is heaven here on earth. You will find people of all political and religious leanings and I don't think they feel out of place, but yes, again it is certainly more right than left. We do have a lot of friends who are democrats both in our church and in other groups we are active in.
Heck I am pretty far right and still have views that are anything but conservative.

I hope this helps you somewhat and good luck with your house hunting

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by CatHerder

My husband and I have been looking for someplace to retire within a few years, possibly NW AR, since we have spent 40 years driving across the MO/AR state line to canoe, hike, bike, and camp here. Bella Vista was one of the towns we were considering, but I'm a bit taken aback over the level of acrimony I've seen here and elsewhere regarding the POA issue. Are community issues in BV usually this contentious?

Another concern is that we're political moderates and I've seen BV Facebook posts that seem to indicate that everyone in the community holds far-right political views. Is that actually the case or is FB not providing a full picture?

P.S. We don't golf, fish, or own a boat (though we have canoes), so are mostly interested in the other outdoor aspects. The large number of golf courses in Bella Vista has given us pause in the past. Bentonville has great bike trails and a pristine downtown, but the housing is way too expensive for us.

Bentonville downtown is getting very expensive, but some of the outlying areas are still very affordable. Since you seem to like historic districts, you might check the older homes in Rogers. Lake Atalanta is a lovely place for biking and walking. Another town I think you might like is Siloam Springs. Have you visited there? It's downtown square is very similar to Bentonville's, and it is close to some wonderful trails.

Maybe a house like this, just a few blocks from Sager Creek? https://www.weichert.com/87712292/

[CatHerder]

Nita, thank you for your further insights into Bella Vista.

I can see why the POA assessment would be a hot-button issue. There's been a very "lively" discussion about it on several Facebook groups, as well.

That's very interesting about golf courses being closed and converted to other use. It has always seemed like an unusually large number of golf courses given the size of the community.

Somewhat off-topic, but as a teenager I went with my parents, ca. 1972, on a promotional weekend tour of Bella Vista. We were put up in a trailer in the woods and ferried around in a golf cart. This was in the early stages, when the developers were mostly selling empty lots, so there was a lot of "this is where we plan to put that." My parents were in their early 50s and were considering it as a retirement location but left very skeptical that Bella Vista would ever amount to anything. They were concerned that buying a lot there might be part of a scam, like buying swamp property in FL. Good thing they were wrong!

Originally Posted by nmnita

OK, I will do my best to answer some of your concerns and do it objectively:

Attitudes among the residence regarding the POA: The only time you see reactions like what you are reading here is when their is a vote coming up to increase the assessment

golf courses: yes, there are too many, probably the same with the lakes, but it is a pretty sure thing,

Politically: the city like almost all of Benton County does lean right, but don't pay too much attention to what you read on face book.

[CatHerder]

We had only part of a day left to visit Rogers, but thought it looked promising! Interestingly, the owner of the VRBO we stayed in in downtown Bentonville lives in Rogers rather than Bentonville. We hadn't been through downtown for over 20 years, so were encouraged to see that it was livelier than it used to be. We were able to walk around part of Lake Atalanta before getting rained on.

We've never been to Siloam Springs, so thank you for the tip.

The NW AR trail system is quite amazing.

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

Bentonville downtown is getting very expensive, but some of the outlying areas are still very affordable. Since you seem to like historic districts, you might check the older homes in Rogers. Lake Atalanta is a lovely place for biking and walking. Another town I think you might like is Siloam Springs. Have you visited there? It's downtown square is very similar to Bentonville's, and it is close to some wonderful trails.

Maybe a house like this, just a few blocks from Sager Creek? https://www.weichert.com/87712292/

[nmnita]

couple more things to mention: 1-the story of your parents visiting; yes, that was the early days when Cooper was pushing the area and advertising on TV all the time. I think the particularly area you may have stayed in was off a road named, Robin Road and it, now is a dump. It is one of the few areas in BV that no one wants to be near.

As for the bickering on Face book, I won't mention names as this is not what it is all about, but there are 2 facebook sites. One is managed by a gentleman who is very anti POA or any changes and he has a following that is pretty outspoken. He is also one of the super conservative posters here. There are a few like that. The other website gives objective information and lots of positives, not just about BV but about the surrounding areas with complete with recommendations for businesses, etc All read both from time to time.

Also one more possible idea of a place to look for homes but I am not sure they have much of a downtown area with older homes: that would be Pea Ridge.

[DC at the Ridge]

News article on the POA asking for another vote on the rate increase.

https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/...-to-hike-asse/

[duke944]

There are 20,614 unimproved lots and 13,688 improved lots eligible to vote, and only a total of 18,521 votes were cast. I can't be sure of the number of improved lot owners that didn't take the time to vote, but it stands to reason it's a LOT. People need to crawl out of the woodwork and vote this proposal down.

[Mike Town]

Vote yes for pot.

[Bellacatahoula]

Originally Posted by duke944

There are 20,614 unimproved lots and 13,688 improved lots eligible to vote, and only a total of 18,521 votes were cast. I can't be sure of the number of improved lot owners that didn't take the time to vote, but it stands to reason it's a LOT. People need to crawl out of the woodwork and vote this proposal down.

As someone who was going to be a homeowner in BV before SOME of the facts came out about the BVPOA's Stump Dump Fire fiasco, over their mishandling of their making, I wasn't going to comment further. But, as an American citizen I'm pretty well convinced democracy is ALWAYS the best policy. Apparently that doesn't fly in BV. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand, the new vote will allow non-resident owners of lots (20,614) to vote on higher monthly fees for resident developed property owners (13,688) allowing as enticement to vote for reassessment that allows for non-resident undeveloped fees remaining the same. In essence those with less investment that don't even live in BV can negatively affect the resident property owners with investment. And further unfairness is shown with user fees for the most expensive amenities such as for golfers, to go down in personal user fees?
So it appears the POA board is bribing golfers AND non-resident lot owners against developed property owners that do not use expensive to maintain amenities????
This isn't democracy, this is Russia!