Wave good-bye to the rides at Magic Springs Fun Park
"Workers are removing equipment and possibly rides from the defunct
Magic Springs Fun Park" reports John Howard of the Sentinel-Record newspaper. A source
told the The Sentinel-Record that some rides are being removed and
shipped elsewhere, possibly Branson, Mo. The city won the fight and did not
let Magic Springs open this summer because of the $24,000 in delinquent
utility bills. But all of the tourists, hotels, restaurants and people of Hot
Springs will cry over the loss of a beautiful summer at
Magic Springs...
The Webb Community Center said "NO Parking Lot!" The
Minority Community of Hot Springs, Arkansas expressed their unanimous
opposition to the sale of it's Webb Community Center, at the town meeting
last night. The oldest and
only remaining privately held facility for African American cultural and
social heritage has been in operation for over ninety (90) years. The City
of Hot Springs entered into negotiations with the center's current
administration for
purchase of the building, grounds, and swimming complex, offering $61,000,
in an effort to acquire additional parking space for it's new convention
auditorium. The cost of the New Convention Center is $34 million dollars,
not including parking lots or a new 4 lane highway that could destroy
more of the historic buildings of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Let's increase the 'Hamburger Tax' , Hot Springs City increased
the taxes by 16.66% on hamburgers, cokes, fries, and other fast foods that
are prepared in the city. So, bring your own lunch, and enjoy the hot springs.
The Mid-America Science Museum lease between Arkansas Parks and
Tourism and Advertising and Promotion Commission (A&P) is in question.
Without funding, Mid-America Science Museum could close. An independent board
was supposed to take over the operation and development of the museum, but
it never happened. The main problem is lack of tourism, and it was built on the
wrong side of town. ( the museum is located in an industrial park 10 miles
out from town.)
"$34,000,000 Dollar Bond Issue - New Hot Springs Convention Center."
Feasibility study is demanded - Arkansas State Highway
and Transportation Department has agreed to study the heavy truck traffic
downtown; BUT the study needs to include the traffic problems that will be
created by a new Convention Center. The issue surfaced to the top when city
Fire Marshall Ed Davis was injured by falling bricks in a burned-out
building downtown.
Mr. Bill Goodwin said he believes the bricks were shaken loose by the
rumbling of heavy trucks and he worries about the effect of constant vibrations
on the historic buildings downtown. If the feasibility study
overlooks the traffic problems slated by the new Convention Center, the
bonds may become worthless and the city deep in debt. Is this what we will
leave the next generation? The federal government is broke, and now will Hot
Springs be bankrupt too?
"MAGIC SPRINGS" Fun Park - Closed! 500 summer jobs lost,
$7,000,000 dollars of lost revenue in tourism trade. Crime may increase
this summer with no place for the kids to play. The Advertising and
Promotion Commission spent over $4,000,000 last year to tell the world to
come to Hot Springs, then they will not help this company. No wonder the
tourism trade is sharply down.
Local hotel manager tells the world that they will send the tourists to other
towns because of the Advertising and Promotion Commission changing their
policy on the use of the LOGO. When this reporter questioned the contract
that is dated from May 1995 to May 1999, A&P Director Don Raulie said, "I didn't approve
it, I gave verbal approval." When asked for the original
contract; the A&P said this copy is the only paper they have. This is the
second time that they have destroyed government documents or lost them. We
had WATERGATE; then WHITEWATER; but now HOT LOGO WATER,
the Advertising and Promotion Commission should be investigated.
Major Parking Problem Downtown Hot Springs - Director Don Raulie
Trucks are shaking the buildings in the downtown area of Hot Springs
- may cause the hillside to cave in. New alternative route - finish
building the bypass around Hot Springs.
State Geologist has always said that Hot Springs Area is unstable - A 31
year old woman was killed after being trapped under bricks and other debris
when the falling rock came crashing down into a Downtown Hot Springs
building owned by Kenneth Wheatley III.
The local resident that reported the fire claims that the smoke
started in
Duke's Shoe Store, not at Magee's Cafe. Is the investigation looking in
the wrong places?
