Citizen Forum

Editor:

To dearest Elise, we of People Helping People (PHP) are deeply saddened by the loss of Marty Roenigk. We send you our love and condolences and prayers. He was a kind man with a generous heart and a gentle soul. He will be missed immensely.

Most of us of PHP and most of the recipients of medications provided by PHP have never even met you or Marty and yet his impact has been felt. Marty's influence will be felt for decades through the beautiful hotels we all enjoy and the beautiful places his generosity has provided through the Nature Conservancy and the beautiful people who's lives you and Marty have helped to save.

We know our words cannot comfort or soothe your ailing heart. Just know we are out here thinking of you and some of us are crying with you.

With Love from all the members of People Helping People.

Tony Bordonaro

'Blessings Bowl' available at Iris at Basin Park

Editor:

There is a Blessings Bowl at Iris Gallery at the Basin Park. It is for messages from the heart.

Inspiration is everywhere, even in tragedy. One inspiration here, is, how precious life is, and we are all equal in that. To live each moment with the love and healing we'd like to see and feel in the world ... be it first, to set the example. "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

Messages can be left for Marty, Aine, Elise, Rick and Iris and their family. Much healing is going on here.

The messages can also be for the world, and what you'd see, if you knew you only had this day. What would you gift to this life?

Come by, and pause, and express, there are no editors, write what you want out of loving. Cards and other items may be left there for Elise, Marty and Aine.

Valerie Damon is putting something [of course] magical for the Crescent grounds and something is in the works for Gavioli Chapel.

Christine Bartosiak

'Independent' Springs

Editor:

I drove up to Eureka Springs the other week to experience all the town has to offer that I could afford. I read about the controversy regarding the Artery when I picked up a copy of the Lovely County Citizen. I got the copy from a friend in Ft. Smith who reads it from cover to cover whenever he can. He says, referring to Eurekans, "Those people are so independent."

I checked out the Artery. I was not shocked or offended. The people who find the art offensive or obscene probably have that reaction because of their religious thinking. Well, isn't our country a place with religious freedom for all? If it is, shouldn't it be a place with art freedom for all, as well?

The particular religious thinking of some should not hamper the art work of others, especially in a town where "people are so independent."

Carl E. Haldeman,

Fort Smith

An open letter to Michelle Levy

Dear Madam,

You wish to pretend that you are somewhat stupid but very cute. You are neither.

You are very aware your painting, "The Divine Mother" was, and is, intended to be an insult to Christianity and obscene.

And you have the conceit to be a snotty to those who rebuke you. I know there will come a time when you will have the opportunity to explain, in person, everything to God!

I have the impression that Eureka Springs wishes to be known as a cannabis and narcotics capital, a center for perverts of every description and all the refuse of society.

One person wrote to say that if anyone is offended because of this trash that they can just walk on the other side of the street.

Most of the income of Eureka Springs comes from people like myself who live elsewhere. And we can do better than just walk on the other side of the street.

This year, while my family did enjoy the Passion Play, we were careful not to even go downtown or spend a dime in Eureka Springs.

I am sure we have the same opinion of each other.

Kenneth E. Murray,

Cotter

[Editor's note: Michelle Levy is the artist who created the Artery panel referenced in the above letter and the author of an op-ed column which appeared in the June 18 Citizen.]

Urge Game & Fish to clean up its act

Editor:

Vernon Tucker's editorial about Rockhouse access was spot on, but not nearly comprehensive enough. Truth is every public acess on the Kings river has similar problems but the one at the Highway 62 bridge is by far the worst.

Because of the proximity to Berryville, Green Forest and Eureka Springs the 62 access has become a party spot for anyone who has a case of beer and a 4-wheel-drive truck. The people who frequent this area have little respect for the river and view it as a safe place to drink and do drugs with no interference from the sheriff who apparently doesn't have a vehicle capable of going up river far enough to stop this behavior.

These folks trash the river banks, cut doughnuts on the gravel bar, drive back and forth across the river onto private property, stay up all night playing load music and camp for days on end with no bathroom facilities or trash receptacles.

Game and Fish uses public taxes to buy these properties and yet feels no need to police them or provide any facilities to keep the river clean. Game and Fish is supposed to steward our public lands but they fall short when they try to act as Parks and Tourism.

Rockhouse, 62 bridge and Stoney Point access points were the creation of Kirk Dupps who was the chairman of Game and Fish at the time. If you know him, please tell him you want some responsibility from Game and Fish.

Maybe he will apply the pressure needed to clean up our access and, by extension, the wonderful Kings River.

Mike Sutton

Roegnigk, 'true son of the south'

Editor:

Marty Roegnigk and his loved ones are to Eureka Springs what "Win" Rockefeller and his family are to the state of Arkansas, for those of us old enough to remember. Two "Yankees" who adopted Arkansas and became true sons of the south. Please see the biography of Winthrop Rockefeller at encyclopediaofarkansas.net to inform or refresh your recollection.

It was an honor to work for Marty and Elise, I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet Gov. Rockefeller!

Whit Brittain