Benton Mayor writes letter to update citizens for June 2024

Each month, Mayor Tom Farmer writes an open letter to update citizens of Benton with what’s been going on around the city and what’s to come:

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June 2024

Dear Benton Family, 

May began with a bang – with the Master Singers coming to town and filling one of our local churches with Choir Members and people wanting to hear the production led by our very own Angela White. It was truly a great event. 

Then, just a few days later, the Harmony Grove Graduation was held at River Center. This began the month of high school graduations for our schools. Of course, Benton High School Graduation was held on May 16, the same night as our Third Thursday Festival. We had 4,625 attend our festival, even though thousands attended Benton Graduation. Then Bryant had its graduation, held May 18 at War Memorial Stadium.

I just want to say congratulations to all the graduates and their families. It is the beginning of a new phase of life for those who either will go on to further their education with college, or training for a professional career, or those who begin their career in the working world. We hope that all the graduates choose to be a part of our Benton family in the future. 

Scroll down 👇 for the list of upcoming events in the City of Benton.

Of course, in their effort to assist all their 900-plus members, the Benton Chamber had two great events at the Benton Event Center. On Thursday, May 9 they had a Central Arkansas Job Fair which allowed all businesses looking to hire staff to accept applications and interview people on site. It truly assisted the businesses, but it also assisted those looking for employment.

Then the very next day, the Chamber gave all our businesses a chance to show what they do in our community with a Saline County Business Expo. This was also a great opportunity for all the businesses to show how they contribute to our community every day. Both events were sponsored by the Chamber and run by the Chamber, demonstrating how the Chamber not only works for our businesses but also makes our community a better place to raise a family. Great job Benton Chamber. 

Also on Friday, May 10, it was the Sheriff Scramble held at Longhills Golf Course. This allowed the Saline County Sheriff’s Office to gather much-needed funds through the event to assist them with helping people in Saline County. 

Then, Habitat for Humanity had their annual fundraiser, and around 288 people heavily attended. We appreciate Habitat for all they do in our community and what they do for our citizens. For all of you who do not know, Habitat for Humanity’s mission statement is: “Transform lives and our city by building and repairing homes in partnership with families in need and uniting all Central Arkansans around the cause of affordable housing.”

Their vision is a community where all live in safe, affordable homes. This is a great program in our community, and we truly appreciate them and all their volunteers. If you would like to be involved, you can contact Stephanie Griffith at 501-315-5434.

Of course, our great Farmers Market in Downtown Benton is going on every Saturday which offers fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, candles, and a variety of other things. It opens every Saturday morning at 8 AM and closes at 1 PM. 

As all of you well know, during this past month we had rain every week which led us to reschedule the grand opening of the Benton Mountain Bike Park. It has been rescheduled for June 13, weather permitting, at 10 AM. 

Since May is military appreciation month, we held the Benton City Council Meeting at the National Guard Armory, located just above Sunset Lake. We always want to say thank you to the men and women who serve our great nation, and this was just one small way we could honor them. 

During June, you have these events to look forward to: 

Saturdays – Farmers Market from 8 AM to 1 PM 

June 4 – Planning and Zoning Meeting 6 PM 

June 7 – Jerry Dixon Civitan Scramble at Longhills Golf Course

June 10 – Benton Committee Meetings 5 PM 

June 11 – Benton Committee Meetings 5 PM 

June 12 – Advertising and Promotion Meeting 3:30 PM 

June 19 – City of Benton Closed

June 20 – Third Thursday 6 PM (Barbeque Contest at Farmer’s Market)

June 24 – Council Meeting 

Again, I want to thank each of you for choosing Benton as your home. 

Tom 

P.S. 

I ran across this quote and believe it to be so true, so as we live life together I want to encourage all to be kind to one another. 

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty. 

– Mother Teresa