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:
May 2024
Dear Bentonites,
Well, Spring always comes to us with many challenges from the rain that washes away the pollen to the growing of grass we mow weekly, and to the planting of gardens that some of us do. Spring is always a great season because it allows us to enjoy the great outdoors before the summer heat arrives.
This Spring we had the solar eclipse on April 8 that while some were excited about while others dreaded because of all the warnings that were posted about what it could have been like. I will say this about April 8 it was a beautiful sunny day which always produces smiles among the people. There was no additional traffic and there were no problems in our great city on Eclipse Day mainly because everything seemed to be empty.
The Saturday before, April 6 was a day full of activities in our great city – from ball games at the park, to the Farmer’s Market downtown, to people enjoying the beautiful weather at Tyndall Park. There were people on the Saline River canoeing and kayaking and enjoying the beauty of the river and all it has to offer.
There was also an event that gave away fresh produce at the senior center. As I got the privilege to be involved with. My duties were to hand out fresh squash to the many families that came through the senior center. I want to thank Randy Morris and his team at CADC for this wonderful event of serving our community as well Cynthia, Elizabeth, and all the Mayor’s Youth Council for coming out and volunteering to assist the people. I heard nothing but positive remarks and saw happy faces as people served and came through the senior center.
Then, I had the privilege of visiting Martha Slaughter and her Garden Club. While there, I got to tour the newly remodeled community center for the Ralph Bunche Community. After that was a visit to our Farmers Market, which displayed many colorful tents with people walking around and buying local products. I finished out the day by attending a banquet for Bonnie’s House at Grace Point Church, where many churches that are in our city were represented. Heard some positive testimonies on how people’s lives were changed because of Ms. Bonnie. What a great day in our city at the beginning of Spring and there were many more activities that I could have attended but was not able to make them all. For instance there was a Quilt of Valor who was presenting quilts to some of our veterans that live in our community. Our city is filled with events and activities for all of us to be a part of or to just enjoy!
There was also the Benton Area Chamber Bingo event on April 4 which I had the opportunity to help with. What a great event that had 850 people playing, laughing, and enjoying the night. As I walked around visiting with folks, I visited people from Pearcy, Malvern, Sheridan, and other communities that came into our city to have an evening of enjoyment. We are so fortunate to have a Chamber that not only promotes our city but also supports our city and has events that bring people into our city. The Benton Area Chamber also sponsors the city’s firework display each year for our community to enjoy, which will happen on July 3rd. We do it on the third so our employees can enjoy family time on the 4th.
We also had the opportunity to enjoy our new and renovated third Thursday, which is a popular event in our city. Now some of you are thinking why renovate an already good event? The answer is in Benton we always want to be better today than we were yesterday, but we want to be better tomorrow than we were today. We are always trying to improve on how we can be a positive part of our community.
This past Third Thursday we had around 4,100 people visit and enjoy the event. As a matter of fact, at the close of the event there were still over 2,000 people enjoying the activities. I want to thank Matt Thibault who is the event organizer and all the City Department Heads who came out and helped with the event.
We are in the process of getting ready to build a new Animal Service Center. It will be located directly below the new Mountain Bike Park on South Market. To accomplish this, we are looking for people to help Terry Parson and his crew with gaining sponsorships for each of the rooms. At present we have the money to build the building, but we need sponsors for each of the rooms so that the rooms will be filled with modern and updated pet facilities, a medical room, and adoption rooms for both cats and dogs. Call Terry at 501-776-5972 or 501-539-0603. I know he would welcome your help.
I want to take a minute and tell you of some things coming up in our city during the month of May:
Saturdays 8-1 • Farmers Market
May 9 • Central Arkansas Job Fair sponsored by the Benton Chamber at Benton Event Center.
May 10 • Saline County Business Expo sponsored by the Benton Chamber at Benton Event Center.
May 13 • Personnel, Finance, and Animal Service Committee Meeting beginning at 5 PM
May 14 • Parks, Streets, Community, and Commissions Committee Meeting beginning at 5 PM
May 16 • Third Thursday downtown Family Festival (Kid Day)
May 18 • Splash Pad Opens at Tyndall Park
May 24 • Grand Opening of the Benton Mountain Bike Park 10 AM
May 27 • City Hall Closed
May 28 • Council Meeting to be held at the Army National Guard building beginning at 5:30 PM
Another great month full of activities. Hope to see you at one of them or maybe even all of them.
Have a great day!
Tom