Doug Fowler​

Why Am I Running: 

• Public Service!

  • It's sorely needed and I feel an obligation to serve.

• I'm experienced and I miss it.

  • It isn't just a local issue. In all levels of government experience, maturity and independent thought is lacking.​

  • The people we need to manage our affairs aren't running. They don't wish to deal with the circus and the sharks.

  • I've faced the fire. I have the resume and voting record. You can follow the page links above to see the details.

• I enjoyed working with the people in our local government and meeting with our residents to help them with issues they were experiencing.​

• Bella Vista residents that respected my involvement and work have continued to urge me to run.

• Lastly, I have a spine and I will always stand for what I believe is the right thing to do.

 

My Priorities: You and looking out for Bella Vista's financial and quality of life future.

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Two quotes come to mind:

• "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson 

• "Critical thinking without knowledge is hallucination." Unkown

 

There are many platitudes and plans being peddled at the moment from any one of the candidates currently running for office in Bella Vista. Bella Vista has plenty of challenges and they will be addressed. However, during informal straw polling with residents, there are three "where the rubber meets the road" issues that are top of mind. Also, I'm adding one that isn't as apparent to members of the community at large, the city budget!

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• The city budget

• Proactive enforcement of the nuisance ordinance

• Street Maintenance

• Permanent resident issues associated with short term rentals

 

​City Budget:

By appearances,it may seem like Bella Vista is in good shape financially. We sort of are, and we sort of are not. We can sufficiently fund our day to day operations, however, our funding for capital needs are underwater. I warned of it two years ago. Details are on the Financial Trends page. For details Click Here.

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Nuisance Ordinance:

Bella Vista is operating on a reactionary, complaint based program. No complaint, no action. A person can drive around Bella Vista and see many issues to be concerned about. One of the reasons people desire to live here is because of the beauty and order of our city. It won't take long and the genie won't be able to be put back into the bottle.

 

Street Maintenance:

Peter Christie had a survey of residents completed while he was mayor and surprisingly streets were the #1 issue on people's minds. Residents want their streets maintained. I know personally that one pothole can generate a lot of conversation within a neighborhood coffee group.

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Short Term Rentals

This is an issue that won't go away. Permanent residents want a normal and stable neighborhood that isn't being taken over by STR density and to be free of the nuisance of the constant turnover and commotion that comes with a STR business. I am convinced that a proposed ordinance, if on the ballot to ban STRs, would pass. However, the ban probably wouldn't stand up to a legal challenge. Additionally, the revenue generated from taxes on the rentals, food, golf, etc. are baked into paying for the expense of our city services. Bella Vista should be free to make its own decisions in solving the problem for its constituents, not the Arkansas State Legislature. The state legislature, driven by your NWA representatives, proposes to take away the rights of cities to manage the issue locally. They chose to ignore the people's voices who voted them into office. Click here to see the bottom of STR History Page: Arkansas SB197.