Our View

Our View

Plenty to be positive about in West Memphis

With all the complaining being done about what is wrong with West Memphis, from crime issues to unfriendly business practices, it is only appropriate to point out the positives this county’s largest municipality has that other cities only wish they could also enjoy. We made a point to say that West Memphis has some of the best public schools in all of Arkansas with a superintendent that has instituted an aggressive plan to rebuild, remodel and upgrade every school in the district to assure every student will have the ability to access the latest technology.

Another valuable asset West Memphis has under its wings is its municipal airport that overseers now say they are in the preliminary stages of building a new hanger to accommodate large jet aircraft. Currently, the airport is in need of expanding so that it can attract, service and house larger corporate jets.

Many West Memphians don’t realize that the city’s airport attracts scores of business clients, visitors coming here to take advantage of events in Memphis as well as families coming to the area as a tourist destination.

We’d be amiss in not talking highly about the city’s very valuable West Memphis Utility Department and its dedicated management and staff that, for decades, has provided utility customers with some of the cheapest electrical, water and sewer rates in the mid-south as well as all of Arkansas.

We do wonder though, following a detailed report from utility General Manager Todd Pedersen recently, that the utility lost $700,000 just how much longer will it be before it will be necessary to call upon customers to pay higher utility rates.

Pedersen did say that despite the red ink, due in large part to a seasonally mild weather and particularly consistent losses in water and sewer departments, there will be no rate increase this year for the foreseeable future.

West Memphians have been spoiled by excellent service from garbage crews and continue to enjoy weekly “backyard” collection, something most cities have abandoned due to cost factors.

Cities, such as Marion, the county’s second largest municipality, requires residents to pull their garbage containers to the curb for collection, something West Memphis has explored but has shied away from.

Based on the figures presented to the city’s utility commission neither the water and sewer rates are meeting the expenses of their perspective departments, an issue that will certainly have to be addressed in the near future.

Equally as important for West Memphians to recognize are their city’s police and fire departments. For instance, the fire department has a achieved the highest rating from Insurance Services Office Public Protection Classification Program. That recognition is highly sought after by any fire department and one that West Memphis takes very seriously with rigorous training on a constant basis.

And, the police department under the leadership of Chief Donald Oakes, is also one of the best law enforcement agencies in the Mid-South.

So, our point to all this is that while West Memphis does have its issues, let’s not let the positives be overshadowed or unappreciated.