It's the only building I ever designed. The company I worked for couldn't find anyone else to do it. That was over 35 years ago. It's not an award-winner, but it's held up pretty well.
Paid a visit to the
small Southwest towns of Fulton and McNab Tuesday evening. It’s an interesting
part of the state, if you look in the right places. The fire station/library/meeting hall sits in Fulton. That's one thing.
The two towns account, between the two of them, for a
population of around 300 people. But they turned out a room full of folks who
were determined not to let fortune pass their communities by, as it has so many
small, rural towns in Arkansas.
Times are hard for such communities these days. The cost of
providing public services has risen to the point where it is almost impossible
to maintain the facilities and systems required for them. Young folks want to
live where the action is. Old folks want to live near medical facilities. Folks
in between want to live where it’s not too far to drive to work and their kids
can go to “good schools,” whatever that means.
It is hard for the Fultons and McNabs to compete.
There occurred a major reason for hope a few years back. A
company announced plans for a major coal-powered generating plant, now
operating on a site about halfway between the two communities. The 600-megawatt facility employees over 100
people in what is a highly technical operation.
The plant hasn’t resulted in major growth for the two
communities. The site is within fairly easy commuting distance from the State
of Texas, just across the Red River from Fulton. That state has no income tax,
so guess where local workers choose to live?
Speaking of Texas, Fulton was the site of a major supply and
“jumping off” spot for those who eventually led the fight to remove what is now
Texas from Mexico. Supposedly, Stephen F. Austin operated a supply store
temporarily there. The towns are near Old Washington, the Confederate capital
of the state and the site of some marvelous old homes. Troops marched and camped all around the area during the 1860s
unpleasantness but no major battle ever took place. The two towns are only a
few miles from the City of Hope, boyhood home of President William Jefferson
Clinton. The area claims a spot in our state’s history.
We met in a first-rate community center in McNab, the result
of efforts by energetic mayor. The communities plan to work toward more park
and recreation facilities. I told them that was a good start toward making their
cities more attractive to new residents. It’s going to be a “hard row to hoe”
for those folks, but I left feeling optimistic. The land around is pleasant, green, and unspoiled. The towns are located practically on Interstate 30. People seem nice. The leaders have
hope and energy.
 |
| She has held up pretty well for nearly 40 years. |
No comments:
Post a Comment