Vilonia Chamber to hold forum

VILONIA Members of the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce are making plans to attract the attention of Faulkner County politicians.

Chamber board members opted Monday night to sponsor a September public forum where political candidates will be invited to attend as well as the general public.

"We will probably have a big crowd for this," said chamber president Jackie Fowlkes. "We need a pretty big place."

Although the date wasn't nailed down, a tentative date of Sept. 22 or Sept. 29 was discussed. It was said that candidates will be mailed invitations and the public will be notified when an exact date and location is confirmed.

On another note, board members briefly discussed the outcome of a Vilonia City Council meeting where they asked for a one-time donation of $3,750 from the city council. Citing legal aspects, the issue was tabled by the council until the August meeting. The donation, chamber members said, would go to fund the first year of salary for an independent contractor to serve as a chamber "point person" as well to help the city with development and serve as a liaison between the chamber and the city. It was determined the city, by law, can not donate to a private groups. However, the city can contract to have a service performed.

The chamber discussed remaining positive and researching possible options prior to the August 19, council meeting.

The yard sale from Fort Smith to Beebe, running through Vilonia, and to be held August 7-9, was also a topic of discussion. It was said that booths are still available at the First Assembly of God Church, located on U.S. Highway 64. The chamber is renting booths as a fundraiser. At the event, they will also operate a booth.

"We need some more booths," Fowlkes surmised, learning that only three had been rented. For more information or to reserve a booth, contact secretary/treasurer Laura McNeel at laura_mcneel@hotmail.com or call 501-733-0386.

There should also be a lot less "squelching brakes" this year, board members anticipate as deal hunters flock to the event. Plans are underway by the chamber to place more signage in the city than in previous years marking their location.

In other business:

Jeannie Mayhan was accepted as a new board member.

It was announced the new Kiwanis Club in Vilonia will be holding a banquet Aug. 5, at the Methodist Church.

Discussed updating the chamber Web site to include changing photos.

It was said that a $500 scholarship has been paid to Arkansas State University for Heaven Boaz. Also, it was said that three $500 scholarships will be awarded by the organization next year due to one scholarship not being used that was awarded this year.