Special Notice!

Be Sure to Vote in the A&P's Special Election

June 10, 2008 - Get the Facts So You Can Make an Informed Choice

GGGG Meetings

The Garland Good Government Group meets twice each month.  Our open meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month.  Our business meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month in Room "B" at the Garland County Library at 1427 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs, AR.  All meetings begin at 6:00 PM and end at 7:30 PM.  Special called meetings are occasionally held and are noticed by e-mail to members only.

Our Last Meeting: Hot Springs Transportation Plaza - 6 PM Tuesday, July 1

Our Guest Speaker - Josie Fernandez

Colonel Josie Fernandez, Superintendent - Hot Springs National Park

Colonel Fernandez was dressed in "civvies" for her presentation to the Garland Good Government Group because her speech had nothing to do with her position as an Air Force Colonel or as Superintendent of the Hot Springs National Park.  In keeping with the Fourth of July meeting theme, her presentation was on patriotism and what it means to be an American.  Josie actually also became a United States citizen on the Fourth of July. Those members and guests who were fortunate enough to hear her presentation were obviously moved by both her speech and her appreciation of being an American citizen.  Her talk certainly reminded us all of how we can become complacent and forget how thankful we should be to be citizens of this great country.  Thanks Josie for a most inspiring presentation.

Past and Future Meeting Speakers:

Speakers for Open Meetings:

August 2007 - Hot Springs Police Chief Bobby Southard

September 2007 - District Judge Lynn Williams

October 2007 - Garland County Sheriff Larry Sanders

November 2007 - Garland County Judge Larry Williams

December 2007 - Charles Gangluff, Public Safety Consultant to State and Federal Officials  [Click here for his website]

January 10, 2008 - Circuit Court Judge David Switzer

February 5, 2008 - Steve Arrison, Chair - Arkansas Parks & Tourism and Executive Director of Hot Springs A & P Commission

February 12, 2008 - Special Meeting at HS Transportation Plaza - Kent Myers, Hot Springs City Manager

March 4, 2008 - Josie Fernandez, Superintendent of Hot Springs National Park

April 1, 2008 - Jo West Taylor, Garland County Treasurer

May 6, 2008 - State Senators and Representatives in a Panel Format

June 3, 2008 - Major General Bill Lefler, Chair - Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission

July 1, 2008 - Life Story of Josie Fernandez, Superintendent of Hot Springs National Park

August 5, 2008 - Dr. Charles Hathaway, Past Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

From the minutes of our May 6, 2008 Garland Good Government Group meeting: State Senators and Representatives were our guest speakers. 

Our last open meeting at the library was a "meet and greet" your State Senators and Representatives type meeting with six of our area legislators in a panel format.  Each guest gave a four or five minute opening statement telling the public what they had accomplished or hope to accomplish on our behalf and informed us what committees, boards, commissions, or agencies they serve on and in what capacity.  These fine folks then indulged us by graciously answering questions from the public.  Questions ran the gamut from the city's problem with the National Park Service to illegal aliens, from school efficiency, abstinence policies, and school consolidation to term limits, taxes and tax credits, undesirable night clubs, drinking hours, city annexations, auditing of the A&P, recycling, and attorney general opinions.  The panel was even asked if they were sorry now that they reduced the grocery tax.  Surprisingly, no one asked a question concerning the proposed new statewide lottery.

The audience agreed that our area is fortunate to have this particular group representing us because they were all articulate, knowledgeable, and expressed a sincere desire to represent their constituents.  It was also nice to learn that his group was accustomed to working together and each seemed to know the expertise of their fellow legislators.

A rather brief business meeting was held off premises following the open meeting.  Brief reports were provided concerning proposed actions of the Hot Springs city board and the Home Show where GGGG had a booth last weekend.  It remains obvious that the public is strongly behind our efforts to recall director Weatherford and the Mayor.  Again, more new members signed up. We are continuing our work to develop a "plan for Hot Springs."  Thanks again to all of our individual members who worked so hard in ensure that the citizens of Hot Springs had their RIGHT TO VOTE restored. Continue to watch this website because we are still working to accommodate our growing ranks.  Our momentum remains amazing.  Come join us. WE ARE STILL ON A ROLL.

The public is welcome at all open and business meetings.