7/8/2008
I don't want Salem annexed into Benton!! (This is why I live where I live) I already have the best volunteer fire department in Arkansas, I have city water. What improvement can they offer?
Ronald & Melinda Miller
7640 Congo Rd.
Benton, AR 72019
7/10/08
Last Monday night at the Benton meeting bossed around by Bucky Ellis we were given some misleading information by one of the Benton people who claimed to be an insurance agent and actually was a State Farm Agent.
He said that his company didn't use ISO rating and then told how similar the rates would be to Benton's in the newly annexed areas. The facts seem to be that Benton, at best is rated as ISO 3 for some areas and a poorly as ISO 9 for others. The difference is proximity to a fire station and the location of the nearest fire "plug" to the property being insured. The ISO rating for Salem Volunteer Fire Department appears to be six (6) but could be as poor as a nine (9) again depending how close the insured is to a fire station and the availablility of fire "plugs".
Re-stating what this means is that if you have a ISO 9 rating on your policy with the Salem Fire Dept, you are likely to have a ISO 9 if Benton takes us in. A few could have their rates lowered from a 6 to a 3 if they have the location near a fire station and if they have the fire "plugs". I'm not certain, but I think that the limits are within 3 miles of fire department station and 1000 feet of a fire "plug", but I'm not certain of these exact numbers, at least I am close.
We were given the impression that over night we could go from a 9 rating down to a 3 rating. This would mean a huge cost savings, if it were true. However, it is not likely that this could happen. At best, a few could go from a 6 down to 3, but not right away since a new fire station would have to be decided and build, and then only one was mentioned for all of the annexation. Very little would meet the 3 mile limit.
You might want to check this out more carefully before we allow them to tell us that our rates would "drop".
John Bush
316-0144
7/10/2008
I live in the annexation area, and I just wanted to let someone know I emailed Senator Broadway about what is currently going on... Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Thanks,
Heather Hardin
7/10/2008
I also object to the annexation, this website is a good ideal to communicate the true intentions of the city. The flyer the city sent out only shows the enticing features they want everyone to see, it does not communicate the many rights and privileges that will be taken away from everyone. I would like to show my support for this community, and I hope everyone is able to understand the serious nature of this situation.
bluebaron28
7/10/2008
I have just found and joined this group via the website. Salem sure has lots of talented and passionate folks!
I am Pam Jones, my husband is Jim, 9029 Stonehedge Trail. Our house is the last house on the street and we have about 3 acres. Our Son and family live on the property in a mobile home. City ordinances would alter our lives more than we are willing to accept.
We do not want to be annexed! Imagine our surprise and delight to find all the signs posted when we returned home on Sunday! Many of the signs are on our little dead end street. We went to the meeting at City Hall on Monday. We learned lots at that meeting. I could say we really saw the 'City fathers' at their game. We were not home to go to the first community meeting and won't be home to come to the next one. I have been finding tons of information on the website and on the links many of you have provided. I thank you all for all of your time and talents to this effort.
I will be watching and reading the postings and may respond from time to time. I hope the meeting this comming Saturday will be productive and informative for all of us.
Pam Jones
Stonehedge Trail is in the portion of the Salem Community still facing annexation
7/11/2008
But you can help. Get the information out to all the people you know in Benton as to why they want to vote no. If all of the Salem community can contact at least 5 people they know that are in the Benton City limits and inform them of what it will cost them if they don't get out and vote, we really will have a chance to beat this. But we can't do it with our votes alone. We need their help.
Shirl Plant
7/11/2008
It is so important that we get the word out and ask Benton city residents to listen to our concerns.
|
|
7/13/2008
Hi my name is Stephanie Yearby.. We were the ones on the
front page of the paper about the annex .... We have moved recently to the area and bought the house because it was not in Benton and do not want to be a part of Benton.
Stephanie Yearby
3585 Salem Rd
(501) 620-7695
7/14/08
I sure don't want to wind up a part of Benton.
Jerry L Parrott