City Council embraces war drones. What will they lure here next?

What have we done to ourselves?

City Council embraces war drones. What will they lure here next?

Only time will tell what the full outcome of this drone-sized rent torn in the fabric of our community life may mean for Fayetteville.

The economic development coordinator threatens that if we don’t allow Swarm Aero, no companies will feel safe applying for “defense” grants in Fayetteville. Isn’t that too bad? If only it were true. But instead we’ve voted to welcome in “defense” grants.

Thank you so much to the three city counselors who bravely stood up to all the economic badgering that convinced other counselors to stuff ethics in their back pockets and vote their pocketbooks. The brave ones were Sarah Moore, Teresa Turk, and D’Andre Jones. Please drop them a note of thanks. Their emails are below.

With one tragic zoning decision, our beautiful city has gone from being the shining City On The Hill to a hiccup in the belly of the beast. What do we do with that reality? Those thoughts are being discussed all over town, and it’s critical that they keep happening. We must continue to press for firm human and nature-centered values and the kind of community we all want to live in.

But what’s this about news that city counselors who voted pro-drone are receiving hate mail and threats? That’s not Fayetteville either. Here’s what I responded to Dem Gaz reporter Grace Hurt when she sent a copy of her article “Fayetteville council members say threats and hate mail follow Swarm Aero vote”

I’m very disappointed at the council’s action about Swarm Aero, but Omni absolutely does not approve of violent responses to differences of opinion, even when it’s on a critical issue such as this. We will be developing responses in a different direction. Whatever we do will be designed to strengthen and improve community connection and cohesion even as we work for a world that’s nonviolent, sustainable and just.

But do not despair, friends. . Something strong and good can come from our persistence. Hold on to love.

How To Contact Your City Counselor!

Stay in contact with your city counselor about the many issues that arise in our growing and active city. Their contact information is listed below.

Ward 1

Bob Stafford – 479-874-6807

bob.stafford@fayetteville-ar.gov

D’Andre Jones – 479-283-9152

dandre.jones@fayetteville-ar.gov

Ward 2

Sarah Moore – 479-263-6629

sarah.moore@fayetteville-ar.gov

Mike Wiederkehr – 805-625-2410