8 months ago
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Arkadelphia's city board voted unanimously in favor merging with Caddo Valley. However, Caddo Valley's board voted unanimously against a merge. Now its voters turn to weigh in.
Enough people in both cities signed a petition to get the issue on the ballot in a special election.
In Clark County this issue has caused a tug of war over identity.
Mayor Allan Dillavou is pulling for independence from Arkadelphia.
"We all love the city of Caddo Valley and we want to keep living in Caddo Valley we don't want to live in Arkadelphia, "says Dillavou.
"We'd lose our sense of freedom out here that we have with the rules and regulations they got," says Dillavou.
The entrance to Caddo Valley population 563 is just across the road from the entrance to Arkadelphia population 10,912 they already share a school district, but if voters approve a consolidation they'd share everything.
"I think it's a good idea. I think it would be good for the economic growth for Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia," says Arkadelphia resident Britta Stamps."
"I think the majority of people are against it for a lot of reasons but mostly because we want the opportunity determine how we live and under what rules and we would lose that if we went into a city that basically swallowed us," says Arkadelphia and Caddo Valley Resident Jerry Walker.
Arkadelphia Mayor Chuck Hollingshead says he's pushing for the publics' will.
"Its not something where the bigger city is picking on the smaller city enough people out there signed the petition saying we'd like to see this happen," says Hollingshead.
Hollingshead and other supporters of unity say if the two cities combined their hotels, restaurants, and other resources the entire county would benefit.
"Technically it's just enhancing what they've already got," says Hollingshead.
The question for voters is, would the gains out weigh the losses?
If the measure passes Caddo Valley would lose its name.
Also both city's boards and mayors would have to re-run for their positions. The vote is July 14th.
