Why was business using park?

An open letter to the City of Mountain Home:

I would like to know if private business is utilizing public land for personal profit or an explanation about private businesses using city parks and facilities to peddle their products.

On Thursday, June 28, I observed brand new automobiles lined up and parked on the grass at Railroad Park. That is advertisement!

Is this private property? Does this property belong to the city? Does the city maintain this land?

Does that automobile business pay the city for the use of the land? Will it pay for damage to grass?

Is that business getting special treatment? Can anyone sell their wares or do trade on city property?

Has this business contributed any monies to any elected persons' campaign election fund?

Did the City Mayor or the City Counsel condone the private use of public land? Who?

I don't mind businesses participating in events such as Crazy Daze or the other special events the city has each year but it irks me that some Mountain Home businesses have special advantages over other small businesses. Did the new zoning codes provide for special use by a few?

This is an Official City/County Newspaper so your reply may be printed here.

Remember there is an election coming for some city posts.

Jim Ward

(Editor's note: We asked Mayor Joe B. McNeal to respond. According to the mayor, the company in question actually has leased that part of the land from the railroad and therefore has the right to display their vehicles there. Railroad Park land is owned by Union Pacific Railroad. The park land itself is leased by the city. Other sections remain under the control of the railroad.)