Prairie Grove Annexation Passes

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Mary Reed of Prairie Grove, right, signs a form to receive her ballot for the special annexation election in Prairie Grove. Polling place workers Susan Rieff, left, and Barbara Stills registered voters through the day, though the turnout was very light.
LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Mary Reed of Prairie Grove, right, signs a form to receive her ballot for the special annexation election in Prairie Grove. Polling place workers Susan Rieff, left, and Barbara Stills registered voters through the day, though the turnout was very light.

PRAIRIE GROVE -- City officials expected a low turnout for the special annexation election and their prediction held true. Only 5 percent of registered voters showed up at the polling place April 8.

It was enough to pass annexation, though. According to unofficial results, 84 voted in favor of annexation and 70 voted against the proposal. Annexation was approved 54.55 percent to 45.45 percent.

Washington County Election Commission will certify results April 18, said Jennifer Price, election coordinator.

The outcome means Prairie Grove's city limits will extend southward to include both sides of the U.S. 62 Prairie Grove Bypass. In all, the city will annex 823 acres.

According to Washington County Clerk's office, Prairie Grove has 2,758 registered voters and the annexation area had 18 registered voters. For the special election, six people from the annexation area voted and 148 city voters cast ballots.

Mayor Sonny Hudson said Thursday he was not surprised by a close vote because of the low turnout and the fact that one city alderman, Casey Copeland, had told county residents opposed to annexation they could talk to people in the city and ask them to vote against it.

"I thought there was a possibility it could go the other way," Hudson said. "If you took a poll of everyone who lived here, I think overwhelmingly most would be in favor of it. But it's different for people to get out and vote."

Hudson said he understands why people in the county may be opposed to annexation but added he believes annexing the strip of land is what's best for the city.

"I strongly feel it's what we needed to do," Hudson said. "If it hadn't been for the bypass, probably there would not have been anything going out there for a while. The bypass changed everything. When a highway happens like that, it accelerated it."

After casting an electronic vote in the special election, Thomas Palmer of Prairie Grove said he supported annexation.

"I think it's good for the city," Palmer said. "I think we should expand instead of staying still and letting other towns beat us out on some of the businesses they are getting."

Another voter, Mary Reed, said she believes annexation is good for the city but said she also understands that those who live in the annexation area "may not be proud of it."

General News on 04/16/2014