Rector has been my home since 1972 and I have seen a lot of changes in the past 36 years. I was very disappointed to hear what happened at the Rector City Council meeting concerning annexation while we were out of town. Although I had not kept up with the annexation very well, the annexation plan by Mayor Kemp and the City Council was a plan they were looking at to improve the future progress of our small town.

Anytime you approach a project like this, it will not be popular with everyone and I understand that. What I don't understand is why it can't be handled in a friendly, professional manner. Mayor Kemp and the council do not bring up these proposals because they want people mad at them. I have been in that position and promise you that is true.

In the discussion one person had a problem with his mobile home outside the city limits. He was refused to place his mobile home in the city limits. That is a very good argument, but Mayor Kemp recognized that and said that this particular situation would need special attention. Another person was against the annexation because he liked to shoot squirrels in his backyard. I hope that would surely not hold up progress of the future of our town. Another comment made by the spokesperson for the group was that they would not be doing business with our local business places in town and mentioned Glen Sain GMC would be one of them. We don't have many business places left in our small town and I feel that is a very selfish comment.

Many families depend on Glen Sain GMC for their living and work hard to continue being a business of which Rector can be proud. The Glen Sain group has children and grandchildren that go to school here. They are hard workers in the community and make a difference in the future of Rector.

Glen Sain GMC sponsors many boys and girls ball teams in this community along with surrounding towns like Piggott and Marmaduke. Glen Sain GMC supports the charities, community projects and school activities in Rector and surrounding areas, realizing that very few business places are left to help these organizations.

The Glen Sain GMC family did not deserve to be singled out in the public meeting. They are a close group of people that take pride in Rector and appreciate the business they helped build since 1954.

If you ask me if I am for progress, "You bet I am for progress." That is why we committed to a big investment in 1996, building a very nice facility in the small town of Rector -- even though General Motors tried hard to convince us to consolidate this dealership with our Kennett, MO., business with a very attractive buyout package. When we moved to Rector in 1972 there were eight new car dealerships in Clay County, now we have two.

Mayor Kemp and the city officials have done an outstanding job pursuing opportunities to apply for grants and secure any money available for our town's benefit. You can see the results with our beautiful ballpark complex, city parks, paved walking trails, playground equipment and more. I had the opportunity to join Mayor Kemp and Nancy in Little Rock when he presented our proposed need for grant money for a new restroom at our Memorial Park. There were Mayors and Park Directors there from all across the state. Mayor Kemp made me feel proud when he made his presentation to the grant committee and because of that we now have a new bathroom facility at the park.

The annexation plan may not have been handled to everyone's approval but with some reasonable discussion there may have been a plan worked out. I believe that is what Mayor Kemp and the council were looking for. I apologize for not getting involved to see if I could have helped and I believe many people in Rector feel the same way.

I am very proud of our town and our businesses and appreciate the support of this community for 54 years. I commend them for all they do to make Rector a better place to live and raise your families. I encourage you to support the local business places and their families.

Danny Ford, Owner

Glen Sain GMC, Inc.

Rector