Plan in the Works to Bring Regional Grocery Chain to Jordan’s Bend

(Walt Fricker, publisher)
The Common Man Gazette has learned of a business deal to bring regional grocery chain Happy Elf Supermarket to Jordan’s Bend. A site for what will be the 35th such location since the first store opened in 1969 has not been officially announced, but sources within the local business community, who wish to remain anonymous, have indicated a twenty-acre parcel of land on the outskirts of the city has been purchased by parent company, Cooper Holdings.

According to our source, the site lies adjacent to the old church and cross built by town founder Samuel Jordan more than one hundred years ago. The location, if approved by city planners, will require the land to be cleared and leveled for construction of the store and parking lot.

At a recent church social, Mayor Clifford “Cliff” Anderson was asked about the purchase and if he has had contact with representatives of Cooper Holdings. “Not that I’m aware of.”, he said. Mayor Anderson’s wife, Claire, clutched her husband’s arm and added, “but what a wonderful thing it would be for the city to have all the revenue a successful supermarket such as The Happy Elf would bring to the citizens of our community.”

George and Susie Wagner, owners of Wagner’s General Store in Downtown Jordan’s Bend, said they had not heard of the plans for the supermarket, which would become their first competitor for local business. “Our family has been here since the founding of the city. We aren’t going anywhere and we are sure our faithful customers will stay with us. They won’t be distracted by all the shining new things.”, they said.

Eugene Dawson, minister at the Jordan’s Bend Evangelical Church, stated that he had not heard the news, but voiced concerns about the proposed location. “I am not in favor of any commercial operations located next to one of God’s temples.”, he said. “It would bring vandalism, trash and disgrace to the holy grounds upon which the church and magnificent cross built by Brother Jordan rest. We simply can not have such desecration.”

A check with the city clerk did not find documentation for such a purchase of the property. Records continue to indicate ownership of the property to Allen and Bonnie Foster, who also own several parcels in Jordan’s Bend, including the property upon which the old church and cross was built.

Common Man Gazette will continue to follow this story and publish updates as they become available.

Local Banker responds to passage of Equal Credit Opportunity Act

(Walt Fricker, publisher)
With the recent passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the freedom for women to purchase a home or apply for a credit card without the consent of a husband for married women or the need for a male co-signer for single women is seen as landmark legislation from the federal government. The bipartisan bill was signed into law by President Gerald Ford on October 10. It is seen as the most significant legislation since the passage of the 19th amendment to the Constitution granting voting rights to women fifty-four years earlier.

Nathaniel Bitterman, owner and chairman of the board for Bitterman Bank & Trust, says he doesn’t see a big demand for new mortgages from local women. “To be honest, there aren’t a lot of single women of voting age around here.”, he said. “Jordan’s Bend isn’t like the big city. We are a small community of 18,647 people. We are hard-working, God-fearing people who love this country and go to church every Sunday and Wednesday. We believe in family. While I do see the benefit this legislation brings and I applaud its passing, I just don’t see a significant change in the business we will be doing here in the heartland of this great country.”

Elizabeth Franklin, M.D., sees things differently. “I moved her fifteen years ago to take over the medical practice of Dr. Harold Gilbert. Because I was single at the time, and still am, I could not purchase a home and there were few, if any, rentals available to me as a woman.” She said the only opportunity available for her at the time was to live in the backroom of her clinic, a small home on the outskirts of town which was built by Dr. Gilbert before the turn of the century. Now, Dr. Franklin looks forward to purchasing a new home and moving her clinic to a new and larger facility.

However, upon hearing the comments from Bitterman, Dr. Franklin said she will probably contact a lender in nearby towns who “would gladly do business with a single, divorced professional woman.” She said her plans also include renovation of a building in downtown Jordan’s Bend, adjacent to the former office of The Herald newspaper, currently housing the Common Man Gazette.

Coming Soon: More Content

Thank you for reading our first issue of Common Man Gazette. We have much more planned for future editions, including:

Jimmy Roberts will be reporting Sports for the Jordan’s Bend High School Wolves. Jimmy is the equipment manager for the team and will give his “inside information” for each game.

The good reverend Eugene Dawson will have a weekly column titled, “From Where I Sit”, with his views of current events, religious notes and his views of everyday life in our town.

Amelia Stevens, resident baker, will author a page titled, “Fresh From the Oven”, sharing her interviews of fellow bakers, their recipes and ideas to bring spice to cooking.

Finally, publisher Walt Fricker will pen a weekly Opinion piece under the heading, “That’s What I Said”. It will be a no-holds-barred commentary on whatever strikes “Fricker the Stickler’s” fancy.

You can count on our pledge to bring you unbiased, factual news without favoritism.

See you next week. Fricker the Stickler, out.