Fort Smith volunteer invites Ridgway to join "True Grit" sister-city partnership; Council gives concept support

Tommy Shay, a volunteer representative of Fort Smith, Arkansas, told the Ridgway Town Council on May 8 that Fort Smith volunteers have developed a "True Grit Trail" to showcase locations tied to the book and movie. Shay said the film was made in and around Ridgway and invited the town to form a sister-city partnership to promote heritage tourism.

Shay described the volunteer effort in Fort Smith and explained the True Grit Trail project has drawn interest in his city; he asked Ridgway to consider a reciprocal relationship to highlight the town's role in the film's production. Council discussion followed and the council reached consensus to accept the concept as presented, with no formal motion recorded to establish a program at this meeting.

The council did not set concrete next steps or a timetable during the meeting; staff follow-up would be required to outline any formal sister-city agreement, potential cultural programming, and logistical coordination. The presentation was framed as an initial invitation and informational overview.

Councilors did not raise objections during the presentation, and no vote was taken to create an official sister-city agreement at this meeting. If the council pursues the idea, subsequent meetings would be the venue for formal action.