By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
An apparent misunderstanding over when ballots were to be delivered cast a brief shadow over the upcoming school millage election, but officials are hoping the election will still be held on schedule, Tuesday, June 5.
"Twenty-five days before the election, absentee ballots are to be delivered to the county clerk," said Pat Flanagin, Administrator for Foundation Resources and Finance Director of the Forrest City Schools, adding that the date was today. "The school presented the information to the (St. Francis County) Election Commission over a month ago and the commission voted on polling sites and did all the things necessary to send the ballots off then.
"We checked on it about three weeks ago and found out they had not been sent to the printer, and were told it was going to be sent. And then it was not until yesterday we found out it had never been sent to the printer."
County Clerk Elizabeth Smith said the 25 day requirement was generally for the benefit of overseas voters.
"Absentee ballots are supposed to be in the clerk's office 25 days before the election so we can start mailing them out," Smith said. "People cannot pick them up (in person) before May 21. But it's for us to start mailing absentee ballots overseas."
She said there have been no overseas requests for absentee ballots.
Judy Armstrong, who has worked with the election commission and was to send the ballots to the printer, said she was told the ballots had to be in the clerk's office by the 21st of May.
There was some concern that if legal requirements were not met, the election could not be held. However, this morning, Flanagin said he believed things could be worked out.
"They got everything off to the printer yesterday. Today is the day we need to get a proof of the ballot to the bond attorneys. It's not a legal requirement. It's so they can check everything on the ballot," said Flanagin.
"There is a legal requirement to make sure the ballots are delivered to the clerk today. That has not been met. But since we don't have any overseas absentee requests, it gives a little more time for the county clerk to deal with local requests," Flanagin said. "If they (the election commission) had not acted yesterday, we would be seriously considering having to postpone the election. But we hope we have the train on the track now."
Joe Young, chairman of the county's election commission, could
not be reached for comment yesterday or this morning.
East Arkansas Community College has received $238,355 from the U.S. Department of Education to provide services to low-income, first-generation and disabled students.
The announcement was made by U.S. Sens. Tim Hutchinson and Blanche Lincoln, and by U.S. Rep Marion Berry.
The funds are granted through the Student Support Services program. The EACC grant was part of more than $5.6 million in grants to 24 Arkansas colleges and universities.
According to Lincoln, the program "is vital to low income students entering college for the first time, as they provide students with the motivation and support they need to reach their full potential."
Hutchinson, who is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said, "These grants will help low income and disabled college students to succeed academically and professionally."
According to Berry, "The ultimate goal is to increase retention and graduation rates, and facility the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next."
The funds may be used for the following services: Instruction in basic skills; tutorial services; academic, financial or personal counseling; assistance in securing admission and financial aid for enrollment in four-year institutions, graduate studies or professional programs; information about career options; mentoring, special services for students with limited English proficiency.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A contingent of St. Francis County officials recently returned from what is being called a "successful" trip to Washington D.C. as part of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce annual congressional salute.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco said that in addition to himself, others making the trip included his chief of staff Tracey Teal; Quorum Court Justice Author Witherspoon; Frederick Freeman, CEO of Freeman Resources, Inc., in Forrest City, and Bobby May, CEO of May Farms Inc. Cisco said the group made numerous contacts which may prove beneficial toward the construction of the proposed transportation mall that may be built in the county.
"We were able to do some really good things regarding the project and that's what we went for. We met with several people during the conference that will be able to put us in contact with the people that can help us," said Cisco.
The proposed transportation mall, which would be located in eastern St. Francis County, would service interstate traffic by providing fuel, lodging and other travel necessities to truck drivers as well as other motorists. According to Cisco, the mall would employ an estimated 500 people and would be the largest establishment of its type in the country.
"This project would be great for the county because it would bring a large number of jobs to the area as well as give a tax boost to the county government. It would be county owned and that would be a benefit to county revenue as well," Cisco said.
According to May, a consultant on the project, the contingent met with Arkansas Representatives Blanche Lincoln, Marion Berry and Asa Hutchinson regarding the idea, and were greeted with positive responses on the plans.
"All of the meetings that we had were real good," Cisco said. "Our meetings with the Congressmen were real positive. Congressmen Lincoln and Hutchinson told us that they would back us fully in our attempts to get this project funded. We also had a very good meeting with former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater. He's working in Washington now that he's out of office, but he still has a tremendous number of contacts. He was very helpful with the information that he was able to provide."
On the labor side of the issue, Cisco commented that meetings the group had with labor representatives from the AFL-CIO and Teamsters were also positive.
"We met with two of the country's largest unions, and they were pleased with our presentation. We were hoping to get a good response from them and we did. Those two organizations have some of the strongest lobbyists in D.C., and if we can get them to come on board with the plan that will help our effort a lot," Cisco said.
According to Cisco, a survey on the project is currently awaiting funding from the Commerce Department before going further. Cisco said an announcement from the Commerce Department is expected within the next 30 to 60 days.
Calvary Christian High School has announced its valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2001 graduating class.
Stephen Talley, with a GPA of 3.98, is the valedictorian. He is the son of Merle Talley and Alice Kellum, and the grand son of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Talley and Mr. and Mrs. J.P. DeRossitt.
Talley plans to attend Arkansas State University, where he will major in physics. He has received a Trustee Scholarship from ASU.
Talley has received consistent high honors on the honor roll, attended the Breakfast of Champions, the Scholarship Banquet, the Kiwanis Top 10 Percent Achievement Banquet, and was included in Who's Who Among American High School Students. He was involved in the school play.
He attends Beck Spur Baptist Church, where he works with 2 and 3 year-olds.
Sarah Ann Harbin, daughter of John and Ann Harbin, and holder of a 3.67 GPA, is the salutatorian.
Her paternal grandparents are the late George Pete and Annie Lee Harbin of Forrest City. Her maternal grandparents are Ralph and Virginia Gadberry of Forrest City.
She plans to attend East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City, where she will major in business administration.
She has received high honors, attended the scholarship banquet and the Kiwanis Top 10 Percent Academic Achievement Banquet, attended the National Youth Forum on Law in Washington. D.C. the Farm Bureau Leadership Conferences and was included in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was named a Governor's Honor Student.
Harbin attends First Baptist Church, where she helps with Team Kids, is involved in the youth department and has been to Mexico on a mission trip.
East Arkansas Community College will have its graduation ceremonies this Saturday, May 12, at 11 a.m.
About 190 students will receive associate degrees and certificates.
Music will be provided by Linda Carter, and the National Anthem will be sung by Byron Criss, an honor student. Special music during the program will also be presented by Criss and Ruth Ann Vowan, music instructor.
EACC President Dr. Coy Grace will give a welcome, and Vice President for Student affairs Catherine Coleman will introduce the student speaker, Jason Lansdale. Lansdale is a summa cum laude student, is in Who's Who Among American College Students, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and also the honor society Gamma Beta Phi.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Jan Haven will introduce the candidates for graduation, and Grace will confer the degrees.
There will be 96 Associate of Arts graduates.
The following majors will graduate with Associate of Applied Science degrees: Business Administration, 2; Computer Information Systems, 7; Criminal Justice, 11; Administrative Office Technology, 8; Child Care, 5, Nursing, 29; Drafting and Design, 4.
Technical Certificates will be awarded in the following fields: EMT/Paramedic, 8; Office Technology, 4; Criminal Justice, 1; Drafting and Design, 4.
There will also be 14 Certificates of Proficiency in Business System Networking/Cisco.
There will also be some individual awards given out. Tammy Freligh will present the Spirit of EACC Award. Grace will present 10 and 20 year service pins.
Dr. Ken Mott, recipient of the 2000 Distinguished Teacher Award, will present this year's recipient. Linda Barber, the 2000 recipient of the Outstanding Staff Member Award, will present this year's winner.
The Forrest City City Council is expected to address a resolution supporting the approval of a millage increase to fund construction of a new junior high school at its Tuesday meeting.
According to an agenda for the meeting, released today, councilmen will consider the resolution "To approve a millage for construction of a new Forrest City Junior High School, to approve a favorable vote therefore and for other purposes."
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at city hall.
Also on the agenda are two ordinances to waive bid requirements for city purchases. One purchase being considered is a video projection system for the Civic Center, and the other is for a breathalyzer.
Under new business, the council will consider donating land to the Crowley's Ridge Development Council for the construction of a new head start building.
Councilmen will also make appointments to a beautification committee, approve a home program, open bids for a sidewalk project and consider advertising for bids to demolish eight condemned structures.
The Forrest City Water Commission is also expected to meet next week. Water commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the water department.
Village Creek State Park is offering a class in the old-fashioned art of outdoor dutch oven cooking on Saturday, May 19.
Participants will be allowed a "hands on" experience during the afternoon class which will eventually culminate into a fully prepared meal. Participation is limited to the first 10 people to sign up. There is a $10 charge per person for the class and meal.
For more information, call Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406. The park is located about 15 miles north of Forrest City.