By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
People attending a special program were told this morning that while this is a Veterans Day like none other, it is still fitting to honor the country's veterans, as a reminder of the country's spirit.
In a speech which was interrupted by applause on several occasions, Jack Arnold, state commander of the American Legion, spoke to the second annual Veteran's Day service, held at Mustang Arena.
"You've heard it said before, that we live in dangerous times," Arnold said. "It's almost a cliché, but no one doubts its truth today. In the recent past, the dangers we focused on in our nation were traffic accidents, robberies, murders and the usual deceptions, disappointments and tragedies of life. But that was all before Sept. 11. Since then, our whole world has changed -- yours and mine."
However, he said the United States has to keep going.
"To lock all the windows and doors in our homes, and hide under the covers, would mean the terrorists have scored a major victory," he said. "It would mean that they have robbed us of our distinctly American way of life. Our leaders have urged us to try to get back to normalcy. That means carrying on with our families, jobs and traditions."
He said Veterans Day is celebrated every year. "And today only 61 days after tragedy struck, we are gathered to recognized the contributions of our veterans, those who have served in both war and peace. This we do every year, and we should. Yet we all know this is no ordinary Veterans Day."
He also gave tribute to those who are serving now, quoting George Orwell: "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night, only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
"Let us thank God for those rough men -- and women -- who have been the symbols of liberty for more than 225 years," he said.
He said, Osama bin Laden booted the Russians out of Afghanistan, and the same thing had happened to the British after WWII.
"Based on that experience, Osama bin Laden thought America was soft, felt we lacked resolve, thought we would fold, or cower," he said. "Osama bin Laden was wrong. This is not Russia, this is not Great Britain. This is America, and by God, we will fight back."
Arnold said everyone had seen images of people celebrating in the streets after the events of Sept. 11. He quoted a piece of scripture, Micah 7:8, "Rejoice not against me, oh my enemy. When I fall, I shall arise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me."
During the program six local veterans were singled out for special honors. These included Johnny Chism, John Sidney Fogg, Henry T. Haven Jr. (accepted by his father, Henry T. Haven, Sr.), Thomas D. Seay Jr., and Hugh L. Wilson (accepted posthumously by his wife, Eleanor).
There was also a Parade of Flags, in which members of the NJROTC marched around the arena carrying American flags, while the Forrest City Mustang Band played a medley of service songs. In addition, the Forrest City High School choir performed "God Bless America."
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The city of Wheatley is reviewing its dog ordinances to decide whether or not to change some of the old laws or implement a new one to deal with vicious dogs.
Several councilmen have been contacted recently about dogs running loose and causing minor problems for some residents, even the dog owners themselves.
City council members reviewed three of the ordinances but could not agree on a way to implement or change them without possibly having to hire more people or spend more money for enforcement.
The current ordinances basically state a dog owner must keep dogs on leashes or on their own property to comply with the city's ordinances.
"All three ordinances would require residents being bothered by dogs to file affidavits and go to court over the matter, which is something some residents don't have the time for," said city attorney Bill Snowden.
One resident who complained about being chased on a bicycle by a pit bull expressed concern about taking it that far. "You mean I would have to go to Forrest City and wait in court all day?" asked the resident.
The current ordinances state law officials can't do anything without an affidavit from a complainant unless the law officer witnesses the dog not on its owner's property or not on a leash.
"The current ordinances are not leash laws," said Mayor Larry Nash. "We did not think it wise back then to require dogs to be on leashes at all times or in a pen at all times," he said.
Snowden expressed concern as to the liability and costs of some of the measures. "Let's say we have an ordinance which would require all dog owners to keep the pets in a pen or fence. In that case, I'm not sure if the city would have to be financially responsible for the cost of the fence the city could require the resident to have," he said.
Council members also discussed reimplementing an ordinance requiring tags and vaccinations. They also discussed hiring an extra person to work in city hall to handle the responsibility of the paper work and fee collections.
The matter was tabled until the next council meeting.
The group did, however, pass a proposed 2002 city budget. The group will decide next month if any items in the 2001 budget should be amended before the year ends.
Councilman Arvern Burnett submitted his resignation to Nash. Citing personal reasons, Burnett said he would be moving from Wheatley to be near family members. He also recommended two possible replacements for his position.
Council members agreed to table discussion on Burnett's resignation and a replacement until the Dec. 20 meeting.
Members of the Colt City Council are considering an option which would charge an annual fee for fire protection to individuals who live outside the Colt city limits, but inside the Colt fire zone.
Colt City Manager Bobby Clarkson said the fire district would charge homeowners and farmers an annual fee for fire protection and at the same time eliminate the need for a fire run charge.
"I've spoken with the municipal league, and they told me that there would be no problem with us creating a fire district as long as we didn't charge the people who live inside the city limits a charge. In rankings of size, we cover the second largest territory in St. Francis County. We're hoping that this would help generate more revenue for the fire department that we're not getting right now," Clarkson said.
He also noted that the fire department is currently losing money when called to fires outside of Colt because the department seldom receives a fire run fee. According to Clarkson, the formation of a fire district would eliminate the fire run fee for district members, but those who did not pay the district membership fee would continue to be charged the current fee.
"If a homeowner doesn't have fire insurance, we never get the fire run fee paid. If they do have insurance we just send the bill to the insurance company and they pay us. This would make it easier for us and it would also force us to take people who don't pay the fire run charge to court to get our fee," said Clarkson.
Council members agreed to table the matter until a future meeting.
The body of a Federal Correctional Institution -Forrest City employee was found this morning in the White River near Clarendon in Monroe County.
A spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff's office said the department had been bombarded with hundreds of calls from people today who said they heard the body of Ignacio "Nash" Cono, who had been missing since Thursday morning, had been discovered Sunday. The official denied these claims and said the search continued this morning until the body was recovered.