By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
In a somber show of grief, support and solidarity, St. Francis County citizens lined the St. Francis County Courthouse lawn this morning for a prayer service.
A National Day of Prayer was called for today by President Bush, following Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Rev. Gary Chapman, pastor of Valley View Christian Church, led the rally, and said he was pleased with the show of support from the crowd which filled the lawn at the courthouse.
"It was wonderful to see this many people come out for this event. This was something that I feel was necessary for the people of Forrest City and St. Francis County citizens. The showing of love and solidarity and prayer can help begin the healing process that this nation needs as we prepare ourselves for the times to come," said Chapman.
Lt. Nick Hutchins, with the Forrest City High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, opened the ceremony with a prayer composed by the members of the NJROTC and later commented, "This is a day of mourning for all Americans. Today is a day that all of us as Americans should offer prayer for those that lost their lives in this tragic event and their families."
Hutchins also expressed that a moment of prayer should be given for the men and women of our military as war seems inevitable, "My prayers go out to the men and women of our military. We pray that the President and our leaders make the best decisions," he said.
The NJROTC was on-hand for the prayer service, standing at attention and leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
As Rev. James Dean, pastor of First Baptist Church in Forrest City, led the group in prayer, sobs could be heard from many in the group. Dean said that he felt that ceremonies such as today's and those to come are important to begin the healing process in America.
"It is important for this country to continue to stand united and it is also important that we begin the healing process. As a nation we must support our President in his decisions and continue to offer our prayers for him and for the families of those that have lost loved ones," Dean said.
World War II veteran and St. Francis County coordinator of veterans affairs, Henry Haven, who said that the amount of devastation from Tuesday's attacks were more devastating to the nation than Pearl Harbor, was proud of the display of support from the community and was especially proud of the students from the NJROTC.
"Lt. Hutchins has put together a fine program, and this morning's ceremony was an example of his work. The ceremony was a very good thing for our country and we all need this," said Haven.
Haven also commented on the way Tuesday's attacks will impact the nation.
"This is something that will make changes in civil rights
in lieu of security and will change the lives of Americans forever.
This is a whole new era in American society, and we all have to
begin preparing for the changes that this nation must face,"
said Haven.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Referring to those who carried out the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. as "evil heathens," Congressman Marion Berry on Thursday said that lawmakers will back President Bush in whatever response he wants to make.
Berry was speaking from Washington during a teleconference with Arkansas media.
"You always had the idea in the past that you were dealing with people who had some semblance of objectivity and were rational to some point," said Berry. "It's beyond me. We've spent hours analyzing this in the last couple of days and it just doesn't make sense. These people are not rational people. They're madmen -- all the terms that have been used. I'm convinced they are evil heathens, and it's a situation we've never dealt with before. You cannot even go to them and say, let's see if we can work this out."
When asked about what kind of response the United States might make to the attacks, Berry said, "I support the president and I think he and his administration and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have far more information than I have. And we just have to wait and let them craft a response. Basically, we're just going to support them."
He said it is important for people to understand that the government is not in shambles.
"I want to emphasize as strongly as I can that this government is stable, the country is stable," he said. "We're a strong and powerful nation, and we will prevail. This is a new kind of war, something no one has any experience dealing with. We are, in many cases rethinking what our priorities are and how we're going to deal with this and the exact mechanism we will use. But we will deal with it in the final analysis."
Berry said it is too early to speculate on what effect the events of Tuesday will have on such things as the Farm Bill or the economy in general.
"We're going to have some really tough decision to make," he said.
Given the increased security at airports, Berry was asked if there would be a conflict between airline security and passenger freedom.
"As far as airline travel is concerned, I think we're
being very logical about it," Berry said. "Certainly
we all want something done as quickly as possible. And I believe
it's being done in a very considered way. I think It is a very
appropriate reaction. If we're going to maintain a viable air
transportation system in this country, that's what we're going
to have to do. I don't know if you've ever been to Israel. But
it may take you an hour and a half or two hours to board a plan.
It's going to change. It's going to change for all of us."
The Forrest City Public Library will reopen Monday, Sept. 17.
The library has been closed the past few weeks due to computer problems.
According to a press release from the library, because of the computer problems, patrons will be required to reapply for a library card.
Employees of the library ask patrons to bring existing library cards, along with some form of identification, when reapplying.
The policy for county residents still applies. A $15 annual fee will be required for any county resident, excluding anyone who owns property inside the city limits.
The library staff and board members said in the press release they appreciate the FCPL patrons for their patience during time the library was closed.
The library will open at 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. The library will close at 8 p.m. each Monday and Thursday, and will close at 5:30 p.m. each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The library will be open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A report on the latest developments in distance learning at East Arkansas Community College was given to the EACC Board at its regular meeting Thursday night.
Tiffany Hardrick, a business instructor who is also coordinator for distance learning, said the school's distance learning program is made up of three parts. The first is on-line courses taught by the school. The second is so-called compressed video, in which interactive classes consisting of students in one city can ask questions of a professor in another city, while students in a third or fourth city can get ready to ask their questions. The third part is the "telecourse," which is a course from a source like AETN.
She said there are currently 130 students taking part in distance learning. At the moment, the only time the students have to come to campus is for testing. She said there are hopes of eventually developing a two-year degree program consisting completely of distance learning.
On another matter, Dr. Coy Grace, president of EACC, reported that there were a total of 1,331 students this fall. He said the number is down from the 1,358 of the previous year. However, he said the credit hours are up by 10 percent.
The board also accepted a $25,000 grant for a Parkin Literacy program, and approved a provisional position of coordinator for that program.
The board also approved a motion to allow the school to build without having to go through State Building Services. Grace told the board that a law passed in the last legislative session allows a college to do this, and said it can save a lot of time.
The board also approved the following recommendations for employment: Lisa Patterson and Secretary I at the library; Becky Dowd as Cross County literacy coordinator; and Annie Mae Walker as director for the Parkin Family Literacy Program.
Grace also told the board that M&T Paving, with a low bid of $32,222, had the low bid for paving the faculty/staff parking lot.