East Arkansas Community College will present a patriotic program featuring the United States Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Gordon R. England, and Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael, Sergeant Major of the United States Marine Corps, at the Forrest City High School Mustang Arena on Monday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m.
Faculty, staff and students from the high school will be in attendance and the public is invited to attend the event. A special invitation is extended to all U.S. veterans. The NJROTC from Forrest City High School will provide the color guard for the ceremonies.
England was nominated on April 24, 2001 by President George W. Bush to serve as 72nd Secretary of the Navy, and was sworn in on May 24, 2001.
The Secretary of the Navy leads the Department of the Navy consisting of 372,000 active duty and 90,000 Reserve Sailors; 172,000 active duty and 40,000 Reserve Marines; and 188,000 civilians. It includes 315 warships, 4,100 aircraft, and an annual budget of over $100 billion.
A native of Baltimore, England graduated from the University of Maryland in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. In 1975 he earned a master's degree in business administration from the M.J. Neely School of Business at Texas Christian University. England has served as a member of the Defense Science Board and has chaired and participated in a broad range of subjects dealing with the U.S. military and the industrial base.
England served as executive vice president of General Dynamics Corporation from 1997 until 2001 and was responsible for two major sectors of the corporation: Information Systems and International. He also served as executive vice president of the Combat Systems Group and as president of the General Dynamics Fort Worth aircraft company (which later became Lockheed). He served as president of General Dynamics Land Systems company where he was involved in producing land combat vehicles. He was also the principal of a mergers and acquisition consulting company.
Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael was named as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on June 4, 1999. He is the first African American to hold the post since it was established in 1957.
McMichael was born in Hot Springs. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. After completing Infantry Training School and Basic Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton, Calif, McMichael was assigned to Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Upon completion ofthis tour he transferred to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines.
Subsequent assignments have taken him to posts in Denmark, Japan, Virginia, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, and California where he has served in many capacities including drill instructor, series gunnery sergeant, and battalion drill master. He has served as an instructor at Marine Security Guard School and at the NJROTC program at the University of Minnesota.
From 1988 to 1989, he served as the deputy director and director of the Staff NCO Academy in El Toro, CA. In 1991 he was assigned as the Sergeant Major of Officer Candidates School. In 1994, McMichael served as the Sergeant Major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan. In 1995 he was assigned as the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Sergeant Major. In January 1997, he was assigned as the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Sergeant Major, Headquarters Marine Corps. He assumed his current post in 1999.
McMichael's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star.
"At this point in our nation's history, this is such a wonderful opportunity and honor for the citizens of Forrest City to have in their midst such accomplished and patriotic men," said Beth Bridgforth, EACC Director of Continuing Education. "Their message is timely and will be a source of inspiration to all who attend. We are honored that EACC could play a role in welcoming two Americans who have contributed so much to the welfare of our nation. We encourage everyone to attend this exciting event."
An event honoring Mr. England and Sergeant Major McMichael is planned on the East Arkansas Community College campus later in the day for EACC faculty, staff and students.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Although local students may see some increase in tuition, a projected funding impact on East Arkansas Community College is not expected to be as strong as it will be at some other schools in the state.
EACC President Dr. Coy Grace said the particular funds which are being reduced the most are funds that EACC doesn't receive anyway.
"The major cuts were identified in the area of Workforce 2000, and we don't receive Workforce 2000 funds," said Grace. "While we have had some cuts, to this point they have been minor."
The funds in question are from a workforce corporation tax that began in 1991, with the proceeds going to 16 of the state's 23 community colleges.
According to a report this week, in the 1996-97 fiscal year, the funds from that tax reached a high of $19 million. By 2000-2001, they had dropped to $10.2 million, and are expected to fall to $7.7 million for 2001-2002.
Grace said EACC should receive about the same amount of money in the second year of the current biennium as it did last year.
"Those institutions that were formerly technical schools received Workforce 2000 funds, "he said. "Those that started as community colleges received some funds from what's called the Education Excellence Trust Fund. Because there were drastic cuts in Workforce 2000 funds, some institutions have suffered higher cuts in their budgets than others, so those are the ones that are struggling the most."
That isn't to say that EACC is swimming in cash. Grace said all schools are in need of funds.
"Obviously, all of us will need an injection of funding from somewhere in the future, so we can continue to serve students in the manner we have enjoyed for the last several years. We hope that in the next legislative session, attention will be brought to that, and we'll see an increase in funding."
Grace said there probably will be an increase in tuition.
"We probably will increase tuition somewhat. We're currently below the state-recommended tuition level. We may see an increase next year.
"But," he added, "Any increases will remain similar to those in surrounding areas."
The in-county tuition is currently $36 per hour. Grace said school officials are in the process now of formulating proposals to be made at the next Board of Trustees meeting.
"We may see some increases, but not to the degree that some institutions have increased their tuition," said Grace. "We're still fairly close to the bottom among two-year colleges in terms of tuition, and considerably below that of four-year institutions.
"We're still the best bargain in the state for education -- all community colleges are," he stated. "I think community colleges are and will remain that way."
According to the report, it has been forecast that tuition will increase in varying amounts -- anywhere from zero up to 39 percent at individual schools.
Some schools are cutting programs, Mid South Community College in West Memphis, for instance, has closed its licensed practical nursing program and limited enrollment in its criminal justice, child care and electronics programs.
The Olympic Torch made a return visit to Forrest City this week, this time to its permanent home at the St. Francis County Musuem.
In December, Forrest Citians Jim and Debbie McInturff represented Forrest City in the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, as the symbolic flame made its trek to Salt Lake City for the Winter Games. Both torches were purchased recently by David and Fay Bokker, also of Forrest City and will make their final run next week when they are donated to the St. Francis County Museum.
According to a press release from the museum, the torches will make their debut at the May 18, Community Fish Fry to benefit the museum and will continue on display as part of the Famous Citizens of St. Francis County Collection. Museum Director Laura Mazzanti said that the official donation of the torches will take place at Tuesday's monthly board meeting.
The St. Francis County Museum is located in the Rush-Gates Home at 603 Front Street in Forrest City. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and by special arrangement. For more information call 261-1744.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Water levels in the alluvial aquifer are a concern to many in St. Francis County, and the question on future water may affect the decision on a new well for the City of Colt.
The depth needed for the new well was the primary discussion during Thursday's monthly meeting of the Colt Council. According to City Manager Bobby Clarkson, the dropping levels may force the city to either drill a proposed well deeper or drill into a new source for water.
"I'm sure you all read in the paper the other day that Forrest City may begin to see some problems with their water levels, and we're pretty much in the same boat. In the past 20 years, we've seen a 20-foot drop off in the level. We're currently trying to raise the funds to put the new well in, but we also need to find out how deep that well is going to have to be. In Cross County, they've already gone to the Strata aquifer, which is about 400 feet deep, and their water isn't near the quality that we have. Right now, we only have to chlorinate our water, but if we go deeper then we may have to begin treatment of our water," said Clarkson.
Clarkson also updated council members on attempts to get funding for the construction of the new well. According to Clarkson, a loan the city was seeking from the Soil and Water Department was recently approved, and the city has an application in for a grant for the project.
Aldermen were also updated on the search for a new police officer. According to Mayor Virgil Keeler, all city officials are waiting on now are the results of a background check on the approved applicant. Keeler could not give council members a date when the information would be available.
In other business, Clarkson told council members that a potential problem with the widening of Arkansas Highway 1 was avoided last week when the Arkansas Department of Transportation rerouted plans that would have required that a pumping station near Rubatex, north of Colt, be moved.
"Once we got the plans for the highway, I saw that close to three-quarters of the station was in the plans. I sent them a letter explaining that this was on a private easement. Earlier this week, I got a letter and revised plans that showed that the road would be rerouted to go around the station instead," Clarkson said.
There will be a Meet the Candidates rally for all Democratic candidates from St. Francis County on Saturday, April 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Forrest City Civic Center.
Also in attendance will be Congressman Marion Berry. Other candidates have been invited. There will be refreshments served.
The event is sponsored by the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee.
A child was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Forrest City after being hit by a car Wednesday.
According to the police report, Larry Gene Banks, 20, of Caldwell was traveling south on Hickey Street in Forrest City when a little girl ran out in front of him.
The child, Keaheir James, 6, of 714 Hickey, was transported by ambulance to the hospital, treated and released.
The Forrest City City Council will meet Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at city hall.
Among the agenda items is a discussion of the mayor's veto of a council decision on the manner of payment to King Disposal Inc., the company which collects garbage for the city.
Also on the agenda are two bid openings, one for operators of the concession stands at the sports complex, and one for asphalt.
In other matters, Phyllis Autry will seek permission to have a flea market at Mike Lawyer's office at 803 N. Washington to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Also, Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas is asking for approval of capital improvement revenue bonds for construction of a new community mental facility. There will also be a discussion of purchasing more land for the sports complex.