By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Rural citizens of St. Francis County will see a change in garbage services in September when the county's contract with B&B Disposal of Jonesboro is terminated.
According to St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco, effective Sept. 10, the current contract with B&B will be terminated due to continued problems the county has had with the company.
"We've had several complaints from citizens, and we've also had other problems that we have continuously faced during our contract period with the company. I try to be a patient man, and I think that I have been patient, but there comes a time when you just have to make a change," Cisco said.
According to Cisco, some of the problems with B&B have ranged from non-delivery of carts to citizens to delivering garbage to the improper landfill.
"We've had people come in and tell us that they've made several attempts to get carts delivered to them and they can't get it done. One of the problems that we've faced is with which landfill the garbage is delivered to," Cisco said.
"All of our trash is supposed to be dumped in West Helena, but there are problems down there when the weather is bad, and we understand that. But once everything clears up then we expect the trash to go down to West Helena," Cisco added.
The bid process for the new carrier has yet to begin, but Cisco did say that B&B would be allowed to rebid for the county's garbage collection.
"We have the right to refuse any bid, but we will allow them to enter a bid. The only way it would be accepted, however, would be if serious changes were made," he added.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Several court complaints alleging nonpayment will not put Freeman Group, Inc. out of business or derail the mayoral campaign of one of the company's owners.
"We're going to weather this storm, continue to be able to provide a good service to the community, and look back on this as just a bump in the road," said Frederick Freeman.
The complaints include one by United Mortgage and Loan Investment Corp. ($189,663); Delta Beverage Group, Inc. ($14,940); Russell Oil Co. Inc. ($8,413.50); T&P Distributing Co., Inc. ($12,994.13); Continental Casualty and Transcontinental Insurance Co. ($5,155); and the United States Government for foreclosure.
Freeman, 44, said the Freeman Group is owned by all the children of the business' founders.
"I'm a volunteer for the Freeman Group," said Frederick Freeman, who is also running for mayor. "I have never earned a salary. But I'm also president. The family chose me president because of my management background and my business degree. Freeman Group has been providing a service to the community for some 30 years. It is our impression that we will work through this financial difficulty, and consequently it's going to be around, if we have anything to do with it, 30 or plus more years."
He also commented on the current economy.
"These are economic tough times for a lot of businesses, and it's even more tough for small businesses and businesses that are serving underprivileged areas," Freeman said.
"This business has a lot to do with my candidacy, because I'm very interested in and have been doing community service work and economic community service work for some time. And I think I'm pretty good at it. I look forward to having a positive impact on all parts of Forrest City, but especially the west end of Forrest City."
On the subject of the business, Freeman said several things happened around 1997.
"In 1997, Freeman Group, Inc., experienced a major market shift. Most businesses would have been out in six months. That market shift included losing a major customer that went out of business, naming no names. The state also implemented EBT, Electronic Benefit Transfer, from food stamps to cards. That had a devastating impact on the businesses -- other small businesses as well as Freeman's," he said.
Some other stores also opened in competition.
"Consequently, Freeman Group since 1997 has experienced right at a 50 percent loss in sales. Fifty percent."
According to Freeman, the continuing existence of the business is the real story.
"I think, to still be standing here, is indicative of our management capabilities. And that's what we've been told by a lot of consultants and other individuals, that 'You guys should be proud of what you've accomplished, even though you've got a major hurdle. To still be standing and fighting and wanting to serve the community is very commendable.'"
Freeman said that since the complaints are in litigation, he would not address any of them specifically. However, he did say he is working with consultants and lawyers who specialize in business turnarounds.
He said he does not believe that the problems of Freeman Group are a bad reflection on his management style.
"If there is someone concerned about my management ability, I encourage them to look at my record at Entergy where I climbed the ladder and was very successful," said Freeman, who said he worked for Entergy for about 11 years. "I was business manager of Entergy's most influential office, which was the West Markham office. I did take a voluntary retirement to come back and help with the family business and do other things."
A Brinkley teenager was arrested at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City Friday night after disrupting operations in the facility's emergency room.
The Forrest City Police Department was called to the hospital just after 6 p.m. by a nurse who reported a patient had become disorderly. Officers arriving at the scene were directed to patient Jason Depriest, 18, who had been brought to the hospital by his mother, who also works as an EMT with Southern EMS of Brinkley, police reported.
Police said Depriest, who had reportedly consumed a gallon of whiskey on Friday, had suffered a cut to his right arm and needed medical attention to repair a torn tendon. However, after arriving at the hospital, Depriest became outraged and shouted obscenities at the emergency room staff who notified police.
Policemen escorted Depriest from the hospital and to a cell at the FCPD. He is charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, refusal to submit to arrest and criminal mischief.
Depriest was released to the Brinkley Police Department, but not before allegedly damaging camera equipment inside a lockup cell at the FCPD, according to the report. A damage estimate was not reported.
A Forrest City man was arrested Friday night on domestic battery charges for hitting his girlfriend with a leather strap, after members of the Forrest City Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance call at 526 E. St. Andrews.
According to the police report, Willie Lockett, 40, was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic battery following a confrontation with his live-in girlfriend.
Police reported Lockett admitted to officers that he had hit his girlfriend about 15 times with a 20 1/2 inch long leather strap. Lockett then allegedly choked the victim and hit her in the face, mouth and the back of her head with his fist.