By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The question of how the City of Forrest City will go about annexing the Patillo 1 subdivision is once again up in the air.
After discussions at Tuesday night's regular meeting, it was decided that Mayor Larry Bryant and newly-appointed City Attorney Chris Morledge would get together and possibly draw up a new ordinance for annexing the land by petition.
Morledge was approved for the job by the council as its first order of business Tuesday. Morledge is replacing Knox Kinney, who recently resigned citing health reasons.
Last August, a special election on the annexation was called for Nov. 6. However, in October, the election was canceled and the city tried to go the petition route. In its July 17 meeting this year, Bryant said the city might want to try an election again. Then on Tuesday, the emphasis again seemed to be on annexation by petition.
In other business, the council adopted a resolution establishing a grievance procedure for complaints of Americans with Disabilities Act violations. Bryant said the city had been written up for not having a procedure. Citizens will be allowed to fill out an ADA Complaint Form, and also will be able to submit a complaint verbally if unable to write. An ADA coordinator should meet with the person making the complaint within 15 working days of the complaint being filed. If the complaint is not resolved, it will then go to the mayor, and finally to the city council.
The council also passed a resolution stating that the city intends to seek a 50/50 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The money would be used to make improvements to Southside Park. The resolution is a formality. The city has applied for the funds before.
On another matter, Fire Chief Dan Curtner received permission to seek bids on a "heat imaging" camera which can help firefighters see through smoke and darkness. It is considered a valuable tool in finding people overcome by smoke, and in also finding hot spots. Curtner brought a demonstrator model of the camera with him. After some discussion, it was decided to allow Curtner to seek bids on new, used and demonstrator cameras, and also on two cameras.
On another matter, the council agreed to continue negotiations over land adjacent to the Municipal Sports Complex.
Bryant also said that the city is concerned over the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. The virus has been found in several birds in St. Francis County, one of those in Forrest City.
"We're working diligently, trying to keep up with the mosquitoes," said Bryant. "We're looking at the possibility of buying another sprayer that you can actually hold in your hand and walk in some of these ditches. We are going to accelerate the defensive war. We have some part time people we're going to hire, still within the framework of the budget."
He said there would be an increased effort to cut vegetation in ditches.
"We've been cutting them, but it has rained so much this summer, we can't keep up. We do have drips on pumps in the rice fields and that helps some. But we don't need to get behind the curve. So far, we're doing pretty good. I would ask that our citizens take heed with the Health Department instructions that if you don't have to be out (when mosquitoes are out) do not be out. But we are in the Delta, and you're going to have mosquitoes. So spray, and do those things that are safe, use your best judgment if you go outdoors now. I'd hate for any of our citizens to get West Nile."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City School District crossed a major hurdle for the beginning of the school year Tuesday with the filling of the last vacancy in the district.
According to District 7 Superintendent Lee Vent, the final position that was available for the 2002-2003 school year was filled yesterday giving the district a full roster of teachers.
"It was a major accomplishment to get to 100 percent hired this time. Dr. Barnes (Deputy Superintendant Alice Barnes) did a really good job because it was extremely difficult for us this time. We finalized the last contract yesterday, and now we're ready to begin the school year with a full staff," Vent said.
In other news, with the heat of August pressing down on the area, Vent said that air conditioning in the district is up and running at all buildings. According to Vent, problems with the cooling tower at Forrest City High School have been repaired and all systems are go for the Aug. 19 first day of school.
"With over 600 air conditioning units in the district, we're always going to have some problems, but right now as far as I know everything is operational. We had some problems back in the spring with the cooling tower at the high school, but those have been repaired, and we're ready to go," Vent said.
The St. Francis County Branch of the NAACP and its Youth Council will host a program on the history of Civil Rights in Forrest City on Saturday, Aug. 24, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Beth Salem M.B. Church at 835 E. Garland in Forrest City.
The NAACP in partnership with the Arkansas Humanities Council will present "A Walk Without Fear."
Special guest speakers will be Rev. Cato Brooks Jr., of Gary, Ind., and Minister Suhkara Yahweh (Sweet Willie Wine) of Memphis.
"This project will hopefully inspire African-Americans, youth especially, to connect not only with their heritage, but also with their responsibility to restore, preserve and continue the struggles of their foreparents. Their foreparents struggled to achieve the goal of civil equality and equal justice for all," said project director Shirley Harvell.
For more information contact the NAACP at 633-5790 or visit http//:sfcnaacp.tbwt.com.