By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Museum is preparing for some structural improvements to its building in Forrest City.
The work is being done through a grant awarded to the museum in 1999.
The museum was awarded the $157,136 grant out of just over $15 million given to the Arkansas State Highway Department by the Federal Highway Administration to "make improvements to roads and infrastructure in Arkansas."
Museum Director Laura Mazzanti explained why it has taken so long to get to this point. "It (the work) has been bogged down by paperwork. We should be able to start bidding for the improvements early next year."
The grant will be matched up to $40,000, giving the museum about $200,000 in funds to make some long overdue improvements, according to Mazzanti.
"The grant we received in 1999 was for improvements at the time," said Mazzanti. "Most of those same improvements still need to be done.
"The biggest improvement will be to enclose part of the porch in glass, since we are a designated Visitor Center on the Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway. That status was part of the reason we received the grant."
Mazzanti said other major renovations are also in the planning stage.
"We want to make the second floor accessible to the public. Right now, only staff are allowed there, and it is mostly storage. To make it accessible to everyone, we have to bring it up to fire code and make it handicap accessible. Part of that effort to make the floor comply with the fire code is installing interior sprinklers throughout the building. We also plan to paint the exterior of the building."
Mazzanti said the money has not yet been received, but is expected very soon.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The new year will bring about office changes at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco said the offices for the juvenile intake officers, which are currently located at the Child Support Enforcement Unit's office at 428 Barton Ln., will make the move into the courthouse, taking the office which is currently held by St. Francis County Public Defender Dan McGill.
"We've had the juvenile officers out there on Barton Road for awhile now, and really it's an inconvenience for the citizens as well as for the officers. This will place them right there next to the courtroom," Cisco said.
The public defender's office will now be housed at 618 E. Cross St., a duplex near to the courthouse. However, McGill voiced concerns about the move and said that he wasn't pleased with the decision.
"I'm not pleased with the move of my office to the residential duplex across the street, and I don't believe that it will adequately suit my office needs or the needs of my clients. We also have safety concerns that have to be answered because my secretary is alone in the office at times, and I also don't feel that my files will be adequately secured," McGill said.
According to Cisco, measures are being taken to properly secure the office.
"We're going to be adding bars to the windows and a second entrance that their staff will have access to. We'll also be taking other measures to ensure the security of all of the staff. I understand the questions that he has, but the office is still moving," Cisco said.
According to McGill, plans are in the works to petition the St. Francis County Quorum Court requesting that he be allowed to seek other office accommodations using funds allocated to the administration of justice account which are solely for the expenses of the public defender's office.
"My salary and the salary of my secretary are paid by the state and not by the county, but there are funds from the state that are set up to pay for the operation and expenses of my office. In 2002, $36,883 was allocated to the administration of justice account for my expenses, and I've been fiscally responsible with the management of my office and as of today, we've spent $8,005.85. I may ask the Quorum Court if I can use those funds to lease an office elsewhere," McGill said.
The staff at Village Creek State Park is heading up a drive to collect toys for disadvantaged children in the Wynne and Forrest City area.
Park officials are asking anyone interested in helping others to bring an unwrapped, new toy to the Visitor Information Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day during the week or weekend. The donations may also be placed in the drop box at First National Bank in Wynne.
The park will accept toys until Friday, Dec. 20, and distribution will be Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22. Qualified recipients will be selected by the Department of Human Services. The park is also accepting monetary donations by check or money order made out to Toys for Tots.
For more information, call Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406.
Museum to feature artwork
The St. Francis County Museum will feature the artwork of local artist Ellen Alderson for its holiday exhibit, in the front parlor of the museum.
Alderson is a life-long resident of Forrest City and is a well-known artist and instructor.
The exhibition is oil on canvas, dealing with various subjects. A public reception honoring Alderson will be held Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the museum.
The exhibition will continue through January. For more information, call 261-1744.
FC School Board to meet Monday
The Forrest City School Board will meet in regular session on Monday in the administration building.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Board members are expected to review construction progress on the new junior high school and discuss a proposed salary increase.