By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Madison residents attending a public hearing Monday night on a proposed community center agreed that the need exists for such a facility, but disagreed over where the center should be located.
The public hearing on a grant to build a community center near city hall was held prior to the city's regular monthly council meeting Monday. The proposed community center would be located on property close to city hall, would seat about 200 and could be used as a community center as well as a facility to host such functions as family reunions, school reunions and church gatherings.
Councilmember Annie Winfrey opposed the center because of its proposed size and the lack of parking at the proposed site.
"I don't know why we would pursue a center that's going to be that small, and if it's right here next to city hall, then where will people park?" she said. Winfrey suggested more efforts by city officials to find funding for the renovation of the Eldridge Butler School in Madison.
"We have a building over here that belongs to the city, and I don't see why we aren't doing everything to try to renovate that building. We have to get the asbestos out, but I have questions over that because if the asbestos was so bad, then why did they put a head start right next to it?" Winfrey asked.
Madison Mayor James Brooks responded, "My concerns were with getting a community center in Madison as quickly as we can. The grant money is currently out there, and the council approved a measure allowing me to seek the grant for this center. We've been told that there is adequate parking at the location we're seeking. It's on city-owned property, so we don't have to buy any property, and we've already got the grant application filed.
"As far as the old school is concerned, I haven't been able to find funds for renovation of old schools out there, but I am still looking," Brooks continued. "We've been told before that to remove the asbestos from that building would cost over $1 million, and that would require a lot of grants to get it done, but that's not to say that we're not trying."
Former Madison Mayor Charlene Sykes also commented on the Butler building. "I'm glad that we're at least talking about the old school because when I was mayor I wanted to do something about the building, and we couldn't get the council to approve anything, but this is a start. We aren't going to get anywhere though until we come together as a community."
The group made no decision on the grant for the proposed community center, but agreed to form a committee consisting of city officials and community members to seek more information as to what might be done with the Butler building.
During the regular council meeting, councilmen agreed to seek public opinion on two issues brought to the council by Brooks.
Brooks told councilmen that he had learned through second-hand information that a private corporation is seeking to establish an animal shelter in Madison. Brooks said he has not yet been contacted by any organization regarding the animal shelter, and he had no information on the shelter.
"I don't see how we could approve of this without more information, like where the shelter would be located, and if the shelter would just be for Madison dogs or would they be bringing in dogs from all of the small towns," Councilmember Gail Graham said. "Plus, the people really need to have a chance to comment on this. I think they should have to come down here and meet with the council and tell us what they're considering doing."
Council members also wanted to poll the community and meet with a Forrest City resident who has expressed an interest in opening a funeral home in Madison.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Public Library board learned Monday afternoon that the facility may be eligible for money through the Arkansas Community Foundation.
Pat Flanagin, chairman of the St. Francis County Community Foundation, an affiliation of the Arkansas Community Foundation, told board members that ACF has at least $10,000 to give to various organizations each year. "We'll have at least $10,000 a year, which we call undesignated funds, that we'll be giving out this year," said Flanagin. "We are hoping to have $10,000 each year to give away." The money can be used for any purpose.
Flanagin also said the ACF will assist local endowments. "There is the Lois Nimocks Beson fund that is now at $4,900, and when it reaches $10,000, then it will be where it can start getting a check every year," he said.
The ACF, according to Flanagin, will also help in setting up and directing endowments. "Some organizations don't think about endowment funds. They live hand and mouth. But ideally, someday you'll be able to set up some endowment that will allow for the continuation of funding whether that donor is alive or dead.
"In other words, someone with $10,000 for an endowment has enough for us to assist with setting up tax exemptions and paying expenses. If you don't want to direct it, and want it to go to any worthwhile charity and have a local board decide who it goes to, we can do those funds," said Flanagin.
In other business, the board agreed that library employees should research the costs of two new computers.
The board learned Monday they will have to replace Wilma Delaney on the board of directors. Delaney has stated that she does not want to continue her term and would like for the board to find a replacement for her.
It was also mentioned by library employees that parents of children under the age of 12 should call the library before dropping their children off unattended so they can be told of the new policies regarding unattended children at the library.
The 23rd Annual Arkansas Agriculture Exposition will be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Forrest City Civic Center, sponsored by the St. Francis County Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational sessions aimed at helping East Arkansas producers will be conducted by University of Arkansas specialists, researchers and county agents. The sessions will begin at 8:45 each morning. Speakers will cover the latest technology on productions, genetics, high yields, management and other topics.
In addition, there will be about 50 commercial and educational exhibits displaying the latest technology in equipment, seed, service and chemicals. Exhibits will be both inside and outside.