By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City was one of the stops along the way Monday of a 10-county, 18-city two-day tour celebrating the naming of the Arkansas Great River Road as a National Scenic Byway.
Copies of the Great River Road Corridor Management Plan and a National Scenic Byway plaque were presented at each stop along the way, during ceremonies held at the St. Francis County Museum.
Arkansas' portion of the Great River Road is part of a 10-state route that extends from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, along both sides of the Mississippi River. Arkansas is the fifth state to receive this national recognition.
National Scenic Byway status means the route will be promoted and marketed nationally.
Eva Hollowell, area representative for the Scenic Byway and a member of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, introduced Nancy Clark, assistant tourism director for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. She congratulated the local community, as she congratulated each local community along the way.
"I say congratulations because we are indeed here to celebrate the accomplishments that would not have been possible without the support of the communities along the Great River Road in Arkansas," Clark said.
She went on to say that the states along the Great River Road began an effort three years ago to receive National Scenic Byway designation. The four other states which have received designation so far are Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.
She reminded those present that the Great River Road is actually the second National Scenic Byway in Arkansas, the other being the Crowley's Ridge Parkway, which comes through Forrest City. The Great River Road goes through Hughes, but Forrest City is designated as a side trip along the route.
"It's a very important fact that those two Scenic Byways are here in eastern Arkansas, because it really gives you some bragging rights, doesn't it?" she said.
Dan Flowers, director of the state Highway and Transportation Department, also spoke. He said it was important to commemorate the Scenic Byway designation.
"The Highway and Transportation Department is a part of this designation," Flowers said. "We do work, as far as studies, to prepare for designation. But I want to give all the credit to the people up and down the route who have worked so hard to make this thing possible."
He said that economic development has followed designation of byways in other parts of the country.
"But I don't believe anything will happen unless the leadership of the communities along the byway take advantage of the resources and complete development of the byway," he said. "And I know that the leadership is in Forrest City and St. Francis County, and we look forward to working with you, and making good things happen in the Delta of Arkansas."
Dr. Ruth Hawkins, of Arkansas State University, executive director of Arkansas Delta Byways -- which has been instrumental in getting Scenic Byway designation for both the Great River Road and the Crowley's Ridge Parkway -- said a primary reason for seeking National Scenic Byway designation was the potential for it being an economic catalyst.
"It always amazes me, when I travel down the Delta, that a lot of people don't stop to think of tourism as an industry," Hawkins said. "But it is an industry, and it's a major industry."
She said that last year, according to statistics from the Parks and Tourism Department, there were 2.4 million visitors to the counties in the Delta region in Arkansas, who spent about $416 million. She said that created almost 6,000 jobs.
Statistics also show that St. Francis County had 166,000 visitors, spending $29.1 million.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
Several personnel changes were approved by the Forrest City School District's board Monday night as administrators prepare for the Aug. 19 beginning of another school year.
Following a brief executive session, the board accepted the resignations of six teachers and one classified employee before voting to hire five new teachers.
Three of the new teachers will be placed at Central Elementary School. Cathy J. House will teach fifth grade at Central; Tammy Wizer will teach first grade at that school, and Emily Davis will also teach at Central, but her grade assignment has not been announced. Sandra Hughes was hired to teach reading at Lincoln Middle School, and Cheryl McNutt will teach fifth grade this school year at Stewart Elementary School.
The teachers leaving the district include: Maribeth Chism, a kindergarten teacher at Caldwell Elementary; Angela Knight, a kindergarten teacher at Forrest Hills Elementary and Linda English, a gifted and talented teacher. Lincoln Middle School is losing three teachers. Those teachers include: Sandra K. Brown, seventh grade English; Kathie Chapman, seventh grade geography and Virginia Huckaba, seventh grade math.
One classified employee also resigned. The board accepted the resignation of Brent Ponder as a business administration assistant.
In other business, the board approved the proposed 2003-2004 estimated budget with total expenditures of about $27 million.
"We ended this year in real good shape, and we're building the budget for this coming year as we speak," said Superintendent Lee Vent. "Sept. 15 is the deadline for that budget to be completed."
Board members were given a brief update on the construction of the new junior high school, which at this point is about 23 percent complete.
"The structure going up is the eighth grade wing. The hipped roofs will help you begin to see how it's going to look. We're moving ahead at full speed," said Architect Dave Hodges.
Contractor Gary Kennedy said a lot of "big ticket items" are just now beginning to hit the job site, and the heating and air conditioning equipment is expected to arrive in about four weeks. Kennedy also said he hopes to begin working soon on the parking lot east of Sam Smith Stadium in order to have some parking available there before the first football game.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Animal control and new police vehicles were discussed by the Hughes City Council Monday night.
Jean Guarr of the Forrest City Area Humane Society, joined Tamia Lenard, Lovia Wright and Gertrude Wright in presenting councilmen with the idea of starting an animal shelter in Hughes.
"We (the FC shelter) are trying to take in dogs and cats from the other, smaller cities in St. Francis County, but we just don't have the room. We can't handle the extra animals, and we can only hold them for so long," Guarr said.
"We are having to put to sleep these animals, and we hate to kill them, but with no space, we have no choice. If you can provide space for a shelter, we will draw up a grant to build one here. We also need a full-time animal control officer to round up strays," added Guarr.
The council tabled the issue until the group can provide estimates on the costs to the city.
Hughes Police Chief Joe Stone thanked the council for two new police cars, and asked for screens to be installed in them for the officers' safety.
"The screens are $365 each, and we need them for separation from any persons arrested in the backseat,"
Stone told the council.
Stone also discussed the current police work schedule saying, "We now are working 12-hour shifts, four days a week. We are at full capacity of officers now, and we're getting three days off a week."
In other news, letters have been sent to owners of property that is in need of repair or condemning throughout the city, and the council is preparing to look into tearing down or possible controlled burning some of these buildings.
The Widener City Council on Tuesday discussed a proposed ordinance which, if passed, will establish inspection fees for plumbing work done anywhere on the city's water system.
The discussion so far has been general. The ordinance will address what kinds of plumbing work will require permits and inspections. People will be able to do their own plumbing work in their own homes, but inspections may still be required for major jobs.
For major jobs in rental homes and businesses, a licensed plumber and inspections may be required.
It was mentioned that should the city not do this, eventually the state might come in and impose its own regulations.