By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The new year has seen the elimination of the computer problems that plagued the Forrest City Library last year, and the library staff is now gearing up for its annual summer reading program.
According to Sara Jumper, co-librarian, the computer crashes which crippled the library for a time are a thing of the past, although the problems did bring some good things, including a computerized card catalogue.
"After our problems last year, we added two new computers, and they are up and running. Much of that goes to the work done by Advanced Computer Technology. They came in here and did everything that we asked of them and just really did a great job," Jumper said.
"We now have a computerized card catalogue which is great for the public, and our public terminals are also bringing a lot more people into the library. So even though the problems weren't a good thing, we have rebounded well and are getting great results," Jumper said.
The Arts Alive program will be making its second summer appearance in June as the library kicks off its annual summer reading program. According to Jumper, the program, which will cover a variety of art forms, is back for its second stint after much success last year.
"Everyone seemed to enjoy the Arts Alive program, so we decided to bring it back again this year. We are trying to get as many local artists and musicians to volunteer that we can so that the program will be great again.," Jumper said. "When many people hear art they only think about painting, but we're going to try to get someone from each of the arts to come in and do something with the children. We want to get some acting and some music and pottery and just the whole gambit," Jumper said.
Jumper also reminds library patrons that the library sells books, and the first Monday of each month books may be purchased for $1, as many as you can carry in a bag. The library also serves as a year round toys for tots donation center.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
With the position of Resource and Development becoming vacant this week, the Forrest City School District will apparently not fill the position, at least not soon.
Pat Flanagin has resigned from the position, effective May 1. According to Superintendent Lee Vent, Flanagin was a grant writer. However, he said the position will not be filled immediately.
"Not at this particular point in time," Vent said. "We will probably fill from within, because the district is in a downsizing mode."
He said the district is currently trying to absorb positions as much as it can, because of funding cuts.
"To this point, we have lost a little over $850,000, from what we should have gotten. So we're absorbing positions. We will not fill this one, at least not in the near future."
Vent said the funding loss includes about $547,000 in state aid cuts, and an additional $303,000 due to loss of students.
He said the job of grant writing is important.
"In a district of our size, that's a good-sized charge, because we write and receive a lot of grants," Vent said. "But, we also have other people on the staff who are very prolific at writing grants.
"We're rethinking every position that comes available, to see whether we need that position," he continued. "Attrition has been nice to us so far, but we will continue to look for ways to cut and save."
Flanagin has also been serving as an administrator for the Forrest City Educational Foundation, as well as administrator for the Forrest City Community Foundation.
Victor Vaccaro, president of the FCEA, said that there may be a part time position for those two jobs. However, when, whether and who are not in place. Also, he said that pay would be part of the discussion.
"It hasn't gotten that far yet," he said.
Building permits for projects valued at $297,700 were issued by Forrest City during April, bringing the year's total to nearly $1.18 million.
For once, residential projects outstripped commercial projects. Steve Jones Motors at 3600 N. Washington is doing a $4,000 addition, and also building an office addition valued at $3,000. First Assembly of God at 1705 S. Washington is spending $500 on a storage building. Decking and roofing valued at $1,600 is being added to the Ole Pancake House at Highway 1 N. Dearing body shop is building an addition valued at $12,000. First National Bank at 101 N. Washington is spending $8,500 on a new sign. A metal building valued at $12,000 is being built by Western Auto at 906 N. Washington. Fred's at 2227 N. Washington is building a $13,000 addition.
The rest of the permits were for residential projects. These included one addition, one repair to fire damage, two siding projects, two remodelings, two fences, one storage building, two new houses, one screen porch and one roof repair.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City was the scene of a disaster this morning as the Forrest City Fire Department, Forrest City Police Department and BMH-FC held their semi-annual disaster drill.
A simulated fire took place on the second floor of the hospital, and several patients had to be evacuated and taken to safety. Also during the drill, Forrest City firefighters had to check several rooms on the second floor for patients who could not escape, including a smoke filled room.