By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A recent reappraisal in St. Francis County has resulted in a 15 to 17 percent increase in property taxes countywide, according to Assessor Craig Jones.
Jones discussed the results of the reappraisal and how it will affect taxpayers with Quorum Court justices during the group's regular monthly meeting Thursday night.
According to Jones, homeowners in Forrest City will see an average of 10 percent across-the-board increase, while in the county, the increase will be between 10 and 12 percent. Jones also told justices that commercial property and rental property will see an increase of at least 10 percent.
Jones said the increase can be attributed to real estate being purchased at higher prices. These real estate costs have elevated the values on many homes across the county, and buyers are using lower interest rates to their advantage.
"There are two or three things that are going on right now that have really had an effect on this. A person who has a decent size home that they bought 10 years ago with higher interest rates can now buy a home that has more square footage and get a lower rate and end up with close to the same mortgage payment. People are taking advantage of that," Jones said.
Jones also told justices that the values of many area homes have increased, but the appraisals didn't match the values.
"There are a lot of cases like one just north of town where a home recently sold at over $130,000. The values on the books had the home listed at close to $89,000, and that's a big difference. The books really needed to be updated, and that's what has been going on," said Jones.
Reappraisal notices should begin to reach homeowners in early June, according to Jones.
In other business, the quorum court created a committee which will attempt to hire a part-time coordinator to handle election duties in the future.
According to SFC County Judge Carl Cisco, the decision to ask justices for a more permanent coordinator was prompted by recent problems with the election.
"We've had some problems with our last two elections with getting ballots straight, and the machines, and just a list of things, and we're just trying to get everything straightened out so that in the future we can try to avoid some of these problems. What we're looking at is getting one person who can really be dedicated to this job in particular who will be in charge of everything from the ballots to finding someone to operate the machines to getting election officials so that we have one person to talk to instead of a lot of different people like we have now," Cisco said.
Justices agreed to table the issue until next month's meeting. JP's also agreed to table a decision on appropriating funding to the St. Francis County Conservation District until next month.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A tentative date of next Tuesday, May 28, at 4 p.m., has been set for the a recount of the Democratic Primary vote in the race for St. Francis County Treasurer.
In the meantime, preparations are underway for early voting to begin in one local and one state runoff.
Tammy Talley, who was the apparent loser by a slim 111-vote margin to the incumbent, Ann Harbin, requested a recount. Joe Young, chairman of the county Election Commission, said this morning that Tuesday was the tentative date.
Sheriff Dave Parkman said this morning that the commission had requested that he take charge of the voting tabulating equipment until the recount. He stated there is a law which allows that.
Talley's petition for recount cites a part of the state's election in law which states, "No one who is a paid employee of any political party or of any person running for any office shall be eligible to be a member of a county board or an election official." The petition does not specify anyone in particular.
Young said that during the election, some people had also expressed concern over whether everyone was voting in the right districts. He said this confusion was caused by the redistricting, and said he knows of no official challenges to the election at this point.
Young said the election commission's main concern at the moment is the June 11 runoff election.
The runoff will involve two races. In Madison Township, in which five people were running for constable, Robert Smith and Billy Gene Ray will face off. The other race will be statewide, with Mark Wilcox and George French competing for state land commissioner.
Early voting is supposed to begin May 28, but Young said that will only happen if the ballots arrive on time. He did not hold out much hope.
"We're supposed to have our ballots back by next Tuesday, and there's no way," he said. "We're just going to do the best we can to get our ballots in, and start early voting as soon as we get them back."
There were similar problems getting the ballots back in time for early voting in the primaries.
The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids for a project which will improve a St. Francis County road near Palestine.
According to a press release from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, the State Highway Commission opened bids for the project which will surface close to a mile of County Road 7, also known as the Old River Road, near Palestine.
M&T Paving and Construction Company, Inc., of Forrest City was the apparent low bidder with a bid of $175,065.74. The county will pick up 10 percent of that tab, or $17,506.57, with the state paying the balance.
The project is funded through the State Aid Road Program and administered by the State Aid Division of the AHTD.
Forrest City residents will have several choices to pick from in the mayor's race in November as five candidates have filed for the position.
Forrest City Mayor Larry S. Bryant, is receiving opposition from City Councilman Chris Oswalt, along with Forrest City businessmen Bill Baxter and Frederick H. Freeman and Forrest City Fire Captain Carroll Bishop. In other Forrest City races, incumbent city attorney Knox Kinney will face off against attorney Alan Cline.
In alderman races, council member Roy Hancock is getting opposition from Henry Peacock for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. In the race for the Ward 2, Position 2 post, Glenn Ford is facing opposition from Louise Fields, while in the spot being vacated by Oswalt, Roger Breeding and Frank L. Shaw III will battle for that position. Ward 3, Position 1 Alderman Richard Benson will not seek election to the position to which he was appointed to replace J.T. Higgins, but Danny Capps and Steve Hollowell have both filed for the job. Council member A.L. "Sonny" Harris Jr., will face opposition from Brent Ponder. Council members John Gadberry, Cecil Twillie and Mary Jeffers are all unopposed. Forrest City City Clerk -Treasurer Marie Todd is also running unopposed.
In Hughes, Mayor Donnie Mooney will be challenged by Greg Gardner, Joe Kuhron Meurrier and Edward Watt.
In one of the most crowded races, six people are in the running for the Ward 3, Position 1 spot on the city council. Joyce Long, Irene G. Combs, Reginald Mitchell, Gary Barkley, Jake Gardner and Ray Charles Robinson have all filed for the position. In Ward 1, in the Position 1 race, Malcolm Curne will face Joe W. Cox while in the Position 2 race, Rudolph Robinson and Thomas Turner Meurrier are on the ballot for November. Jon E. Tate and Ed Gardner face off for Ward 3, Position 2 representative. Robert L. Joshaway and Jesse White will square off against each other for the Ward 2, Position 2 spot. Magnolia Blacksher and Shirley Arnold will both run unopposed for the Ward 2, Position 1, and Clerk posts, respectively.
In Wheatley, Mayor Larry Nash is facing Timothy Sparks while in the city council races, Robbie Horton will face Billy R. Darby for Position 1; Enola Gay Kersey will face Rodney Hicks for Position 2. For Position 3, John Clifton will face Lucy Wheeler; in Position 4, David Lee and Ethel Watson will square off, and in Position 5, Ellis Coleman and Woodrow Harris will seek election.
Louise Fields is announcing today that she is a candidate for the Forrest City City Council Ward 2, Position 2 seat in the November general election.
Fields is the mother of four. She has two daughters, Charlotte and Felicia, and two sons, Ricky and Eric, all graduates of Forrest City High School. Fields is a graduate of Lincoln High School and has a degree in business administration.
"I am a community oriented person, and I am not just concerned about myself, but everyone that makes Ward 2 what it is. Most importantly, I know how to treat and get along with my fellow man. I won't tell you that I know all of your concerns in our ward, but I will tell you that I have a willing, listening ear, and I am eager to represent you to the fullest," said Fields.
"You may ask yourself, 'Is she qualified?' Well, let me assure you I am. First, I have Christ in my life, and I am a member of the First Nineveh Church of God in Christ. I have a high school diploma and a college degree. I've worked at Sanyo for 34 years, and I serve as financial secretary/treasurer of our union, IUE/CWA Local #1106," she added.
"I don't just stay in Ward 2, I live in Ward 2. Therefore, I am concerned about what goes on in our ward. Representing you will be my first priority because you will be the ones who put me there. Of course, I am worried about the growth and upkeep of our city and me as a council woman. I will be openminded about issues concerning out city. I will work with you, for you and for the city of Forrest City with dignity, integrity and dependability," Fields said.
"In the months ahead, I will be contacting as many of you as possible before Nov. 5, to talk with you and to personally ask for your vote and support to represent you, the people of Ward 2," Fields added.
Two St. Francis County cities were among 30 First District cities to receive law enforcement grants totaling $86,410.
According to a press release from U.S. Representative Marion Berry's office, Palestine and Widener received grants which will help in the purchase of bulletproof vests from both cities. Palestine received $1,066.54, while Widener received $699.99.
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2000, which is administered by the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides priority funding for law enforcement agencies that serve populations of fewer than 100,000 people. The money will be used to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of bulletproof vests for law enforcement officers.
The Madison Community Outreach Center Project recently received over $4,000 in a grant which will help with the second phase of a program looking at the history of Madison and the surrounding communities in St. Francis County.
According to a press release from from community outreach committee member Annie Winfrey, the Arkansas Humanities Council recently approved a $4,300 grant for the Center's "A Look at Madison's Past-Phase II" project.
According to the release, the board also approved Community Heritage Status for the grant.
Committee members will conduct interviews with residents of Madison and other areas of St. Francis County regarding historical information.
The members of the committee are also seeking information on the former mayors of Madison, prior to Mayor Willard Whitaker.