By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A bus tour, sponsored by the NAACP, stopped in Forrest City Wednesday, with the message of "Lift every voice -- and vote."
Kareen D. Cooper, state coordinator of the NAACP Voter Empowerment Program in Arkansas, said the NAACP has launched an aggressive bus tour throughout the South, including Arkansas.
"We started Monday at the University of Arkansas as well as Philander Smith College," Cooper said. "On Tuesday we were at Shorter College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Today we've been to Camden and now Forrest City, out canvassing."
He said the message is simple.
"We're encouraging people to get out to vote on Nov. 5, that's our main goal," he said. "We are also doing voter registration for people who didn't get registered before the deadline (to vote Nov. 5). If there is a runoff, they will be able to vote in the runoff."
Early voting is also being encouraged, along with absentee balloting for people who cannot get to the polls.
"And right now we're canvassing the community to get names, addresses and phone numbers of anybody who does not have a ride to the polls," said Cooper. "And if they do need a ride, one of the churches or members from the NAACP will be willing to help get them to the polls."
The bus tour is scheduled to wrap up today at Arkansas State University.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Reaction was mixed Wednesday to a judge's decision that two candidates for city council could not receive votes in the November election, although only one person said he might pursue the case further.
Circuit Judge Harvey Yates ruled that Bobby Ray Woodard, who filed for Forrest City alderman from Ward 4, Position 2, and Clifton Avant, who filed for alderman from Ward 1, Position 1, had filed too late.
The City of Forrest City had filed suit on behalf of Roy Hancock, the incumbent in Ward 1, Position 1, and John Gadberry, the incumbent in Ward 4, Position 2.
At issue was an apparent conflict between two laws. One allows municipalities to set, by ordinance, the filing deadline for independent candidates as noon the day before the primaries. The other law gives potential independent candidates a window of 60-to-80 days before the election. Woodard and Avant filed only during the 60-80 day window, while Hancock and Gadberry filed during both time periods.
In his ruling, Yates upheld the city's deadline.
Contacted Wednesday, several of those involved in the suit, either as plaintiffs or defendants, commented.
Hancock, who was on the winning side, was pleased with the decision.
"The judge decided, and that's what it was all about, the (city) ordinance," he said. "What we wanted to know was, which (filing period) was right? Do we go with what the Attorney General says, or do we go with our ordinance?"
A state Attorney General opinion had at one time stated that the second filing period was correct, but the AG office also stated that the issue would eventually have to be decided in court and then dealt with by the Legislature.
"I'm satisfied with the decision," Hancock continued. "I hate that people who want to be candidates cannot be counted, but in my shoes, it doesn't bother me."
Woodard, on the losing side, said he was disappointed, but he was philosophical about it.
"I disagree with it, but I respect the judge's decision," he said. However, he added, "I feel like it's not what you know, it's who you know. I'm not a person to kiss up."
Woodard said he would not be pursuing any further legal remedies.
Clifton Avant, who along with Woodard was declared ineligible, felt differently.
"I probably will take it further, somehow," he said. Avant has an attorney, and said he may appeal to a higher court.
"The Attorney General said you could file 'either-or' -- I mean, choose either one you want. There are two valid laws on the books," Avant said.
Mayor Larry Bryant, who was also listed as a plaintiff in the case, said it was an unfortunate incident.
"It's Arkansas Law," said Bryant. The judge ruled, and probably it can be cleaned up by a higher court, or the Legislature can clean up the ambiguities in its next session. It reads two ways, and it's just a matter of the Legislature cleaning up something that they didn't intend to have happen."
The names of Woodard and Avant will appear on the ballots, because Yates also said it was too late and economically unfeasible to have new ballots printed. However, Yates ruled that any votes cast for those two men may not be counted.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City School District is preparing to honor the veterans of World War II with something that several vets did not have a chance to receive before going to war a high school diploma.
Henry Haven, of the St. Francis County Office of Veterans Affairs, said that the idea was actually inspired by Gov. Mike Huckabee.
"The governor kicked off a program called 'Operation Recognition' which is designed to recognize people, including vets, for service in the state," explained Haven. "It's supported by the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. Forrest City Superintendent Lee Vent heard about the program and got approval from the school board to recognize the veterans."
The diplomas will be presented on Monday, Nov. 11, at a Veteran's Day Observance program to be held at Mustang Arena, beginning at 10 a.m.
Haven said he hopes that this show of appreciation will raise awareness in the younger generation about World War II and the soldiers who fought in that war.
"I don't feel that children know enough about the veterans of World War II. The honorary diplomas are a way to say thank you for your service to our country to a group of people who are dying at a rapid rate. When they die, they take their stories with them. Hopefully this will offer a chance to pass on some of those stories."
Haven is urging all veterans of WWII, families of veterans and friends of veterans who do not have a high school diploma to contact him or one of the other agencies involved with the event.
"Everyone who is interested needs to fill out a survey form and bring some type of proof of service. If you come in person to the St. Francis County Judge's Office, the County Veteran's Service Office or the School Administration Building, we can make a copy of the proof. If they mail it to us, the proof will be mailed back."
Eligible veterans should have served as early as before Dec. 7, 1941, and no later than Dec. 31, 1946. Diplomas can be awarded to veterans who were killed in action or who have since died.
Anyone who qualifies, or knows someone who might qualify, should contact Henry Haven at 633-3095, Tammy Siler at 633-1485, Phyllis Russell and Judy Murray at 261-1806, or the SFC Judges office at 261-1700. The deadline for submitting names is Friday, Nov. 1.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Water Utility will purchase a piece of equipment to use as a backup in its sewage treatment operation, the Water Commission decided this week.
On the recommendation of James Beazley, head of the Water Utility, the commission voted to spend about $30,500 on a "Channel Monster." He explained that everything coming into the plant comes through this machine, which grinds things into small pieces.
It was further explained that at times, such things as basketballs, baseballs and two-by-fours come through.
According to Beazley, "That things runs 24-7, 365 days."
He said although it is a tough machine, it does break down occasionally. Most recently, it took about two weeks to get it repaired.
"It had to be sent to Georgia," said Beazley, adding that during that time, sewage had to be bypassed into the pond. "We don't want to do that."
Beazley said that although the machine doesn't often break down, it would be a good thing to have a backup. "It's gonna hit us eventually," he said, and reminded the commissioners, "It (sewage) is going to always be with us."
On another matter, Beazley reported that repair is almost completed on two pumps on Mallory Road.
"One pump is working, and we're in the process of getting the second one," he said. "Both of those pumps went out. We went about two weeks on auxiliary power."
Early voting is scheduled begin at the St. Francis County Clerk's office on Monday, Oct. 21 and continuing through Nov. 4 during regular office hours.
However, there will be no early voting on the Saturday before the election, as there has been in the past.
"It is with much regret that the St. Francis County Clerk's office will not be open for early voting on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002," said a press release from the office of County Clerk Elizabeth Smith.
"Due to litigation in counties across the state, we have been advised by our county attorney that it is best not to be open on Saturday for early voting," the release continued. "The Arkansas statutes, as well as an Attorney General's opinion, clearly state that early voting is to be held during normal business hours of the County Clerk's office. Until there is legislation changing the law, the County Clerk's office will not be open on Saturday."
A man was arrested for possession of drugs after he was reported to be driving erratically.
According to a Forrest City Police Department report, an officer received a call to be on the lookout for a particular vehicle with no license plate, which was being driven in a reckless manner in the area of Buford and Cherry streets.
A vehicle matching the description given was located and stopped on Deaderick Road. The driver of the vehicle was Jarrod Williams, 23, of 714 Hicky in Forrest City. The officer reported that along with not having a car license, Williams did not have a driver's license. When a check on Williams was done, it was found that there were some outstanding warrants on him.
Williams was arrested for driving on a suspended license and outstanding warrants. A subsequent search of his vehicle found a plastic bag containing about 10 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Williams was further charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver near a certain facility, no insurance, no registration and criminal mischief.