By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Former President Bill Clinton will be making a stop at a Democratic political rally in Forrest City Sunday night, according to officials with the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee and the office of gubernatorial candidate Jimmie Lou Fisher.
According to Bettye Proctor, chairperson of the county DCC, calls from both Clinton's office and Fisher's campaign office confirmed Tuesday that an event was being scheduled for Sunday night at the Forrest City Civic Center.
"I just found out yesterday that they were coming, so I've been pretty busy since then trying to get everything planned. We've been trying to get the President in here for years, and they've always had to bypass us, but I was told that we wouldn't be bypassed this time for sure," Proctor said.
According to Judy Gaddy with the Fisher campaign, the bus is expected to arrive in Forrest City about 7 p.m., following an appearance by Clinton, Fisher and congressional candidate Mike Ross in Pine Bluff.
"The first event will be in Pine Bluff from 3 to 5 p.m., and from there, the former President and Jimmie Lou will head over to Forrest City. Jimmie Lou is really excited about coming over there, and we're all looking forward to Sunday night," Gaddy said.
Gaddy said she was unsure at this point if any other statewide candidates would be making appearances during the rally. "This was put together really quickly, and some of the other members of Team Arkansas already had prior engagements so they may not be able to make. We put this in Bettye's hands yesterday, and it's really starting to roll over there, so we're hoping to have a really good event," she said.
According to Proctor, county officials are hoping to pull in supporters from throughout Eastern Arkansas.
"We've rented the entire Civic Center because we're hoping to have a thousand people out there for this. The event will be free to the public, and we want to fill that building up. We're contacting the surrounding counties to let them know about this and get them in here too. There are a lot of people in Eastern Arkansas that have never heard him speak other than on TV, and there's nothing like it. I'm just excited to have this happen," Proctor said.
St. Francis County had an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent in September, down from 7.8 percent in August and also down from the 8.1 percent recorded in September of last year.
According to the figures from the Arkansas Employment Security Department, during September the county had a civilian labor force numbering 12,075, with 11,275 working and 800 unemployed. St. Francis County had the 14th highest unemployment rate among Arkansas' 75 counties.
The state's highest unemployment was 10.7, recorded in Mississippi County, the only county in the state with unemployment over 10 percent. Eleven counties had unemployment over 7 percent.
Benton County had the lowest unemployment, at 2 percent. Seven counties had unemployment of 3 percent or less. Twenty-three counties had unemployment of 4 percent or less.
Unemployment rates in surrounding counties were as follows: Cross, 5.7 percent; Crittenden, 5.7 percent; Lee, 6 percent; Phillips, 8.2 percent; Monroe, 6.7 percent; and Woodruff, 6.1 percent.
Statewide, Arkansas' September unemployment rate was unchanged from August at 5 percent.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Times-Herald is conducting interviews of candidates in city council races. The two candidates for Ward 3, Position 2, are the incumbent, A.L. "Sonny" Harris, and his opponent Brent Ponder.
Harris chose not to participate in the interviews.
Ponder agreed to the interview and answered six questions regarding issues facing the city not only today, but in the near future as well.
Ponder is a 1995 graduate of Forrest City High School and a 1997 graduate of East Arkansas Community College. He continued his education at Arkansas State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in business management with an emphasis on human resources. He is the son of Byron and Joann Ponder.
These are the questions followed by each candidates response:
1. What do you believe are the biggest issues facing city governments today?
Harris: No comment.
Ponder: "I think the biggest issue is the economic development of the city. We've lost a tremendous amount of jobs in the past 10 to 15 years. With Interstate 40 coming through here, we should be able to bring in more industry."
2. If elected, what improvements would you work towards in city government?
Ponder: "One major improvement I'd like to see is an increase in city services in the parts of the city that have been annexed. They pay taxes just like the rest of the city and deserve water and lights just like the rest of the city."
Harris: No comment.
3. Are there any city services you would like to see improved and if so, what are they?
Harris: No comment.
Ponder: "I think there should be more city services for youth to inspire them to return to Forrest City after college. The school system has a program in place to bring them back and work for the school district. We should work with them to start other programs. If we can get students to come back, it will boost the economy."
4. What improvements would you like to see the city make in regards to the area adjoining the Highway One bypass?
Ponder: "One thing I'd like to see is more businesses come in to increase tax revenue. I would also like to see us build a fire substation so when the city grows, it will already be there."
Harris: No comment.
5. What additions would you like to see at the Forrest City Municipal Sports Complex since the city is in the process of finalizing the purchase of additional land in the area?
Harris: No comment.
Ponder: "I would like to see a homeless shelter built in the area and more sports offered to provide something to do for the children in the city."
6. Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for the job?
Ponder: "I feel I'll listen to the people in my ward and people throughout the city. I will voice my opinions and the opinions of the people in the city. I will stand up for what the people want."
Harris: No comment.
The St. Francis County Community Foundation has announced that it will be accepting applications for grants until Nov. 19.
Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $1,000 for local charitable causes.
According to Foundation Chairman Pat Flanagin, grants will be made to organizations with well-planned approaches to public problems, issues and causes.
"We are particularly looking for projects through which small amounts of grant money will result in significant outcomes," Flanagin said.
Applicants must be tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Service Code. Also, it is not the foundation's policy to fund religious activities, political campaigns, normal operating budgets, debt elimination or taxpayer responsibilities, Flanagin said.
Sonya Fletcher, executive director, commented on grants made during the foundation's first year.
"We were a new organization, but with the help of the Walton Foundation were able to make grants totaling $10,000," she said. "Grantees included The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the local museum, the Humane Society, Special Olympics, the Literacy Council, the Eureka Club, the Cyber Cafe, the July 4th Community Celebration, the Forrest City High School Mock Trial Team and the upcoming Rumble on the Ridge basketball tournament.
"We look forward to granting a like amount to worthy causes in the coming year. With the continued support of the Walton Foundation we have raised endowment funds totaling almost $200,000. In five years we intend to have $1 million in assets and to be providing grants of $50,000 each year."
Those interested in applying for grants this year are invited
to attend a grant application seminar to be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday,
Nov. 5 in Pettus Hall at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church,
402 Dillard Street. Fletcher maybe reached at 630-2400 for questions
or to sign-up for the application seminar.
With only four days left to early vote, numbers for the Nov. 5 general election eclipsed the May Primary early voting total Tuesday.
According to the numbers from St. Francis County Elizabeth Smith's office, 1,171 ballots had been cast in the November general election this morning. In May, the total number of early voters were 1,088 for the primary. In November 2000, over 2,000 ballots were cast during early voting during the presidential campaign. According to Smith, the increased interest in this election is stemming from the number of Forrest City elections on the ballot.
"I'd have to say that the increased numbers are due to the local elections. The Forrest City mayor's race is drawing a lot of interest and there are several city council races on the ballot also. The majority of the people that we've had coming in are from Forrest City," Smith said.
Early voting will continue this week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Voting will close on Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. According to Smith there will be no Saturday voting this year as county clerk's statewide await a court decision on the issue.
The Forrest City Police Department is encouraging trick-or-treaters to visit neighborhoods between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday.
Residents participating in the tradition are asked to leave
their porch lights on