By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
An effort is under way in St. Francis County to increase the survival rate of victims of sudden cardiac arrest, and the age of the program's founder may surprise many.
Hannah Crouse, a fourth grader at Calvary Christian School, began the Art for the Heart program in 2001 as a community service platform for the Pre-Teen Arkansas competition. Crouse's simple idea has since grown into a countywide cause.
The Art for the Heart program auctions off artwork done by students in Ellen Alderson's art class at East Arkansas Community College and Crouse's classmates. These colorful pictures, on display at Baptist Memorial Hospital through Saturday, were created for the purpose of raising money to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every police vehicle in the county by 2007.
Crouse's mother Glenda, an emergency room nurse, explains where the idea originated.
"Hannah needed a platform for pre-teen, and being an ER nurse, I've seen the need first hand for portable defibrillators," Glenda said. " We decided that if there was an AED in each police vehicle in the county, the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest victims would increase."
According to an information booklet about the program, SFC is approximately 600 miles in diameter with a population of about 30,000. There is roughly one paramedic for every 2,500 residents. David Herzog, the Emergency Medical Services Supervisor for Baptist Memorial Hospital, said he believes this is a dangerous ratio.
"Our county is one of the largest in the state and that poses a problem," explains Herzog. "To get a person to the hospital can take a long time, and the first three to five minutes of an (cardiac) arrest are the most crucial.
"Police are often the first on the scene at a medical emergency. It has been shown in other cities that having the AEDs in police vehicles helps to improve the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims. I believe having the AEDs here in St. Francis County will improve our rate as well," Herzog said.
"The survival rate of arrest victims defibrillated within one minute of collapse is 80 percent. With each passing minute the rate drops 10 percent. If CPR and defibrillation occurs within three to five minutes, victims have a 50 percent chance of living. This means that if you collapse, no CPR is started, and an ambulance is five minutes away, the survival rate is one to three percent," added Herzog.
The children's art will be on display through Saturday, Nov. 2, at the hospital. Biding for art work begins at $20, and donations will also be accepted. To make a donation, contact Glenda Crouse at 870-581-2529 or 870-261-2669; Tiffany Billingsley at 870-261-0408; or Harold Gore and Janet Gore at 870-633-2575 or 870-633-8542. Donations may also be mailed to Art for the Heart at P.O. Box 608, Palestine, AR 72372.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
In Ward 3, two Forrest City businessmen, Danny Capps and Steve Hollowell, are vying for the position 1 post vacated by longtime Forrest City Alderman J.T. Higgins. The position was filled when Higgins stepped down by Richard Benson, who chose not to seek re-election.
Capps, who lives at #1 Forrest Cove, is the owner of Express Cleaners and a partner at Oscar's Restaurant. He is the husband of Debbie Capps and they have two children, Jason and Sandy. Capps is a graduate of Haiti High School in Haiti, Mo.
Hollowell, the husband of Eva Hollowell, works with Gilmer and Mosley Realty. He is a Forrest City High School graduate and attended Arkansas State University. Hollowell is the father of one, Adam.
The candidates agreed to a six question survey by the Times-Herald and these are their responses:
1. What do you believe are the biggest issues facing city governments today?
Hollowell: "I think that economic development is our biggest issue. I think that we need to work with the Chamber of Commerce to try to bring industry and jobs into our area. We also need to increase our police protection and expand the recreation program. There are also some areas where we need to clean Forrest City up."
Capps: "I think that the protection and welfare of the people of Forrest City is most important. Then we need to look at industrial development so that we can work towards the betterment of our city."
2. If elected, what improvements would you work towards in city government?
Capps: I think that the city needs to be more conscientious of what the citizens' needs are. We need to work to keep our city clean and increase our police protection."
Hollowell: "I would work with the Chamber to increase the funding in economic development and I also think that the city needs focus more funding on the St. Francis County Museum. Forrest Citians benefit the most from the museum so I think that the city should help fund it. There should also be more money pumped into the parks and recreation department."
3. Are there any city services you would like to see improved and if so, what are they?
Hollowell: I think that the city needs a tips program for our police department so that people can safely turn people in for the crimes they commit. The police could also do more to protect the businesses in town that are open after normal business hours. The city also needs to finally get an area designated so that we can get a humane society shelter built."
Capps: "I'm pretty well satisfied with what's in place. There's always room for improvement and I think that the council just needs to take a look at where we can improve to best suit the citizens."
4. What improvements would you like to see the city make in regards to the area adjoining the Highway One bypass?
Capps: "With the opening of the bypass, I think that there should also be an expansion of the industrial park so that we can when industry comes we'll be prepared for it. I would also like to see the city recognize the industry that we have here and continue to recruit new industry."
Hollowell: "We're definitely going to have to extend Deaderick Road and put a fire substation out there so that the entire area will have increased fire protection."
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?
Hollowell: "The first thing needed out there is more parking and practice areas for the youth. I would like to see a youth football area and then we need to designate an area that will basically be developed to handle festivals and such."
Capps: "I think that the complex is a very big asset to our city and one that we should be proud of. On any given night there are thousands of people out there enjoying themselves and the complex also draws people in from across the area. The council should sit down and come up with a plan before making any moves and then work from that plan to make sure that the complex continues to grow and thrive."
6. Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for the job?
Capps: "I've been active in city government for a number of years with the Planning Commission. I currently serve as chairman of the commission and I've worked with all aspects of city government. As councilman, I would, to the best of my ability, do what I can to serve the citizens of Ward 3 and the citizens of Forrest City, keeping their interests first."
Hollowell: "I've always been in community service and I've lived in Forrest City for my entire life. I want to see the community become the best community there is and I feel that I'm the man to help us get there."
Not many people are fortunate enough to work for the same company for 47 years, but that's not the case for longtime Times-Herald employee Nancy Day who is calling it quits today.
Day, who began work at the newspaper on June 20, 1955, quickly points out that it was just over 47 and a half years ago when a young woman fresh out of high school landed her first real job.
She was recommended for a job at the Times-Herald by an employee, Eva Graff, to fill a proofreading vacancy. From there, she worked her way into the bookkeeping office where she has remained until today.
"I came here right out of high school. I graduated in May, and I came to work here in June," Day said, admitting that the only other job she has ever had was as a "soda jerk" at Winfield's Drug Store, and she worked there part-time while she was also working at the Times-Herald.
As for her plans during retirement, Day said, "I just want to go home," but added that she also looks forward to traveling and spending time with her family.
"I hate to leave. I'm having mixed emotions," Day said. "I'm glad I got to work for the McCollum family. It seems like I'm kin to them."
Publisher Weston Lewey also shared mixed emotions about Day's departure, and said her presence will be missed.
"She's been here since I was a child. I've been coming down here and seeing her since I was four years old. She's been one of the constants in my family, my business and everything," Lewey said. "We know she's not going away. She's in good health, and we know she's going to enjoy her retirement to the fullest. She's earned it."
Publisher Emeritus Bonner McCollum added, "Nancy is the employee every employer hopes to have...honest, loyal, dedicated. We have been fortunate to have shared our business life with her."