By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
While a lot of work remains on the new Forrest City Junior High building, the north wing, which was part of the old school and is being remodeled, is almost ready for occupancy.
On Wednesday afternoon, a tour of the wing was taken by Jr. High Principal Billy Ferguson, contractor Gary Kennedy, and architects Bob Beavers and Dave Hodges. Also there were Mike Bender, the district's athletic director, Leodis Williams, maintenance supervisor, and others associated with the school.
The first thing anyone notices -- at least, anyone who was familiar with the old building -- is how bright it is.
"It is the difference between day and night in here," said Ferguson, "The colors are lighter, the floors are lighter."
He added that the wing is also more energy efficient now.
"I don't know if you can see it, but we don't really have heating set up in here. We're heating it with little floor units now. I think the (pitched) roof on here has made a world of difference."
He continued with a laugh, "And there's no water standing on the floors. That's great, it's a wonderful thing to me. People are going to say, 'What building is this? This can't be the Middle School building.'"
The old building was previously Forrest City Middle School, and served as the high school before that. The middle portion of the facility, which was the oldest, was torn down. A north and south wing, which were built on later, were deemed able to be remodeled.
Ferguson led the tour into one large room.
"This is an art room," he said. "The art rooms have been outside in the old cottage. It has been a large task, but they have managed to get water and sewer to this room."
Kennedy said he was working on a "punch list," a list of last minute things to do in order to get the building ready for occupancy.
"I'd really love to have a water fountain here," Ferguson told Kennedy, pointing to a spot where there once was a fountain.
It is expected that the district will start moving into the north wing sometime next week. Specially built lockers will come in first.
As for occupancy of the entire new Junior High, Ferguson and the others are fairly confident when that will happen.
"We are planning on being here at the start of school next year," said Ferguson.
"There may be certain parts, like the auditorium, not finished," said Kennedy, adding that the rest of the work -- offices, restrooms and classrooms -- should be done.
"The choir and band rooms might not be ready," admitted Ferguson. "We may still have to use the high school for a while. But we can live with that. We can live with that."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the St. Francis County Quorum Court approved a two-month budget Wednesday which will force the county to dip into its trust fund account in March and April to offset a deficit of over $100,000.
By a 9-to-0 vote, justices agreed to approve the budget of $558,169.61, with $553,669.61 coming from the county general account. The move was made during a special called meeting. Justices delayed voting on the budget for one day after concerns were voiced by Justice Regan Hill over the revenues that would be generated during March and April. According to figures given by County Clerk Elizabeth Smith, $346,133.63 in revenues are expected to be taken in over the next two months, but an additional $100,000 in carryover from February would be available to reduce the deficit to $107,535.98.
"What we've done in the past is to go into the Trust Fund to help offset any deficits that we might have, and may may end up having to do that again, but at least now, we know what we're facing before we vote on this," Hill said.
Hill also asked justices to agree that any revenue generated over the next six months that was not figured into the numbers given Wednesday be repaid to the Trust Fund.
Justice Evans Seawood questioned Hill as to the need of a new measure. "I don't understand why we couldn't have done this last night. We've been doing this two-month thing for awhile now, and it was your idea in the beginning. Now all of a sudden, you've got all these questions, and we're back up here again. We only get paid for one meeting a month, and I don't understand what the problem is."
Justices approved the budget without the addendum after County Attorney Fletcher Long told justices that since county officials were following the same process they used in 2002, that any new funds not turned over could be questioned later.
"Ya'll did this same thing last year, and I really don't think that it's necessary to add this new motion because I believe that the elected officials know that any revenue not accounted for should go back to the trust as it did last year. Let's say for instance that an official did receive some funds that were not treated in that manner, then the court could come back and question them and address that then," Long said.
In other business, the county's building committee met and accepted a bid of $52,566 from Brimy Construction for the construction of a building at the Northeast Arkansas Recycling Center in Madison which will house a baler and a shop for the facility.
According to St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco, the county
has received a grant of $62,000 for the purchase of the baler
and an additional $10,000 grant to assist in housing the equipment.
Justices also agreed to submit a measure to the county budget
committee requesting approval to borrow $100,000 to go towards
the completion of the building. Justices agreed to submit a package
showing NEARCO's ability to repay the loan as well as the benefits
of NEARCO to area businesses. The budget committee is scheduled
to meet again on March 11.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
As the country and state prepare for a possible bio-terrorist attack, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City has been named as one of 34 hospitals statewide which will participate in the vaccination program.
According to a press release from the Arkansas Department of Health, Phase I of the voluntary vaccination plan began in some counties on Wednesday, while other counties, including St. Francis, are expecting to receive the vaccine before the end of the week. Penny Clardy with BMH-FC said the hospital is doing what it can to work with state and federal officials in any way possible.
"We've been working closely with the ADH, and we're going to continue to work with them to attempt to ensure public safety. When this became a national issue, we dedicated ourselves to working in whatever ways we were needed," Clardy said.
According to Bonnie Dodson with the St. Francis County Health Department, the vaccine arrived in St. Francis County Wednesday. Clardy said vaccination efforts at the hospital will take place after local health department officials have received the vaccination.
Concerns over a variety of issues forced several hospitals statewide to delay or decline participation in the program.
Cross Ridge Hospital in Wynne is one of 16 hospitals that declined to participate at this time, and according to administrator Gary Sparks, concerns over workman's compensation was the primary reason for that decision.
"We still had some questions over the workman's comp aspect of the program because we haven't been told whether any illness from the vaccination will be covered. If it is not covered, then the hospital might incur some additional liability and the employees also have some concerns. If they are not covered, from where will their lost income be generated while they're sick?" Sparks said.
According to the press release, a total of 1,338 volunteers
from the hospitals statewide and 319 ADH employees have volunteered
to receive the vaccine. All volunteers will be screened at each
of the clinics administering the vaccinations. If an actual smallpox
outbreak were to occur, the public health response teams vaccinated
in Phase I would respond by either providing vaccine, investigating
potential cases or providing care to those infected.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Necessary repairs to the exterior of the St. Francis County Museum may be done by prisoners being housed at the local federal institution.
Museum Director Laura Mazzanti told board members during the group's regular meeting this week that officials with the Federal Correctional Institution-Forrest City have told her prisoners at the facility are available to help with projects on the outside of the building along with the necessary upkeep of the museum grounds.
"We had talked at one time about the prison offering to send inmates to help with the outside repairs," said Mazzanti. "The (cold) weather took us by surprise, and the projects were delayed. The help is still available, but we are waiting for the weather to get better before moving ahead."
Chairperson Rush Beavers told the board that the annual fish fry fundraiser should be addressed.
"It's the time of year that we need to start talking about our fundraiser," Beavers said. "For a first-year event, the fish fry was very successful last year, and I'd like us to hold one again this year." The board agreed that a second fish fry would take place, but after some discussion, the members tabled the issue to find another date to hold the event to avoid potential conflicts. Last year's event was held in May.
Beavers added that she is very pleased with the Black History display at the museum. "We have had several artists take part this year, and there are many displays in several mediums. I really am pleased with the turn out and the participation of our local artists this year."