By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The East Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees heard an update Thursday on the capital campaign to raise money for a fine arts center at the school.
Dr. Dale Morris, chairman of the capital fund drive, said an event was held recently, to which business leaders from around the EACC service area were invited.
"We had a good turnout," said Morris. "We had a great response that was put together about the campaign."
He said it is possible to raise $8 million in this area. "It is something that can be achieved. And we got good responses from people who would be able to help on the steering committee...It's off to a good start."
Terry Crawford, director of development at the school, said he was pleased that some of the people who have shown interest are from outside Forrest City, "which is one of the critical areas we're working on, to make sure this becomes an inclusive campaign in all five counties. Everybody in every community is given the opportunity to support this at the level that they can."
He said there have been conversations about an honorary chairperson for the drive, and an announcement may be made later.
He said there will be a "silent" phase of the campaign kicking off this fall, "and then a very public campaign kicking off right after the first of the year."
Morris said it is important to target the people they want to approach, "but what's important is not only knowing who to ask, but also having the right person ask...It's going to be a big undertaking. It's going to happen, but it's going to take time. Terry's got us a plan mapped out."
EACC President Dr. Coy Grace said it was important to communicate to the public that the fine arts center is going to be a reality.
"This is not something we're thinking about. This is something we will do," said Grace. "When the public mind set comes to the understanding that it's something we will do, that's when it will get done."
He urged board members, when they talk to people, "to emphasize that this is something we're going to do. I think it's something that will be of great benefit, not only to our student body, but it will support programs all over eastern Arkansas."
Grace also said work is continuing on remodeling the school's Lecture Hall, where most drama and musical productions are currently mounted.
"You'll never see another production in the Lecture Hall as it was," he said. "We have pretty much gutted that building. You won't recognize it."
Improvements include a wooden stage, completely remodeled restrooms, new carpet in the auditorium and new tile in the foyer.
On another matter, the board heard a report from Becca Whitehead on the schools Carl Perkins funds, which go toward vocational education. She said the school is due to receive a sizable increase in Carl Perkins money next year. She credited, at least in part, the special population recruitment which the school has undertaken. She said the new Radiologic course, if it is approved by the state Department of Education, will also receive some Carl Perkins.
The board also heard of one retirement and one resignation. Johnnie Culp has retired as director of Educational Guidance Services, and Brenda Smith has resigned as director of Nursing.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Wheatley has received a grant to fund a new tornado warning system and purchase a new police car.
Mayor Larry Nash told councilmen at the group's regular meeting Thursday night that the total grant, approved by USDA Rural Development, is for over $34,000, and the city's matching portion will put the total at over $45,000 for the two projects.
Nash said the sirens should be positioned so that the city's entire population could hear the alarms when sounded.
In other business, Nash told the council that the contracts for the city's sidewalk project had been signed, and that work is expected to begin as early as next week.
The council also discussed the possibility of having the city's two water storage facilities inspected.
"A man came by city hall and gave some prices to inspect our water tower and the concrete tank," said Nash. "He said that the cost would be $1,500 for the tower and $2,600 for the tank. I know that it has been a few years since the tanks were checked, and I wanted to know if this is something you would like to look into. I feel only the tower needs checked right now, but if you want to check both, that is fine by me."
In order to check the tanks, both would have to be drained. "He said it would take about six hours for the inspection." According to the city records, the tank was last inspected in 1995. The council agreed to look into the situation in the next few years.
Before adjourning, city attorney Marshall Wright updated councilmen on his research regarding a lot maintenance ordinance that was requested last month.
"I have researched the ordinance for lot maintenance by looking at the Forrest City ordinance. Forrest City gives people a time limit after notification and then cleans the lot after that time frame has expired. They then send the owner a bill for the cost of the clean-up. They also have a standard height of the grass before they send the notice," Wright said. "Next month, I will bring a draft and you can decide what you would like for the city to follow."
A felony charge of assault against a Forrest City fireman has been reduced to a misdemeanor.
Calvin Chism, 35, 122 Ash St., Forrest City, turned himself in at the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department Monday after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest, based on a claim by a Little Rock man that Chism had hit him in the head with a firearm outside Stan's Pad on County Road 224 about 1 a.m. Saturday.
Alfonso Reynolds, 44, of Little Rock, told police that Chism hit him while he was in the parking lot after Reynolds' brother, Dallery Bernard Reynolds, was ejected from the club by a bouncer.
St. Francis County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Mitchusson said Chism's charge was reduced from a felony after he reviewed the case file and spoke with the victim and eyewitnesses.
Chism pled not guilty to the reduced charge during a court appearance Thursday afternoon in St. Francis County District Court. A trial on the matter is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, in District Court. Chism is free on a bond of his own recognizance.
First-degree assault is a Class A misdemeanor which is punishable by one year in the county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
The Colt Community Development Corp. is in the process of planning the annual Colt Pioneer Days, and volunteers are being sought.
This year's celebration will be held Friday, Sept. 12, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Activities will include music -- gospel, bluegrass and country -- along with craft booths, history exhibits and demonstrations, and other activities.
All activities will be held on the lawn of the historic William Stone House in Colt.
Booths will be available for $15. Anyone interested in a booth should call Ann Meals at 633-7588. All profits from the event will go for the upkeep and restoration of the William Stone House.
People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and stay all day.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with this event are asked to contact one of the CDC members, or leave a message at the Stone House at 630-0740, and someone will return the call.
The Forrest City City Council will meet in regular session Tuesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. at city hall.
Included on the agenda are second reading of an ordinance to vacate the alley behind 510 E. Cross Street, and third reading of an ordinance to allow the mayor to make purchases of up to $10,000 without going through the bidding process.
Also on the agenda is third reading of an ordinance to authorize $2.1 million in expenditures for various projects, including a multi-purpose building.
There will be first reading of an ordinance to prohibit driving, parking or maintaining tractor-trailer trucks (18 wheelers) within or on certain streets.