By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Garver Engineering has been selected to develop a master plan for a proposed regional airport.
Garver was chosen from three possible engineering firms by members of the Delta Regional Airport Authority during the group's regular meeting Thursday night.
Six members of the DRAA cast votes in favor of Garver receiving the go ahead on the project. Garver will develop a master plan for the proposed facility, set public meetings and develop other material necessary for the DRAA to make informed decisions regarding the airport to be built between Cross and St. Francis counties.
One vote each was also cast in favor of the two other engineering firms, the LPA Group and EOCR. DRAA member Bill Hays voted for the LPA Group, and Joe Williams cast the vote in favor of EOCR. Board member Shirley Harvell did not attend the meeting.
According to DRAA chairman Dr. John Kerr, each of the firms presented strong cases for their approval.
"All three of the firms did an excellent job with their presentations and each of them, I believe, targeted fair and accurately what they had to offer and how they could best assist us. Any of them would have been an excellent choice," said Kerr.
According to Kerr, the next step for the authority is for Garver to present a scope and services report which will lay out how the firm will move forward from this point. According to Kerr, once that report is approved by the DRAA, it will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration which will have final approval.
In other business, Kerr announced that Forrest Citian Buzz Haven was resigning from the board and would be replaced by Forrest City attorney and pilot Phil Hicky.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The chairman of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission said Thursday that Forrest City has undergone a lot of changes, but that it still has a lot going for it.
Steve Edwards of Marianna addressed a public meeting also attended by media, commissioners, AEDC staff and Arkansas Department of Economic Development Director Jim Pickens, at the Learning Resource Center at East Arkansas Community College.
Commission members arrived in Forrest City on Wednesday and toured Boar's Head and the Federal Correctional Institution-Forrest City. That was followed by dinner at a local downtown restaurant.
"I was raised in Forrest City, it's my home," said Edwards. "My dad still lives here. We were talking last night about the different things that go on in a city, and the block where we were sitting had three drug stores when I was growing up."
He said it's sometimes difficult to visit an area for a few hours and see what changes it has experienced.
"But I could talk for hours about this community and the things that have changed," he said.
He said the arrival of Interstate 40 changed the entire complexion of the town.
"Things started moving north. Highway 70 was the main artery," he said. Another thing -- when Wal-Mart moves, people go with it. It's a magnet."
According to Edwards, there are many good things going for Forrest City. He started with East Arkansas Community College and Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute.
"These colleges, when we go into a community, are the cornerstones of the community," he said. "You have a great hospital, a great radio station and newspaper, which a lot of towns don't have. The motel situation -- there are about 700 motel rooms in Forrest City -- for a town of this size is pretty major."
He said Village Creek State Park is near, and Mississippi River State Park in Lee and Phillips counties will also be an easy drive away once it is ready.
"The schools are improving in Forrest City," Edwards continued, and admitted "We've had our industry problems with Airtherm and Yale Hoists leaving."
All in all, he said the future looks good for the region.
"The Toyota plant we did not get in Marion has still put us on the map for future things," he said. "It's a world class site that's going to affect this area.
"The new interchange on I-40 is going to put Forrest City on the map as one of the few cities in the state with three interstate interchanges. That's important," Edwards said.
He said St. Francis, Lee, Poinsett, Cross, Woodruff and Crittenden counties have been getting together to talk about regional development.
Also concerning regional development, Edwards said he knows it is a touchy subject, but the regional airport idea holds promise for the area. A regional airport authority has been formed, with members from the cities of Forrest City and Wynne, along with Cross and St. Francis counties.
"The communities can have so much more impact, getting funds to build a great airport, than they would be able to do as individual deals," said Edwards. "I've heard a lot of comments about it...But I would urge you to support that regional airport. It's a thing that will put eastern Arkansas on the map."
Pickens also spoke, and he said a cooperative spirit is a good thing for the region.
"I think that long term, folks, that (cooperation) is something that will pay huge dividends for us," said Pickens. "Economic development, in my view, is not an event like we're having here today. It's a process. But this event we're having here today is indicative of the interest that our commission has in this part of Arkansas. There is much untapped potential over here, and we want to continue to be a resource to you."
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
An early-morning chase today in downtown Forrest City has resulted in the arrest of a local man on numerous charges.
Alfred Summerville Jr., 24, 824 Woodale, Forrest City, was arrested about 2:45 a.m. after leading police on a chase through downtown.
The Forrest City Police Department was notified about 2 a.m. that a vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed in the areas of South Rosser and South Washington. A witness told police the subject was "cutting doughnuts" in the middle of Washington Street and had almost struck him with his vehicle.
The responding officer found the vehicle, a 1994 Chevrolet Lumina, traveling at about 90 miles per hour on South Washington, but lost sight of the car due to the high rate of speed.
A few minutes later, the officer saw the car stopped at a red light at the South Rosser and Broadway intersection. The officer reportedly drove beside the vehicle and told the driver to turn the car off and get out, but the driver made an obscene gesture toward the officer and drove away. The chase continued at speeds of about 80 miles per hour south on Washington to the Summerville's home on Woodale.
The suspect was apprehended, after a brief struggle with police, as he exited his vehicle.
Summerville is charged with reckless driving, driving left of center, fleeing, disregarding a traffic device, disorderly conduct, refusal to submit to a test, driving while intoxicated, third offense; driving on a DWI suspended driver's license, resisting arrest and third-degree battery. A routine check on the subject revealed he was also wanted by police for failure to comply on charges of public intoxication, speeding and driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license.
There will be a public hearing concerning city parks on Tuesday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Forrest City city hall.
Information gathered at this hearing will be used to prepare an Arkansas Outdoor Parks Recreation Grant.
City parks include the Municipal Sports Complex, Beech Grove Park, Southside Park, Stuart Springs Park, Lake Street Park Lincoln Park, Water Street tennis court and Civic Center tennis court.
Anyone who cannot attend the hearing may use the any of the following methods to share comments: Write Mayor Larry S. Bryant, 224 N. Rosser, Forrest City, Ark. 72335; call Glynis Lewis at 633-1315; or e-mail mayorl@cablelynx.com.
The C.A.R.E. Center will close for client assistance from July 21 through Aug. 3. The center will reopen Aug. 4.
The Thrift Store will be open July 17 and Aug. 2.
"We are giving our dedicated volunteers some well-earned time off, and ask that no donations of clothing or other articles be left during that time period," a press release stated. "We are very grateful to the members of our community that give so freely, and think them for respecting our request while we are closed."
The release also requests that no additional winter clothing be donated. "Our space is limited, and we've reached our limit," the release stated.