By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the East Arkansas Enterprise Community Executive Board approved a resolution this morning to allow the United States Corps of Engineers to work to improve infrastructure in several East Arkansas counties through programs that have previously been unavailable.
Kenneth Bright, project coordinator with the Corps of Engineers, spoke with EAEC members during their quarterly board meeting at the St. Francis County Courthouse and told them of work that could begin this year.
The first project Bright mentioned was construction and improvements which will take place at the Madison sewage treatment facility. According to Bright, construction will begin in Madison soon to address several problems.
"We're going to start over in Madison within the next two weeks working to fix the system over there, which is in grave danger of failing. Our plans are to be on site to address the problems that they have and to make sure that they never happen again," Bright said.
Bright also told board members that work could begin by Oct. 1, to make improvements in the Town Creek area near Wynne.
Palestine Mayor Willetta Carroll questioned Bright on several issues involving their work, including what effect it would have on the city of Palestine.
"Now when you talk about working on Town Creek that will eventually involve the city of Palestine because if the drainage is right, we'll be the ones that get the flooding. I've given up on the Corps ever coming into Palestine to do anything, but I'd at least hope that you're planning to get the drainage done right," Carroll said.
"We're not going to induce flooding on anyone, so I'm sure that drainage would be done to make sure that we didn't induce flooding on your city," Bright said.
In other business, board members were updated on grants issued to several local youth organizations by EAEC Youth Coordinator Fredric Smith. According to Smith, since Jan. 1, $30,960 in grants have been requested by 10 groups with $26,006 in grants being approved.
Board members also approved a grant this morning for Our House Community Center, Inc. in Marianna for $2,000 which is to be used for transporting elderly.
Board members were also updated on the EAEC's recent transition to a non-profit organization.
According to EAEC Coordinator Dr. Robert Cole, EAEC officials were recently notified that they had received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service, dating back to Aug. 13, 2002. Last year, St. Francis County stepped down as the EAEC's fiscal agent due to questions in the county's annual audit. The transition from the fiscal agent was completed in January of this year.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Outside in the quiet retirement community in Palestine, the air is balmy, the Bradford pears are just starting to bloom out and everything is peaceful.
Inside one of the apartments, Aaron Perry looks over a history of his outfit, C Company of the 926th Signal Battalion, and remembers war. He also talks about what he says is his bitter disappointment.
"I guess another generation has grown up," in France, he says. "They don't remember the men who died. I'm awfully disappointed at the French government."
Perry, 81 ("81 and a half," he jokes), has a small medal which he says was given to him and many of his fellow soldiers by the then-grateful French government. It is one of several medals received by the veteran.
"We didn't get to unload the first day (June 6, 1944)," he says. "I guess you know why." He's referring to the carnage which took place on Omaha Beach.
"We unloaded the second day. At 3 o'clock the next day is when we landed," he says, as he holds up the medal. "But everyone who just went across Omaha Beach received this from the French government.
"I got mine," he continues, "but it don't have no meaning to me no more."
He has memorabilia on the wall, photographs of himself and others, a letter of commendation from Gen. Hap Arnold, commander of the Air Corps. -- Perry transferred to the Air Corps before the end of the war.
Perry has decided he doesn't want the French medal any more.
"I decided day before yesterday," he says. "When the French government just rebelled against President Bush and his decision to go (into Iraq)."
Perry says he believes Saddam Hussein must be removed.
"Somebody's got to stop the man, or a lot more people are going to die eventually," he says. "We all know that, especially those of us who have been in the military. And there ain't no better time than now. It's probably going to cost some lives, and I hate that. But it's got to be done. That's what I think about it."
Perry -- who even today is a member of the Civil Air Patrol -- says his first reaction was to box up the medal and send it back to France. But he says he isn't sure he wants to do it that way.
"Well, I'm just gonna, maybe, throw it away. Or I may just give it to some kid to play with. It has no more meaning to me. It did, once, though."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the Palestine-Wheatley School Board reviewed the first applications for the soon-to-be vacated position of superintendent Monday night during their regular monthly meeting.
PWSD superintendent Jimmy Allen announced his decision to retire last month after serving five years in that position.
The school board opened the application process at that time, limiting acceptable applicants to those with a minimum of three years experience as a superintendent. According to board president Bill Ray, the board has received 10 applications, but only three were credible. The deadline for applications for the position is Friday, April 18. Board members met in executive session to review résumés, but no action was taken.
In other business, board members approved the rehiring of a list of both certified and classified personnel. Board member Dow Lee questioned Allen as to whether board members could review the personnel evaluations, but was told that could contaminate the judgment of board members.
"As board members, you all have to serve at personnel grievance hearings, and your judgments can't be made before being presented with any evidence at those hearings. If you have an opportunity to review any personnel evaluations, then your judgment could be considered predetermined, and that's why it's not allowed," Allen said.
Board members also voted on two changes in the May millage election. Board members agreed to move the date of the election back from May 6, to May 20, and also the election will be referred to as a special election instead of as a regular election.
Four meetings are planned for this evening in Forrest City.
The St. Francis County Museum Board will meet at 5 p.m. at the museum, and the Forrest City Water Commission is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. at the water department.
At 6 p.m., the St. Francis County Quorum Court will convene for its monthly meeting at the courthouse.
The Forrest City City Council will meet at 7 p.m., and open bids for new fire hose. The council will also hear the third reading of an ordinance to allow the city to waive competitive bidding to purchase a Jaws of Life for the Fire Department. Emmanuel Baptist Church, at 1453 Lindauer, will also request a setback variance.