By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
After being the focus of much sound and fury, an ordinance allocating a little more than $2.1 million for several projects, including a Multi-Purpose Center, passed in relative calm during Tuesday's city council meeting.
Previously, during discussions over the ordinance, some aldermen suggested that it might be better if some of the items were separated out. The most acrimonious debate, however, was over the Multi-Purpose Center. Some Aldermen claimed there wasn't enough information available, while Mayor Larry Bryant described the ordinance as a "shell," and only the first step in a long process. The debate at times became heated and personal.
The ordinance was tabled and amended, and on Tuesday, the third and final reading of the ordinance was held. Cecil Twillie moved to adopt, and Roy Hancock seconded.
When Bryant called for discussion, only one council member, Roger Breeding, spoke. He called, as he has called in the past, for a vote of the people on whether to pursue a multi-purpose building. He said a sales tax to build such a facility was voted down in 1999, but he conceded that the negative vote could have been more against the tax than the center.
However, he also said the measure should still be voted on by citizens. He said that if such a measure was put on a ballot, he would vote for it, if he had enough information about the center
"I don't care how we candy coat it, it's still the people's money. Any dollars we have in the bank is the people's money. And the people should have a right, on an expenditure of this size, to be heard."
He said he wouldn't have a problem with putting pursuit of a regional airport on the same ballot.
Breeding said no one really knows how much the project will cost.
"We don't know what it's going to cost to finish it," he said. "We don't have enough information to make a decision. I'm sorry, we don't."
He said the money could be spent for city cleanup, mosquito control, or improvements to fire and police departments.
No one else asked to speak, and the vote was called for.
Voting yes were Mary Jeffers, Cecil Twillie, Louise Fields, John Gadberry and Roy Hancock. Voting no were Brent Ponder and Breeding. Steve Hollowell was absent.
The ordinance provides $1.8 million for the Multi-Purpose Center, to be located at the Forrest City Municipal Sports Complex. Other projects and the money to fund them include: Drainage, $100,000; Fire Substation and land, $25,000; Economic Development, $30,000; Business Development, $25,000; Housing Development, $25,000; an animal shelter for the Humane Society, $40,000; and $75,000 for miscellaneous projects. The total is $2,120,000.
Speaking after the meeting, Bryant called the vote a "step forward."
"I think it's a step forward for the whole city of Forrest City," he said. "Progress is often made in baby steps, and we made a huge step tonight for the future...There was something in there for everybody, for all constituents, and we'll work towards that end. We have housing development, we have business development, there's the animal shelter. It's a blueprint, and the council will have to determine which way to go in regards to those, especially ditch repair, that's something I've been wanting to do for three or four years, covering ditches. If we only do a couple of hundred feet a year, we'll be cutting down on West Nile and so-forth.
"The next step will be getting an architect, and then putting out for bids based on the designs from the architect, and then go forward," he added. "Winter's coming, and we might not break ground before next year."
On another matter, after hearing from Scott Carroll, representing the Rotary Club, the council agreed to participate in building another "Welcome to Forrest City" sign. This one will be located near the intersection of North Washington and Holiday Drive, and will be visible to people going north on Washington or coming off Interstate 40. The council agreed in principle to spend up to $10,000, with another $5,000 coming from the Rotary Club. Carroll and Bryant agreed that the total cost probably won't be $15,000.
The council also gave Fire Chief Dan Curtner the okay to enter into negotiations for a new ladder truck. The truck, with an 85-foot aerial platform, is a 1981 model but in good shape. Curtner said the only reason it is being put up for sale is that the state in which it is located (Mississippi) requires any vehicle over 20 years old to be replaced. The vehicle only has about 12,000 miles on it.
Twillie remarked that the last used truck the city bought turned out not to be quite what the firefighters wanted. Curtner, who wasn't employed by the city at the time, said he didn't know about that, but he said the truck being considered is a good truck.
"I think it has the room, I think it has the pumping capacity, I think it has the reach" to get places the present truck cannot reach, he said.
After some discussion, the consensus of the council was to put one existing truck up for sale, rather than try to store it.
In other action, Bryant appointed Steve Hollowell and Mary Jeffers to a committee to review the financing of the 911 system with two members of the St. Francis County Quorum Court.
The jury has been seated in the rape trial of a 73-year-old man accused in the assault of two young children.
Nine jurors were selected on Tuesday, and the remaining three jurors and two alternates were seated this morning in the trial of John Easley, formerly of Colt.
Attorneys are expected to make opening statements to the jury Thursday morning before actual testimony begins in the case.
Easley, who was ordered by a circuit court judge to relocate to Pulaski County following his arrest for rape in February, is charged with two counts of rape for the incidents involving a six-year-old boy and a girl, now six. The boy was reportedly raped twice in January, and the incident involving the girl is reported to have been discovered after the boy's charge was levied. It was initially reported that the girl had been raped while Easley was free on bond from the charge involving the boy.
Because of the trial, circuit court cases scheduled for today have been postponed until Nov. 12, according to the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk's office.
Today's edition includes the annual Times-Herald football preview, with information on area high school teams, as well as the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Arkansas State University Indians, schedules and other football information.
The football section was made possible by the following advertisers: The Antique Rose, Arkansas Concrete Company, Bondol Laboratories, Capital Financial Services Group, Inc., Chez Weenie, Classic Flowers, First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas, First National Bank of Wynne, Food Giant, Forrest City Bank, Forrest City Dental, Game Day Sportswear, Gray's Service Center, Larry Giffin DDS, Gilmer and Mosley Realty, Jackson Used Cars, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Looney Implement Inc., Machen Ford & Chrysler, Pearson Insurance, Ray Houser Termite & Pest Control Inc., Sonic, Stevens Funeral Home, Times-Herald Printing and Western Auto.
Early voting has begun for several School Board positions in the county and millage increase requests that will affect the Forrest City and Hughes school districts.
As of this morning, 17 people had taken advantage of early voting. Voting is being held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Francis County Clerk's office in the SFC Courthouse.
The early voting session will end on Monday, Sept. 15. The election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.