By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Efforts to construct a regional airport between Cross and St. Francis counties moved forward Thursday after members of the Delta Regional Airport Authority voted to authorize Garver Engineers to submit a feasibility study to Federal Aviation Administration officials.
By a six-to-one vote, with DRA member Shirley Harvell casting the lone dissenting vote, board members agreed to approve the study after some discussion.
Harvell and board member and Forrest City Airport Commission Chairman Bill Hays raised several questions regarding the feasibility of a regional airport as well as any potential for expansion at the Forrest City Airport. Harvell questioned whether a regional airport was necessary for the amount of traffic currently using the local airport and the size aircraft that would be using the facility.
According to Suzanne Peyton with Garver, while the size of the aircraft might be currently accommodated, there were other factors that need to be considered.
"You're correct that many of the aircraft we're projecting can utilize what you currently have, but we're projecting the usage of faster jets, some of them smaller than the ones that are used now, but needing a higher range of approach speed. And while it doesn't really concern the FAA, many insurance companies have a definite markoff line that must be met or a pilot can't use a facility," Peyton said.
Peyton also told board members that many of the area companies involved in a survey for future usage were unsure what size aircraft would be used.
Hays questioned whether Garver officials had factored in possible expansion at the Forrest City Airport when compiling the feasibility study.
"I'd like to know if you looked at the fact that electrical lines north of the Forrest City Airport had been buried and if property to the north of the airport can be purchased, and it's my understanding that the property owner might be interested in that, the county road could be closed and then the Forrest City Airport could expand to 5,000 feet," Hays said.
According to Mike Stengel with Garver, officials did not factor in future expansion at either the Forrest City or Wynne sites while compiling the study. Stengel said that the information was based strictly on the Forrest City Airport staying at its current location.
Authority member Dr. Robert Cole said, "From the information presented to us today, it looks to me that neither the Wynne nor Forrest City airports can get the property to expand. I understand that could change, but today we're supposed to be discussing a regional airport. If something happens down the line to change things, then we need to look at that, but right now our focus should be on the regional airport or we will never move forward."
Hays also questioned whether future expansion at a regional airport site had been figured in for whatever property is purchased for construction. According to Garver plans, a 5,000-foot runway, which would be able to support aircraft up to 60,000 pounds, will be built. Garver officials told DRA members that property would be purchased with future expansion in mind.
"You're exactly right. You don't want to go out and get yourself landlocked all over again with a new facility. What you want to do is purchase the land now expecting that you might need it in 20 years for future growth," said Stengel.
All of the discussion of the Forrest City Airport caused concern with board chairman Dr. John Kerr.
"When we started the project a little over a year ago, we came together with a common goal and purpose. Both communities were supposedly willing to put our resources together to build a regional airport. It's bumfuzzling to me as to why focus would remain on the Forrest City Airport. I'm not interested in what more I can do at the Wynne Airport, and why we're continuing to focus on Forrest City I don't know. It's ridiculous," Kerr said.
"There are factions that are trying to undermine what we're doing, but we should get on board as a board because these monies we're trying to get to do this are very competitive to get. People across the state of Arkansas and Oklahoma are trying to get the same funds we are' and we've got the support of the FAA and need to work to get this done," Kerr added.
Kerr also asked board members to follow through on the wishes of the elected officials who appointed members to the board.
"The city of Wynne is willing to take the resources of our airport and put them into this idea. That means we're willing to take our funding and move our airport to a central location, probably in St. Francis County for the betterment of our community. It's our task to carry out the wishes of the elected officials," he said.
Authority members also made tentative plans for a public hearing on the feasibility study to be held next month.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Family, education and financial literacy are among the most important things a young person needs today.
That was the message from Rufus Banks, Jr., the guest speaker at Thursday night's Kiwanis Academic Achievement Banquet, honoring the top 10 percent of graduates from Forrest City High School, Calvary Christian High School, Hughes High School and Palestine/Wheatley High School.
"Our graduates are going to face a lot of things they've never faced before," Banks said. "But one thing is always constant -- they start with family and end with family."
Banks, a 1975 graduate of Forrest City High School, is today a special agent for the Internal Revenue Service and lives in Little Rock. He said it is encouraging to see the academic achievers who attended the banquet with their parents.
"That tells me you are ready to meet the challenges the future holds for you," he said, adding that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success.
"All things being equal, everyone is this room will be super successful in life," Banks said. "The problem is, not all things are equal. Just in this room alone, there are differences in interest, background, priorities, religion and education.
"There is no one formula or one pathway for success," he continued. "Pick a course, believe in it, have enthusiasm and the courage to achieve it, and accept what life brings."
He said not all good jobs require a college education. However, he added, "I will say that a college degree can be an important part, in a time when competition for jobs is keen.
"Tonight I won't pretend that I have all the answers for you individually in this room, about what you should do for your future. But I hope I can say a few things that can make your next pursuit easier to decide on."
He talked briefly about his youth, working on a farm, "when the day after the last day of school, my father would come through the house about daylight and say, 'Vacation time is over, let's get up. Let's get with it.'"
He also talked briefly about a time he spent working for Wal-Mart in Searcy.
"The greatest tool each of us has is our minds, whether you're pulling pallet jacks or farming or being president of these United States," he said. "You can achieve more with education."
He said understanding finances is even more vital for students today than it was when he graduated.
"Eighteen-year-olds today are prime targets for about any kind of credit car, insurance, or scam that comes along," he said. "I'm surprised each week, at the number of credit card applications that come to my daughter, who just graduated from high school. She gets letters from credit card companies saying, 'You're already approved, all you have to do is send it in.' This is a tempting thing...But is credit card debt a wise thing? One point in furthering our education is that it can help us in achieving financial literacy so we don't fall prey to various scams."
He also urged the graduating seniors to go ahead with their college plans.
"It is imperative that if you plan to go to college, go ahead and follow through as soon as possible after high school graduation," he said. "I can't tell you how man people I know who always had the idea, 'Well, I'm going to work a couple of years and then I'm going to go back,' and it doesn't work out that way. You get out, you get a job and a car, you get an apartment, and you can't quit because you're in debt, and you never get back to school.
"It's a proven fact that those who go ahead and go to school are more likely to obtain a degree than those who wait."
During the banquet, Adam Hillis, son of Tommy and Phyllis Hillis and a senior at Calvary Christian School, received the Joe Gattinger Memorial Scholarship.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A continuing problem with the street in front of a truckstop in Palestine continues to be a thorn in the side of Palestine mayor Willetta Carroll, along with citizens and interstate travelers, after heavy truck traffic and rains reopened the potholes.
The major problem, a drop-off at the truck exit to the Love's Truckstop on Highway 261, was recently repaired by the truckstop after manager JoAnn Bradshaw contacted the corporate office asking for assistance.
"My home office had something done about it this week because we were losing business because the problem had gotten so big. I told them that I had gone to the mayor's office and talked to her but hadn't gotten anywhere and that something needed to be done. They told me to get it fixed, so we paid to get the work done," said Bradshaw.
According to Carroll, the recent work, along with work done earlier this year, aren't the answer to the growing problem.
"That work is about as useful as (t___) on a boar hog. It was my understanding that the county was going to dig it out and fix it right, but they came in and patched it up again and the trucks just pushed it right back out. The same thing is going to happen with the work they just did. If you're going to do something you need to do it right, and the city just doesn't have the money to fix it," Carroll said.
Carroll said that the problem wouldn't be correctly handled until extensive work was done at the site, and placed the blame for the problem on the heavy load the road takes from the truckstop.
"I've seen what they have to do on the interstate to make it strong enough to handle the trucks, and they're going to have to come in and dig that area out, put wire in there and dump concrete on top of it. If that's done, then the road will be able to handle the traffic it sees," she said.
Carroll also said that she would attempt to see if any tax funds from the state could be used to make repairs to the problem spot.
"Bein' as it's the trucks that are causing the hole, and the state gets all of that tax money for repairs out on the interstate, you would think there would be some way of getting funding from the state to fix the problem," she said.
While the problem on Hwy. 261 remains an issue, a second road in Palestine is also causing motorists some discomfort. Heavy rain last week forced the city to close a portion of Old River Road due to over saturation.
"Well, we've got a mudhole over there, and until it dries up some, there's nothing that we can do," Carroll said.
Carroll said that once the road dries, the city will haul gravel to the area and make repairs.
The ballots for the May Primary will not arrive in time for early voting to begin on Monday as originally planned.
Early voting begins throughout the state Monday, but St. Francis County Election Commission Chairman Joe Young said the commission received word late Thursday that the ballots would not arrive until Tuesday.
"We'll have people at UPS waiting to pick them up and get them to the County Clerk's office so early voting can begin," Young said.
Three people have filed for city council positions since the filing period opened on Wednesday.
Incumbent Steve Hollowell is seeking reelection to the Forrest City City Council Ward 3, Pos. 1 seat.
Chris Oswalt has filed as a candidate for the Ward 4, Pos. 2 seat on the Forrest City City Council.
In Wheatley, Robbie Wayne Horton has filed for Pos. 1 on the council.
Forrest City police are investigating an aggravated robbery that occurred about 11:20 p.m. Thursday on Rosser Street.
Ray Lee Anthony, 42, 409 N. Washington, Apt. 6, Forrest City, told police he was walking along Rosser Street when he was approached by three black males. Anthony said one of the subjects pointed a handgun at his face and demanded his wallet. According to Anthony, the wallet contained about $40 in cash and personal identification.
A Hughes woman was sentenced to prison for writing bad checks and using bad credit cards.
Kari White, 32, of Hughes, pled guilty during a circuit court hearing Thursday at the St. Francis County Courthouse, to charges of knowingly issuing worthless checks and fraudulent use of a credit card/debit card. She was sentenced to 18 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. That sentence is to run concurrently with a sentence from White County. She is to be given credit for time served.
In addition, White had also been sought by law enforcement officials in Cabot, Bald Knob and Sherwood, according to court records.
A Forrest City teenager was treated at a local hospital Thursday afternoon after a fight with another girl in the housing complex where both live.
15-year-old Myeshia Chatwood told police the 14-year-old suspect had been threatening her, and attacked her as they exited the school bus in the Grobmyer Circle and Cope Cove area about 3:45 p.m. Chatwood told police she was struck in the right eye, but doesn't remember anything past that point.
Chatwood was taken by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where she was treated and released.
The juvenile suspect was arrested on a third-degree battery charge, and is scheduled to meet with juvenile officers on Monday.