By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the Forrest City City Council could have a pair of catering options to consider tonight during the first of their monthly meetings for April.
Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant presented the proposals Monday during a special meeting he called. Civic Center Commission member Shirley Harvell and city councilman Steve Hollowell were the only two people to attend the meeting to which the entire commission, along with city councilwoman Louise Fields, were invited.
According to Bryant, the first proposal, which was approved by the Civic Center Commission at its March meeting, will allow for an open kitchen with a list of approved caterers. The proposal will also call for the open kitchen proposal to be used for one year.
"We made a few adjustments to the commission's proposal so that it will allow for the creation of a list of certified caterers who would be allowed at the Civic Center. It won't open the kitchen to any and everyone because we just don't need that," said Bryant.
Bryant said that the list would probably include four to five caterers based on similar catering arrangements at centers in North Little Rock and Jacksonville.
The second proposal council members could hear tonight would involve the use of a contracted caterer for the facility similar to the contract in place now.
The new contract, however, would allow for the use of the kitchen to certified outside caterers who would be on a list of available caterers for the building. Outside caterers could use the kitchen for events when the contracted caterer was not working in the building and would have open access to water and ice from the kitchen. The contracted caterer would also have someone available to oversee the use of the kitchen and outside caterers would have to pay a fee which would not be refunded if the kitchen was not properly cleaned after usage.
"What we were looking for was a system that would allow anyone catering at the Civic Center the ability to provide good quality food in a professional atmosphere. I don't think we had that when we had caterers going into the bathrooms for water for events. That has stopped. But, with the new system, if whoever has the contract isn't working, then an outside caterer could come in and work in the kitchen for a fee. Our main objective is to make sure that everyone can utilize the facility," Bryant said.
"Some people have tried to make this whole issue about a person, and it's not. This isn't about Jim, (current caterer Jim Hitchcock) and I wish we could keep his name out of this. The issue is about having a fair system for everyone at the building including the outside caterers," Bryant said.
While Bryant has both proposals ready for the council tonight, neither could be discussed based on the council's decision on the fate of the Civic Center Commission. Council members will hear the third reading of an ordinance tonight to abolish the commission.
Bryant said Monday that if the commission was abolished it would be done so without his recommendation.
"Both of these proposals hinge on the council's decision
on the commission. If they vote to abolish it, it won't be with
my recommendation. If they abolish the Civic Center Commission,
then I think they should get rid of all of the commissions,"
Bryant said.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Airport Commission agreed Monday to allow Hutcherson Flying Service to apply for a matching grant to fund an expansion and renovation of the airport's terminal building.
Hutcherson has the management contract with the airport. One of the conditions of the recent renewal of the contract was for the work on the terminal.
Gil Gilbreath, manager of Hutcherson, said he wanted to apply for a 50-50 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. Hutcherson will supply the rest of the funding. The grant request is for $25,000. Gilbreath also showed commission members how the renovated terminal will look.
The grant application needed the approval of the commission, and still needs the signature of Mayor Larry Bryant. The commission gave unanimous approval to pursuing the matter.
The commission also agreed to continue looking into the possibility of having a credit card-operated gas pump installed at the airport. At the commission's March meeting, a representative of Shell had given a presentation on a card-operated pump which Shell would install. At the time, the question came up of whether the city could get some of the profit from the gas sold through the pump.
Hays said the idea seemed like a good one, although he was still interested in getting some profit to the city. He said that to his knowledge, it is common practice at other airports with similar arrangements, and even said the Federal Aviation Administration recommends it.
"Are you all in favor of this, if the details can be worked out?" asked Hays.
Commission member Dr. Thomas Beasley said it sounded like it would be convenient.
It was the consensus of the commission to keep looking at the proposal.
The commission also agreed to keep open the option of a new entrance sign for the airport.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
While it's not as bad as reading by candlelight, a short in a fuse box has had power limited at the Forrest City Public Library for nearly a week, and as a result, caused problems with the computers designated for public use.
The problem with electrical power at the library was addressed during a brief meeting of the FCPL board Monday afternoon. Sarah Jumper, co-director of the facility, told board members that while power is on at the building, they are forced to prioritize its use.
"We have been using a breaker box to turn on the power," stated Jumper. "We do that because we have never had light switches. The breaker box is overloading now. It was throwing sparks the other day, so we are limiting the amount of lights and power we are using at one time.
"We are rationing the power right now," added Jumper. "We have shut the public computers off to save on power and have cut back on some of the lighting. We don't want to, but it is necessary for safety's sake. Our check-out terminals are on so we can check books in and out, but this needs to be addressed. I had Terry Laws (of L&L Electric) look at the problem and he said he could fix it."
According to Jumper, the power problems began early last week. She said that while she regrets any inconvenience about the public use computers not being available temporarily, they feel that the library's primary purpose is to make books available for check out. Public use of the computers will continue as usual when the electrical short is fixed.
Jumper said that Laws told her that a box he originally planned to replace the damaged equipment with would not work, so she had no concrete estimate on repair costs. The board unanimously voted to allow Laws to do the repairs for up to $1,000. They also stated that if the repairs were to exceed $1,000, Jumper must poll the board members on the amount.
In other news, Jumper asked that a temporary employee's contract be extended. "We have vacations coming up, and I think it would help to cover those times," said Jumper, who also added that the employee has done a good job for the library. The board agreed to extend the employee's contract through the summer of this year.
Easter dinners will be served on Friday, April 9, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., compliments of the St. Francis County Food Pantry.
The dinners will be served at participating churches, including: Madison Light church in Madison, New Light Missionary Baptist Church on West Day Street in Forrest City, and Salem Baptist Church at Haven and Broadway in Forrest City.
In addition, Rising Sun Missionary Baptist Church on West Broadway and First Baptist Church at Cross and Grant in Forrest City will serve dinners on Saturday, April 10, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
"You are welcome to eat at the church or you may carry your dinner home," said Catherine Freeman of the Pantry. "We wish each and every one a blessed Easter."
Freeman said the work of the Pantry is based on Matthew 25-40, which ends with, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."
Village Creek State Park invites all children aged 12 and under to attend its annual, free Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 11, at 3 p.m.
The hunt will be held in the large open field next to the baseball field.
Everyone needs to bring their own baskets. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for the festivities.
There is no charge for the hunt. However, the staff is asking that each participant bring one canned food item to be donated to a local charitable organization.
For more information call 238-9406.
A Widener man is charged with sexual assault in a case involving a toddler.
Morris Davenport Jr., 47, was arrested at his home Monday afternoon following an investigation that lasted almost a year.
According to a report on file at the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department, Davenport was living with the child's mother when the alleged incidents occurred.
An investigator with Arkansas State Police/Crimes Against Children Division was reportedly called to the child's home last June and observed the then-29-month-old child acting out sexually. According to the report, Davenport has a history of sexual abuse.
Davenport is scheduled to be arraigned in St. Francis County District Court Wednesday afternoon.