By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the city council were not in a giving mood Tuesday, as the would-be developers of Meadowbrook Park Subdivision failed to get an early Christmas present and questions were raised about the legality of last week's vote on a multi-purpose building in Forrest City's Municipal Sports Complex.
In addition, more than 100 allegedly negligent property owners will receive coal in their stockings in the form of letters of condemnation, and someone is apparently trying to play the Grinch with one newly-elected alderman.
Meadowbrook Park has been a point of controversy since its proposal. The project, which would be located at Dr. Martin Luther King and Ophelia streets, would be built using tax credits and the homes would be rented. After 15 years, a renter would be able to buy the house.
Proponents have said the new housing is needed to improve the area. Opponents, which include some area residents, have said there are already hundreds of unoccupied subsidized housing units in the city. A preliminary plat of the subdivision has yet to be approved.
At a recent meeting, the possibility of a lawsuit against the city was mentioned, since the developers have met the city's requirements.
During Tuesday's meeting, Alderman Mary Jeffers said she had trouble understanding why people must live in the houses 15 years before they get a chance to purchase them.
J.D. Davis, one of the developers, was at the meeting and reiterated that all the requirements had been met.
Alderman Roger Breeding said he wanted to visit some previous projects done by the developers before he made a decision. He said he wanted to get the location of some projects which have been in place for several years, to see how they have turned out.
The council decided to table the Meadowbrook Park plat question yet again.
The multi-purpose center controversy continued, with arguments over whether a vote taken at a special meeting last week was legal. At that meeting, the council voted 5-3 to adopt a resolution to transfer an additional $429,000, to add to the $1.8 million already appropriated for the project. The low bid, by Kenco Inc., came in over the appropriated amount
Alderman Brent Ponder, who voted against the resolution, said he had been in touch with state's Joint Legislative Audit division, and was told that the vote needed to be on an ordinance rather than a resolution.
"Therefore, I don't think we appropriately handled our business," said Ponder. "I don't know if we can actually give Kenco the contract."
Alderman Roger Breeding said money could not be appropriated by resolution.
Mayor Larry Bryant said that was fine with him.
"The whole point of the resolution was to make sure the bid would hold. We can go back and pass a 5-3 ordinance just like we passed a 5-3 resolution," he said.
City Attorney Alan Cline said, "As to the way it was done, if money had previously been appropriated by ordinance it cannot be reappropriated (by resolution). But what we are talking about is money that is sitting in a reserve fund, not appropriated for any purpose whatsoever. And all we were doing was transferring money from that account to another account to be used in a project that has been approved."
With both sides still disagreeing, it was decided to seek a definitive legal opinion.
A question also came up concerning the election of Henry Peacock as an alderman. According to Cline, there is apparently a question as to whether Peacock, who is a captain with the Forrest City Fire Department, can serve on the council.
Peacock defeated incumbent Roy Hancock for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat.
Breeding commented that the people in Peacock's ward had elected him, and that no secret had been made of Peacock's job with the fire department. He said until the people vote him out "or a state judge says otherwise," that Peacock should have the council seat.
On another matter, the council passed a resolution to begin condemnation procedures on more than 100 structures in the city. The city has the authority under Act 80 of 1983 to condemn buildings which are considered a public nuisance, due to being allowed to "become deteriorated, unsafe, unsightly and unsanitary."
The council also heard second reading of two ordinances -- to raise water rates for customers and one to raise rates to other utilities which get their water from Forrest City.
Bryant also gave out proposed 2005 budgets for the council members to study. Finance Committee Chairman Cecil Twillie called a budget meeting for Thursday, Dec. 30, at 5 p.m. All the aldermen are invited.
The mayor also said a garbage rate increase request from King Disposal would be turned over to a committee for study.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Preparations were under way on Tuesday for the possibility of snow and ice that weather forecasters have said will move into the area today and overnight.
Before press time today, a light coating of ice had already covered much of the area with more freezing rain and snow expected to fall.
The Forrest City Street Department spent Tuesday mounting plows on trucks, loading sand in spreaders and checking motors in preparation for the winter weather.
"When they are expecting a possibility of snow and ice, we start getting prepared," said Leslie McMillin, street department superintendent. "This is the first time that we have mounted all of the plows in two years. Last year, we had one mounted just in case. We have three plows, two sand spreaders and one road grader, and they are all ready now in case we need them.
"It might not hit us, but we have to be ready if it does. If the snow starts getting deep enough on roads or if the streets start to ice, we will start working," McMillin added.
McMillin stated that the department has an order that they follow in clearing streets. "The streets that we work on first are Holiday Drive and the area around the hospital, the Indian Hills area, routes that doctors take, Division, Forrest and Day streets, all of the major streets and intersections. The state takes care of both Highway 1, Highway 70 and they help us on Holiday Drive. After we take care of all the major thoroughfares and intersections, then we try to get the side streets. We can't get to all of them, but we try to get to as many as we can."
According to McMillin, there is a procedure in place for those wanting to report roads that have not yet been cleared.
"If the road is iced over at night, call the Forrest City Police Department (633-3434) and they will contact us," McMillin said. "If it is during the daytime, you can contact us at the city shop (261-1418).
"Another thing that helps us is if people who don't have to be out on the streets would stay home," stated McMillin. "It is dangerous for us and them. Please don't go out sightseeing while there is ice on the roads and please stay out of the way of our work crews as we are trying to keep the roadways safe. Don't leave home unless you just have to.
"We will be out there as early as it is needed and will stay out as long as it takes. We want people to be careful and safe," McMillin added.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
The body of a Palestine man found dead outside his home Tuesday afternoon is being sent to the State Crime Lab to determine the exact cause of death.
Curtis G. Caskey, 45, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday by a neighbor. St. Francis County Sheriff's Department Chief Criminal Investigator Glenn Ramsey said the neighbor found Caskey's body lying next to the steps leading into his home at 215 Hudspeth St.
"One wound is all we know about at this point," Ramsey said, adding that an autopsy would be performed at the Crime Lab.
Although deputies discovered "what appears to be a suicide note on the coffee table inside the home," Ramsey said the death is being investigated as a homicide because a weapon was not found at the scene.
"We're looking into all aspects of the crime. We're investigating it as a homicide even though a suicide note was found because there was no weapon found," Ramsey said. "We're checking the suicide note for authenticity and we're still interviewing people today."
Tuesday was not the first time police had been called to the Caskey home.
SFC Criminal Investigator Herbert Neighbors is investigating an arson at Caskey's mobile home that occurred last month.
Early on the morning of Nov. 26, Caskey reported to the sheriff's department that he was asleep on a couch inside his home when he was awakened by smoke in a bedroom and the kitchen. Caskey told deputies that when he tried to get out through the front door it would not open, so he escaped through a side window.
Deputies reported at that time that the doors to the residence had been locked from the outside by padlocks and an antenna tower had been wedged against the back door.
According to Palestine Police Chief Anthony Renigar, officers with that department had "been there on a few occasions, mostly for small disturbances."
The sheriff's department is in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the sheriff's department.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Transportation Commission may cease to exist after four members of the seven-member committee tendered their resignations earlier this week.
According to documents provided by St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco, the resignations of commission members Kevin Lewey, Rujay Burke, Regan Hill and Rausch Hodges were received late last week with the final letter of resignation dated Monday. According to the letters, Lewey and Burke, who were appointed earlier this year to complete the seven-member commission, resigned because they did not feel the commission was moving in the right direction.
Portions of the letters submitted by Burke and Lewey say, "Although I feel this is a very viable project, I don't feel we are moving in the right direction as a commission. If I may be of any help to you in the future, please do not hesitate to call."
Commission members Hill and Hodges both resigned due to family and professional reasons.
Last week, allegations of racism were hurled at Cisco after he announced his intentions to appoint Forrest City businessman Steve Jones as the seventh member of the commission. Cisco said this morning that he felt that the commission had become too bogged down recently to continue to be effective.
"Having talked with these men, I think that the commission had gotten too bogged down in issues other than trying to bring a transportation mall to St. Francis County and they didn't see this going anywhere," Cisco said.
The commission still has two members, commission chairman Cecil Twillie and secretary Jack Crumbly, but the mass resignation may signal the end of the commission.
"It's just not a viable commission anymore. We've gone from a seven-member commission to only having two members and nothing really has been accomplished for the last year," he said.
While the commission may no longer be working to bring the transportation mall idea to fruition, Cisco said that work is continuing on the project.
"Basically, the mall project will fall back into the hands of the judge's office and we will continue to aggressively pursue the completion of the project. I will be working with the members of the court to make this a success," Cisco said.
Cisco also said that he would be contacting the Delta Regional Authority regarding the remaining funding from a $100,000 grant received last year. He said that approximately $10,000 to $15,000 in funding remained.
Cisco said that news could be forthcoming regarding a possible investor in the project.
"We've (Cisco's office) been in contact with an investment group who is very interested in this project and we will continue to talk with them and try to get this project moving," he said.
As far as the possible location, Cisco said that would be fully at the discretion of the investment group.
"I'm scheduled to meet with people from the investment group in January to see if there is a specific location that they are interested in. We will also find out what their other interests are at that time," Cisco said.
Twillie was not available for comment this morning.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Caldwell City Council on Tuesday adopted a budget for 2005, and also discussed the possibility of making an offer to the Forrest City School District for purchase of the Caldwell School property.
The budget calls for total expenditures of just over $217,000, an increase from just over $202,000 for last year. It includes an increase of the meeting fee for council members from $20 to $30 a month, an increase for the fire department from $15 to $20 per fire and a 4 percent increase for the city clerk. It was also announced that Mayor Gary Hughes will not accept a salary from the city starting Jan. 1, 2005.
During the discussion on the Caldwell School property, the council agreed to make an offer to the Forrest City School District, which would include the purchase of the land and the 3,048 square-foot cafeteria, and the cost of tearing down the other 15,000-square-foot building.
The council heard second reading on an ordinance to amend the city's current water rates -- namely, to discontinue the connection fee within the city limits.
The council members acknowledged that another adjustment may have to be made because Forrest City is getting ready to increase its water rates. Caldwell gets its water from Forrest City.
Hughes also said the council might want to consider doing its own billing in the future. Currently the Forrest City Water Utility does the billing, and is increasing its charge to $2 per customer from $1.20 per customer. Hughes said it was worth studying to see if it would be feasible for Caldwell to take over billing.
The council also agreed to look into purchasing some new chairs for the conference table.
In other action, Liz Patterson was sworn in to replace Bob Mosley on the city council. Mosley is deceased. Hughes also had praise for Alderman John Clark, who chose not to run for re-election. He will be replaced by Barbara Posey.
"I appreciate the opportunity to serve," Clark said. "I've served with some mighty good people over the years. My interest will be, still, Caldwell, Arkansas. I love the town. Maybe time to time, I might come to a meeting. It's been a joy."
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Since laying off both employees at the St. Francis County Museum, board members say there has been some confusion as to who will be running the day-to-day operations at the facility.
Anita Widby, chairperson for the museum board, said the facility will be operated as usual after the first of the year.
"I want the public to know that just because there are no employees, that doesn't mean that the museum is closing," said Widby. "We will be open on our normal operating hours and will be staffed by board members (after the director and assistant director are laid off on Friday, Dec. 31). Nothing has changed except that we will have no employees.
"All of the board loves the museum and we want to see it prosper. This is not a permanent situation; we are looking for someone to work at the museum and expect to find someone who can work for what we can pay. We are hoping that there is some entity out there that can help us with employees, but we will continue to man the museum with board members until we find someone. It is important to keep continuity at the museum while we search for a new employee," Widby added.
Widby also addressed the issue of the exhibits, especially those on loan to the museum.
"There have been some concerns that we have heard about the exhibits," commented Widby. "The displays and exhibits are safe. Security is not going to change and there will be people working at the facility. If you have something on loan to us, it will be protected. I want to assure all of those who have artifacts on loan to us that security is still intact at the museum.
"I, speaking on behalf of the board, want to thank the public for their concern and want to assure patrons and contributors that the board is making sure that there is still integrity in the museum."
Widby stated that anyone who has questions regarding exhibits or can offer help in anyway may contact her at 870-261-5147 or the museum at 870-261-1744.
Those seeking to mail or receive late packages via the United States Postal Service will see the normal business hours on Friday.
According to officials with the USPS, the local offices will only be closed on Saturday, Dec. 25, for Christmas and Saturday, Jan. 1, for New Year's Day. The offices will maintain their normal operating hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
While the Post Office will only see one day closed, other government offices will see closings beginning tomorrow. The St. Francis County Courthouse, Forrest City City Hall and state government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday of this week in observance of the Christmas holiday, and employees at those offices will take a day off next Friday for the New Year's holiday.
The Times-Herald will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24, and the doors will be closed again next Friday, Dec. 31, in observance of the New Year.