By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce will be losing its executive director soon, but Danny Ferguson said the chamber, and the future of Forrest City, is in good hands.
Ferguson will be leaving his job in March. His leaving was announced by the incoming chamber president, Randy Pearson, who also presented Ferguson with a plaque.
Ferguson said a lot has been going on in Forrest City.
"We have had a lot of activity in the last 12 months," he said. "We've not been able to cut a ribbon yet, but I can tell you we've made some headway and we've landed some industry in the area. We've had two major companies locate in Osceola and Wynne, and we'll get a lot of benefit from those folks."
He said Forrest City has been on the "short list" for three industrial projects in the past year, including Japanese auto parts manufacturers.
"There is a lot of interest in Eastern Arkansas," he said. "Arkansas is getting a lot of attention right now from auto plants and auto parts manufactures, Eastern Arkansas especially. I can tell you there have been more industrial visits in Forrest City in the last 12 months than I have seen in the last four years combined."
He encouraged people to keep their hopes up.
"We have a great product to offer here, we've got a great industrial park, we've got a great community. And folks, it's going to happen one day," he said, referring to the industrial prospects for this area.
"The competition is tremendous...So it's important that Forrest City keeps focused, that keep our mission in mind, and that's to expand job opportunities in our area, and promote economic opportunities for everybody who lives in the eastern Arkansas region."
He said working together as a community and region was important.
"If we work together, I don't think there's any way that Forrest City can keep from seeing some tremendous successes in the near future," he said. "I'm not talking, even, long term. I think in the pretty near future we're going to see some really positive results."
He said everyone needs to keep a positive attitude.
"When industrial locators come in, they don't always just go talk to the mayor or the chamber director, because we're the hired guns. We're supposed to say good things about the community," Ferguson said. "Many times they'll talk to existing industries and businesses, or just stop people on the street or at a gas station. So public sentiment and public support is very important. I hope you all keep that in mind."
Outgoing chamber president Dr. Coy Grace also spoke on the past year, and recognized board members. Plaques were presented to outgoing board members. Incoming president Pearson said good things are in store for Forrest City in the next year, and said the chamber has a positive board.
The family of Darrell and Debbie Gore, the 2003 St. Francis County Farm Family of the Year, received a plaque of recognition from the Times-Herald.
The guest speaker, Walter C. Coleman, III, kept the audience in stitches with stories surrounding his job as a National Football League referee.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A first-degree battery charge against a Forrest City man serving 80 years in prison on a variety of charges was one of a pair of St. Francis County criminal cases overturned by the Arkansas Court of Appeals earlier this week.
According to an opinion from the Court of Appeals, Jimmy Mills, 32, who was serving 80-years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for a pair of parole revocations and two 40-year sentences for the 2001 murders four men, was illegally sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 1992 parole violation by First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Harvey Yates.
According to the opinion, the Attorney General's office consented to the reversal and dismissal on the basis that Mills had completed a suspended imposition of sentence given to him on the battery charge prior to his revocation hearing in November of 2002. An appeal request to overturn the second revocation on a 1998 charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver was upheld.
Mills was one of three men who pled guilty to string of murders in December of 2001. He was subsequently sentenced to 40 years in the ADC for the murder of Voltaurus Parchman as well as 40 years to run concurrently for the deaths of Dylan A. Boyd, 31, and Carl Boyd, 21, both of Madison and Dewayne Stewart, 27, of Forrest City. Three of the murder charges were merged into one.
The Attorney General's Office also conceded, on Wednesday, to a second sentence handed down by Yates.
According to an opinion from Court of Appeals Judge Josephine Linker Hart, the court erred in sentencing Robert A. Peters, 33, of Forrest City, to 20 years in prison in 1998, on a parole revocation charge stemming from a charge of attempted delivery of a controlled substance. In 1996, Peters pled guilty to the attempted delivery charge and was sentenced to a five-year suspended imposition of sentence along with $120 in court costs and 60-days in the St. Francis County Jail. In 1997, prosecutors filed a petition to revoke Peters' probation and he was then ordered to serve four months in the SFC Jail and two-years of probation. His suspended sentence was also extended for 60 months.
According to Hart's opinion, the circuit court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction to modify Peters' 1997 sentence. The AG's office also noted that Circuit Court imposed an illegal sentence by simultaneously ordering both probation and a suspended imposition of sentence.
Bette S. Green announced today she is a Democratic candidate for the office of St. Francis County Circuit Court Clerk, subject to the 2004 Democratic Primary.
Green is seeking reelection to the office of Circuit Court Clerk for St. Francis County. The Circuit Clerk also is the ex-officio recorder for the county. Green states that she has the necessary experience required to administer the duties of the position.
"With my qualifications, years of service and commitment to serve the citizens of St. Francis County, I respectfully ask the voters to reelect me to the office of Circuit Clerk," she said. Green has served as Circuit Clerk for 15 years, first elected to the position in 1988.
The legislature and courts establish the laws and procedures governing the duties of the Circuit Clerk. Green has successfully completed the Circuit Clerk's Certification program and annually receives continuing education hours to remain updated on matters related to the office.
"During my tenure as Circuit Clerk, I have developed and implemented many office procedures and policies, These insure the efficient maintenance and preservation of all land records and Circuit Court records. Currently the Circuit Clerk maintains court records for five divisions of the Circuit Court," she says.
The audits conducted by the State of Arkansas Legislative Audit committee have noted "compliance with Arkansas laws and sound cash management procedure," under her administration, she said. The reporting of all court filings and dispositions of cases is required by the Administrative Office of the Courts. This agency has commended Green and her staff for an excellent job of reporting statistical data.
Green has implemented an automated document imaging system for scanning and storing records maintained in the Circuit Clerk's office. Copies of these records serve as a secure backup should a disaster occur at the courthouse.
Green says that, knowing that the farming industry is essential to the economy of the county, she has automated UCC filings, which enables the office to provide lien searches to farmers, financial institutions and researchers in an expedited manner.
"I am committed to assisting the public," she says. "Working together with the Quorum Court and other elected officials, and their departments, is a key factor in moving St. Francis County forward. Efficient, impartial and courteous service in a timely manner is my goal and the goal of the dedicated staff of the Circuit Clerk's Office.
She is a member of the Arkansas Circuit Clerk's Association. She also serves on the advisory board to the Business Department of Forrest City High school.
Green and her Husband, H.N., attend First Baptist Church. She has one daughter, Sara, who is married to Rich Trail of Forrest City.
As a service to our readers, the Times-Herald today contains its annual special section on brides and weddings.
This section gives many tips on making a wedding memorable. It was made possible by the following advertisers:
Antique Rose, Barbara Taylor Studio, Catfish Island, Chez Weenie, Classic Flowers and Weddings, Dalon Cowan Photography, edwin-houston, Express Cleaners, Forrest City Florist, Forrest City Health and Fitness, Forrest City Bank, Food Giant, Floyd Printing Company,
Gail's Wedding Essentials, Judy's Antiques and Gifts, LaRand's, Lower Deck, Martha Wilson Realty, Mary Rosamond Sewing and Alterations, Northside Liquor, Southern Furniture Company, Southview Liquor, Taylor-Casbeer, The Gallery, Times-Herald Printing, Tours and Things, Vel-Rich Jewelers and Wal-Mart.
A Madison man has been arrested in connection with a shooting last month in Forrest City.
The Forrest City Police Department arrested Micah Keon Lacy, 25, Thursday afternoon on a charge of first-degree battery for the shooting of James E. Mills, 39, also of Madison. The incident occurred near the intersection of Franklin and Water streets about 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 28.
Mills was shot in the leg, but was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City.
All prospective jurors for St. Francis County are asked to use the juror call-in number on Tuesday, Feb. 17, after 5 p.m., for information regarding jury trials set to begin on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
The number is 870-633-2035, or 800-570-5885.