By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Improvements recently made to a local housing development were unveiled to members of the Forrest City Housing Authority's board Tuesday during the group's quarterly meeting.
The project, which is still in the early stages, is changing the looks of the apartments for rent in the Turner Circle Housing Development. Board members toured one of two new four-bedroom apartments and appeared pleased with the changes being made.
"This really is a nice apartment, and I hope we can get moving on the next two or three units that are in line for remodeling," said board chairman Gazzola Vaccaro. "It took us just about a year to get this one done, and my only hope is that it doesn't take as long with the next set of apartments," he added.
Board members also passed a number of amendments and resolutions Tuesday, including one which will make equipment such as refrigerators and ranges non-expendable equipment.
The board also approved an amendment to a personnel policy dealing with terminating employment due to a long-term illness. According to FCHA Director Janet Duncan, the need for the amendment was due to a situation last year involving an employee.
"We had an employee who had been with us for a while, but had to take over six months in leave due to a long term illness, and we eventually terminated his employment. That led to a situation, and our attorney suggested that we make a change to the policy limiting leave to any paid sick leave and vacation time coupled with the mandatory time granted through the family leave act," Duncan said.
The board also surprised Duncan, approving a resolution suggested by Vaccaro, thanking her for her years of service and guaranteed her remaining as FCHA director until she decides to step down.
In other business, Duncan updated the board on the day care program located in the Rice and Mann Street Housing Development. According to Duncan, the program has been successful over the past six months with the implementation of a voucher system which will pays vouchers to the residents who pay for the use of the day care.
"Van Brooks is operating the day care, and she has been licensed and is insured. She is in the process of getting her not-for-profit status. Right now, we have 28 children in the program, but that number fluctuates on a day-to-day basis depending on whether parents are at work or in school. The program has really taken off with the residents since we started giving the vouchers to them instead of to the day care, and we're seeing more participation now," Duncan said.
According to Duncan, the vouchers are for parents in the FCHA who are currently employed or going to school. At the recommendation of Duncan, the board agreed to limit the use of vouchers by individuals to a two-year period.
The board was also updated on the work of two Forrest City Police Department officers who are assigned to the FCHA. According to Duncan, officers Billy Andrews and Marilyn Noble have done a good job keeping the four city developments safe.
According to Andrews, the addition of a second officer focusing on the units has worked well over the past year.
"Adding Officer Noble has really made an impact in this area, and it has really worked well. She notices everything and works as hard as I do to make sure that we keep the area cleaned up. We've been able to remove a lot of the problem people from the area, and that has really helped us cut into the crime rate. By removing those problems, we can now just focus on prevention and community service," Andrews said.
Before adjourning, Casey Baxter was approved to replace Vaccaro on the board. Vaccaro is stepping down in March after serving on the board for five years.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
An effort to build a 27-hole championship golf course and 110-room lodge at Village Creek State Park took a step forward last week as members of the Arkansas Department of Parks agreed to send a revised lease agreement to a committee for further examination.
According to Greg Butts, director of Arkansas Parks, a final decision on the improvements at Village Creek could be approved in the next 60 to 90 days. Butts said that the process of getting the lease approved will go to committee as the Parks Division opens discussions with the Development Finance Authority on the state's $7 million commitment to funding the joint partnership for the golf course with Wellington International.
"The plans call for a 25-year lease with 25 years renewable. The lease agreement will also have to be submitted to the Attorney General's office for approval, and once all the terms are agreeable, the final draft will be presented to the Arkansas Legislative Council for review," Butts said.
While the project is moving forward, Butts said no final decisions have been made on the location of the course and lodge within the park.
Early reports on the project possibly placed the 110-room lodge in the St. Francis County portion of the park allowing Wellington to take advantage of tax breaks through the county's designation in the East Arkansas Enterprise Zone, while the golf course would be predominately located in Cross County. According to Butts, infrastructure issues with the St. Francis County portion of the park may cause some concerns, but several factors will play into the final decision on location.
"It's my understanding that Bill Thomas, Rep. Danny Ferguson and Rep. Leroy Dangeau have been working with Wellington on the Enterprise Zone designation, but there are some infrastructure issues to placing the lodge in St. Francis County. If the lodge was in Cross County, there would be easier access to existing water, sewer and roads. Basically, Wellington would have to weigh the differences," Butts said.
While there are infrastructure issues, Butts also added that the Old Military Road in St. Francis County could be a benefit for the project.
"Another thing of interest is the Old Military Road, which is on the St. Francis County side of the park. It has been recognized by National Parks because it was part of the route used on the Trail of Tears. While we will have to make sure that the road and the environment are protected, that will be a major attraction," he said.
According to Butts, the golf course project is one he expects to be completed. "We made a commitment to build a golf course, and we will make sure that it gets done."
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Public Library will serve as a ticket outlet for the annual Rumble on the Ridge basketball tournament, a move which will benefit both groups.
FCPL board member Brad Beavers discussed the program which will enable the library to receive funding for its endowment fund through the St. Francis County Community Foundation.
"The Rumble on the Ridge is doing a program with the Community Foundation, where they will give some of their proceeds to local endowment funds," said Beavers. "We help them sell their tickets by being a location for advance sales. If we sell 10 tickets, and we put $300 in our endowment fund, they will match that $300, putting a total of $600 in our fund. That is just an example."
Beavers explained that with endowments, money is earned from interest. "The more money you have in an endowment, the more interest you can earn. There is nothing illegal about this, and I think it is a good idea. We ought to be thinking of our future and growth. We are in a good financial situation, and we can think about building for our future. It (the Rumble matching funds) will help the organizations that are involved."
While no formal vote was cast, it was agreed that the library could be a location where people could buy advance Rumble tickets.
Following an executive session, the board announced that one employee would be given a raise of $1.02 per hour.