By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The City Council on Tuesday tabled an ordinance which would set hours inside Forrest City for the sale and serving of alcohol.
The ordinance, which had been up for third reading and possible passage, will be redrawn, probably to reflect the state regulations governing establishments with liquor licenses.
The proposed new law would prohibit the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages between the hours of midnight and 7 a.m. It had been stated at an earlier meeting that the city's existing law was vague and essentially unenforceable.
Several businesses have expressed opposition to the law. At Tuesday's meeting, Alderman Roger Breeding voiced some of the concerns. He said forcing all the establishments which serve alcohol to close at one time could cause a problem with all the patrons of those establishments going home at once.
Lt. Eddie Adamson of the Forrest City Police Department responded to that argument by saying, "I believe we have more trouble with people while they're there (at the drinking establishments) than we have when they're on their way home."
However, Breeding had some other arguments. He said businesses had invested large sums of money in setting up their establishments and getting the necessary permits.
The Alcohol Beverage Control Board issues two types of permits. An "A" permit allows an establishment to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. A "B" permit allows the serving to continue until 5 a.m.
Jim Miller, an attorney representing some of the clubs in question, said that the city should simply adopt the time schedules of the ABC Board, and then punish any places which violate the law. He stated that, in fact, only two establishments in the area, the American Legion and Mu'Deas, have "B" permits.
After some more discussion, the council voted to table the ordinance until it can be redrawn.
In other action, the council discussed the possible location of a multi-purpose center in the Municipal Sports Complex. The mayor has advocated a location near the Senior Citizens Center. Some of the council members have favored other locations. On Tuesday, it was pointed out that all the possible locations might prevent expansion of the facility. There has been a lot of talk about expanding the center at a later date, to include an indoor swimming pool.
It was decided that the city would look tentatively into the possibility of purchasing some more land.
Breeding said he originally wanted the center to be voted on by the people, "But if we're going to build the thing, don't build it where you're limiting yourself for future expansion."
The council also heard first reading of an ordinance which would amend the existing city law regarding that property be maintained to keep down "weeds, grass, garbage, rubbish and other unsanitary and unsightly articles." The amendment would add "wrecked, dilapidated, inoperable motor vehicles and/or parts thereof."
The city would have the right to go onto property and remove the vehicles, and then bill the owner, as it does under the existing law for rubbish and overgrown weeds and grass.
Alderman Cecil Twillie expressed some concern that the proposed law might cause some problems for landowners who live out of town and are renting their property to people who allow the trash to accumulate. Bryant said he saw no such problem.
"If you own the property and you live in Chicago, it's still your responsibility if you rent it to irresponsible people," he said.
Two readings remain on the ordinance.
On another matter, the council passed an ordinance waiving bidding requirements, to sell an old fire truck to Cherry Valley for $5,000.
The council also continued the ongoing discussion of what the definition of a landscape buffer should be, when commercial property is adjacent to residential property.
The consensus of the council was that the definition, approved by the Planning Commission, was acceptable. It calls for a 20-foot landscape buffer and a six-to-eight-foot privacy fence, with the buffer planted in vegetation "conducive with the residential area it abuts."
Discussion centered over what would happen if there was already an adequate fence on residential property. The proposal states that a new fence would not have to be built. However, Breeding expressed concern over what would happen if the fence on the residential property was torn down. Some said that meant the business would be responsible for building a new fence. Breeding said it might be abused, if a person living next do a business decided he wanted a new fence.
The issue was not settled Tuesday.
In other action, the council granted a 20-foot variance to David Bokker to place a new sign at 625 W. Broadway.
Bryant also called the council's attention to the Mayors' Campaign on Prostate Cancer, which kicked off last week. He urged all men to get tested.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A fishing pond at the Forrest City Municipal Sports Complex could be stocked later this month with a little help from the Forrest City Water Utility, according to City Parks and Recreation Department Director Kenneth Taylor.
Taylor said this morning that fish could be added to the pond in the southwest section of the complex as early as two weeks from now once the Water Utility adds a sump pump and more water to the pond. According to Taylor, conditions in the pond currently would not allow fish to survive.
"We just don't have enough water out there to stock it right now. If we did, the fish wouldn't get enough oxygen because of the number of fish we're going to be putting in there," Taylor said.
"The water department is supposed to be putting a pump in out there to keep the water moving, and they're also going to be adding water to the pond to give us a higher level. Once that is done we'll get the truck in here and get it stocked," he said.
While the pond may not be ready for action, the baseball and softball fields at the complex have been seeing their fair share of action with the start of the youth and adult summer leagues.
According to Taylor, everything has been running smoothly so far including the addition of more security personnel at the complex. Taylor said that security was increased this year in an attempt to cut down on some of the loitering that has taken place in the parking lot at the facility.
"We've really had a good start to everything this year. You're always going to have some problems, but as a whole this has been one of the smoothest seasons I've seen. We doubled our security out here for the year, and that has really worked well. We haven't had as many confrontations, and we've been able to cut down on the folks just hanging out in the parking lot," he said, adding, "Kids just hanging around in the parking lot around people's cars has been a problem for us in the past, and now we have an officer who just patrols the parking lot. They can get out and walk through, breaking up the groups of kids and making sure that they are where they are supposed to be. It has really worked out well."
Taylor also commented on the addition of pavilions at the Municipal Complex.
"The pavilions are booked up from now until November and that's great. It gives families somewhere here in town to come to, and it also gives our youth teams a place that they can have their season ending cookouts. The response to the new buildings has really been good," Taylor said.
Taylor also said participation has been up at the city's other parks with Stuart Springs seeing the most activity. Changes at Southside Park could see an increase in activity at the park just off of Day Street. According to Taylor, upgrades to the two ball fields will pay dividends with the scheduling of a baseball tournament in two weeks.
"We've got the fields pretty close to complete but they will be done soon because we've got a baseball tournament scheduled to take place over there. All of the additions at the park have made it really nice, and we're starting to see more people over there," Taylor said.
One addition planned for the park may have residents waiting to swim until next year. Taylor said this morning that the renovations at Southside Pool are running three weeks behind schedule and will make it difficult for the pool to open this summer.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that nearly $100,000 in grants will be given to two projects in Arkansas' First and Fourth Congressional Districts and to a statewide program.
According to a press release, grants totaling $93,400, were announced on Tuesday by U.S. Congressmen Marion Berry and Mike Ross, along with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor. The funds will be delivered through the 2004 National Scenic Byway Discretionary Funds within the DOT.
The press release also reveals that the Great River Road project will receive $30,000 and the Crowley's Ridge Parkway will receive $25,000 in funding. Both grants will be used to continue the implementation of the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for both projects. A CMP, according to the release, is the central tool used by byways leaders to organize activities, investments and planning goals for the partners and communities supporting the byway.
According to Dr. Ruth Hawkins, the head of Arkansas Delta Byways, these funds are a large part of promoting the area for tourism. "These grants, along with tourism money provided by the state, are the only funding we have to do our projects," stated Hawkins. "The money for the Great River Road project, which runs through Hughes, will be used to help implement the Corridor Management Plan. The Great River Road was designated a national scenic byway in 2002. We will primarily use the grant for brochures and other promotional materials.
"Forrest City will benefit from the Crowley's Ridge Parkway funding because it runs through the city," continued Hawkins. "In fact, the St. Francis County Museum is an official visitor site on the Parkway. The $25,000 that has been given to us will be used for the Corridor Management Plan that we have in place. The Parkway was declared a national scenic byway in 1998, so we really need to update our plan to better work with the communities along the byway."
Hawkins, in addition to her work with Arkansas Delta Byways, is also involved with both the Great River Road and Crowley's Ridge Parkway projects. She stated that the Delta Byways had requested seven grants originally. She also stated that although she was not sure, she thought that the amount of $30,000 given to the Great River Road project was compensation for not receiving the other grants. Hawkins explained that the grants, or "seed money" is allotted in the amount of $25,000 per year and that the extra $5,000 would help the project.
A statewide grant of $38,400 was also received to develop a byways brochure to market the state and will be distributed through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The brochure promotes tourism throughout the state.
A man recently released from state prison is back in jail after he allegedly kicked in the door of a Madison residence early Sunday and threatened the home's occupant with a butcher knife.
Cartrell Mays, 26, 302 Farr St., Forrest City, is charged with residential burglary, aggravated assault, fleeing and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver following an incident that occurred about 6 a.m. Sunday at the home of Tina Butler at Whitaker Manor Apartments in Madison.
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department reported Mays, who previously dated Butler, went to the woman's home and began beating on her front door. When she would not let him in, the suspect reportedly kicked open the door, grabbed Butler and placed a butcher knife at her neck, allegedly threatening to kill her.
Another subject at Butler's home, Zo Williams, began wrestling with Mays, and took the butcher knife away from him, but not before Mays was cut on his side. Mays reportedly ran from the house, and Williams, who had dropped the knife, ran outside to get someone to call the police.
According to the police report, Mays picked the knife up, began chasing Butler and caught her in the front yard where he put the knife to her neck again. When a Madison police officer arrived, Mays reportedly dropped the knife and fled on foot. The officer caught the suspect and called an ambulance for assistance.
Mays was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and released. At the hospital, police found five rocks of crack cocaine in Mays' front pants pocket.
After being treated for his wound, Mays was taken to the St. Francis County Jail where he is being held on a $25,000 bond. He was scheduled to appear in St. Francis County District Court this afternoon.