By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
A proposal for a half way house in Madison had some opposition voiced on Monday at the Madison City Council meeting.
Last month, Rev. Leon Pettis of T.H.E. L.I.G.H.T. Church in Milwaukee, Wis. spoke to the council about a proposal to bring a reentry program for prisoners to St. Francis County and locate it in Madison. It was requested by the council that Pettis present a written proposal at the April meeting. While Pettis was not in attendance last night, a written proposal was handed out.
According to that information, the program would prepare both male and female inmates for "reentry into the community," provide housing, job training and placement, counseling and "help rebuild the family unit." It also states that Pettis and his church plan on the program being federally funded and that there would be no cost to the city.
"We are still in the information stage on this," said Mayor James Brooks of the proposal. A citizen was recognized that was in attendance. She stated simply that she was not in favor of the program.
"We have not voted on anything, so there isn't anything to be opposed to yet," stated Brooks. "Does anyone on the council think that they have enough information on the program to entertain a vote?"
While none of the council members stated that they felt the issue should be voted on Monday, member Christal Taylor gave her opinion.
"We want the citizens of Madison to have a town meeting so they can voice their opinion about this half-way house," began Taylor. "We don't want it here. They tell you that only people who are minimum security will be here and then you have a bunch of killers move in. We need to get him down here from Milwaukee and let the people talk to him. He presents this proposal and we don't know if he is certified for non-profit in this state."
The issue was tabled until next month. Brooks was asked to contact the organization to have a representative present at the June meeting.
In other news, Brooks presented a plan that he felt might save money on a disaster alert system that is being bid. "One of the bidders mentioned that we could place one alarm on a 50 foot pole in the (Scott Bond and formerly the Madison) cemetery," stated Brooks. "They said it would save us from having to build two, one a Crow Creek and one at the pumping station. They said that since it is at a high point, the sound coverage would be enough."
Two problems with the proposal were discussed. One was that the system must meet state standards which is a requirement to use the Arkansas Rural Development grant money for the project. The second was who owns the property.
"We did own it when it was Madison Cemetery," added Brooks. "But now that it is Scott Bond, I don't know." This issue was also tabled so that more information about ownership of the cemetery and if the one alarm system meets state requirements.
Calvary Christian High School has announced its Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2004. Adam Hillis was named Valedictorian and Vanessa Myers was named Salutatorian respectively.
Hillis will graduate with a 4.00 grade point average and plans to attend either East Arkansas Community College of Williams Baptist College. While in college he plans to pursue a major in either Business Administration or Sports Medicine. He has earned a President's Select Scholarship from Williams Baptist College, a Hammons Charitable Foundation Scholarship and a Kiwanis Club Scholarship.
While at Calvary, Hillis was active in baseball, basketball and soccer, along with being the vice president of the Student Council. His special honors include being named to Who's Who Among American High School Students for four straight years, a USAA National Mathematics Award, a USAA International Foreign Language Award, a USAA All-American Scholar Award, the Duolos Award in ninth and tenth grades, MACS Varsity Conference 2nd Team All Conference Basketball in 2001 through 2002.
Hillis is the son of Tommy and Phyllis Hillis and the grandson of Theopal Hillis and the late Ocie Hillis, and Helen Cowan and the late Rev. Floyd Cowan Jr.
Myers will graduate with a 3.70 grade point average and will attend Pensacola Christian College where she will major in Nursing.
Myers was very active while at Calvary. She was a member of the choir, the student council, the 5-Days Clubs and was in the plays "Anne of Green Gables" and "Ten Little Indians". She was also named Homecoming Queen in 2003 and was an honor student.
Myers is the daughter of Jeff and Stacy Myers and the granddaughter of Harold and Meryl Myers, and Smith and Shirley Hardee.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Caldwell City Council on Tuesday heard second reading of an ordinance to raise the city water rates.
If approved, the minimum rate will increase from $8.05 to $9.50 per month. The minimum rate includes four "units," with one unit equaling 748 gallons. The rate per unit after the minimum will increase from $1 to $1.15 per unit. Connection fees will be $300 for residential customers and $500 for Commercial customers.
There is still one reading left on the ordinance.
The council also had a discussion on the city's taking over the areas of Woods Road and Ross Road which connect Evans and Meeks Road.
Mayor Gary Hughes said once the city took over, Woods Road would be widened and straightened. Ross Road would receive some more gravel.
"It will cut down on the phone calls." said Hughes.
It was also suggested that the project might require culverts in one place. Hughes said he would look at the problem.
Hughes also said something needs to be done with the bridge before the turn into Telico Trails. He said the pilings have shifted. Along with repairs, the bridge might receive a pipe, "but we've got to make sure the pipe can handle the water," Hughes said. "We need to be ready to act on this next month," he said.
In final action, alderman passed a motion for the city council to go on record as opposing the closing of Caldwell Elementary School, a decision made Monday by the Forrest City School Board.
At first he also wanted to add an objection to remarks made to Hughes by Forrest City Superintendent Lee Vent at a public hearing held before Monday's school board meeting.
At Monday's public hearing, Vent had questioned why Hughes was speaking on the Caldwell school when his children attend school in the Palestine-Wheatley district.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Hughes said, "My kids are no longer in elementary school, and they attended elementary school over here." He said he believed the issue was taken care of.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Incumbent St. Francis County Sheriff Dave Parkman is seeking his tenth term as SFC Sheriff and Collector in next week's Democratic primary. Parkman is being challenged by Forrest City Police Department Animal Control Officer George L. Cochran Sr. The winner will go on to face John "Big John" Heckler in November, who has filed as an independent.
Parkman, the father of three and the grandfather of six, is a graduate of Cross County High School and has spent several years working in law enforcement with both the Forrest City Police Department, where he served as both an officer and as chief of police, as well as his time as Sheriff. He is the widower of the former Irene Jones Parkman.
Cochran, is the father of four and the stepfather of four. He has served as a St. Francis County Constable and as the Animal Control Officer for Forrest City for the past 12 years. He is a graduate of Lincoln High School in Forrest City.
Both candidates sat down earlier this week for interviews with the Times-Herald, and answered a series of questions about themselves and issues facing the county.
1. If elected, what changes would you make to this office?
Cochran: If elected, I would assess the office before making any changes.
Parkman: I don't foresee any changes. We will continue to serve the people as we have in the past.
2. In your opinion, what services need improvements?
Parkman: We can always use more resources and personnel in the Sheriff's Department, but funding is a problem. We could always use more deputies, we live in a very large county and sometimes we fall short on personnel and funding causes that problem.
Cochran: Services right now seem to be all right. I will assess them if I am elected.
3. What do you think is the most urgent issue facing counties today, St. Francis County in particular?
Cochran: The most urgent issue to me is that the deputies need to ride more in the county. Patrols need to increase. We have farmers in the county that are working all day and their shops get broken into. Increasing patrols in the county will help prevent break-ins. Also, the deputies need more support from the citizens. They need their support in fighting the meth problem and reporting suspicious people in the county.
Parkman: I know everybody gets tired of hearing it, but meth is the biggest problem in the county. It is to the point were it is almost out of control. We have organized the Drug Task Force for the First Judicial District and they are doing a great job. But it is still a growing problem and our main problem. The problem is not just here. The state per capita is one of the largest for illegal meth production. Another problem this causes is drug-related crimes.
4. What type of experience do you have with budgets?
Parkman: We submit our budget each year and try to live by it. I think we do a good job living within it. With gas prices right now, it is harder to live by our budget, but we are living well within it.
Cochran: I will hire someone to audit both offices ( sheriff and collector) and then start from there. That way I will know if they are in the red and work on bringing everything up to date.
5. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Cochran: I am the best candidate because of my work in law enforcement for 30 years. Officers of the law have the job to protect and serve, that is what I want to do for St. Francis County. I know that I can do the job if given a chance.
Parkman: My number of years in law enforcement and in this office make me the best candidate, my experience. I have always tried to give honest, fair and impartial law enforcement.
6. How would your election benefit the residents of St. Francis County?
Parkman: My continuing to serve the people. That is what will benefit them. We have always tried to serve residents of St. Francis County in the best way that we can.
Cochran: If elected, there will be more patrols in the county and not just the city. Also I will work towards all law enforcement- city, county and state- working together.
7. What word or phrase best describes yourself?
Cochran: I'm likable, trustworthy and love to help anyone that I can.
Parkman: Honest.
St. Francis County will honor all of its high school graduating seniors this weekend at ceremonies for Forrest City High School, Palestine-Wheatley High School and Hughes High School on Friday, May 14, and Calvary Christian High School on Saturday, May 15.
The FCHS ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in Sam Smith Stadium or in the Mustang Arena in case of rain. PWHS will honor its seniors at 8 p.m. on the football field on the PWHS campus or the gym in case of rain. The graduating seniors of HHS will receive their diplomas at 6 p.m. on the football field or in the gym if it rains. The lone high school graduation on Saturday will be the CCHS seniors. They will graduate at 6 p.m. in the Chapel of the elementary campus.
East Arkansas Community College will graduate its seniors on Saturday, at 11 a.m., at the Forrest City Civic Center. Students receiving degrees are asked to arrive at 10:15 a.m. Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute will graduate its seniors on Friday, June 18, at 7 p.m., at the Forrest City Civic Center.
The Palestine City Council was presented a vicious dog ordinance by city attorney Jerry Roberts on Tuesday night, but he presented it with some caution.
"Hughes has already passed a vicious dog ordinance," began Roberts. "It bans dogs that are proven to be vicious and certain breeds of dogs that are known to be dangerous. I have drawn up this ordinance for Palestine that is similar.
"The problem in Hughes is that they don't have anywhere to put the animals once they get them," continued Roberts. "They are talking about building a place to hold them. They also have to hire someone who is trained to destroy the animals. That has been their problem with the ordinance. I'm presenting it to you so that you can look at it more closely."
The council took Roberts advice and tabled the issue for closer inspection. Roberts was also asked to look into an ordinance that would limit the amount of pets that one person can have in the city.
In other news, Bryan Harris was sworn on to the council. Harris will serve in the Ward 2 Position 2 seat that was vacated by Carolyn Burdett in January.