By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Men were urged to have screenings during a kickoff meeting for a campaign against prostate cancer.
The Mayors' Prostate Cancer Campaign kicked off Tuesday night at the Forrest City Civic Center, and the event was attended by several of St. Francis County's mayors.
Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant welcomed those who attended the meeting, and urged men to get checked.
Becky Kossover, executive director of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, was one of the speakers. She said St. Francis County was the first of several counties to have its kickoff.
She also applauded the effort to combine breast cancer awareness with prostate cancer awareness.
"I applaud your efforts to combine the two, because most men will tell you it takes their partner or wife to get them to the doctor, to make the appointment, to generally make them take care of their health," she said.
She said prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men, behind skin cancer. There are about 230,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed this year in the United States.
"But most of you probably didn't know that, because until recently, prostate cancer had a pretty low profile, particularly compared to breast cancer or AIDS," Kossover said.
"In Arkansas last year, according to the American Cancer Society's figures, there were 2,600 new cases of prostate cancer, and 2,000 new cases of breast cancer," she continued. "The good news is, since the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation was formed in early 2000, the death rate from prostate cancer in Arkansas has dropped 30 percent."
However, she said prostate cancer is still the number two cancer killer of men, particularly African-American men, "But I do believe that education and early detection are beginning to make a difference."
She said there is still much to be done.
"Prostate cancer is still at least 15 years behind breast cancer as far as survivor openness, public understanding, general awareness and particularly research dollars," said Kossover. "Why? Mostly because men have considered this a demeaning and embarrassing disease, and have refused to talk about it. I really admire the men who are willing to talk about it.
"But secondly, it's been considered an old man's disease. But how many of us know men who are in their 50s or early 60s, who have been diagnosed? I don't know about you but I don't think that's old these days."
She said the foundation has a mobile screening and education unit, which gives free screenings.
"We've now been in 37 counties, and screened over 2,400 men with that vehicle," she said. "We were actually in St. Francis County last year, but we only screened 15 men."
She said the mobile unit will return in August for the Cancer Awareness Expo, and in the meantime there will also be other screening programs.
Another speaker was Dr. Don Perkins, a prostate cancer survivor, who told his story. In his case, he first learned something was wrong when he was turned down for some insurance.
Also speaking was Delores Woods, health outreach coordinator for the East Arkansas Enterprise Community.
She said it was important for those present to take the message back to their communities, "to take it to their churches and civic clubs, because it's very important to get the word out. Prostate Cancer is very prevalent."
She said the second annual Cancer Awareness Expo will be held Aug. 21 at the Forrest City Civic Center, and will include mammograms and prostate screening.
Woods also said there are two numbers men can call to schedule after-hours prostate checks between now and then. One is a toll-free number, 1-800-275-1183. The other is the Enterprise Community's number, 630-2005.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The East Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees approved an increase in tuition beginning with the fall semester, and also adopted the facility's budget for the coming year.
The new budget is based on expected revenues of $12,276,439, and includes a 2.7 percent average raise for employees.
The tuition increase, according to EACC President Dr. Coy Grace, is about 7 percent. The increase per hour will be from $43 to $46 for in-district students, from $51 to 54 for out-of-district students and from $62 to $66 for out-of-state students.
The board also heard about a new program, called "I Can Learn," which will supplement the school's developmental math program.
Jan Haven, vice president for Academic Affairs, said that as a former math teacher, she is excited by the program.
"I Can Learn actually stands for Interactive Computer-Aided Natural Learning," Haven said. "But it's not just computer applications. It deals with real-world applications. It is especially successful with at-risk students. It decreases the fear of failure."
She said two other campuses have been visited, where the program has been initiated, and said the success rate is encouraging.
On another matter, Grace gave an update on continuing construction projects on the campus. He said work would begin soon on the renovation of Classroom Building 3.
Also mentioned was the Beach Boys concert, set for tonight. The evening will begin with a dinner catered by Corky's at the Civic Center, followed by the concert, to be held at the Forrest City Junior High Auditorium. Proceeds will go toward the building of a Performing and Fine Arts Center at EACC.
Three new hires were reported. They are Lori Tinkler as director/coordinator of Radiologic Technology, Greg Davidson, as Information Technology program specialist and Cathern Matos as Title III secretary (part time).
Several resignations were also announced, including Jeff Ramsey as program advisor, Claudette Walker of the math faculty, Wanita Rodgers as Even Start coordinator and Pam Davis, a Computer Tech II.
After a brief executive session, the board voted to pay Grace an annual salary of $130,000 on a two-year contract.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Citizens from St. Francis and Cross counties packed the Colt Community Center Tuesday to hear an update and make their feelings known during a public hearing on a proposed regional airport to be built jointly by funding from the cities of Forrest City and Wynne.
Members of the Delta Regional Airport Authority were joined by local politicians and residents for the hearing, which included several stations manned by officials from Garver Engineers, the engineering firm heading up the project for the DRAA. Garver recently completed a feasibility study for the project.
While there were no comments taken from the floor, those in attendance had the option of voicing their opinions in written or oral comments, which were recorded by Garver officials. The written comments, along with transcribed reports from the tapes, will be forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration along with the feasibility study.
Dr. John Kerr, chairman of the DRAA, said he was pleased with the turnout for the hearing.
"I think that this is a great showing from the residents of Cross and St. Francis counties, and it also shows that the public is taking a positive approach to the work that has been done over the past 18 months," Kerr said.
"Everything that I've been hearing tonight and from the public in general has really been positive. As this unfolds, this could be a major contributor to the economic growth of this entire area. The turnout tonight shows people who are enthusiastic and it is really encouraging," Kerr said.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco was also pleased with the crowd for the hearing and with the information presented to the public last night.
"The information that Garver had for everyone was both interesting and informative. I think this gave people a little of what they were looking for and did a good job of showing the progress that this committee has made towards making the regional airport a reality. The turnout was just great from both counties. It showed the communities are interested in this project, and it was a real positive for the effort," Cisco said.
Cisco also commented on the benefits associated with the effort. "This is not something that is just for St. Francis County or just for Cross County. This airport will truly be regional and will have benefits for the two counties and the surrounding counties as well. We've been working on a more regional concept for the tri-state area with the governor and with the Memphis Chamber, and this is a perfect example of stepping outside of just local thinking and beginning to see the bigger picture," he said.
Cross County Judge Billy Lee, who was also in attendance, spoke positively of the effort.
"I'm really happy to see the counties working together on this project, and I'm glad to see that this is moving in the right direction. This airport will be a big asset not only to the two counties involved, but it will be a big asset in the economic development for the counties surrounding us. I think that the crowd was wonderful, and a I didn't hear anyone say anything negative about the work that has been done," Lee said.
The next stage in development of the airport project will be the development of a site selection matrix which will list requirements for a regional airport site. The list will help evaluate the suitability of a particular site for development with regards to topography, environmental concerns, accessibility, utilities, aeronautical requirements, proximity to users, zoning and development costs.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City Planning Commission chairman Danny Capps presented a definition for the city's required landscape buffer for commercial properties abutting residential properties on Tuesday afternoon. Capps stated that he felt that the definition would clarify what the city requires as a landscape buffer.
The proposed definition states, "When a commercial zone abuts a residential zone, a 20-foot landscape buffer will be required. It will consist of a privacy fence, six to eight feet tall abutting the residential property. The fence will be constructed of wood or masonry. The remainder of the buffer will be modified by clearing or grading. Vegetation will be planted that will be conducive with the residential area it abuts. Maintaining the buffer will be the responsibility of the commercial property owner."
"One question I had when I was thinking about the situation was if there was already an existing fence of a residential property, should the business be required to build a new fence," said Capps. "I think that the (new) fence should be built. Another thing I was thinking about was the vegetation. I would hate to see businesses cut down trees to plant shrubs instead. If there are trees there, they should stay. I would also like to say that I feel that if the vegetation that is planted in the buffer area dies off, it is the responsibility of the business owner to replace it."
The commission looked over the definition provided by Capps and unanimously voted to suggest it to the Forrest City City Council.
In other news, David Bokker, owner of Bokker's Used Cars, Inc., located at 625 West Broadway, requested a 20-foot variance to place a new sign at the business.
"The two signs we have now will be removed and the new sign will actually be further south on the lot and four feet further away from the street than the existing sign," stated Bokker. The commission also unanimously voted to approve the variance and suggest it to the Forrest City City Council.
Before adjourning, Capps said he would like to discuss the boundaries within which the city can develop properties. "We have planning boundaries to the north and east, but it is not clear on the south and west. I would like to discuss this next month."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
An election which could divert tax funding to economic development was again the primary topic of discussion for St. Francis County Quorum Court members during their monthly meeting held Tuesday night at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
Justices voted 9-0 to amend an ordinance approved last month, in an effort to clarify the reading of the ballot for the special election.
According to Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce President Randy Pearson, the change in the wording of the ballot was necessary so that voters would not think the proposal was for a new tax.
"After we got a copy of how the ballot would read we gave it to about 100 different people, and for the most part, they thought that they would be voting on a new tax. That's why we asked that the election be postponed until we could get the wording clearer because this isn't calling for a new tax, it's just going to change how that funding is spent," Pearson said.
The proposal will re-allocate $125,000 per year for the next four years from the City of Forrest City's share of the one-percent county-wide sales tax that is currently dedicated to collection and disposal of solid waste. The funding would be spent on economic development and partially on the salary of a new Executive Director for the FCACC.
As part of the amended ordinance approved last night, justices set Aug. 3 as the date for the special election, which will be held countywide.
Two special Memorial Day activities have been scheduled, one for Saturday, May 29, and one for Monday, May 31.
Veterans of Foreign Wars members will place flags on the graves of veterans in the Forrest Park and Hughes cemeteries Saturday at 1 p.m.
Volunteers are welcome to help in this project. All interested persons are asked to meet at the flag pole at Forrest Park Cemetery. The flags will be on display until 4 p.m. Monday, May 31.
At 11 a.m. Monday, memorial services will be held by the flag pole in front of the Forrest City Civic Center. This is a joint service by American Legion Post 4 and VFW Post 2869. The public is invited to participate.
"Remember the sacrifices of those deceased Military men and woman gave in order to protect our rights and freedom we so enjoy," a press release stated.