The St. Francis County Community Foundation will be accepting applications for grants until Nov. 19, for grants in amounts up to $1,000 for local charitable causes.
"Grants will be made to organizations with well-planned approaches to public problems, issues and causes," said Buddy Billingsley, Foundation chairman. "We are particularly looking for projects through which small amounts of grant money will result in significant outcomes."
Executive director Sonya Fletcher commented on grants made during the past year.
"The St. Francis County Community Foundation makes grants to help improve the quality of life in our community," she said. "The Community Foundation has an unrestricted grantmaking fund that allows us to assess the community needs and make grants to non-profit organizations to support those needs. The fund has awarded more than $22,500 in grants during our first three years.
"Grantees during the July 1-June 30 fiscal year included the Kiwanis Club of Forrest City, the Forrest City Area Humane Society, the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the St. Francis County Museum and others. We look forward to granting a like amount to worthy causes in the coming year. With the continued support of the Walton Foundation, we have raised endowment funds totaling more than $680,000. In three years we plan to have more than $1 million in assets and be awarding grants of more than $50,000 each year."
Those interested in applying for grants this year are invited to attend a grant application seminar that will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4 in Pettus Hall at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, located at 402 Dillard Street in Forrest City.
Fletcher may be reached at 630-2400 for questions or to sign up for the application seminar. Interested people may also respond by e-mail to sfccf@sbcglobal.net. The foundation's website is www.arcf.org.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The race for the Ward 1 position 1 spot on the Forrest City City Council will feature a rematch between three term city councilman Roy Hancock facing off against Forrest City Fire Department Captain Henry Peacock.
Hancock, who is in his sixth year serving as alderman in Ward 1, is a retiree who spends his time volunteering with youth at the Community Voices Center. Hancock, a native of Forrest City, is a 1977 graduate of Forrest City High School.
Peacock has one son, William Henry Peacock, who is currently serving in the United States Navy, is a 1978 graduate of Forrest City High School. Along with serving on the fire department, Peacock is a self-employed contractor.
The candidates agreed to a seven-question survey by the Times-Herald and these are their responses: Each candidate was asked the same questions, and no one was allowed to see the questions beforehand.
1. What areas of Forrest City do you think need the most attention?
Hancock: "Of course, I think Ward 1 needs the most attention. We need to be paying attention to Forrest City as a whole, but as representative of Ward 1, I think that Ward 1 is in need of the most attention." Peacock: We have to find a way to bring jobs and industry to Forrest City. We as a city have to reach out and attempt as aggressively as we can to recruit industry and other job opportunities to this area and if we're successful doing that then we can improve our city as a whole. My platform is jobs, housing, transportation and justice. All of those things are needed in Ward 1 and if we can bring in jobs then we can bring about improvement in Ward 1.
2. City Council positions are two-year terms. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during the next two years?
Peacock: I hope to help create jobs in our community and I'll work to implement some type of public transportation system. If we can bring in jobs and a means for people to get to those jobs, then we will create increased and better housing opportunities for our citizens. I would also like to see the police committee, which would consist of council members, re-established. Right now, I feel that the police department leaders need some direction and more support from the council. In my line of work, I work closely with many police officers and we talk over coffee and they express many of their feelings about the current state of their department.
Hancock: If I'm re-elected, I would like to keep doing what I've been doing. As alderman I would like to see continued work across the board, from the street department to more crime prevention. There's a lot that needs to be done and you can't do everything in two years. I will work with the mayor to see that the things that need to be done are done. It will take the entire city council working together to accomplish things and I'd like to see that happen.
3. How would you work to move Forrest City forward?
Hancock: First, I would like to see the businesses that we have in Forrest City, stay in Forrest City. We've had businesses and industry move out of Forrest City into the county and to other cities. I would work to attempt to keep some of those businesses here.
The Chamber of Commerce has stepped in to work with the city to move us forward and I would like to see other local corporations also stepping in to help us move forward.
Peacock: This council is going to have to work aggressively with the Chamber of Commerce to better advertise the benefits of our city. We have to sell Forrest City in a different manner than we've been doing so.
We're wanting to do our job and recruit industry, but we've also got to look at possibly changing some of our zoning ordinances to allow more housing opportunities. Right now in Ward 1 alone, we've got 300 or better vacant houses and lots. But without the jobs nothing can happen.
Our police department has also got to be given some criteria on how to better serve our community.
4. What do you think is the most important issue facing Forrest City?
Peacock: This may seem repetitious, but we need jobs, better housing, some type of transit system and better communication with the police department. All of those issues tie back to how we can improve our city.
Hancock: Forrest City itself. Each issue that we have feeds off of the other issues in this city. If we have poor schools, then it will feed into other areas, if we have a drug problem, then it feeds into the problems that we have in the schools. It's time out for one person to work for the best interest of that person. If we're going to get things done then we're going to have to pull together for the good of Forrest City.
5. To which city committee/commission would you like to be appointed? Why?
Hancock: Whatever committee I am appointed to, I will accept that responsibility. As a council member I've already been appointed to a committee (Parks and Recreation), but we have seen some problems with some of the committees and I don't really see the system working.
Peacock: I would be happy to serve on any committee that I am appointed to in whatever area I am needed, but I would really like to see the police committee re-established. Right now, the police department is short-handed and the guys are wanting to do a good job, but they need support and direction.
6. If elected, how would you communicate with the citizens of your ward?
Peacock: I would hold ward meetings to give the community an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns on a quarterly basis.
Hancock: If re-elected, I would like to set up community meetings. When I was first elected I held some town hall meetings at churches in my ward and they were well attended by the public. I have tried and will continue to try to hold meetings so that the people of Ward 1 can remain informed.
7. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Hancock: Well, this is the end of six years for me on the city council and everyone knows that it takes time to build something. to see Forrest City improve, you have to put in some time. Over my three terms, I've been for Forrest City and for Ward 1 and my record shows that I am here to serve the citizens of Ward 1 and Forrest City. I know that I am the best candidate for the Ward 1 Position 1 seat because I am there to work with the mayor and my fellow city council members.
I'm here for the employees as well as the mayor and the citizens and have worked as a go between the mayor and employees in the past. We need leaders to step up and keep pushing Forrest City forward and that's why I think I'm the best candidate for Ward 1.
Peacock: I feel that my experience qualifies me as the best candidate for the job. Through my military experience and my background I have spent much of my life serving. I have served the citizens of Forrest City as a firefighter for more than 21 years and can see issues from the side of the employee, the citizen and the supervisor. I feel that it's time some of that experience is utilized to help benefit Ward 1 and Forrest City.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The city council candidates for Ward 1, Position 2 are Cecil Twillie and Clifton Avant.
Cecil Twillie, the incumbent, lives at 701 W. Sharpe Street. He is a retired educator. He is a graduate of Philander Smith, and also attended Tennessee State. He graduated from Arkansas State University with a masters degree in health and physical education and administration.
He and his wife, Ozaree, have three daughters, Twyla, Cynthia and Rosalyn.
Clifton Avant, 58, lives at 2010 Haywood. He is an electronic technician and has completed two years at Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute. He and his wife, Essie, have three children, Eric, Shauna and Marco.
Each candidate was asked the same questions, and no one was allowed to see the questions beforehand.
1. What areas of Forrest City do you think need the most attention?
Twillie: Without a doubt it's my ward, Ward 1, We have quite a few areas that are blighted. That is one of the efforts I'm trying to do right now, help some of the blighted areas. That's the reason I chair the real estate committee that's related to the city council. We have a lot of lots that we don't have houses on, and quite a few deteriorating houses. Broadway Street, from the railroad going west -- we really need to spruce that up quite a bit. We have a lot of people coming to town.
Avant: Ward 1. We have a flooding condition out there. People have been complaining for the last 10 years, when it rains real heavy. I would like to concentrate on that if I'm elected.
2. City council positions are two-year terms. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during the next two years?
Avant: Jobs and housing. I would like to being business to Forrest City.
Twillie: Hopefully I can continue the things I've tried to do ever since I've been on the council. First I want Forrest City to grow and move and be cooperative. The real need for the Forrest City area is jobs. We have just approved money for the (Forrest City Area) Chamber of Commerce to help economic growth. Those are the kinds if things I'd like to see in the next few years.
3. How would you work to move Forrest City forward?
Twillie: I think one of the key things in making Forrest City move forward is that the city and county government need to team -- get a collaboration. The real need, as I always say, is to talk green, and that means money and jobs. At the same time, with the smaller cities, close by, if we can work together I think we can cause growth. Let's try to work together so we won't have negative publicity.
Avant: By working with the mayor and the city council to bring more industry and more jobs into Forrest city.
4. What do you think is the most urgent issue facing Forest City?
Avant: It would have to be jobs and housing.
Twillie: The most urgent issue facing Forrest City is jobs. We have so many people who are qualified and willing to go to work, and don't have jobs. We have a lot of folks who have to leave every morning and go somewhere else. I hope in this next tenure we can bring jobs to Forrest City or its proximity.
5. To which city commission would you like to be appointed? Why?
Twillie: I presently serve a chairman of the finance committee and chairman of the personnel committee. And I would like to continue to serve on those two, if I'm successful and my colleagues would like to see me there.
Avant: No particular one. I would just like to try to work with everyone on the city council and try to figure out what is best for Forrest City and the people of Forrest City.
6. If elected, how would you communicate with the citizens of your ward?
Avant: I would try to take care of all the complaints that they have, and work with the city council and the mayor to try to solve the problems we're having in Ward 1. I would do my best to take care of all the complaints that we have. I can't do it all by myself. You have to work with the city council. No one person can do it all.
Twillie: I would communicate daily. I walk through my ward and I talk to them. And we also have neighborhood groups that kind of meet once a month, so I talk to them from time to time, see their needs and try to address them.
7. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Twllie: One is experience. Two is background, dealing with children and dealing with citizens. I have 38 years on-the-job experience in the education arena. Therefore I know most of the people in Forrest City. I know of other agencies that help cities in areas we are trying to move in. I put in quite a bit of traveling to see what other cities are doing as far as revitalization and renewing the economy. I also know the members of the city council and quorum court as well. With that kind of experience, I just feel I'm the person for the job.
Avant: Not saying I'm the best qualified candidate for the job. I have nothing against my opponent. I just figure he's been there for a number of years. It's time for a change, with new ideas.
The number of early votes cast in the Nov. 2 general election soared to over 1,200 as of this morning, thanks in part to Saturday voting.
According to St. Francis County Clerk Elizabeth Smith, 140 voters turned out for Saturday voting this past weekend. Those votes combined with voting from Friday and this morning pushed the total ballots cast at this point to 1,210.
Early voting is being held in the vault at the SFC Clerk's office from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and again on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
The last day to cast an early vote for the election is Monday,
Nov. 1.
Only a few meetings are planned for this week in St. Francis County.
The St. Francis County Election Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. this evening in the quorum court meeting room at the courthouse.
At 6 this evening, the Palestine-Wheatley School Board will meet at the junior high campus in Wheatley.
On Tuesday, the Forrest City Planning Commission is scheduled
to meet at 4 p.m. at city hall.
The Forrest City Public Library will host its annual Halloween Storytime at 6 tonight at the library.
Participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes
to the event. The guest reader will be Tony Astin.
A 12-year old Forrest City girl was taken to Memphis after being struck by a car in a Sunday afternoon accident.
According to the police report, Nakisha Flowers, 12, of 801 Franklin, was riding her bicycle on Brandon Street at about 1:48 p.m. Sunday. At the same time, Mary Wade of 144 Brandon, was driving south down the street, when she said a young girl on a bike pulled onto the street in front of her. Wade and Flowers both said they did not see each other until it was too late.The Forrest City Fire Department and an ambulance were called to the scene. Flowers was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital, and then taken to LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis. There was no report on her condition as of press time.
A Democratic Rally will be held Thursday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m. in the parking lot across from the St. Francis County Courthouse.
Several state and national elected officials are expected to attend the event.