By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The new St. Francis County Election Commission, made up of Frederick Freeman, Maceo Hawkins and Pat Flanagin, organized itself Monday and discussed the upcoming election.
Earnestine Weaver of the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee conducted the first part of the meeting, during which Freeman was elected chairman. She then turned it over to Freeman, after saying she hoped the new commission "can bring closure to a lot of things and put our county out of a negative image," referring to some controversy involving the last commission.
However, Freeman sought to soothe any bad feelings.
"I would like to thank the previous commissioners," said Freeman. "I especially want to thank them for their help during this transition, during which they have continued to serve to help us go through a smooth transition. All of us have talked to the state from time to time, and I know the state had expressed to me the fact that when they first heard about the resignations they thought they had a big problem on their hands, but when they found out how much work had been done (by the outgoing commissioners), they were really appreciative."
Flanagin remarked, "I would like to acknowledge the chairman, for abiding by the Freedom of Information Act in the operation of this commission. I'm glad a precedent has been set that I'm sure we'll follow. It hasn't been followed in the past. It's been a sore issue. I think we're off to a good start."
County Clerk Elizabeth Smith gave a report, and said everything has gone smoothly. She said as of Monday afternoon, almost 1,500 people had early voted.
"We voted over 300 today," she said. "I expect this to be a record turnout in early voting. We have mailed out close to 450 absentee ballots."
The deadline for mailing out absentee ballots is today.
"You can come in and carry them out, but we cannot mail out any after Tuesday," she said.
Freeman discussed the legal time lines for getting everything done for the election, and said everything seemed to be okay.
There was one problem, when an unopposed city council member in Madison was inadvertently left off the ballot. It was decided that since the person was unopposed, no harm will be done and the person can simply stay on in the seat.
Because large turnouts are expected, the number of ballots was discussed. Election Coordinator Judy Armstrong reported that 1,500 ballots had been ordered for each Forrest City ward, which the commission members felt would be more than enough. In addition, any ballots left from early voting can also be returned to the precincts.
There was also some discussion over who was to pay for the recent special election to shift some of Forrest City's garbage tax money to the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce. No decision was reached on that matter.
The commission also discussed its computer, and agreed to try to upgrade what it has, and if that doesn't work, to try purchasing a new one.
The commission also tentatively set this Thursday, Oct. 28, for a test of the vote tabulating equipment. A time will be announced later.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The Palestine-Wheatley School Board has a new president after board members elected John Henry Parker to serve as president during their regular monthly board meeting Monday in Wheatley.
The board voted 4-0 with three members abstaining after Parker was nominated to serve as board president. A second nominee, Bill Ray, did not receive a second on his nomination for the position. Ray along with Parker and Dorothy Smith, who nominated Ray, were the three members who did not cast a vote. Board members also filled the vice president and secretary positions on the board last night. Outgoing president Rodney Hicks was elected to the vice-president position and Ray was elected as board secretary.
In other business, board members voted to appoint Smith as the board's delegate to the Arkansas School Board Association. According to District Superintendent John Manning, the board needed a representative who could vote on statewide school issues at the ASBA convention.
"We basically need someone from the board to represent us before the state school board association assembly. That person will not only represent the district before the association, but will also vote on issues that the association places before the assembly," said Manning.
Manning also updated the board on a recent immunization audit of the district held by the Arkansas Department of Health. According to Manning the report was complimentary of the districts records and he thanked district nurse Gail Jones for the job that she has done.
"We recently had our audit of our immunization records by the Arkansas Department of Health and we received a glowing report on the district from the department. That shows the dedication of Mrs. Jones and how she has worked for our district," Manning said.
Board members welcomed their newest member, Donald Cagle, last night. Cagle was elected earlier this month to the board after a runoff election against Donald Story. The board also voted to hire Beverly McKissick as a special education para pro or teacher's aide.
The district could soon benefit from a new purchasing option which might help save the district money on future bid purchases. By a unanimous vote, the board agreed to allow the district to become a part of the TAPS (Texas Arkansas Purchasing System) program. According to Manning the system will allow the district to receive e-mail on bid offerings across the state.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The candidates for the Ward 2, Position 1 seat on the city council are Mary Jeffers and George Wise.
Jeffers, the incumbent, lives at 607 Meanus. She teaches French I at Forrest City Junior High School, and is a graduate of Lincoln High School in Forrest City and Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. She has also had further studies. Her mother and a sibling still live in Forrest City.
Wise, 76, lives at 1018 Hicky. He is retired from Entergy. He has a business accounting degree from Arkansas College (now Lyons College) in Batesville. He and his wife, Hattie, have four children -- George Jr., Chloe, Tricia and David.
All candidates were asked the same set of questions, and none got to hear 0the questions beforehand.
1. What areas of Forrest City do you think need the most attention?
Jeffers: Job opportunities. Affordable housing.
Wise: Jobs, I think is our most important thing. I see these empty factories and the I read about other cities that are getting industries, and I think, what are we doing wrong? I think we need a concentrated effort to get more jobs for our people.
2. City council positions are two-year terms. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during the next two years?
Wise: I was a Scoutmaster for 30 some odd years. I think we have a good youth program, but I also believe we have to go forward to give kids something to do. I had four kids, and I know one thing -- if we don't provide activity for them, they're going to find it themselves. And our seniors, which I'm one of, I want to provide for them. I don't want any of our seniors, in the twilight of their lives, to lack the basic necessities. There are a lot of things. I want to keep improving our fire and police departments. And one big thing, we must have is adequate water and sewers, if we're going to attract any kind of industry.
Jeffers: I would like to accomplish whatever my constituents express to me. Plus, one thing I'm concerned about is the Humane Society shelter. Some money has been appropriated for it. Many people are crazy about their animals and we need a safe place for them. Another project that has been approved and I'd like to see get going is the Multi-Purpose Center. I think it would be really good, especially for the children who can get there. It will keep them off the streets, or it should, and in a safe environment.
3. How would you work to move Forrest City forward?
Jeffers: Perhaps, maybe work with other agencies that try to promote the city, like the (Forrest City Area) Chamber.
Wise: I think there are big opportunities. I think we need to work real close with our chamber and also with the state. They have people that I think can help us. I think we should work closely with our state people to help industry locate here.
4. What do you think is the most urgent issue facing Forrest City?
Wise: I have to go back to jobs again. I think our school system -- of course, the city council doesn't have anything to do with the schools -- are in good shape. And as far as the city facilities, they're good. There's adequate housing, I feel like. But then gain, the big thing is, we've go to have jobs for our people. Without jobs, we read all the time about the population going down. The reason we're losing population is we just don't have the jobs to keep our young people here.
Jeffers: Jobs. The economy. You know, when people work, crime goes down, and that, to me, is very important.
5. To which commission would you like to be appointed? Why?
Jeffers: I have no preference. I will serve when and where I'm needed. Any area is okay. Right now, I'm on the Police Committee and I've been on the Fire Committee. I'm just here to serve.
Wise: I don't know all the committees. But I would like to work with Parks and Recreation. I think that would be my priority.
6. If elected, how would you communicate with the citizens of your ward?
Wise: I'm retired. I'll be a full-time council person. I know of a lot of people in Ward 2. I'm going to be walking the streets. I'm going to be talking to people. I think a lot of people in government, they sometimes feel like we know what the people need, more than they do. I don't believe that, and I'll never turn my back on the people who elected me. I'll be talking to them, not about what I think you need, but what do you think you need.
Jeffers: Probably, through fliers, through phone calls and personal visits. Maybe even have special ward meetings. In the past, we did have ward meetings. A lot of people do call. Anybody who calls, if I'm not here, leave a message and I'll get back to you.
7. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Jeffers: I don't know that I am. I hope that I am. I am a person who is dedicated to the core. It's my opinion that I can do a good job. And I'd like to wish my opponent all the luck in the world, although I would like to win.
Wise: I think I'll be a good candidate because I have the feeling that Forrest City has been good to me. I have four kids who were raised here in Forrest City. They all graduated from Forrest City High School and they're doing well. And I think it behooves everybody to serve the community and pay the community back for the things they have been given. I'm a people person. I have empathy with the people who elect me, not only that but the people of the city. I think I can understand and have an open ear.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The race for the Ward 2 Position 2 seat on the Forrest City City Council will be between incumbent Louise Fields and former councilman Glenn Ford.
Fields, 57, has been an employee at Sanyo Manufacturing Company for 36 years. She is a 1965 graduate of Lincoln High School. She has a degree in business administration from East Arkansas Community College. She has four children, Charlotte Fields-Wright, Felicia Fields, Ricky Brandon and Eric Brandon.
Ford, 57, is the director of the physical plant and security supervisor at East Arkansas Community College. He is a 1965 graduate of Lincoln High School and holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Memphis. He and his wife Debra have two children, John and F. Murray. Neither candidates were shown the questions previous to their interviews.
1. What areas of Forrest City do you think need the most attention?
Fields: There are areas in all parts of the city that need attention, streets that need repair and dilapidated houses. Also, I think we could use more police. A lot of times there are not enough police patrols in neighborhoods because there are not enough police officers. We need more police to protect our citizens.
Ford: I think in the southwest part of the city, there are issues such as the old granary and junkyard that the city needs to address. The council needs to address them because of their appearance and more money needs to be spent to do away with eyesores like this. Also, there needs to be crossing arms at the railroad crossing at Buford and Haven and the intersection of Water and West Broadway still needs a traffic light.
2. City council positions are two-year terms. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during the next two years?
Ford: I want to accomplish the things I mentioned in the first question. Those are my goals. I would also like to improve the relationship we have with the towns around us. Business people and industries look at the relationship that a city has with the surrounding cities. The council needs to listen to the businesses that we have now. We need to keep what industry that we have and bring in new businesses. It is our duty to portray the city in a positive light and attract industry to Forrest City.
Fields: When reelected, I want to help the council do some of the projects that we are planning because of the opening of the bypass. We are planning a fire substation and extending Deaderick Road. Extending Deaderick Road will help bring more employment to the city.
3. How would you work to move Forrest City forward?
Fields: As a council member, and as a person, you have to have a good attitude. You never know who you are talking to, they maybe a person that could potentially bring in new jobs to Forrest City. I never give off negative vibes to people when I talk about the city, I always say positive things. What you say might be drawing a person to want to move here or it maybe pushing them away, so you have to be positive.
Ford: The first thing I would do is solicit ideas from Ward 2. When I served the council, I would hold town meetings at the Faupel Center to get ideas from people in Ward 2 and find out what their concerns are. One thing I think that needs to be done is that the city council needs to develop a strong relationship with the chamber of commerce. I'm in favor of the mayor appointing a four member committee to meet with the chamber and contact prospective businesses. We have got to get new business and industry here to provide new jobs. We have to impress these people. Schools are another thing that potential businesses look at in communities. All of us need to be working in conjunction to improve the city and bring jobs here.
4. What do you think is the most urgent issue facing Forrest City?
Ford: The job market, existing jobs. Kids get out of school here and they have no jobs. Lack of industry is a problem in most cities, but with the new bypass, that will improve our selling the city to industry and alleviate some traffic problems we have. The police department has a good handle on things, but improvements can be made. You can always improve. When I was first on the council, no one in the state had anything on the books for youth curfews. Forrest City was the first in the state to regulate this and I wrote the ordinance myself. Community meetings help me come up with ideas. Anyone who is on the council needs to have their phone number in the phone book, my number is in the phone book.
Fields: The most urgent issue facing us today has got to be jobs, employment. We desperately need more jobs in Forrest City.
5. To which city commission would you like to be appointed? Why?
Fields: I currently serve on the Forrest City Civic Center Commission. I was appointed to the commission by the mayor and have served there for approximately 18 months. The commission has problems that are inherited, but they are working through them. They are good people. They bring their concerns to me and I bring them to the council. I would like to continue working with them.
Ford: If I had a choice, I would like to be on an industrial recruitment commission. It is a passion for me, I would compete, I would really fight to bring jobs to the area. You can't send a kid to college with salaries the way they are. Another commission I would like to serve on would be a law enforcement commission to improve public safety, I have experience in this. We need to take a preventative approach to public safety. People learn from tragedy. People learned from the World Trade Center and Challenger tragedies. I think I could make a contribution to law enforcement through a commission like this.
6. If elected, how would you communicate with the citizens of your ward?
Ford: I would communicate by letting them know my phone number is in the phone book and have yearly meetings with my ward. I am constantly driving through the ward, burning gas and thinking of ways to improve it. I drive through the area quite a bit. I stop and talk to people and find out how things are going, that is what you have to do. Many times, people don't want to talk because it is their neighbor who might be causing problems. If they know that you are a councilman who is a working councilman, you can get things done. I have had people speak to me about trash issues and property disputes. I sat down with those people and resolved the issues with them before anything got started. You can't wait until the situation is out of hand, you have to try and sit people down to talk it out.
Fields: When I am re-elected, I will do what I have done in the past. I'm always visible in my ward, checking things out, talking to constituents and taking their concerns to the council. I have personal contact with the people in my ward and I am always working to get their concerns fixed. It may take some time, but I can guarantee you that I am working on them and I will get back to you. If I don't get back to you in the time that you think I should, contact me. I am always accessible to the people in my ward and everyone in the city.
7. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Fields: When I first ran for this position, I asked you to vote for me because I was willing to learn. You gave me that chance and I have learned a lot in the past two years and I'm still learning. I listen a lot, I might not say much, but I am always on the side of what is best for the city. If you have issues, call me. I will work hard for you and will listen to your concerns that you have and continue to take care of them. I have done that since I was elected and want to continue to be your representative on the council.
Ford: When I first ran 12 years ago for the council, I did not run just to say 'I'm a city councilman.' I have a passion for city government. I ran because I knew I could make a contribution. I will never vote for something that I feel is not in the best interest of Forrest City. The people who live in Forrest City want jobs for Forrest City. Also, we have the best city employees around. If we have funds available, I believe that we should support them by giving reasonable raises.
Missing just three of last week's selected Professor Pigskin games, Terri Billingsley of Widener walked away with the $50 cash prize.
Billingsley missed one high school game, one college game and one NFL game.
Nobody else came close to challenging for the prize.
This week's list of game can be found inside today's Times-Herald.
Early vote totals stood at 1,501 as of this morning, according to election officials. With five days left to cast an early vote for the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election, early vote totals are expected to exceed 2,000.
Voting is being held Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. The voting is being held in the vault of the St. Francis County Clerk's office in the SFC Courthouse.
The last day to early vote will be Monday, Nov. 1.
Four Forrest City Junior High School students are facing a variety of charges including engaging in violent criminal group activities following an altercation Monday at the junior high school.
According to a report from the Forrest City Police Department, the students, three 14-year olds and a 13-year old, attacked a 13-year old student at FCJHS within 35 feet of a FCPD officer. A statement from the officer alleged that the three teens, without provocation, knocked the boy to the ground and kicked and stomped the victim in the face, stomach and chest area. The officer stepped in and according to his statement had to physically push and shove all four juveniles away from the victim before they would stop the attack.
The 13-year old attacker and two of the 14-year olds were charged with third degree battery, disorderly conduct, disruption of campus activities and engaging in violent criminal group activities.
The fourth assailant received the same charges but was also charged with fleeing after he ran from officers after being taken into custody and leading them on a nine block foot pursuit.
According to an official with the juvenile intake office, the four juveniles are scheduled for conferences with juvenile intake officers on Nov. 10, and Nov. 11, and will go to court in December.