Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County Judge Makes Counter Offer

Several people have questioned why Arkadelphia attorney Travis Berry can charge $2 per cubic yard for gravel, when the going rate is 30 cents a yard.

The entire situation flared up because of a "deal" made between former Clark County Judge Frank Taylor and Berry, it is alleged.

According to current judge Grady Runyan, alleged the deal began when Taylor agreed to pave a road to Berry's trailer park in exchange for gravel in October, 1994.

Apparently it was a verbal agreement and nothing was in writing.

Berry approached the Clark County Quorum Court earlier this month asking to be paid $20,000 for 10,000 cubic yards of gravel, which he said the county hauled away.

Berry said gravel was used on Copeland Ridge Road, Vaden Road, Okolona Road and the Church Road.

However, Runyan said Copeland and Vaden are the same road, as are Okolona and the Church roads.

In addition, Runyan said Taylor told his crews not to keep any records of gravel hauled.

Runyan also argues there is no way county road crews could have hauled 10,000 yards in seven days as Berry claims. In fact, he said the county couldn't have hauled more than 1,650 yards, which is what the county is willing to pay for.

According to the county judge, Berry's gravel is worth $2 per yard because it is washed gravel. Other gravel purchased from individuals or businesses tends to be red clay gravel and the going price is 30 cents per yard.

Therefore, he said, the county has offered Berry $3,300 for the gravel.

Another gravel supplier to the county verified Runyan's statement about it not being possible to haul 10,000 yards of gravel in seven days. This operator said for the month of November, county crews, working five days a week, hauling all day, every day, only hauled 6,000 yards for the month.

Runyan has said the gravel hauled from Berry's pit to the Okolona and Copeland Ridge roads was spread by the drivers as the dumped their loads. The gravel wasn't just dumped in a pile.

"It isn't ethical in county government (what Taylor did)," Runyan said. "It's not proper or fair. It was an under the table deal.

"I don't know what will come of it. We've offered just compensation. It was the right and moral thing to do."

Berry's recourse is to file a suit against the county and see the matter settled in circuit court.