Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Reflections Of The Past Two Decades

This issue will end a 19=-year era of the RagsdalesBetty and myself at the Nevada County Picayune. We began working together in 1970 at the Daily Siftings Herald in Arkadelphia. After nearly 12 years I promised her an easier life in Prescott as owners of a weekly newspaper. She has reminded me many times how wrong I was. Putting out a daily was so much easier than a weekly. A daily can rely on wire services for extra news during a slow news week;' most weeklies do not.

But moving to Prescott has been good to us. We have made a lot of friends and we have enjoyed putting together the paper. There was a lot of hard worknot just the Picayune, but for many years we also published a shopper, then in 1995 we bought The Gurdon Times. We cut ourselves a little too thin. Now it is time for us to say goodbye to the publishing world, and we do say so with mixed feelings.

One of the things I want to do is to reflect back over the last two decades. I have seen a lot of changes in Prescott, most of them for the betterment and the progress of this community.

Who could ever imagine moving to a town where the water was unfit to drink and most times was unfit to bathe in? That has all changed. In fact, I would say that was one of the best things that has happened to the city during my timethat and the sewer improvements, which all became a reality about the same time. Most citizens here really appreciate the good water we have now. Those who don't probably weren't living in Prescott when the water was muddy- to reddish-brown.

I have attended more football games in my life at Prescott than I did all the other years combined. Many times I witnessed outstanding players, who almost made a state championshipand I finally was able to see it happen. Most will recall how cold it was in War Memorial Stadium as the Curley Wolves "upset" the Nashville Scrappers for the second time in one year. That's a memory I'll cherish for a long time.

How about the Nevada Lady Blue Jays state championship? I have always enjoyed basketball more than football. It was a real pleasure to follow the Lady Jays that year as they won more than 40 games before finally falling in the overall championship game after winning the state title in their own classification. And the Blue Jays also made it to the state championship only to lose out before the finals.

And the Wolverettes. They just nearly made it several times. As the little boy says "Almost. Not quite, but nearly."

How can I ever forget the county tournaments' that once were held?

Anyone living in Prescott has to enjoy sports. Now Prescott basketball fans will enjoy the game more in the new gymnasium under construction. More than likely fans will see post-season tournaments here now.

One of my fondest memories of living in Nevada County has to do with educationespecially under the direction of Bill Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas.

When Betty and I moved here there were seven school districts in the county. There was no way possible to cover every board meeting or to go to every basketball game, or to attend all the tournaments as far as that goes. But in the 1980s a drastic change took place.

In his program to bring the standards of education higher Gov. Clinton pushed for consolidation of school districts. Five school districts in Nevada CountyBodcaw, Cale, Laneburg, Oak Grove and Willisvillemet that challenge and formed a new school district called Nevada, not Nevada County, but Nevada School District.

I attended every meeting the five school boards had during this period, with the exception of one.

The first meeting was held in the Prescott High School library with then-superintendent Bill Shirron heading the drive for consolidation. Representatives of the State Department of Education were also present, as they were in most of the meetings thereafter.

I witnessed first hand history in making (even on national television, eventually). How many times did I see patrons from their communities crying out they would lose their identity! How many times did I hear angry voices raised against each other! How many times were peoples' honesty questioned! How many times did I witness jealousy among the communities, all wanting the new school facilities close to their proximity, many pointing fingers and demanding to be heard! Teachers spoke out, along with community and school leaders. How many would be hired by the new board? Would their salaries be changed? The questions were endless and often had been answered in previous meetings. Accusations were made and feelings were hurt.

Finally, in the cafeteria at Laneburg, and overseen by state officials, the decision was made. A new board was formed comprised of Richard Toby' Rowe of Bodcaw, Davis Benton of Cale, Bobby Overton of Laneburg, Wade Mendenhall of Oak Grove, and Gaylon Waters of Willisville, and then heated arguments started over and threats were made and more accusations were thrown at the board and others who attempting to do what was best for the children and future generations.

A very unique thing happened when the new board was formed, one which I will always remember. Never before have I heard of it happening and probably never again. The board looked at me one night, when it was setting its regular meeting night, and asked, "Which is the most convenient for you?" They wanted to accommodate the press. Not many boards want to be heard publicly all the time. This one did. It had to keep its patrons informed.

None of those original board members serve in that capacity now, but their tireless efforts put together a model school district that was recognized nationwide. Even a school teacher who opposed the annexation, and one who shall remain unnamed, once told me that was the smartest and wisest thing that ever happened.

Yes, I will always cherish these memories.

And who can forget that day in 1981 that Betty and I bought the Picayune from the Wahlquist family with only one reporter to cover the news? Danny Stewart was the only one I had and he has been a close companion of our over the past two decades. Without his help we never could have converted to computerized technology, and to him we owe a lot. Thanks, Danny.

Of course, one of the saddest things that happened was the losing of the Nevada County Hospital. Its loss should be remembered that we must never depend only on government help to exist. When the pipes of financial funds are closed, the loss can be felt suddenly and disastrously. Federal aid stopped and so did its patients. What was once the pride of southwest Arkansas no longer exists. Of course, the many deathsaccidental and by murderswere sad to one who had never experience such.

One may ask, "If you had it to do over, what would you do differently?" Probably not much. But I believe we failed the public in the beginning by not making elected officials be more accountable to the people. It's the responsible of the press. Those in public office must always be accountable to those paying the bills, the taxpayers.

With this we say farewell. We will all miss you.

John, Betty and Ricky Ragsdale and Phyllis Jackson