Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GPD to be computerized

Mayor Clayton Franklin was pleased with the city's budget report at Monday, August 13, meeting of the Gurdon City Council.

Franklin said, "I would like to commend all department heads on staying within their budgets."

However the police department needs to become computerized and will need extra money to do so. Tambra Smith, the city's treasurer, informed the council the money could be taken out of a special account the city's has especially for fines taken in by people without liability insurance.

This would not make the police department over budget, but would have to be added to its budget to show where the money went.

The council approved money being transferred from the special account to the police department.

Franklin also commended Smith on a job well done projecting the city's revenues for the year.

The street department reported the White City Asphalt Co. has started on the repaving of many of Gurdon's streets damaged by the ice storm. Much of the preliminary work that needed to be done, has been done by the Gurdon Street Department.

The Gurdon Municipal Airport commission reported some improvements being done on the parking area. The State of Arkansas approved a grant for close to $60,000 to be used to repave the parking area at the airport. This is not enough money, but the airport has enough to match the state's funds and finish the project. None of the monies used will come from the City of Gurdon.

At last month's meeting it was requested to purchase an acre of land from Entergy located next to Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon. Since that time, the Cabe's have given the cemetery commission a grant for $1,000.

However, Franklin talked to a representative from Entergy who told him they would come down in two to three weeks and clean the property up.

Then after the proposal from the city went through the corporate structure of Entergy they would know if they were able to buy the land or not.

Franklin gave an update on the Southwest Arkansas Regional District Solid Waste Commission meeting he attended last month in Hot Springs. Franklin said the proposed landfill, to be located just a few miles out of Gurdon city limits, was discussed at the meeting.

Franklin said he made it clear he opposed the idea. However, the commission wanted to buy the land from International Paper for $262,000.

Franklin said, "Myself, the Arkadelphia City Manager, Barbara Coplen and the Clark County Judge, Floyd "Buddy" Manning all voted against purchasing the land since no one has voted on whether or not we are getting a landfill."

Franklin said the commission wanted to vote on an option but no one seconded the motion and the motion died.

"I don't feel like this is the last we have heard about the proposed landfill," Franklin said.

Franklin also gave an update on the building projects going on at city hall. Apparently the bricks used on the building are hard to find and contractors have had a hard time finding them. However, bricks have to match have finally been located and construction on the facilities will restart this next week.

The city is also looking for local bidders to build the Gurdon Dog Pound facilities. Blueprints of the pound may be picked up at city hall for $25.

Franklin wanted to clear up the city was building a dog pound and not a dog shelter. He said dogs would, however, be able for adoption for the five days from the time they are picked up until the time they are euthanized.

Franklin also said any rescue leagues for dogs who are about to be euthanized are welcome.

It was also suggested anyone adopting a pet would have to sign a contract stating they would have the animal spayed or neutered to keep the city from picking up more animals. Franklin liked the idea and hopes to get more information on it.

Since last month's meeting, Martha Harvell has been in contact with several city officials concerning the Hoo-Hoo Theater. When Harvelll spoke to Franklin, he was informed of the members of the restoration committee. They are Billy Wells, Helen Tarpley, Zela Taylor and Harvell.

Harvell said the committee had worked hard to raise money to restore the structure but most of it was spent to purchase the property in order to protect it. She also said almost all of the money left after the land purchase was used to tear out the inside of the old building and remove its collapsing roof.

Harvell said there had not been any donations in five years. She also said she hated to see it go, but all of the people on the committee aren't in good health, or are just to busy to devote all of their time to the project.

Harvell did however say she has been in contact with a structural engineer from Dallas who is planning to come and look at the building and give an estimate on the cost to restore the front.

After the engineer visits within the next few weeks Harvell said the committee would consider turning the property over to the city if the cost was too high.

If the city does obtain possession of the old structure, it would probably be torn down due to lack of funds for restoration and the danger the building posses to the community.