Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hoo-Hoo Theater news bad

The old Hoo-Hoo Theater has been declared unsafe with no hope of making it safe again.

At last month's meeting of the Gurdon City Council, Mayor Clayton Franklin reported talking with Martha Harvell, who is on the committee to help save the structure, and asking her what the committee's plans were for the old structure.

The City of Gurdon became concerned about the building's safety after the front of the building began to buckle toward the street.

Complaint after complaint had been reported to the city wondering if it (the city) might do something with the structure.

Since last month's meeting, a structural engineer from Dallas visited the Hoo-Hoo Theater and informed Harvell it is "beyond salvage."

Harvell said she would consider turning the structure over to the city if it wasn't going to be a problem because it does have historical value.

The Historical Society, located in Little Rock, told city officials there should not be any problems.

However, the city does not have the funds necessary to tear the building down. As of now the lowest cost projected is $9,500 and the highest is $15,000.

The city will be looking further into the matter in hopes of finding a solution.

Franklin said the city had been approved by the USDA in Hope to get a grant to purchase the land and building it is currently renting from Randy Weems. However, the request for the grant will have to be approved in Washington, the mayor feels positive about it.

If the grant is approved, it will mean the city will have to get a loan for $57,000. It can get the money on a 10-year loan at 4.78 percent interest.

That would make the payments on the building $662 per month. The rent the city is paying right now is $600 even.

Franklin reported only one bid had been made to build the new dog pound. Franklin said the bid was a little high for what the city had expected. However he is negotiating with the contractor and hopes to be getting closer to the price the city can afford.

Carroll Martin, Animal Control Officer, has attended school and has become certified for his position. Martin was already properly certified for the position he fills at this time, however, when the new pound is put into operation Martin will have to learn new procedures and take on new responsibilities.

Martin's next step is to assist a veterinarian and learn the proper techniques for his new duties. After Martin finishes this step the veterinarian will be present with Martin on a few of his new duties. The veterinarian will then certify Martin.

The Gurdon Police Department reported all of it's officers had just completed a course in CPR certification.

A citizen commended Marshall Don Childres on his efforts to control traffic at the Gurdon High School each and every day.

However, the citizen was wondering if the city had any control over the speed limit on the highway going and coming from the school.

Childres said, "We can only write tickets if necessary. We cannot change the speed limit because that is a state highway."

The citizen said she was afraid someone was going to be killed going or coming from school.

The speed limit is 55 until you reach the school zone and then drops drastically to 25 miles per hour.

Childers agreed, adding Main Street in Gurdon needs to lower it's speed limit also and be properly marked so everyone would know the outer lanes on Main Street are turning lanes only.

In the past these request have been made to the state, but nothing has happened. Franklin suggested the citizen write a letter to State Rep. Tommy Roebuck, who has helped Gurdon take action before. Roebuck would be able to make a credible recommendation for the city.