Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon exceeds anticipated revenue

Members of the Gurdon City Council were happy to see Gurdon's revenue exceeding its predicted income by $22,000.

Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin commended all city departments for staying in or below budget.

Franklin said, "This was not an easy year and we have had several obstacles, however we have overcome them and everyone handled it well."

City treasurer/recorder, Tambra Smith, has been working hard to complete this year's budget information. This has taken up most of her time lately.

However, she is planning to follow up on the retirement benefits for the city. Recently Gurdon citizen Betty Torgerson suggested the city find a way to offer its employees a retirement plan.

Franklin said he has looked into some possible options, but would like to wait for Smith to make her contacts in order to compare information and find the best option. Smith said she will work on it as soon as she has the opportunity.

Harold Hurst, head of the Gurdon Water and Sewer, is still absent due to recent surgery.

Ben Williams has been filling for Hurst and was present at Monday night's meeting to answer questions of public concern.

Franklin said he had been receiving several phone calls from residents wondering why their water had a funny smell to it. Franklin said he would love to answer the questions; however he felt Williams would probably do a better job since he is out with the water department on a daily basis.

Williams explained during winter months water sits in pipes longer because not as much water is used during this time. As water sits in these pipes it tends to lose oxygen and causes the water to have an odor.

Williams said the water is safe and, if notified of the problem, the water department can come and bleed your lines to clear out the odor.

Franklin also suggested the fire department opening up hydrants on a regular basis to help with the problem.

Franklin said any Gurdon citizen who may have questions or comments about the water system can call the water department anytime.

City Marshall, Don Childers, was on hand to report on Gurdon's recent drug bust. Childers said he felt the raid was a success. "We didn't get everyone, but we made out point and we are not through", said Childers.

Gurdon citizens who have been taking advantage of not having the dog pound facilities finished better get their leashes and chains out again.

The building is finished and the mayor is urging animal control officer, Carroll Martin, to get his certification as soon as possible. As soon as the incinerator is in place the dogs that are running loose now will be picked up and laws will be enforced.

The council voted to allow the police department to buy a new 2002 Crown Victoria police car. The department had already received a $5,000 grant for the purchase of the car and plan to use $5,000 from a special account the department has at the bank for funds collected from citizens who fail to have liability insurance.

The council voted to allow the department to purchase the car with the remainder of the funds coming from a loan provided by First State Bank with a 4 percent interest rate. The loan payment will be made out of the department's account the $5,000 came out of.

The city did not have to advertise the need for a loan or a car because the city isn't providing any money towards the purchase.

A concerned citizen asked if the city would remind the town that there is still a curfew for anyone less than 18 years of age that is on the streets not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. She said the police had done a good job enforcing this law however; it is left up to the parents to enforce the law now.

This law states that anyone less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if they are out after 11 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 12 a.m. from Friday through Sunday.

Warnings are usually issued first and then fines are given to parents who fail to enforce this law to their children. The fines range from $250 to $500.