Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Recycling important

"Gurdon recycling" is something the city wants all citizens to start considering.

For a couple of years the recycling bin has been available for citizens to use on Saturdays. However, this isn't always convenient for citizens.

Daryl Potratz, recycling and solid waste commissioner, told the council that over the past year Gurdon had recycled 10.25 tons of waste. This brought in $1,080. Potratz said he knows Gurdon could do better and he is expecting it to become mandatory in the future.

The Arkansas State Legislature has passed regulations that will, sometime in the future, require cities to recycle 40 percent of its garbage.

Potratz also said if the city could get more people to recycle it would reduce the cost per ton of garbage picked up in Gurdon. He also said he is working on getting a permanent recycling place were items could be dropped off 24-7 instead of just on Saturday mornings.

Potratz has worked hard to gather figures and facts on the positive side of recycling.

Potratz said if Gurdon residents recycled 25 percent of its garbage it would bring in $33,000.

Potratz said he is working hard for the city of Gurdon and it's citizens and hopes to have more information in the future.

Carroll Martin, Animal Control Officer for Gurdon, said he has received all of his certifications and is now waiting on a permit in order to be able to use the incinerator.

Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin asked, "Are you using the new facilities at this time?"

Martin replied with, "Yes sir, I have four dogs in there right now. I am only taking emergency calls at this time though."

Betty Torgerson, a Gurdon citizen, asked to address the council. Her request was granted and she told the council that she among many of her friends would like to give kudos to City Marshal Don Childers and his officers for doing such a good job in Gurdon.

Torgerson said, "They always respond to their calls, big or small and that makes us feel safe."

The council also discussed the proposed one cent county wide sales tax. Franklin said he had attended several meetings on the sales tax and was not real sure were they stood at this point.

Cities inside Clark County are now receiving a one cent sales tax. This money gathered is turned over to the state. The money then comes back to the county under an agreement passed in the early 1980s when the county was in financial straits and needed extra funds.

However, since then, the county's revenues have increased, and the cities general revenue funds have been hard hit by a slumping economy, which prompted the possibility of cities getting a portion of this tax.

Gurdon's City Attorney said the one cent sales tax could be passed if worded correctly in order not to cancel out the already one cent sales tax. The new tax could be dispersed to the county for purposes such as road and bridge repair, etc., with cities getting their share of it.

Franklin said he is afraid if Arkadelphia isn't behind the sales tax, all other cities and towns in Clark County do not have a chance.