Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Pet problelms plague Prescott's city council

To many pets.

This was the cry of Frances Haynes at the Prescott City Council meeting Monday April 15. Haynes addressed the board with worries of a neighbor who has nine dogs fenced in around her house.

The dogs, according to Haynes, are a nuisance and are beginning to become a health concern in her neighborhood. The problem began with late night barking keeping the neighborhood up.

The Haynes's discussed the barking with the owner of the dogs and she placed tarps around the fence to keep the dogs from noticing cars passing by.

But, said Haynes, that is not the only problem. According to Haynes, the dogs are quite large and their pen is being washed out into the street, "To me that's raw sewer."

Haynes said the problem was so bad last summer they were unable to sit outside because of the smell.

Haynes suggested the council do something to stop the problem. She recommended enforcing a new law that would require citizens only be allowed to have two pets in the city limits.

The neighbors are also disturbed by the number of cats in the neighborhood. According to Haynes, the cats are owned by the same person and are causing damage to vehicles.

Ann Stockton, a member of the council, said, "This isn't the only problem in Prescott with people with too many pets."

But, the owners of these pets do not see it as a problem. Some suggestions were made and it was decided a committee would look at past ordinances and see what they can come up with.

"We are aware of our pet problem," said Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor.

The financial statement was also reviewed at the monthly meeting. Questions were asked about the electric department. According to the statement they are about $10,000 over budget.

The budget had been lowered due to the ice storms last year, but overall no answers were given into why they were so far over.

"We aren't doing any overtime," said Taylor.

Danny Beavert suggested a committee should meet before the meeting to discuss any problems that can be found in the financial statement. That way if there is a problem there will be answers to give to the council before the statement is approved.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, addressed the council regarding Resolution 2 of 2002. The resolution involved the Advantage Arkansas Program.

The program brings tax cuts to existing industries. Potlatch would be the beneficiary of this program in this case. Under the program, Potlatch will receive tax credits for every new employee it adds. The credit also allows the company to expand.

"They are going to add about 30 new jobs," said Chadwell.

According to Chadwell the program is a way of showing appreciation to Potlatch for its loyalty to the Prescott community.

Chadwell also discussed the new Rip Griffin Truck and Travel Center, now open.

He said 135 jobs had been created. "That's the whole purpose, to keep people in our community."

He said he had talked with people employed by the company and they seemed excited to be able to work at home instead of going to Hope or Texarkana.

The pocket park plans are coming along and the bids are due April 26. The sidewalk grant is still in process and waiting on the highway department. Hopefully, he said, the work on the sidewalk will help the drainage problem in the downtown business area.

Chadwell discussed the problem with rural water project. Some 240 easements still need to be signed and turned in; nothing else can be done on the rural water issue until then.

The council announced a clean-up day for the community on April 27 and May 4.

Citizens are urged to place their unwanted items out and it will be picked up on these days. However, no bagged garbage will be accepted.

Also the council discussed the drainage problems in areas such as Wildcat Road. Because of the ice storm many ditches and creeks are overflowing with debris. This debris may be the cause of the drainage problem.

City officials until it dries up nothing can be done but in the summer time work would be done in these problem areas.

Ned Ward has been hired to clean up in the city cemetery. He will be keeping the grounds cleaned up. He will be mowing weekly.

The new fire station location is still in the works. A committee toured the east side of Prescott with the fire chief but no decision was made.