Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Auditors to visit Gurdon to check water records

Auditors will be visiting the City of Gurdon soon.

The reason being the end of the Water and Sewer Departments fiscal year.

Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin said he wanted the auditors to help get the Water Department and the City on the same fiscal year schedule.

Franklin reported the Water Department spending $29,256 less than it had projected for last year's expenses. The department also received $14,714 more in revenue than projected.

Franklin informed the Gurdon City Council, at its regular monthly meeting, of Whelen Springs adding more water meters. In doing so the city will have to raise Whelen's water rates to pay for the reading of these extra meters. Franklin said the City of Gurdon will charge Whelen $1,000 a month to read the meters.

Franklin said, "Nothing has to be done about these water rates tonight. I just wanted to inform you of it."

The council then approved the Water and Sewer and the City's financial reports.

Franklin stated how proud he was of the City for keeping the budgets where they needed to be. Franklin said, "We have finished 42 percent of the year and all budgets are where they need to be, with the exception of the Animal Control Department. We know they are over due to construction.

"I would also like to give credit to the late Water Commission for their efforts on keeping the water budget where it should have been. Harold Hurst did an excellent job with the departments funds when he was here. It wouldn't be what it is today without the commission or Hurst helping it along the way."

Ben Williams reported the Water Department reading meters and working on the odor in the water. Williams said sometimes water sits in the pipes too long and causes the water to smell.

Williams said, "Anyone who notices a smell should call the water department and we will try to come as soon as possible and bleed the lines."

Williams informed the mayor of the water sample test the city failed back in May.

"We are running an add in the newspaper this week. This isn't anything real serious. It has been corrected and we hope it won't happen again," said Williams.

The water is tested each month by the Arkansas Department of Health. Officials from the ADH report almost 10 percent of all city water programs fail this test. They stated it is nothing out of the ordinary for a department to fail.

Williams said he and his crew are doing everything they can to prevent failing again.

Franklin said, "Stay on top of it Ben."

City Marshall Don Childers reported the Gurdon Lake being cleaned up. "I have someone out at the Lake cleaning the bank off. Sharon Lasker has requested the bank being cleaned at several of the past council meetings. She will be glad to know it is being done."

Clayton said, "I have checked with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on getting the pond stocked. I recently stopped by there to chat with some citizens fishing. They only had two fish that were no bigger than my finger and they had been there all day."

Childers said, "I heard they were thinking about fixing up the old pond over here by the railroad tracks. I think that is a bad idea. They can't even take care of the one they have."

Fire Chief Jake McBride reported four houses are to be burned as soon as he gets through checking all the hydrants in town.

Franklin complimented the Gurdon Street Department on a job well done replacing the sidewalk in front of the old Hoo-Hoo Theater.

Jimmy Caldwell said, "Thank you mayor. We did have some help from Jimmy Garner."

Garner was responsible for tearing the old structure down.

The city cemetery commission has sent in a grant application to help with the building of a chain link fence around the Rose Hedge cemetery.

Teet Newton said, "We have a chain link fence around part of the cemetery. It would be really nice to have it around the whole cemetery to keep kids on four-wheelers out."

Newton also reported the area in front of the cemetery still being impossible to mow after Southwestern Bell had some contractors digging up lines out there.

Franklin said, "I spoke with a Leslie Long from Southwestern Bell, who said he would have someone out here to fix the problem within a week to 10 days. It is well passed that time, so I will get back in touch with Mr. Long."

City Reporter/Treasurer Tambra Smith informed everyone of $3,670 in donations the cemetery has recently received.

"Wendy (Maxwell, the city's administrative assistant) sent out 250 letters along with the yearly dues notice to everyone with a plot at the cemetery. These letters were requesting people to donate money to the cemetery.

"Eighty four letters have been returned so far and most people gave $50 or more," Smith said.

Carroll Martin reported the Gurdon Park being in better shape than it has been in a long time.

"Yes it is," said Franklin, "I have had several people comment on how well it looked and what good condition it was in."

Martin is also the Animal Control Officer for Gurdon. He told the council the Gurdon pound is now in full strength.

Martin said he had set up a euthanization program with Veterinarian James Waymack from Arkadelphia on this past Wednesday.

Martin said the dog situation has improved. "I only picked up 10 dogs this past month. Four of them were reclaimed and one was adopted."

The Municipal Building recently sustained some damage after it was hit by lightning. Franklin reported the damage as being around $5,000.

"We lost three computers, the sirens, our telephone system, the dispatch and several other items. Luckily our insurance deductible is $1,000 so that is all the city will be out," said Franklin.

At last month's meeting, City Marshall Don Childers reported several complaints about the Therapeutic Family Services Center located in the old Pineveiw Nursing Home.

Franklin said, "We invited someone from the Therapeutic Family Services to attend this months City Council meeting and maybe help us understand what they do over there. However, no one is here."

Gurdon citizen Betty Togerson said, "Tell us what that place is about mayor."

"Well I would if I could, but I don't know what it is either. I just know we have a large police file on it," said Franklin, "As good citizens I would think they owe to us to attend the city council meeting and let us know what is going on and if there is something we might could do to help them."

Council members said they hoped someone would attend next month's meeting to better explain the center and the meeting was adjourned.