Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott City Council hears trash talk during meeting

There was a lot of trash talk at the Prescott City Council.

Terri Vandiver addressed the council at its regular monthly meeting June 17.

Vandiver said she wanted to address the council concerning the beautification of Prescott. As a citizen of Prescott, Vandiver, had researched areas around town she felt were an eyesore to the community.

Vandiver targeted four major areas: trash bins, vegetation, litter, and deteriorating buildings. She began by displaying pictures of trouble areas in the city limits. Vandiver told the council people get used to their surroundings, but people who drive through town see the bad things.

Vandiver told the council trash bins around town are terrible. She said some citizens will place trash in the bins the city cannot pick up, such as old rugs or appliances.

Vandiver also addressed the litter problem through town and at the two I-30 exits. "It's not very attractive at all," she said, and she stressed this was the first thing visitors see when entering the town.

Vandiver also had concerns for weeds and grass in vacant lots. She asked the council who could request for these lots to be cleaned? She also asked about large piles of brush and limbs, could the city pick those up?

The last topic she addressed was deteriorating buildings and storing junk in buildings in town. Both, she said, were a major eyesore to the town.

Vandiver requested the council address the owners of these buildings and see what could be done, she said, "Each business should take care of its own."

Vandiver asked who she should complain to if she has a problem.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said she should bring her problems before the council. He also recommended getting in touch with the council member from her ward.

Vandiver said she passed a trash bin every day on the way to work that looked terrible. That, she said, is what made her start to be more aware of her surroundings.

Vandiver suggested several ideas to the council on how to address these problems. She presented several ordinances she had researched on the internet, gave ideas for clubs and business, and suggested there be more clean-up days.

Council member Dick Bright said, "City beautification is number one, it reflects on everyone."

John Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, was present at the meeting and told Vandiver beautification is a goal for his office.

Also Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber was working on more ideas through its city beautification committee.

The council decided to look over past ordinances and discuss the matter more at a later time.

Chadwell then gave his report on the events in his office. He updated the council briefly on the goals for the Arkansas Community of Excellence program.

He said there are 11 committees making three-to-four goals each to help the community.

He also gave a brief outline of the rural water system. The water system, he said, is still waiting on several easements, but a map will be done by the end of the week showing which roads would be excluded from the system. Then, he said, he could tell how many more easements need to be signed.

Chadwell also said a prospect for a new industry may be visiting the community soon.

Godwin gave a quick report from the Chamber. She discussed the Clean-Up day which had 15 people participating. Godwin displayed the billboard that will be placed in honor of Miss Arkansas, Jessie Ward.

Godwin also announced the Mural Park was coming along, the bricks have been laid and the sprinkler system should be in soon.

Godwin said two new people have been hired to do clean up around the city, she said "We have been very pleased with their work." The workers pick up trash three times a week and mow. Godwin said she wanted to encourage the council to take leadership on the trash situation and lead the community to a better Prescott.

The committee for Animal Control, lead by Councilman, Howard Austin, gave a brief update informing the council no decision has been made and an ordinance would be ready to present at the July meeting.