Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Firework restriction discussed; Theraputic center may move

A restriction on fireworks in the city limits was discussed at the August 19 meeting of the Gurdon City Council.

At last month's meeting Gurdon City Marshal Don Childers reported several problems with the use of fireworks and said he had received numerous complaints during the week of the Fourth of July.

At that time the council discussed what they should do. Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin told the council they had three options: (1) do nothing about the fireworks except for what the police are doing now; (2) pass an ordinance restricted the use of fireworks; or (3) banning fireworks all together.

It was decided for the council members to discuss these options with the voters in their ward and then report back at the August meeting.

Sally Tarpley said she had some people say they would like to see the fireworks ban through out the city because of trash and noise. However, Tarpley reported the majority of the people stating they didn't want to see the fireworks taken away from the children and it was a good way to raise money for different organizations.

Tarpley said it was suggested making it illegal to shoot fireworks after 9 p.m.

David Buck said most of the people he spoke with said fireworks only came out twice a year and it was no big deal.

"I haven't heard any fireworks in awhile," Franklin said.

Marshal Childers responded with, "That is because I have all of them locked in the police department."

Franklin laughed and said, "Oh well maybe that is why."

Childers said he believed the sell of fireworks started too early in town and he felt like it would cut down on problems if they were not allowed to sell them so early.

Tarpley suggested having an age limit on the purchasing of fireworks.

After much discussion between council members and citizens present at the meeting, it was decided to explore some restrictions before a final decision is made.

Franklin reported talking to Austin Capps and a member of the Hargrave's family about tearing down several of the buildings chosen in the Clean-up Gurdon Project.

Franklin said the committee who picked the houses used Kuhn's Sentry Hardware as a ground zero point to start picking out the properties in the worst condition.

Franklin said Austin Capps had signed the approval for the city to demolish his property as had the Hargrave family.

Capps said he more property he wanted the city to take care of for him.

Franklin reported talking to a representative from the Therapeutic Family Services Center and someone at the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Franklin was told the center was a licensed as a residential care facility and that they kept a full staff on duty at all times to monitor the children housed there. The center is able to care for up to 24 for residents at a time. At this time there are only 13 to 14 children under the ages of 18. Under Arkansas State law the Gurdon School District is required to educate the children at the facility.

The facility is managed by a board of directors who meet regularly to make sure the facility is operating properly.

However, Franklin said he was told the facility may be moving to the old Nevada County Hospital building.