Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Newtown talks trash to city council; leash law passed

Newtown community residents addressed council about trash inside and outside the apartments in their neighborhood.

The Prescott City Council met Monday August 19, 2001, for its regular monthly meeting. The council was addressed first by Sandra Evans, a Newtown resident.

Evans said her community is not safe and she and her neighbors are unable to sit outside their homes because they fear the violence in the neighborhood.

Evans said she has called the Prescott Police several times with no or little response. Evans and other present residents said the problems of violence in the area began with the apartment complexes that have been built in the area in the last few years.

Evans said the residents in the area were littering and trashing the community.

Evans and other concerned residents recently picked up trash around the neighborhood and Evans said the problem residents sat and watched them pick up trash and then began to throw trash across the street where it had just been cleaned.

These are not the only problems Evans says is wrong in Newtown. Trash collection has not been regular in the neighborhood and there are condemned buildings that have not been disposed of.

Also the citizens want more no littering signs and more speed limit signs.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor addressed the citizens saying the trash collection issue would be worked out, maybe switched to a less busy day and he would work with the police department and the residents to help address the problem of trash.

Taylor said the street signs would be placed in the new few days after the meeting.

Evans and residents told the council they would continue to clean up without the council help but would appreciate all the help they can get.

Evans said, "We want the trash out, whether inside those apartments or out."

Councilman Billy House said, "If all of Prescott would do what you all are doing, we would be a better town."

The animal control ordinance was passed also at the meeting.

During the July meeting, the council reviewed the ordinance and changed little of the original document. The ordinance addresses licensing animals, vaccinating, disturbing the peace, and unowned animals roaming the streets.

The ordinance was passed with no opposition and has been placed in the legal section of the newspaper to be viewed by Prescott citizens.

Jon Chadwell, Executive Director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, addressed the council concerning the gift of the hospital building to the city of Prescott from Nevada County.

The council had questions concerning the building, including past bills and future bills.

Chadwell said he simply wanted the city to make an agreement to have the building and all the financial dealing with it reviewed by both the county attorney and the city attorney.

That way, said Chadwell, both attorneys can look out for the best interest of both. The building is part of an economic development plan to bring more businesses into Prescott.

The council agreed to let the mayor, judge, and attorneys work out the details of the plan.

Chadwell said, "This will let us move forward, it was one of the only ways to work with our prospect."

Chadwell also discussed more on the ACE or Arkansas Community of Excellence, program. The committees on the program are working hard to send their goals in soon.

Also the EDO is taking applications for the next Leadership class to be offered later in the year.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce spoke briefly. Godwin updated the council on the pocket parks and addressed the "soaping" incident in the fountain.

Godwin said there has been plumbing problems with the fountain due to the soaping.

Godwin said she spoke to the high school on the first day of school and hoped that she addressed the problem.

Godwin said the fountain is new and hoped soon, "The kids will get tired of this bubble thing."