Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Bell replaces Parker on City Council

Henry Bell has been appointed to fill the position of Gurdon City Council member Karen Parker who left the council due to illness.

Bell said he would be glad to work with the other council members and the people of Gurdon.

Bell told the council he had recently lost his home and everything he and his wife owned due to a house fire.

"We did not lose our house or our belongings due to the lack of effort by Gurdon's fireman or police officer's. They did more than they could to try and save our home. It was cold and it was sleeting, but those men were there in no time and they stayed almost all night. I am very grateful to live in the town of Gurdon," Bell said.

"I have recently spoke with Gurdon Fire Chief Jake McBride and he told me the fire department was in need of a new nozzle and with this nozzle they would be able to better fight fire.

Due to the men's great efforts I would like to purchase this new nozzle for the fire department and I would also like to purchase or fix the police departments radar gun for them. I don't want people to think I have money, because I don't, but I do have enough to purchase these items and show my gratitude to the fire department and the police department."

Mayor Clayton Franklin said to Bell, "We appreciated you generosity and we hate what happened to your home. We really appreciate you helping the town."

Council member Sally Tarpley asked water department secretary Virginia Childres if there was problem with getting out last month's water bills.

" I heard a lot of people say they never received their bill. There are nine routes the bills go out on and route five didn't receive their bills. Is there a problem we need to work on?"

"There was not a whole route that did not receive their bills. Route five did have problems receiving their bills, but I did have several people from that route come in to pay their bills. It was a computer glitch. We have been changing the computer system and I am sure that had something to do with it. It will be fixed," said Childres.

Franklin then asked Tarpley, "If we carried our water bills to the post office to buy postage and half of our water bills were not in their, then why did we still pay the same amount of postage that we pay each month?"

Tarpley said, "Well, I don't know, I don't have anything to do with that. I do know that items like that are measured in feet and then the postage is charged it isn't done individually."

"Sounds like there is a problem on both ends then doesn't it," said Franklin.

"Well we do not count the bills individually at the post office. That isn't how it works there," said Tarpley.

"Well we are going to do our best to get it corrected on our end," said Frankin.

"I think there is a conflict on this matter," said Tarpley.

"No, I don't think so. We will work it out," said Franklin.

"Thank you for a good water report," Franklin told the representatives on hand for the water department.

Tarpley then complimented the Gurdon Street Department for patching holes around town.

"I can really tell a difference in the streets, thanks to your efforts," said Tarpley.

Tarpley asked if the city had any type of ordinance to protect the streets of Gurdon from Log trucks passing over them.

"It's not the main streets I am worried about, I know the trucks have to travel them and they must make a living; however, they are really making a mess around town," said Tarpley.

Franklin said, "I know we have designated truck routes around town, but that is about all I know. I am not sure about fines and things of that nature.

"If you see a log truck on a street that you don't think they should be on then call the police and we will see what can be done."

Tarpley said, "Thank you."

City Recorder/Treasurer Tambra Smith has been investigating different rates for funeral plots in the surrounding area. Gurdon only charges $50 for a spot at Rose Hedge. Smith said she has found this to be the lowest cost around.

"Prescott charges their fee for each plot purchased and Hope charges a grave opening fee at the time of burial also," said Smith.

The council discussed several different ideas concerning the cemetery, didn't come to any conclusions.