Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Okolona council undergoes several changes

A change of atmosphere is the best way to describe Okolona's town council meetings.

Since Mayor James Paul took office in January, the council, citizens and the town itself has seen several changes.

On Tuesday, May 6, the town council held it's regular monthly meeting in the community building.

A long table was set up at the front of the room to allow the mayor, city recorder/treasurer, and all council members to sit next to one another facing the citizens instead of having their backs to them like in the past.

The meeting was called to order by Paul.

Vickie Davis, city recorder/treasurer, read the minutes from last month's regular meeting and two special held meeting. The minutes were approved and Paul asked if anyone had any old or new business they would like to discuss. No one spoke up.

Paul said Anthony Orsburn wanted to make a presentation to John Hornsby with the Okolona Volunteer Fire Department. Orsburn presented a check in the amount of $3,000 to benefit the Okolona Fire Department from the Okolona Charity.

Paul proceeded with the mayor's report, stating how pleased he was with the turnout of the fire departments fish fry.

Paul said many items were donated in order to old the dinner and he was grateful for that. In all $2,112 was raised. Paul thanked everyone for their participation that made the dinner such a success.

Paul said he had written a letter concerning the shop building at the old school grounds. The letter requested the items being stored in the building please be removed by the 20th of April. Paul said the premises was vacated on April 24.

"I know this is four days over the time we had actually given them, but I feel the point is, they have vacated and we shouldn't charge them extra for those days. I am just glad it has all been taken care of. If anyone has a problem with us handling it that way, please speak up," said Paul.

"I think you did the right thing mayor. I agree, if they have gotten all of their things, then let's not be petty," said Hezzie Barton, a member of the council.

The council held a special meeting a few weeks ago to discuss the matter of Miles "Moots" McCauley, Okolona's water and sewer manager, being overpaid by $900 last year.

The council decided to ask McCauley to pay the city restitution for the money taken and everything would be fine, or he could refuse to pay it and he would be terminated along with having charges filed against him.

Since that time, McCauley has not paid the restitution however he has resigned from his position and turned in all of his keys and city equipment.

Paul said he is waiting to see what Okolona will have to do next.

Paul said he had recently received a letter of retirement from Mack McCauley, announcing his wishes to retire after 15 years of working with the town of Okolona as head of the water system.

Paul said, "I have butted heads several times with McCauley, however, I would like to commend him on a job well done and thank him for all he has done for this water system. He knows his stuff and he has worked hard to get Okolona some of the more high tech equipment we wouldn't have been able to get if it weren't for him. I hope if anyone sees McCauley you will take the time to commend him on his efforts. He deserves it."

Paul told the council he has been checking into purchasing a new Dodge pick-up for the use of the water department. Paul said the vehicle would be brand new, full size, nothing fancy, and be used to read meters and for maintenance reasons on the water system only.

Paul said he had a bid for $14,766, but was still checking on more bids.

"This truck will be used strictly for water department use and nothing else. It will not be used to run back and forth to town in unless it is to pick up supplies to fix the water system," said Paul.

It was asked if the vehicle shouldn't have four-wheel drive in the event something had to be checked off the road where it was wet?

Paul said, "I don't think that is a real issue and we can use a four-wheeler if we had to."

The question of who is currently maintaining the water system was also raised.

Paul said, "A guy from Delight who is licensed. You have to be licensed in order to fix some of the things. We are thinking of hiring someone full time."

Paul was asked what were citizens to do if there was a water emergency? He said for people to contact him for now.

The council continued the discussion of the truck followed, by Davis reading the resolution for the purchase of one. The resolution was approved.

Paul asked Charles Golden if he had something to say as he was looking as if he were wanting to say something.

Golden said, "No mayor only thing I have to say is how glad I am that everything is looking and going so much better since you've been in office."

Jim Burns with the Clark County Emergency Services was on hand.

Paul said he invited Burns due to the special presentation made to the fire department.

Burns stood and told the citizens and council he didn't have anything to report except he would like for everyone to look around their homes and property to see if they could do more to rid the area of the common household mosquito.

Burns said this is the number carrier of West Nile Virus.

Burns said Okolona and other towns would soon be receiving larvacide to kill unborn mosquitos and help fight West Nile Virus.

Lois Freeman, a citizen of Okolona, stood and asked to address the council about a panther she has seen and heard. Freeman said she was sitting on her porch one night and it was in her yard.

"It walks down Main Street, I've seen it, Dottie Green has seen it and the mayor's wife has heard it. I want to know if anyone can do anything about it," said Freeman.

Paul said, "I have contacted the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and they informed me there wasn't any panthers in Arkansas."

Several citizens argued with the AG&FC opinion on the panther population of Arkansas.

Freeman said she had called the sheriff's office and they told her they would not do anything until bones were found. Freeman told citizens to save anything they found that might have been a victim of the panther.

Brenda Piggee, a member of the city council, was recognized by the mayor as she stood and asked everyone to stay after the meeting to have cake and punch in honor of Paul and his family. The meeting was then adjourned.