Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council meeting short; cable contract discussed

Gurdon's October City Council meeting, held Monday, October 20, was short and to the point.

Mayor Clayton Franklin reported talking to Sen. Percy Malone and Rep. Tommy Roebuck about the possible closing of the Revenue Office at the Gurdon Municipal Building.

"There are lot's of people up in arms about this matter. Roebuck and Malone are on our side. We are hoping something will change and we can keep our office," said Franklin.

Franklin also asked City Marshal Don Childres if he and his officers could make another list of abandoned cars.

"Our first list really helped. We sent letters to those who were on the list and many of them removed their old cars. For those who haven't removed them by now, they will be fined," said Franklin.

Childres agreed and said he was also pleased with the results from the first round of clean-up.

Franklin asked Street Department Manager Jimmy Caldwell when the department planned to tear down some more abandoned houses.

Caldwell said he hoped to be able to borrow some equipment from the county a few weeks after the Forest Festival and start cleaning up again.

Caldwell reported he and his crew being busy in preparation of the Gurdon Forest Festival. Caldwell said he would have employees at the Forest Festival to help people find restrooms, parking and any other questions they can help with.

Carroll Martin with the Parks and Recreation reported the park running smoothly, but asked the mayor if he thought it might be possible to purchase some new playground equipment.

"That old equipment that is out there is old and worn out. The spiral slide has rivets showing because it is so worn. The wood on the platform leading to the slide is old and splintery. It could really use an update," said Martin.

Franklin told Martin to look at some magazines the city has at the office to pick out some new equipment. Franklin said he hoped the city could get a grant to pay for the equipment or else they wouldn't be getting any.

Martin, who is also in charge of Animal Control in Gurdon, said he had gotten almost 133 animals that were violating the city ordinance this year.

"I guess I am running about on schedule as far as the animal control goes. I usually get about 215 a year," said Martin.

Gurdon's Police Department, Water and Sewer Department and Fire Department all reported to be running smoothly.

Gurdon's Police Department recently sent all of it's officers for a psychiatric evaluation, as required by the state. Childres reported all of the officers passed.

Gurdon's cable contract with Cox Communications recently expired. The contract was for 25 years, which means it was put into place in 1977.

"They are wanting us to renew our contract with them. I don't see a problem with this, although I feel it would be appropriate for Cox to, in return, promise us not rate increases for a certain period of time and possible offer us some new programming. You know make it worth our while to have another 25 year contract," said Franklin.

Franklin told the council to be prepared to discuss the topic at the next council meeting and get some input from the citizens.

"There is no specified time as to when we must decide whether we are going to sign another contract or not," he said.

Sharon Lasker, a Gurdon resident, asked the mayor if there was anything that could be done about all of the street lights in Gurdon that were not working. Franklin told Lasker of list of the lights had recently been sent to the electric company which was responsible for replacing the bulbs themselves.

Lasker asked if there was an easier way for the city to know when one is out.

Franklin told Lasker it is easier when the citizens who notice one being out, calls the city and gives the orange numbers off of the light pole in order for the city to properly notify the electric company as to which pole is no longer working.

"On each pole is a metal tag. It is orange and has black numbers on it. If you can get those numbers for us, then we can let the electric company know and get something done," said Franklin.

Another Gurdon resident who has expressed her concern at a past council meeting was back again, due to no results of her complaint.

When the Pine Ridge Apartments were first brought before the council and the town, Bobby Bunn, proprietor of the apartments, told everyone he would fix anything he damaged during the construction and there would be a street that already exists, but ends before reaching the apartments, would be completed so that traffic would not increase in the Deer Creek and Linden Street areas.

The resident reported the streets are still being almost impassable at times, the ditches being blocked and the traffic being steady.

"Mr. Bunn didn't keep his promises," said the citizen.

Franklin agreed to meet with Bunn and see what could be done.

Franklin then reported no new information on the proposed landfill.

"As of right now, International Paper Company still hasn't sent a reply about the purchase of the land. That doesn't make it a dead issue though. The next step would be for the commission to declare the land condemned and take it from IP. However, I don't think they want to do that," said Franklin.