Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

All normal in city; little is going on

Bill's and financial reports were approved without question for the City of Gurdon and the Water and Sewer Department at the Monday, February 23 meeting of the Gurdon City Council.

As of meeting time, the water and sewer department was still taking applications for a water manager. The department reported having at least five applications at this time.

"We have several men out around town at this time painting and cleaning the fire hydrants," said Virginia Childres, secretary for the department.

"We need to make sure the hydrants are properly maintained as those guys are painting. Which I am sure they are," said Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin.

The Gurdon Police Department has been taking applications for a full-time police officer.

Officer Andy Williams has decided to join the Arkadelphia Police Department.

"We just keep losing our men to Arkadelphia, don't we Marshal," said Franklin.

"Yes we do. We train and spend the money to send them to the academy and then Arkadelphia gets them.

"I don't blame them though, Arkadelphia offers retirement and that is important," said Childres.

Fire Chief Jake McBride reported the fire department trying to work on flushing out hydrants to keep the stench of the water down.

"I've been talking to Harold Hurst, the old water manager, to see if there would be any repercussions from us flushing the hydrants," said McBride.

It isn't clear if the best way would be to work from the inside out or outside in.

However, Hurst explained that when he was still working for the city and from the knowledge he had, he was worried that if the hydrants were flushed, it could cause places such as Dillard's Shell Super Stop and residents in the area to have little or no water pressure for a day or so.

"We're doing some checking so we can get this taken care of," said McBride.

Robert Burns has reportedly been to ISO school to learn more about how to get a better insurance rating because of the departments skills.

"Robert was told that Gurdon could probably get an easy six," said McBride. "We need to set up an appointment with the ISO to get them to come and look around."

Jimmy Caldwell with the Gurdon Street Department was on hand to report the city working to clean leaves out of culverts and off of curbs as well as putting in a few new culverts.

"We've done some patching, but it has been a little wet to really do much with that at this time," said Caldwell.

"Our park isn't being used very much at this time, but it will the right weather for it soon," said Carroll Martin the Parks and Recreation Department supervisor.

"I don't know if we will be getting any new play equipment out there this year or not. I am trying to work on that. We may just have to fix what we've got for the time being.

"I would like to see us get some more lighting out there. I just don't know who we need to talk to about that. I know an ex-AP&L man who might could come out and tell us where we need the lights," said Martin.

He said he would like to see someone living back in the trailer at the park.

"Mrs. McClure has been coming out to the park each week and cleaning the parks restrooms and emptying the trash. I don't know, but she might be willing to move back into the residence and continue the responsibilities. I think we would benefit from someone being there all the time."

Animal Control reported having a complaint about a dog chained outside on Cherry Street with no shelter during the recent snow.

"I went over there and the dog had food and water, but he didn't have a house. The lady had found the dog as it was and brought it home to care for it. It had the mange originally and was almost dead when she found it. The dog is in great condition now and she had gotten it a house to sleep in," said Martin.

"Well I guess it is time for the Mayor's report," said Franklin, "Our annual audit is complete. We are in good shape so far.

"However, we are looking into switching our insurance, since it is so expensive to carry insurance for our employees. We don't want to lose any of our benefits, but a lower rate would be great. We have checked with Al Lynch in Arkadelphia and are in the process of working with Summit Bank, who seems to have a nice plan for us. They are working on seeing what they can offer as far as our health insurance for employees goes.

"We want to be careful though, because we don't want to lower our coverage quality," said Franklin.

Betty Torgerson asked to address the council.

"You know how I feel about getting some retirement for our city employees?" said Torgerson.

"Well I was wondering that since it is a new year, maybe all the mayor's from the small towns could meet with our new county judge and see what they can work out.

"I was told that the surplus from the one cent sales tax was about $3 million. Can we not do anything with that?

"I'd like to see some thought into how the little towns could possibly get their part," said Torgerson.

"Well, I have worked on it, but I am not sure where we stand now. I am not clear on any surplus or the amount, but I will continue to work on it Mrs. Torgerson," said Franklin.