Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

All running smooth in city

Gurdon's City Council met on March 15, 2004, for it's regular scheduled meeting.

The meeting only lasted 30 minutes as the city's business seems to be running smoothly.

The meeting began with the council approving the financial reports and bills for both the city and the water department.

Virginia Childres, with the Gurdon Water and Sewer Department reported everything running smoothly despite the absence of a water manager at this time.

"James (Cox) has stepped up to the plate at this time to help us out. He has done an excellent job as far as I can tell. I know he has started attending classes in order to get his license," said Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin.

Jake McBride, Gurdon Fire Chief, reported the fire department doing well. They have had some calls in recent weeks, two of which were grass fires.

McBride said the department was flushing fire hydrants at this time and hoped to have them done in the next two weeks or so.

Also, due to the weather improving, the fire hydrants around town are being painted.

Jimmy Caldwell, Gurdon Street Department Superintendent recently received an award from the Gurdon Chamber of Commerce as Gurdon's Citizen of the Year. Caldwell was chosen for all the hard work and effort he and his crew put into making Gurdon look good.

Caldwell said the department has been digging out ditches, patching some streets and tearing down houses. Caldwell said there was a house on South Street the department was interested in as a possible candidate for being razed.

The Rose Hedge Cemetery Commission was at the meeting to report it had recently purchased a new lawnmower.

The money to purchase the new lawnmower came from the Emergency/Contingency Fund, but would be replaced as soon as monies were available through the cemetery.

City Recorder/Treasurer, Tambra Childres told the council, the letters for cemetery dues were being prepared and would soon be sent out soon, bringing in the needed money.

Carroll Martin, Parks and Recreation Superintendent, gave a presentation of what he would like to see done at the city park as far as lighting.

"I have drawn a small sketch on this dry erase board in order to give you a good idea of what I would like to see done," said Martin.

Martin showed the council where there was a small asphalt circle behind the bathrooms and the swings that he would like to see the city declare as a street.

"It's not a very big area, but if we declare it a street, we can place two lights at either end of it for $7.50 a month and Entergy will take care of them for us. The lights are 150 Watt mercury vapor lights. These lights will provide the whole park will adequate light and save us money," said Martin.

The lights that are at the park at this time are inadequate and cost the city $31 a month.

"That's just a circle back there, he's calling it a street, and it isn't. It's not even wide enough to call it a street," said Caldwell.

"We could make it a one way street. I don't care," said Martin.

"Well, I'm not opposed to doing it. I wish we had more information on it. Carroll, you and Jimmy talk before the next council meeting and talk to the state also. I like your idea, but let's see what it incurs," said Franklin.

Martin, who is also in charge of the Animal Control in Gurdon said everything at the pound was doing fine.

"I have a pound full of animals right now. I am about to have to clean them out," said Martin.

People should remember to keep their dogs on leashes or in pens. If a dog goes missing, don't forget to check the pound and if looking for a new animal, check with Martin, there are always animals there and people are welcomed to adopt them.

Under old business, a Gurdon resident living on Deer Creek Street in Gurdon, addressed the council once again about the condition of the street.

The council has done everything in their power to contact the proper people in getting the street repaired. The streets condition was made almost impassable when the new Pine Ridge Apartments were being built.

"We have contacted Bunn and Travis Berry, who are in on the deal together. We have an agreement with them, that as soon as the weather permits them to, they will fix the street," said Franklin.

In new business, the city is looking for better health insurance.

"The insurance we have had is good, but the premiums are high. For instance, the fire departments budget was for $137,000 and $118,000 of that is for the insurance premium on our firefighters," said Childres.

Reportedly, after reading about the council's search for better rates, Rita Nelson with Campbell and Company Insurance in Gurdon, contacted the city and told them she would see what she could do.

"So far the quotes look fine, but all employees must fill out an history and then we will know more about our actual premiums. The coverage is great, I talked to one of the representatives and I grilled them," said Childres.

According to Childres, the original quote is about $200 cheaper than what is being paid now for each person.

"It is a PPO and I have checked and all of the doctors in Arkadelphia, the Gurdon Medical Clinic and Baptist are on the list for usage. It offers dental, hospice and many others," said Childres.

She also reported speaking with Health Advantage, who looked cheaper, but everyone's premium was different due to age and other reasons although it was a group plan.

"I hope to have more on this at the next meeting," said Childres.

In other old business, the mayor addressed the hiring of a new Water and Sewer Manager.

"We received about five applications, most of them were local people. We were a little disappointed, we didn't get more applications than we did," said Franklin.

Hopefully a new manager will be in place soon.

At last month's meeting, it was reported that full time Gurdon Police Officer, Andy Williams would be leaving Gurdon to work for the Arkadelphia Police Department.

"We have advertised for a new officer and talked about it. The Personnel Committee met and looked over applications. After looking, Chris Russell was chosen as the best applicant, we need the council to vote on it now," said Franklin. The council voted to hire Russell.

Franklin then asked Caldwell when would be a good time to hold the Annual Gurdon Curbside Clean-up.

Caldwell said he would have to look and see, but he thought it would be sometime in April.

"Well we don't need to wait to long, you know it is a Spring clean-up," said Franklin.