Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

City Council moves Trick-or-Treating to Saturday night

City Council members agreed Monday night to change the trick or treating of Halloween to Saturday night, Oct. 30, just after the Forest Festival.

Mayor Clayton Franklin said, "If this would be more convenient for folks, that is fine with me. I will at least know to keep the light on for candy on Saturday night instead of Sunday."

In other business, Aaron Stewart, executive director of the Clark County Industrial Committee, came and announced plans to promote industry in Clark County with renewed efforts.

"I intend to get more than just the Goodrich plant marketable in Clark County. For example, the business park, over by the Arkadelphia Wal-Mart, is in phase one. The intention there is allow local graduates with highly technical degrees, in computer science etc., more of an opportunity to market those degrees right here in Clark County," he said. "I am glad to be here at city council. It is my goal to meet at least twice a year with all Clark County city councils in order to hear their suggestions and help solve area industrial problems."

Stewart, who has an office at 640 South Sixth Street, Suite A, in Arkadelphia, said he is always available for suggestions from the public. In addition to working on improving Clark County from a new business mode, he said studies show that at least half of new jobs created come from existing industry.

"We intend to work on helping expand new industry and also work closely with neighboring counties on their industrialization efforts," he said. "The philosophy is that if Nevada County, for example, looks like it could get more jobs then it would only be sensible for us to support that effort. The jobs might very well go to Clark County folks and increase our tax base."

Mayor Franklin and Street Superintendent Jim Caldwell gave an update on the paving project.

Franklin said streets among those already complete are: Red Springs Road, Main Street, Crayton, 10th Street and Smithson Road. Paving has also been done on Haynie, by the baseball field, and on Front Street.

Caldwell said next on the agenda, weather permitting this week, are West Maple and West Pine. He said 5,408 tons of asphalt have been used so far "so it looks like we will be able to do everything we planned for this fall and maybe a bit more."

"I am glad Jet Asphalt got this job," Franklin said. "They seem like they really know what they are doing."

In other business, the mayor said no word has been received back from ISO concerning property insurance ratings for fire. Efforts are under way to get the insurance ratings lowered to lower real estate tax for the people of Gurdon.

Fire safety classes, including education about electricity, were being held on Monday night before the Council meeting.