Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Chamber working on Christmas events

At this time, the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce is working on its Christmas plans.

Mary Godwin, Chamber director, updated the Chamber Board of Directors on what's been going on in the past year at the annual Chamber meeting Wednesday, Oct. 27.

With the Halloween Costume Contest and PumpkinFest done, the Chamber is focusing on Christmas activities. This year, she said, these activities include the Christmas parade, Christmas on the Square the live Nativity in the fairgrounds and Breakfast with Santa.

Dates for most of the events haven't been set yet, but Breakfast with Santa will be from 8-11 a.m. in the Potlatch Building of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Saturday, Dec. 18.

Godwin said the new Christmas ornaments are in and can be purchased for $10 each. This year's ornament has a picture of the iron bridge on old Highway 67 on it. In addition, there are limited quantities of the first two ornaments still available. All three can be purchased for $20, or any two for $15.

She informed the Board as to the Chamber's financial situation. Revenue generated last year was $72,110.06, while expenses were $70,899.67. The largest expense, she said, is the Chicken and Egg Festival.

The Chamber has received several grants which haven't been spent. the money, she said, is earmarked for specific purposes. These grants are in interest bearing accounts. The Chamber can legally use the interest for other projects, but primarily keeps the interest in a savings account.

Joe Graham, Chamber president, opened the meeting saying it has been a busy year. A year in which many normal things occurred, and some unexpected events happened. "We wish we hadn't had to send our men and women overseas," he said.

Graham lauded Godwin, Carol Newton and Jon Chadwell for the work they do at the Chamber, even though Chadwell is the executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office. "They all do a great job for Prescott."

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor gave a "state of the city" address, telling the audience there's been a lot of activity in town.

The street project, he said, should be finished by next summer. At this time crews are working in each of the city's wards and not just in one specific area.

There could be an open house held for the new fire station/parks office when the building is done, he said, adding work in it is coming along quickly.

The rural water project is 95 percent done, he said, and should be finished by Christmas, even though it was initially expected to be finished by the end of October. A total of 466 people signed up for rural water. This project has been going on for six years.

The parking lot for the Depot Museum has been striped. Wet weather caused a temporary delay in getting it finished. Taylor said the new parking lot enhances the museum.

He also had some good news about the proposed overpass. The city, Taylor said, has received a minute order from the Arkansas Highway Department. This means when Pres. George Bush signs the Transportation Act into law, funds will be released and work can begin immediately on the overpass. The AHD has also signed off on the project under the minute order.

Taylor joked saying Prescott has been trying to get an underpass or overpass since 1873. "You've got to be patient and keep trying."

When the downtown sidewalk project is done, he said, work will begin on the parking lot for the library. This will be by the H&R Block building, across from the library.

Hyacinth Deon, superintendent of the Prescott School District, gave an impromptu talk about the state of the schools. "Things are going well in the district," she said.

The sides and roof are on the multi-purpose complex, allowing construction crews to work on the interior. It should be ready for use by next fall, she said.

Prescott elementary and high school did well on the Benchmark tests, but the middle school didn't. Work is being done at McRae Middle School to improve the scores when the tests are taken in March.

The district, she said, is working things out with the Personnel Policy Committee. Earlier this month the entire PPC resigned.

The important thing to remember, she said, is school is for the children so they can get an education. "Communities are only as good as their schools are."

Chadwell was the final speaker. He said the EDO and Chamber work closely together, and there are times when projects are started by the EDO and taken over by the city or county.

He said Potlatch and International Paper of Gurdon should be thanked for their help with the fire station/parks office project. Potlatch donated all the framing lumber, while IP donated 3/4 inch plywood to finish the interior with. These donations saved about $13,000.

Two projects the city and county have taken over, he said, are the home financing program. Through these programs, low income homeowners can get their homes renovated or new homes built.

In the county, he said, seven homeowners will be receiving assistance, with one home being renovated. The other six houses will be razed and built new. Under the program, the new homes can be up to $80,000, with $40,000 of this being a grant. The rest will be financed over 20 years at 1 percent interest.

The city is behind the county in this project, he said, but has taken a lot of applications.

The walking-jogging trail project will get underway when the trail is staked out. The city will be able to help out and keep the costs down. Lights and benches for the trail are in and will be installed once the trail has been laid out.

Godwin introduced the new Board members for 2005. They are: David Cassels, Janice Hill, Marcia Lasiter, Tim Loe and Carrie Nivens. Janet Hood was elected to the Board for 2006, replacing Heidi Richards.