Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Budget approved for 2005 after much discussion

A public hearing was held prior to the Prescott City Council meeting concerning the Prescott Day Service Center.

Prissy Traczewitz, who operates the Center, informed the Council she's applying for a grant from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED) in the amount of $180,000 to expand the current facilities for the ABC program. She said there are 25 children on the waiting list. A new building is needed to accommodate these children.

The Council approved a resolution granting the Center permission to apply for an Arkansas Community and Economic Development program grant, with a second resolution passed naming the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District as grant administrator, if the grant is approved.

The Council also approved three other resolutions during its meeting on Jan. 17.

The first dealt with fair housing. This resolution, the Council was told, must be approved annually as it is a federal mandate which guarantees open housing. "It's the law of the land," Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said, "and the city will adhere to the law opposing discrimination."

The next resolution was a residential anti-displacement plan. Under it the city would be required to replace any low or moderate income housing demolished due to a city project. The replacement housing must be done within three years, with the city responsible for finding equivalent housing for those displaced in the interim. Taylor said this is not likely to happen as the city has no projects planned which would require homes being demolished.

The final resolution was one also requiring annual passage. It dealt with excessive force by the police department. Under the resolution, officers can't use excessive force against those involved in non-violent civil rights demonstrations, and not physically bar anyone from the places of such demonstrations. Officers are required to protect the rights of all involved in such demonstrations, should they occur.

However, force can be used to protect the citizenry should a demonstration get out of hand.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, told the panel a lot is going on.

The company doing the street overlay is taking a break waiting for the weather to warm up so the asphalt will stick better.

There is a new tenant in the old garment factory. A lease has been signed, but no formal announcement has been made as yet, as there are some details to be worked out.

The walking/jogging trail project is on hold because of the weather. Chadwell said the equipment is in, ready to be installed, but can't be until it dries up and gets warmer. The city's street department will help with this project.

The fire station/parks office on the east side of town, he said, is done, and a ribbon cutting will be set later to officially dedicate it. The parks department, he added, is already using its side, and has been moving in equipment.

The final order of business was the appointing of a committee to examine the Parks and Recreation Department Ordinance. Currently there are five members on the Parks Commission. This committee, which is composed of Howard Austin, Ann Stockton and Billy House, will meet with Steve Crow, parks supervisor, and the commission to consider expanding it to seven members. The idea is to include at least two members from outside the city limits as county residents also participate in parks programs.