Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Mayor considers asphalt crews

Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin said at City Council Monday, April 18, the national increase in gas and oil prices will "probably mean we will pay about $17,000 more for 5,000 tons of asphalt to finish our paving project."

"We opened four bids this week to get our 5,000 tons of asphalt so we can begin paving soon and finish our streets," Franklin said.

"We have not solidified which company yet because I have never seen the low bidder's work and I need to check on some equipment moving charges before I go with this different company."

Amy Whitworth, administrative assistant, said Thursday, April 28, that a final bid for the street work has still not been selected by the mayor.

"Our crews are working on getting the roads prepared for the paving, and they are doing preliminary work on the walking trail," she said.

In the fall, the bid went to Jet Asphalt and Rock Company Inc., of El Dorado. They were the second lowest this time, bidding $56.50 a ton. Last year's price, before the gas and oil hike, was $51.75 per ton.

Statewide Asphalt, of Hot Springs, bid $55.15 a ton for the spring project in Gurdon, but have said they will charge for each time equipment is moved. One of the higher bidders listed a charge of $2,500 per equipment move.

"Their moving charge might put Statewide as more expensive than Jet," Franklin said. "We will check out Statewide and also do the figures on the equipment moving charges soon, so the project can get under way."

In other business, the mayor offered an update on the proposed city's walking trail. He said that negotiations are occurring with the Gurdon School District to present a legal survey and get a quick claim deed to the land through the city attorney.

"As soon as the survey comes back, we will get this done with the school," he said.

"We've been doing some talking to people who walk over there. Once we get the project started, the trail will have to be closed until the paving is done and benches are up because we plan to take out some of the 96 mature pine trees and sell them. I am to meet with the walkers this week to see which pines can go and which will stay."

Franklin said the walking trail grant of $35,000 has certain requirements by the state. It must be at least a quarter of a mile long and eight feet wide.

"We hope whoever does our streets can go ahead and pave the parking lot over by the school and the walking trail as well," he said. "The grant people don't like bridges so we will have to put in a couple of culverts. We will have to close the trail while we get the tops from the timber, but we are shooting to open again in the fall."

Franklin said the older exercise equipment now on the trail will be removed. Also, the walkers have asked for a water fountain to be installed.

The mayor said he believes Gurdon will have "a first class walking program" once the improvement work is finished.

In other improvements around town, Franklin said phase one of the city park upkeep effort is finished.

"All of the playground equipment has been fixed and repainted, as have the bathrooms," he said. "As for the second phase, our crews have done the dirt work build-up for the caboose. Now we are waiting on Missouri Pacific to put down the track. Then Ricketts will move the caboose from Front Street over to the park. We plan to do some remodeling so it can be a suitable playhouse out there for kids."

The mayor said State Rep. Tommy Roebuck gave the city of Gurdon $35,000 in this legislative session. It was "pork barrel" money, earmarked for parks and recreation improvements.

"I plan to get with Dr. Roebuck and see what he intended to do with this money," Franklin said. "Since he has been interested in Gurdon Pond Number Two, some may go for that project. But my feeling is, he gave it to us so I want to hear it from him before we come up with any other ideas for the funds."

Franklin said Roebuck also voted for nearly $52,000 to go to senior centers in Arkadelphia and Gurdon, with Gurdon in line to get approximately 40 percent.

"We are very grateful for what Dr. Roebuck has done, in thinking of Gurdon on these funds," Franklin said.

The mayor also noted Rep. Roebuck as dispersing $2,000 to Clark County rural fire departments, such as Beirne, Caddo Valley, Curtis, DeGray, Gum Springs, Hollywood and Whelen Springs.

In other business, the Council passed Ordinance 05-004, a drug-free employment policy.

"This is a comprehensive drug and alcohol policy, allowing us to do testing and take disciplinary action up to and including termination," he said. "Some of our employees may see this as going too far, but in our day and age the time has come for this ordinance. The city must have it in place for our own protection and to not be open to legal action."

The ordinance noted that prescription drug use, when done as prescribed by a doctor, is not prohibited. It noted a strict set of guidelines for safety sensitive employees, such as police and firefighters.

It said city employees will not be allowed to use alcohol on work breaks, or at any time while on duty.

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