Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New EDO is introduced

Donnie Crain, the new executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, was introduced to the Nevada County Quorum Court Monday, Oct. 10.

Crain, who replaces Floyd Clark, will officially take over on Nov. 15. He will be moving to Prescott from Perryville. He will also be bringing his wife and two sons to Prescott with him.

The Courts business began with Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown talking about the budget. He told the justices of the peace all but four offices have their budgets in for 2006 and these will be turned in later. Meanwhile, the budget committee can begin working with what it has.

We need to start as soon as possible, Brown said. Its not gonna be fun, Im afraid. This was in reference to the anticipation of less revenue coming in coupled with higher costs for fuel and energy.

Bob Cummins questioned a letter from Nevada County Coroner Gary Hicks, saying he was curious about some of the language used. Hicks, he said, quoted Arkansas acts. Im curious about how we should respond.

The report Hicks submitted showed he worked 358 hours as coroner for the third quarter of the year, and asked these hours be reported to the state in accordance with ACA 24-4-507.

It also showed mileage driven in his private vehicle as 1,293 miles for the quarter. He asked to be reimbursed for 654 miles, but only if funds are available, but if the money isnt in the budget, he stated he didnt want to be paid.

The letter noted though the miles arent discretionary in the conduct of official duties assigned by law and should be paid as indicated by ACA 14-14-1207, that he is not asking payment at this time.

Myrna Waters, a member of the Court, asked that Hicks be present at the Courts November meeting so the JPs can get some answers.

Brown asked Dana Stone, deputy prosecuting attorney, to look into the laws cited in Hickss letter and let him know what they were.

Cummins said this has been a poor year for the county, and while the Court said it would give raises, the money hasnt been there to do so. Instead, he suggested possibly giving bigger Christmas bonuses, if the money can be found.

We can look at it when the budget committee meets, Brown said.

Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell was on hand to explain why hes driving a school bus part-time for the Nevada School District, and helping take care of a local wrecker business. This, he said, is being done to supplement his income.

Before school started, he said, he learned of two openings at Nevada, got his commercial drivers licence (CDL) and applied. He told the Court he checked with the Association of Arkansas Counties and the prosecuting attorneys office to make sure working a second job wasnt illegal.

After Hurricane Katrina hit, JP Donnie McGuire asked Otwell to help take care of his wrecker business while he went to New Orleans to help out.

Im still the sheriff 24-7, Otwell said. If theres an emergency someone from Nevada will take over while I do the sheriffs duties.

In order to dispel other rumors, Otwell said he is not going to school to be an electrician and doesnt know how that particular rumor got started.

I have a radio on the bus to be in touch with the Nevada County Sheriffs Office. Its reassuring to the parents to have the sheriff on the bus with their kids. Im not breaking any laws by doing this.