Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Okolona buys fire truck for $9.75 on the internet

Okolona has acquired an additional fire truck from a military surplus source on the Internet.

Okolona Mayor James Paul told city council members Tuesday, Aug. 1, the vehicle is a two and a half ton military pickup and he bought it for $9.75.

"The truck will be ours if we keep it licensed for four years and turn it into a fire fighting piece of equipment. Then we can continue to use it or sell it," he said. "In this instance, we will never have to give it back, as long as we do those stipulations. My plan would be to license it traditionally for four years and then get a permanent license through the municipal league for the truck. A permanent license is a cheaper way to go."

Fire Chief John Hornsby said the additional fire vehicle will come in handy.

Hornsby said the city received a military surplus notice two weeks ago announcing there were trucks available for fire departments.

"When the mayor got back with them to get a truck, the supplier had 28 left and we got approved for one," he said.

Hornsby said the truck will be delivered to the Forestry Commission in Greenbrier, where Okolona officials will go to pick it up.

Jail tax meeting

In other business, Paul said he attended a two-hour meeting for Clark County mayors on July 25 concerning a proposed countywide sales tax.

"I thought it was a waste of time because we dont have enough figures on our new jail," he said. "Even if they build it somewhere besides at the courthouse in Arkadelphia, they cannot tell us what it would cost."

Paul said four mayors from Clark County voted yes to accepting money from the proposed 1 cent sales tax.

"Myself and another mayor voted no. Okolona was only going to get about $8,000 a year. We could make that at a local fund raiser without taxing anybody," he said.

Paul said the current tax increase proposal would give Arkadelphia $800,000 a year.

Paul told council members if Arkadelphia needs that much money every year, that city should pass their own 1 cent sales tax and leave the rest of the county out of it.

"About 40 percent of Clark Countys population lives outside of municipalities and could not reap any of the money from the proposal," he said.

Paul said he was among the majority in being opposed to the current countywide tax increase.

"I think we could get most everyone behind a tax specifically designed to pay for a new county jail," he said. "But it would have to have a built-in sunset clause to where the tax collection is over in two or three years.

"I would like to see everyone on our council voice an opinion on this issue. At least then, we would all have the right to complain about it if things dont go our way."

Band to play

Paul said things will go the way of the people of Okolona on Saturday evening, Aug. 19, at the community center.

"Just come on over that night and listen to a country blues band," he said. "We wont charge that much and the money will go for the good cause of improving our city buildings. Our town hall needs help."

Paul said, in addition to a cover charge, hamburgers and drinks will be sold on site at the special event.

Old business

The heat created another special event for Okolona in July. Much more water than normal was used by man and beast.

Paul said the water used in July increased 480 percent in some cases "because of leaks and because everyone apparently attempted to water gardens or livestock."

"We had two leaks from the main line, coming up from the pump station," he said. "We are talking about 6-inch main leaks, which amount to 1,000 gallons a day. We did get them fixed."

In other business, Paul will post a sign at the new park warning four-wheelers to stay out "because of four-wheelers driving through there last month and breaking a flag pole."

No further action was taken on the loose dog issue.

A maintenance report was given, in which Paul said city bush hogging efforts will continue to keep properties cleared off where fire fighters have burned down condemned houses.

"And we will continue working on the project of clearing out our creek," he said.

This months guest speaker was Clark County Clerk Rhonda Cole (see related article in this issue).

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Okolona City Council is 7 p.m. on Sept. 5.