Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Oil Problem Leads To Blown Engine In Police Car

There are still problems with the newest Gurdon Police car.

According to Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith, who addressed the issue at Monday night's city council meeting, the city has spent $1,500 on the car getting the air conditioning replaced, along with other mechanical problems being corrected.

However, when the city picked the car up after the air conditioning had been repaired, it ran rough. The dealer was called to come and get the vehicle and correct the problem.

But, when the car was sent back it lost oil pressure, destroying the engine. Smith said the dealer claims the oil pan had been dented, thereby pushing the oil filter screen up and oil was unable to be circulated throughout the engine.

Because of this, the dealer is accepting no responsibility for the damages. Smith said a new motor will cost about $3,600 installed, with a three year, 36,000 mile warranty.

No action was taken on this issue, but it will be discussed at the Sept. meeting.

Each department will be asked to pay its share of the city's insurance deductible of $1,000. This is because of the lightning storm which damaged several pieces of city equipment in different departments last month.

Smith said the city has received money, $5,250, from the federal Cops program. This money, he said, is to pay the officers for overtime they have worked.

Mary Burns, reporting for the airport commission, discussed the Forest Festival Air Expo, scheduled for Oct. 26-27 at Lowe Field.

She said Saturday would be when most pilots would be flying in, while Sunday is when the actual show would take place.

Burns said there will be four aerobatic acts scheduled, along with the Arkla Gas Co. balloon and the Arkansas State Police traffic helicopter. Smokey the Bear will be on hand to sign autographs as well.

In addition, the Arkadelphia radio control plane club will be on hand to demonstrate how they operate the smaller aircraft.

Burns said the commission is in need of physical help from the community for the event. She said people are needed to help with parking and taking tickets.

The commission is working to get corporate sponsors for the expo so it won't be in direct competition with the Forest Festival planners for local contributions.

Burns said there will be plenty of memorabilia on hand, including tee shirts (which she showed the audience), cups, caps and posters.

"We'd like for this to be an annual event," she said. "As well as being a fund raiser for the airport, it will help the Forest Festival and get people to Gurdon. Then we can show them what we have to offer."

In the mayor's report, Smith reminded the council it's election time again, and they need to get their petitions signed and turned in. The filing deadline, he said, is Sept. 6.

A leak in city hall, in the water and sewer department, is apparently coming from a window in the ceiling. Smith said local carpenter Robert Burns has estimated the repair to be $550, using treated lumber. The council agreed to see if the leak can be repaired in this manner.

Finally, after several months, the City of Gurdon has a new burning ordinance. The ordinance had been placed on its first and second readings, tabled, discussed, tabled again, brought back up and finally approved Monday night.

New air conditioning for the city hall will be installed by Air Pro Air Conditioning Services. Two bids for the project were received with Air Pro's being the lowest at $15,890.

The second bid was from Howell Air Conditioning and Refrigeration of Hope for $16,808.

Funding for the project will come from an energy grant the city received in the amount of $29,604. The monies not used for air conditioning will be used for other energy-related purposes at city hall.

A&M Equipment will again be the city's solid waste contractor, with no change in rates.

The only change in the contract will require residents to place their garbage within three feet of a curb or specified area designated for trash.