Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Mayor says He Will Have Ordinance Ready for March Meeting

Burning garbage kept Gurdon's City Council occupied Monday night during its regular meeting.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said because of a rash of fires in the city recently, a burn ban is in effect.

He informed the council one home was destroyed and another seriously damaged because of household garbage being burned.

And, he continued, there is no reason for anyone in Gurdon to burn garbage because the city provides trash pickup.

In fact, Smith will have an ordinance prohibiting the burning of garbage and household goods in Gurdon at the March meeting of the city council.

"There's no reason to burn garbage," he said. "There have been six fires in two weeks and four are because of garbage being burned in the back yard."

However, he said his emotions are mixed on the issue of burning leaves. There is no other means for people to get rid of leaves except for burning them, he said.

Smith said the Gurdon Police Department had repair work on two vehicles, including the newest one, costing more than $1,100.

The work included a new rear end for one of the cars and brakes for both.

The mayor said no word has been received as to when the police car he ordered will be delivered, but hopes it will be in April.

City Recorder/Treasurer Tambra Smith said the jail bill was $850, which is higher than normal. However, she said, this is because the bill is for December and January.

The city received the bill from the county after the January council meeting.

Members of the Gurdon Fire Department work working a controlled burn, so none were on hand to discuss rural fire coverage.

In the January council meeting, it was discussed to sell memberships to area residents to help defray the cost of fighting fires.

Smith said it had been recommended by Jack McBride, GFD chief, to sell memberships for $35 in contract form with property owners.

The agreement will specify the release of insurance money to the fire department, with the GFD accepting what the insurer pays for coverage of the men and trucks used.

For non members, the cost will remain $500 per truck and $25 per fireman who answer calls.

However, Smith said, the GFD will continue responding to all fire calls, regardless of membership.

The council had no problems with a $35 annual membership fee.

Gurdon's new childcare facility is completed, with the water and sewer services hooked up.

The city street department is working on ditching and the parking lot.

Smith said a dedication needs to be held soon for the center.

The project began three years ago, and has only now become a reality for Gurdon. The Hours of Joy Daycare Center put up $20,000 to help get the center built, and asked the city for a lease to allow it to operate it.

Smith said the city has no desire to be in the childcare business, and suggested the council approve a lease with Hours of Joy, with the center reimbursing the city for insurance premiums.

Jim Caldwell was named Gurdon's new street superintendent, replacing Billy Joe Arnold, who died recently.

The council's personnel committee recommended hiring Caldwell as the superintendent and letting him hire a heavy equipment operator to replace him.

However, Caldwell will have to get approval for the heavy equipment operator.

This brought about discussion of other hiring practices in other departments, including the police department.

Tammy Pledger asked if the personnel committee shouldn't be involved in all hiring done, or just let the department heads hire who they want.

David Williams said it was good practice for the personnel group to be involved as it helps department heads.

Smith said department heads need to be selected by the committee, but these managers should have a voice in who they hire.

Pledger suggested hiring be done with the committee's consent for all employees.

Smith said the city's personnel handbook needs to be rewritten accordingly.