75¢
DAHS holds honor banquet. (See page 8.)
Volume 121 Number 17 - USPS 225-680
Community Calendar of Events Wednesday April 27 Carlisle City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 28
Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Lunch With the Lions Riverfront Park at Des Arc Drive Through 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Saturday April 30 Master Gardener Plant Sale Hazen City Park Pavilions in front of Community Center
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Des Arc Council calls an end to property complaints At the monthly council meeting on April 19th, the city council ended a complaint about a building constructed at 1408 Lee Street. Cecil Taylor issued a complaint about the structure, citing that the building permit should not have been issued because a proper drawing was not included. He said that since the permit had been issued and the structure built, the city should have forced the property owner to take it down. Taylor said that the building could not possibly meet city codes and it is bringing down property values in the area. Mayor Jim Garth asked for a morion to not take any action on the complaint as advised by City Attorney Ginger Stuart. A motion was made but during discussion on the motion, Council member Gail King stated that she felt
that since the building permit should not have been issued the city should pursue action against the owner. Taylor said he had done a lot of research on the permit and and a proper drawing was not included so the city should be responsible. Attorney Stuart stated that in her research she had found that a drawing was included in the permit application and had also found no city codes that the structure violates. She told Taylor that cities have no control over what an owner does with their property, such as color or materials, as long as it meets codes. She added that in this matter she just couldn’t find any codes or ordinances that were not met. Taylor said that he would be bringing legal action against the city. The motion was passed with a 4-1 vote.
Thursday May 5
Cinco De Mayo at the Hazen Public Library 10:30 a.m.
Friday May 6 Senior Day at Hazen High School
Sunday May 8 Mothers’ Day
Monday May 9 Biscoe EHC Meeting First Baptist Church 10:00 a.m. HHS Honors Banquet Murry’s Restaurant Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce
The Baseball Association addressed the council concerning their financial situation. Cole Morton gave council members a financial report showing how they are in the red and need some solutions in order to continue the program. Some of the major expenses are an average energy bill of $600 per month during the season. The electricity has to remain connected year long because if they have electricity turned on just for the ball season, they would have to pay a deposit and reconnect fee of $400 each time. Another big cost is property insurance, which has such a high deductible that it’s pretty much useless. An example of the insurance problem was recent storm and hail damage that costs more to repair than they can afford with what little insur-
Cole Morton ance will pay because with the city’s policy. there is such a high Mayor Garth said the deductible because each city would certainly damaged property has to work with the associabe an individual claim tion to help find some with a deductible. solutions. He suggested Morton asked the city if a work meeting with the they could check into association bringing maybe having the city their electric bills and have the electricity put their insurance policy into the city’s expense and any other suggesand could see if their tions they might have. insurance could be put (Continued on p. 5.)
Bob Juola new Hazen City Council member
9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Hazen High School Athletic Banquet
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Gaylon Hale swears in Bob Juola as the new council member.
Bob Juola, a former member of the Hazen City Council, was selected by secret ballot to fill the Ward 1 position 2 position vacated on the Hazen City Council by Rick Wiggins at its regular meeting held on Thursday, April 21. Two citizens volunteered for the position, Gary Rogers and Juola. Juola is a former city council member. Prairie County Court Clerk Gaylon Hale performed the swearing in at the beginning of the meeting. Other council members in attendance were Steve Chlapecka, Barbara Rogers, Larry Anthony, Tim Juola, and Dallas Taylor, along with Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover. In old business, the council discussed the
purchase of a leaf machine for the city. Mayor David Hardke presented a quotation for a new Spartan Pro 15 yard trailer mounted leaf vacuum from Henard Utility Products in Searcy, which would cost approximately $86,705.48. A 20 yard trailer would cost approximately $88,960. Hardke said that the city of White Hall likes this particular brand, but there was some concern about the cost, which would include the hiring of at least one part-time utilities department employee. Hardke said that the leaf vacuum could be purchased with contingency funds. “Sixty five of our problems are due to culverts being filled up with leaves,” Hardke
said. The council decided to wait to make a decision. In the meantime, the council members, Utilities Department Manager Chad Swaim, and the mayor will do some research by checking with other cities that use similar equipment. According to the mayor, much of the flooding problem in the city comes from residents raking their leaves into the ditches and allowing trash to accumulate in the ditches. The leaves and trash block the culverts, some of which have partially collapsed, when there is heavy or continuous rain, and water backs up in the ditches. Hardke had prepared an ordinance concerning (Continued on p. 5.)
Carlisle Board hears student achievements, graduation schedules By Debbye Harrison Reading scores are up in the high school Principal B. J. Greene reported at the April 11 School Board meeting. He gave credit to the implementation of the zero hour. In January students came to school at 8:25 and all teachers were trained to teach reading. In February students were tested to determine their areas of weakness such as reading comprehension. Students were then grouped and teachers were assigned. Beginning that month those students whose scores were at grade level or above could come to school at 8:25. Students in need of extra help were given small group instruction with 2-3 teachers to a group. This allowed students to be taught the specific skills they need-
ed with individualized instruction. In-depth reading scores in all areas have improved. Carlisle students have been achieving as individuals. Nessa Black placed second out of 4, 287 photographs in a national contest sponsored by Josten’s. Her picture will be featured in Josten’s Lookbook. Nattalay Canada was selected for the state All Star Band. The FFA Chapter placed 8th in the state in Agronomy, the FCCLA was named a Platinum and Gold Chapter. The CHS Bison Band scored an excellent and superior in Sight Reading. This is the first in ten years. The contract with the Arch Ford Co-op was renewed for ALE and HUB. The ALE program is shared with Hazen.
The HUB program allows students who are at risk to complete their credits for graduation by working online. They also meet in-person with their facilitator one day a week. This flexibility has helped many students graduate who would have otherwise been a drop-out. The new Zoning Map is being prepared and will be available soon. All Classified personnel
were re-hired and the salary schedule was approved. The Board approved two flex days for the teachers to be added to the school calendar. Graduation schedule CHS seniors will graduate on May 15 at 3 p.m. in Bison Arena, and the Pre-K graduation will be held at 9 a.m. on May 19 at the football field. Kindergarten gradua-
tion will be held at 9 a.m. on May 25 in the Elementary Cafeteria The Sixth Grade will graduate at 9 a.m. on May 26 in the Elementary Cafeteria. The Athletic Banquet will be held on May 19. Board Members present were Jereme Carter, Shari Couch, Debbie Reid and Brandon Parker. Absent Mandy Brewer, Whitney Jones and Adam Ellis.
MEMORIAL DAY NOTICE
and the Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.
The Hazen Chamber of Commerce would like help in updating its list of local veterans. If you know of a veteran who has passed away in the past three years, please email his or her name to heraldpublishing@gmail.com or contact Cody Snider at cody.snider@bxs.com. Thank you.
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