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See Page 3 Volume 116 Number 22 - USPS 225-680
Community Events Calendar
Hazen/DeValls Bluff, Prairie County, Arkansas
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
8th Annual Memorial Day Service celebrated May 30th
Wednesday June 1
White River Irrigation District Board of Directors Meeting at 10:00 a.m. at District’s office in the Train Depot, 207 E. Front Street, Hazen, Arkansas
Thursday June 2
Free in Christ Substance Abuse Problems Meeting at DeValls Bluff Gym at 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 6
Chamber of Commerce Meeting at BancorpSouth at 6:30 p.m. The Hazen Chamber of Commerce held their 8th Annual Memorial Day Service in the center of town next to the Gazebo. Recognition of Veterans in Attendance, Families of the Fallen, Families of the Deceased Veterans were read allowed. Josh Owens (above) of Hazen, was the guest speaker for this year. Pictured (left) are the Colored Guards that presented at the Memorial Day Service. Cody Snider, Roxanne Bradow and Nathaniel Bradow read the names of the Fallen/Deceased Veterans. Roxanne Bradow also sang the Star Spangled Banner. Memorial Day Service Pictures on Page 8.
Biscoe City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. City Hall
Thursday June 9
DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Hazen Masonic Lodge at Lodge Hall at 7:30 p.m. Free in Christ Substance Abuse Problems Meeting at DeValls Bluff Gym at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday June 11
PC Master Gardeners, “Gardening on the Grand Prairie” fundraiser, Hazen Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 9:00 a.m. Movies at the Center showing Hope Bridge at 6:00 p.m. DeValls Bluff Community Center
Monday - Thursday June 13-16 We Believe Basketball Camp at DeValls Bluff Gym 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Monday June 13
Cooking from the Garden by Shea Wilson at 12:05 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. Prairie County Fairgrounds Hazen Chapter #5 OES, Hazen Lodge Hall at 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday June 14
Zoo to You Program at 2:00 p.m. at DeValls Bluff Public Library (all ages) Quorum Court Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Annex Building in Des Arc
Wednesday June 15
Friendship Luncheon at DVB United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday June 16
Hazen City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Free in Christ Substance Abuse Problems Meeting at DeValls Bluff Gym at 6:00 p.m. Hazen Masonic Lodge at Lodge Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday June 18
B.F. & Sally Snider Family Reunion, Swilley Lodge, 2328-2390 Hwy 249 Hazen
Community Events brought to you by
and the
Hazen Chamber of Commerce
Please call F&M Bank, 255-3042 to list events.
School Board Begins Preparations for 2016-2 2017 Year By Lisa Mills The Hazen School Board met for their regular meeting May 23rd. Present were David Williams, Freddie Rogers, Vicki Skarda, Richard Ingle, David Strohl and Sandra Penn. David Williams opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes from the April meeting were approved. District treasure warrants, Activity and Athletic checks and Cafeteria warrants were approved. The following recommendations from Superintendent Nanette Belford were approved. Increase school lunch price to $2.25. 2. File Special Education Statement of intent and Title VIB budget for the 2016-2017 school year with the Department of Education. 3. Proposed budget for the 2017-2018 school year. 4. Accept the ASBA Model Policies on curriculum as the policies
for the school district. 5. Continue contracting speech services with "Clearly Speaking Therapy Clinic" for the 2016-2017 school year with no changes to the contract. 6. Accept the following students as school choice transfers: from the Clarendon District Kindergartener Calle Gray, 2nd grader Dylan Carley, 4th grader Jordan Hill, 5th grader Christopher Simpson, 6th grader Brooklin Skinner, 7th grader Jakob French and 10th graders Garrett Simpson and Andrew Skinner. From the Des Arc District 6th grader Billy Joe Simpson. The following personnel recommendations from Superintendent Belford were approved. Accept resignations from elementary paraprofessional Holly Beth Webb, PreK paraprofessional Candy Mills, PreK Director & Teacher Kari Sayger and cafeteria
worker Angela Crymes. Hire Summer Greenwalt as a teacher, Hire Jennifer Smart as PreK Director & teacher, hire Chase Mauk as a summer worker and re-hire the following classified staff: Barbara Anderson, Kim Anderson, Vicky Baxter, Misti Besancon, Rita Booker, Donna Booth, Susan Booth, Ann Burroughs, Tracy Caviness, Shawana Cessor, Lisa Chambers, Cindy Ciganek, Linda Ciganek, Celia Elder, Daniel Furnell, Mary Ann Hackleton, Julie Ingle, Tiffany Ingle, Janet King, Casey Lock, Kim Metcalf, Phyllis Mitchell, Sharon Morris, Cindy Overturf, Vernon Owens, Kirstie Penn, Chris Perkins, Leah Raper, Christine Price, Trilby Shelman, Sarah Snider, Debbie Stovesand, JoAnn Sullivan, Yvonne Talley, Cory Tenison, Earlene Tenison, Miranda Tosh, Cindy Wolfe, Linda Strohl and Katelyn
Carrell. High School Principal Roxanne Bradow reported that she had been notified by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission that the school had not only been awarded the $1,500 competitive grant the school had applied for to be used for the garden but also been awarded an extra $1,300. Superintendent Belford reported that the school's property in DeValls Bluff known as the "Hope Chest" appraised for $6,000 and was purchased by Allen Childers for that amount. Board Member Freddie Rogers stated that John Thompson was interested in purchasing the 2 lots at Pickett's Creek owned by the school. Belford said she would get in touch with Gaylon Hale for details on the property. Board Member Richard Ingle asked Superintendent Belford if she had ever checked on
the private school lunch program like Lonoke has since the kids like the lunches better and he has heard the school is saving money also. Belford said that it takes a year of preparation to change to a program like this and one negative aspect is that the company is in charge of hiring workers which means they might hire some or all current cafeteria workers or might not hire any of them. Belford said that she and Miranda Tosh would be meeting this summer to look at menus and hoped to make some changes that will encourage students to eat in the cafeteria. Board Member Vicki Skarda suggested that board members and staff visit Lonoke's cafeteria next year to experience the food and for Belford to gather information. The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for June 27th at 6:00pm.
DeValls Bluff Council Hears from Sheriff Burnett Concerning Local Police Situation By Lisa Mills The DeValls Bluff City Council met May 26th. Present were Mayor Kenny Anderson, Treasurer/Recorder Thelma Gray and Aldermen Richard Henry, Jackie Adcock, Alice Metcalf, Arbie Nesbitt, April Anderson and Bill Arnold. The main topic discussed at the meeting was concern for citizen safety since there is currently no police protection in the city. Police Chief Mark Spain resigned on May 25th which also eliminated the part time officers positions. This left the city depending on the county for police protection. Sheriff Burnett addressed the council stating that the agreement the Sheriff's Department has had with the City of DeValls Bluff since 2011 to pay of Chief Spain's salary is now void and will not be renewed if the city hires a new Police Chief. He suggested the city and Sheriff's Department come up with a new agreement allowing the Sheriff's Department to place a full time deputy to live in and be responsible for DeValls Bluff with the city paying the salary but the Sheriff's Department having total control of hiring, his schedule and all aspects of employment . He also stated that the new elected Sheriff might have other ideas for the city but
he had spoken to the candidates and they felt like the Sheriff's Department taking over was a good idea. Alderman Alice Metcalf asked Burnett if the city or the Sheriff's Department would hire the officer. Burnett replied that the Sheriff's Department would hire and have total control and the city's only responsibility would be to pay the salary. Alderman Jackie Adcock asked if the officer would live in the city and be on duty full time. Burnett replied yes. Resident Helen Holloway asked if the officer would always be available at all hours and what would the salary be. Burnett replied yes he would always be available and a full time deputy's salary is $28,000.Alderman Metcalf stated that she felt like this would happen eventually like it has with a lot of small cities. Mayor Kenny Anderson said he felt like they should check with the Municipal League concerning the legalities of the matter then discuss it again next month. Alderman April Anderson asked Burnett if deputy would be allowed to be in the city full time or would also be required to work in the county since he would be a deputy. Burnett replied that all the details like that would be worked out in the agreement. Anderson stated "So if the city decided to hire a city
chief instead you're saying that the Sheriff's Department will no longer help pay the salary?" Burnett replied "that's correct." Alderman Metcalf stated that from the standpoint of a resident and a member of the city's budget committee it sounded like the Sheriff's idea was the best for the city. Aldermen Arbie Nesbitt and Jackie Adcock said they agreed. Alderman Bill Arnold said he agreed and since County Judge Mike Skarda was there and had not spoken up with any thing against the idea he felt like the city should make an agreement with the Sheriff's Department. Helen Holloway asked Mayor Anderson if he had applicants for a city Police Chief if they decided to go that way instead of the Sheriff's suggestion. Mayor Anderson replied yes. The council decided to let the mayor check with the Municipal League and consider everything discussed then make a decision at next month's meeting. In other business Fire Chief Doyne Martin reported that the Fire Department had 8 First Responder calls, 4 Public Assist calls, 2 car accidents and 2 drills. Martin thanked everyone for their prayers, concern and support during his recent illness. Mayor Kenny Anderson thanked the DeValls Bluff Fire
Department and Hazen Police Department for being so quick to stop a burning truck and put out the fire. Utility Manager Gabby Delgiorno reported that his department has been mowing as best they can due to the weather. He also stated that he has applied for a grant to paint the water tower. Mayor Anderson said that City Hall is in bad need of a new copy machine. Clerk Leah Woodall got 2 estimates for new copiers. Cabot Office Machines quoted a cash price of $4662.65 including delivery and setup. A maintenance agreement of $60 per month would include repairs, maintenance and toners. Office depot quoted a cash price of 4967.99 including delivery and setup. A 3 year maintenance agreement is $249.99 (did not state what it includes). Leah recommended accepting the quote from Cabot since the cost is less and they would be closer for service calls. A motion was passed to purchase the copier from Cabot Office Machines. John Lee, who has been renting the property next to City Hall for campers, addressed the council with a written offer to purchase the property. The offer states that the property has been appraised at $3,500 and he and Danny McWilliams are offering
$7,000 for the property. He stated that him, McWilliams and their families really enjoy fishing, water recreation and hunting around DeValls Bluff and the location of this property is great because it's so close to the boat ramp at the river and they can put boats in and leave them there all day, going back and forth without having to load and unload every time they want to get in and out of the water. He said there are a lot of improvements they would like to make on the property and eventually build permanent cabins. Alderman Alice Metcalf asked Mr. Lee if he would mind waiting until next month's meeting for a definite answer so they could talk about it and research any legalities concerning the sale. She also asked if he would still consider other property in the area if they didn't sell and stated that they would all be on the lookout for other property close to the river, Mr. Lee stated that would be fine. Alderman Bill Arnold stated that the city should have Attorney Mike Stuart look into the matter especially to see if the Corp of Engineers or Game and Fish Commission had any control of the property. A motion was passed to have Attorney Stuart look into the matter and the council would address the matter at the July meeting.