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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2010
The
Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com
Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854
BEEBE PROPOSES CUT ON GROCERY TAX
The governor asked lawmakers on Tuesday to cut another half-cent from the state’s grocery tax. — PAGE 2A
HWY. 13 EXTENSION
When: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Valley Baptist Church, 3328 Highway 36 W. What: Information about possible routes
Hwy. 13 meeting set for Tuesday
No preferred route among 3 chosen
RIVERVIEW AIMING FOR PLAYOFF WIN
The Raiders head to Elkins Friday for the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs. — PAGE 1B
Morris: ‘I did not decline’ debate SEARCY MAYORAL RUN-OFF When: Tuesday, Nov. 23
LAFORCE
MORRIS
Candidate states he will only communicate with newspaper in writing
By Jacob Brower jbrower@thedailycitizen.com Searcy mayoral candidate David Morris denied declining a scheduled debate with current Mayor Belinda LaForce — set for either Monday, Nov. 15 or Tuesday, Nov. 16 — in a letter delivered to The Daily Citizen Tuesday afternoon, adding that he will only cor-
respond with the newspaper in writing in the future. After agreeing to the debate Thursday evening, Morris delivered a letter to The Daily Citizen office Friday afternoon stating that "my time Page 4A should be utilized knocking on doors and making telephone calls to discuss my campaign with the residents of Searcy, rather than engage in a discussion with the current mayor." A letter from Morris delivered to The
OUR VIEW
Daily Citizen on Tuesday stated the following: "I did not 'decline,' as you erroneously stated in the bold headline. Due to this and other incidents that have recently occurred in working with The Daily Citizen newspaper, I respectfully request that all future correspondence and questions concerning me and my campaign for the office of mayor of Searcy be addressed in writing." Morris did not return e-mails or phone calls asking for clarification of CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A
Honoring veterans
By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com State highway department officials will be on hand to explain three routes — with none of them the preferred route — for the extension of Highway 13 during a public meeting. The event will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Valley Baptist Church, 3328 Highway 36 W. A quicker route for traffic between the west part of Searcy to Highway 67/167, which is the freeway to Little Rock, by connecting Highway 36 west to Highway 267 is the goal of the extension, which has been under design and discussion for years. Honey Hill Road was once the department’s preferred route but that CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A
Gun deer season set to open Saturday
Officials: Hunting on railroads forbidden By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com With the opening of gun season for deer set for Saturday, thousands of White County hunters are cleaning their rifles and shotguns and stocking up on everything from food to ammunition. John Key, owner of Ultimate Outdoors, 608 S. Main St., said archery season for deer has been ongoing as has squirrel season, and the youth gun season for deer was last weekend. “One thing I’m seeing with the economy the way it is, hunting is supporting itself pretty well,” Key said. “In my opinion, some people are saying, ‘Instead of taking that big trip to Disney World or the Bahamas, let’s go ahead and get that new bow or gun and stick around here this year. I’ve also been told that about camping.” Key has seen a growing trend toward youth and ladies participating in hunting. “Youth are getting more involved in archery hunting because of the growing emphasis on archery in the schools,” Key said. But on Saturday morning, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A
Laura Adams, 6, of Searcy helps place flags at White County Memorial Gardens Tuesday in preparation for Veterans Day, which is tomorrow. Also pictured is Ronda Higbee, left, with the American Legion Auxiliary, who organized a group of volunteers to place the flags on veterans’ graves. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com
Beebe School District receives praise from AdvancED BEEBE SCHOOL BOARD
Next meeting: Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. Where: Central offices
By Erica Sirratt Special to The Daily Citizen The Beebe Public School Districtreceivedeightcommendations and three recommendations from the AdvancED Quality Assurance Review Team during their evaluation for national accreditation on Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. The team commended the
Camp Beebe and the before and after school child care. AdvancED did recommend that the district develop a Strategic Action Plan and a more precise vision statement. In two years, the district must report its progress to AdvancED. “We were pleased with the outcome,” Assistant
Superintendent Scott Embry said. “They were very complimentary of our school district. It was a good learning experience. Thank goodness it only comes every five years.” The team consisted of five trained professional from across the state and nation. They reviewed district docuCONTINUED ON PAGE 2A
Bradford city council approves hiring of 2 auxiliary officers Town purchases 2 new fire and rescue trucks
By Julie Kohl Special to The Daily Citizen The Bradford city council unanimously approved the appointment of two Auxiliary officers to the police force at Monday night’s meeting. Daniel Brady and Wade Jackson, both of Bradford, will serve as parttime auxiliary officers on a non-paid volunteer basis. Brady and Jackson will serve alongside a certified officer and will have all of the same authority as the officers as long as they are within the city of Bradford. The Bradford Police Board is also looking into hiring two additional officers to fill part-time positions,
WEATHER
Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph Vol. 156, No. 269 ©2010 The Daily Citizen
district for the “highly trained and dedicated teaching force” and their “highly informed, visionary superintendent who is in touch with and sensitive to the needs and concerns of all stake holders.” The team also praised the district for their strong response to community needs with programs such as the Child Care,
AUXILIARY OFFICERS
Auxiliary officers: Daniel Brady, Wade Jackson New vehicles: 36-foot pumper truck, service truck
working towards 24-hour police coverage. No official decision was made at the council meeting as the police board has elected to further review the applications. The board will meet before the end of the week to make a final decision and if officers are hired they will serve a probationary period until the next city council meeting. The Bradford Fire Department recently purchased two used fire trucks from a Pennsylvania fire department that was merging with
another department. The city purchased a 36-foot, 2,500 gallon pumper truck to replace one of the older trucks. Because the truck is a little longer than what the firefighters are used to they will be performing several practice drills with it. Also purchased was a Ford Ranger truck that will be classed as a service truck. It will replace the current rescue truck but maintain all of the same equipment. Fire Chief Dennis Whitener spoke highly of the Pennsylvania Fire Department from which they purchased the trucks. “The department prides itself in their trucks and they were very well taken care of,” he said. He went on to mention that they
INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B
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show their trucks like many people show antique and classic cars and had received many trophies and ribbons and that he hopes to instill this same pride within Bradford’s Fire Department. Mayor Dunn also seemed pleased with the purchases. “Both trucks look real good,” he said. In other business, progress continues on changes to be made to the city park that is being funded through the Arkansas Parks and Tourism “Fun Park Grant.” The bid for the concrete has been approved and work will begin as soon as the contracts are signed. The council is currently looking at CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A
A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. CARL REINER
American actor, 1922
Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277
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