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Berlie McDonald
TUESDAY, August 28, 2018 / Vol. 4 Issue 35 / 75 cents
Clinton says no funds for 911 center This house on Shake Rag Road was struck by lightning and burned to the ground during the Aug. 19 storms. Karen and Joe Lefler lost everything in the fire, including some of their pets. A fund has been set up to help them at Regions Bank. Culpepper Fire Department was in charge at the scene, assisted by Clinton and other departments. It was a dangerous situation for firefighters and one chief at the scene said a lightning strike could have taken out half the volunteer firefighters in the county. (Photo by Sam Tucker/for the Voice)
County proclaimed disaster area The county sustained at least $382,290 worth of damage on Aug. 19 when as much as 6 inches of rain fell over several hours. County Judge Roger Hooper signed a proclamation that Van Buren County sustained enough damage to be declared a disaster area entitled to aid, relief and assistance and implemented the County Emergency Operation Plan.
An armadillo hangs on for dear life as flood waters covered much of Clinton on Aug. 19.
What a season! - The South Side-Bee Branch Hornets finished the 2018 season with a 29-8 record.The Hornets were winners of the White County Classic Tournament, 1A-2 South Conference champs, 1A-2 South District champs, 1A Region 3 champions, and 1A State Tournament RunnerUp. Several players earned post-season accolades for the Hornets, Griffin Smith and Brody Smith were both named All State and All Conference. Also named to the All Conference team were Makall Mosley, Eli Leonard, Gus Holland and Riley Campbell. The Hornets finished the season with a .315 batting average and an earned run average of 1.85. Pictured are: (front row from left) Kyler Henderson, Brody Smith, Lane Clark, Harrison Hall, Riley Campbell, Parker Knopp, (back row from left) Blake Battles, Jacob McJunkins, Kyle Evans, Gus Holland, Dylan Smith and Coach Jeffery Liggin. Not pictured: Carson Bush, Eli Leonard, Makall Mosley, Jesse Park and Griffin Smith.
The Clinton mayor informed the Van Buren County Quorum Court last week that the city will not commit funds requested by the 911 committee to run the dispatch center in Fairfield Bay. The Clinton City Council sent word that it cannot dedicate 911 funds until it sees where it stands financially after the third quarter ends. To do otherwise would mean the city would have to eliminate a job and councilors did not want to do that because all its employees are necessary, Mayor Richard MaCormac stated. The mayor read a letter noting that “the city also wishes to acknowledge the fact that no past input has been requested involving the system’s financial or operational decisions.” County Judge Roger Hooper said he was “disappointed and saddened” by the decision. He said he thought a decision was reached during meetings of the Public Safety committee by June. “Evidently, I didn’t hear it right.” McCormac said he didn’t want to “wallow” in history, but he noted that the dispatch center’s past was “volatile.” He was referring to the early 2000’s when 911 dispatch was moved from the sheriff’s office in Clinton to Fairfield Bay. He said the city of Clinton remembers when the center went to Fairfield Bay it was self-supporting. “There was a lot of land lines and for a long time it was just fine.” McCormac said how to approach the subject is critical. “To come in and basically say ‘ya’ll have never paid, I’ve done your part, here’s your fair share,’ the attitude means a lot.” Several Quorum Court members and some from the Fairfield Bay City Council attended the Clinton council’s meeting earli-
er this month in an apparent attempt to influence the aldermen. Justice of the Peace Kevin Housley commented that Clinton didn’t pay its part for the animal shelter or to hold inmates in the county jail where they “pay only about a third.” He continued, “It’s a kind of deal if you ever give them something they keep on wanting more.” JP Mary Philips, who chairs the safety committee, said “Clinton is declaring funding 911 is not essential and should be funded by someone else.” She continued, “If personnel must be laid off, somebody else has to do it; if the public has to lose services, let somebody else do it; if the public has to feel pain, let the county or Fairfield Bay shoulder it.” She said the dispatch center has cost Fairfield Bay $800,000 over 10 years. McCormac bristled at Philips’ comments. “Clinton believes it’s non-essential? Who said that? I didn’t.” He said his problem is being given an Aug. 31 deadline to make a decision when the city doesn’t have to have its budget completed for several months yet. “The bottom line is we’re not willing to fund it, I didn’t put ‘at this time’ in the letter.” JP Dale James said it’s time “to throw this over to the budget committee because it’s going to fall right back into our lap, We know that, and we’re going to have to decide who we’re going to let go next y ear.” James said he found it humorous that Clinton says it has never had any say in this. “Well, if you don’t pay anything you don’t have any say.” Meanwhile, the safety committee has set a meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex.
Woman wanted by marshals arrested Acting upon an alert from the U.S. Marshals office, deputies arrested Cathy Ann Wells, 49, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in Clinton. A search of her vehicle turned up what field tested positive for black tar heroin and a Smith & Wesson 40-caliber pistol that was reported stolen in Colorado. She has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, a Class B felony, and simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, a
Class B felony. Kim Morrison, 50, of Marshall was stopped for having a headlight out on Highway 16 on Aug. 23, according to an affidavit. A search of her purse uncovered two glass smoking pipes, the report states. Morrison was charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Eight law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the home on Buttercreek Road of Billy Shane Gardner on Aug. 13.
Outside they found three marijuana plants growing in a tub and inside the home they found smoking devices and a substance that appeared to be marijuana, according to an affidavit for arrest. Gardner, 51, of Scotland has been charged with manufacturing a schedule VI controlled substance, more than 14 grams, a Class D felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony, and two misdemeanor drug charges.
Historical building - Everyone did a good job filling us in on some history of the Voice’s building on Main Street in Clinton. Read about it on Page 6. Now, tell us what you know about the Lewis Building across the street before it was part of Eoff’s Furniture. E-mail voiceeditor@artelco. com or all 745-8040.