Of the people, By the people, For the people
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Eric Archer
TUESDAY, August 1, 2017 / Vol. 3 Issue 31 / 75 cents
Council calls for sales tax vote The Clinton City Council unanimously approved two ordinances to pave the way for a quarter-cent sales tax election later this year to benefit the Fire Department. Fire Chief D.L. Webb told the council Tuesday night that he had “looked at everything under the sun” to avoid asking for a sales tax. “You can do fundraisers and sell cookies and that might bring in $10,000,”
Webb said, “but we’re looking to the future.” A tax increase, he said, is the only thing he could figure out for the future of the department, which includes ladder trucks and a new substation south of the bridge into Clinton. “We are barely a Class 4,” Webb said, referring to the department’s ISO rating on which homeowners’ insurance rates are partially based. He said he thought
the department could maintain that without a tax increase, but “it would be tough.” He believes a tax increase would help the department achieve a better rating. “Let’s just get it before the people,” Mayor Richard McCormac said in asking for council approval to hold the special election. “They can say yay or nay.” He added: “Throw it out there and let the chips fall.”
The first ordinance passed by the City Council allowed for the levy of a onefourth cent sales tax. Following on the heels of that ordinance was a second one calling for a special election to let the residents of Clinton decide on the tax. Those living outside the city limits, who already pay voluntary dues to their fire departments, will not have a say in the decision.
Bradley: Won’t seek re-election Scott Bradley announced last week that he will not be seeking re-election to a ninth term as Van Buren County sheriff. He said on his Facebook page that he plans to finish his term, which ends Dec. 31, 2018, “unless an opportunity presents itself that I can't refuse.” Bradley, 49, took office as sheriff in 2003. He started his law enforcement career in 1996 in Van Buren County. He attended the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy 97A in 1997 in Camden, Arkansas. During his law enforcement career, Bradley has worked as a deputy, investi-
2 caught in stolen vehicle
Dennard Water to close, Hink says
Bradley gator, and 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force agent. Bradley was appointed by the governor to the Arkansas State Bail Bonding Board. He also has served on the board and as the president of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association.
Return to Africa – Amanda Berger shares her recent visit to Kenya, Africa. Page 14
Lake recovery – The Van Buren County Rescue Squad fishes a F-350 Ford truck out of Greers Ferry Lake on July 21, hooking to it with cables. Rescue squad President Jason Gates said he was unsure of how the truck ended up in the lake, but said it took about four hours to get it out.
The Dennard Water Association is going out of business and Clinton wants a chance to take over the system. Water Department Manager Richard Hink told the City Council last week that Dennard Water has struck a deal with another water company to take over its debts and assets, but still has 22 years left on a contract to buy water from Clinton. Hink noted that the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Highway 65 North project is moving along and said the agency does not want to work with another water department. He also said losing sales to Dennard would mean a $7,500 monthly loss to the
Clinton department. Hink said he would like the city attorney to write a letter to the Dennard association’s lawyer asking to enter into negotiations. Councilors agreed. Hink said he believes Dennard currently has three USDA loans adding up to about $900,000 that it is repaying. Clinton would have to assume that debt and maintain Dennard’s water lines for about 350 customers. The Dennard Water Association has asked Clinton to take it in several times over the past few years and Clinton has previously refused. Dennard Water Association President Donnie Collins could not be reached Friday for comment.
56 years later, hairdresser going strong
Two men were arrested after being stopped in what turned out to be a stolen vehicle, according to a Clinton Police report. The report states
Danna Lawrence hung out her hairdresser’s shingle on July 29, 1961. She remembers the date because it was her mother’s birthday. This week, she celebrates 56 years in the business.
See Car on page 3
See Hairdresser on page 3
Danna Lawrence in her shop last week
Danna Lawrence gives her first professional haircut in 1956.
Hometown honors Choctaw woman “Play the game as long as it’s fun, and when it’s not fun anymore, find something different.” Those words of wisdom were offered to scores of young softball players last month at the Sue Jones Invitational Softball Tournament in Logansport, Indiana. Jones, 88, of Choctaw said she didn’t even know there was a tournament named for her until just recently when somebody stumbled across it on the internet and told her. Jones said she has just been there two weeks earlier visiting friends, but called the director when she heard about it, and decided to make the trip again. Her friend, Chris Martin, drove
her to Logansport for the tournament, which was held July 15-16. There were 19 teams and four divisions, Jones says, and they played on six fields. The girls she talked with couldn’t believe an old lady like her had played softball, she said. “Their eyes were as big as silver dollars.” If ever anyone deserves to have a girls’ softball tournament named for her, it is Jones. When she first started teaching at Logansport, there were no sports for girls. Jones kept working on the athletic director and in 1966, she got permission for the girls to play one basketball game – but it had to be out of town. Then the school got a new
athletic director and everything changed. Jones coached softball for many years. Jones not only has a tournament named for her, the award for best high school girls athlete also carries her name. Jones ended up in Choctaw through her relationship with Sue Kidd, a local sports legend who passed away earlier this year. Jones attended college at what is now UCA in 1961 after a year at Ball State. She got her bachelor’s and master’s degree at UCA and went back to Indiana where she worked until her retirement in 1986. The town of Logansport proclaimed Sue Jones Appreciation Weekend in the city during the
Sue Jones talks with some girls at the Sue Jones Invitational last month. tournament, and Jones threw out the first pitch. She had a blast. It was exhilarating, she said, and, according to Martin, Jones is ready to do it again next year.