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Jim Schmidt
TUESDAY, March 22, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 12 / 75 cents
Financially ailing Water Department
looking at big expenses The bad news just kept on coming at Thursday's Clinton City Council meeting. Water Department Manager Todd Burgess first offered up a little good news, reporting that the clarifier should be complete and running by April 1. But then the talk turned to the department's finances. Burgess said because March had three payrolls, the department had a stack of bills adding up to $55,000 it could not pay, and some of those bills were 60 days past due. He asked for, and received, $55,000 from the
infrastructure fund to pay them. "I know it's robbing Peter to pay Paul," Burgess said, "but we've got to do something." Burgess also told the council that the state Highway Department is pushing for the department to get its water lines moved out of the public easement as its Highway 65 widening project between Bee Branch and Clinton progresses. Burgess said the estimated cost for that is $750,000. He said the Highway Department has offered to make a 10-year $750,000 no interest loan
to the department to move the lines. The monthly payment on the note would be $6,200, he said. The loan is no good if the department can't pay the note on it, Councilman Johnny Moore noted. "Is there nobody to help us with this?" Councilwoman Gayla Bradley asked. "There's got to be some help out there for a little town like us," said Councilman Sammie Ward. Mayor Richard McSee City Council page 2
Mayor Richard McCormac and Councilwoman Gayla Bradley listen to a report from the Water Department manager.
Quorum Court approves concealed carry ordinance
Photo by Joel French/for The Voice
The county is looking into adding bulletproof glass and other safety measures at the downtown Courthouse and District Court building, the Van Buren County Quorum Court was told last week. Craig Fisher, who heads up the county's safety board, said he has been talking with some people who are concerned about their safety because they often deal with people who are upset. "Safety comes first," he told the justices of the peace. An ordinance to allow concealed carry by elected officials and many county employees was approved after a third reading at the meeting March 17. Justice of the Peace Dale James said he had a couple of folks concerned about the proposal but the overwhelming majority were in favor
of it. County Judge Roger Hooper said the ordinance has nothing to do with county-owned vehicles, just the buildings. Also at the meeting: * The sheriff's office reported that all new vehicles are on the road, and the kitchen renovations are coming along. * Director Reta Tharp reported that 52 dogs and puppies and two cats currently at the Van Buren County Animal Control facility. She said no dogs have been euthanized since May 2015. * The new library opened March 1 and already 4,000 items have been checked out and 300 new library cards have been issued, according to county library director Carla Fultz. She said the grand opening is set for 10 a.m. March 29.
Poker Run set to benefit
veterans' groups
Photo by Joel French/for The Voice
A mobile home at 1902 Scotland-Formosa Road was destroyed by fire Wednesday. The fire before 11:30 a.m. March 16 and was reported by a mail carrier who saw the smoke. The home was owned by Kenneth Davis. No injuries were reported. Fire departments responding were Scotland, Walnut Grove, Choctaw and Culpepper.
Photo by Mary Jean Hall
Did you know that approximately 22 veterans a day take their own lives, according to a report released in 2012 by the Department of Veteran Affairs? That sad statistic includes a young Van Buren County man and in his honor a Poker Run is set for April 2. Called the Spc. William Dale Memorial Poker Run, the fundraiser will benefit 22 Too Many and Working Dogs for Vets. According to the group 22 Too Many
there are a number of reasons for the high suicide rate, among them: post-traumatic stress, the effects of traumatic brain injury, and the negative stigma in the military community around seeking help. The April 2 event begins at 9 a.m. at Gasoline Alley in Choctaw. Last bike out will be at noon. Second stop is the Conoco Station in Quitman. Third stop is the Road Runner See Veterans page 2