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Christine Wolf
TUESDAY, May 17, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 20 / 75 cents
Manager implores council to fund Water Department If the Clinton Water Department was a private company it would have filed for bankruptcy by now, the City Council was told Thursday. Department Manager Todd Burgess offered some frank talk and criticism as he pointed out to council members that he has been asking them to decide how to generate income for the department since he took it over in January. "Your utility is broke," he said. Burgess said he has $30,000 in bills on his
desk that he cannot cover. "I can no longer put off creditors. You have fiducial responsibility to fund this utility," he said. Basically, he said, the department is living off its infrastructure savings, which are now at $432,000. He said he needed $35,000 immediately, and added that $50,000 would be needed for payments next month. "We can no longer rob Peter to pay Paul," he said. The council ap-
proved moving $35,000 to the department's general fund. "We need to sit down next week and come up with some options," said Mayor Richard McCormac. Asked who he would like to meet with, Burgess responded, "I want somebody who will make a decision." Adding insult to injury for the department, thieves have made a "major, major hit" on the west sewer treatment plant. Burgess said about $2,000 in scrap cop-
per has been stolen, but repairing the plant will cost up to $100,000. The theft is currently under investigation. "It's depressing," Burgess said. At the water treatment plant the clarifier is being used a few hours a day now. Plant Manager Mauriece Passmore said the crew is going to have to learn how to run the equipment at each level, such as when dealing with turSee Water on page 2
Repairs on this sewer pump in downtown Clinton cost about $10,000, and "We still have a 53-year-old pump," said Water Department Manager Todd Burgess. (Photo by Robert Snyder)
Notes
Voice delay -A reminder that Memorial Day is Monday, May 30, 2016, and post offices will be closed. The Voice of Van Buren County will be 24 hours late getting on its way to you. Our office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31. The May 31 edition will include our tribute to this year's graduating seniors in the county. Call 745-8040 or e-mail voiceads@artelco.com to add your voice to the tribute. Boating class -There will be a free Boater Education Class from 12:306:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016, at the downtown Clinton Fire Department. The class is required for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1985, before they may legally operate a motor boat or personal water craft. For more information contact Jay Hagans at (501) 592-2472.
Look, up in the sky ...
Game and Fish Officer Jay Hagans shared this photo of an osprey nest near Choctaw. He said there are only six known osprey nests in the entire state of Arkansas. The bird is also known as a sea hawk.
Toddler drowns -- A 2-year-old boy drowned in Weaver Creek last Tuesday, May 11. The boy's family was visiting from out of town. The Van Buren County sheriff's office has decided not to issue a statement on the incident.
Clinton man faces felony charges A Clinton man faces felony drug charges after a traffic stop last week. On May 11, 2016, William Jeffery Jones, 54, was stopped by law enforcement agents. During the stop agents found 26 grams of suspected methamphetamine and other bags containing a white substance, possibly cocaine, according to
a news release from the sheriff's office. Jones was arrested at the scene and is currently incarcerated at the Van Buren County Detention Center, according to the news release. Jones is charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, felony possession of a controlled sub-
stance-schedule 3, and felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Jones also has a parole violation warrant from the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He is currently awaiting a first appearance. Taking part in the investigation and arrest were agents from the 20th Judicial District Drug Crime Task Force, the Clinton Po-
lice Department and the Van Buren County sheriff's office.
Jones
Agents discovered bags of drugs during a traffic stop last week.