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Carole Evans
TUESDAY, June 7, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 21 / 75 cents
Options on table for digging department out of hole The Clinton Water Department manager offered several options for bringing in some much needed revenue at a special meeting of the City Council last week. One of those suggestions from Manager Todd Burgess was to add a debt service charge to everyone's bill. That way, Burgess said, the burden would be
shared equally. Another option was to raise the basic monthly water bill inside the Clinton city limits to the same amount paid by customers outside the city limits. Currently, city residents pay $6 per month less on their basic bill than do those outside the city. There should be no privilege for liv-
ing in the city limits on utilities, Burgess said. But Councilman Johnny Moore said 4.25 percent extra on personal property taxes "should entitle city residents to some privileges." Moore said it costs the department more to send water to customers on Highway 65 north. By that reasoning,
Burgess said, those living near the water treatment plant should pay less. A third option was to raise water rates for Clinton's retail customers. Burgess's fourth suggestion was to take another look at some sales taxes that designate where the funds go. "You have a daunting task ahead
of you," Burgess told the council. Moore said of the suggestions Burgess was offering it would take three of the four of them to get to $40,000, which is the department's monthly shortfall. Asked if the proposals included any money for a 10-year plan the department is supposed to be working on, Burgess
replied: "This is a break-even plan." The council decided to look at Burgess's proposals and come up with some of their own before meeting again. Also at the meeting Tuesday, the council unanimously approved transferring $65,000 from the infrastructure account to pay the department's bills.
Homecoming parade -- Riders and their trusty steeds line the parade route Saturday in Shirley for the 49th annual Homecoming. More photos, Page 14. (Photo by Anita Tucker/The Voice)
Help available to curb summer hunger More than 200,000 children in Arkansas are at risk of hunger, according to a 2015 national study. Almost 30 percent of children in Arkansas live in poverty, according to Kids County Data Center. More than 28 percent of families in Arkansas with children struggled to afford enough food for their families in 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the Food Hardship Report. Some of these families, these children, are right here in Van Buren County. There is worry that children who rely on the two free meals a day they get at school are going to spend their summer vacation with a gnawing hunger in their stomachs. "Childhood hunger is a big issue and it is very dear to my heart," said Sydney Sutterfield, nutrition director for the Clinton School District. "I'm so glad we get to serve meals during the whole month of June at no charge to everyone under 18 years. This is an amazing thing that our state agency Arkansas Child Nutrition Unit has allowed schools to do." Sutterfield is referring to the Seamless Summer Program at Clinton schools. For the month of June, breakfast is served from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday and lunch
from 11 a.m. until noon to those 18 and under at the high school cafeteria. Help is also available from several sources in the county. Several teachers at South Side mentioned the Station and the United Methodist Church in Damascus as having food pantries. Other churches, as well, have pantries and serve meals several times a week. At the Shirley School District, SALC's pantry was recently restocked by the post office food drive. Said SALC director Angie Williams, "In years past we have received two or three bins full of bags. This year they filled about five!" "The donations from you and other individuals and groups in this community is what keeps this pantry up and running," she said. "I can't wait to start making phone calls and get the people in here that need it." For more information about the Food for Kids Pantry at Shirley, call 723-4907. Another source for help is the Choctaw Food Pantry operated by Claud and Karin Ruiz. Little paperwork is involved to get help there because Claud says being in need of food is the main requirement. The pantry is open on Wednesdays. Food's for Life in Clinton also offers help to families in need.
A winning scene -- Shawn and Vicki Overbey proudly pose with their "Best Spring Front Porch Display" after winning the 16 West Beautification Competition. Mid-season long-lasting, giant yellow daffodils clinched the win. See Neighbors on Page 5 to read more about it. (Photo by Jeff Burgess)
Notes Parish retiring
Chief Toney Parish is stepping down from the helm of the Clinton Police Department. Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac said the longtime chief, who is in his 70s, will retire in
early August. McCormac said he already has received several applications for the position; he did not say when a decision would be made. Parish has always been open and cooperative with the local press, and The Voice would like to take this opportunity to urge the City Council to choose the chief's replacement carefully. Chief, we will miss you and we wish you well.
Fairfield Bay Community Club. In a post on the Fairfield Bay News' Facebook page, Wellenberger said he has done a lot of soul-searching and decided this was the time to resign. All of his responsibilities has affected his health, Wellenberger said, and "it's not worth that."
Wellenberger steps down Parish
Paul Wellenberger has announced his resignation as general manager of the
Wellenberger
Wellenberger will remain as Fairfield Bay mayor through 2018. He said he feels there is still much to accomplish for the city. We l l e n b e rg e r ' s resignation from the Community Club is effective July 1.
Weight limits
Don't forget the meeting Thursday, June 9, about the new ordinance to impose weight limits on county roads. The meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. at the Quorum Court meeting room at the Courthouse Annex on Highway 65 in Clinton, is your chance to be heard.