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Karen Bates
TUESDAY, August 16, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 31 / 75 cents
That’s readers’ voices you hear It has come to our attention that some folks think we at The Voice are writing the “SoundOff” letters. Let us assure you, that is not the case. The opinions expressed
on the “Sound-Off” pages are those of our readers. Our goal is to give you a chance to say what you think without fear of reprisal – and after a phone conversation
with an assistant to an elected official Friday, we can see why people are concerned about expressing opinions. Let us be plain: We do not target nor do we support any-
one politically. We are not plotting anyone’s defeat nor trying to boost anyone to victory. We are giving Van Buren County a chance to speak and we will not be intimidated
into silencing your voice. You keep those “Sound-Off” letters coming and we will keep printing them. This week’s Sound-Off is on Page 8.
Attorney advises Shirley council The attorney for the city of Shirley spent some time last week explaining the legal procedure for condemning a property. Attorney Matt Gilmore told the City Council at its Aug. 8 meeting that it was up to the city to decide how to make its first selection when a property needs cleaned up or torn down. He said, for example, the city could work in a NorthSouth direction, begin with the biggest or most visible eyesore or choose the ones that have been a problem for the longest amount of time. Gilmore also told the council that if it chooses to clean up a property then try to recoup the costs, it could put a lien on the property, though there would be little chance of ever receiving that money. Also at the meeting, Mayor Johnny Sowell said he had been contacted by Mac Harbour about buying the note he has with Bud Massey on the old buildings next to the old Shirley Bank. Harbour offered to sell the note on the buildings to the city for $18,216, which was less than half of the amount still owed of $48,000. Sowell stated that the Water Department, Street Department and City Hall could be relocated there, and the payment could be split between the three funds. Three coun-
Farm talk Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge made a stop at the Farm Bureau office in Clinton last week to listen to farmers’ concerns. Some were concerned about what they see as too many government regulations and others about land being sold for non-agricultural purposes.
cil members – Randy Murray, Brad Brown and Kevin Johnson – voted to purchase the note; Councilwoman Lisa Hackett abstained; and Councilwoman Margaret Earnhart cited a conflict of interest and did not take part in the vote. On another topic, the mayor said he had prepared notices to be sent to anybody currently having a water bill more than two months’ delinquent, telling them the past due bills must be paid by October 15 or their service will be cut off. He said he had been discussing the findings of the 2015 audit with legislative audit. Treasurer/Recorder Melissa Worthing stated that the report was actually an Independent Accountant’s Report On Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures and not an actual audit. She said incorporated cities do not undergo actual audits, but an engagement to apply agreed-upon procedures was performed in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Sowell stated he had been advised to call for an actual legislative audit to be done on the Water Department accounts. On another issue, Sowell said he had spoken with the director of the Van See Shirley on page 2
Deputy on leave after wreck
Colors of the wind – This stunning image of a hummingbird was taken by Marguerite Dory on the deck of her home in Bee Branch.
City Council meets Tuesday The Clinton City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday evening after its regular session was canceled last week. According to its agenda, released last week, the council will revisit proposals to increase rates for Water Department customers and changes to the personnel handbook. In new business, the agenda includes
a proposed ordinance with the title: “Residency requirement for emergency department heads.” It appears that ordinance would affect only the positions of police chief and fire chief. Newly appointed Police Chief John Willoughby does not live in the Clinton city limits. Fire Chief D.L. Webb does. Two other department heads, Water Department
Manager Todd Burgess and Zoning official Tim Clark do not live in the city of Clinton either, but their positions likely will not be considered “emergency” department heads. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at the Clinton Municipal Airport meeting room. It is open to the public.
A Van Buren County sheriff’s deputy is on administrative leave after wrecking his personal motorcycle last week. Deputy Todd Bonds was taken by helicopter to a Little Rock hospital after the crash Monday, Aug. 8, according to a report by the Clinton Police Department. The extent of his injuries was not made public, but he was talking and standing after the wreck, according to the report. A Clinton Police officer stated in his report that he heard a sheriff’s deputy radio in that a reckless driver on Highway 9 had run him off the road and was heading toward U.S. Highway 65. The officer met with the deputy who told him the motorcycle, with a white male driving, had run three or four vehicles off the road and seemed to be aiming at other vehicles, according to the report. The officer did not find the vehicle in the city limits, then heard the deputy radio in that he had found the motorcycle and the driver in a ditch. The report said the officer arrived to find a black and red Honda sports motorcycle with a large amount of damSee Wreck on page 3
Yellow Jacket scrimmages set The Clinton Yellow Jackets’ Black/ Gold football scrimmage games are set for Thursday, Aug. 18, at Jim Tumlison Field. The Junior High game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and the Senior High game begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free, however, donations of bottled sports drinks are requested. Receptacles will be set up at each entrance. The regular season for the Yellow
Jackets begins Sept. 2 with a home game against the Heber Springs Panthers. Clinton is coached by Chris Dufrene. The Jackets had a disappointing season last year with injuries sidelining several key players. The team ended the season 2 and 9.