Of the people, By the people, For the people
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Barnett & Ruth Bruce
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 / Vol. 5 Issue 11 / 75 cents
James backs bill to change appeals process County Judge Dale James is heading for the state Capitol this week to address a hearing on legislation regarding tax payment during the appeal process. HB 1562 “is extremely important for the residents of Van Buren County,” James stated in a Facebook post. “It amends the law concerning pay-
ment during an assessment appeal process.” “When you, I, and the rest of Van Buren County went to the Collector's Office and paid our taxes last year, we had one large corporation take a letter instead of a check which stated that they were not going to pay,” James stated. “They believed
the tax process was unfair and are fighting the battle in court. Under current law, they pay $0.00 until the process is complete which could take several years.” Southwestern Energy has withheld its tax payment as it appeals the assessed value of its product. “How many of you could get away with
simply not paying your taxes for years?” James stated. “HB 1562 amends the law to only withhold the disputed amount instead of the whole amount currently withheld.” James said some of the agencies affected by the action are: Clinton Schools: over $1 million South Side
Schools: over $1.6 million Van Buren County Library: $75,000 County General and Roads: over a half-million dollars. Attorney Eddie Morgan told the Clinton School Board at a meeting last year that SWN’s withholding of the tax payment would not really hurt because the school
is always going to get state funding for each student. However, it could hurt, he said, when SWN releases those funds and the school is then over its allowance per student. HB 1562 is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Greenbrier, and co-sponsored by Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View.
Emergency in the ER
Ex-SRO’s lawsuit settled for $135,000
A man seeking medical attention ended up under arrest after a fight with hospital staff and police. On March 1, 2019, Steven Farris is accused of threatening to use a thermometer to stab a doctor and a nurse who was trying to take his temperature in the emergency room at Ozark Health, according to an affidavit for arrest. The nurse got out of the room, but the doctor was punched twice in the face and slammed into a set of glass doors, according to the report. Farris then ran around the ER area threatening staff and other patients, the report states. Farris exited through the ambulance bay doors and went toward his truck. Clinton Police Chief John Willoughby and a county deputy tried to take Farris into custody there and Willoughby had one handcuff on the suspect when Farris attacked the two, the report states. Farris punched Willoughby in the head with the hand wearing the handcuff, nearly knocking the chief out, the report states. Willoughby struck Farris in the head, injuring his hand in the process, the affidavit states. The deputy was kicked several times during the struggle to take Farris into custody, the report states. After Farris was subdued, he was taken back into the ER for treatment and was taken by helicopter to UAMS in Little Rock, the document states. X-rays revealed that Willoughby had a broken had and a large lump on his head; the doctor’s x-rays have not been confirmed but it is believed he has a broken tooth and possibly other injuries, the report states. Farris, 50, of Fairfield Bay has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, a Class D felony, and two counts of second degree battery, a Class D felony. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.
The Clinton School District and the city of Clinton have settled a lawsuit filed by a former school resource officer for $135,000. Steve Bradley, who was school resource officer at Clinton for many years as a member of the Clinton Police Department, was fired in September 2016 by then-Superintendent Andrew Vining. A letter sent in September 2017 to the school district and the city, by Bradley’s attorney, Robert A. Newcomb, claimed that Bradley was not compensated for overtime he had earned and that Vining tried several times to coerce him into signing what was in effect a teacher’s contract for a flat salary that waived comp time and overtime. When Bradley refused, he was fired. Bradley’s complaint also stated that when he returned briefly to the Clinton Police Department, the city of Clinton retaliated by cutting his pay and assigning him an undesirable shift even though he was the most experienced officer working for the city and had been co-employed by the city longer than any other of-
Fight injures doctor, chief
Flying high - Saturday was perfect kite-flying weather for Gabe and Tammie Williams and their sons in Clinton. After the storms passed, it was sunny and windy. (Photo by Tammie Williams)
ficer. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act employees must be paid over-time for all hours worked in excess of 43 hours weekly. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that police officers receive overtime because they are not considered professionals. Vining’s actions, Newcomb stated, were not proper under the statute. Bradley asked for a settlement of $200,000. The lawsuit was heading for trial in federal court this week. Clinton Superintendent Dr. Joe Fisher said the district’s insurance company agreed to pay $95,000 to settle its part of the lawsuit. Fisher said the insurance is provided through the Arkansas School Board Association. The settlement does not require approve from the local School Board. Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac called a special meeting last week to discuss options with the City Council. Municipal League attorney Amanda Lafever met with the council to provide advice. Five of the council members were present for the meeting; Councilwoman Gayla Brad-
ley, who is married to Steve Bradley, was not at the meeting. Lafever told the council that taking the lawsuit to trial would be dangerous because so much depends on the jury and the judge. She said if the council settled, it would resolve the litigation and put the issue behind them. After a lively discussion, the council agreed to a settlement of $40,000, which was accepted by Bradley, according to McCormac. The money will be paid in a lump sum from the general fund, he said. “It’s good to put this in the rearview mirror.” After Bradley’s firing, Wesley Potts of the Van Buren County sheriff’s office, was named resource officer. He resigned the school position after four days. David Hess was then chosen for the job, but he was dismissed from the sheriff’s office last month. Potts has temporarily returned to the position. Vining resigned as Clinton School District superintendent in 2018. He is currently still being paid $106,000 a year through June 2019.
Baseball season The Clinton Yellow Jackets baseball team celebrates after Keaton Gresham (No. 7) hits a home run against Marshall. More photos, Page 2. (Photo by Robert R. Gaut)
Federal round up On February 26 and 27, the Van Buren County sheriff’s office and the 20th Judicial Drug Task Force in a joint effort conducted federal arrest warrant round-up. Officers from both agencies met at verified locations and made entries into residences in both southern and northern Van Buren County. Officer were able to make four arrest on federal warrants from firearm charges and local felony
charges. Arrested were Jackie Guffey, Walter Guffey, Adam Delapaz and Richard Paul Reynolds. All are being held at the Van Buren County Jail pending court hearings. This was a very successful round up with more to follow in this county, the sheriff's office said. ****** The sheriff’s office reports it has received word of a newer model white
Ford truck possibly going door to door offering to chip and seal people's driveways. The truck has also been seen on private property for extended periods of time. The sheriff’s office reminds the community to use caution when dealing with door to door salespeople. There are ones that are making an honest living but unfortunately there are ones who are not, the department says. If you see something suspicious, you are asked to call the sheriff’s office at 745-2112.
W. Guffey
J. Guffey
Delapaz
Reynolds