Of the people, By the people, For the people
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Frankie & Tammy Ingram
TUESDAY, January 1, 2019 / Vol. 5 Issue 1 / 75 cents
County budget narrowly approved With one justice of the peace absent, two abstaining and one voting no, the county budget for 2019 almost didn’t get off the ground at last month’s Quorum Court meeting. Bothered by the way a Drug Task Force agent was funded, among other things, Justice of the Peace Todd Burgess voted no on the budget and an amendment to include the agent’s title on the salary page. The position, which incoming Sheriff Lucas Emberton requested be defunded during an earlier budget meeting, will be funded through the prosecuting attor-
ney’s victim-witness fund. In return, the sheriff’s office will take over the duties that program previously handled. Funding this DTF position a problem, Burgess said. He said he believes it is a “back door appropriation.” Burgess noted there was previous discussion not to fund a DTF agent in Van Buren County. Current Sheriff Randy Gurley said as far as he knows, “there is no law we have to have one.” Burgess also said there were not enough cuts in the budget. “Some things discussed earlier that have made it into the budget.”
JPs Mary Philips and Dell Holt said Burgess should have come to budget meetings. Burgess was not on the budget committee. The JPs who abstained from the vote were Dale James and Jackie Sikes. James said that because he is the incoming county judge, most of the budget is his, therefore he should not vote on it. Sikes said because she has applied for the job as head librarian she felt she should not vote. JP Gary Linn was absent due to illness. The budget required a two-thirds vote to pass, which
meant it had to get six yes votes. Eventually, Sikes was persuaded that because library salaries are funded through a millage and not from county general, it would not be a conflict for her to vote. The final vote was 6-1 with 1 abstaining and 1 absent. “All right, we have a budget,” said County Judge Roger Hooper. In other business, the JPs unanimously approved charging $53 per day to house prisoners for municipalities in the county jail. The fee will be billed monthly. Currently, it is estimated that the cost for housing prisoners for municipalities is
$50,000 to $60,000 per year. The Quorum Court also unanimously voted to close the animal control fund and transfer the $9,300 in it to county general. Librarian Karla Fultz announced that driving tests will be held at the library on Mondays. Craig Fisher said he is retiring as head of Solid Waste and Safety Department. The JPs approved an ordinance to continue renting office space on Boykin Street from Chad and Nikki Brown even though Nikki Brown is now a member of the Quorum Court. The rent is $200 month plus half the
utilities. The vote was unanimous. Four outgoing JPs were honored: Burgess, Sikes, James and Kevin Housley. In his speech, Burgess noted that he had been appointed to complete the term of his father-in-law, James Kirkendoll, who passed away while in office. In keeping with Kirkendoll’s tradition, Burgess said, he “tried to aggravate Mr. Holt.” “You did,” Holt shot back. “And so did he.” In saying goodbye to outgoing Judge Hooper, James praised him for helping in the transition, saying he is “a class act.”
Clinton man faces drug charges
Volunteers laid 180 wreaths at cemeteries in Van Buren County on Dec. 15, 2018, as part of Wreaths Across America. A ceremony was held at Bee Branch Cemetery where wreaths were laid for each branch of the service and POW/MIA’s. South Side Bee Branch EAST coordinated the local effort.
Outgoing officials to be honored The Van Buren County Central Committee will host a potluck at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. The potluck will be a time to enjoy good food, good fellowship, and most importantly, a time to recognize and honor a group of outgoing county elected officials. The seven have a combined 94 years of elected service to the county. Bring a dish and let these folks know we appreciate their service. The seven and their years of service are: Lisa Nunley, 24 years; Kim Hunley, 16 years; Ester Bass, 16 years; Scott Bradley, 15 years; Trina Jons, 11 years; Roger Hooper, 8 years; and Kevin Housley, 4 years. Even as he is honored as a former elected official, Bass is returning as a justice of the peace this term.
A Clinton man faces numerous charges after he allegedly fled from police and was tracked to a residence. On Dec. 19, several deputies and a Clinton police officer arrived at the house and after finding a locked door, they talked with the sheriff’s and prosecutor’s office and were advised to gain entry by whatever means necessary, according to an arrest affidavit. A deputy kicked in the door, according to an arrest affidavit. A search of the room turned up narcotics and drug paraphernalia, the warrant states. Inside the room was Jonathan W. James, 30, and a woman. James told officers all the contraband was his and the woman was not charged, according to the report. James has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony; possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class B felony;
James
Johnson
misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; fleeing, a misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. A pre-trial hearing for James is set for Jan. 31 in Circuit Court.
14, 2019, for a pre-trial hearing. Harley Dylan Byers has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony; misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance; and misdemeanor theft of property. His plea and arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 31 in Circuit Court. Chancy Lee Clark has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Syringes and a spoon containing what appeared to be meth residue were discovered in his car after a traffic stop on Dec. 24, according to an affidavit.
In other cases:
Roy Paul Johnson was arrested after a home visit by his parole officer. He has been charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia-meth; possession of drug paraphernalia-marijuana, a misdemeanor; and possession of a controlled substance-marijuana. Virginia Watson of Clinton, who has been charged with stealing money from the Bee Branch Water Association, is scheduled to appear in court on jan.
Budget approval Nunley
Jones
Hunley
Bass
The Clinton City Council approved its budget last week on a 4-0 vote. Councilman Shon Hastings was absent and Jeff Pistole was late to the meeting and did not hear the discussion so he abstained. The budget contains no money for 911 dispatch expenses and no money for salary increases. The Police Department is restructuring its pay scale, but did not receive any more money for salaries. The budget is available for viewing at City Hall in downtown Clinton.
Swearing in
Hooper
Bradley
The slate of elected officials for 2019 were sworn in at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2019, at the Van Buren County Courthouse by Circuit Judge Charles Clawson.
Thomas Raymo, 15, has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of Troop 435 in Greenbrier. Thomas is the son of Philip and Mary Raymo of Bee Branch. His service project consisted of planning and coordinating the installation of a 20-foot flag pole for Bee Branch Cemetery. His Court of Honor will take place at the Greenbrier Event Center at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5. All family, friends and people aren welcome.