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Paul Pronia
TUESDAY, October 17, 2017 / Vol. 3 Issue 42 / 75 cents
Water on Shirley's agenda Council votes to condemn 4 properties The Shirley City Council heard from two parties interested in taking over its water system at its meeting last week. Community Water System representative Steve Shaw proposed to update the system by upgrading lines, switching out and updating residential and business meters. Shaw said 33 percent of Shirley’s water meters do not read accurately, resulting in a loss of 50 to 53 percent in billable water usage. He said they also detected several water leaks throughout the city. Robert Johnson of Johnson Waterworks explained that his contract provides for emergency (or “on call”) service 24 hours a day; all required monitoring, sampling collections required; labor, insurance taxes and service vehicles; a total of 50 hours per year of la-
The town of Shirley held its annual Harvest Festival and Car Show last weekend. About 25 vintage, antique and classic automobiles were entered in the show. See more photos, Page 2. bor (anything above 50 hours billed at $35 per hour) as well as access to materials and supplies either directly or from Johnson Waterworks stock at cost plus 10 percent. Service outlined is provided at a cost per water meter ranging from $9.25 to $9.75 per meter including me-
ter reading, billing and collection services. Mayor Lisa Hackett stated that with Johnson service the city would still need to apply for a grant or take out a loan for the replacement of the pipe running along the Middle Fork bridge. Hackett stated that she will con-
tact the Municipal League concerning procedures and laws regarding the control of a city owned water system. She reminded the council that a decision regarding the water department needs to be made as the city prepares its 2018 budget.
Couple Arrested After Pursuit On October 4, 2017, a deputy from the Van Buren County sheriff's office attempted to stop a Ford Mustang that was going 75 mph in a 30 mph zone in Shirley. The vehicle would not stop and the deputy activated his lights and sirens and began pursuit. The vehicle crashed near the Shirley School. Two people were inside the vehicle, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. As the deputy attempted to arrest the driver, he became combative and resisted, the report states. The report continues that the deputy first drew his
K. Bramlett
W. Bramlett
handgun, then drew his Taser and after warning the driver to comply, deployed his Taser. The deputy reported that the Taser had no effect on the man who ripped the Taser probes out of his chest while screaming obscenities. The deputy “delivered a stiff strike from my right foot into the subject’s chest
knocking him back into the ditch,” according to the report. The female passenger attempted to help the driver resist, trying to get between the deputy and the driver, according to the report. Arrested at the incident location was 29-year-old Waylon Bramlett of Clinton and 28-year-old Kendra Elise Bram-
lett of Clinton. Waylon Bramlett was charged with felony fleeing, misdemeanor resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to chemical test, speeding and reckless driving, according to the news release. He was released on $2,500 bond. Kendra Bramlett was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of governmental operations, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and misdemeanor public intoxication. She was also released on bond. Plea and arraignment for Waylon Bramlett is set forOct. 20 in Van Buren County Circuit Court.
The Clinton City Council voted to condemn four properties that are threatening to hold up work on the Highway 65 South road widening project. Fire Chief D.L. Webb owns one of those pieces of land. The Clinton Water Department needs to obtain that piece of land on a temporary basis. The department is seeking rights-of-way on the other three pieces of property. Those are owned by John Stacks, Payton Dodge and Johnson Title Co. The vote to condemn the property was 4-2, with Shon Hastings and Jason Lynch casting “no” votes. Mayor Richard McCormac told the council he believed he could get the property owners to agree without con-
demning the land, but engineer Oren Noble argued that there was no time to spare. Water Department Manager Richard Hink told the council that if the property holds up the project, the Department of Transportation, which is footing the bill to move the city’s water lines, could write “change orders” and the city would have to pay for those. Councilman Timothy Barnes asked why McCormac thought the owners would say yes now when they have said no multiple times. “I hate this,” said Councilman Jeff Pistole, “but we have to keep the city moving forward.” Also last Thursday, McCormac said the council will begin working on the 2018 budget at a meeting on Oct. 24.
Creepy Couple – This spooky pair can be seen on Highway 16 West. Share your autumn and Halloween photos by sending then to voiceeditor@artelco.com. Photo by Jeff Burgess
Hiland sworn in as U.S. attorney
The Voice of Van Buren County has moved to its new office at 328 Main St., Clinton. The Voice is now in the building that was most recently Chief’s Little Steakhouse. Previously, it was the Black Dog Grill and the Jive Club. Years ago, it was Bill’s dollar store and the back part was a feed store. We’re all moved in, so come on by.
Cody Hiland took the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas on Oct. 10, 2017. Hiland was nominated by President Trump on June 29, 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Sept. 28, 2017. He took the oath at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 10 from U.S. District Judge J. Leon Holmes, and began work immediately after the ceremony. “It is both an honor and a privilege to
be chosen to serve as the United States Attorney, and I am eager to begin leading the important work of this office,” Hiland said. “I also look forward to working with the dedicated public servants in our office, our exceptional law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local levels, and the community. At a time when we are seeing the national crime rate continue to rise, myself and everyone in this office is committed to ensuring safer com-
munities for the citizens of the Eastern District.” As U.S. Attorney, Hiland is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of Arkansas, which includes five divisions and 41 counties within Arkansas, with its primary office in Little Rock. Hiland, 45, is from Van Buren County. He now lives in Conway and will continue to reside there with his wife, Jana, and four children.