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TUESDAY, October 20, 2020 / Vol. 6 Issue 42 / 75 cents
Bass, Bradford spar over position in clerk’s office Last week’s meeting of the Van Buren County Quorum Court got off to a heated start after Justice of the Peace Ester Bass said he wanted “some answers.” Bass said the $28,000 position in the County Clerk’s office held by Kim Black was supposed to be that of election coordinator funded by a 2019 ordinance. He noted that former coordinator Jeff Hall has been helping out. “Why are we having to pay someone else to come in and do a job that we’ve already funded?” Bass asked. County Clerk Pam Bradford said Black isn’t election coordinator. She has had health problems that kept her from training and now performs other duties in
the clerk’s office. Her pay is as a county employee, Bradford said. “Nothing has been done in my office without Quorum Court approval,” Bradford said. Black is being paid as election coordinator but not doing it, Bass said. Bradford said the money was moved back to that the Election Committee would not spend it. She said Black helped out in the Voter Registrar’s office when Vicki Jones fell behind. “I know I’m not going to get any answers,” Bass said. JP Dell Holt said the whole thing was a “personal grievance” for Bass who was the county’s circuit/ county clerk for several years. As County Judge Dale James called for
Ester Bass wants answers about coordinator’s salary
Coronavirus By the numbers - Oct. 18
Van Buren County
Arkansas
• Total Cumulative Cases: 200 • Total Active Cases: 15 • Total Recovered Cases: 182 • Total Deaths: 3
• New Cases: 644 • Active Cases: 8,904 • Hospitalizations: 572 • Ventilators: 97 • Recoveries: 84,175 • Total Deaths: 1,704
School reports virus on campus The Shirley District has been notified of two additional positive Covid-19 cases. All affected students and staff have been notified and are quarantined. The two cases are unrelated to the previous case. The district reported Thursday that it has three positive cas-
es among students or staff and 18 students or staff are in quarantine. Also, Aging Program director Pamala Draeger reports that Van Buren County senior centers remain closed. HowevSee Coronavirus on page 6
Clinton High Homecoming - Lacey Belle McJunkins was selected as 2020 Clinton High Homecomoing queen. Her escort was Lathan Newland. Senior maids were India Smith with
The Election Commission says it needs more money for training. an end to the discussion, Jones stepped forward and tendered her letter of resignation. Jones cited a “hostile work environment” and “mental anguish.” Jones said she has worked in the Registrar’s office for 10 years. She said her last day will be
Nov. 2, 2020. “I’ve had trouble with Vicki for awhile,” Bradford said. She’s been written up and has cursed Bradford, she said. “It’s time for her to retire.” James and Carol Crews noted that a Quorum Court meeting is not the appropriate place for such
Vicki Jones cites ‘hostile work environment,’ resigns
Pam Bradford: Everything done with Quorum Court approval
a discussion. Crews said to file a claim against the county if any party wants to but not to discuss it at the meeting. Round two about elections came later in the evening with a proposed ordinance to appropriate $6,800 into the Election Commission’s bud-
Brian Tatum says no spending without previous approval
Boo Bash on; no interest in Aging Program meals Shirley’s Halloween Boo Bash will be taking place Oct. 31. It will be a drivethrough event, one way in and one way out taking place from 4- 6 p.m. At the entrance, the driver of the automobile will be asked how many kids there were in the car with a sign being placed on the windshield letting the distributors of the candy bags, water and popcorn know how many items to distribute. Mayor Lisa Hackett said there were plans to have individuals dressed up as ghosts, goblins and other Halloween characters roaming around the area during the event.
Hackett also reported at the Shirley City Council meeting earlier this month that she had been contacted by Pamala Draeger with the county Aging Program about serving meals again. She said that the program is now serving meals at the Clinton center and Draeger wanted to set up a time to come and mark off squares for social distancing and meal distributions. The City Council stated that the city is not interested in taking part in this at this time. Also at the meeting, Recorder/Treasurer Melissa Worthing explained a “glitch” or “ghost” that is editing things
escort Shayde Smith, Laura Knoerr with Charlie Bonds; junior maids Calli West with Alex Lowder, Abby Bone with Trey Puckett; sophomore maids Savannah Haines with Russ Hensley,
in the City General Fund statements of Revenue and Expenditures reports. She presented a 119-page edited transaction report of transactions being put in the accounting software, taken out of the accounting software, and them putting the exact same transaction back into the accounting software. There are no changes in amounts or the original transactions, but it is throwing off the Beginning Fund Balance and the Ending Fund Balance figures, she said. Every other total, detail, etc. is correct, she said. See Shirley on page 6
get for training. JP Brian Tatum noted that the training that the county has paid ESS for was also provided by the state free of charge. He said the money was spent before it was requested. See Quorum Court on page 6
Will Fosse: Didn’t know JPs could hold special meeting on spending
Office to close for 2 days
The Voice of Van Buren County will be closed for two days only, Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. and 22.
Fairfield Bay: Center director resigns
A few days after resigning her position at the Fairfield Bay Senior Center, the director has a new job. Nancy McGowen resigned during a City Council meeting, saying she had See Notes on page 6
Clover Sienko with Silas Chamberlain; freshman maids Aubree Landers with Tripp Landers, and Cassady Russell with Carson McCormac. The escorts are not pictured. (Photo from Facebook)