Trumann City Council honors Hargrove

Mayor Sheila Walters and alderman Edward "Shorty" Hargrove.(Democrat Tribune photo / Dan Brawner)

After reading a proclamation from Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels, Mayor Sheila Walters added her words of praise for Hargrove, who will be 95 in November.

Hargrove, who has already announced that he will not be seeking another term after eight years on the council, was surprised and visibly touched by the honor.

"I've never done anything I enjoyed doing more than working on the council," he said.

He went on to thank the council and his ward as the other council members and audience added their praise through a standing ovation.

School sidewalks

With the new high school completed and in use, Walters said she had conferred with Superintendent Joe Waleszonia and decided it was now time to present a resolution to have sidewalks constructed within a two-mile radius of Cedar Park Elementary school.

"When the school was being built, no funding was available," said Walters. "But since that time they have become available."

The criteria for the construction of the sidewalks begins with the location of the elementary school, said Walters. "They can be built within a five mile radius of the elementary school. The two mile radius, though, would easily take in the high school as well."

She added that Gary Anderson, city code officer had been working to define areas where sidewalks were needed and could be placed. Demographics like the amount of foot traffic, bicycle traffic, past wrecks and other information about the proposed areas where the sidewalks would be placed would also have to be amassed.

The Arkansas Safe Routes to Schools program is the agency responsible for the funding, said the mayor, with Nov. 30 set as the deadline for applying for the grant.

"Is there a limit to what we can apply for?" asked council member Don Cole.

"We're trying to get something less than $500,000," answered Walters.

She went on to say that more could be done with that amount than just sidewalks, such as culverts, etc.

"The primary goal is to get sidewalks where they are needed," she added. "Plus we have to get the permission of the property owners. Some could say no."

Cole then asked if Walters was going to ask for the maximum and she said, "Probably not."

"Well, why not," Cole asked. "We have need of sidewalks elsewhere."

Walters explained that the city could lose the grant if they asked for too much money.

"If there are two places asking for the same amount (in total) we're asking for," she said. "They may give it to them (because they could help more than one school)."

She reiterated that since this was the first time Trumann was able to apply for this grant she didn't want to run the risk of losing it by asking for too much.

At that point a vote was called for and the measure passed unanimously.

Slum lords and slum tenants

Trumann resident Jerry Turner approached the council from the floor requesting that something be done about the various areas in town which have gone into disrepair due to lack of concern by landlords and tenants especially in the areas around Second Street.

"Something needs to be done to keep slum lords and slum tenants out," he said.

Different council and Walters added that areas such as these could be found all over town.

Turner added that towns like Trumann are becoming bedroom communities for places like Jonesboro, "but no one will want to move here if these are the type of homes we have here. Landlords should be required to inspect their properties."

He went on to say tenants who destroy and/or neglect property should be made to move.

"I'm suggesting a $500 fine," Turner said.

Council all seemed to be in agreement.

"But, we've got to make sure we're legal on this," said Rick Atkins.

Larry Henderson suggested that the matter be tabled until the matter could be discussed with the city's attorney.

"(City inspector) Gary (Anderson) is doping the best he can with the ordinances he has now," said Walters.

Turner asked where the ordinances could be viewed and Walters said they were available at the City Hall.

In other business:

* The council authorized Mayor Walters to apply for a GIF Funded Community Enhancement Grant in the amount of $24, 750.

* The council unanimously passed a resolution to extend the general tax millage of 5.0 mills and city library tax millage of .4 mills based on the fact that the general turnback will be lost to the city unless it is approved.