Page 2 - Leaders.Neighbors

2— El Dorado NEWS-TIMES — Sunday, March 12 Vision 2017—Our Leaders/Our Neighbors
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When there is a problem with one of the community service lines, the repair can be expensive, not only for the city utilities, but for the homeowner as well.
“It doesn’t effect every customer, probably less than half. And some of them have already taken care of the problem,” Smith said.
“We will hold a spe- cial meeting with the City Council at noon on March 7, right here in City
— Mark Smith, EL Dorado Water Utilities manager
Still, repairing those homes and sewer lines will be expensive.
— Hall,” water utilities gen- a eral manager Mark Smith e told the commissioners on — Wednesday. “We need to ad begin addressing this prob-
who all is hooked into any one line.
“If you estimate that it costs $5,000 per house to fix, and there are 2,000 homes, then we are look- ing at a $10 million fix,” Smith said. “I can’t prove that number is correct, but
of $20,500.
Once the replacement is
op- lem, which dates back to es, the 1940s or 50s.”
See SEWER, Page 3A Trump administration
NOW IN OUR 127TH
eral Smith described the com-
NEWS-TIMES “The Voice of South Arkansas”
NEWS T
“The Voice of South Arkansas”
diss
El Dorado, Arkansas www.eldoradonews.com Copyright © 2017 News-Times Publishing Co. 75 cents
sion, counci l to lo ok k f fo or r s s e e w wer wo es fifix
properties indirectly to the city sewer lines.
“If you estimate that it costs $5,000 per house to fifix, and there are 2,000 homes, then we are looking at a $10 million fifix.’’
ty service lines. When one of the community service lines breaks, it become an expensive problem for the homeowner and the city.
it is a good ball park figure.” The city is currently dealing with a community service line issue north of Holly Street which involves, among other structures, Ward Veterinary Clinic and the Liberty Baptist Association Thrift Store, where the city is planning on replacing 200 feet of pipe at an approximate cost
munity
“a spider web”
Often, the city is does not
know the location of the there are about 2,000 community service lines, homes or businesses nor do city workers know affected by the communi-
elivering the Dream
Inside
service
lines as of pipes.
done, the expense of con- necting to the city’s newly replaced sewer line falls upon the property owners
Sunday, February 19, 2017 El Dorado
Smith estimated that
Photos by Terrance Armstard/News-Tim From dream to reality:
eir biological sex.
is an issue best
schools as a federal judge in Texas put a temporary hold on the Obama guid- ance soon after it was issued — after 13 states sued.
Stephanie Miller Ford, above, delivers an ex- cerpt from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have A Dream” for an audience at the South Ar- kansas Community Col- lege Library Auditorium on Wednesday. Ford has been giving the speech since she was 12 and had the opportunity to deliver it for King’s late wife, Coretta Scott King. The event was sponsored by SouthArk’s Future Business Leaders of America organization, Phi Beta Lambda
state and local level, Secretary
vate one cle,
At left, Veronica Creer stands and applauds Ford.
Associated Press Federal guidelines: A new sticker is placed on the door at the ceremonial opening of a gender neutral bathroom
EL DORADO — The first open house held by El Dorado Festivals and Events successfully attract- ed hundreds of visitors. Now being called the Murphy Arts District, the organizers provided coffee and Spudnuts for attendees from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Long lines filled with eager people awaiting to see the latest progress wrapped around the build- ing.
will soon be the farm-to-ta- ble restaurant. The restau- rant will hold around 168 guests and will have a bar in the center of the room. On the back wall, there will be a 28x20 foot cabaret stage. It will be open seven days a week and they are looking at having events two to three times a week on the cabaret stage.
“Once he tells you, you tell us what we ne do on the signs,” Kin said.
Mayor Frank Hash the city could mak signs in the city shop Police Chief Billy said he had also be tacted by KEB to h with the effort.
f nce Center still losing money
“We had about 375 res- ervations of people who RSVP’d,” said Austin Barrow, president of El Dorado Festivals and Events. “It looked like clos- er to about twice that many
or attach anything to the building so improvisations were made. To be able to separate the kitchen from the dining room, a wall was built made completely of
glass. “You will be able to see everything going on in the kitchen,” Barrow said. There will also be an See ARTS, Page 3A
White said office
See Page 3A
removes transgender bathroom protections
Spotlight: Aviation enthu- siast shows off his work See Page 1C
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administra- tion on Wednesday ended federal protections for transgender students that instructed schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities.
can find — and in many cases have found — solu- tions that protect all stu- dents."
By Tia Lyons Staff Writer
on updates that could be made to a comprehensive improvement plan that was drafted in 2015 by CADM Architecture, Inc.
toric preservationists, a federal Section 106 Review and a potential Section 4(f ) process, which stip- ulates how the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation may approve the use of certain property, including public or private historical sites. Now, the airport com- mission is moving forward with its architect to restore and modernize the nearly 70-year-old terminal.
the two-year-old draft of the master renovation plan with cost estimates that allow for the work to be done at once, rather than in phases.
crunch.
The city based its 2017
decline in revenue lined now, and w that it trends u Hash said.
Stepping into an emo- tional national debate, the administration came down on the side of states' rights, lifting federal guidelines that had been issued by the Obama administra- tion and characterized by Republicans as a legal overreach.
But last year, com- missioners opted out of new-construction in the face of staunch opposition from local and state his-
In January, commission- ers directed CADM archi- tect Blake Dunn to revise
Mayor Frank Hash said the city has typically sub- sidized grant awards for capital improvement proj- ects but has scaled back this year due to a financial
“We’re not buying any- thing this year. We’re on our knees hoping that things will happen. It’s (the
“We can put
Without the Obama
directive, it will be up
to states and school dis-
tricts to interpret federal
anti-discrimination law
and determine whether stu-
dents should have access
to restrooms in accordance
with their expressed gen-
der identity and not jus change would have on
By Tia Lyons
times iss littering, does not “You h order to he said. Hash
Betsy DeVo communities
ools,
at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle.
The historic Griffin building originally opened in 1929 as a car dealer- ship and gas station. The organization is utilizing historic tax credits for its renovation and develop- ment. There are specif- ic rules that have to be followed. For example, they can’t add any walls
Hanging out: Visitors attend an open house tour of the Griffin Building for El Dorado Festivals and Events in the Murphy Arts District on Saturday.
ll
e
time, we were sitting at $1.6 million so that’s a more
Trump rallies supporters by renewing ol
In a letter to the nation's schools, the Justice and Education departments said the earlier guidance "has given rise to signif- icant litigation regarding school restrooms and lock- er rooms."
The plan included options to renovate the terminal or to build anew. The airport commission initially selected the lat- ter option, which cost an estimated $200,000 more than the restoration project ($1.9 million).
During an EAC meet- ing on Feb. 13, chairman Mickey Murfee said he is looking into possible fund- ing sources and has enlist- ed help to scout out avail- able grants.
City department heads were asked to trim their budgets as much as they could without cutting into operations or services, and they were told that capital improvement purchases, including new police cars, would have to be placed on hold.
The agencies withdrew the guidance to "in order to further and more com- pletely consider the legal issues involved."
See AIRPORT
Anti-bullying safeguards would not be affected by the change, according to the letter. "All schools must ensure that all students, including LGBT students, are able to learn and thrive in a safe environment," it said.
ThThThThThThThThThThThe art of progress
Organization tough on litte
It was not clear what immediate impact the
EL DORADO — Keep El Dorado Beautiful has said that it plans to focus on spreading awareness about and the enforcement of state litter laws and city codes to clean up El Dorado.
The group has taken its case to the El Dorado City Council and the El Dorado Police Department, ask- ing that the city post signs around town, particularly in problem areas, to warn against littering and list the possible penalties for doing so.
“We need to step up as a ociftylitotemralakwesci...tizeWnesakwnaorwe
will be for lit multip vehicl “Sta respo er,” W Va
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The prima- b ut
Volume 127, Number 234
Airport Commission continues search for funding
EL DORADO — The El Dorado Airport Commission is continu- ing its search for funding options to pay for a res- toration/renovation of the terminal building at South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field.
The group discussed the proposed project last week. Commissioner Craig Smart and airport manager Tim Johnson said a recent walk-through of the build- ing shed some new light
budget on a projected $1 million revenue shortfall in the general fund.
Johnson and Sm is part of an EAC tee that is focusin renovation plan ing the conceptu reported that th tee recently co walk-through of nal with Dunn a with some ide the building tional.
El Dorado, Arkansas
www.eldoradonews.com Copyright © 2017 News-Times Publishing Co. $1.25
Hard Hat Area: Dan Smith, vice president of hospitality and operations for El Dorado Festivals and Events, dis- cusses construction during a tour of the Griffin Building in the Murphy Arts District on Saturday.
there are fines, and we sug- gest the eight hours of com- munity service for the first offense,” KEB president Janis Van Hook recently told city aldermen.
Arts District renamed
Van Hook was referring to the state statute that lev- ies a fine of $100 – $1,000 for anyone who is convict- ed of littering for the first time.
An additional sentence o eight hours of communit service could accompan the fine.
City Attorney Hen Kinslow advised KEB consult with 35th Judic District Judge Jack Bar about the language t will be printed on the si
By Kaitlyn Rigdon Staff Writer
came.”
The tour began in what
MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) — Just four weeks into his administration, President Donald Trump appeared at a campaign rally that mir- rored the months leading up to Election Day, com- plete with promises to repeal the health care law, insults for the news media and a playlist highlighted by the Rolling Stones.
"I want to be among my friends and among the peo- ple," Trump told a cheer- ing crowd packed into an
Florida, praising his "truly great movement."
running "so smoothly" and that he "inherited one big mess." The president has been trying refocus after reports of disarray and dys- function within his admin- istration.
also fighting the press." And he's also had to contend with crowds of protesters. Thousands of them were out on the streets of Dallas and Los Angeles to oppose immi- gration enforcement raids and to support immigrants and refugees generally. In Los Angeles, an organizer urged local authorities not to spend money on immi-
being back in f supporters, we cheers and lett porter up on s praise for th He also enjo his surprise Democrat Hi First lady M introduced
Trump promised anew to build a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, reduce regulations and cre- ate jobs. He also pledged to "do something over the next couple of days" to address the immigra- tion order that has been blocked in the courts. Said Trump: "We don't give up, we never give up." Insisting he was the victim of false reporting, Trump said his White House was
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One before the rally, Trump said he was holding a campaign rally because "life is a cam- paign."
gration enforcement. Trump, who held a rally in
at the rally Lord's Pray ing her ow in the bes Americans initiatives impact w
"To make America great again is absolutely a cam- paign," he said. "It's not easy, especially when we're
the same spot in Florida in September, clearly relished
Forecast
Today mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Index
Southeast wind around 5 mph.
40 percent chance of show-
Obituaries ................................. Local Digest .............................. Viewpoint ................................. World ...................................... Sports ......................................
mainly after lw
Photos By Terrance Armstard/News-Times
" a s a
..................
Staff Writer
El Dorado kansas
Year Serving El Dorado & South Arkansas
The All New
El Dorado News-Times
Watch For It!
Junction City
AR
A Good Place To Call Home!
Completed
PROJECTS IN 2017
• Complete Cleaning and Refurbishing of the City Water Tank at the cost of $130,000
• Re-instating Police Department • Purchased Another Patrol Car
Taking Place
THIS SPRING AND THROUGHOUT YEAR
RESURFACING STREETS: - North Elm Street from Stateline Road to Wesson Road - East First Street • Hickory St. - Portion of North Plum St. East Of Football Field - Other Street Improvements and Resurfacing
• Community Auction To Take Place Each Month • Installation of a Traffic Speed Warning Devise
Other Projects
PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR
• Install New Sewer Line In Some Areas
• Purchase of Another Pumper Truck for the
Year Serving El Dorado & South Arkansas
Alan Gober, outgoing treasurer of the El Dorado Works Board, reported that January tax collections came in at 1.96 percent ($431,400) above January 2016 ($423,100) collections, representing an increase of nearly $8,300.
Board members said a portion of the sales from the holiday shopping sea- son is included in the January numbers, and by March, they will be able to see how the remainder of the season will affect tax revenues.
It is a temporary tax that is projected to collect $50 million — a conservative estimate, proponents have said — over its 10-year life.
end of the mall.
Eggleston said Dollar
Mayor Frank Hash said the hydrants will cost approximately $4,200 apiece.
the Illinois-based M State Holdings, Inc., the hydrants are par the water infrastructur the mall, and the El Dor Water Utilities cited longstanding policy of accepting responsibil for fire hydrants that we installed by someone el on private property.
Gober said the revenue came from state turnback funds, the city’s cut local sales tax collections that were remitted to the state.
City officials are intently following revenue trends in light of an anticipated $1 million income shortfall in the city’s general fund, which is maintained sepa-
The El Dorado City Council Finance Committee has agreed to meet each month and keep close track of quarterly revenue trends for the city this year.
Tree will relocate to the space that is adjacent to Shoe Show and Maria’s Hair Stop.
He said the hydrants were knocked down after having been struck by vehi- cles, and they were later removed from the property by an unknown person(s).
The mayor said that whi the matter is “murky
TH
El Dorado
“The Voice of South Arkansas” Batman stri
ry 20, 2017 NEWS-TIMES Inside
the he
El Dorado, Arkansas www.eldoradonews.com Copyright © 2017 News-Times Publishing Co. 75
Volume 127, Number 235
El Dorado Works sales tax revenue increase
By Tia Lyons Staff Writer
So, these are November numbers,” Gober said, referring to the typical two- to three-month lag between the time sales taxes are collected and submitted to the state and the remittance of turnback funds to the city.
rately from the El Dorado Works’ account.
after noting that plans for the opening of a new busi- ness in Mellor Park Mall will contribute to local sales tax revenues.
that it is going out of busi- ness at its 1001 N. College location.
sion about ow and responsibility hydrants, the EWB to cover the cost of lation with the ass that the city will the matter
EL DORADO — Revenue for the one-cent, El Dorado Works sales tax rose nearly 2 percent at the start of 2017, members of the board who administers the tax heard last week.
The one-cent sales tax is geared toward proj- ects that drive economic development. The tax was approved by El Dorado vot- ers in June 2015 and went into effect four months later.
Hobby Lobby is expected to come to El Dorado soon. Elizabeth Eggleston, manager of Mellor Park Mall, later explained that the arts and crafts store will occupy 55,000 square feet, taking up the existing Dollar Tree and former Big Lots spaces on the north
During the El Dorado Works Board meeting last week, the group voted on a funding request to cover the cost of replacing two fire hydrants at Mellor Park Mall to accommo- date the opening of Hobby Lobby and relocation of Dollar Tree.
future.
Hash said mall o
Make a Joyful Noise
Trump steps up security aide search
Gober provided the brief financial report shortly
The space formerly housed West Coast Video, which recently announced
After a robust discus-
See TAX, Page 3A
Terrance Armstard/News-Times g to the choir: Henry L. Parker leads members of the Arkansas Baptist College Choir during the Rhythm CU's Banquet at the Econolodge on Saturday. Historian Karen B. Wortham delivered the keynote speech.
Trump also took to Twitter to explain a com- ment he made about violence i
Scheduled to discuss the job with the president at Mar-a-Lago were his act- ing adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg; John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster and the superintendent of the U.S. Military A
d History of El Dorado hosts the event.
ie Meade, ThThThThThThThThe Hu
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump brought more con- tenders for national secu- rity adviser to his Palm Beach club for in-person interviews Sunday, hoping to fill the job in the coming days as he seeks to refocus his young administration.
Saturday rally. He suggest- ed that some kind of major incident had taken place in the country Friday night, but on Sunday he said he was referring to some- thing he saw on Fox News. That might have been a report Friday night about the influx of immigrants to Sweden.
Trump also drilled down on policy during his working weekend at Mar-a-Lago, attending a strategy session on how to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, with top aides including Health Secretary Tom Price and Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House budget office.
Trump also spoke to the leaders of Panama, Trinidad and Tobago.
While in Florida, the president found time for a few holes of golf on Saturday and Sunday. And with his wife, Melania, he stopped by a fundrais- er Saturday night at his private Palm Beach club, put on by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
After weeks of tumult in Washington, Trump returned to Florida and his private club for a third straight weekend.
on Trump's to-do list is finding a replacement for ousted Michael Flynn as national security adviser.
4B
bo
aitlyn Rigdon
take turns reaching into a bag and trying to guess if an item is biodegradable, litter or recyclable by the way it feels.
taff Writer
RADO — Keep Beautiful intro- n activity guide ste in Place that towards children tary and middle The organization he workshop on
The organization is hop- ing that the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado will be interested in being their first organization to pres- ent this activity guide.
ivity book con- ctivities on litter n, beautification munity greening, and an integrated to the manage- solid waste. The designed to be ctional resource e who care about
Their plan is to present the activities to the stu- dent body at an assembly. After telling the students about litter prevention and recycling, they will break them down into smaller groups to work on the proj- ects. “Each one of these (activities) is real simple,” Keep El Dorado Beautiful President Janis Van Hook said. “Once the kids start doing this, they will get excited about it and want to keep doing more activ- ities.”
mmunity and the ent.
the meeting, mbers discussed ere and how they roduce this to the They decided to e activities down cycling and litter
The organization also dis- cussed the street signs con- cerning litter and dumping.
Photos by Nathan Owens/N e Search warrant: Police search the duplex at 505 W. First St. on Monday around 12:15 p m fo e dence
n.
ample of one ctivities in the named Litter Bag n. During this each student will
“I did make contact with Jack Barker, our judge. He has given me three ideas for signs,” Van Hook said.
regarding a homicide that happened around midnight on Friday.
Police: Crossett man victim of homicide
utiful w activity guide
Murder Investigation
See GUIDE, Page 3A
By Nathan Owens Staff Writer
Kaitlyn Rigdon/News-Times ng: Jean Hadley shows a possible street sign
The body had two wounds — one on the upper left shoulder and one on the abdomen — but the cause of each wound can’t be confirmed at this time, police said.
gree murder and his first court appearance is today. Smith’s body was sent to
accounts, but are uncertain of factual evidence sur- rounding the case.
The incident was the first homicide of 2017 for the E Dorado Police Department
o Littering' to be placed around El Dorado. El Dorado Beautiful members met Monday.
Police arrested Curtis E. Lumsey, 37, of 505 W. First St., in connection with Smith’s death. Lumsey is being charged with first-de-
the Arkansas State Crime Lab over the weekend. Holt said he doesn’t expect a preliminary report until Friday.
“We’re still investigat- ing,” Holt said. “We’ve interviewed witnesses and people who were working the case, and we’re still talking with others.”
Anyone with informa tion regarding the case can contact the El Dorado Police Department at 870 881-4800.
announced the pick Monday at Beach club and said McMaster is tremendous talent and tremen-
McMaster served in the first Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. Considered a schol- arly officer, he holds a Ph.D. in military history, and has authored a book called “Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam.” He has also written articles questioning the planning for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
rience.”
sident, who has no military expe-
s shown a preference for gen- he top security roles. McMaster, his uniform for the announce- ns Defense Secretary Jim Mattis eland Security Secretary John
The position of national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation.
h retired generals.
ays retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith ho had been his acting adviser, serve as the National Security hief of staff. He also said he
Trump pushed out Flynn a week ago after revelations that the adviser had mis- led Pence about discussing sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. during the presidential transition. Trump said in a news conference Thursday that he was disappointed by how Flynn had t Pence, but did not believe Fl
asking John Bolton, a former ssador to the United Nations, to h them in a “somewhat different
anything wrong by h tions.
made the announcement from a living room, sitting on a couch
Tr
McMaster and Kellogg. The pre reporters as he exited
EL DORADO — A Crossett man was found dead in a house around midnight on Friday by the El Dorado Police Department, officials con- firmed Monday.
Brian A. Smith, 27, of Crossett, was found dead Friday night and police are investigating the case, offi- cials said.
At 11:49 p.m. police responded to a call that somebody was shot at a duplex located at 505 W. First St. At the scene, they found “a male subject lying on the floor inside the res- idence. He was deceased at the scene,” said Captain Kevin Holt, EPD public information officer.
Scene of the Crime: Police tape surrounds the scene of the first murder of 2017 in El Dorado. Officers were at the duplex investigating on Monday
Police have eyewitness
ump taps military strategist as national security adviser
By Catherine Lucey Associated Press
that Vice President Mike Pence had been involved in the process.
EACH, Fla. — President Donald as tapped Army Lt. Gen. H.R. as his new national securi- , replacing the ousted Michael
Trump brought four candidates for the position to Mar-a-Lago over the weekend for in-person interviews, McMaster among them. McMaster called the appointment a “privilege.”
ES Inside kansas” Out & About: mily and
Friends Day. See Page 6A radonews.com Copyright © 20 7 Ne mes Publishing Co.
Fire Department
Allen Simmons
Mayor
Ronnie Sehon
Councilman
Paul Enis
Councilman
Russell Lamb
Police Chief
Gail Sehon
Treasurer/Recorder
James Warren
Councilman
Steve Williams
Councilman
Mac Jerry
Fire Chief
Sandra Bryan
City Clerk
Darrell Holiday
Councilman
Wayne Pumphrey
Councilman
Paul Franks
Ambulance Supervisor
City Officials