75¢
County Republicans party down. (See pictures on p. 6.)
Volume 120 Number 25 - USPS 225-680
Community Calendar of Events Thursday June 24 Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church Drive Through 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Friday June 25 Family Film Friday The Secret Life of Pets Carlisle Library 2:00 p.m. Saturday June 26 18th Annual Mammoth Pond Fishing Derby 15 years and under Refreshments are provided. 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday June 28 Rays to Grow Wind Chimes Carlisle Library All Day Tuesday June 29 Dinosaur hunt at the Des Arc Library Scavenger hunt and snacks. 11:00 a.m. Wednesday June 30 Rock painting and crafts at Hazen City Park East across from Hazen Community Center 11:00 a.m. _______ End of Summer Reading Program party at Carlisle Library 2:00 p.m. Thursday July 1 Birdfeeder and plant craft at the DeValls Bluff Public Library 11:00 a.m. Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of
Commerce and the
Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Hazen City Council discusses several problems and projects The Hazen City Council had several items to discuss at its June 17 meeting. Councilmembers present were Larry Anthony, Barbara Rogers, Steve Chlapecka, Rick Wiggins, and Tim Juola. Mayor David Hardke told the members that the water and sewer plants are being assessed and that the results will be discussed at the July meeting. He also said that the paving at the airport had to be moved up because a portion of the pavement had fallen through. The grant totals $257,109, with the city’s portion equaling $51,422. The damaged area has been cordoned off, and the airport manager, Pat Clayton, plans to get the work done in July. Hardke reported that the renovation of the depot is almost complete. The total cost for the repairs was $67,345, with the city contributing $22,448.50 toward the amount. The windows were removed and rebuilt and the masonry pointing on the brick is finished. The gutters have been reattached and are in good shape, Hardke said. The beam on the west side of the building above the Hazen sign still needs to be replaced, and the fascia has to be painted. The city employees have been undergoing Municipal League training pertaining to the American Recovery Plan every week. “We have turned in everything that has been required (for the grant),” Hardke said. One way the money can be used is for infrastructure like water and sewer systems. The city will receive half of the estimated $250,000 in grant money in a few months, and the entire amount must be spent by the end of 2026. The baseball grant was approved and the money has been received, according to Hardke. The city has received $30,000 to rehabilitate the old seed plant building that was given to the city.
Work on the windows of the Hazen Depot included taking them out and painting them. The repairs had to meet Arkansas Heritage Foundation specifications. Presently, the Baseball Association is getting quotes for upgrades to the building. The caboose sitting next to the depot will be sandblasted by McCormick Equipment and Sales, but getting the paint for it may be delayed. The community center gym is now open to the public. Facility users will be responsible for their own safety and must wipe down the machines before and after each use. The area is under camera surveillance, and anyone who does not abide by the rules will be banned from using the gym. Hardke has been looking into upgrading the components in the city’s stop light to prevent future problems. Replacing the box would cost the city $10,387.38 plus a $2500 installation fee. The city has the money to replace the control box, using the emergency sales tax funds, Hardke said. Utilities Manager Chad Swaim said that the box had been replaced ten to twelve years ago. There was also some concern over the height of the light above the street. Hardke said that the light had to be at least 17 feet high. The city will check to see how high the light is now. Police Chief Bradley Taylor talked about the traffic problem at the Love’s station. He said
Carlisle City Council told of water system woes By Debbye Harrison
Trouble with the city water system was the main topic of the Carlisle City Council meeting held on Tuesday, June 15. David Walters, City Water and Sewer Manager, explained that a shaft had broken in the well that was being used. This caused an imbalance in the chemical concentrations. Further problems developed because the second well was not on line and did not have chemicals regulated. For a time the water was pink due to too much potassium. Due to the recent COVID outbreak, several employees of the city’s Water and Sewer Division have been absent. A shortage of labor during a crisis in a department that is a 24 hour operation made matters even worse. Walters was hopeful that all will be corrected very soon. Elder Drilling should have the shaft fixed and both
wells working by the end of the week. The Council only had the minimum to make a quorum for the meeting. The law states that there must be three councilmen and the mayor. Those present were Kevin Kegley, Anne Andrews and Larry Flynn along with Mayor Glover. Absent were Todd Turner, Mike Stuart, Angelia James, Jon Plafcan and Mike Walker. The Airport Commission reported that the new hangar was nearly complete and that they are hoping to receive a grant to have more asphalt paving. The Mayor reported that he had contacted representatives of the Rockefeller Foundation, and he hopes that additional land can be secured to add to the parking at the Rockefeller Baseball Field. The Splash Pad is open and within an hour of its start, the area was filled with kids.
that there needs to be at least 5 lanes due to the tremendous amount of traffic, including a lane that would go directly from the Interstate 40 off ramp to the station. The Arkansas Transportation Department district engineer has been contacted by County Judge Mike Skarda, Chief Taylor, and Mayor Hardke about the problem. “We’re just going to have to stay on it,” Hardke said. Hardke also said that the driveway at the Love’s station is too low, and that there is a concern about the depth of the utilities provided by the city. The pipes that had been placed to protect the two gas valves and a
water valve have been knocked down. If the valves are damaged, Love’s and T-Ricks will not have utility services until repairs can be made. The city will write a letter to the Love’s manager and the Love’s home office about the problem. A light pole was recently knocked down at the interstate when two trucks struck each other, Taylor said. He also told the council that his department is waiting on equipment for the new car that his department has received. The police department’s truck will also need to be replaced, according to Taylor. His department is in the
process of updating its policy manual which will be approved by the Municipal League and must also be approved by the council. Body cameras have been received, and policies must be developed for those and for the mobile dash cameras that the department is using. Another policeman may be needed, according to Taylor. “You don’t know what you’re going to run up on,” he said. Hardke reported that the city's water tank needs to be inspected. He and Swaim want to drain the tank and recoat the inside. The exterior is in good shape for now. The city is looking for someone to do the interior repair on the tank. They both feel that it will cost more if the city waits. “The state wants tanks to be drained and inspected every three to five years,” Swaim said. The water treatment and sewer treatment plants are being assessed, and this will be discussed at the next meeting. The roots of a pine tree located in front of the elementary school are pushing up Cleveland Street, and the tree must be removed, according to Swaim. It is estimated that it will cost $2975 to take down the tree. The city will take out the roots and fix the street See Council on pg. 4)
DA Council hears request from citizens to put up fence at ballfield By Lisa Mills At the June 15th Des Arc City Council meeting, Janice Huffstickler presented the council with a petition signed by 57 concerned citizens. The petition asks the council to put up a fence at the baseball field around the ditches behind the Craig Treadwell field. Huffstickler said people are concerned about children playing there, especially since they are usually full of water. She also provided photos of the area. Council Member Gail King stated that a description of the property would have to be looked at to be sure the property is city owned. She volunteered to get the description and to let the council know if the property is owned by city. The council could then address the issue at the July meeting. Chrisanna Knupp stated there should be enough money in the special projects fund to build a fence. The council members and people in the audience all agreed that a fence is needed., the
Janice Huffstickler presented a petition signed by Des Arc citizens who are asking that a fence be put up between a ditch and the baseball field to keep children who are attending games from playing in it. only bid received to construct a pavilion at Lakeside Cemetery was opened. The bid came from Bay Steele Buildings for a total cost of $39,548. Cemetery Committee Member Butch Calhoun stated that there is currently around $26,000 in the project fund and more funds have been promised. This will be enough
to cover the cost of the pavilion. The council accepted the bid and will move forward at its July meeting. Attending the meeting were Treasurer/Recorder Chrisanna Knupp and Council Members Gary Burnett, Jodie Mayher, Gail King, and Ray McVay. Knupp presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Jim Garth. Knupp reported that Francine Dixon has resigned from the Parks and Recreation Committee, and Mayor Garth suggested that Autumn Payne replace her. A motion was approved to accept the resignation and appoint Payne. Knupp also reported that bids need to be accepted for repairs to the gazebos at Roe Park. The bids will be opened at the July meeting. Council Member Jodie Mayher with the Clean Up Committee asked that letters making citizens aware of the upcoming “Keep Arkansas Beautiful” clean up be sent along with the July water bills.
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