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Avis Black
TUESDAY, November 7, 2017 / Vol. 3 Issue 45 / 75 cents The Voice salutes
Van Buren County’s veterans
Administering the oath is Deputy Secretary of State A.J. Kelly, with Mary Philips and Ingram Philips.
Philips named to post Governor Asa Hutchinson recently appointed Colonel W. Ingram Philips of Fairfield Bay to the Arkansas Veterans Commission. Commissioner Philips, United States Army (Retired), will join 14 other appointees from across the state as the governor’s advisers on all veterans’ issues. His term of office is for five years. Chaplain Philips entered the service from the University of Florida’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in 1961. His initial active duty was for two years as a lieutenant in the Armor Branch. He then served six years in the Florida Army National Guard as an Ordnance officer. Following seminary, he returned to active duty as a troop and hospital chaplain. His total service was 30 years and rank at-
tained, Colonel. His awards and decorations were numerous and included the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal. He achieved two campaign stars for combat service in the Persian Gulf War. He retired in 1997 from duties at U.S. Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, where he was director of chaplain operations for Europe and the Middle East. With his wife, Mary (now a Van Buren County Justice of the Peace), Philips moved to Fairfield Bay in 2005. The commissioner is a four-term constable and Fairfield Bay Police Reserve. He is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Sons of the American Revolution and other heritage societies. His great-great-grandfather was a Georgia military surgeon during the Civil War.
Students honor veterans South Side-Bee Branch Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) students are hosting a local celebration to honor those men and women who have served or are currently serving stateside or abroad. This year, the celebration will be held at the South Side Bee Branch Performing Arts Center at 8:45 a.m. November 9. The Veterans Day assembly will include choral singing, guest speaker SFC Ryan Brown, and read-
Halloween celebrations Scare on the Square drew about 3,500 people to downtown Clinton on Halloween night. See more scenes from the spooky night on Page 17.
ing of winning essays submitted to the Veterans of Foreign War essay contests, The Voice of Democracy (9-12th grade) and The Patriot’s Pen (68th grade). EAST invites all veterans and their families to join them as they honor military service. A light breakfast will be served to veterans and their immediate family. EAST also invites the general public to unite with them to pay tribute to those who serve so that we may all live in freedom.
Sawing logs – Pig Eye Daze in Scotland featured many contests, including sawing logs, Saturday. Organizers say as many as 800 people attended the daylong festival and they are already starting to talk about next year’s celebration. More photos, Page 6.
Mayors, county judge gather Mayors of three of Van Buren County’s incorporated cities as well as the county judge and sheriff came together Friday for an intergovernmental meeting. County Judge Roger Hooper opened the meeting on an optimistic note, talking about progress made on the county roads, tourism and a falling unemployment rate for the county (4.9 percent in September). When it came time to talk money, Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac found himself on the short end of the stick as both the Fairfield Bay mayor and the sheriff said they need more money from Clinton. Mayor Paul Wellenberger shared the numbers from 911 Dispatch, which is headquartered in Fairfield Bay, and told
Attending the intergovernmental meeting were (from left) Fairfield Bay Mayor Paul Wellenberger, County Judge Roger Hooper, Damascus Mayor L.B. Pavatt and Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac. McCormac that statistics show that Clinton should be paying Fairfield Bay at least $20,000 more than it currently it. Sheriff Randy Gurley said the sheriff’s office used to get $25,000 a year from the city until 2005 when it was cut to $12,000. He said he was not sure why, but that figure is not sufficient to house inmates for Clinton and to transport juveniles and pay for
their stays in Faulkner County. McCormac said he would discuss both issues with the City Council and he invited Wellenberger and Gurley to attend a budget meeting and present their requests. McCormac said some good things happening in Clinton include work on the water system and growth on Highway 65. The city, he said, “is in decent shape.”
Wellenberger said Fairfield Bay is getting close on a deal for a 63-room 4-story hotel, adding that the commercial appraisal was due that day. He said sales tax receipts are up and that the community had the highest number of hotel starts in 17 years. Shirley Mayor Lisa Hackett was unable to attend the meeting, which is held a couple of times a year.
Top golfer – Ty Johnson is the most highly decorated golfer in the history of Clinton High School. See his story on Page 10.
Boo Bash This little bunny ventured out for Shirley’s Boo Bash. More photos, Page 18.