Monticello Live

Wednesday night’s crowd at a called Monticello City Council meeting was standing room only. On the agenda Wednesday night was discussion of the proposed community center/recreation/municipal building that has been the center point of Mayor Joe Rogers’ term to date. Members of the city council at their May 17 meeting decided to table discussion of the topic until tonight, when more details were to be presented to them. Participants included members of the Monticello Police Department and Fire Department, business leaders and other members of the community.

Mayor Joe Rogers opened the meeting by introducing Sonny Jansson, the city of Sherwood Parks Director. Jansson explained in depth the process that his city had gone through to build and develop the program of their recreation center. Sherwood’s 47,000 square foot facility, he explained, is only a recreation center and was built in 2002 at a cost of approximately $3.2 million. Monticello’s proposed facility is roughly 42,000 square feet, and the projected price tag on it is almost $10 million.

Members of the community peppered Jansson with questions, ranging from the programs that were offered in the city to how the facility supported itself financially. Sherwood, Jansson said, has a population of 24,000 and also draws about 200 of its members from the North Little Rock area. Total membership of the center is between 1600 and 1700. Operational costs for the Sherwood facility are in excess of $600,000 per year. Almost half of that is staff salaries, which Rogers says will not be as big a factor for Monticello’s proposed facility. Sherwood receives a subsidy for operational costs from the city in the form of a “hamburger tax”, which for Sherwood entails a 2% tax on all prepared foods sold. Council members and community members questioned Rogers and Jansson whether Monticello would be able to financially support such a facility with similar operational costs.

In several sharply-worded exchanges, members of the community and business leaders indicated that they opposed the downtown post office, city hall and old fire and police stations being torn down. Others questioned the decision to locate the new center on the W.C. Whaley property, saying that such a facility would not preserve the historic nature of the Main Street corridor.

Police Chief Robert Rosegrant and Fire Chief Curtis Donaldson each made presentations related to the rundown conditions of the police and fire stations, citing the need for new facilities. Several questions were asked related to whether the current facilities could be suitably renovated for continued use, either by the police and fire departments, or perhaps for use as city hall.

After almost two hours of discussion, Mayor Rogers thanked the public for coming and said that the council would deliberate later on the nature of the proposed center and its details.

MonticelloLive is pleased to present the audio podcast of the Wednesday meeeting:

Shanna grew up in McGeehee with her mother who worked in a local restaurant. Shanna attended school in McGeehee. She married at a young age and found that she had to quit school and join the work force. In 1992 she dropped out of school in eleventh grade and worked as a waitress. Her husband was in the military which caused her to move to Oklahoma soon after she married. There she worked at the Great American Food Company where she decorated cookies. In 1996 she moved back to McGeehee. Soon after that she had her first son, Colby, who was born in 1997. She had another son, Blake, in 2001. But it was is in that same year her marriage ended.

Shanna traveled to different states in the years following her divorce. She lived in Oklahoma for a while where she worked at a postal store. She also lived in New Mexico and went back to waiting tables at a restaurant. She wanted to live in the southwest for a change in her life but found that she did not like the terrain. She not only missed the trees and grass but also her family, so she moved back to Arkansas in 2006.

One of the main reasons she moved back home was to help with her grandparents, Geraldine and Orlando Cingolani. She now lives down the street from her grandparents. This puts her near by to help them with their house or when they need someone to take them to the doctor. They are not the only ones who benefit. Shanna’s sons enjoy spending time with their grandparents as well.

Since moving back to Arkansas Shanna has realized how hard it is to get a job with a meaningful salary and benefits without a high school diploma. This spurred her on to get her GED. She wanted to be able to have a job that would support her family and also be able to start saving for her children’s education.

After the help of Monticello Adult Education, Shanna passed the GED test and received her Arkansas High School Diploma this past Thursday night. Her family and children were present and proud of her accomplishments. Shanna feels it is never too late to succeed. She plans to further her education in the fall by enrolling at UAM. Her goal is to become a nurse. The Adult Education philosophy that education enhances the ability to effect positive changes in lives is proven true for our one Monticello life - Shanna Cingolani.

Monticello High School graduation was Friday night. Many proud students, administration, family and friends were in town for the celebration. Of the 142 students that graduated, one that stands out is Anna Newberry. Here is her story.

Anna moved to Southeast Arkansas when she was four years old. Her dad transferred to this area to work for Potlach. Her mother is an art teacher but stayed at home until Anna and her sister, Rachel, were in Middle School. Anna attended school in Monticello her entire school career. She feels that being in Monticello schools for all 13 years makes graduation even more special. But this is not the only reason the people of Monticello are special to her.

When Anna was 13 years old, the summer before her 8th grade year, she was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) leukemia. Her family had noticed that she was tired, anemic and pale. After some blood work and a trip to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Anna realized that she would not be able to live life as normal for a while. Anna had danced at Kim’s Dance Factory since a young child and found dancing was her passion. She also had made the Middle School Cheerleading squad months before her diagnosis. Her fear was that she would not be able to continue doing her favorite things because of her diagnosis and the two year long treatment regimen.

This was not the case though because of the love and support of those close to her. Anna continued dancing and never missed a recital. She also was able to cheer at some of the football games. Her friends and teachers were so supportive. Debbie Morrison was her tutor during her eighth grade year. With her help Anna was able to stay on top of her school work. Anna is still very grateful for the support she received from the whole community either by their prayers, notes or flowers.

Today Anna is not only a MHS honor graduate but she is also cancer free. She continued dancing and cheering most of her school career. She was also able to be a part of the new EAST lab program that started her tenth grade year. This program is a community based project learning lab. It was her favorite class all through high school. The class allowed Anna to learn different computer skills like video editing, graphic design, architecture, computer-aided drafting. This class was not only spent behind the computer but it also involved getting out into the community. Some of the projects Anna was able to be a part of were getting broad ban into the rural areas of Southeast Arkansas, design the Monticello Billies football program and the city’s future Animal Shelter project.

Anna will attend the University of Arkansas in the fall. Although she was awarded the Dean’s scholarship at UCA and a $40,000 scholarship for the Savannah School of Art and Design in Georgia, she feels UA is the best choice for her mainly because she knows that she wants to pursue Architecture and Design. UA will allow her to be closer to home and friends. She also feels that what she has learned in EAST Lab will only prepare her for the UA incredible programs that are in her field.

What Anna has learned at school and in life even through cancer has only strengthened her. Her stamina and determination to succeed are tremendous. The people of Monticello will be anxious to see what achievements are to come for this one Monticello life- Anna Newberry.

He ran a farm for the same man for 33 years. She did a little bit of everything. But for the past 13 years, Floyd and Jane Killough have been houseparents at the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children here in Monticello. They care for upwards of 8 middle school and high school girls at any given time. Raising children of their own didn’t turn out to be part of God’s plan for their lives, yet they have had the privilege of parenting hundreds of young ladies at the Baptist Home in those 13 years.

Jane was born and raised in Lambert, MS, and her sister married a man from Carraway, AR. When Jane’s sister had complications during her first pregnancy, she went to Carraway to help her out. Shortly after her arrival she met Floyd, who had lived there his whole life. When Jane got ready to return to Mississippi, Floyd told her, “I’ll see you in 2 weeks.” And he went to see her every 2 weeks until they were married 10 months later in September of 1967.

While Floyd farmed cotton, soybeans, wheat and corn, Jane worked in the local department store, in just about every department in the store! She later went to beautician school and worked as a hairdresser. Jane is also revered as an excellent cook and cake baker, which she also did for a living out of her home. The biggest cake she ever baked was actually made up of thirty-three 9×13 cakes put together on 3 pieces of plywood. It was ordered by a factory celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary, and she even decorated the cake with the company’s logo. Jane also did sewing from her home, worked as a florist and was activities director for 2 different retirement homes. All of these skills would come in handy later on…

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It is baseball season in Monticello. Kids four years old and up are busy playing ball on various leagues around town. Not only does baseball bring out the little tykes to play ball but with that comes the support and cheers of parents. At one of the local baseball games many supporters are near by to cheer on their favorite sport star. One of these parents is Curtis Barrow. Here is his story.

Curtis grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was raised most of his life by his mother. Curtis’s mother worked outside the home as a housekeeping supervisor. This did not keep Curtis’s mother from teaching him the qualities of being a supportive, involved and caring parent. Curtis lived in New Orleans until 2003. Curtis made his way to Monticello though not as a result of Hurricane Katrina He moved here to work in outside machineries department at Seark Boats. He quickly found Monticello a place to call home. That same year he married Katrina who is also from New Orleans. After they married Katrina moved here and became assistant manager at our local McDonalds.

Together Curtis and Katrina have a life-sized family. Curtis has two daughters, Rhonda and Curtiz, that live out of state. Katrina has a son, Darence, who is 12 years old and a 6th grader at MIS. The couple now have a new addition to their family, Curtis Jr., who is six months old.

But their own flesh and blood are not the only children they call their own. Curtis shared with his family in Louisiana about how he liked Monticello’s family atmosphere and great school systems. His sister felt that her children would do well living in Monticello with Curtis. So in 2003 Curtis and Katrina took on the responsibility of raising Curtis’s neice and nephew, Kendrial Barrow and Garry Hill. Kendrial is 12 years old, a 7th grader at MIS and is very helpful at home. She helps take care of the new baby and is always there to cheer on her brother,Garry, at his many sports activities. Garry is 9 years old and is very busy this time of year playing baseball. Curtis makes sure Garry is involved in all the sports that interest him.

Garry’s biggest fan would have to be his uncle. Curtis provides Garry with all the practicing tools he needs at home to excel in whatever sport is in season. Curtis is at every ball practice and game cheering on not only Garry but also all his teammates. Curtis is not only interested in his ‘kids’ when it comes to sports. His wife, Katrina, says Curtis is a family man. She says “He helps with anything we need him to do.” He is always available to care for his new baby whether it is fixing bottles or changing diapers. He also helps when he can with school work and is present at school activities, like Donuts for Dads.

Garry pitched Friday night in his little league baseball game. Many were there to cheer on the teams. As always, Curtis was close by in the dugout. He is faithful to be a great supporter on and off the baseball field. Curtis Barrow, one Monticello life.

At Monticello Middle School, two female students related to school officials earlier this afternoon that they had seen “a guy” walking near the school with what looked like a gun in his hand. Officials immediately contacted local law enforcement, and with their help began a thorough search of the buildings in the school district.

The lockdown comes just a week after an incident at Drew Central Schools was determined to be a “childish prank.” Last month, a University of Arkansas at Monticello employee was arrested after making threatening comments and spitting on law enforcement officials.

The high school office related that everyone is “ok,” and that after a thorough search of the school, no weapons had been found. The students who reported seeing the individual were interviewed thoroughly and assisted officials by providing a description of the individual.

While police did find an individual meeting that description, no weapons were found, and the lockdown was lifted before school was dismissed. Officials will continue looking into the incident to ensure the safety of the students.

According to Assistant Superintendant Tommy Tyler, the principals of the schools had just completed a revision of the district’s crisis plan last week, and it allowed all officials to proceed smoothly through today’s incident.

“We were not going to take it lightly. The police responded great. We’re thankful,” said Tyler.

The January article on recycling definitely brought out some new recyclers in our community. Cathy Davis, in charge of recycling for the city, says the increase has been positive.

Here are some reminders from her about recycling:

• Call 367-4407 if you have any questions or would like to begin recycling.
• Plastics with the number 1 or 2 on the bottom may be recycled. It is helpful but not mandatory if they are rinsed prior to sending to the recycle center.
• Fast food containers are not accepted (including cardboard pizza boxes or any styrofoam containers).
• Please do not send tissue, paper plates, paper towels, or napkins. Paper that has been shredded is the only paper accepted at this time.
• Please sort your recycle items into cardboard, plastics, paper, and newspaper.

Thanks for recycling.