Local insurance agent, Tommy McLemore, who had placed a bid for the contract for the Drew County employees insurance contract, filed a complaint with the county’s insurance committee.
McLemore’s complaint was that bids were allowed to be modified after they were originally presented to the county.
In last week’s quorum court meeting, the JP’s voted to accept the services of the Hatcher Agency of Little Rock, over McLemore’s local agency. (The Hatcher Agency also has the insurance contract for Drew Memorial Hospital.)
The essence of McLemore’s complaint is that Lambert’s agency should not have been able to reduce his agency’s fees to match McLemore’s. Other items that were modified and/or discussed after or during the earlier insurance committee presentations by the agents included Cobra compliance, employee insurance handbooks, and life/vision/dental coverage.
Tuesday’s meeting included County Clerk Lyna Gulledge reading a letter from County Attorney Cliff Gibson, which stated that legal statutes don’t require counties to follow the bid process for insurance for employees. It was also pointed out that the advertisement for bids was very general and non-specific.
Judge Damon Lampkin opened the program for both McLemore and Hatcher’s Drew Lambert to comment on the situation. McLemore informed the court that this was now a “if you lose, you lose: and if you win, you lose.” situation. He added that ” it’s in the best benefit of the county and the employees, with such short notice, that I’m withdrawing my consideration from the bid process.” (McLemore’s statement is at the 15:00 point in the video above.)
Like country music star John Anderson sang about in 1983, “Let somebody else drive” is good advice for members of the celebrating crowd.
With tonight being New Year’s Eve, extra patrol will be taking place from both the Monticello Police Dept. and the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept.
As everyone welcomes 2010 into Drew County, take care of yourself, and everyone else on the road, choose a designated driver before the celebration, and “Let somebody else drive.”
As 2009 comes to an end, here’s a look back at the headlines from MonticelloLive.com.
A tornado hit Drew County on May 6. All of the buildings at the fairgrounds were destroyed, except for the auditorium. The annual Rhythm & Roots Festival was moved to August, and the Drew County Fair had to cancel many of it’s regular events. During the ongoing process of planning for this year’s fair, 5 board members have resigned. The fair board is re-organizing, and in hopes of being able to secure a lease contract with the University of Arkansas (who owns the fairgounds property) in the near future, and re-build the fairgounds in time for 2010′s fair.
Once again, the past year saw too many lives come to an end too early. In January, Jessica Mann, age 18, a Sav-a-Lot employee was killed in an automobile accident. In March, Derrick Johnson, age 34 died following a motorcycle wreck. In May, Latasha Strong, age 32, died, after the vehicle she was in ran off of a bridge over the Saline river. Her body was found in the vehicle the next afternoon. Later in May, Robert Brazeale, age 21, drowned in Lake Monticello. Nakeshia Page, age 21, was killed in an car crash in July. In October, 18 year old Jake Casteel also died in an auto accident. And December closed out 2009 with another young life lost, as Jesse Cash, age 16, a Drew Central junior, also lost his life in a motor vehicle accident.
Monticello lost two community leaders in 2009, with Betty Lindsey’s death in early April, and James Jordan’s passing in late December.
The Monticello Sr. Billies won the State Championship game, which was played at War Memorial Stadium. The Billies completed their season with an undefeated record. Billies fans showed support many ways, including hiring a helecopter to “blow dry” a rain-soaked Hyatt field one Friday afternoon.
Monticello’s City Council approved the construction of a splash pad, which will be built at Jordan Park.
Two local doctors, Sidney Collins and Jeff Reinhart, and dentist Dr. Tim Chase were approved by the DMH board and Quorum Court to purchase a parcel of land next to the hospital for the construction of a medical office building. There has since been a disagreement as to the appraised value of the property, and they have now asked for the county to agree to arbitration on the appraisal.
In January, Alicia Ammons was found guilty of manslaughter, for the death of Cortland Jones, who was stabbed in the neck, during a confrontation on July 4, 2008. Her father, Clarence Ammons, was found not guilty.
In January, MLive ran an update on the 2008 story about the cellulosic diesel plant in Jerome, which should employee 250. In May, cottonseed stored inside of the facility caught fire, and brought firefighters from all over southeast Arkansas.
The month of June brought an end to Stanley Lucas’ election fraud charges stemming from the former convenience store owner, and supporter of legalizing the sale of alcohol in the Wilmar area’s charge of “election canvasser making a false statement” in last years wet/dry township election. Lucas pled guilty and received no time to serve, but did get a $1 fine, and must pay reimbursement, and court costs. The $1 fine will make the charge a part of his permanent record.
July also included the arrest of Benjamin Briney by the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. for the beating death of a Shetland pony, that had been loaned to a family for a child’s birthday party. A jury found Briney not guilty of the first trial of Arkansas’ new cruelty to animals law, later in the year.
In September, Amy Arrington, a MES special ed teacher was arrested by the DTF on alleged forged prescription charges. She was terminated by the school in December, without a public notice as to the cause, due to confidentiality reasons.
December headlines included $1,000,000 Bond Set for Robbery/Kidnapping Suspect-$500,000 & $750,000 for Other 3 for Car Theft & Gun Shot, after 4 Pine Bluff men came to Monticello in a stolen car, attempted to steal a car from UAM, shot at a student, and then stole yet another vehicle. One of the men proceded to go to EZ-Mart on Hyatt Street, rob it, and force the clerk outside to the parking lot, and was assaulting her, as police arrived.
As we look forward into 2010, the past and the future will once again meet at “the Ridgeway”, as the former hotel has been approved by ADFA for a $5.4 million renovation, to serve as an elderly housing complex.
One other event worth mentioning is that congratulations are in order for Monticello’s newest national celebrity. UAM’s Boll Weevil mascot was featured on ESPN and many other networks across the country, as a part of the advertising campaign for KGB’s information provider service.
December 27 saw the passing of another member of the “greatest generation” – one who spent his adult life in service of others. Born in Drew County in 1925, James Jordan leaves a long legacy of service that should serve as a role model for generations to come.
While more people were at home with their families on Christmas morning, than on any other day of the year, many of the folks we take for granted of, were at work providing services that we all have grown used to.
MonticelloLive was out Christmas morning, saying “Merry Christmas” and “thank you” several of these people that are ALWAYS there.
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Larry Doggett of KHBM, shown above, said “Good Morning” (followed by news and weather) to all of Monticello at 6 am, , with an added “Merry Christmas”.
Larry Smith, Jr. and Trish Deaton of the Monticello Police were on duty Christmas Day, since emergencies don’t take holidays off, either.
The staff of SouthEast Emergency Services were also at their station, in case their services were needed.
Other medical staff on duty included the emergency room staff and other caregivers at Drew Memorial,
and members of the nursing care industry, like these dedicated folks at Monticello Healthcare, who spent Christmas morning, caring for patients.
Not all members of the customer service industry were at home Christmas morning. The Huddle House was the only restaurant in Monticello open Christmas day;
and several convenience stores were open, such as Circle N North, where Mrs. Kay is shown waiting on one of their many customers,
while Walgreen’s employees were on duty, waiting on their shoppers.
Holiday Inn, as well as the other local motels, were open, like every other day of the year, meaning that their staff was at work, instead of being at home with their families.
And both of Monticello’s fire stations had firefighter’s on duty, since many fires occur on holiday’s, like the 9 pm house fire on Cherry Street.
Other posted letters to Santa can be reacy by clicking the link at the bottom of this article.
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Dear Santa,
My name is Allissa Claire Bodiford, but you may know me best as Allie. Mommy says I’ve been a good girl this year for the most part.
I would like for you to bring some mouse and balls for my kitties, Bo and Luke.
I would also like some Barbies. I really want the pink 3 Musketeers Barbie since I already have the green one. But I want all colors too.
I would like some games so that I can play with Mommy and Daddy.
I want you to bring Papa from Heaven for Nana. We really miss him
Please don’t forget all of my friends at Pauline Baptist Child Care Center!
MEDC president Benji Ryburn announced at the Monticello City Council meeting Thursday night that the Ridgeway Hotel project has been approved by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority to receive $5.4 million in funding.
The city agreed several months ago to provide up to $32,000 in sidewalk and lighting improvements to the area, which will house the Ridgeway’s 32 elderly, low income residential units.
The project is expect to have much better benefits from exchange tax credits, than have been available recently.
Ryburn received an e-mail shortly before the meeting, and expects all of the details to become official in a month, when the actual letter arrives.
The Drew County Housing Authority has agreed to provide gap funding, if needed, up to $500,000.
“The Ridgeway” was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in February. (more…)
Last week, forest management teams completed their 3 week long project of dropping fertilize on a wide area of the growing pine forest in and near Drew County.
It’s estimated that just under 1600 round trips were made in and out of our local airfield’s recently improved agricultural section.
Two tractor-trailers were used to bring in the pelletized fertilizer, and up to 3 planes at a time were used to perform the operation.
Appproximately 3.3 million pounds of fertilize were distributed during the project.
Congratulations to Brishen Matthews for being named the 2009 State Farm 5A Defensive Player of the Year for the State of Arkansas and to Coach Van Paschal for being named the 2009 State Farm 5A Coach of the Year!
We also congratulate Joe Carmical for being named one of the top three 2009 State Farm 5A Offensive Players of the Year! He will always be our #1 Offensive Player of the Year!
Congratulations again to the 2009 Football Senior Billies on a great season!!
A Drew County jury found Benjamin Briney not guilty of aggravated animal cruelty, following the admitted beating to death of a horse on August 1, with a baseball bat.
This is Arkansas’ first attempt at prosecuting someone under the new “felony aggravated animal cruelty” law that went into effect as of midnight on July 31. The death of this horse occurred approximately one hour later. (more…)
12 area residents and a local bank have been awarded money owed to them, following a recent restitution hearing against Rick Funderburg, former owner of Rick’s Auto Outlet, of Monticello, for damages done in the criminal case against him, in which he pled guilty in December of 2005. (more…)
MEDC director Truman Hamilton met with the Monticello City Council, Thursday night, for their planned committee meeting to discuss the process of dealing with properties that have been reported to be run down and/or abondoned.
After the meeting, MonticelloLive asked each of the eight council members if they were in favor of proceeding with the process of dealing with potentially “nuisance properties”, as explained by Hamilton. The only council member who stated that he was opposed to the measures was Judge Clifton Bond. All others stated that they were in favor of proceeding with the 9 steps, as they were described in the meeting.
Hamilton presented the following list to the group, outlining the order in which events are to take place in the process of dealing with the property owners of those potentially “nuisance properties.” (more…)
SeaArk Boats, a manufacturer of all-welded aluminum boats located in Monticello, has recently announced that Wendy Tassin, also of Monticello, has been named the company’s new marketing coordinator. (more…)
The Monticello Billies defeat the Camden Fairview Cardinals 38-7 to win the 5A championship.
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Monticello second string goes in with 5:25 left in the game. Still 38-7.
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Caleb Bryant carries the ball in to take the Billies 38-7 after a series of penalties against the Cardinals. Extra point is no good.
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Joe Carmical keeps the ball to take the Billies 32-7. Extra point no good again.
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Beginning of fourth quarter. Score unchanged. Billies will start 2nd & 6 on the Cardinals’ 11-yd line.
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Cardinals TD, extra point good. 26-7 with 4:04 left in 3rd.
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Billies TD, extra point good. 26-0 with 6:09 left in 3rd quarter.
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Billies TD, extra point no good. 19-0 with 10:02 left in the third.
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At halftime, Billies lead the Cardinals 13-0. Billies’ field goal attempt no good.
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After their second interception of the game, the Billies have the ball on the 21-yd line, 2nd & 9 with 3:47 to go in the second.
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Billies score with 11:29 left in second quarter. Extra point good. Billies 13-0.
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After the Billies intercept, they take it to the 20-yard line to end the first quarter.
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Billies score on the first drive of the game. Extra point no good. 6-0 with 7:32 left in first quarter.
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The Billies are practicing and warming up below the War Memorial lights. Game time in less than an hour!
Scores will be updated regularly throughout the game.
According to John Dement, investigator for the Monticello Police Dept., several counterfeit $100 bills have been being used in Monticello.
All businesses are encouraged to use the “counterfeit pens” that identify imitation bills.
Serial numbers ending in 437C have occured in more than one case.
Also, in several of the recent cases, where the bills were fake, there was a “watermark” of President Lincoln that can be seen on the right side of the bill when held up to the light.
Lincoln is on the $5 bill, Benjamin Franklin is on the $100.
And both of Monticello’s fire stations had firefighter’s on duty, since many fires occur on holiday’s, like the 9 pm house fire on Cherry Street.
