Monticello Live

“I’m a natural born leader,” Robert Akin, independent county judge candidate, said.

Demonstrating leadership started as early as grade school and continued through high school and into the workforce. He mentioned always being a leader in clubs in high school including running the rodeo club, which sent and paid kids’ way to nationals. Akin presided as president of the State Chuck Wagon Association with 700 members. This organization worked with special needs kids through Ark of Arkansas and Sunshine School by putting on rodeos for them. He served as vice president of Maintenance Local at the Pine Bluff paper mill requiring him to represent and negotiate contracts for 400 people.

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The Drew Central School Board called to order their monthly meeting Oct. 9 to address this month’s topics.

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Before the Monticello Jr. Billie football game against Hamburg, Thursday night, Monsanto presented a $10,000 grant to the Monticello School District that was awarded through America’s Famers Grow Rural Education.

The Monticello School District received nominations from farmers Joe Noland and Jeff Felts. The grants totaled 176 across 39 states that totaled $2.3 million for the selected districts. In Ark. 58 school districts received nominations from 303 farmers and five districts including Monticello received the grants.

The program allows farmers to nominate their school district for the award who then must apply. The grant serves the purpose of enhancing math and science based education and will allow for expansion of the school district’s learning garden program to reach 6th through 8th graders, which will allow them to “learn the principles of science through hands-on activities.”

The council also approved to move forward with renovations of the Senior Citizen Center. The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will facilitate the grant and upcoming public meeting on the center. The grant coming from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission covers 100 percent of the renovations. The center must offer senior activities and services though to be in compliance

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City Council met Sept. 20 to review important topics such as an assessment of the water towers of Monticello.

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The Monticello School Board called to order their monthly meeting Sept. 18 to discuss usage of facilities, budgets and other announcements.

Ray Ryburn, Leigh Carson and Felecia Smith attended the meeting as representatives of the Drew County Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Their presentation laid out their predicament in paying the rent this year for the facility they use for their after school and summer programs. The Monticello School District owns and operates the building located near the city park.

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Drew Central School board members met for their annual report to the public, which informed on fiscal, facilities and schools’ update, and for their regular school board meeting, which discussed handbook policies and the salary schedule.

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Most people when standing in front of a crowd on stage with the task of talking or presenting tend to freeze up or lose composure. With the weight of competing thrown into the mix that person’s focus must heighten to possess the ability to take on the task, avoid the distractions, maintain their stature and present what is necessary.

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This early map of siren locations has been revised for better siren coverage, but presents the general areas of population concentration. The new map will be available soon.

The members of the Drew County Quorum Court came together the night of Sept. 17 for their monthly meeting to discuss the warning system for county, the disposal of county trash and the hospital report.

The Drew County Office of Emergency Coordinator Bill Horn presented the members with the updated news regarding the early warning storm system, which just rounded its third year of progress. The county looks to install 30 sirens all together and received a three-year time frame to complete the project.

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Michael Layfield, chief executive officer of the Drew Memorial Hospital, presented the court with the hospital budge for the month. He said the numbers weren’t in just yet but he forecasted a $70,000 to $100,000 profit for the month.

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When growing up, everyone faced difficult decisions and wondered how their choice would pan out. Many 18 year olds raise the question “Can I do this?”, when faced with overwhelming obstacles. As people grow older they begin to develop more self-confidence.

When someone continues on for 25 more years that self-confidence becomes a part of who they are, and “Can I do this?” no longer remains the question. “I can do this!” becomes the mentality of the person.

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The Monticello Parks and Recreation Committee came together Sept. 13 to discuss a variety of old business regarding infrastructure, monuments and more.

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The Drew Central School called to order a special board meeting Sept. 6 to discuss the athletic budget, purchasing of a school bus and board member training among a few other items.

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The Drew Memorial Hospital called to order their monthly board meeting Aug. 22 to discuss their financial report, old business and new business.

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