Monticello Live

Mayor Allen Maxwell encouraged the City Council to consider changing companies for trash pick-up and haul-off during Thursday night’s regular meeting.

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The Quorum Court unanimously agreed to pass an ordinance allowing Drew County to donate land for the Public Facility Assisted Living Project. The 3.81 acres of land will be used to build a 40 bed facility to be located at Ross Drive and Old Warren Road.

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Gasps of surprise went around the table as Quorum Court members began reading a sheet of paper Judge Damon Lampkin passed to each of them. It was his letter to the Court expressing his decision to retire after serving this final year as Drew County Judge.

In an emotional statement to the Court, and the public, Judge Lampkin said that he would be 71 years old if he ran again next year, and it was time for him to put his health first. He then read his letter to the audience which said…..

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Several concerned Drew County citizens attended Monday night’s regular Quorum Court meeting to address concerns over the Court’s recent decision to open Old Dermott Road to truck traffic. Kenny Worbington lives on Old Dermott Rd. and said to the Court, “I’m here as a spokesman for this group of people… We’re just here to voice our opinion on the decision that was made about 3 weeks ago by the Quorum Court to open Old Dermott Road to log truck traffic. We’re opposed to this.”

He went on to say, “We’re not against the log trucks. What we would like for you to do is for you to close traffic to large trucks until the road is widened and fixed.” “It’s one of the most dangerous roads in this county. There’s no shoulder… no room for mistakes, nowhere to go.”

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The Drew County Extension Homemakers Clubs will be offering three $1,000 scholarships for the

2012-2013 college year to three students who are Drew County residents, and who will be attending the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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The Drew County Assessor’s office would like to remind the taxpayers of Drew County about all of its online resources available at no charge and accessible 24/7. Taxpayers of Drew County can access all public records online, including both real estate and personal property records, which can be found by going to www.actdatascout.com.

Also available is the online personal property assessment website, www.drewcountyassessor, for those who own personal property in Drew County. This tool was introduced in 2011 and allows the public to assess from the convenience of any location with internet access. It is very useful for the taxpayers of the county who cannot make arrangements for assessing between normal business hours – 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. Feel free to call the Drew County Assessor’s office at 870-460-6240 with any questions regarding all of its online services available to you.

In late September, a group of interested individuals met to begin the process of placing a “wet / dry” vote, to allow beer, wine, and liquor sales in Marion Township, which include Monticello, and it’s immediately surrounding area.

Their effort is called “Vote for Growth in Drew County,”

New elected officials took office in January, including State Representative Sheilla Lampkin, Mayor Allen Maxwell, JP’s Patty Mitchell and Chris Barnett, and alderman Josh McKiever.

Dr. Steve Morrison was sworn in as the Quorum Court district 2 representative, to take Ron Echols  position, following Ron Echols resignation for business reasons.

Witt Barton was appointed to take the place of Bill Daniels as city attorney

April 1 of 2011 marked the day that the half a cent sales tax for the new library went into effect. What followed shortly after included plans being drawn and ideas being put together for how the new library should look and function.

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Both the City of Monticello and Drew County entered into contracts with Mid-South Adjustments to collect on old, unpaid court fines.  The city also hired them to collect on out of service water bills.

The Drew County Sheriff and Collector will not be the same person, when the separate elected officials take office after the current term.

The 2012 elections will fill both offices, who will then take those positions in January of 2013

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Quorum Court members held another budget meeting Thursday night to continue discussions on what changes could be made to the budget to keep the County General Fund running at 90%.

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Monday night’s Quorum Court budget meeting yielded some grim financial numbers for Drew County.

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Click To Enlarge Maps.

Everyone remember when state senate and representative districts were re-drawn.  Now it’s time for our local county Justice of the Peace Districts to be re-calculated, as well.

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During Monday night’s Quorum Court meeting, the Court passed a resolution allowing Judge Damon Lampkin to apply for a grant under the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs on behalf of Rock Springs Community’s fire department.

The grant is for $7,802.60 and would be used to build an additional bay onto their fire station for the purpose of housing a water shuttle tanker truck.

The County would not be responsible to provide any funding to the Clear Creek Fire Department.

Pat Scifres Savage, Circuit Clerk of Drew County, was awarded a grant in the amount of $20,000 from the Automated Records System Fund for automation, or preservation of the Real Estate Records for their county. The money for the grants is paid into the fund by the ten Class 6 and 7 counties in the State of Arkansas.

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What can only be described as a colossal mix-up on APERS (Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System) part, the County is paying up more to the system than previously anticipated.

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During Monday night’s regular meeting, the Court approved a resolution to apply for a grant on behalf of the Collins Community Fire Department to help them build a new fire station. The grant is for $50,000.

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At the fall County Judges Association meeting the Drew County Road Department was honored with the 2010 Safety Award. Winning this award was through the combined eforts of the entire road department. Shop Manager Rick Haney should be commended for instituting an award-winning safety program through his safety classes. Drew County Judge presents the award to the entire Drew County Road Department and congratulates all.

The Road Dept. includes: Wayne Evans, James Christian, Venoille Fisher, Adam Gordon, Walter Dodson, Reginald Conway, Mike McManus, Jerry Ridgell, Jr. Rick Haney, Red Ingram, Judge Lampkin, Steve Jones, John Sanderlin, Albert Thompson, Vivian Griffin, Tony Miller, Russell Densmore, Erick Green, and Greg Sanson.  Not pictured are Fred Lewis, Buddy Barnett, Robert Willingham, and Larry Allen

Click here for the story from SalineRiverChronicle.com.

After three revisions of the contract sent to County Attorney Cliff Gibson by Mid-South Adjustment Company, two by Attorney Gibson and one by Mid-South, the potential agreement was presented to the Court in Monday night’s meeting.

The contract states that Sheriff Mark Gober will have sole say in what delinquent fines are handed over to Mid-South for collections, that either party can cancel at any time, and Mid-South Co. receives no payment unless fines are collected.

After brief discussion and review of the contract, the Court unanimously voted yes to enter into an agreement with Mid-South for the purpose of tracking down those delinquent and collecting old fines.

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At their regular meeting Monday night, the court voted yes to authorize resolutions passed by the hospital board to purchase used equipment from Dr. Kelly Shrum. The hospital has been using the equipment, free of charge, for over two years. Dr. Shrum offered to sell the equipment, which includes items such as lobby furnishings, office equipment, computer system, ultrasound equipment, scopes, and so on.

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Monday morning, Monticello Police Department received a call at 9:08 am from the Monticello Transfer Station asking for an ambulance following an accident on site.

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During the financial report of Monday night’s Quorum Court meeting, Shirley Hancock reported that, “We’re in the red about $22,000 for the 7 months,” meaning from January 2011 until July 2011. It was reported that the County is down $50,000 since July 2010.

“We’ve never seen the economy as bad as it is.” – Jimmy Potter

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According to Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin, the burn ban issued for Drew County has been lifted, following the recent series of thunderstorms that have brought rain to Drew County, over the past weeks.

Judge Lampkin reminds everyone to use caution, as drier conditions are expected to return during the upcoming week, and recommends residents use caution when burning any items.

John Bullock of Monticello was administered the oath of office after his appointment to the Drew County Equalization Board by County Judge Damon Lampkin. Bulloch was born in Dewitt, Arkansas, in 1940, educated from Dollarway in Pine Bluff and received his college degree in 1971 from then Arkansas A&M College (UAM).

His work experiences include a stint the USAF in Turkey and France and positions with International Paper and Arkla Gas in Pine Bluff before returning to college. From there he spent 26 years with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) in a variety of responsible positions before retiring in 1997.

John and his wife, Carolyn, have resided in Monticello since 1978. They have one son, Benjamin, who is serving in the Air Force in Alconbury, England.

Judge Lampkin told MonticelloLive,  “John will prove a great asset to the Equalization Board.”

Drew County will again be divided, when it comes to representation in the State House of Representatives, following a 2-1 vote on new state re-apportionment map.

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The choice of redistricting maps made by the Arkansas Board of Apportionment is now official and I have a new representative district and a new number. My new district is Number 9 and will cover roughly the eastern two-thirds of Drew County and much of the central portion of Ashley County.

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At Monday night’s meeting of the Drew County quorum Court, the justices appointed John Bullock to fill the remaining, unexpired term of John Ware’s position on the Drew County Equalization Board.

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