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‘Twenty for the Future’ Meets With Elected Officials in Washington D.C.

February 25th, 2010 by Joe Burgess

U.S. Representative Mike Ross met with representatives of Drew County’s “Twenty for the Future” group in his Washington, D.C., office Wednesday, during their visit to the nation’s capital to meet with federal legislators.

Ross, as well as our other elected Washington delegation members, met with the group to discuss Monticello and Drew County’s economic challenges and needs and how best to facilitate economic growth in the region.

Items on the agenda to be covered included:
University of Arkansas at Monticello, for funding of projects for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, the School of Nursing, and to replace the university’s current phone system.
Drew Memorial Hospital intended to request funding for an electronic medical records system, a nurse call system, a digital mammogram machine, a 64-slice tomography scanner, and a telemetry system for the E.R.
The City of Monticello planned to point out the  benefits of a potential Monticello community center.
Other topics to be discussed were: I-530, the Southeast Arkansas Regional Library to build a new library the local Intermodal Facility, and nearby Yellow Bend Port.

Meeting were held Wednesday, and the group is returning to Monticello, today.

Quorum Court Hears DMH Report

February 17th, 2010 by Christopher Bunting

During the hospital report to the quorum court, Monday night,, Mike Layfield, DMH CEO, announced profits were up due to the dedicated physicians and employees.

The Hospital also found out that they are eligible for $12 million in U.S.D.A. loans for their new building. The new building is expected to cost $14 million in phase one and an additional $8 million in phase two. The Hospital expects it will spend $40 million over the next five years for total modernization.

If all goes according to plans, they could break ground as early as September or October.

Quorum Court Learns of Proposed Surcharge of $310 per Load on Outgoing Garbage

January 20th, 2010 by Joe Burgess

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At Tuesday night’s Quorum Court meeting, after a short invitation to the Intermodal Facility Meeting to be held Wednesday morning, County Judge Damon Lampkin told the group about Delta Environmental’s attempt to add a  surcharge of $310 per outbound load of trash being transported out of the county for final disposal.

Read the rest of this entry »

County Clerks Asks Quorum Court to Drop Employee Contributions for Health Insurance-Court Stays with Earlier Decision

January 20th, 2010 by Joe Burgess

 MonticelloLive on Vimeo

Drew County Clerk Lyna Gulledge, Tuesday evening, presented updated figures from the county’s 2010 budget, showing what she felt to be a possible way to cover the portion of the health insurance cost increase, that was to be passed along to county employees, which will be $25 per month, following a recent quorum court decision.

After hearing Gulledge’s presentation, insurance committee chairperson Gay Griffith addresses the issue, “we took the information we had, and made the decision that we made, that we thought was appropriate at that time, and I stick by what we decided.”  Another court member agreed.

The court then voted not to make any changes to their earlier vote.

City / County Holiday Closings

January 11th, 2010 by Submitted

The Drew County Courthouse and Road Department will be closed Monday, January18th in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday.

Sanitation routes will NOT be run on Monday. Monday AND Tuesday routes will both be run on Tuesday

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Monticello City offices will be closed Monday, January 18, as well.

Trash routes will not run.  The transfer station will also be closed.

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The Monticello Branch Library will be closed Monday, January 18 to observe Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday. The library welcomes patrons during regular hours.

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Many businesses, banks, and other offices will be closed for the holiday, as well.

Local Agent Files Complaint with County Over Insurance Bids for Employees

December 31st, 2009 by Joe Burgess

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.)

McDaniels Retires from County

December 31st, 2009 by Submitted

McDaniels Bobby McDaniels recently retired after 20 years of service to Drew County.

At the annual Christmas luncheon, Mr. McDaniels was presented a plaque of appreciation by Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin and Road Foreman Wayne Evans.

He was also given an engraved knife and gifts by members of the road department

County Judge’s Report – December 30, 2009

December 31st, 2009 by Judge Damon Lampkin

Christmas 2009 is gone. I hope everyone had a merry one! What a beautiful, sunny day it turned out to be. It was made even more beautiful by the two days of heavy rains before it. From Wednesday morning to Friday morning we received 10.3 inches at my house. Many of the roads were flooded to some extent too. Others took a beating. We’ll get them back in shape as fast as we can. Read the rest of this entry »

County Road Closed after Culvert Washes Out

December 24th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

According t o Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin, the north end of Plantersville Road has been closed following Thursday’s heavy rains caused a culvert to wash completely out.

culvertAs this photo sent in by a MonticelloLive.com reader shows, another culvert was washed out on East Jackson Street, in Monticello, but that has been patched by city crews.  Drivers are urged to maintain slow speeds when crossing the repaired area.

Holiday Closing for Thanksgiving

November 27th, 2009 by Drew County Offices

The Drew County Courthouse and Road Department will be closed today as a part of  the Thanksgiving holidays.

Fridays Sanitation Route will be ran on Monday November 30th, 2009

Monticello City Offices will be closed on Friday, as well.

The Transfer Station will also be closed, and trash routes will not today.

County Judge’s Report – November 18, 2009

November 18th, 2009 by Judge Damon Lampkin

Let me begin by making you aware of the trash pickup changes for next week. Thanksgiving will be Thursday the 26th. There will be no trash pickup on Thursday or Friday as the courthouse and road department will be closed for the holidays. Thursday’s pickup will be held Wednesday (25th) along with Wednesday’s regular pickup. Friday’s pickup will be held on the Monday (30th) along with Monday’s regular pickup. Read the rest of this entry »

Millage Tax to Remain at 1.8 Mils, Discussion, and Public Comment on QC Insurance & Taxes

November 17th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

 As the topic turned to tax related issues, Gay Griffith asked the County Attorney Cliff Gibson for a clarification as to what limits would bind the use of the “1400″ account, which is a sales tax fund, that can have multiple designated purposes.   Basically, Gibson responded the court can set it’s own purpose for the money in that fund, as long as it’s done in a public forum, once a year.

 

Next, Arlene Russell asked to come before the court and discuss her feelings on the possible increase of millage taxes. Russell is reluctant to support the tax increase due to the fact that the county is not “hurting” for money. She feels that the county is likely going to be getting more money. She also mentioned that the Quorum Court should be paying for their own healthcare benefits.

“We pay for our own, and I don’t see how you can in good conscience take it out of the general fund,” stated Russell.

 After several comments from the Quorum Court about the ad velorum (millage) tax issue, they voted to leave the tax on property at the same rate that it has been set at since 1983, which is 1.8%.

$366,564 for an Early Warning System in Drew County Passage Announced by Arkansas Delegation

November 17th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

 

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Arkansas Delegation has announced passage of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Legislation, which includes emergency management funding for 4 Arkansas priorities, including $366,564 for an Early Warning System in Drew County

These funds will be used to provide weather and other related disaster information as well as to purchase outdoor weather sirens that will alert residents of approaching severe weather. Read the rest of this entry »

Photos from Veterans Day Program at VFW

November 15th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

Monticello’s veteran organizations combined for their annual Veteran’s Day ceremony, Wednesday.

Members of the VFW, DAV, and American Legion worked together to present an appropriate program recognizing our veterans.

James Lee introduced the guests, including featured speakers P. Q. Gardner and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.

Approximately 50 local residents attended the event, which concluded with the ceremonial “retirement of flags”.

Quorum Court to Consider Millage Increase at Monday Meeting

November 11th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

At last Monday’s quorum court budget meeting, the possibility of increasing the county tax millage was discussed, and the decision must be made at the next regularly scheduled meeting, which takes place next Monday.

The current millage which has remained the same since 1983,  is 1.8 mills for county funds, and 1.4 for the county road fund. Read the rest of this entry »

The History Behind “The Door”

November 9th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

Mark - DMHA 002“When the dust and the rain cleared after the rear of the building at the corner of Gaines and South Main fell, passersby noticed a door suspended over the rubble that read “Patrick Henry”.

A little research yielded several facts about Drew County’s Patrick Henry. A Mississippian by birth, Henry came to Monticello in 1900 after completing his law degree. He practiced in law firms with several local lawyers, including Walter Weatherford, H. W. Wells, and Joe Lee Harris.

Patrick Henry also had a varied political career, serving as mayor from 1903 through 1906. He ran for the office of prosecuting attorney that year and lost. In 1931 he was elected Circuit Judge for the 10th Judicial District and served when the current courthouse was built. He died suddenly in 1935.

Thinking that the door should be in the museum, Sheilla Lampkin, chair of the museum commission, approached property owner Leslie McKiever, who so graciously offered it to the museum if it could safely be removed.

Sheriff Mark Gober rescued the historic door for the museum where it is now on display.”

FEMA & ADEM Assessing Flood Damage in Drew County

November 5th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin declared Drew County a disaster area, following last week’s flooding, and has asked for assistance from state and federal funding source to help repair damages caused by heavy rains, as well as flooding that followed.

FEMA & ADEM teams will be in Arkansas, beginning on Monday, to assess over 40 counties in the state for federal disaster funds.

MHS EAST Makes VR Tour of Courthouse

November 1st, 2009 by Monticello Schools

DSCN7634EAST students Gena Johnson and Laura Hancock contribute to the community by creating a Virtual Reality Tour of Monticello’s local courthouse.

The purpose for creating this virtual tour is to benefit others by viewing it on the city’s website and MonticelloLive.com.

The virtual tour will provide historical documentation of the court house and it will show the locations of specific places in the courthouse to help people be more knowledgeable of their surroundings in the courthouse.

Article by Bentley Brodnax.

Reader Expresses Concern of Quorum Court Receiving Insurance Benefits

October 28th, 2009 by Submitted

Dear Editor and members of the Drew County Quorum Court,

It is my responsibility to purchase my health insurance and I greatly resent having to also purchase health, dental, vision and life insurance for members of the Drew County Quorum Court.

I rather doubt that anyone in Drew County feels he/she is responsible for paying the health insurance of elected officials who do not work full time at the Court House. Read the rest of this entry »

Other County Items Covered in Quorum Court Meeting.

October 22nd, 2009 by Rebecca Friend

 

 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo

During the Quorum Court regular meeting held last Monday night, Bill Horn spoke about the GIS program. The mission of the Arkansas GIS Board is to improve the quality, access, and cost effectiveness of geographic information across Arkansas. Horn stated that Drew County needs to improve its imagery for the GIS and was imploring the court to help improve that imagery. He said that this is something every county does on its own, and it would be very beneficial to Drew County to update the imagery.

Mike Layfield gave the monthly hospital report during the regular Quorum Court meeting last Monday. According to Layfield, Dr. Kelly Shrum saw 33 people on during the opening day of his practice, which was Monday, October 19.

Layfield stated that last month’s profit was $76,000, giving the hospital a profit of $500,000 year-to-date. Layfield also mentioned that the hospital will be having a health fair for the community where they will run tests that would normally be a $400 value for $20. The health fair will be taking place next wee, Click here for dates and times.

The Court also approved a resolution to follow a state ordinance dealing with delinquent solid waste taxpayers. The ordinance will allow the county to put the delinquent taxes on the tax statements mailed out in March. Tonya Loveless, executive tax collector, told the court that with this being an extremely busy time of year for her, she cannot have the delinquent taxes ready to go on the November statements. She also told the court that she really needed to have software that would enable her to put the taxes on her statements more efficiently.

County Road Foreman Give Road Report

October 20th, 2009 by Rebecca Friend

 

During the regular Quorum Court meeting last Thursday, Wayne Evans gave the monthly road report. Evans said they have only completed 11 miles to date along with five or six lanes. He said they have not been able to complete as much as they would like due to all the rain.

Evans has been laying soil-cement and said that if his crew works for an hour to lay down the cement and it starts raining before it dries that he has lost $12,000. He stated that it took his crew five weeks to finish 1.7 miles because of the threat of rain. There has been more rainfall this year and that has caused them to make slow progress.

Washington Announces $644,447 for Options Women’s Shelter, but Funds Can’t Be Used to Purchase Shelter

October 12th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives John Boozman and Mike Ross recently announced that Arkansas has received $1,135,088 to fight domestic violence in the state. The funds are allocated through the “Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Assistance Program,” which is authorized through the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.

Options, Inc., a women’s shelter in  Monticello that provides multiple services to women and children will received $644,447 of those funds.  Options applied for these funds last January.

However, the funds are designated to provide “outreach service” to the surrounding counties in the 10th judicial district, where Options also provides services to, in an effort to levelize the services that are provided to nearby areas.

The news from Washington was considered a blessing by Options Director, Brenda Noble, even though it’s funds can’t be used to help with the Women’s Shelter’s most serious problem.

The Drew County Public Facilities Board met Thursday, Oct. 1 to confirm that organizations desire to sell the property, which has served as “Options Safe House” for 20 years, either to Options, or to list it for sale to the public. Read the rest of this entry »

Report from Recent Ward 1/District 1 Meeting

October 5th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

005Monticello school’s James Hoy served as moderator at a recent public meeting held by quorum court member Orlando Jones, city council members Sherrie Gillespie and Al Peer, and school board member Keith Wells.

The group announced the name of their organization as the “Elected Leadership Council of Ward 1/District 1″.

Al Peer presented a progress update on the Jordan Park splash pad.  The city Council approved advertising for bids on the splash pad at their last meeting.  Read the rest of this entry »

AHTD Hearing Tuesday Answers Most Questions about Monticello Bypass for I-69

September 9th, 2009 by Joe Burgess
CLICK TO ENLARGE -- Monticello Bypass

Click to Enlarge.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department held a Public Hearing Tuesday evening at the Sadie Johnson Community Center, to allow public input, as well as answer some questions about the proposed plans for a bypass of Monticello for the future I-69.

001 (2)Approximately 90 area residents attended the informational meeting, to ask questions about their land, houses, and community.  I was able to go through the process of question and answers with a couple who are losing their home of 12 years to the new roadway, as they visited with one of the approximately 9 AHTD representatives who were present for the forum, representing different departments of the AHTD.

005 (2)The official name of the “Monticello Bypass” is known as “job 020471″, and will begin near the “dead man’s curve” area of HWY 278 East, and continue to it’s end, on HWY 425 South, near the Drew Central Bus Shop.

AHTD brought to the meeting 3 16 foot long maps, showing in great detail the exact area, down to storage sheds, that will be directly affected by the construction.

Interchanges will be built at the 278 East and HWY 425 connection points, as well as it’s crossing with HWY 35 South/HWY 35 East.

3 overpasses will be built where the new roadway comes into the Old Deane Road, Old Troy Road, and Midway Route areas of construction.

The 8.6 mile project will also be raised over the crossing of the Arkansas Midland Railroad.

The project could begin as early as acquiring properties with the next year, and beginning the bid process for construction in the Fall of 2010.  The project will begin as a 2 lane highway, and will be expanded into a 4 lane divided roadway in the future. Read the rest of this entry »

County Fire Depts. to Receive $22,000+ in State Funding

September 9th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

001State Representative Eddie Cheatham, who is a Crossett resident, but represents a part of Drew County at the state capitol, recently contacted Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin about the availability of $22,032.86 in state General Improvement Fund grants, that can be applied for, and will likely be distributed to the 9 fire depts. in Drew County.

The process included a required Inter-governmental Council meeting, which was held Monday, and was attended by Judge Lampkin, County Clerk Lyna Gulledge, Tillar Mayor Robert Landfair, Winchester Mayor Merle Jackson, Wilmar Mayor Curley Jackson, and Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers.  State Representative candidate Sheilla Lampkin, and a city council member from Winchester were also present for the meeting.

The next step is to receive approval from the quorum court, which will meet September 21.

Each of the county’s 9 fire depts. should receive approximately $2,448.

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