MADD Mock DWI / 4/13/2009
“In memory of Rooster”

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Future Treasurer Charles Searcy Addresses TEA Party from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

TEA Party Questions Searcy from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Searcy Speaks to TEA Party – Closing from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Recently, a young door-to-door salesman came to my home, representing the “cutting edge” home security firm Vivint. I heard his sales pitch and promises, along with his list of satisfied customers.  I’m glad I didn’t purchase his promises, since the next day I asked the MPD officer he described as a “satisfied customer” with Vivint, and he told me he had never met (or done business) with them.

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Ongoing issues with the city’s water system led to an indepth discussion at the August City Council meeting.

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In June, the Game & Fish Commission were called to help capture a live alligator on Alma Street, in the western portion of Dermott, not far from the Drew County line.

Mark Barbee and Michael Shepherd, both of Monticello, of AG&F are shown here restraining the gator, to transport it to a “safer” area.

This video of an alligator being captured, taken near Lake Wallace in May, 2011, has been views almost 3,000 times.

 Another alligator was found in August near Tillar.

Alligator Caught by AG&F in Drew County in May from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Executive Collector Tonya Loveless received the Quorum Court’s approval to continue working to accept credit and debit card payments for property taxes.

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Merlin Taking Off from Monticello, AR Airport from MonticelloLive .

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DMH CEO Mike Layfield addressed the Quorum Court, Monday night, and emphasized “the misconception that proposed millage extension has been referred to as a new tax.” 

The Quorum Court last month approved the hospital board’s request to hold a special election on October 9 to ask county voter’s to approved the continuation of the existing hospital millage to be used to help fund the new Surgery Center, which is estimated to employ an additional 25 employees.  Layfield compared performing surgery in the current facility to “driving a 35 year old car.”Supporters of the millage extension will be visiting interested groups and organization to discuss the proposed extension. 

JP Jimmy Potter also criticized a local editorial calling the proposal “a new tax.”  It was also commented that the October 9 election will not be paid for by the county.

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The Monticello parks commission met Thursday night at City Hall.

Among several items on the agenda, the monument honoring Albert William for his work on the early baseball fields and other features of Jordan Park were discussed. 

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1st Friday Singing on the Square from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Sam Bird Roasts Lassiter from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Richard Reinhart Reminises from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mark McElroy Introduces Mike Layfield from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

DMH CEO Layfield Diagnoses Dr. Lassiter from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Leigh Lassiter Counts, “My Dad” from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mayor Maxwell Toasts Lassiter’s Accomplishments from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Dr. Jack Lassiter Responds to Roasters from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MonticelloLive.com’s Friday court photo and story about an NFL player’s Drew County DWI charge earned national attention. Phone calls came in from Detroit to Houston.  Google shows the story was picked up and carried on sites from Oakland to Chicago to New York.  The story was also covered by ESPN.   

Recently, MLive coverage of a DWI 3, 4, & 5 case earned a “bottom crawl” from CNN’s Headline News Channel.

In January, CNN networks contacted MLive’s Joe Burgess about use of the “Bear & Deer” video.  He quickly granted them permission.

Aside from the national attention the local website has drawn, Burgess considers the “Business of the Year” award, presented last December by the Monticello – Drew County Chamber of Commerce, the businesss’ highest honor.

“Monticello’s Daily News” is expected to reach 3 million pageviews in 2012.

The City Council voted unanimously to amend Ordinance 756 of the City of Monticello to assess fines associated with repeat nuisance property owners.

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During the airport report to the City Council, Benji Ryburn told the Council that people landing in heavy and fast moving aircraft are complaining of a dip and a hump on the runway. He stated that he “made some calls and asked for additional funds…and got confirmation that FAA will provide additional funds, up to $141,794, to do work to the runway.”

The money comes from a 100% grant so the City will not be required to provide any funding. The Council voted to apply for the grant and bid out the project.

The Monticello City Council passed a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a bid by Toter, Inc for the purchase of 3,000 rollout trash carts. The bid by Toter was the low bid and came in at $134,700.00.

The City will purchase one can per residence, and a second can may be purchased by an individual for $55-$60.

Trash pickups will be moved to once a week, per ward, once the new cans are in place.

Monday night, the Quorum Court  approved an ordinance transfering  operations of the hospital to Drew Memorial Hospital, Inc.  The ordinance also approved a lease of the facilities to the board, which is made up of the current DMH board of directors.  Also October 9 was set as a special election day for two DMH millage questions.

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UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter gave an updated Community Center Planning Committee status to the Advertising and Promotion Commission, Monday night.

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Request for Bowfishing Approval at Lake Monticello to Control Carp / Improve Vegitation from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Parks Committee Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MEDC Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

District Court Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Right after Judge Bynum Gibson told the court that a convicted drug manufacturer would receive two consecutive 10 year sentences, the man approached the judge’s bench, said “I object”, and fell to the floor.

This was the same man who when arrested asked for the Postmaster instead of an attorney and called the jury ““Brain-washed Socialist Cowards”  during his trial.

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During their re-scheduled Parks Committee meeting, Monday night, the group heard a request from Curtis Merrill and Hope Bragg to turn approximately 4.5 acres of the W. C. Whaley property into a nature trail park area.

The city’s fire station will be built on the southwest corner of the lot.  The request will turn the remaining portion of the city land into a park.  Earlier discussed uses of the land were for a pool, police station / court complex, or convention center.

Grants are planned on being requested to cover the cost.

This topic will likely be on Thursday night’s City Council agenda.

The local veteran’s organizations, as part of their annual Memorial Day program, recognized 4 local first responders for the service to Monticello and Drew County.

Officer of the Year awards were presented to Billy Barnett of the Monticello Fire Dept.,  Matt Outlaw of the Arkansas State Police, and Danny Chisom of the Monticello Police Dept.  Ben Michel of the Drew County Sheriff’s office was also honored, Ben’s plaque was accepted by Chief Deputy Robin Hood.

The Cornerstone Coalitoin held their Regional Political Forum, Thursday night, with covered many topics of regional topcs.

Candidates taking part in the program included;  Lampkin and Meggs..
State Senate candidates Akin, Bolin, Cheatham, and Reep.
and Congressional candidates: Crawford (by statement), Latanach, Hurst, and Jeffress