The Monticello City Council voted unanimously to grant Monticello School’s Superintendent Bobby Harper’s request for $25,000 of additional funding towards the boot camp program, which is a punitive program for students that serves as an alternative for expulsion.

Superintendent Harper told the Council that when the program began it was a joint effort between the County, City, Drew Central School District, and Monticello School District. The County quickly withdrew from helping with funding, and now Drew Central District has had to withdraw as well due to their fiscal distress status. This leaves only Monticello District and the City left to provide money to keep the program going.

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The City Council was presented with a lease agreement for P.F. Mays & Associates, LLC for the proposed private school at Jordan Park during their regular meeting Thursday evening. Mayor Allen Maxwell reported that he had investigated what a reasonable lease would be on the Jordan Park property and, “What we got back was $300-$500 per month. I want the council to consider that because we don’t have to charge that much. I think we need to write what the City is going to charge on a monthly or annual basis… We came up with a number of $500 a year.”

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UAM Graduation Processional, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Processional, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Presentaton of Diplomas, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Presentaton of Diplomas, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Welcome Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Distinguished Alumnus, Reginald Glover from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Provost David Ray Honored from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Recessional, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Recessional, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Processional from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Jr. & Sr. Choir from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Welcome & Addresses from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Presentation of Diplomas from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Re-union Opening by John Ray Johnson, Class of ’62 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Superintendent Earl Willis, by his son, James from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Evelyn McKeown, Teacher from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Coach Edgar Spencer from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, James Willis, Class of ’56 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, Bobby Pace, Class of ’54 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, Jack Murphy, Class of ’42 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Collector Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Candidates at the Prairie 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Candidates at the Prairie 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Sheriff Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Treasurer Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

JP District 9 Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Senate & Representative Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Downtown 1st Friday Jam Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Opening Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Imcumbent Accomplishments 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Imcumbent Accomplishments 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Challengers “What Do You Plan To Do?” from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Tourism & Entertainment from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Burgess Asked About MLive from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Construction Employment & Supplies from Local Sources from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Closing Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 3 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 4 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 5 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 6 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 7 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.
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The “you’re lying – name-calling” city council video from Monday night reached the 1,000 play mark, less than 24 hours of being posted.

It reached the 1,700 play level in less that two days.  The 3rd day produced another 250+ plays. It is expected to break the 2,000 mark mid-morning, Friday

One alderman said that she was “embarrassed that the city has had to go through this.”

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The City Council voted unanimously to allow Mayor Allen Maxwell to begin advertising for bids for the fire station to be built at the W.C. Whaley lot.

The Council also voted to combine CD’s and budgeted items that have not, or will not be used this year, in order to fund the deficit in the Sadie Johnson Building Fund.

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MonticelloLive’s video coverage was mentioned twice during the city council meeting, once by a Parks Commissioner and once by the mayor.

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The Monticello Fire Department held a training exercise for extinguishing LP gas fires at the Drew County Fairgrounds, Saturday.

Southern LP Gas Company donated 400 gallons of gas to be burned in the exercise.

At least 5 area fire departments took part in the training session, which practiced extinguishing propane fires on tanks and piping fixtures.

With the Drew County Sheriff’s election 5 weeks away, both Sheriff Mark Gober and candidate Ronnie Adcock spoke to the Barkada Community citizens group about their campaigns.

Topics covered included background, expectations, and how much time deputies spend working inside the Monticello city limits.

Charlie Searcy and Michael Booker, both candidates for the job of Drew County Treasurer, took part in the Barkada Community forum, to discuss the upcoming election.

Both men complimented the other, during their presentations. However they disagree on their plans, if elected. Searcy said he plans to keep the Treasurer’s Office open, but use his current accounting office as a “remote office” to serve the county, adding that his accounting staff would also be an asset to the county, since he doesn’t plan to give up his existing business.

Booker plans to operate and work full-time out of the current office inside of the courthouse.

Due to recent legislation, the sheriff’s office and collector’s office have been separated.

There are 3 candidates for the newly created position;  Josh Frost, Tonya Lovelesss, and Cheri Norris.  All 3 have courthouse experience, with Loveless currently serving as the executive collector, until the new position takes effect in January.

The Monticello Parks and Recreatin Committee spent almost 20 minutes of their Thursday meeting going over the history of the commission / committee, and it’s ongoing issues with the Monticello Babe Ruth league.

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A heated argument broke out Monday night between members of the city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission, on the topic of the 3% hotel tax being used exclusively for the Convention Center project, or whether some Adverting and Promotion funds should be used to “advertise and promote” our local events and activities.

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City Attorney Whit Barton told the Council that he had received correspondence from a Little Rock attorney representing the Babe Ruth League on March 2, 2012, in regards to issues surrounding a contract with the City.

The issue then came up that the title of Commission for Parks and Recreation was not within the statute for how a Commission should be established, and Attorney Barton instructed the Council on ways to amend the issue, such as forming a Parks and Recreation Committee instead.

Barton stated that being a committee means the positions held are elected and told the Council, “Nobody’s making you do anything.”” But, the ordinance is not in compliance with the statute.”

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