Happy New Year!!!
75¢
Hippy celebrates “Grinchmas.” (See page 6.)
Volume 122 Number 52 - USPS 225-680
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Community Calendar of Events Hazen Senior Center opens daily from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Monday January 1 New Year’s Day Most local and County offices are closed. Friday January 5 Hornets vs McCrory Hornets Nest 4:30 p.m. 7B, JG, SB Monday January 8 Biscoe EHC meeting 10:30 Biscoe First Baptist Church Tuesday January 9 Caregiver Support Group Hazen Senior Center 10:00 a.m. Hornets @ Kipp 5:00 p.m. JB, SB Thursday January 11 DeValls Bluff City Council meeting 6:00 p.m. Community events are brought to you by the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the
Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.
Wreaths Across America observed at Carlisle Cemetery ...
Wreaths Across America 2023 was observed at the Carlisle Cemetery on Saturday, Dec 16, at 11:00 AM. The event was held in 4200 locations nationwide this year and the Carlisle Cemetery was one of those locations. Bro. Bill Ricks, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlisle, led the opening prayer. Commander Michael McConaughy and members of the Rollie Crowder American Legion Post 133 assisted location coordinators Judi Tarter Jones and Jan Tarter Pasley in the ceremony. Grand Prairie DAR Vice-Regent Cheryl Vickers led in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Carlisle event, which is held each year to “remember the fallen, to honor those who serve and their families, and to teach the next generation the value of freedom,” has doubled the number of wreaths placed and participants attending since the 2022 ceremony last year. Forty veteran wreaths were placed on graves and eight military branch wreaths were placed around the flagpole to honor those who now serve and have served in the United States armed forces. Approximately 50 people attended and participated in the ceremony. The location coordinators hope that the numbers continue to grow in the coming years.
Carlisle council discusses finances, sewer problems By Debbye Harrison Mayor Ray Glover said, “The city is not broke and I’m tired of hearing it.” His focus for the Council meeting December 19 included city finances and the legality of executive meetings. He further announced that the General Operating Fund had $269,000 in it. The water and sewer has $165,000 and streets $80,000. When asked what was covered in the general fund, he listed a few things like mosquito control and the fire department. Other Council members added salaries, police, and everything but water and sewer and streets. Mayor Glover singled out Councilperson Anne Anderson and asked her if she had been spreading rumors that the city was broke and she said no. She added that she would if it were needed. Later in a discussion about a possible contract
for mosquito control with a new company Vector, Mayor Glover commented that the city always loses money on mosquito control. This led to comments about losing money in other areas such as leaf and limb. He said, “When have we gone in the hole?” Anderson replied, “You just said we lose money on mosquito control, leaf and limb and probably water!” Mayor Glover also announced that he had sought legal advice from the Municipal League about Executive Committee meetings. No Executive Committee meetings can be held without the mayor. Those meetings can only be held for six reasons: legal, personnel, contracts, member matters, litigation and payment. Last month when an Executive Meeting was called and he was asked to leave, it was an illegal meeting and should not have been held. The comment was made that
it was done to preserve feelings. Kevin Swaim addressed the Council about an ongoing sewer problem that the city has handled numerous times on south Greenlaw. However, since the last cleanout the problem has worsened. David Walters addressed the question and explained that the old concrete sewer pipes have apparently been broken and now gravel is leaking along with sewer when the jetter is used to unstop the pipe. This indicates that the only remedy will be total replacement of the sewer line with at least a 6 inch if not larger PVC pipe. Parker Construction will have to be called. Since this is an emergency and this company has done excellent work for the city before, it will not be necessary to take bids. Several citizens attended the meeting to address the problem of the lack of leaf and limb
pick-up. William Rountree suggested if the city does not reinstate the service, then the charge should be taken off the water bill. Eleanor Clyburn reminded the Council of the need for the service because so many elderly people are not able to physically handle the limbs or leaves and having a pretty yard is important to everyone. Randy Phillips withdrew his bid to provide the leaf and limb service due to lack of labor. He did suggest another person who might be contacted. The problem is getting a permit from the government for land that is not in the floodplain to be eligible for dumping. Then the equipment and labor will be needed. Others joined in the discussion. The Council then moved into old business. The city librarian, Mrs. Eaton, has resigned. Mayor Glover spoke highly of her time at her
job and how difficult it will be to find a replacement. The report about Animal Control included glowing reports about Melissa Williams for her work with the stray animals and the job she is doing at the pound. The recent visit from the cosponsors from Boston included more kennels and product and was very successful. Sissy Drye reported that she is meeting with FEMA every Wednesday to continue the settlement process for funds due the city from the recent storm. The scoreboard that was destroyed at the Rockefeller Ballpark during a storm will be shared by the school and the city, with each paying $16,225. Council Members attending the meeting were Todd Turner, Anne Anderson, Larry Flynn, Jon Plafcan and Mary Eddleman. Kevin Kegley was absent.
Des Arc approves rate increases for utilities By Lisa Mills
At the December 19th meeting of the Des Arc City Council, an ordinance was approved to increase the water and sewer rates for city customers and water rates for North Prairie County Water Extension (NPCWE) customers. The ordinance states that the increase is necessary due to the higher cost of production and maintenance. The new water rates will be $14.27 for the first thousand gallons and $6.43 after that. Sewer rates will be $9.37 for the first thousand gallons and $4.11 after that. The new water rate for NPCWE customers will be $17.36 for first thousand gallons and $6.68 after that. Mayor Roger Scott informed the council that the city would not be receiving the state street aid for which the city had applied. The letter from the street aid committee says that
99 out of the 146 applications were approved. It also states that applicants not chosen will remain active for next year and that there is no need to re-apply. Mayor Scott also presented the council with a notice from Cameron Mutual Insurance Company, the city’s employee insurance company, which states that they will no longer provide coverage for the city, effective January 1st. Scott said that the city was fortunate to be able to obtain coverage from the Municipal League, effective January 1st. The council passed a motion to accept the Municipal League coverage. Gail King reported for the grant committee that the GIS grant for digital mapping of the water department was received which saved the city $11,130.00, leaving only $1,000 of the cost for the city to pay. She also reported how thankful the city is
to have received the $3.2 million grant for the water treatment plant, and the grant for the baseball complex. King said that a drainage grant is currently in motion, and plans are to apply for a pipeline safety program grant, a sewer treatment grant, and a flood plain grant in 2024. Judy Burnett suggested
49° 31°
4%
the city also consider applying for another grant for more improvements to the park. An ordinance was approved to amend the 2023 budget, as required by the state. A motion was passed to have the city’s new logo painted on the water tanks. The council discussed making some changes to
45° 32°
6%
48° 30° 12%
the city sales tax percentage distributions and decided to table making any changes until the January meeting. Mayor Roger Scott, Treasurer/Recorder Janice Huffstickler, and Council Members Keith Knupp, Judy Burnett, Nicole Fisher, Jodie Mayher, and Gail King were present.
52°
56°
7%
7%
31°
34°