APRIL 2007 VOL. 63, NO. 4 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

APRIL 2007 VOL. 63, NO. 4 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

APRIL 2007 VOL. 63, NO. 4 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE FEATURES

City & Town Editor John Woodruff passes away 06 We say goodbye to our friend and a friend to Arkansas’s cities and towns, John Woodruff, who died in late March after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Read inside what a few of his many friends and admirers have to say about John. Arkansas historic properties make the cut 10 The National Register of Historic Places in the last year or so named nine municipal properties from across Arkansas to its National Register of Historic Places, including a cemetery, a city hall, three water towers and several historic downtowns. Little Rock, North Little Rock ‘distinctive’ 12 The National Trust has named the sister cities on its list of “America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.” From historic buildings to museums to ON THE COVER—It won’t surprise those who knew bridges, the metro area has a lot to offer heritage tourists. City & Town Editor John Woodruff, who passed away March 27 after a long battle with cancer, that even League’s program ‘largely successful’ at legislative session though he couldn’t compete in this year’s Little Rock 22 The 86th Arkansas General Assembly wrapped up their regular session Marathon, he volunteered—despite failing health—to April 3. League-led issues were well received during the session, resulting in call split times and support his fellow runners. That several new laws and amendments of which city leaders should be aware. kind of dedication and passion defined John. We con - tinue to mourn John’s passing, but the hope and inspi - Address municipal needs, the NLC urges Congress ration he gave us outweighs the sadness. We dedi - 34 Increased CDBG funding, immigration reform, housing reform and cate this issue of City & Town to the memory of our putting a stop to predatory lending were among the issues addressed at friend. And so, to use John’s favorite salutation, “Greetings!” In this issue you’ll find our tribute to John, March’s NLC Congressional City Conference. along with coverage of the 86th General Session of the Arkansas Legislature, profiles of recent Arkansas additions to the National Register of Historic Places and much more. Enjoy!—atm DEPARTMENTS Arkansas’s delegates to the NLC Congres - sional City Conference encouraged Con - AML Convention registration ...... 16-17 gress to address the issues facing our cities Animal Corner ...... 26 and towns. Arkansas Municipal Officials Directory changes . . . . 41 Calendar ...... 29 Engineering Perspective ...... 30 Fairs & Festivals ...... 31 Health Fund Provider changes ...... 38 League Officers, Advisory Councils ...... 5 Municipal Mart ...... 46 Municipal Notes ...... 14 Obituaries ...... 25 EDITOR Planning to Succeed ...... 24 John K. Woodruff Professional Directory ...... 44-45 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Sales Tax Map ...... 42 Andrew Morgan Sales Tax Receipts ...... 43 Debby Wilkins Sister Cities International ...... 28 HERE ’S WHERE TO REACH US : Urban Forestry ...... 32 Your Health ...... 36 501-374-3484 • FAX 501-374-0541 [email protected] • www.arml.org Cover Photo by Tom Singleton

City &Town (ISSN 0193-8371 and Publication No. 031-620) is published monthly for $15 per year ($1.50 per single copy) by the Arkansas Municipal League, 301 W. Second St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. Periodicals postage paid at North Little Rock, Ark. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to City &Town , P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR 72115.

APRIL 2007 3 It’s Convention time! Has it been a year already? The 73rd Convention, June 13-15, is just around the corner, and with so much new legislation affecting cities and towns passed by the 86th Arkansas General Assembly, this Convention is not one to miss. See page 16 in this issue of City & Town to register, or visit the League Web site at www.arml.org.

73rd Convention EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE : Mayor Bobbie Bailey, Alpena ; Mayor Crotty, Norphlet ; Mayor Becky Dunn, Palestine ; Mayor Levenis Penix, Tim McKinney, Berryville ; Mayor Larry Mitchell, Bryant ; Mayor Chris Thornton ; Councilmember Becky Alston, Tontitown ; Mayor Arthur Claybaker, Camden ; City Director Gary Campbell, Fort Smith ; Mayor Booth, Weiner ; Mayor Russell Hatridge, Wilton ; Mayor Lorraine Smith, James Valley, Helena-West Helena ; Alderman Kenny Elliott, Jack - Councilmember Allan Loring, Wrightsville . sonville ; Councilmember Joe Gies, Lakeview ; Mayor JoAnne Bush, Lake Village ; Mayor Mark Stodola, Little Rock ; Mayor Robert Taylor, INCORPORATED TOWNS : Mayor Stanley Morris, Menifee , Chair; Marianna ; Mayor Frank Fogleman, Marion ; Clerk/Treasurer Regina Mayor Leroy Wright Sr., Anthonyville ; Councilmember George Hallman, Walker, Mena ; Mayor Betty Feller, Mulberry ; Clerk/Treasurer Linda Ben Lomond ; Mayor Larry Myrick, Delaplaine ; Councilmember John Treadway, Newport ; City Clerk Diane Whitbey, North Little Rock ; Pfenengar, Fountain Lake ; Mayor Jimmie Lou Nuessner, Lead Hill ; Mayor Jackie Crabtree, Pea Ridge ; Mayor Howard Taylor, Prescott ; Mayor Don Sikes, Maynard ; Councilmember Margarette Oliver, Mayor Belinda LaForce, Searcy ; Recorder/Treasurer Carolyn Willett, Menifee ; Mayor Anneliese Armstrong, Mount Vernon ; Recorder/Trea - Smackover ; Mayor Jerre Van Hoose, Springdale ; Mayor Horace surer Naomi Mitchell, St. Charles ; Councilmember Robert Smith, South Shipp, Texarkana ; Councilmember Dorothy Henderson, Warren ; Lead Hill ; Councilmember Paul Lemke, Springtown ; Mayor Abron Pitts, Mayor Paul Nichols, Wynne . Widener ; Mayor Merle Jackson, Winchester .

ADVISORY COUNCILS PAST PRESIDENTS : Councilmember Larry Combs, El Dorado ; Mayor Tommy Swaim, Jacksonville ; Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, North Little Rock ; Mayor Robert Patrick, St. Charles ; Arkansas Municipal Mayor Gene Yarbrough, Star City .

LARGE FIRST CLASS CITIES : City Manager Kent Myers, Hot Springs , Chair; Mayor Chuck Hollingshead, City Director League Officers James Calhoun, Arkadelphia ; Councilmember Doug Stracener, Benton ; Mayor Eddie Joe Williams, Cabot ; Councilmember Phillip Gordon, Camden ; Councilmember Dianne Hammond, El Mayor Tab Townsell, Conway President Dorado ; Councilmembers Mary Jeffers, Cecil Twillie, Forrest Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould First Vice President City ; Councilmember Mark Steven Fowler, Harrison ; City Mayor L.M. Duncan, Bono Vice President, District No. 1 Director Elaine Jones, Hot Springs ; Councilmembers Bill Howard, Linda Rinker, Jacksonville ; City Clerk Donna Jackson, Mayor Rick Holland, Benton Vice President, District No. 2 Jonesboro ; Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Odies Wilson Mayor Dan Coody, Fayetteville Vice President, District No. 3 III, Little Rock ; Councilmember James Moore, Magnolia ; Mayor Carl Redus, Pine Bluff Vice President, District No. 4 Mayor Joe Rogers, Monticello ; Mayor David Osmon, Moun - Don A. Zimmerman Executive Director tain Home ; Treasurer Mary Ruth Morgan, North Little Rock ; Councilmember Bill Eaton, Russellville ; Clerk/Treasurer Tammy Gowen, Councilmember Dale English, Searcy ; Clerk/Treasurer Virginia PUBLIC SAFETY : Mayor Scott McCormick, Crossett , Chair; Mayor Hillman, Councilmembers Lex (Butch) Davis, Marina Brooks, Sherwood ; Shirley Johnson, Alexander ; City Manager Jimmy Bolt, Arkadelphia ; Mayor M.L. Van Poucke Jr., Siloam Springs ; Clerk/Treasurer Mitri Councilmember Larry Hall, Bay ; Mayor Frank Anderson, Bella Vista ; Greenhill, Finance Officer Jane Jackson, Stuttgart ; City Clerk Patti Scott Fire Chief Ben Blankenship, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Benton ; Mayor Fred Grey, Texarkana ; Councilmember Lorraine Robinson, West Memphis . Jack, Bethel Heights ; Finance Director Marilyn Payne, Bryant ; Clerk/Treasurer Marva Verkler, Cabot ; Councilmember Willard Thoma - FIRST CLASS CITIES : Mayor Steve Northcutt, Malvern , Chair; son, Caddo Valley ; Fire Chief Mike Taylor, Cherokee Village ; Police Councilmember Shirley Jackson, Ashdown ; Clerk/Treasurer Jean Lee, Chief Montie Sims, Dardanelle ; City Director Steve Smith, Hot Springs ; Councilmember Ralph Lee, Bono ; Industrial Development Coordinator Councilmember Marshall Smith, Police Chief Robert Baker, Jacksonville ; Fairy Armstrong, Brinkley ; Mayor Billy Helms, Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Police Chief Vernon Sisemore, Johnson ; City Clerk Lynette Graham, Lake Blackard, Councilmember J.G. (Dutch) Houston, Clarksville ; Mayor Village ; Fire Chief Keith Frazier, Malvern ; Fire Chief John Puckett, Dewayne Phelan, Councilmembers Blake Johnson, Steve Weston, Corn - Mena ; Fire Chief Chris Hostetter, Mineral Springs ; Police Chief Larry ing ; Clerk/Treasurer Donna Jones, DeQueen ; Councilmember Gwen - Yates, Nashville ; Councilmember Charlie Hight, North Little Rock ; dolyn Stephenson, Dermott ; Mayor Aubrey McGhee, Dewitt ; Coun - Mayor Gary Crocker, Pocahontas ; Mayor Jerry Duvall, Police Chief cilmember T.C. Pickett, Dumas ; Councilmember Jimmie Barham, Earle ; Blake Herron, Pottsville ; Councilmember Robert Wiley, Russellville ; Councilmember Danny Mays, Hamburg ; Councilmember Patsy Councilmember Sheila Sulcer, Sherwood ; Councilmember David McCoy, McNeese, Heber Springs ; City Clerk Billie Uzzell, Lonoke ; Coun - Star City ; Mayor Marianne Maynard, Stuttgart ; Mayor Marion Bear - cilmember James Turner, Mena ; Councilmembers Jackie Harwell, Vivian den, Tyronza ; Mayor Bryan Martin, Warren . Wright, Nashville ; Mayor Charles Patterson, Parkin ; Mayor Gerald Morris, Piggott ; Mayor Sonny Hudson, Prairie Grove ; Mayor Randy MUNICIPAL HEALTH BENEFIT FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Mayor Butler, Waldron ; Mayor Art Brooke, Councilmember Glen Walden, Barrett Harrison, Blytheville , District 1; Finance Director Bob Sisson, Ward ; Treasurer Bertia Mae Lassiter, Councilmember Joel Tolefree, War - North Little Rock , District 2; Clerk/Treasurer Barbie Curtis, ren ; Clerk/Treasurer Paula Caudle, West Fork ; Mayor Jitters Morgan, Van Buren , District 3; Mayor Chuck Hollingshead, Arkadelphia , Dis - White Hall ; Councilmember Juanita Pruitt, Wynne . trict 4; Personnel Director Ken Ferguson, Pine Bluff , At-Large Member.

SECOND CLASS CITIES : Mayor Bill Duncan, Fairfield Bay , Chair; WORKERS’ COMPENSATION TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Councilmember Johnnie Faye McKeon, Alexander ; Mayor Veronica Post, Mayor William Johnson, West Memphis , District 1; Councilmember Councilmember Mary Lynn Darter, Altus ; Recorder/Treasurer Charlotte Murry Witcher, North Little Rock , District 2; City Attorney Howard Cain, Goodwin, Ash Flat ; Recorder/Treasurer Sarah Roberts , Caddo Valley ; Huntsville , District 3; Group Manager Mayor Lane Jean, Magnolia , Dis - Mayor Danny Armstrong, Councilmembers Richard Harris, Linda Harrison, trict 4; City Clerk Donna Jackson, Jonesboro , At-Large Member. Cedarville ; Mayor Ronnie Garner, Coal Hill ; Mayor Ronnie Conley, Cotton Plant ; Recorder/Treasurer Sandy Beaver, Diamond City ; CASH/PENSION MANAGEMENT TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Mayor Jack Ladyman, Elkins ; Recorder/Treasurer Mike Cranford, Fore - Finance Director Bob Sisson, North Little Rock , Chair; Police Capt. man ; Recorder/Treasurer Marla Wallace, Gillett ; Mayor Danny Smith, Glenn Greenwell, Texarkana , Vice Chair; Finance Director John Gassville ; Recorder/Treasurer Rose Marie Wilkinson, Haskell ; Mayor Walden, Benton ; Finance Director Bob Biles, Police Sgt. (Ret.) Lee Harrod, Doris Sellmeyer, Knobel ; Mayor Lloyd Travis, Lakeview ; Councilmem - Little Rock ; Mayor Gordon Hennington, Hamburg ; Recorder/Treasurer ber Susan Sparks Sturdy, Lamar ; Mayor Bobby Hardrick, Madison ; Mary Ruth Wiles, Highland ; Mayor Larance Davis, Shannon Hills ; Mayor Winston Foster Jr., Marvell ; Recorder/Treasurer Bobby Brown, Clerk/Treasurer Virginia Hillman, Sherwood . McDougal ; Councilmember Don Sappington, Norfork ; Mayor Jim

APRIL 2007 5 John K. Woodruff III 1941-2007 Arkansas Municipal League Communications Coordinator John’s informative and down-to-earth writing and lovely and City & Town Editor John Woodruff died Tuesday, photography in the magazine, which, for many years, he ran March 27, in Little Rock after a long battle with cancer. without assistance. He was 65. His wife Diane, two daughters and a son John also was an avid runner, logging over 41,000 miles survive him. on the road and completing 48 marathons, including six Prior to joining the League staff, John worked for the while undergoing chemotherapy. He ran the grueling Pike’s Arkansas Gazette and continued there until the paper’s Peak Marathon 11 times. closure in 1991. He started in 1969 and covered North “He was the toughest person I ever knew,” League Execu - Little Rock for 21 of his 22 years at the Gazette . tive Director Don Zimmerman said of John, who until the “He knew how many feet of pipe were bought every end still parked, as was his routine, at the farthest corner of week for road work,” said Max Brantley of the Arkansas the League’s parking lot in order to maximize his exercise. Times , who worked with John at the Gazette . “He came early, Under his care, City & Town went from being a glorified he stayed late, and nobody did a more thorough job. He got newsletter to one of best looking and well written municipal every last detail!” magazines in the country. He was a true professional, a kind John began at the League in 1992 editing City & Town , and humble teacher, and was a student of life whose faith was the League’s official magazine. His dedication to journalism always evident. He was irreplaceable. And so, with sadness 6 and his passion for Arkansas’s cities and towns shined in and hope, we dedicate this issue of City & Town toCJIoTYhn&. TOWN When I hired John Woodruff to work for the League, Methodists. We did not share a love of running; I was then a effective Jan. 1, 1992, I knew it was a good decision. It was bicycle rider. in the years that ensued that I realized what he brought to The only time that John and I ever disagreed was his the job went over and above his skills as a journalist. Yes, he love of film and mine for the emerging digital photography. took City & Town to a whole new level as the League’s official I even let him use my digital camera a couple of times, but monthly publication. But what I hadn’t realized was his spirit he still wanted to go back to film. I think the running back and the potential he had to deal with the challenges and and forth to the lab to get his film processed with the dead - obstacles that would confront him. line for City & Town over his head finally broke him from the The medical problems he faced—ones most people old world. I kept telling John that when Don Zimmerman would have succumbed to years earlier—caused me after time sees how much money he can save, he would love to buy you to tell him that he was my candidate for the Tough Man a new camera. Contest. Tough, strong, inspirational, determined, kind, In all of the times that I talked to John before his chemo humble and loved are just a few of the terms used to describe and after, I never heard a bitter word about any person or his him since his death. It was a rainy, dark day at his funeral fate in life. John took his zest for life seriously, and he gave it on March 31. Not too long ago, John would have been out 100 percent. I never heard him run anyone down. Now, that for a long run on such a day. It would have been a beautiful is not to say that he didn’t hold some political people’s feet to day to him, one of which to make the very most. What an the fire! He was always positive. It might have been that I inspiration was the toughest man I’ve known. went to see John to pick myself up. When you meet people —Don Zimmerman, League executive director that surround themselves with that positive feeling you want to take a little of that back yourself. Many do not realize that John had been very ill for several The Wednesday before John passed away, I was in Little years, but you never heard him complain about his situation Rock for a little lobbying at the Capitol, and even though I or the cards he had been dealt. All I can say about John was retired from politics and the League, I couldn’t help is the world is a better place because of his endeavors and going by to see John. I had tried for three or four weeks perseverance in his daily life. before and he had been out of town, but that Wednesday he —Jimmy Wallace, League staff and former England mayor was in. He shared with me that his treatments in Texas hadn’t The Municipal League has been a cornerstone in supporting worked, but he was not going to give up hope. He paused a the Delta Grassroots Caucus, and much of the credit for that minute and said—kind of to himself—that he was going should go to John Woodruff. John’s thorough and perceptive to have to get with Don so that there would be a smooth reports on all of the Delta Caucus meetings were invaluable transition if his treatments didn’t work. I don’t think I have in helping our organization communicate its message. I met or had occasion to work with a bigger man or one that I frequently spoke at meetings across the Delta where I would couldn’t have more wanted to be like. I don’t think I can ever always bring copies of John’s articles, which were so effective in communicating the economic problems as well as the great potential for our region. The Grassroots Caucus, Arkansas and the entire Delta region has lost a great writer and a great friend. —Lee Powell, Mississippi Grassroots Caucus John was always kind, gentle and a true gentleman. John was a friend to everyone. We will miss his smile and kind, soft voice. John was an asset to his profession. —Charlotte Goodwin, Ash Flat recorder/treasurer John was the best there is in a human being, and I know that everyone he came into contact with at our meetings and conferences just thought the world of him. —Scott Morris, National League of Cities When I went to my first League meeting, like most new people I felt pretty much lost with so many new faces. When I saw this guy taking pictures, I knew I had found someone I could strike up a conversation with over photography. After I started getting more involved in the League, I was going to meetings of one kind or another at the League Seen here a few Christmases past, John hams it up in the role of Santa during a skit. He always managed to draw laughs from his building between the summer and winter meetings. If I was co-workers during the annual League Christmas luncheons. going to stop by, then I might as well go by and say hi to Opposite page: John in 2005 was inducted into the Arkansas that photographer that I met at the big meetings. John and RRCA Road Running Hall of Fame, Arkansas’s most prestigious I shared a love of photography, reporting, and we were both running honor. go by the League building and not think of John. He was a humor and his genuine concern for people. John got along man dedicated to his faith, his family, his life and living life with everyone. People with character and integrity like John to the fullest. are rare. He was an inspiration to us all. —Stewart Nelson, former Morrilton mayor —Ken Wasson, League staff and League president Once he told me a story about spending some time with his He always helped me with anything I needed while [former son in New York (I believe) and how he had befriended Bentonville] Mayor Terry Coberly was president of the several of the “locals.” One lady who was blind was walking Arkansas Municipal League. He was a very nice man. to church and he helped her and, of course, a friendship was —Suzanne Grider, Bentonville clerk formed between them. He said by the time his visit was over, his son said he knew more people in New York than he did! My husband and I are regular blood donors. John had at least Now isn’t that just like John? If I were to list my blessings, two blood transfusions last summer, but it was not at a time the opportunity of knowing John would have to be on that that we had donated, so we were not able to help him list. John left the world a much better place. I know I’m a directly. However, John was so grateful that we consistently better person for having known him. gave to the Red Cross to anyone who needed it that he —Jamie Adams, League staff treated us out to dinner to show his appreciation. We had a delightful meal at Trio’s and shared a lot of stories and laughs. John had a great respect for words. When he spoke, he chose I wrote this poem years ago. It is not specifically about his words carefully and spoke them in true sincerity. John John, but I believe it embodies some of his personality. had a great respect for people. I never heard him speak an unkind word about anyone. I never heard him grumble or Dying free complain. John had a great sense of humor. During our When I die, League Christmas parties, John would act out his characters I want to be the wind sneering at the ragged ground with gusto, making us laugh at his antics. He was always that can’t move. cheerful and kind. John had a great respect for his work. The I’ll hop-scotch over stiff-necked ridges, League’s City & Town magazine is a reflection of the many and thumb my nose at rocks caught in the cracks. hours he spent to make sure each issue was one to be proud I’ll kiss the ground, leaving lip prints on its dirty coat, of. John had great strength of character and was a man of then soar away with a cold face. great faith. John had a great love for running. He was our “marathon man” in more ways than one. In more ways than So, never look in the dirt for my name. one, John Woodruff was a great man. I’ll not resign a single particle of me to the mud. —Pat Planek, League staff Instead, watch the next breeze taunting a cliff John needed no “pat on the back” because he knew that he with traces of satire sharp as flint. was good at what he did. This man had been involved in the If it sweeps by without a thorn of regret, reporting and editing business all his life and enjoyed every then, I am there. minute. ... John Woodruff literally worked for the good of —Cathy Moran, League staff the municipalities of Arkansas until the day he died. The Friday before he passed away ... John emailed me ideas about John was a great friend and truly an example for living life a subject that needed coverage. at its best. —Al Johnson, League engineering consultant —Jerry Montgomery, former Mena mayor A person wouldn’t know it to look at me now but in the Back in the ’80s, he hiked the Five Mile Creek in North 1970s, John Woodruff and I used to run together quite a bit. Little Rock along with members of the Sierra Club. He Our jogging partnership reached its peak on March 1, 1980, wrote an article with photos in the Gazette about the need when we ran the Arkansas Marathon together—at least the for preserving this urban treasure as open space. He first 20 miles or so, whereupon I slowed to a waddle and commented in an e-mail in 2005, “That Five Mile Creek trek watched him trudge away to complete the race a good 30 was a lot of fun! I still look for Indian Paint Brushes at the minutes before me. It was 15 degrees outside that day with sides of roads. That’s one of those things (a trail in a metro the wind popping the edges of the flags along the route. I area) that can really enhance cities.” still shiver when I recall the ice in John’s beard as he cheered —Bill Fortson, Little Rock me across the finish line. Gosh, those were good times. Youth It was my pleasure to know and work with John over the and insanity beats money and power any day of the week. I years he worked for the Arkansas Municipal League. I never think John would agree. saw John when he was not positive. I will miss him. I bring this up because our running created the only —Paul Nichols, Wynne mayor disagreement John and I ever had. You see, I was an “I.D. I will always remember John for his meticulous work habits, Man.” When we would leave our downtown Little Rock his sincere love for the municipal officials of Arkansas, his neighborhood and start out for some destination 10 miles dedication to the Municipal League, his unique sense of away, I insisted on wearing identification in case of an accident. You know ... so they would know who I was. Well, John was an “anonymist.” He refused to wear any identification because he didn’t want someone to know that his family was home alone in case something happened. One can only imagine the miles we spent on the topic. “But John,” I would argue, “You might lay up on a hospital bed for days without anyone there knowing who you were.” He would look at me with that funny little way he had of cocking his head to one side when he talked. “Surely some - one would miss me eventually.” I guess if he were here today, I would still argue with him concerning the merits of carrying identification. But I would never doubt for a moment that John would indeed be missed—and so very badly. —Jim vonTungeln, League planning consultant I first met John in the late 1970s, when I was one of the reporters assigned to cover North Little Rock for the Arkansas Democrat . It was my first “hard news” job. ... He always treated me like an equal, even though he obviously knew a lot more about the news busi - ness than I did. John was serious about his work and about the competition between the two newspapers, but he never treated me, or any other reporter I know of, with any - thing less than respect and courtesy. —Emily Sneddon, Maumelle John was such a supporter of all the Arkansas city clerks and all of us “little” towns. He made our town “Woodruff learned at a very early age to rely on his faith to see feel special with his in-depth coverage of our new city park in him down the rough roads,” Julie Mayberry wrote of John. His 1994 and with the photos and stories of our centennial last inspirational story made the cover of the March 2006 issue of The Spirit , a spiritually uplifting magazine published in Little year and our Volunteer City of the Year in 2003. I was Rock. amazed that John never forgot my name when he saw me at any event. —Marla Wallace, Gillett recorder/treasurer Historic city properties win National Register listings Nine municipal properties in Arkansas are among 62 properties named in the last year to the National Register of Historic Places.

By Andrew Morgan, League staff

ine municipal properties from north to south training field, a military records storage facility and was Arkansas have been added to the National home to several squadrons of bombers, including the B- Register of Historic Places , most of them in 57 and B-52. At its height, Eaker was home to more than N2006. 3,000 military personnel. Blytheville has managed to not The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program in its let the facility go to waste since the base closed in 1992. annual report lists the properties especially significant to Touting the 11,600-foot runway, the city has attracted municipalities, including a city-owned cemetery, a city new shipping and hall, three water towers and historic downtowns. transportation busi - Here are the new additions to the Register . ness to the facility, now known as the Arkansas Hardy Cemetery Historic Section Aeroplex. The first marked burial in the Hardy Cemetery Blytheville’s for - took place in 1888, but since it is unknown when the first tunes and population unmarked burial took place, the cemetery may be even declined after its peak older. At the eastern end of Main Street, the Hardy in the 1950s. The city Cemetery Historic Section is the final resting place of has made efforts to many of the city’s founders, landowners, business people restore and rejuvenate and their families. its downtown, which Eudora City Hall includes that delightful By the early 1930s, Eudora had grown enough to draw of book lovers need a proper city hall. City leaders turned to the federal and the curious, That Public Works Administration (PWA) for help and Bookstore in secured loan and grant money totaling about $16,000 Blytheville. P to complete the building. P Mary Gay Ship - H A

Y ley opened the book - S

Little Rock architect A.N. McAninch designed the E T R

U shop at 316 West Main

building, and construction began on June 30, 1936. O C O

T in 1976. Its reputation,

Eudora’s city hall remains the best example of Art O H Deco architecture in the city and is a living reminder of P as the store boasts, has Responding to the need for a public Arkansas’s PWA and New Deal-era history. made it “a unique water supply, Bearden in 1935 Mid-America land - secured loan and grant money total - Blytheville commercial historic district ing $47,394 through the PWA. The mark.” Folks drive out During Blytheville’s peak in the 1950s, the city’s water tower, seen here, and water - of their way just to population topped 50,000. Downtown on Saturdays was works were completed in 1936 and meet authors, have bustling with people and business, according to recollec - are still in use today. them sign their books tions. Main Street boasted several department stores, and browse the more than 25,000 titles in stock while sip - including a Kress, J.C. Penney and a Graber’s, along with ping a cup of the store’s own blend of coffee, Special Edi - all kinds of other businesses, such as an ice cream shop, tion. Here is what the store has to say about itself: “You bakeries, pool halls, banks, clothing, hardware, grocery can relax in a rocking chair next to a wood stove, engage stores and more. in conversation about the book you’ve just read or enjoy For nearly 50 years, the Blytheville Air Force a spontaneous reading of the new favorite children’s book Base—renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988—helped of the day.” define the city and boosted its economy. The nearly With the bookstore being an exception, most new 4,000-acre base over the years served as a WWII-era pilot development has been next to nearby Interstate 55.

10 CITY & TOWN Blytheville’s heritage is, however, still alive downtown. Warren’s brick streets Clinton commercial historic district Warren’s streets, like those in numerous Arkansas At the turn of the 20th century, Clinton was still a towns, remained unpaved until the 1920s. But as auto - fairly undeveloped community with just a handful of mobile traffic increased, the dirt and gravel roads became businesses and structures. The construction of the Mis - increasingly impractical, especially during wet weather. souri and North Arkansas Railroad, however, brought Warren in about 1927 began paving its high-traffic change. The timber industry moved in to the community downtown streets with brick and by 1931 had laid about whose residents were previously mostly self-sustaining seven miles of brick and concrete streets throughout the subsistence farmers. city. As Clinton grew, its courthouse square remained Today, less than one mile of the original brick essentially the same. That changed, however, when in streets remains on portions of Cedar, Myrtle, Chestnut, 1926 a fire destroyed several businesses. New “fireproof” First, Walnut, Elm and Cypress streets. The brick streets stone and brick buildings went up, and the face of down - town changed. While Clinton’s population has declined over the years and businesses have moved away from downtown, the city’s historic commercial district has survived and maintains the charm of an earlier time, reflected in Clinton’s annual National Chuckwagon Races. Marianna commercial historic district In the 1870s, Marianna’s access to the made it a hub for trading and shipping cotton and F F A T timber. Its downtown, which was very near the boat land - S E U G A

ing, quickly became the business and social heart of the E L , F F

city. U R D O

Marianna and its downtown continued to grow in O W .

the early years of the 20th century, despite fires and other K N H O

hardships, and during the 1930s and ‘40s downtown J Y B O

prospered. For a time, every building was occupied and T O H businesses would stay open until midnight on Saturdays P to accommodate shoppers. Seen here in front of the Warren Municipal Building on a recent Like many places, Marianna saw its downtown evening, Warren’s surviving brick streets, completed in 1927, remain in good condition even after years of use. It is likely the city purchased decline after the ’50s, but the city has made efforts to pre - the bricks from an Arkansas brick manufacturer operating at that time, serve its historic downtown and most of its buildings are such as the Acme Brick plants at Malvern and Perla. still in use. Housing for the elderly has been built on the square where fires had left vacant lots. Its brick streets are a rare surviving example of a once-common paving around the square are a carefully preserved reminder of technique and, though costly to maintain, continue to Marianna’s past. provide excellent service to residents. Warren’s brick streets were listed on the National Register in January Bearden, Hughes and Mountain View 2007. They are the foundation for the popular annual water towers Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival. By the early 20th century, Bearden in Ouachita The National Register in Arkansas is administered County, Hughes in St. Francis County and Mountain by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an View in Stone County were all growing communities agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. In in need of reliable public water supplies. Each city in the addition to representing a community’s devotion to the 1930s took advantage of loan and grant assistance pro - preservation of its historic resources, properties listed on grams available through the PWA, a program of Presi - the Register become eligible for federal tax benefits and dent Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal program. In qualify for federal assistance for historic preservation. each of these cities, the waterworks and those towering tanks on spindley legs continue today to serve residents Information for this article was provided by the and remain testaments to the PWA’s efforts to improve Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, cities’ infrastructures during the Great Depression. www.arkansaspreservation.org.

APRIL 2007 11 Historic group says Little Rock, North Little Rock ‘distinctive’ National Trust names two cities as a distinctive destination.

By Andrew Morgan, League staff

he National Trust for Historic Preservation the U.S. Capitol; the Historic Arkansas Museum; and the in March named Little Rock and North Little William J. Clinton Presidential Center, which opened in Rock one of “America’s Dozen Dis - F F

tinctive Destinations,” the organiza - A T S E

T U tion’s annual list promoting heritage tourism. G A E L

To make the announcement, the two , N A G cities’ mayors chose the middle of the Main R O M

Street Bridge, which connects the cities. Traffic W E R D

was halted for the occasion, but the Central N A Y B

Arkansas Transit trolley car shared the bridge. S O T O

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, North H P Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays, National Trust Southwest Office Director Daniel Carey and other community leaders announced the honor March 7. Carey called the last decade or so of rejuvenation on each side of the a “remarkable transformation.” To many, Little Rock will forever be linked with the Civil Rights struggles of the mid-20th century, especially Governor Orval Faubus’ deployment in 1957 of the National Guard to block nine black students from entering Little Rock Central High School. While no trip to Little Rock would be com - plete without visiting the Central High Visitor Center, the National Trust says, Little Rock offers a wide range of attractions. The National Trust praises Little Rock’s rich history reflected in its antebellum and Victorian structures, which stand near modern skyscrapers. The private, nonprofit preserva - tion organization cites many of the city’s his - toric and unique cultural offerings, including Located across the street from the school (visible in the background), this Mobil the Old State House, a 19th century Greek service station, restored to its 1957 appearance, houses the Little Rock Central revival building, now a museum; the distinc - High School National Historic Site Visitor Center. 2007 marks the 50th anniver - tive Capitol, which is a downscaled replica of sary of the desegregation events at Central High. 12 CITY & TOWN rine the U.S.S. Razorback ; The Old Mill, which appears in the opening moments of the classic film Gone With the Wind ; and the recently com - pleted Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, known locally as the Big Dam Bridge, which links the two cities and is the world’s longest pedestrian bridge built for that purpose. The North Little Rock river - front is also a significant site along the Trail of Tears, the forced exodus in 1838 of thousands of Native Americans. “Little Rock offers so many exciting attrac - tions for the eager visi - tor,” Richard Moe, presi - dent of the Trust says in a media release. “From a world-renowned presi - dential library to a site that changed the course of history, there is some - thing for every age and interest to experience. This outstanding city has a rich past that is cele - brated by residents and visitors alike.” Little Rock is the second Arkansas city to make the list. The National Trust named Eureka Springs a Distinc - tive Designation in 2002. Other cities on the 2007 list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Desti - nations include Char - lottesville, Va.; Chatham, Built in the early 1930s in what is now North Little Rock’s Lakewood area, The Old Mill was never a working Mass.; Chestertown, Md.; grist mill. Rather it was built as a tribute to Arkansas pioneers and mills of an earlier time. About 200 couples a year choose the photogenic mill as the site for their weddings. Durango, Colo.; Ellens - burg, Wash.; Hillsbor - 2004 and has become a popular tourist destination and ough, N.C.; Mineral Point, Wis.; Providence, R.I.; West an anchor of Little Rock’s River Market district. Hollywood, Calif.; and Woodstock, Ill. The National Trust also names sites on the North Little Rock side of the river, including WWII-era subma -

APRIL 2007 13 Municipal Clerks Week is April 29-May 5 Increase public awareness of municipal clerks and the valu - able services they perform for our cities and towns by saying thank you to your clerk during the internationally celebrated Municipal Notes 38th Municipal Clerks Week, April 29-May 5. The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) since 1969 has sponsored the week. The IIMC has 10,000 members in the , Canada and 15 other coun - West Memphis tries. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, in 1984 clerk honored and 1994 respectively, signed proclamations officially declaring Municipal Clerks Week the first full week of May, The International Institute of recognizing the role municipal clerks play in local govern - Municipal Clerks (IIMC) has ment. During this week, municipal clerks throughout the accepted West Memphis world will host open houses and tours of the municipal clerks’ Senior Deputy City Clerk office, visit local schools and participate in other events. Cindy Greenwood, CMC, Clerks prepare agendas, take minutes, maintain ordi - into the Second Level Mem - nance and resolutions files, keep historical records, process bership of the IIMC Master permits and serve as the clearinghouse for information about Municipal Clerk Academy. the local government. Many clerks serve as financial officers Greenwood has or treasurers and, in small municipalities, may act as chief worked in city government Greenwood administrative officers. for 30 years, starting as a secretary in the West Memphis Public Works Department. She has been a city clerk for 25 years and has been a Gentry Chamber honors senior deputy city clerk since 1991. longtime public servant The Gentry Chamber of Commerce in January at the Gentry ‘Fair Housing Month’ Main Street Chamber banquet honored the memory of J.D. Smith with a lifetime achievement award, the Decatur Herald in Little Rock honors reported. Smith served on the city council on three separate occa - Title VII sions, beginning in 1955 until his death in 2005. He served Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola at the April 3 as Gentry’s mayor from 1987 to 1990. He also served on meeting of the city’s board of directors pro - numerous committees, including the League’s Second Class claimed April 2007 “Fair Housing Month” in Lit - Cities Advisory Council and was the mayor’s designee on tle Rock, the city announced in a media release. the League Resolutions Committee. This month marks the 39th anniversary of the U.S. legislature’s enactment of Title VII of the North Little Rock Civil Rights Act of 1968, generally referred to as scores soccer tourney the Federal Fair Housing Act. Title VII, which was The U.S. Soccer Association on April 3 announced that North Lit - amended and expanded in 1988, made it fed - tle Rock will host the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer national champi - eral policy to assure that fair housing becomes onship, the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tourna - a reality throughout the United States. The law ment, Arkansas Business has reported. prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or The Arkansas State Soccer Association will organize the financing of housing on the basis of race, color, event, to be played July 22-27, 2008, at the Burns Park Soccer religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national Complex. origin. (see Briefs , page 20) 14 It’s Convention time again. June 1 3-15 —Hot Springs, Ark. See next page for more information. Register online at www.arml.org. Exhibitors, contact the League immediately to reserve space for your display. Contact John Thomas at 501-374-3484, ext. 107, or Whitnee Bullerwell at ext. 206. Cost for the exhibit space is $400. HOUSING REGISTRATION Adv Sp Regis Child Ot Arlin Emb Aust • • • • • • • • • • • • or her ouse No Re No Ca O Re M Re C I R R to Sin Co Sin H Sin anc f in as To c oms oms gto ot ut- tra f yo ake anc gistr gistr gistr an r ntac fi nc re gle gle gle H eg e /g by dail o Re y e re c ur n tio l g o se el f ia • • • e is av Suit co / / r c ist te ues ation ation ation H fu lla t e n . 1s d ation he in w tr gis ls, y th o l t g D D a . nfir r Fr ate Ar Em Au a fe nds tions il ant r te ist t e cks n u J H 7 ilab t e . oubl oubl Hot up tio egis e s ch 20 re ida l . lingto be t r mat Hou stin mus incl wil ba s ation o fo rati Hot n . after le gistr oice d r 3 pa 05-’ af e . tr in e e Sprin r t te . . di $7 l he e sy ion ude at sing y , t h y facil el be . . ter ho rs p S Ho c able ot io atio ld . . on rect . . Ju ome and f n 1 06 ( . . o . . s el t J n must t headqur n pro gs el until Su r . . ity. Bur un . . J tel—8 umbe m 3- Hotel—80- ne i n r une re s . . mun . . acc an to eals edit ion are ce n i 2nd ites . . thro . . . avil eau se bil e , 5 1 be Do . . 1 . . . th 6 s C ommo d v r se s g icpal . . r . . . , , e 1, s 1, ugh p.m uble 0-8 . . po . . . wil ubject atio cho ac at d 2 able Hotel—5 A p ng E V N O . . . . . 07 ers ON 207 rkans ti st . . 80 ayment . . . 20 l . and o C vit th ice dations 2 ns marked . . co . . . o . , an e 4- 0-922 ...... LY hotel) ie fica 0 07, me , con i t ...... Leagu o d s are 643-1502 s 200 7 and v n . . . . 70 . . . w Ju an a then 725 ...... directly Municpal ith 01-324 ls ...... until -647 unavilbe, 13.5 tac d ne $129 by t n e to . . on- . . . $87 $75 copi acom . . . . relasd must Gen eral ofi June 1, . . . . t site 8 qualify Ju . . . . n o i per NO I T N h es ce. (9 from . . . . ne 207 otel regista . . . . pany cent of a. L . . . . 1, No eagu. 1, be m. . . . . Ha the unles n e C . . . . 207 Acts the ing . 200 tax telp . . . . ac t o ndb r for . . . . hotel. ion Check- Check- Check ec 4 Hou . . . . . c p :30 7 . . . . fAf oun a hone gu . t eivd ook . . . . . yme re for advnc sing . . . . C ar e p.m . . . . - ont in in i ct ant mun n nt tin . . . . regi f in . . . . o act . . . Bu . i ed . . . . n r . . . g M g st ic in . . . . rea . . . Arka nsas ful. t r -F) Ark . . . . he . . . a pal o e . . . . by tions . . . Leagu u fices to . . . . ho . . . regist wil ansa s . . . . ofi . . . c make tel . . . . red . . . w ...... cia a af . . . . il . . . it sign ...... te ls M changes b ca . . . . Mun . . . r e ation. . . . . u o . . . that rd. aceptd...... nic . . . fice you ...... icip a ...... ipal date. 3 3 3 ...... p p p ...... m .m .m l $150 $175 $20 iti . . $75 $75 e s . TWO WAYS TO REGISTER Complete the steps and mail with payment to: 2 ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE Attn: 73rd Convention Register online at www.arml.org OR P.O. Box 38 1 and pay by credit card. North Little Rock, AR 72115-0038 Step 1: Delegate Information Name: Title: City of: Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone: Spouse/Guest will attend: Yes No Name: Children will attend: Yes No Name(s):

Step 2: Payment Information • W HAT IS YOUR TOTAL ? (see opposite page for fees) Advance Registration Regular Registration Spouse/Guest Child Other Registrants Total $150 $175 $75 $75 $200 $ • HOW ARE YOU PAYING ? Check Mail payment and form to: Arkansas Municipal League 73rd Convention P.O. Box 38 North Little Rock, AR 72115 Credit Card Complete information below and send to address above. Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Card Number: _ _ _ _ — _ _ _ _ — _ _ _ _ — _ _ _ _ Exp. Date: _ _ /200_ Card Holder Name ( as it appears on card ): Billing address ( as it appears on statement ): City: State: Zip: E-mail address (required for credit card payment):

Step 3: Housing Reservation Request Make my hotel reservation as indicated below. I prefer a SMOKING room (if available). I do not require hotel reservations. I need information for handicapped accessibility. Arrival Date: 06 / _ _ / 2007 Time: 3 p.m. Departure Date: 06 / _ _ / 2007 Time: Hotel Choices: 1st choice: 2nd choice: Type of Accommodations: 1 bed 2 beds List all people staying in room (include yourself):

Step 4: Housing Payment Payment Options: Credit Card Direct Bill Note: only two payment options. Direct bill my city. Contact hotel to set up an account. See Housing box on previous page for contact information.) Use my credit card to obtain/guarantee my reservations. Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Discover AM EX Card Number: ______— ______— ______— ______Exp. Date: _ _ /200_ Card Holder Name (as it appears on card): TENTATIVE PROGRAM IN BRIEF To see an expanded tentative schedule, visit www.arml.org.

WEDNESDAY 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. REGISTRATION AND EXHIBIT HALL OPEN JUNE 13 5:30 p.m. RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING 7 p.m. OPENING NIGHT BANQUET

THURSDAY 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION OPEN JUNE 14 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. HOST CITY BREAKFAST 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSIONS 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. LUNCHEON 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. EVENING OPEN —E NTERTAINMENT OPTIONS

FRIDAY 7:15 a.m.-6 p.m. REGISTRATION OPEN JUNE 15 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. BREAKFAST 9 a.m.-10 a.m. OFFICIALS ’ E XCHANGE 10:15 a.m.-11:30 p.m. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETINGS 11:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. AWARDS AND NEW OFFICERS ’ L UNCHEON

RESOLUTIONS

Suggested Convention Resolutions for consideration at the 73rd Annual Convention should be mailed to: 73rd Convention Resolutions Arkansas Municipal League P.O. Box 38 North Little Rock, AR 72115-0038 Resolutions must be received at least 30 days (May 13, 2007) prior to Convention. These resolutions may be drafted by an official of any member city or town and can relate to any matter of municipal concern. See your 2006-2007 Policies and Goals for resolutions adopted at the 72nd Convention.

WANTED: City officials or employees with 25 years of service in 2007

If you or other officials in your city or town are serving their 25th year of municipal service, the League would like to know. Special recognition will be given to them at the 73rd League Convention, June 13-15, in Hot Springs. Call Ken Wasson at 501-374-3484, ext. 211, or Sheila Moore, ext. 218 . Or write: P.O. Box 38 North Little Rock, AR 72115-0038. Names must be submitted to the League office by May 21.

NOTICE TO EXHIBITORS At the 73rd Convention a special Exhibit Hall is available for businesses, companies and manufacturers to display their products and services that are available to Arkansas municipalities. To guarantee your firm’s exhibit area, contact the League immediately to reserve space for your display. Your name will be added to the list of exhibitors, and we will reserve a space for your exhibit when you arrive. The cost this year for exhibit space is $400. We cannot guarantee space for companies that do not preregister before June 1. Call Whitnee Bullerwell at 501-374-3484, ext. 206. Or write: Arkansas Municipal League, P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR 72115-0038 Want the latest information? Are you a member of the Arkansas Municipal League? Subscribe to our list servs and be automatically notified of pertinent municipal information. How do I subscribe? Step 1: Choose the lists from which you would like to receive information. Discussion lists: ❏ Mayors/City Managers ❏ Clerks/Recorders/Treasurers ❏ City Attorneys Announcement lists (choose all that apply): ❏ General ❏ Arkansas City Management Association ❏ Fire Chiefs ❏ Police Chiefs ❏ Legislative Advocacy ❏ Loss Control ❏ Meetings ❏ Technology ❏ Municipal Health Benefit Fund ❏ Municipal League Workers’ Compensation Trust ❏ Municipal Vehicle Program/Municipal Property Program

Step 2: Subscribe to the list servs by using one of the following options: Option A: Visit www.arml.org and click on the Discussion List and Announcement List links. Option B: Complete Step 3 and fax to 501-374-0541, attn: Whitnee Bullerwell. Option C: Complete Step 3 and mail to Arkansas Municipal League, attn: Whitnee Bullerwell, P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR 72115.

Step 3: Complete the following information:

Name

Ti tle

Member City

E-mail Address

Daytime Phone Number

APRIL 2007 19 ship and dedication to the City of Little Rock. He continued from page 14 Briefs joined the city on Aug. 1, 1991. He was the City Attorney’s Office Employee of the Year in 2004 North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays attrib - and 2007. uted the selection of Burns Park to the work of The Mahlon A. Martin Award was estab - North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Director Bob lished in 2004 to acknowledge Little Rock employ - Rhoads and his staff, the success in 2002 and ees who exhibit a high quality of job performance 2006 of U.S. Youth Soccer regional tournaments and significantly contribute to the quality of life in hosted by the Arkansas State Soccer Association, the city. Martin was the first African-American to and the partnership between North Little Rock and serve as Little Rock city manager, director of the Little Rock in showcasing central Arkansas as a pre - Arkansas Department of Finance and Administra - mier location for a prestigious sporting event. tion and manager of Methods and Standards $1.7 million in disaster Departments of Systematics, Inc. He also served as president of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation loans issued until his death in 1995. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $1.7 million in low-interest disaster loans Conference offers creative for 23 Desha County home and business owners affected by Feb. 24 tornadoes, the Arkansas economic growth solutions Democrat-Gazette has reported. “Boast Town or Ghost Town” is the theme of this The loans comprise about $600,000 for six year’s Breakthrough Solutions Conference May 1 in business owners and $1.1 million for 17 homeown - Little Rock, the Arkansas Cooperative Extension ers in the southeast Arkansas county. The tornado Service announced in a media release. demolished 25 Dumas businesses. The twister The Cooperative Extension Service offers the ripped through the city packing winds of between conference as part of its VisionWorks community 138 and 167 mph. development program. Its mission is to build The SBA issued loans at a 2.875 percent healthy, sustainable communities from a digital fixed interest rate for homeowners and a 4 percent economy perspective. The program is offered in for - fixed interest rate for business owners, SBA mats tailored to meet the needs of individual com - spokesman Roger Busch said. Area residents have munities, organizations and regions. submitted about 65 applications for the loan inter - “We believe our attendees will be inspired by est loans. Residents denied loans have six months the experiences of others who breathe new life and to ask the SBA to reconsider, Busch said. new energy into their area economies using new SBA representatives remain at the Disaster technologies and creative solutions,” said Mark Loan Outreach Center at First United Methodist Peterson, professor of community development for Church, 230 Court St. in Dumas. the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension The federal agency declared Desha County a Service. “If you want to move your community or disaster area after the Federal Agency of Emer - region from a ghost town to a boast town, you gency Management on March 8 denied the state’s won’t want to miss this conference.” request for a major disaster declaration. The first 15 registrants from outside Pulaski County will have a chance to see why the National Little Rock chief deputy Trust named Little Rock and North Little Rock to its “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” list (see related city attorney honored story on page 12). The 15 on April 30 will enjoy William C. “Bill” Mann III, Little Rock chief deputy an Arkansas Travelers baseball game, meet North city attorney, was named the 2007 Mahlon A. Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays, tour historic Martin Employee of the Year, City Manager Bruce Argenta and walk the Big Dam Bridge. Moore announced during the city’s employee For registration information, go to appreciation week. www.vworks.org, or call Sandy Roberson at Mann was cited for his outstanding leader - 501-671-2072. Reminder The deadline for nominations to be received for mayor and alderman or city director of the year awards is May 16, 2007. See page 41 of the February issue of City & Town for nomination form.

APRIL 2007 21 86th General Assembly Regular Session completes work Arkansas’s legislators increased municipal turnback and addressed court and water issues during the relatively short and “largely successful” session.

By Don A. Zimmerman

he 86th Arkansas General Assembly recessed summer was, for the most part, warmly received, and Tuesday, April 3, after an 86-day regular several new Arkansas laws resulted. They include the session. It was the shortest regular session following: Tin 16 years. The League’s program was largely successful, and state legislators addressed major issues • Act 12 (sponsored by Rep. George Overbey) allows of concern to cities and town. a mayor to designate a voting representative to attend the equalization board selection meeting. Grocery tax reduced, • Act 62 (Reps. Beverly Pyle, Overbey and Tommy turnback increased Baker) clarifies the procedure for filling a vacancy Gov. Mike Beebe followed through on his cam - in the office of recorder/treasurer in a city of the paign promise to reduce the sales tax on groceries in a second class. manner that does not adversely impact municipalities. • Act 63 (Reps. Pyle, Overbey and Baker) repeals the The state sales tax on groceries was reduced to 3 percent, law prohibiting the use of state aid for the opera - or cut in half at the state level. The typical Arkansas fam - tion of certain municipal recreational playground ily is projected to save $234 annually on its grocery bill. programs. Homeowners also will see a $50 increase in the • Act 71 (Reps. Baker and Overbey) clarifies the state property tax credit, which jumped from $300 to reporting duties of city clerks, treasurers and $350. This $26.9 million tax credit goes into effect on clerk/treasurers. 2007 property assessments. • Act 100 (Reps. Baker, Overbey, Nancy Blount and Beebe also followed through on his promise to others) gives code enforcement officers the increase turnback to cities and counties by $4 million authority to remove vehicles abandoned in the each. The money will come from the sales tax that was right of way and to tag other abandoned vehicles. increased several sessions ago to grant property tax • Act 118 (Reps. Overbey and Baker) prevents the relief. incorporation of new towns within the five-mile President Pro Tem Jack Critcher and Speaker of planning district of existing municipalities exercis - the House Benny Petrus promised municipal officials in ing that jurisdiction without permission of the January at the League Winter Conference to try to pro - municipality. vide even more turnback to municipalities. Their efforts • Act 137 (Reps. Pyle, Overbey and Baker) allows were successful. The Legislature approved a supplemen - non-sworn law enforcement personnel to issue tal turnback of $12 million from the state surplus, citations at an accident scene. approximately $6.75 per capita to cities and towns. A • Act 158 (Rep. Overbey) provides for death benefits revised turnback estimate will be prepared upon deter - to a spouse of any city clerk, treasurer, recorder, mination of the distribution schedule, which could be as clerk/treasurer or recorder/treasurer at the option early as July. The additional $4 million from the Prop - of cities of the first or second class. erty Tax Relief Fund will approximate $2.25 per capita. • Act 293 (Rep. Overbey) authorizes cost-of-living We are certainly grateful to these state leaders and to the adjustments to local retirement programs for General Assembly for increasing turnback, which had mayors, recorders, treasurers and clerks. remained basically flat for the last 25 years. • Act 377 (Reps. Baker, Overbey, Pam Adcock, Sen. Sharon Trusty and others) amends the statutes for code enforcement officers, allowing League program well received them the authority to enforce laws governing dis - The proposed legislation comprising the League’s carded items on public and private property. Policies & Goals adopted at the 72nd Convention last • Act 549 (Rep. Overbey) amends the venue statutes,

22 CITY & TOWN providing that lawsuits brought against municipal - Trauma System Bill by Rep. Denny Sumpter, which, after ities shall be brought in the county where the passing the House, was thoroughly examined in the municipality is located. Senate under the leadership of Sen. Critcher. The bill as passed by the House would have imposed an additional Court, rural water and $25 fine on moving traffic violations and $50 on DWI election issues addressed violations. Critcher recognized that very little of this The Legislature addressed district and city courts money would be collected and that cities often would in a manner satisfactory to the League. Act 663, by end up being responsible for the additional expense. Sen. Shawn Womack and others, provides for 19 pilot Fine revenue traditionally has been used to provide for district judges with city courts in those districts becom - public safety programs. The Senate wisely looked to ing departments of the district court. An amendment to insurance premium taxes as a more reliable source of the bill prevents court costs from increasing when those revenue, but Beebe and the insurance lobby objected. city courts become departments of the district court. An The bill died after a conference committee failed to reach additional amendment delays transferring those city agreement. This issue probably will resurface, and hope - courts not in the pilot areas to a department of a district fully a more reliable source of funding than traffic tickets court until Jan. 1, 2012, which allows time to evaluate will accompany it. the pilot projects’ effectiveness before the remaining courts are combined. ... But not all Sen. Steve Faris sponsored Act 177, which abol - Several negative bills passed this session, including ishes the District Judges’ Retirement System and trans - Act 292 by Rep. Gregg Reep, which will increase from 25 fers those judges into the Arkansas Public Employees cents to 30 cents per customer per meter per month the Retirement System. This should result in a slightly water fee for the water testing program operated by the decreased employer cost to the cities and counties State Health Department. These inequitable charges supporting those retirements and a better system should probably be funded with state general revenues. for the judges. Act 1206, by Adcock and others, provides for alter - Act 691, by Rep. Rick Saunders of Hot Springs, native dispute resolution agreements with labor unions addresses rural water districts and their effect on munic - if the parties agree. Many feel this bill is an attempt to ipalities’ growth areas. It provides criteria for the Natural eventually require collective bargaining for municipal Resources Commission (NRC) to use in assigning serv - employees. The act is permissive as currently enacted. ice areas where municipalities and rural water districts Possibly the most damaging piece of legislation is clash. The Act allows the NRC to authorize private Act 310, by Sen. Dave Bisbee, which retroactively makes rather than state loans to those needing financing for connection fees illegal when they exceed the cost of water districts. actually connecting that water meter customer to a Acts 854, 1036 and 1037, by Sen. Irma Hunter water system. It is feared that this ex post facto type of Brown and Rep. David Johnson, promote economic legislation, which the U.S. Constitution prohibits states development by providing cities additional authority from enacting, could result in significant lawsuits being to address urban blight and nuisance properties. filed against cities across the state. Act 1049, by Sen. Bobby Glover, sets the filing period for all municipal elections at 70-90 days prior See the Legislative Bulletin on the League Web site, to the general election. Previous municipal election laws www.arml.org, for more in depth coverage of the bills allowed for a wide variety of filing periods—most were the League tracked. A book of new legislation affecting 90-110 days, some were 60-80 days and some were 40-60 municipalities will be available to all delegates at the days. 73rd Convention, June 13-15. Explanation and discus - sion of the new laws will be a major part of the program. Some bad legislation averted … Please be sure your city or town is represented. The assembly defeated numerous bad bills on top - We congratulate the Arkansas General Assembly ics such as eminent domain, tax exemptions, mandatory and Gov. Beebe for a very productive session. We agree elections on fees and taxes, unfunded mandated pension with Gov. Beebe’s assessment that the legislators handled costs, retiree health insurance benefits, severance pack - themselves in a professional manner and, in very work - ages, vacation days and other issues preempting your man-like fashion, completed a large amount of work in a authority to operate your municipal government. relatively short session. We at the League would like to One of the most expensive bills that municipalities offer our congratulations and thanks for a job well done would have been required to shoulder was HB 1575, the for the people of Arkansas.

APRIL 2007 23 PLANNING TO SUCCEED Honor thy code enforcement It’s often a thankless task, but code enforcement can mean the difference between life and death.

By Jim vonTungeln

erhaps the most valuable and unappreciated tragedy, there was not a fire station in New York City municipal employees are our enforcement per - capable of fighting a fire above a building’s sixth floor. sonnel: code enforcement officials, fire marshals Doors routinely opened to the inside, making fast exits Pand construction inspectors. We never miss an difficult if not impossible. Local codes never considered opportunity to honor those who actively fight fires, and, sprinkler systems. Most of the safeguards we take for in the words of Lincoln, it is altogether and fitting and granted lay far in the future. proper that we do so. It remains a mystery, though, why It’s not that building codes were unheard of. we don’t bestow that same honor upon those who work They date back to the Code of Hammurabi, circa 1760 without cease to prevent fires. B.C. Lewis Mumford in The City in History talks about As I write this column, we observe the 96th tiffs between Roman officials and the construction tech - anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in niques of certain slum landlords. Massive fires in the New York City. The fire, which was the city’s most tragic cities of Europe produced ever-increasing attention event for more than 90 years, instigated a number of to building codes. They have been a useful tool for a changes. Of interest to us is the fact that it became the long time. catalyst for much of the modern emphasis on safety So today we follow a long and honored tradition codes. It behooves us to revisit it. when we improve construction to protect the health, At 4:45 p.m. on March 25, 1911, more than 500 safety and welfare of our citizens. Here are some sugges - women—mostly immigrants of Italian, Yiddish and Ger - tions for continuing that tradition: man descent—toiled at sewing shirtwaists (now called • Budget for enforcement. Enforcement officials blouses) at the Triangle Factory in New York City. Their are, in my experience, routinely overworked and jobs consisted of 14-hour days with 60- to 72-hour underpaid. weeks. For this, factory owners Max Blanck and Isaac • Mandate training. Plenty is available. Harris paid them around $6 a week. Crowded together • Review the Fire Prevention Code—our state in cramped conditions, few could speak or understand building code—to make sure it meets the needs English. The owners routinely locked all exit doors but of your individual city. Your city’s code can be one in order to prevent pilfering. more stringent than the state code, but not less. The women occupied the eighth, ninth and 10th • Insist that all units of government respect the floors of the building. When a fire broke out amidst state fire code so that the unscrupulous don’t stacks of highly flammable material, it wasn’t reported to simply move to a location where elected leaders are not doing their job. a fire station just six blocks away for nearly 15 minutes. • Stand behind your enforcement officials. Code There were no fire extinguishers—the superintendent enforcement is not needless bureaucracy; it pre - usually doused fires of this sort with buckets of water vents needless loss of life. that were scattered around for that purpose. This time it • Finally, work unceasingly to make sure urban didn’t work. areas—and areas that will become urban—pro - When firemen finally defeated the fire, 146 peo - vide water services that meet fire protection ple—mostly women—had died, some directly from the standards. This is, in my opinion, the single fire and smoke inhalation, and 50 or so from jumping to biggest challenge facing our cities. their deaths as an alternative. Recently, while helping the League during the 86th In the aftermath, Blanck and Harris beat criminal General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature, I heard a charges but lost in civil court. They ended up paying $75 legislator state that one individual’s property rights out - for each deceased person. weigh the public good. I am quite certain that this per - If asked to defend our modern building and fire son has never heard of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory codes, we might point out that, at the time of Triangle

24 CITY & TOWN fire. But now that we all have, we can act accordingly. TREE AND BRUSH DISPOSAL MADE EASY Oh, and as for Blanck and Harris? They netted a $60,000 profit from an insurance policy following the fire. And so it goes. Jim vonTungeln is staff planning consultant, American Institute of Certified Planners. Persons having comments or questions may reach him at 501-372-3232. His Web site is www.planyourcity.com . He is available for consultation as a service of the Arkansas Municipal League.

WITH THE 12¨ CAPACITY BRUSH BANDITS Obituaries Bandit Chippers have become the most popular chippers in Jack Coggins , 77, a former mayor and justice of North America because they perform better and hold up better. the peace of Trumann, died March 31. Marion Ray Lowe , 75, a former city coun - Experience the Bandit Difference cilmember of Yellville, died April 2. ® Contact Henard Utility Products, Inc., 1920 South Main St. (Searcy Exit 44, John K. Woodruff III , 65, League communica - Hwy. 67-167), Searcy, AR 72143, tions coordinator and editor of City & Town , 1-800-776-5990, today to arrange died March 27. for a demonstration of a Bandit Chipper. BANDIT INDUSTRIES, INC. 6750 MILLBROOK ROAD • REMUS, MI 49340 PHONE: (517) 561-2270 • (800) 952-0178 • FAX: (517) 561-2273

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APRIL 2007 25 ANIMAL CORNER Take repeat offenders to school Money talks, but educating municipal code violators may go further than fines in preventing repeat offenses.

By Dan Bugg

have to ask myself these three questions when I the aspects of responsible pet ownership, the warm and read municipal ordinances: fuzzy reasons why we all love our pets. We will also cover • Is the goal of the municipal ordinance compli- the negative aspects of violators’ behavior and show the I ance? end result of those choices here at animal services. • Does it establish a framework for how things are Hopefully, the hour spent in this setting will help folks supposed to be? realize what they do and how they act does make a dif - • Is the ordinance language easily understood for ference. Most of us share these values, but some of us those it affects to follow and understand? don’t take time to think about them. The other side of the question is very simple: Does I’m betting that this approach will have folks the ordinance provide also for non-compliance? thinking a bit differently, and not just about how to In most instances, the ordinances we read and avoid paying a $50 fine. It’s worth a shot. I’ll keep you adhere to have most of those items spelled out in one posted on how it goes in the near future. form or another. However, the true intention of most ordinances is to enact compliance. Court fines and other approaches to resolving code violations tend to take a negative rein - Dan Bugg is supervisor of Hot Springs Animal Services. forcement approach. I am not sure we have provided guidance to anyone by taking $50 out of his or her pocket. Do you think there is value in encouraging com - pliance through a different approach rather than the age-old standard of fines and court costs? In some cases, money is the only way we are able arkansas municipal league to get someone’s attention. In many other cases, educat - ing a violator about why compliance is needed and nec - Codification Service essary may prevent court action and fines. But do we have the time to steer every code viola - tor toward compliance? We probably do not have the Having your city ordinances codified personnel resources to make that kind of effort day after to a single book is like carrying a day. miniature city hall with you! We do, however, have the ability to utilize technol - ogy to provide the public with information that will help them become a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. In animal control work, we often see repetitive code violations in our communities. If we could utilize technology to provide a classroom presentation to a group of folks who have violated city or county ordi - 7 nances, it would provide them an opportunity to comply without clogging our already full court dockets with yet more cases and more trial dates. I believe this approach can be successful and can have lasting results in a com - munity. I soon will be introducing an animal control- Contact Cathy Moran at themed program targeting first offenders. Attendance 501-374-3484, ext. 214 will be mandatory. In a video presentation, we will cover

26 CITY & TOWN Municipal Property Program Your Municipal Property Program offers broad coverage for your municipal property. The limits of coverage are $50 million per occurrence per member for damages from fire, windstorm and other incidents in excess of $5,000. Coverage is $15 million per occurrence per member for losses exceeding $100,000 on earthquakes and flooding. The Municipal Property Program’s 2006 annual meeting adopted rates according to the following scale. The rates are: FIRE CLASS I — .0018 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS ll — .002 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS lll — .0022 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS IV — .0024 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS V — .0026 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS Vl — .0028 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS Vll — .003 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS Vlll — .0033 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS IX — .0037 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS X — .004 X covered value = Premium UNINCORPORATED — .01 X covered value = Premium

For more information, call Linda Montgomery at League headquarters, 50 1- 978-6123 or 501-374-3484, ext. 233. SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL Mexican consulate and Arkansas a good fit The consul general aims to prioritize the development of sister city relationships, which will result in continued economic benefits for all involved. This is part one of a two-column series.

By Sherman Banks

rkansas soon will inaugurate the new home of from 12 percent in 1993. Enough time has passed and a Mexican consulate that will serve Arkansas, enough of NAFTA’s trade and investment liberalization Mississippi, Tennessee and parts of Oklahoma. has been phased in that any substantial effects of the ADuring my discussions with the new Consul agreement are evident by now. General, the Honorable Andres Chao, he indicated that According to the Arkansas Department of Eco - one of the priorities of the consulate will be to stress the nomic Development (ADED), Arkansas has a significant importance of developing sister city relationships. The amount of international business activity with about 135 consulate also will emphasize economic development foreign-owned firms. The ADED works with Arkansas between the region and Mexico. To this end, Little Rock companies to encourage and expedite export activity. will be the first city in Arkansas to sign a sister city According to the 2006 Arkansas International Business agreement with the city of Pachuca, Hidalgo State, Climate Report, Mexico imported 11 percent of Mexico. Arkansas’s top export markets in 2005. Canada contin - The Hispanic population in Arkansas is increasing ues to be Arkansas’s largest trading partner, accounting and projected to account for more than 6 percent of the for over $1 billion in exports in 2005, or 26.4% of total state’s population by 2025. The consulate will help to exports. In fact, Canada is the top destination for seven enhance and enrich both cultures, bridging the gap edu - of the state’s top 11 commodities. cationally and economically. Sister Cities International Mexico is the second largest partner. Trade with (SCI) can act as the conduit to build meaningful rela - Mexico has increased significantly over the last five years. tionships for economic development through the North Mexico is the top market for Arkansas rice, followed by American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Let’s take a Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Haiti. brief look at NAFTA and how it has eliminated the bar - A sister city relationship between a city in rier for economic development between the U.S., Mexico Arkansas and a city in Mexico allays the fears that have and Canada. been reported in the media regarding illegal aliens and NAFTA took effect in1994 and made it possible to prospect of jobs being sucked out of Arkansas and into phase out nearly all of the restrictions on trade and Mexico. SCI promotes strong cultural, educational and investment among the United States, Canada and Mex - student exchanges. Sister cities can further enhance ico. The United States and Canada were already well into Arkansas’s economic development with Mexico through the elimination of the barriers between themselves in NAFTA. accordance with the Canada-United States Free Trade At its national meeting in March, the National Agreement, so the main new feature of NAFTA was the League of Cities recognized the need among U.S. cities removal of the barriers with Mexico. for globalization and stressed to the International Coun - Now, more than 13 years later, most barriers to cil the importance of building sister city relationships for trade and investment between the United States and economic development. Mexico have been dismantled. In 2001, 87 percent of For further information about how Sister Cities can imports from Mexico entered the United States duty help to bridge the gap between public and govern - free. The average duty on the remainder was only 1.4 ment engagement, please contact: Sherman Banks percent, for an overall average tariff rate of 0.2 percent, at 501-376-8193, Fax: 501-372-6564 or e-mail, down from 2.1 percent in 1993. The overall average [email protected] or surface mail, P.O. Box 165920, Little Rock, AR 72216. Mexican tariff rate in 2001 was only 1.3 percent, down

28 CITY & TOWN R

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APRIL 2007 29 ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE Speaking in code International and state building and fire codes may be stringent, but it is imperative that municipalities enforce them.

By A.E. (Al) Johnson Jr.

here is no logical starting point when preparing addresses operation procedures and fire prevention to discuss building codes. Competing building requirements during construction. The fire prevention codes have been around for years. For most code is developed around the IBC, but they are separate Tcities in Arkansas, the Southern Building Code documents. Due to the size and comprehensive nature of was once the standard. this document, it is a major undertaking to produce an In the 1990s a move was made to develop a com - updated version. Consequently, the Arkansas Fire Pre - prehensive building code. The International Building vention Code lags several years behind the most recent Code (IBC), first published in 1997, began to receive IBC. There have been attempts to produce a single stan - acceptance near the turn of the century; however, many dard, but all have failed. cities continued to hold on to their current building It is this writer’s opinion that there wasn’t really codes. The IBC does not cover single or double family anything wrong with the old Southern Building Code. structures. Like any code, it needed updating occasionally to incor - Municipal building codes have been accused of porate newly approved construction techniques and contributing to urban sprawl. Reportedly, when people building materials. were disgusted with a city’s zoning requirements and There is an old saying: “Any plan is better than no building code enforcement they would move into an plan at all”. Well, any building code is better than no unincorporated area and build what they wanted to their code at all. There is, however, one common problem own specifications. This trend was not good for cities. with all codes: enforcement! Nor was the trend good for insurance companies, What good is the excellent and comprehensive IBC which were providing homeowner and business policies if you lack the means of enforcement? The first step in on inadequate structures. When such structures are enforcing a building code is requiring the builder to annexed by a city, they don’t meet codes. apply for a building permit. To acquire that building Seeing the problems usually facing the second or permit, a builder must submit plans for approval. third owners of improperly built homes, the state imple - How are building codes enforced? It’s simple: mented certain statewide codes. If a structure does not comply with the IBC, no certifi - There is a state energy code to ensure that houses cate of occupancy is issued. Without a certificate of are properly insulated and energy efficient. There is a occupancy, the owner or builder cannot get permanent state plumbing code to ensure quality potable water and utility service. proper treatment of wastewater. Arkansas also has an Finding a good building inspector isn’t easy. Good electric code to ensure that electric circuits are properly candidates usually need to be trained. Good building sized and the occupant is protected from electrical shock inspectors work with builders—not against them—to or fire. These statewide codes apply whether or not a construct structures that meet code. municipal building code is in place. It is the responsibil - Reach Al Johnson, P.E., staff engineer, at ity of the homebuilder to see to it that the requirements 501-374-7492. He is available to consult in these codes are met. with member cities and towns for one on-site There is another, much more complicated code in consultation a year as a service of your Arkansas Arkansas. This code is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Municipal League. Code. Not only does it address building codes, it

30 CITY & TOWN BLYTHEVILLE , Springtime on the Mall, 870-763-2525, [email protected]; BROOKLAND , 4th Brookland Downtown Celebra - tion, 870-935-0538, [email protected]; EL DORADO , 8th Crawfish Boil/Battle of the Bands, 870-862-4747, [email protected], www.goeldorado.com; HUNTSVILLE , Spring on the Square, 479-738-6000, Fairs & Festivals [email protected], www.HuntsvilleArChamber.com; MAMMOTH SPRING , 3rd Trout Festival, 870-625-7364, April 19-21, MOUNTAIN VIEW , 45th Arkansas Folk [email protected]; NASHVILLE , Festival, 870-269-8068, [email protected], 2nd Peach Blossom Festival, 870-845-1262, www.YourPlaceInTheMountains.com www.nashvillearkansas.com April 20-21, COTTER , 6th Great Cotter Trout Festival, May 10-12, BALD KNOB , 20th Bald Knob Homefest, 870-435-6144, [email protected], 501-724-3140, [email protected], www.cotterarkansas.com; STAR CITY , 4th Star Daze baldknobchamber.com Festival, 870-628-6400, [email protected] May 11-12, ASHDOWN , 11th Whistlestop Festival, April 20-22, LITTLE ROCK , 4th Arkansas Literary 870-898-2642, [email protected]; Festival, 501-663-4321, [email protected], DARDANELLE , 19th Yell Fest, 479-229-3328, www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org [email protected], April 21, ALMA , 21st Spinach Festival, 479-632-4127, www.dardanellechamber.com; HOPE , 11th [email protected], www.almachamber.com; Hope Chamber of Commerce Free Bluegrass Festival, HORSESHOE BEND , 31st Dogwood Days Festival, 870-777-3640, [email protected], 870-670-5433, [email protected], www.hopemelonfest.com; KINGSTON , Fair on the horseshoebendar.com; RUSSELLVILLE, Party Square, 870-420-3731, [email protected] in the Park, 479-968-2452 May 12, MOUNTAIN HOME , Mountain Home April 21-22, HARDY , 24th Old Hardy Town Business Expo, 870-425-5111, Arts & Crafts Festival, 870-856-3571, [email protected]; MONTROSE , [email protected], 2nd Montrose Heritage Festival and Cornbread www.oldhardytown.com Cookoff, 870-737-2936 April 27-28, FORDYCE , 27th Fordyce on the Cotton Belt May 12-13, HOT SPRINGS , 5th Art in the Park Festival, 870-352-2055 Festival, 501-321-6871, [email protected], April 27-29, FULTON , 6th Twin Rivers Festival, www.cityhs.net; TUCKERMAN , Tuckerman 870-896-2281, [email protected]; SILOAM Hometown Days, 870-349-5313; VAN BUREN , SPRINGS , 33rd Dogwood Festival, 479-524-6466, Old Timers Days, 479-474-4392, [email protected], www.siloamchamber.com [email protected], www.vanburen.org April 28, CABOT , 5th Strawberry Festival, May 18-19, ATKINS , 16th Picklefest, 479-641-1147, 501-605-1506, [email protected], [email protected]; DERMOTT , 24th www.cabotarkansas.com Dermott Crawfish Festival, 870-538-5656, April 28-29, HEBER SPRINGS , 20th Springfest, [email protected], 501-362-2444, [email protected], dermottcrawfishfestival.com; HARRISON , 17th www.heber-springs.com Crawdad Days Music Festival, 870-741-1789, April 30-May 6, HAMBURG , 37th World Famous www.HarrisonArkansas.org; MAGNOLIA , 19th Armadillo Festival, 870-853-8345, Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship [email protected], www.armadillofestival.com Steak Cook-off, 870-234-4352, May 1-31, EUREKA SPRINGS , May Festival of the [email protected], blossomfestival.org; Arts, 479-253-7333, [email protected], PARAGOULD , 18th Loose Caboose Festival, www.eurekasprings.org 870-240-0544, [email protected], May 4-6, CONWAY , 26th Toad Suck Daze, www.loosecaboose.net 501-327-7788, [email protected], May 19, BRINKLEY , 4th Choo Choo Ch’Boogie Delta www.toadsuck.org Music Festival, 870-734-1056, www.cddm.org May 5, ALTUS , 29th Springtime Gala, 479-468-4684, [email protected], altusarkansas.com;

APRIL 2007 31 URBAN FORESTRY Spider’s web work leads to epiphany By protecting green space within cities and towns, municipal leaders can promote physical and emotional well-being.

By John Slater am a very lucky man. For more than 30 years, I workday. There were few roads, except for old logging have been doing a job that I truly love. I have many roads where trees had grown up until they were impass - wonderful memories about what I have done and able. I would walk for miles, surveying the trees. Iwhere I have been. I want to share one of those I felt almost like an early settler, seeing areas that memories with you. few people had seen. There were clear-running streams I started my career as a forest technician with a from which one could drink, and I did, something I large timber company. My job was to work in the forest would not do today. I saw old pine stumps cut by a two- or woods gathering information about timber. I spent man crosscut saw from the old logging days when they many days working by myself, often leaving my truck still used mules to skid the logs to the banking grounds. early in the morning and returning at the end of my Sometimes I saw remnants of old stills and not-so-old stills. When I was coming up on an old home site, I could always tell by the presence of large trees that had shaded the now- deserted home sites. I had to watch out for hand-dug wells into which a person could fall. People who had reared families while trying to scratch out a living farming and raising cattle once called these places home. Timber companies would later purchase that land, probably for a small sum of money or for back taxes. Sometimes if I had a little time I would look around the old home place for discarded bottles or antiques. I enjoyed col - lecting the old bottles because of their unique shapes and colors. One bottle I found was a light blue color; you could see air bubbles in the glass. It was an old medi - cine bottle called Dr. Kilmers Swamproot. Can you imagine what kind of concoction N O I S

S that might have been? I M M

O One day, I had worked through my C Y R

T lunch and my workday was nearly over. I S E R O

F came across a clear-running stream with a S A S

N little waterfall. I decided to stop there to eat A K R A

, my lunch. I could not have asked for a nicer R E T A

L day. It was one of those times when you S N

H could lose yourself in the moment. I felt the O J Y B spring sun, smelled the scent of the woods O T O

H and heard the sound of the waterfall. I had P Sometimes it takes a simple spider web, like this one, to remind us of the importance of not been there long when I noticed a spider green space in our communities. Science and common sense both tell us time spent in web about three feet away from me. nature is good for the body and the mind. This spider knew what he was doing. I

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was captivated by the intricacy of his work, amazed that he had designed the web so beautifully. It was then that I saw the spider, camouflaged in a crevice. I wondered Call today for an information packet: what he would do if something fell into his web, so I broke off a tiny piece of bark and threw it in. He imme - Computer Systems of Arkansas diately perked up like it was dinnertime. He came out of 800-264-4465 his hiding place and headed straight for the bark. When [email protected]@comsysarmsysar.com he realized it was not a meal, he nonchalantly proceeded to cut the bark out of his web and repair the opening. I had never before seen anything like it, nor have I since. I outdoors enjoying nature, researchers say. pestered that poor spider for almost an hour throwing “The advantage for green outdoor activities was pieces of bark into his web. I watched him repair his web observed among children living in different regions of over and over again. Knowing I might not ever get to the United States and among children living in a range witness a similar event, I reluctantly left him to his work. of settings, from rural to large city environments,” co- I did not want to leave. authors Frances E. Kuo and Andrea Faber Taylor wrote You’re probably wondering what this has to do in a 2004 article. “Overall, our findings indicate that with urban forestry. Everyone should have the opportu - exposure to ordinary natural settings in the course of nity to observe nature like I did that day. I’m glad we common after-school and weekend activities may be have our National Parks and National Forest Lands, but widely effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms they are often crowded and not always available to our in children.” children due to transportation issues. The National Urban and Community Forestry City and town leaders, you can provide these Advisory Council, U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. nature-watching opportunities by advancing programs Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, for protecting nature within your boundaries. City Education and Extension Service supported the project. parks, even pocket parks and green spaces in subdivi - Funny how a clear-running stream, a small water - sions make it possible for nature to survive. City leaders fall, a spring day and a little spider can create such last - should jump at the chance to provide them, to expand ing and meaningful memories. them or to protect what is already there. Let’s protect nature where we live so our children can go out their Make a memory ... Plant a tree back doors to embrace the natural world. Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana- John Slater is urban forestry partnership Champaign has shown additional benefits for children coordinator with the Arkansas Forestry who have the opportunity to enjoy nature. Kids with Commission. Contact him at 501-984-5867, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) should or at [email protected] . spend some quality after-school hours and weekend time

APRIL 2007 33 F F A T S E U G A E L , F F U R D O O W . K N H O J Y B S O T O H P “When you tell your own city’s story, you’re also telling the NLC story,” Indianapolis Mayor and NLC President Bart Peterson told delegates at the Congressional City Conference.

NLC takes local issues to Capitol Hill Increased CDGB funding and local-federal partnerships were among the priorities at this year’s NLC Congressional City Conference.

Washington, D.C.—Creating local-federal partnerships House, Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney was a major theme at the National League of Cities Frank is leading an effort to seek a 5 percent increase for (NLC) Congressional City Conference, March 10-14 in the program. Washington, D.C. Other NLC priorities this legislative session NLC President and Indianapolis Mayor Bart include preserving local authority in telecommunica - Peterson encouraged city leaders to partner with the tions reform, immigration reform, housing finance federal government to accomplish the goals of America’s reforms, transportation issues and fighting crime. cities and towns. “We think that it makes sense for local govern - “Some great things are going on in America’s ment to have control over our local rights of way,” cities. Just think what we could accomplish with a real, Peterson said of the telecommunications issue. Such fair partnership with the federal government,” he said. decisions should be made locally, not in Washington, “It’s not just about money; it’s about seeking a genuine D.C., he said. partnership.” As the foreclosure rate across the nation skyrock - Peterson and other local and national leaders ets, and with predatory lending contributing to the throughout the Conference called for partnerships on problem, attacking our cities’ housing problem is urgent, the NLC’s legislative priorities. Preserving and increasing NLC leaders believe. funding for the Community Development Block Grant “We need to do something about this issue. We (CDGB) program is a priority, and thanks to advocacy believe that Congress believes the same thing and we efforts of local officials, it continues to have strong want to work with them,” Peterson said. He urged local bipartisan support in Congress. That support should leaders to lobby their members of Congress on these prevent spending cuts, but it may not result in gains. shared issues. Sens. Norm Coleman, Hillary Clinton, “When you are lobbying for the National League of Christopher Dodd and Joseph Biden, all of whom Cities, you are also lobbying for your own city,” he said. spoke at the Conference’s general session, each expressed support for the CDBG program. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Information for this article was provided by Nation’s Cities Coleman have authored a letter to the Senate Budget Weekly , official publication of the NLC. Committee urging increased CDBG funding. In the

34 CITY & TOWN Arkansas delegates to the Conference, from left, Jacksonville Alderman Kenny Elliott, Crossett Mayor Scott McCormick, Paragould Mayor Mike Gaskill, North Little Rock Alderman John Parker, Malvern Mayor Steve Northcutt and North Little Rock Alderman Murry Witcher enjoy break - fast before a general session.

Sen. Norm Coleman, a former mayor of St. Paul, Minn., said increased CDBG funding should be a top priority. “I wish there were more former mayors in the U.S. Senate,” he said. “We’d be a lot better off.”

“I think we should restore the fundamental principle that I grew up with and that I think most of us have tried to live by: You don’t spend what you don’t have on what you don’t need,” Sen. Hillary Clinton told the delegates. She encouraged increased investment in CDBG. Clinton also called for better education for home buyers and an end to predatory lending.

Sen. Mark Pryor at a session discussed the Federal Emergency Manage - ment Agency’s failure after the recent tornado destruction in Desha County. He praised the Small Business Administration, however, for coming through by offering very low-interest disaster loans to area busi - nesses and homeowners.

From left, Star City Mayor Gene Yarbrough, Rep. Mike Ross and Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus share a laugh at a luncheon at which Ross addressed delegates. If we’re serious about global warming, we must also get serious about energy resources, Ross said, citing the Fayetteville shale natural gas recovery technology.

APRIL 2007 35 YOUR HEALTH Playing it safe Making community playgrounds safer for our children should be a priority, and, with a little cooperation, doing so doesn’t have to strain municipal budgets.

By Mary E. Aitken, M.D., and Beverly K. Miller

s communities look for ways to encourage Low-cost playgrounds healthier lifestyles among children, there’s Building and maintaining a safe playground really no better place to start than with a doesn’t have to be expensive. Supplies may be available Afamiliar mainstay: playgrounds! through small grants from local big box stores, and labor Public playgrounds can add immeasurable value for any neighbor - hood, town or city. Not only are playgrounds a great place for imaginative play and exercise, they can help families bond and bring neighbors together. Fortunately, play - grounds already are embraced as an integral part of community life in most places. Some com - munities may be looking to add playgrounds or upgrade what they have. Whatever the situation, ensuring that playgrounds are safe should be a prior - ity.

Falls cause most injuries Naturally, the run - ning, jumping and climb - ing of children on play - grounds sometimes result in injuries. But the way a playground is built and maintained can make a big difference in the frequency of may come from volunteer parents. For example, to help accidents and the severity of injuries. maintain a nearby school playground, local fifth graders More than 200,000 children go to the emergency are given a simple inspection checklist developed in our room each year with playground-related injuries. Most office as part of a partnership between the school and of the injuries are related to falls, and almost half are the Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Arkansas Children’s severe: fractures, internal injuries, concussions, disloca - Hospital, which provides seed funding for playground tions and amputations, according to the national Centers improvements. The students’ single-page list covers the for Disease Control and Prevention. basics of playground safety, such as what the ground sur - With that in mind, it’s important to ensure that face is made of, whether sharp points or edges are your community playgrounds are safe. exposed on equipment, and if platforms and ramps have

36 CITY & TOWN guardrails. Students also measure the width between bars on guardrails and steps on slides, check for tripping hazards like large rocks and tree roots, and “S” hooks on equipment that might snag drawstrings on clothing. Such a list would be valuable for anyone interested in helping ensure that a playground is safe. In addition, communities can help concerned parents by posting signs with a phone number to alert the appropriate office about any safety problems. While safe design and maintenance are important, especially important is the careful supervision by a parent or other responsible adult. Together, these things can ensure that trips to the park are fun, active and injury free.

Arkansas earns B+ A 2004 national survey of childcare, school and park playgrounds included grades for each state. Arkansas received a B+, up from a C- in the 2000 report by the National Program for Play - ground Safety at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. With the exception of Okla - homa, Arkansas’s playgrounds were at least a full Support a family grade better than surrounding states. The report measured such factors as supervision, age-appro - on $20 a week? priate design, falls, equipment and surfacing main - tenance. Volunteer firefighters who are injured in No states received an A in the national their firefighter duties receive only $20 study, and Arkansas was one of just 10 to get a B+. a week for a compensable injury. Arkansas communities should be proud of their efforts to make their playgrounds safe. But as par - Solution: The Arkansas Municipal League’s Volunteer ents, citizens and public servants, we must be vigi - Firefighters Supplemental Income Program lant to ensure that our playgrounds are safe. Our protects the earnings of volunteer firefighters children deserve nothing less. who are injured in their duties. More information about playground safety, What they get: Weekly temporary total disability benefits including a maintenance policy checklist, is avail - based on the MAXIMUM allowed under able from the National Program for Playground Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Law; Safety by calling 800-554-PLAY, or online at weekly benefits go for 52 weeks; www.uni.edu/playground. Information also is $10,000 death benefit. available from the Injury Free Coalition for Kids at How? Cost is only $20 a firefighter a year. All volunteer www.injuryfree.org . and part-paid firefighters in the department must be covered. The minimum premium for each city or town is $240. Mary E. Aitken, M.D., is section chief of the Center for Applied Research and Evaluation Call: Sheryll Lipscomb at and associate professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical 501-374-3484, ext. 234. Sciences. Protect your loved ones’ Beverly K. Miller is coordinator of Injury financial security. Prevention Programs, Center for Applied Research and Evaluation, Department of Arkansas Municipal League’s Volunteer Pediatrics , College of Medicine , University of Firefighters Supplemental Income Program Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

APRIL 2007 37 MUNICIPAL HEALTH BENEFIT FUN D PREFERRED PROVIDER NETWORK CHANGES TO THE 2007 MHBF DIRECTORY , AS OF APRIL 1, 2007 Also visit League Programs on League Web site, www.arml.org , for these changes and providers. LAST NAME FIRST NAME CLINIC/SPECIALTY ADDRESS CITY ST ZIP PHONE IN-STATE ADDITIONS BILYEU, MD JAMES WASHINGTON REG. DIAG. CLINIC 3000 NORTHWEST “A” STREET BENTONVILLE AR 72712 479-273-2030 DOUGHERTY, DO CHRISTOPHER ARK CENTER FOR ARTHROSCOPY 1504 SE 28TH ST BENTONVILLE AR 72712 479-273-1111 GRIFFIN, DC MELANIE LIFELINE CHIROPRACTIC 5920 HWY 5 NORTH #7 BRYANT AR 72022 501-847-7026 VITAL LINK AMBULANCE 274 HIGHWAY 65B CLINTON AR 72031 800-549-3351 MCGEHEE, DC JIMMY SHAWN MCGEHEE CHIROPRACTIC 2104 HARKRIDER #104 CONWAY AR 72032 501-329-4664 SHINWARI, MD JAVED ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY 3025 FOUNTAIN DR #100 CONWAY AR 72034 501-329-1700 JENKINS, LPC STEVEN MARKALLEN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 108 S JEFFERSON DEWITT AR 72042 870-946-0158 LIFE TOUCH HOSPICE HOSPICE 2301 CHAMPAGNOLLE RD EL DORADO AR 71730 870-862-0337 SHINABERRY, CRNA STEPHANIE OZARK REG. ANESTHESIA 3215 N NORTH HILLS BLVD FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703 877-898-9892 SHRUM, CRNA JAMI GREY FOX ANESTHESIA 3396 N FUTRALL #1 FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703 479-582-1938 CARTILLAR, DDS DJUANA PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY OF E ARK 415 CLEVELAND FORREST CITY AR 72335 870-630-1500 KAHN, DC ANNA OZARK CHIROPRACTIC ARTS 200 HWY 43 E #2 HARRISON AR 72601 870-365-0071 BUTLER, PT DEAN HOPE PHYSICAL THERAPY CTR. 1405 S MAIN HOPE AR 71801 870-777-9359 BIRK, MD GORDON TROY ORTHOPAEDIC CTR OF HOT SPRINGS 180 MEDICAL PARK ST #201 HOT SPRINGS AR 71901 501-321-0555 PINEAU, MD GREGORY FAMILY PRACTICE 4517 PARK AVE HOT SPRINGS AR 71901 501-623-7900 OLIVER, DDS MICHAEL PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 809 WINDOVER DR JONESBORO AR 72401 870-931-3337 DILLER, MD TIMOTHY ARKANSAS VASCULAR 9601 LILE DR #950 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-4787 NESTRUD, MD RICHARD PEDIATRIX MEDICAL GROUP 18 CORPORATE HILL #203 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-225-8821 OUTPATIENT SURGERY CENTER OUTPATIENT SURGERY CTRS. 160 HWY 201 NORTH MTN. HOME AR 72653 870-508-2100 VITAL LINK AMBULANCE 105 HIGHWAY 5 MTN. VIEW AR 72560 800-549-3351 ASHCRAFT, DDS MICHAEL MONARCH DENTAL 4909 WARDEN RD NO LITTLE ROCK AR 72116 501-771-5105 BAPTIST HEALTH IMAGING CTR MAGNETIC RES. IMAGING 3600 SPRINGHILL DR NO LITTLE ROCK AR 72217 501-202-6999 SIMPSON, MD P. B. JR SA NEUROSURGERY ASSOC 1220 W 42ND AVE PINE BLUFF AR 71603 870-536-8547 ROBERTSON, OD JILL BRANDON EYE CLINIC 1600 W SUNSET SPRINGDALE AR 72762 479-756-1234

IN-STATE UPDATES DUNN, DO JAMES WASHINGTON REG. DIAG. CLINIC 3000 NORTHWEST “A” ST BENTONVILLE AR 72712 479-273-2030 MARSHALL, MD ROXANNE MARSHALL MEDICAL CLINIC #3 MEDICINE DR CLARKSVILLE AR 72830 479-754-6777 NOONAN, MD ROBERT F. CLARKSVILLE FAMILY MED. CTR. 1 MEDICINE DR CLARKSVILLE AR 72830 479-705-8181 PARKER, PHD BECKY PARKER PSYCH. & COUNSELING 2755 KANTZ DR FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703 479-444-8989 SWINDLE, MD JAMES S NWA PEDIATRIC CLINIC 3380 N FUTRALL FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703 479-442-7322 SWOGGER, CRNA KENT GREY FOX ANESTHESIA 3396 N FUTRALL #1 FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703 479-582-1938 LOPEZ, MD RAMON ORTHOPAEDICS SURG. & SPORTS 902 HOSPITAL DR. #102 FORREST CITY AR 72335 870-633-3530 SELECT SPECIALITY HOSPITAL HOSPITAL 1001 TOWSON AVE 6TH FLOOR FORT SMITH AR 72901 479-441-3960 LANE, MD JOHN UROLOGY 1500 DODSON AVE. FORT SMITH AR 72901 479-709-7416 DWYER, MD JOSEPH C. BRANSON HEART CENTER 425 N WALNUT ST #2 HARRISON AR 72601 870-741-6599 MELTON, CRNA GARRY M. N. ARKANSAS ANESTHESIA SVCS. 620 N WILLOW HARRISON AR 72601 870-365-2071 WATERS, MD JAMES D. N. ARKANSAS ANESTHESIA SVCS. 620 N WILLOW HARRISON AR 72601 870-365-2071 RED RIVER PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY 2000 HWY 25B NORTH #A-1 HEBER SPRINGS AR 72543 501-362-7195 DICKSON, MD D. BUD DICKSON ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER 2001 S MAIN ST #3 HOPE AR 71801 870-777-3020 SOELLER, MD CLEMENS EUGENE COLLOM & CARNEY CLINIC 114 MEDICAL PARK DR HOPE AR 71801 870-777-0000 ST. PIERRE, OD LEE A. NE ARKANSAS EYE CARE 2917 BROWNS LANE JONESBORO AR 72401 870-802-2020 BENTON, MD WILLIAM H. PEDIATRIX MEDICAL GROUP #18 CORPORATE HILL #203 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-225-8821 CASTEEL, MD HELEN B. PEDIATRIC GASTRO. ASSOC 1515 S BOWMAN RD #B LITTLE ROCK AR 72211 501-228-7171 CONLEY, MD THOMAS D. ARKANSAS CARDIOLOGY 9501 LILE DR. #600 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-7596 GARNER, MD WILLIAM L. AR. WOMENS CTR. 9500 KANIS RD #200 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-224-6699 HAMPTON, MD JOHN R. LR INTERNAL MEDICINE 1100 N UNIVERSITY LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-664-2500 HERBERT, MD R. WAYNE LR CHILDRENS CLINIC 9600 LILE DR. #360 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-6727 HUTCHINSON, MD CLINTON AR. WOMENS CTR. 9500 KANIS RD #200 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-224-6699 KEATHLEY, MD SUSAN A. LR CHILDRENS CLINIC 9600 LILE DR. #360 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-6727 KUMARI, MD REKHA ST VINCENT ENDOCRINOLOGY CLN. ONE ST VINCENT CIRCLE #450 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-552-4763 LAMBERT, MD ROBERT A. ARKANSAS CARDIOLOGY 9501 LILE DR #600 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-7596 LEDBETTER, MD JOHNNY R. LR CHILDRENS CLINIC 9600 LILE DR. #360 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-6727 PARK, MD JOSEPHINE LR CHILDRENS CLINIC 9600 LILE DR. #360 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-6727 SEGUIN, MD ROSEY AR. WOMENS CTR. 9500 KANIS RD #200 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-224-6699 SOTOMORA, MD RICARDO PEDIATRIX MEDICAL GROUP #18 CORPORATE HILL #203 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-225-8821 STEWART, MD TRACY D. LR CHILDRENS CLINIC 9600 LILE DR. #360 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-6727 TANNER, MD JAMES A AR. WOMENS CTR. 12921 CANTRELL RD #300 LITTLE ROCK AR 72223 501-224-6699 THOMPSON, MD STEVEN M. LR CHILDRENS CLINIC 9600 LILE DR. #360 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-227-6727 VONLANTHEN, MD MARYELLE PEDIATRIC GASTRO. ASSOC 1515 S BOWMAN RD #B LITTLE ROCK AR 72211 501-228-7171 WATKINS, MD JULIA M AR. WOMENS CTR. 12921 CANTRELL RD #300 LITTLE ROCK AR 72223 501-224-6699 WYATT, MD RICHARD A. AR. WOMENS CTR. 9500 KANIS RD #200 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-224-6699 ZOCCHI, MD KENT A. RETINA ASSOCIATES 9800 LILE DR. #200 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-219-0900 38 CITY & TOWN LAST NAME FIRST NAME CLINIC/SPECIALTY ADDRESS CITY ST ZIP PHONE

ZUERLEIN, MD TERRANCE PEDIATRIX MEDICAL GROUP 18 CORPORATE HILL #203 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-225-8821 FARMER, MD JOHN COLLOM & CARNEY CLINIC 211 E STADIUM DR MAGNOLIA AR 71753 870-234-3042 GONZALES, MD CATHRYN COLLOM & CARNEY CLINIC 211 E STADIUM DR MAGNOLIA AR 71753 870-234-3042 PRICE, OD JAMES L. FAMILY EYE CARE ASSOC 301 HWY. 425 S. MONTICELLO AR 71655 870-367-8534 AL-AJAM, MD MOHAMMAD BAXTER REG. PULMONOLOGY CLN. 628 HOSPITAL DR #3A MTN. HOME AR 72653 870-508-3250 AKIN, MD ERIC D AKIN NEUROSURGERY CLINIC 2411 MCCAIN BLVD #6 NO LITTLE ROCK AR 72116 501-753-2550 LAMBERT, MD ROBERT A. ARKANSAS CARDIOLOGY 3343 SPRINGHILL DR. #1035 NO LITTLE ROCK AR 72117 501-975-7676 DAILY, MD RICHARD NO LOGAN COMMUNITY SRVS CLN. 500 E ACADEMY ST PARIS AR 72855 479-963-6101 STEED, MD MATTHEW NO LOGAN COMMUNITY SRVS CLN. 500 E ACADEMY ST PARIS AR 72855 479-963-6101 FOX, MD THOMAS A. COLLOM & CARNEY CLINIC 1440 W. 1ST N. PRESCOTT AR 71857 870-887-8001 PALMER, PHD SHONA CENTER FOR STRESS REDUCTION 9 HALSTED CIRCLE ROGERS AR 72756 479-631-6400 DORAN, LPC FAYE WESTSIDE PSYCHIATRIC 2616 WEST BEEBE CAPPS EXPWY. SEARCY AR 72143 501-207-2727 MCGOWAN, MD WILLIAM J. FIRST CARE SPRINGDALE 1109 S WEST END ST SPRINGDALE AR 72764 479-750-3630 TOTTEN, MD MATTHEW FIRST CARE SPRINGDALE 1109 S WEST END ST SPRINGDALE AR 72764 479-750-3630 BROWN, MD MARK C. FAMILY PRACTICE 1033 OLD BURR RD WARM SPRINGS AR 72478 870-647-2541 LHEUREUX, MD GUY ORTHOPAEDICS SURG. & SPORTS 228 TYLER #208 WEST MEMPHIS AR 72301 870-732-3836

IN-STATE DELETES BROWN, MD VERONA T. EMERGENCY MED. 914 EAGLE MOUNTAIN RD. BATESVILLE AR 72501 870-793-1112 HANNAH, MD JAMES T. WOMENS CTR ON THE PKWY 2900 MEDICAL CTR PKWY #300 BENTONVILLE AR 72712 479-271-0005 SCHMITZ, MD LAWRENCE WOMENS CTR ON THE PKWY 2900 MEDICAL CTR PKWY #300 BENTONVILLE AR 72712 479-271-0005 GUESS, DC KRISTIN R. CHIROPRACTIC 23233 I-30 #10 BRYANT AR 72022 501-847-7246 FOWLER, OD PATRICK VISION CARE ARKANSAS 201 SKYLINE DR #37 CONWAY AR 72032 501-450-9191 MCCARTY, PHD SCOTT PSYCHOLOGY 65 E. SUNBRIDGE DR FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703 479-631-6400 BAPTIST HOME HEALTH HOME HEALTH 1601 NEWCASTLE RD. FORREST CITY AR 72335 870-261-0158 SHARP, MD JAN C. FAMILY PRACTICE 401 W. SEARCY AVE. HEBER SPRINGS AR 72543 501-362-2414 OLDHAM, MD BRENT PSYCHIATRY 707 S. FIRST ST. JACKSONVILLE AR 72076 501-985-0292 DICKSON, MD D BUD DICKSON ORTHOPEDIC CENTER 9601 LILE DRIVE #410 LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 501-225-6800 DICKSON, MD D. BUD DICKSON ORTHOPAEDIC CTRS. 707 N. WASHINGTON ST. MAGNOLIA AR 71753 870-234-3030 MCCARTY, PHD SCOTT PSYCHOLOGY 9 HALSTED CIRCLE ROGERS AR 72756 479-631-6400 BROOKS, MD HAROLD SEARCY MEDICAL CTR. 2900 HAWKINS DR SEARCY AR 72143 501-278-2800 OLDHAM, MD BRENT PSYCHIATRY 303 N. SPRUCE ST. SEARCY AR 72143 501-305-4415 PINEAU, DO GREG FAMILY PRACTICE 1304 S MAIN SEARCY AR 72143 501-268-7143 CONLEY, MD THOMAS ARKANSAS CARDIOLOGY NO. 2215 WILDWOOD #102 SHERWOOD AR 72120 501-833-8100 EFIRD, PHD TERRY L. PSYCHOLOGY 106 S. MAIN ST. SPRINGDALE AR 72764 479-751-7074 L’HEUREUX, MD GUY J. MEDICAL ORTHOPAEDICS 228 TYLER #208 WEST MEMPHIS AR 72301 870-732-3836

OUT-OF-STATE ADDITIONS MCELRATH, DC SUE ALL CARE CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC 37 S WILSON AVE BROWNSVILLE TN 38012 731-779-9222

OUT-OF-STATE UPDATES HERZOG, MD JOHN JR DELTA HEART AND VASCULAR CTR 1421 EAST UNION STREET GREENVILLE MS 38701 662-335-0183 VANG, MD MENG INTERVENTIONAL ASSOC OF MEMPHIS 7945 WOLF RIVER BLVD GERMANTOWN TN 38138 901-448-1714 DANIELS, MD CHALMERS SOUTHWIND MEDICAL SPECIALISTS 6590 KIRBY CTR. CV #103 MEMPHIS TN 38115 901-367-9001 MIDSOUTH HEART INSTITUTE CARDIOLOGY, CARDIOVASCULAR 3930 NEW COVINGTON PIKE #302 MEMPHIS TN 38128 901-973-4840 MIDSOUTH HEART INSTITUTE CARDIOLOGY, CARDIOVASCULAR 1211 UNION AVE. #975 MEMPHIS TN 38104 901-722-0410 WILLIAMS, MD JAMES SCOTT INTERVENTIONAL ASSOC OF MEMPHIS 877 JEFFERSON AVE MEMPHIS TN 38103 901-448-6111 MCNAIRY REGIONAL HOSPITAL HOSPITAL 705 E POPLAR AVE SELMER TN 38375 731-660-6340 CONTRERAS, MD FREDDIE NEUROSURGICAL ASSOC OF TEXARKANA 3313 N. STATELINE AVE. TEXARKANA TX 75501 903-794-4196 DIETZE, MD J. BRETT NEUROSURGICAL ASSOC OF TEXARKANA 3313 N. STATELINE AVE. TEXARKANA TX 75504 903-794-4196 PATTERSON, MD JOEL T. NEUROSURGICAL ASSOC OF TEXARKANA 3313 N. STATELINE AVE. TEXARKANA TX 75501 903-794-4196 THOMAS, MD JEAN COLLOM & CARNEY CLINIC 5002 COWHORN CREEK RD TEXARKANA TX 75503 903-614-3000 WRIGHT, MD NATHAN JAY GALLERIA OAKS DIAG. CENTER 2014 GALLERIA OAKS DR TEXARKANA TX 75503 903-792-2990

OUT-OF-STATE DELETES NAUSHAD, MD ABDUL ADVANCED PAIN CENTERS 35 DOCTORS PARK CAPE GIRARDEAU MO 63703 573-335-4422 NAUSHAD, MD ABDUL ADVANCED PAIN CENTERS 190 INDUSTRIAL DR CRYSTAL CITY MO 63019 636-937-2772 NAUSHAD, MD ABDUL ADVANCED PAIN CENTERS 1207 MAPLE ST FARMINGTON MO 63640 573-756-3000 NAUSHAD, MD ABDUL ADVANCED PAIN CENTERS 2885 JAMES BLVD POPLAR BLUFF MO 63901 573-776-1100 NW MISSISSIPPI REG. MEDICAL CTR. HOSPITAL 1970 HOSPITAL DR. CLARKSDALE MS 38614 662-627-3211 BARR, MD WILLIAM M. ORTHOPAEDICS SURG. & SPORTS 1800 CHERYL DR. CLARKSDALE MS 38614 601-624-8511 HERZOG, MD JOHN JR DELTA HEART AND VASCULAR CTR 810 E SUNFLOWER #100E CLEVELAND MS 38732 662-846-6034 FLINT, RPT JOHN PHYSICAL THERAPY 3102 RICHMOND RD. TEXARKANA TX 75503 903-334-9205 GREGORIE, MD ERIK NEUROSURGERY 1001 MAIN ST. #200 TEXARKANA TX 75501 903-794-4196 KEY, LPT KELLY FLINT PHYSICAL THERAPY 3102 RICHMOND RD TEXARKANA TX 75503 903-334-9205 RODRIGUES, MD EDISON TEXARKANA GASTROENT. CONS. 1920 MOORES LANE #A TEXARKANA TX 75503 903-792-8030

APRIL 2007 39 OPiNiON

(The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act [FOIA], signed into law in 1957 by Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, was 40 years old on Feb. 14, the Arkansas Press Association noted in its Feb. 15 newsletter, Arkansas Publisher Weekly . Here is a journalist’s look at the FOIA, which the Municipal League distributes at its conventions, conferences and as mail outs. She also notes the national Sunshine Week, March 16-22.—Editor) FOIA is 40 years old! And Sunshine Week celebrates open records

By Brenda Blagg

s Sunshine Week rolled around this year, change happen. In time, their efforts evolved into the the need for this concentrated effort to state and federal laws that today guarantee the public’s remind citizens—and the people elected to right to know, laws that really did open meetings and Aserve them—of the public’s right to know is records of government. all the more evident. FOI laws differ from state to state, and Arkansas’s March 16-22 was the third national Sunshine law, passed in 1967, still stands as one of the strongest. Week, an effort organized by journalists and others con - Yet, for 40 years now, there have been attempts to cerned about the diminishment of a fundamental free - weaken this law, most often led by people in power, dom in this nation: the freedom of information (FOI). who don’t like the inconvenience of answering questions The principle at its core is that in a democracy, from a pesky public. public business isn’t the government’s business. It’s the Efforts to change the law have intensified in the people’s business. Yet, in the post-Sept. 11 psyche, the years since terrorist attacks on American soil so fright - freedom of information is too often being sacrificed. ened this nation that our leaders began to “protect” us by Fear feeds this change in the American mentality. taking away our rights. Has everyone forgotten the admonition President The USA Patriot Act is part of that movement. Franklin Roosevelt offered the nation in trying times? And there was legislation before the 86th Arkansas Gen - “All we have to fear is fear itself,” he said, as Ameri - eral Assembly that would have changed Arkansas’s FOI cans—remembered now as the Greatest Generation— Act because of perceived terrorist threats. Most of the stepped up to save democracy. bills that would alter the law, however, are simply about It was some of those same GIs who upon return - avoiding the aggravation of public participation in ing home from war initiated the first “sunshine” laws. government. They wanted an end to the backroom politics that con - In the last three regular sessions of the Legislature, trolled their governments. They wanted to participate in all since the Sept. 11 attacks and all within the era of the decisions of their school boards and their cities and term limits, 75 bills have proposed to alter the FOI Act. their states and the nation, too. They had earned that Precious few of them would strengthen the law. Some right, and they demanded access. are duplicate bills that keep coming back but have been People in power fought the idea, and laws were successfully opposed by FOI advocates. passed that weren’t terribly useful. Arkansas’s first open- Term limits is another reason for this rash of legis - government legislation essentially said government lation. The constant turnover in the Legislature brings meetings would be open to the public—unless the offi - lawmakers to power who don’t know the history of the cials wanted them closed. FOI Act. For some, their entire public lives have been It took election of some of those determined GIs consumed with this fear of terrorism. Others simply and others who shared their mindset to make real don’t appreciate that public participation—made possi -

40 CITY & TOWN Changes to 2007 Directory, Arkansas Municipal Officials

Bauxite Portland Add AL Conlee Busselle Delete MTG Third Thursday Delete MTG Second Monday Delete AL Linda Holleman Add MTG Third Monday Add MTG Third Monday Add AL Betty Case Delete CA Herman Hamilton Bay Delete WW/SAN Floyd Kelley Summit Add PC David Kelly Add WS Floyd Kelley Delete CEO William Cagle Delete DPW Jonathan Webb Delete AL Robert Linton Georgetown Add SAN/SS Jonathan Webb Add AL Annie Allen Delete AL Bobby Bryant Delete PRD William Lassiter Delete AL Curtis Reed Add AL James Burroughs Add AL Syble King Russell Delete AL Randy Lunceford Paragould Delete M Carletta Pyle Add AL William Sweet Delete FC Eddie Brown Add M Darrell Lutner Delete AL Arnold Wilkerson Add FC Kevin Lang Delete R/T Henry Klotz Add AL Terry Mooney Add R/T Amanda Busselle Pleasant Plains Delete WS/WW Glen Pyle West Fork Add MR Matt Thomas Add WS Carletta Pyle Delete PRD Nancy Dugyler Delete SAN Roger Turner Delete SS Darrell Lutner Add PRD Nancy Dugwyler Delete AL Danny Wood Add WW Tommy Sanford Add LIB Joan Bachman Add AL Connie Blevins Add SAN Todd Meacham Add AL Brett Stone Delete AL Glenda Pierce

Visit Us. www.arml.org

ble by this right to know—is fundamental to responsible record keepers responded fully, although not necessarily government. Lawmakers become government insiders, without suspicion. Six others gave up only part of the with easy access to information themselves, and forget report. The rest denied the request. what it was like to be a citizen looking in from outside Ideally, all of the record keepers would have the halls of government. known their responsibility under the law and complied But lawmakers aren’t the only ones losing willingly. That didn’t happen. faith with the full participation of the public in their All of the audit experiences are documented on governments. the Internet at www.sunshineweek.org. Numerous arti - This year, as part of Sunshine Week, news organi - cles, editorials and cartoons about freedom of informa - zations and others all around the country, sent individu - tion are also available, including several from Arkansas. als, acting as private citizens, to ask for a document the The concern expressed in commentary there federal government requires be kept and be made avail - and here is genuine, fueled admittedly by a different able to the public. kind of fear: fear that this fundamental public right The results of that audit of more than 400 agencies to know is endangered. were wide ranging, in Arkansas and elsewhere; but far too many of those who keep the records failed to give Brenda Blagg is regional editor of The Morning News and them up. Arkansas coordinator for Sunshine Week. Address comments Our experience in Arkansas, where auditors asked or queries to Brenda Blagg, 203 N. College, Fayetteville, AR for documents in 30 counties, two cities and a state 72701, or e-mail to [email protected]. agency, was definitely mixed. More than half of the

APRIL 2007 41 Local Option Sales and Use Tax in Arkansas

BENTON Little Flock (1) Cherokee Village CLAY (.5) Nimmons Avoca (1) CARROLL (.5) BOONE (1.25) MARION BAXTER FULTON (2) RANDOLPH (1.25) Corning (2) Peach Orchard Gravette (2) Horseshoe Bend (2) Biggers Bentonville (2) Lowell (2) Berryville (1.5) Alpena (1) Valley Springs Big Flat Datto Piggott (1) Bethel Heights (1.5) Bellefonte Bull Shoals (1) Maynard Greenway Pollard Pea Ridge (1) Eureka Springs (2.25) Zinc Cotter (2) Mammoth Spring (1) Cave Springs (1) Rogers (2) Bergman Flippin (1) O’Kean Knobel Rector (2) Green Forest (1) Salem (1) St. Francis Centerton (2) Siloam Springs (2) Diamond City (1) Pyatt Gassville (2) SHARP (1) Pocahontas (.75) McDougal Decatur (1) Springdale (2) Oak Grove (1) Everton Lakeview (1) Viola (1) Ravenden Springs Success Gentry (1.625) Springtown (1) Harrison (.75) Summit (1) IZARD Ash Flat (1.375) Reyno GREENE (1.5) Garfield (1) Mtn. Home (1) Sulphur Springs (1) Lead Hill Yellville (1) Calico Rock (2) Cave City Delaplaine Gateway Omaha Norfork Alicia Franklin (1) Cherokee Village Black Rock (1) Lafe Highfill (2) WASHINGTON (1.25) MADISON (2) South Lead Hill Evening Shade LAWRENCE (1.5) Saleville Guion (1) College City Marmaduke Hardy (1) Powhatan Johnson (2) Hindsville NEWTON Horseshoe Bend (2) Hoxie (1) Ravenden (1) Paragould (1) Elkins (1) Highland (1) Imboden Lincoln (1) Huntsville (1) SEARCY Melbourne (1) Horseshoe Bend (2) Sedgwick Oak Grove Heights Elm Springs (1) STONE Lynn Prairie Grove (2.25) Jasper (2) Oxford (1) Sidney Smithville MISSISSIPPI (2) Farmington (2) St. Paul Minturn Springdale (2) Gilbert (1) Pineville (1) Williford Strawberry Bay CRAIGHEAD Luxora (1) Fayetteville (2) Western Grove Portia (1) Bassett Tontitown (2) Leslie Walnut Ridge (1) Black Oak Egypt Manila (1) Goshen Birdsong West Fork (2) Bono Jonesboro (1) Marie Greenland (2) Marshall (.5) Fifty-Six INDEPENDENCE (1.25) Blytheville (1) Winslow Pindall Mtn. View (2) Batesville (.125) Brookland Lake City (.5) Burdette Osceola (1) Cave City Caraway Monette Dell JACKSON (1.5) Cash Cushman Amagon Dyess CRAWFORD Magness Etowah (1) JOHNSON (1) Beedeville (.5) Victoria Alma (2) POPE VAN BUREN CLEBURNE (1.75) Moorefield Campbell Sta. POINSETT (1.25) Gosnell (1.5) Clarksville Newark Trumann (1) Joiner Wilson Dyer (1) FRANKLIN (.5) Damascus Concord Diaz Fisher Kibler (1) Coal Hill Oil Trough Grubbs Tyronza Keiser (1) Altus (1) Atkins (.5) Clinton (1) Fairfield Bay (1.5) Harrisburg (1) Mountainburg (2.5) Pleasant Plains Jacksonport Waldenburg (2) Leachville Branch (1) Hartman Dover (1) Fairfield Bay (1.5) Newport (1.5) Lepanto (1.75) Mulberry (2) Greers Ferry Sulphur Rock Weiner (1) Charleston (1.5) Knoxville Hector Shirley (1) Swifton (1) Marked Tree (1) Van Buren (1.5) Heber Springs (1) Tuckerman (1.25) Denning Lamar (1) London Ozark (1) Higden Tupelo Pottsville (1) CONWAY (1.75) Weldon CROSS (2) Wiederkehr Quitman (1) Higginson WHITE (1.5) Russellville (1.5) Cherry Valley (1) CRITTENDEN (1.75) Village (1) LOGAN Menifee (2) FAULKNER (.5) Bald Knob (2) Judsonia WOODRUFF Crawfordsville SEBASTIAN (1.25) Hickory Ridge Earle (1) Blue Mountain (1) Morrilton (1) Conway (1.75) Beebe (1) Kensett Russell Barling (1) Damascus Augusta (1) Parkin Edmondson Booneville (1) Letona Searcy (.5) Bonanza (1) Oppelo (1) Enola Bradford Cotton Plant (1) Caulksville Wynne Gilmore (1) Central City Morrison Bluff Plumerville (1) Greenbrier (2) Garner McRae West Point Horseshoe Lake Magazine (1) Hunter Fort Smith (2) Paris (.5) YELL (1) Guy (2) Pangburn Jennette (1) Greenwood (1.75) Holland Georgetown McCrory (1) ST. FRANCIS (2) Ratcliff Rose Bud (1) Jericho Hackett (1) S cranton Mayflower (1) Griffithville Patterson (1) Caldwell Palestine (1) Marion (2) Hartford Belleville (1) Subiaco Mount Vernon Colt Forrest City (1) Sunset (3) Huntington (1.5) Danville (1.5) PERRY (2) Twin Groves (1) Lavaca Madison (1) Wheatley (1) Turrell (2) Adona Fourche Vilonia (2) LONOKE PRAIRIE Mansfield (2.5) SCOTT (1.625) Dardanelle (2) Wooster Widener Hughes (1) W. Memphis (1.5) Bigelow Houston Allport Midland Havana (1) Perry Biscoe Casa Mansfield (2.5) Ola (1) Perryville (1) Alexander (2) Austin Des Arc (1) LEE PULASKI Cammack Village Cabot (2) Waldron (2) Plainview (1) DeValls Bluff (1) MONROE Aubrey Marianna (1) SALINE (.375) Jacksonville (2) Carlisle (1) Hazen (2) Haynes Moro (1) Little Rock (.5) Coy Brinkley (2) Ulm LaGrange Rondo GARLAND (.5) Benton (1.5) Maumelle (1) England (3) Clarendon (2) North Little Rock (2) Bryant (3) Humnoke Holly Grove (2) POLK MONTGOMERY (1) Sherwood (1) Cove (1) Shannon Hills (1) Keo (1) Roe (1) PHILLIPS (2) Black Springs Hot Springs (2) Wrightsville Grannis Lonoke (2) Elaine Mount Ida (1) Lonsdale Hatfield (1) Ward (1) Helena Norman Mountain Pine ARKANSAS Mena (1) Lake View Oden Fountain Lake Vandervoort (1) JEFFERSON (1.5) Almyra (1) Lexa Wickes (1) Donaldson GRANT Altheimer (1) DeWitt (3.5) Marvell HOT SPRING Friendship Humphrey (1) Gillett (2) West Helena HOWARD PIKE (2.375) Malvern (1) Pine Bluff (1) Humphrey (2) Sheridan (2) Redfield (1) Antoine Perla (1) St. Charles (2) (1.75) CLARK Sherrill (1) Daisy Rockport (1) Wabbaseka (1) Stuttgart (2) SEVIER (2.375) Dierks (1) Delight Amity (1.5) White Hall (1) Glenwood (1.5) Arkadelphia (1) Ben Lomond Mineral DALLAS (2) Murfreesboro (1.5) Caddo Valley (2) DeQueen (1) Springs (1) LINCOLN Gum Springs (2.25) Carthage CLEVELAND (1.25) Gillham (1) Nashville (1) Gurdon (2.25) Fordyce (1.5) Gould (1) Horatio Tollette Okolona Sparkman (1) Kingsland (1) Grady (1) DESHA (1.5) Lockesburg HEMPSTEAD (1.75) Whelen Springs Rison (1) Star City (2) Arkansas City Blevins Dumas (2.5) Emmet Fulton NEVADA McGehee (2) Hope (1) OUACHITA DREW (2) Mitchellville LITTLE RIVER (2) McCaskill Bluff City Reed McNab Bearden (1) Ashdown (2) Ogden Bodcaw Jerome Tillar Foreman (1) Wilton (1) Oakhaven Cale Camden (1) CALHOUN (1.5) BRADLEY (1.5) Watson Ozan Prescott (2.375) Chidester (2) Monticello (1) Winthrop Patmos (1) Hampton Reader E. Camden (1) Tillar Perrytown Harrell Banks Washington (1) Rosston Louann Wilmar MILLER (1.5) Willisville Thornton (1) Hermitage (1) Reader Winchester Tinsman Warren (1) LAFAYETTE Stephens (1) CHICOT (2) Fouke (1) (2.25) Garland (1) Dermott (3) COLUMBIA (2) UNION (2) ASHLEY (1.75) Texarkana (1.5) Bradley (2) Eudora (2) Buckner Emerson Lake Village (2) Lewisville McNeil Calion Junction City Crossett (2.75) Montrose Stamps (1) Magnolia (1) El Dorado (.25) Norphlet Fountain Hill (1) Parkdale Taylor (2) Felsenthal Smackover Hamburg (1) Portland Waldo Huttig Strong Wilmot

KEY: Counties with countywide tax (shaded is 1¢ unless otherwise noted) (2) 2¢ being collected in that municipality (2co¢) 2¢ being collected in that county Source: Debbie Rogers, Office of State Treasurer See also: www.arkansas.gov/dfa

Sales and Use Tax Year-to-Date 2007 2007 Elections Month Municipal Tax County Tax Total Tax Interest CONWAY COUNTY , March 13. January $33,890,076 $32,664,439 $66,554,515 $244,719 Defeated. 0.25% for 5 years February $41,087,573 $39,706,942 $80,794,515 $209,743 For: 770 Against: 1,058 March $33,903,991 $33,441,917 $67,345,908 $217,856 HOWARD COUNTY , March 13. Total $108,881,640 $105,813,294 $214,694,938 $672,318 Passed. 1¢ for hospital. Averages $36,293,880 $35,271,099 $71,564,979 $224,106 For: 866 Against: 804

42 CITY & TOWN March 2007 Municipal Levy Receipts March 2007 Municipal/County Levy Receipts Alexander ...... 20,985.20 Keo ...... 1,378.49 Crossett ...... 61,684.40 Cherry Valley ...... 5,013.76 Haynes ...... 787.52 Des Arc ...... 8,843.68 Alma ...... 154,717.66 Kibler ...... 2,693.70 Fountain Hill ...... 1,608.63 Hickory Ridge ...... 2,734.78 LaGrange ...... 448.96 DeValls Bluff ...... 3,582.31 Almyra ...... 906.32 Kingsland ...... 1,419.90 Hamburg ...... 30,746.09 Parkin ...... 11,409.15 Moro ...... 886.87 Ulm ...... 937.90 Alpena ...... 2,055.83 Lake City ...... 3,591.35 Montrose ...... 5,321.63 Wynne ...... 61,354.48 Rondo ...... 872.16 Pulaski County ...... 868,216.81 Altheimer ...... 2,681.08 Lake Village ...... 56,199.75 Parkdale ...... 3,814.17 Dallas County ...... 116,383.05 Lincoln County ...... 38,435.48 North Little Rock ...... 979,793.97 Altus ...... 4,659.24 Lakeview ...... 3,739.98 Portland ...... 5,584.68 Desha County ...... 80,519.75 Star City ...... 9,317.58 Alexander ...... 2,821.04 Amity ...... 7,898.61 Lamar ...... 6,292.31 Wilmot ...... 7,952.10 McGehee ...... 31,938.14 Gould ...... 4,920.86 Cammack Village ...... 13,472.92 Arkadelphia ...... 138,412.62 Lepanto ...... 9,960.95 Baxter County ...... 258,227.55 Arkansas City ...... 4,116.32 Grady ...... 1,972.11 Jacksonville ...... 485,025.01 Ash Flat ...... 63,304.25 Leslie ...... 2,093.85 Mountain Home ...... 125,164.04 Dumas ...... 36,606.56 Little River County ...... 265,329.59 Little Rock ...... 2,969,116.35 Ashdown ...... 86,209.84 Lewisville ...... 9,453.65 Cotter ...... 10,468.22 Mitchellville ...... 3,473.36 Ashdown ...... 61,846.85 Atkins ...... 8,927.58 Lincoln ...... 15,711.74 Gassville ...... 19,390.65 Reed ...... 1,921.88 Ogden ...... 2,768.30 Maumelle ...... 171,159.55 Augusta ...... 16,729.72 Little Flock ...... 4,650.46 Norfork ...... 5,501.22 Watson ...... 2,012.73 Wilton ...... 5,678.89 Sherwood ...... 348,755.61 Avoca ...... 4,243.71 Little Rock ...... 1,792,350.48 Lakeview ...... 8,672.37 Tillar ...... 230.61 Winthrop ...... 2,406.09 Wrightsville ...... 22,179.24 Bald Knob ...... 48,839.65 Lonoke ...... 87,175.89 Big Flat ...... 1,182.08 Drew County ...... 249,065.85 Foreman ...... 14,552.96 Randolph County ...... 106,551.12 Barling ...... 17,651.25 Lowell ...... 174,613.59 Salesville ...... 4,967.01 Monticello ...... 83,487.49 Logan County ...... 77,385.84 Biggers ...... 2,578.83 Batesville ...... 25,154.39 Luxora ...... 3,462.27 Briarcliff ...... 2,727.87 Jerome ...... 419.90 Blue Mountain ...... 820.08 Maynard ...... 2,767.70 Bearden ...... 7,023.22 Madison ...... 1,836.53 Benton County ...... 646,711.01 Tillar ...... 1,889.57 Caulksville ...... 1,447.57 O’Kean ...... 1,460.13 Beebe ...... 59,230.13 Magazine ...... 3,267.11 Benton County Wilmar ...... 5,212.26 Magazine ...... 5,684.65 Pocahontas ...... 47,348.79 Beedeville ...... 216.60 Magnolia ...... 172,019.18 Special Aviation ...... 9,722.00 Winchester ...... 1,743.51 Morrison Bluff ...... 459.74 Ravenden Springs ...... 995.21 Belleville ...... 1,603.37 Malvern ...... 259,062.98 Siloam Springs ...... 163,114.39 Faulkner County ...... 535,132.32 Paris ...... 23,030.61 Reyno ...... 3,515.93 Benton ...... 541,592.80 Mammoth Spring ...... 9,124.67 Rogers ...... 595,654.08 Damascus ...... 747.54 Ratcliff ...... 1,186.63 Saline County ...... 306,508.26 Bentonville ...... 1,161,986.53 Manila ...... 19,023.98 Bentonville ...... 296,804.10 Enola ...... 1,191.00 Scranton ...... 1,379.23 Scott County ...... 67,849.49 Berryville ...... 144,551.33 Mansfield ...... 25,921.52 Bethel Heights ...... 10,740.91 Mount Vernon ...... 912.25 Subiaco ...... 2,727.40 Waldron ...... 24,124.25 Bethel Heights ...... 43,242.85 Marianna ...... 62,884.16 Decatur ...... 19,766.88 Wooster ...... 3,268.92 Booneville ...... 25,577.84 Mansfield ...... 6,031.07 Black Rock ...... 2,728.76 Marion ...... 145,196.57 Gentry ...... 35,276.51 Holland ...... 3,655.35 Lonoke County ...... 193,517.81 Searcy County ...... 32,019.57 Blue Mountain ...... 124.59 Marked Tree ...... 32,376.13 Gravette ...... 27,228.35 Franklin County ...... 131,134.51 Allport ...... 1,023.31 Gilbert ...... 170.18 Blytheville ...... 287,044.95 Marshall ...... 11,152.93 Lowell ...... 80,962.98 Branch ...... 2,524.88 Austin ...... 4,874.81 Bonanza ...... 1,209.58 Maumelle ...... 103,316.62 Centerton ...... 32,282.90 Wiederkehr Village ...... 325.34 Carlisle ...... 18,564.56 Leslie ...... 2,485.65 Booneville ...... 81,322.97 Mayflower ...... 18,923.86 Pea Ridge ...... 35,291.56 Altus ...... 5,778.22 Coy ...... 934.67 Marshall ...... 6,771.09 Bradley ...... 4,901.24 McCrory ...... 13,797.39 Cave Springs ...... 16,592.77 Charleston ...... 20,969.92 England ...... 24,301.53 Pindall ...... 489.91 Branch ...... 4,255.24 McGehee ...... 81,553.97 Sulphur Springs ...... 10,094.05 Denning ...... 2,864.36 Humnoke ...... 2,256.11 St. Joe ...... 665.25 Brinkley ...... 93,891.47 Melbourne ...... 24,596.75 Avoca ...... 6,363.31 Ozark ...... 24,930.52 Keo ...... 1,893.52 Sebastian County ...... 680,720.18 Bryant ...... 744,095.94 Mena ...... 107,856.27 Garfield ...... 7,371.21 Fulton County ...... 78,112.60 Lonoke ...... 34,542.65 Fort Smith ...... 1,180,136.99 Bull Shoals ...... 9,951.03 Menifee ...... 4,302.93 Gateway ...... 7,431.38 Mammoth Spring ...... 4,637.43 Ward ...... 20,788.44 Huntington ...... 10,115.29 Cabot ...... 502,429.26 Mineral Springs ...... 5,030.85 Highfill ...... 9,838.31 Salem ...... 6,432.57 Cabot ...... 122,966.04 Mansfield ...... 10,379.94 Caddo Valley ...... 25,462.19 Monticello ...... 144,846.98 Little Flock ...... 38,886.90 Viola ...... 1,540.42 Madison County ...... 159,846.98 Barling ...... 61,397.47 Calico Rock ...... 15,125.42 Moro ...... 1,741.60 Springdale ...... 30,252.05 Horseshoe Bend ...... 28.30 Huntsville ...... 12,481.75 Greenwood ...... 104,563.89 Camden ...... 133,770.28 Morrilton ...... 118,273.52 Elm Springs ...... 195.56 Cherokee Village ...... 3,270.86 Hindsville ...... 457.54 Bonanza ...... 7,557.06 Carlisle ...... 24,917.07 Mount Ida ...... 14,637.66 Springtown ...... 1,714.93 Ash Flat ...... 8.09 St. Paul ...... 994.40 Central City ...... 7,807.01 Cave Springs ...... 5,361.89 Mountain Home ...... 308,240.35 Bella Vista ...... 235,156.70 Hardy ...... 109.16 Marion County ...... 65,007.49 Hackett ...... 10,203.51 Centerton ...... 47,984.70 Mountain Pine ...... 6.84 Boone County ...... 290,075.27 Garland County ...... 542,877.59 Bull Shoals ...... 12,228.65 Hartford ...... 11,350.30 Charleston ...... 21,352.11 Mountain View ...... 117,572.81 Alpena ...... 3,037.33 Lonsdale ...... 738.28 Flippin ...... 8,297.14 Lavaca ...... 26,831.99 Cherry Valley ...... 2,833.30 Mountainburg ...... 8,591.79 Bellefonte ...... 4,218.51 Mountain Pine ...... 4,830.08 Pyatt ...... 1,546.93 Midland ...... 3,719.72 Chidester ...... 2,843.69 Mulberry ...... 36,313.21 Bergman ...... 4,292.33 Fountain Lake ...... 2,558.94 Summit ...... 3,582.99 Clarendon ...... 22,257.48 Murfreesboro ...... 18,880.27 Everton ...... 1,792.86 Grant County ...... 108,157.67 Yellville ...... 8,021.99 Sevier County ...... 210,691.91 Clarksville ...... 135,784.33 Nashville ...... 90,601.73 Lead Hill ...... 3,026.78 Greene County ...... 283,298.87 Miller County ...... 278,711.80 DeQueen ...... 40,985.42 Clinton ...... 78,353.16 Newport ...... 133,006.58 Omaha ...... 1,740.14 Delaplaine ...... 1,139.21 Garland ...... 5,519.05 Ben Lomond ...... 895.78 Conway ...... 1,561,508.42 Norfork ...... 2,879.30 South Lead Hill ...... 928.07 Lafe ...... 3,453.50 Fouke ...... 5,519.05 Gillham ...... 1,336.56 Corning ...... 80,668.84 North Little Rock ...... 2,645,879.09 Valley Springs ...... 1,761.23 Marmaduke ...... 10,387.40 Texarkana ...... 124,178.53 Horatio ...... 7,088.03 Cotter ...... 15,109.20 Oak Grove ...... 796.78 Zinc ...... 801.52 Oak Grove Heights ...... 6,521.28 Mississippi County ...... 579,819.01 Lockesburg ...... 5,054.74 Cotton Plant ...... 1,571.25 Ola ...... 5,716.94 Harrison ...... 128,158.33 Paragould ...... 197,495.17 Osceola ...... 82,246.13 Sharp County ...... 54,567.59 Cove ...... 3,087.36 Oppelo ...... 2,447.37 Diamond City ...... 7,698.78 Hempstead County ...... 232,251.32 Keiser ...... 7,487.87 Hardy ...... 5,021.60 Crossett ...... 463,486.17 Osceola ...... 78,775.84 Bradley County ...... 100,669.38 Hope ...... 84,243.66 Bassett ...... 1,556.88 Ash Flat ...... 6,734.61 Danville ...... 35,068.37 Oxford ...... 1,286.02 Banks ...... 676.05 Blevins ...... 2,896.47 Birdsong ...... 370.69 Cave City ...... 13,013.33 Dardanelle ...... 129,833.10 Ozark ...... 58,516.36 Hermitage ...... 4,332.35 Emmet ...... 206.32 Blytheville ...... 169,329.73 Evening Shade ...... 3,211.89 DeQueen ...... 79,015.65 Palestine ...... 6,140.12 Warren ...... 36,292.58 Fulton ...... 1,944.21 Burdette ...... 1,195.46 Sidney ...... 1,899.50 DeValls Bluff ...... 5,303.95 Paragould ...... 294,780.85 Calhoun County ...... 46,630.13 McCaskill ...... 666.59 Dell ...... 2,326.06 Williford ...... 435.16 DeWitt ...... 123,343.47 Paris ...... 21,920.58 Hampton ...... 11,968.30 Oakhaven ...... 428.52 Dyess ...... 4,772.59 Horseshoe Bend ...... 34.54 Decatur ...... 10,911.66 Patmos ...... 154.78 Harrell ...... 2,220.84 Ozan ...... 642.78 Gosnell ...... 36,772.13 Cherokee Village ...... 26,517.08 Dermott ...... 42,371.76 Patterson ...... 1,469.50 Thornton ...... 3,918.69 Patmos ...... 484.07 Joiner ...... 5,004.27 Des Arc ...... 13,681.94 Pea Ridge ...... 19,957.43 Tinsman ...... 568.48 Perrytown ...... 2,023.56 Leachville ...... 18,358.26 Highland ...... 6,810.59 Diamond City ...... 1,983.68 Perla ...... 1,971.35 Carroll County ...... 110,261.95 Washington ...... 1,174.46 Luxora ...... 12,204.86 St. Francis County ...... 133,134.00 Dierks ...... 13,144.63 Perryville ...... 15,284.64 Beaver ...... 415.25 McNab ...... 595.17 Manila ...... 28,311.20 Hughes ...... 26,386.54 Dover ...... 14,613.50 Piggott ...... 29,986.37 Blue Eye ...... 157.35 Hot Spring County ...... 137,637.38 Marie ...... 1,000.85 Forrest City ...... 208,802.72 Dumas ...... 108,314.36 Pine Bluff ...... 565,663.34 Chicot County ...... 99,427.07 Malvern ...... 65,013.45 Victoria ...... 546.76 Wheatley ...... 5,257.52 Dyer ...... 1,078.64 Pineville ...... 1,214.34 Lake Village ...... 14,883.22 Perla ...... 828.79 Wilson ...... 8,701.91 Palestine ...... 10,472.64 Earle ...... 21,577.97 Plainview ...... 3,391.24 Eudora ...... 14,862.13 Rockport ...... 5,707.86 Etowah ...... 3,391.78 Madison ...... 13,949.38 East Camden ...... 3,174.02 Plumerville ...... 5,902.90 Dermott ...... 19,680.86 Donaldson ...... 2,349.45 Montgomery County ...... 64,913.14 Caldwell ...... 6,571.90 El Dorado ...... 90,099.55 Pocahontas ...... 76,890.67 Clark County ...... 212,357.56 Friendship ...... 1,484.62 Black Springs ...... 441.74 Colt ...... 5,200.98 Elkins ...... 13,922.31 Portia ...... 1,967.46 Clay County ...... 42,652.12 Midway ...... 2,464.76 Norman ...... 1,639.10 Widener ...... 4,734.60 Elm Springs ...... 3,343.22 Pottsville ...... 10,599.29 Datto ...... 262.68 Magnet Cove ...... 3,264.73 Oden ...... 852.49 Stone County ...... 55,922.69 England ...... 53,821.70 Prairie Grove ...... 53,689.09 Greenway ...... 660.77 Howard County ...... 169,199.25 Mount Ida ...... 3,801.32 Mountain View ...... 19,011.07 Etowah ...... 612.33 Prescott ...... 117,631.70 Knobel ...... 969.49 Nashville ...... 47,628.48 Nevada County ...... 31,907.92 Fifty Six ...... 1,077.47 Eudora ...... 27,851.61 Quitman ...... 10,188.33 McDougal ...... 528.07 Dierks ...... 12,009.64 Prescott ...... 23,764.92 Union County ...... 379,005.95 Eureka Springs ...... 88,683.84 Ravenden ...... 2,255.62 Nimmons ...... 270.81 Mineral Springs ...... 12,341.62 Bluff City ...... 1,018.68 Calion ...... 11,045.68 Fairfield Bay ...... 17,400.74 Rector ...... 22,159.02 Peach Orchard ...... 528.07 Tollette ...... 3,163.52 Bodcaw ...... 992.89 El Dorado ...... 491,095.33 Farmington ...... 49,482.61 Redfield ...... 9,287.13 Pollard ...... 649.94 Independence County . . . . . 325,444.50 Cale ...... 483.55 Fayetteville ...... 781.09 Rison ...... 8,776.22 Success ...... 487.45 Batesville ...... 101,288.36 Emmet ...... 3,094.73 Felsenthal ...... 2,639.65 Fayetteville ...... 2,324,883.41 Rockport ...... 2,649.90 St. Francis ...... 677.02 Cave City ...... 664.89 Rosston ...... 1,708.55 Huttig ...... 16,349.48 Flippin ...... 40,133.20 Roe ...... 1,566.39 Cleburne County ...... 321,301.01 Cushman ...... 4,943.77 Willisville ...... 1,212.10 Junction City ...... 14,755.58 Fordyce ...... 68,967.54 Rogers ...... 1,646,537.88 Concord ...... 2,443.35 Magness ...... 2,048.29 Newton County ...... 22,597.22 Norphlet ...... 16,346.69 Foreman ...... 7,220.18 Rose Bud ...... 5,622.56 Greers Ferry ...... 8,911.05 Moorefield ...... 1,715.84 Jasper ...... 1,460.91 Smackover ...... 45,523.02 Forrest City ...... 149,474.04 Russellville ...... 836,627.76 Heber Springs ...... 61,630.00 Newark ...... 13,072.58 Western Grove ...... 1,193.96 Strong ...... 13,500.87 Fort Smith ...... 2,933,068.97 Salem ...... 16,079.94 Higden ...... 967.77 Oil Trough ...... 2,337.84 Ouachita County ...... 81,062.36 Van Buren County ...... 225,714.40 Fouke ...... 6,056.22 Searcy ...... 213,876.18 Quitman ...... 6,553.94 Pleasant Plains ...... 2,863.31 Camden ...... 89,589.51 Shirley ...... 2,790.18 Fountain Hill ...... 496.18 Shannon Hills ...... 6,002.59 Fairfield Bay ...... 1,398.94 Sulphur Rock ...... 4,514.82 Stephens ...... 7,846.07 Damascus ...... 1,556.54 Franklin ...... 4,869.52 Sheridan ...... 139,915.45 Cleveland County ...... 27,784.12 Izard County ...... 67,961.05 East Camden ...... 6,143.36 Clinton ...... 18,901.99 Garfield ...... 3,468.88 Sherrill ...... 718.43 Rison ...... 3,926.46 Jackson County ...... 106,409.74 Bearden ...... 7,662.17 Fairfield Bay ...... 19,158.64 Garland ...... 1,076.04 Sherwood ...... 295,722.73 Kingsland ...... 1,387.09 Newport ...... 57,219.23 Chidester ...... 2,451.89 Washington County ...... 1,118,088.72 Gassville ...... 26,394.64 Shirley ...... 3,051.79 Columbia County ...... 339,977.25 Tuckerman ...... 12,870.85 Louann ...... 1,328.11 Elkins ...... 18,172.21 Gentry ...... 46,761.55 Siloam Springs ...... 453,609.21 Emerson ...... 566.42 Grubbs ...... 3,208.55 Perry County ...... 65,403.43 Elm Springs ...... 14,976.46 Gilbert ...... 98.31 Sparkman ...... 6,699.19 McNeil ...... 1,044.48 Amagon ...... 695.92 Adona ...... 690.87 Goshen ...... 10,923.67 Bigelow ...... 1,215.49 Gillett ...... 4,064.72 Springdale ...... 1,776,023.61 Magnolia ...... 18,563.99 Beedeville ...... 769.17 Greenland ...... 13,175.22 Gillham ...... 1,209.09 Springtown ...... 149.42 Taylor ...... 893.02 Campbell Station ...... 1,670.21 Casa ...... 772.15 Gilmore ...... 376.73 St. Charles ...... 2,385.92 Waldo ...... 2,514.95 Diaz ...... 9,405.90 Fourche ...... 217.97 Johnson ...... 33,686.14 Glenwood ...... 48,259.89 Stamps ...... 13,754.72 Conway County ...... 271,503.76 Jacksonport ...... 1,721.48 Houston ...... 587.42 Prairie Grove ...... 36,896.42 Gosnell ...... 14,197.99 Star City ...... 52,504.36 Morrilton ...... 65,505.73 Swifton ...... 6,380.48 Perry ...... 1,160.07 Springdale ...... 636,056.57 Gould ...... 3,179.55 Stephens ...... 5,004.52 Menifee ...... 3,110.27 Tupelo ...... 1,296.61 Perryville ...... 5,386.55 Tontitown ...... 24,534.67 Grady ...... 3,581.33 Stuttgart ...... 248,222.67 Oppelo ...... 7,250.63 Weldon ...... 732.55 Phillips County ...... 129,028.07 West Fork ...... 29,662.40 Gravette ...... 161,290.47 Sulphur Springs ...... 1,888.69 Plumerville ...... 8,540.76 Jefferson County ...... 548,814.13 Elaine ...... 9,921.42 Winslow ...... 5,795.94 Green Forest ...... 26,001.19 Summit ...... 2,317.93 Craighead County ...... 231,079.55 Pine Bluff ...... 477,623.26 Lake View ...... 6,090.48 Fayetteville ...... 843,199.48 Greenbrier ...... 74,327.55 Swifton ...... 3,130.83 Bay ...... 24,723.20 Wabbaseka ...... 2,798.08 Lexa ...... 3,796.52 Lincoln ...... 26,205.18 Greenland ...... 11,263.44 Taylor ...... 8,725.19 Black Oak ...... 3,928.24 White Hall ...... 40,992.35 Marvell ...... 16,000.43 Farmington ...... 52,366.77 Greenwood ...... 123,835.91 Texarkana ...... 280,755.38 Bono ...... 20,767.49 Redfield ...... 10,022.86 Helena-West Helena . . . . . 172,185.25 White County ...... 644,981.61 Guion ...... 1,682.21 Texarkana Special ...... 123,028.73 Brookland ...... 18,295.17 Altheimer ...... 10,326.05 Pike County ...... 111,847.31 Rose Bud ...... 4,213.09 Gurdon ...... 30,550.56 Thornton ...... 990.33 Caraway ...... 18,528.67 Humphrey ...... 3,456.46 Antoine ...... 961.33 Beebe ...... 48,416.22 Guy ...... 4,198.77 Tontitown ...... 95,418.17 Cash ...... 4,038.12 Sherrill ...... 1,091.51 Daisy ...... 727.16 Bradford ...... 7,856.59 Hackett ...... 2,922.04 Trumann ...... 57,988.51 Egypt ...... 1,387.25 Johnson County ...... 91,752.73 Delight ...... 1,916.51 Kensett ...... 17,588.93 Hamburg ...... 24,909.30 Tuckerman ...... 19,303.63 Lake City ...... 26,865.88 Clarksville ...... 61,377.88 Glenwood ...... 12,984.15 Garner ...... 2,789.09 Hardy ...... 11,429.05 Turrell ...... 5,513.01 Monette ...... 16,193.70 Coal Hill ...... 7,959.48 Murfreesboro ...... 10,870.45 Georgetown ...... 1,237.41 Harrisburg ...... 19,289.78 Twin Groves ...... 660.01 Jonesboro ...... 762,504.82 Hartman ...... 4,739.11 Poinsett County ...... 100,236.87 Harrison ...... 214,974.82 Van Buren ...... 416,055.14 Crawford County ...... 225,362.55 Knoxville ...... 4,063.23 Lepanto ...... 13,379.13 Griffithville ...... 2,573.03 Hatfield ...... 2,783.38 Vandervoort ...... 340.72 Alma ...... 37,599.59 Lamar ...... 11,251.43 Fisher ...... 1,662.20 Higginson ...... 3,712.24 Havana ...... 2,813.47 Vilonia ...... 36,953.20 Van Buren ...... 171,602.37 Lafayette County ...... 18,413.28 Harrisburg ...... 13,749.21 Judsonia ...... 19,464.69 Hazen ...... 28,591.21 Viola ...... 2,062.20 Mulberry ...... 14,705.42 Bradley ...... 2,477.69 Marked Tree ...... 17,562.86 Letona ...... 1,973.97 Heber Springs ...... 110,682.91 Wabbaseka ...... 905.62 Mountainburg ...... 6,164.16 Stamps ...... 9,378.27 Trumann ...... 43,210.90 McRae ...... 6,491.51 Hermitage ...... 3,009.76 Waldenburg ...... 7,031.64 Kibler ...... 8,758.17 Buckner ...... 1,742.75 Tyronza ...... 5,758.11 Pangburn ...... 6,422.76 Highfill ...... 55,012.42 Waldron ...... 36,681.10 Dyer ...... 5,287.44 Lewisville ...... 5,655.13 Weiner ...... 4,767.06 Russell ...... 2,239.13 Highfill Walnut Ridge ...... 51,357.79 Chester ...... 894.80 Lawrence County ...... 99,424.08 Waldenburg ...... 501.79 Searcy ...... 185,886.85 Special Aviation ...... 19,437.20 Ward ...... 9,740.42 Rudy ...... 650.76 Walnut Ridge ...... 21,293.43 Polk County ...... 98,061.45 West Point ...... 2,042.71 Highland ...... 27,106.09 Warren ...... 55,387.40 Cedarville ...... 10,240.47 Alicia ...... 626.91 Mena ...... 44,445.80 Bald Knob ...... 31,524.56 Holly Grove ...... 4,046.89 Washington ...... 626.93 Crittenden County ...... 605,239.45 Black Rock ...... 3,099.98 Cove ...... 3,019.82 Woodruff County ...... 12,226.33 Hope ...... 143,673.82 Weiner ...... 4,360.36 Marion ...... 49,839.32 College City ...... 1,163.03 Grannis ...... 4,533.68 Cotton Plant ...... 4,434.18 Horseshoe Bend ...... 23,256.51 West Fork ...... 20,617.32 West Memphis ...... 154,910.07 Hoxie ...... 12,179.41 Hatfield ...... 3,169.63 Augusta ...... 12,309.47 Hot Springs ...... 1,591,677.14 West Memphis ...... 542,753.02 Earle ...... 16,999.46 Imboden ...... 2,957.30 Vandervoort ...... 946.16 Hunter ...... 702.08 Hoxie ...... 11,853.50 Wheatley ...... 3,294.28 Crawfordsville ...... 2,878.04 Lynn ...... 1,361.91 Wickes ...... 5,322.14 McCrory ...... 8,545.04 Hughes ...... 8,738.90 White Hall ...... 34,197.49 Edmondson ...... 2,872.44 Minturn ...... 492.88 Pope County ...... 294,629.53 Patterson ...... 2,157.04 Humphrey ...... 1,934.84 Wickes ...... 2,329.57 Gilmore ...... 1,471.49 Portia ...... 2,088.27 Russellville ...... 292,211.09 Huntington ...... 2,577.38 Wiederkehr Village ...... 2,343.76 Horseshoe Lake ...... 1,797.37 Powhatan ...... 216.18 Atkins ...... 35,511.51 Yell County ...... 68,901.49 Huntsville ...... 41,192.70 Wilton ...... 1,610.08 Jennette ...... 624.88 Ravenden ...... 2,209.33 Dover ...... 16,398.47 Plainview ...... 3,510.91 Jacksonville ...... 524,041.80 Wynne ...... 43.65 Jericho ...... 1,030.27 Sedgwick ...... 484.24 Hector ...... 6,243.51 Dardanelle ...... 19,661.09 Jasper ...... 18,807.34 Yellville ...... 16,373.57 Sunset ...... 1,753.70 Smithville ...... 315.62 London ...... 11,413.53 Ola ...... 5,598.85 Jennette ...... 125.56 Turrell ...... 4,822.67 Strawberry ...... 1,223.56 Pottsville ...... 15,682.81 Danville ...... 11,123.30 Johnson ...... 34,650.86 COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX Anthonyville ...... 1,399.82 Lee County ...... 23,419.44 Prairie County ...... 20,610.85 Belleville ...... 1,725.23 Jonesboro ...... 1,047,873.78 Arkansas County ...... 224,131.26 Clarkedale ...... 347.17 Marianna ...... 19,066.02 Hazen ...... 7,489.45 Havana ...... 1,822.88 Keiser ...... 2,082.44 Ashley County ...... 311,909.90 Cross County ...... 197,609.11 Aubrey ...... 813.28 Biscoe ...... 2,177.75 Interest: $672,318 APRIL 2007 43 PPRROOFFEESSSSIIOONNAALL DDIIRREECCTTOORRYY

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Miller-Newell Engineers, Inc. Consulting Engineers and Surveyors 510 Third St. Newport, Ark. 870-523-6531

44 CITY & TOWN •Environmental Assessments •Threatened/Endangered Species •Stormwater - Management, Permitting & Modeling •Floodplains - Management, Administration & Modeling Associates Ltd. •Wetlands - Section 404 Delineation, Permitting & Mitigation water resources/environmental consultants 3 Innwood Circle • Suite 220 • Little Rock, AR 72211-2492 (501) 225-7779 • Fax (501) 225-6738 • [email protected]

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P.O. Box 1299, HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS 71902 (501) 624-4691 FAX (501) 623-7277

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ACCEPTING POLICE OFFICER APPLICATIONS —The skills and abilities: Understanding of physical fitness; exer - picked up at McCrory City Hall. Texarkana, Ark., Police Dept. is accepting applications for cise techniques; knowledge of resistance, nutrition and POLICE OFFICER —Menifee Police Dept. seeks a P/T offi - police officers. First year ann. sal. is $34,340.02. After one cardiovascular education. $10/hr. Mon.-Thur. 11 a.m.- cer. Certification required. Starting pay $9/hour. Fax appli - year, sal. incr. to $37,505.00(+). Benefits incl. ins., vac., 8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Applications may be obtained at cations to Chief Wayne Morris, 501-354-6826. sick leave, certificate pay, edu. pay and longevity pay. Uni - www.cityofjacksonville.net or at City Hall, #1 Municipal SANITATION LOADER —Jacksonville is accepting applica - forms and eqpt. furn. Min. req.: (1) Must be 21 yrs. old, Drive, Jacksonville. EOE. tions for a F/T sanitation loader. Must have valid CDL B; (2) 30 hrs. of college (waiver to test for prior law enforce - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR —Jacksonville is accept - pass pre-employment drug screen; must be able to ment or 2 yrs. active military), (3) meet all other min. ing applications for a heavy equipment operator. Require - lift up to 75 lbs.; must be able to walk, stand and balance req. of Texarkana, Ark., Police Dept. For further info., ments: Valid CDL A; HS diploma or GED; at least 5 yrs. for extended periods of time; sanitation exp. pref. Appli- contact the Personnel and Training Office at 903- rel. exp.; drive dump truck, tractors, other street maint. cations may be obtained from Human Resources, 798-3328 or [email protected], or Web site: equip. Applications may be obtained from Human Jacksonville City Hall, #1 Municipal Drive; or at www.txkusa.org/arkpolice. Resources, Jacksonville City Hall, #1 Municipal Drive; or www.cityofjacksonville.net. Salary up to $10.65/hr. DOE. CITY ENGINEER —Jacksonville is accepting applications for a www.cityofjacksonville.net. Salary $11.75 to $13.20/hr. EOE. city engineer. Qualifications: Bachelor’s deg. in Civil Eng.; DOE. STREET DEPT. DIRECTOR —Pine Bluff seeks applicants for at least 3 yrs. exp. in civil eng., 5 supervisory; plan, design HOUSING INSPECTOR —Pine Bluff seeks applicants for the position of Street Dept. director. The director oversees and direct city eng. projects; valid DL; must reside in Jack - the pos. of Housing Inspector. Resp. for inspecting and reviews plans and specs. for public works projects, sonville. Applications may be obtained from Human houses in need of repair or demolition and lot clear - assists in projecting a plan of public works projects and Resources, Jacksonville City Hall, #1 Municipal Drive; or ances. Also resp. for citizens’ complaints relating to improvements, and administers and coordinates all capital www.cityofjacksonville.net. Resumé may accompany Housing Codes. Prepares form letters adv. property improvement projects with other city depts., utilities and application. Salary DOE. EOE. owners and tenants of poss. violations and time outside contracts. The director gives tech., engineering CITY ENGINEER —Lakeland, TN, seeks applicants for the allowed for correcting deficiencies, consults file of viola - and architectural advice to city depts. as directed by the pos. of city engineer. Directs staff in Eng. Dept. and pro - tion reports and revisits dwellings at periodic intervals to mayor; performs and coordinates the investigation, devel - vides tech. direction for on-going devel. of city’s infrastruc - verify correction of violations by property owners and opment, design and construction of eng. projects; and ture, estab. and monitor eng. standards, eng. review of tenants. Also keeps records of all notices, compliance supervises operation, maintenance of all dept. equip. com. and res. devel. plans and ensure compliance with and non-compliance of housing costs demolished and Bachelor’s deg. in Civil Engineering and/or five yrs.’ exp. in fed. and state regs. Successful applicants will have issues citations. App. must have high school diploma engineering work (2 yrs. of which in mgr./supervisory 5-6 yrs. mun. exp., Prof. Eng. Cert. and at least 2 yrs. and working knowl. of tech., materials and corrective capacity) preferred. Should have knowledge of federal supervisory exp. Starting sal. $80K+ DOE/DOQ, relocation meas. used in all aspects of housing constr. Must be flood plain mgmt. and state/local regulations. Applications exp. neg. and incl. benefit pkg. Applicants should aware of fed., state and city regs. that govern housing accepted at City of Pine Bluff HR Dept., 200 E. 8th, Room contact Henry Evans at 1-800-762-0173, e-mail constr. Must understand and be competent to work 104, Pine Bluff, AR 71601; fax 870-850-2449; or e-mail [email protected] or check Web site: from constr. blueprints, drawings and diagrams. Apply [email protected]. Open until filled. www.lakelandtn.gov. at City Hall, Room 104, Dept. of Human Resources. VEHICLE MECHANIC —Jacksonville is accepting applica - DEPUTY COURT CLERK —Jacksonville is accepting ap- Open until filled. EOE. tions for a vehicle mechanic. Valid CDL A; GED/Diploma; plications for a part-time Deputy Court Clerk. Valid DL; HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR —Jacksonville is accept - ASE Cert. req. Salary DOQ. Apps. may be retrieved at GED/Diploma; at least 1 yr. professional clerical exp. Appli - ing resumés for a director of human resources. Qualifica - www.cityofjacksonville.net or at City Hall #1 Municipal cant will work 10 a.m.-2 p.m. M-F and fill in full-time tions: Bachelor’s deg. in public admin. or human Drive. EOE. hours as needed. Applications may be retrieved at resources; SPHR or PHR and/or IMPA-CP or IPMA-CS WATER OPERATOR/SUPERINTENDENT —Big Flat seeks www.cityofjacksonville.net or at City Hall #1 Municipal certification pref.; at least 5-7 yrs. rel. exp. in human lic. water operator/superintendent incl. maintenance of Drive. EOE. resources field; supervisory exp. Benefits incl. a 457plan, complete distribution system., incl. billings and collection DIRECTOR OF INSPECTION AND ZONING —Pine Bluff complete health ins. pgm. (medical, dental, vision), tuition of water fees, or a person who can obtain a lic. within 1 seeks a qualified, experienced individual to fill the pos. of reimbursement pgm., mandatory contr. into APERS, and year. Submit resumé, refs. and sal. hist. to Mayor Horace director of inspection and zoning. Performs professional- an education incentive. Must live in Jacksonville. Submit Dickerson, P.O. Box 92, Big Flat, AR 72617. Phone 870- level tech. work rel. to land use, planning, zoning, code resume and city application to City Hall, ATTN: Human 448-5376 or fax 870-448-5350. Position available June 1. enforcement, site inspection and rel. work as req. Devel - Resources, #1 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville, AR 72076. WATER/SEWER OPERATOR —Black Rock (Lawrence Co.) ops and monitors overall comprehensive plans for the city, Application may be obtained from city hall or from seeks licensed water and sewer operator. Salary neg. incl. commercial, residential, industrial and neighborhood. www.cityofjacksonville.net. EOE. Contact Mayor Calvin McLaughlin at 870-878-6792. Bachelor’s deg. in Land Use, Planning, Urban Planning, INFORMATION SYSTEMS MGR. —Pine Bluff seeks appli - WATER/WASTEWATER OPERATOR —Lake Village (Chicot Landscape Arch. or rel. field; at least 5 yrs. in municipal cants for the position of information systems mgr. Resp. Co.) seeks water/wastewater operator. Lic. preferred but planning as a director or asst.; considerable exp. in project for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating not req. Must be willing to train to perform duties in the coord., mgmt. or rel.; equiv. comb. of edu. and exp.; cost-effective, state-of-the-art information tech. services. Water and Wastewater Dept. H.S. dipl. or FED and valid knowledge of tech., urban planning, zoning, code enforce - Dept. administers network ops., GIS communications, Ark. CL req. Paid vac., sick leave, holidays. Send resumé ment, political geog., drafting, photography and graphic website mgmt., records/imaging systems and several to City of Lake Village, attn: Clinton Tipps, P.O. Box 725, design desired. Submit applications in person or by mail to dept. specific software applications. Mgr. will guide the Lake Village, AR 71653. EOE. City of Pine Bluff, HR Dept., 200 E. 8th Ave., Room 104, development of information systems, coordinate interde - FOR SALE —1970 Ford F-850 Boardman 1000 GPM pumper. Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Fax resumés to 870-850-2449 or partmental activities to increase employee productivity Truck bought new by city. Has hard suction, deck gun, email [email protected]. Open until filled. using tech. Bachelor’s deg. in IT, Computer Sci., Public siren, lights, soft steamer connection line, ground ladders, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST —Pine Bluff Admin., Business Admin., Business/Econ., and/or 5 yrs. IT 2 red line reels and an auxiliary PTO pump for pumping on seeks qual. ind. for the pos. of Econ. Dev. Spec. Organ - mgmt. exp. or equiv. comb. preferred. Applications the go. Pump made by Waterous. Truck currently in use. izes and coordinates adm., tech. and prof. activities in the accepted at City of Pine Bluff HR Dept., 200 E. 8th, Room Contact Clarksville City Hall, 479-754-6486, or Chief Ron prep. and implementation of econ. devel. and redevel. 104, Pine Bluff, AR 71601; fax 870-850-2449; or e-mail Wylie, 479-754-1949. Asking $25,000. plans, programs and svcs. Applicants should have a B.A. [email protected]. Open until filled. PUMP STATIONS —Chidester has for sale two wastewater from an accredited univ. in Real Estate, Urban Planning, MAINTENANCE/GROUNDS —Cammack Village seeks F/T pump stations. Approx. 12 ft. long. Each has two pumps Economics, Public or Business Admin. or a rel. field with 5 maintenance/grounds employee. Responsibilities include with alternating action and were used on the surface to years incr. resp. work exp. in any comb. of public or private but not limited to street maint., light repair, park maint. and pump wastewater from below-surface tanks. Make offer. bus., real estate or econ. devel. An adv. degree may sub. other indoor/outdoor maint. Min. sal. $20,000 DOE. For more info contact John Kraft, 870-6 85-2994. for 2 years of exp. Apps. accepted in person or by mail at Health benefits, annual vac. Applications avail. 9 a.m.- PUMPER/TELESQUIRT —Van Buren is accepting sealed City of Pine Bluff, HR Dept., 200 E. 8th Ave., Rm. 104, 5 p.m. M-F at city hall, 2710 N. McKinley, 501-663-4593. bids on a 1975 Ford 50-ft. Telesquirt/1250 GPM two- Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Salary comm. with exp. up to $40K. POLICE OFFICER —Cammack Village Police Dept. seeks F/T stage pumper. 534 motor w/5-speed trans. Resumés may be faxed to 870-850-2449 or e-mailed to certified police officers. Health benefits, annual vac. Appli - VIN#C91LVC35548. May be viewed at Fire Station #3 on [email protected]. Apps. can be downloaded cations avail. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F at city hall, 2710 N. N. 28th and Bryan Road. For details, contact Asst. Chief from www.cityofpinebluff.com. Open until filled . McKinley. Contact Chief Powell for info, 501-663-4593. Stanley Clark at 479-471-5038. Sealed bids may be FIREFIGHTER —Jacksonville is accepting applications for POLICE OFFICER —The City of Jacksonville is accepting mailed to VBFD at 2009 Pevehouse Road, Van Buren, AR entry-level firefighter. Applicant must have a valid DL; applications for entry-level police officer. Applicant must 72956. Bids will be received no later than noon, May GED/Diploma. Deadline for applications is Friday, April 20, have a valid DL; GED/Diploma; no felony convictions. 16, 2007. The City of Van Buren reserves the right to reject for the test on Friday, May 4. Starting salary: $25,731. Deadline for applications is Friday, April 20, for the test on any and all bids. Applications and test information pamphlet may be Tuesday, May 4. Starting salary: $26,266. Applications STREET SWEEPER —Paris is selling 1988 Elgin Crosswind retrieved online at www.cityofjacksonville.net or at City may be retrieved online at www.cityofjacksonville.net or at Street Sweeper. Contact Street Supt., 479-963-2450. Hall, #1 Municipal Drive. EOE. City Hall #1 Municipal Drive. EOE. WANTED —Slightly used 20-cubic-yard, rear-load, trash com - FITNESS SPECIALIST —Jacksonville seeks Fitness Specialist POLICE OFFICER —Allport (Lonoke County) seeks a full-time pactor truck. Must be low hours. Contact Paris Street w/ Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from 2-year officer. Mail resumé and cert. to: Allport Police Dept, P.O. Supt. at 479-963-2450. college or tech. school, or 6 mo. to 1 yr. related exp. Box 58, Humnoke, AR 72072. WANTED —New or slightly used gravity belt press combo. and/or training, or equivalent comb. of edu. and exp. POLICE OFFICER —McCrory is accepting applications for Call Green Forest Wastewater Treatment Plant, 870- Valid driver’s lic.; Certified Personal Trainer/CPR. Other a full-time certified police officer. Applications may be 438-5246. 46 CITY & TOWN MaximizeMaximize Your BBenefit.enefit.

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