FEBRUARY 2006 VOL. 62, NO. 2 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE FEBRUARY 2006 VOL. 62 No. 2 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE F E A T U R E S League Winter Conference hears candidates, how-to advice 06 The conference at the Peabody Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center offered time for delegates to hear and meet with statewide political candidates and representatives of state agencies and others with assistance for municipalities. Then, sights were set on the 2007 legislative session. A new city is born: Helena-West Helena, in eastern Arkansas 10 Bolstered with advice from the Municipal League and educational institutions and support of businesses and residents, this merged product of two cities starts out with a population of 15,012 and a new lease on life. Pushing aside differences, the council finds ON THE COVER: An 8 a.m. gathering for a group picture harmony, a team spirit and goals to build the community. d i d n ’t seem to bother at all these council members and off i- cials of the newly established city of Helena-West Helena, W h e re can I find it? When did I read that art i c l e ? c reating a combined population, as shown here on U.S. 49, 41 Here is the annual index of articles, opinions, columns of 15,012. Mayor James F. Va l l e y, at right front center, stands and other content in issues of City & Town, 2001-2005. near the west end of the Mississippi River Bridge into the new Did you save your magazines? Use this as a reference to city with City Clerk Sandi Ramsey, just left of the mayor, and at right of mayor, Aldermen Tommy Hunt and Don Etherly; the information you need. and, from left are City Attorney Andre Va l l e y, and Council members Trece Shepard Williams, Robert Martin (behind her), Jay Hollowell, also in back, Joe St. Columbia, fro n t , Kenneth Harman, at right of Hollowell, Larry Wilson, Eugene (Red) Johnson and behind Johnson at right, Marvin Jarre t t and at right, back, City Tre a s u rer Michael Boone.—jkw D E P A R T M E N T S Animal Corner . .34 a'TEST Newsletter . .30 Attorney General Opinions . .20 Book Review: Cities in the Wilderness . .28 Calendar . .14 Engineering Service . .24 Fairs and Festivals . .27 Mayor James F. Valley presides over the first-ever Helena-West Helena City Council meeting Health Benefit Fund Provider Changes . .37 New Year’s Eve, 2005; enactment of an operating code of ordinances, as recommended by the Municipal League, and a budget were key actions that began this new city on the Mississippi League Officers, Advisory Councils . .5 River. City Clerk Sandi Ramsey, right of mayor, and City Attorney Andre Valley, at left, and all Municipal Mart . .54 10 council members participated in the historic meeting. Obituaries . .14 Planning to Succeed . .32 President’s Letter . .4 Professional Directory . .52 John K. Woodruff, Editor Sales Tax Map . .49 Lamarie Rutelonis, Editorial Assistant Sales Tax Receipts . .50 Here’s where to reach us: Sister Cities International . .22 501-374-3484; Fax 501-374-0541; E-mail: [email protected]; Urban Forestry . .26 League Web site—www.arml.org Your Health . .36 Cover Photo by John K. Woodruff, League staff City&Town (ISSN 0193-8371 and Publication No. 013-620) 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. FEBRUARY 2006 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER 4 CITY & TOWN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Mayor Bobbie Bailey, A l p e n a; Mayor C r a n f o r d, F o re m a n ; Record e r / Tre a s u r er Marla Wallace, G i l l e t t; Ve r onica Post, A l t u s; Councilmember Larry Hall, B a y; Mayor Tim Councilmember Gary To b a r, G i l m o r e; Mayor Melba Fox-Hobbs, McKinney, Berryville; Mayor Chris Claybaker, Camden; Clerk/Treasurer H a r t f o r d; Record e r / Tre a s u r er Rose Marie Wilkinson, H a s k e l l ; Billie Hasty, Clarendon; Mayor Tab Townsell, Conway; Mayor Jimmy Administrative Asst. T.A. Cowan, Hazen; Mayor David Shackelford, Wallace, England; Mayor Larry Bryant, Forrest City; City Director Gary Recorder/Treasurer Mary Ruth Wiles, Highland; Mayor Lloyd Travis, Campbell, F o r t Smith; City Manager Kent Myers, Hot Springs; Councilmember Joe Gies, L a k e v i e w; Councilmember Susan Sparks A l d e r man Kenny Elliott, J a c k s o n v i l l e; Mayor JoAnne Bush, L a k e Sturdy, Lamar; Mayor James Lee Brooks, Madison; Mayor Clark Hall, Village; Mayor Steve Northcutt, Malvern; Mayor Robert Taylor, Mari- Marvell; Recorder/Treasurer Bobby Brown, McDougal; Mayor Bob anna; Clerk/Treasurer Regina Walker, Mena; Mayor Mike Gaskill, Sullivan, McRae; Councilmember Don Sappington, Norfork; Mayor Jim Paragould; Mayor Carl Redus, Pine Bluff; Mayor Howard Taylor, Crotty, Norphlet; Mayor Jerry Duvall, Pottsville; Mayor Levenis Penix, Prescott; Mayor Belinda LaForce, Searcy; Mayor Bill Harmon, Sher- Thornton; Mayor Art Brooke, Councilmembers Charles Gastineau, Ginger wood; Mayor M. L. VanPoucke Jr., Siloam Springs; Recorder/Treasurer Tarno, Glen Walden, Ward; Mayor Curly Jackson Sr., Recorder/Treasurer Carolyn Willett, Smackover; Mayor John Riggs, Van Buren. Amanda Orr, Wilmar; Councilmember Russell Hatridge, Wilton; Mayor Lorraine Smith, Wrightsville. ADVISORY COUNCILS PAST PRESIDENTS: Councilmember Larry Combs, El Dorado; Mayor Tommy Swaim, Jacksonville; Councilmember Martin Gipson, Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, N o r th Little Rock; Councilmember Tommy Baker, Osceola; Mayor Jim Dailey, Little Rock; Mayor Robert Patrick, St. Charles; Mayor Gene Arkansas Municipal Yarbrough, Star City. LARGE FIRST CLASS CITIES: Mayor Jerre Van Hoose, League Off i c e r s Springdale, Chair; Mayor Chuck Hollingshead, City Director James Calhoun, A r k a d e l p h i a ; Personnel/Finance Director Marilyn Payne, Bryant; Mayor Bobby Beard, Councilmember Mayor Te r ry Coberly, B e n t o n v i l l e P r e s i d e n t Dianne Hammond, El Dorado; Mayor Dan Coody, Mayor Stewart Nelson, M o rr i l t o n First Vice Pre s i d e n t Fayetteville; Councilmembers Louise Fields Mary Jeffers, Cecil Mayor Paul Nichols, Wy n n e Vice President, District No. 1 Twillie, Forrest City; City Director Elaine Jones, Hot Springs; Councilmembers Bill Howard, Robert Lewis, Reedie Ray, Linda Mayor Stanley Morris, M e n i f e e Vice President, District No. 2 Rinker, Jacksonville; City Clerk Donna Jackson, Jonesboro; Mayor Robert Reynolds, H a r r i s o n Vice President, District No. 3 City Director B.J. Wyrick, Intergovernmental Relations Manager Mayor Horace Shipp, Te x a r k a n a Vice President, District No. 4 Odies Wilson III, Little Rock; Councilmember James Moore, Don A. Zimmerm a n Executive Dire c t o r M a g n o l i a ; Councilmembers Scott Doerh o f f, Jan Hogue, Maumelle; City Clerk Diane Whitbey, Councilmember Murry Witcher, North Little Rock; Mayor Raye Turner, Councilmember Randal INCORPORATED TOWNS: Mayor James Murry Sr., W abbaseka, C r ouch, R u s s e l l v i l l e ; Clerk/Tre a s u r er Tammy Gowen, S e a r c y ; Chair; Mayor George Hallman, Ben Lomond; Record e r / Tre a s u r er C l e r k / T re a s u rer Vi rginia Hillman, Councilmembers Lex (Butch) Davis, B r enda Frazier, H i g h f i l l ; Mayor J.A. (Sandy) Sanfratello, Marina Brooks, Sherwood; Clerk/Treasurer Mitri Greenhill, Finance Horseshoe Lake; Councilmember Margarette Oliver, Menifee; Mayor Officer Jane Jackson, Stuttgart. Anneliese Arm s t r ong, Mt. Ve rn o n ; Councilmember Paul Lemke, Springtown; Recorder/Treasurer Naomi Mitchell, St. Charles; Mayor FIRST CLASS CITIES: Mayor Frank Fogleman, M a r i o n , Chair; Merle Jackson, Winchester. Councilmember Shirley Jackson, A s h d o w n ; Clerk/Tre a s u rer Paul Hill, B e e b e ; Mayor L.M. Duncan, Clerk/Tre a s u rer Joan Richey, Councilmember PUBLIC SAFETY: Mayor Rick Holland, B e n t o n, Chair; Mayor Shirley Ralph Lee, B o n o; Mayor Ray Maynard, Clerk/Tre a s u rer Susan Maynard , Johnson, A l e x a n d e r ; Public Works Director Jimmy Bolt, A r k a d e l p h i a ; C h e r okee Vi l l a g e; Mayor Billy Helms, Clerk/Tre a s u rer Barbara Blackard , Mayor Paul Halley, B r y a n t; Mayor Mickey Stumbaugh, C a b o t ; Councilmember Dutch Houston, C l a r k s v i l l e; Mayor J.H. Erm e rt, C o r n i n g ; Councilmember Wi l l a r d Thomason, Caddo Va l l e y ; Mayor Scott Councilmember Debra Barnes, C ro s s e t t; Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy, M c C o rmick, C ro s s e t t; Councilmember Steve Hollowell, F o rrest City; D e Q u e e n; Mayor Aubrey McGhee, D e Wi t t; Councilmember T.C.