PRAIRIE GROVE – The Prairie Grove parish invites its citizens to exercise one of their fundamental rights – to gather peacefully to celebrate the nation’s birthday with fireworks on July 3rd.
Mayor Sonny Hudson announced during the city council meeting on Jan.
Fireworks will be set off in an open field across from the high school and the public can enjoy the show from the high school parking lot.
The right to peaceful assembly is one of the distinctive freedoms enshrined in the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Penn.
Fire chief JC Dobbs, who will oversee the fireworks show, announced that a new fire truck has been ordered and the city has received a discount on the purchase. In May, the council approved Dobbs’ request to buy a new fire truck for a maximum of $ 750,000 from bonds. By ordering the fire engine by June 1st, the city avoided a significant price increase.
“We’re busy for some reason,” Dobbs told the council, noting that overtime pay has increased in part due to part-time workers taken off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
“You can’t work for us while you’re on FMLA vacation for another department,” Dobbs said.
Police Chief Chris Workman presented the council with an update on the recovery of officer Tyler Franks, who died Jan.
Franks had part of his left leg above the knee amputated for irreparable damage to his vascular system.
“I went to see Officer Franks today. He’s fine, he’s in a good mood, ”Workman said.
According to Workman, Franks underwent 15-minute surgery on Thursday, June 17.
“He’s getting around the best he can. He’s ready to come back,” said Workman, explaining that Franks is preparing to decide what his future will be.
Workman said Franks never wanted day shifts and always wanted to work night shifts where he felt he could make a difference to avoid public safety hazards like driving while intoxicated.
“He’s never been a really gregarious guy, we now call him a ‘social butterfly.’ Events like this definitely change you,” said Workman, adding that both Franks and the department were overwhelmed with the community support.
Workman said he would check with Franks about the possibility of attending the next city council meeting in person.
“I’ll see if he wants to show up and just show his presence,” said Workman.
The school’s resource officers raised money for the department’s “Shop with a Cop” program during the recent Junk at the Mill.
In addition, the Council adopted six regulations:
• Right of way swap to create a single right of way on Neal Street.
• An ordinance amending the appointments of the Planning Commission, which City Attorney Steven Parker would clarify, to stipulate that if a member misses four or more meetings within 12 months, he or she will be expelled from the commission. Current members will get a fresh start with the ordinance being passed, and Hudson directed city officials to send a notice to the planning committee.
• An order to clear an alley in Block 10 of the original township between East Bush and East Parks Streets.
• Removal of restrictions on private individuals renting the municipal swimming pool. In May, the council had set a limit to 50 people at pool parties because of Covid. Councilor Brea Gragg reported that residents have contacted the city asking for either a waiver or a return to a “no cap” on the number of people who can attend a private pool party.
“Some are tentatively paying a deposit until the council acts,” said Gragg, while others have asked for the dates to be postponed in hopes of accommodating a larger number of attendees.
Large groups of more than 100 people pay $ 175 an hour to rent the facility while smaller groups pay $ 150 an hour as the pool needs more lifeguards for larger groups and the higher fee helps the city to bear these costs.
In another measure, the Council issued a curb and gutter regulation at second reading and presented an agreement on the maintenance of the website.
The council also approved the preliminary platform for Snyder Grove, Phase 5, which will include 46 lots.
Councilor Rick Ault thanked Hudson for his role and presented Stacy Hurst, secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, to a public meeting on Jan.
According to the Enterprise Leader Archives, about 65 people crowded into the Latta Barn when Hurst approached those concerned about the preservation of the artifacts and proposed that the items be moved to a collection management facility at Jacksonport State Park in Newport, in the northeastern part of the country bring state.
Grady Spann, director of Arkansas State Parks, and Shea Lewis, assistant director of Arkansas State Parks, also attended the meeting.
“I want to thank you for your support for having Minister Hurst here last week,” said Ault as he turned to the mayor.
Hudson said State Representative Charlene Fite was very helpful in organizing the meeting with state officials.
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