Former mayor collapses at city council meeting

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

— The city of Gravette lost a former mayor and present member of the city council last Friday morning.

Bill Howard, who had served two terms as mayor of Gravette and had been elected to the city council last November, collapsed during a meeting of the council Thursday night.

He was taken by ambulance to Northwest Hospital in Bentonville, where he died Friday morning. (His obituary is on Page 4A).

Earlier in the regular monthly meeting, the council approved a new Hillcrest Cemetery ordinance which included an attachment concerning rules and regulations of the cemetery, appointed Bert Johnson to the city planning commission and had just approved a new pay schedule for local electedofficials when Howard collapsed.

Following a recess, the council returned in session to approve the appointment of Cory Reardon and Larry Buffer to the two-ton water board and approve a resolution concerning a grant of $12,500 to be used to combat underage drinking, primarily the upper elementary school “Be A Winner” program.

Prior to the meeting, Gravette resident Debra Smith, 107 Third Avenue S.W., addressed the council expressing concern about property upkeep in town. She said she had moved to Gravette several years ago but “the condition (of many town properties) gives me pause ... Some look terrible ... It is atrocious,” she said.

Mayor Warren explained the procedure the city must follow in such circumstances and said that progress is being made to correct problem areas.

News, Pages 11 on 08/31/2011