GRAVETTE — A contingent of Gravette city officials, led by Mayor Byron Warren, were in Little Rock Jan. 16-18 to attend the 2013 Winter Conference of the Arkansas Municipal League.

City officials from throughout the state were present at the three-day event held at the Peabody Hotel, where they heard speakers covering many city related topics, including the function of the various city offices and elected officials.

Also attending the event from Gravette were Tracy Sewell and Lori Leonard, who hold administrative offices in City Hall, newly-appointed Gravette city attorney David Bailey and newly elected council member Bob Robinson. Gravette’s other new council member, Richard Carver, was unable to attend.

Opening keynote speaker was Gary McCaleb, former three-term mayor of Abilene, Texas, and former president of the Texas Municipal League.

Warren said the sessions were informative and enlightening, especially hearing how other cities and small towns address situations and solve problems which are germane to all public bodies.

Different state agencies had representatives present to meet with city officials to provide information on how their agencies might best assist cities.

Of particular interest were seminars on such topics as “City Government 101: Who Does What?”

A session on understanding the new highway street aid program involving the new 1 cent sales tax which voters approved was of particular interest to Gravette, as was a seminar on what to expect from the 89th General Assembly, now in session.

Warren reported that Jackie Crabtree, mayor of Pea Ridge, is the incoming president of the Arkansas Municipal League.