GRAVETTE - After discussing and postponing action for several weeks on a contract with the Boys and Girls Club for use of the Civic Center in Gravette, the Gravette City Council on Thursday night approved a two-year contract with the organization.

The club has used the building rent-free since it was established in Gravette almost 10 years ago. The city during that time has paid for all utilities, including heat and air, except phone.

The new contract stipulates the club will pay $150 per month rent which will help with utility costs. The balance of the contract is basically the same as in past years. Voting for the measure were council members Larry Stidham, Margo Thomas, Melissa Smith and Bob Robinson. Voting no were Richard Carver and James Denver.

In other council business, the governing body was introduced to two applicants who have been recommended to serve as Gravette’s new police chief, Andrew Bower and James Rusterholz. Bower is an officer for the Mt. Home police department; Rusterholz, who lives in Bella Vista, presently is on the Eureka Springs police department. Both men gave brief presentations and answered questions that were directed to them.

The two applicants were recommended by an investigating team, from among six applicants, for the position. Members of the investigating team appointed by Mayor Byron Warren were Richard Page, school superintendent, Darrell Keppler, pastor of Heritage Baptist, both of Gravette; Fire Chief Garrett of Siloam Springs; and Damon Hammon, representing the Ozarks Community Hospital.

Mayor Warren, later in the week, offered positions to both men and reported both have accepted. Bower has accepted the position as police chief and Rusterholz, a sergeant position held by Speed Estep who recently resigned. Warren said both are expected to assume their positions within the next two weeks, after they have given notice to their employers.

The council unanimously approved a $4,000 contract with a Fayetteville architecture firm, deMx, to prepare a facility design for improvement/addition to the Gravette Public Library.

The council referred to the Council Committee of the Whole, for discussion, a request for increases in salary for water/sewer department employees.

The council okayed the charge for copies requested from the city to match those charged by the library: 25 cents for single black and white copies; 50 cents for half color/black and white; and $l for all color copies.

Following a brief executive session, the mayor announced no action was taken concerning a problem involving two members of the police department.-

News, Pages 1 on 07/03/2013