GENTRY — City council on May 2 approved putting the Gentry Farmers' Market back under the auspices of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and set the market location and days of operation.
In a resolution, the council set the location for the market on the south side of the city park, in the parking area, and set the days of operation on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Planned hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
The hours do not mean someone will always be set up during the allotted times, but the allotted times will be the only times local farmers may set up and offer fresh produce at the park.
According to the discussion at the council meeting, the Chamber will work together with local farmers to form a farmers' market organization and further define any rules needed for the market to run smoothly.
Reasoning for the location on the south side of the city park included a shaded area, driveways off Arkansas Highway 12 for easy access and running water.
The market opened last week and will continue to be open through the growing season.
For more information on the market, contact the Gentry Chamber of Commerce at 736-2358 or by email at [email protected].
COPS Grant
In other business, the chamber authorized Keith Smith, Gentry police chief, to apply for a COPS Grant, a federal grant which would pay 75 percent of the payroll costs of hiring a new full-time Gentry police officer for three years. After the three-year period, the city would be required to assume the total payroll costs for a fourth year.
According to Chief Smith, the department has been looking at the need to hire a full-time night officer and the city's cost for the three-year period would be covered under the budget by a reduction in part-time officer hours and overtime hours. Should the grant be awarded to Gentry, the city would still have the option to accept or reject the grant and its terms.
Smith told the council he wanted to know its desire before he and the mayor took the time to complete the detailed grant application. The council unanimously approved of applying for the grant.
Drug Take Back
Smith also reported to the council on the success of the police department's permanent drug take-back program, saying the department exceeded all expectations in the amount of prescription drugs turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposal during the last 6-month period.
"They are drugs which won't be on the street," Smith said.
Prescription drugs no longer needed may be deposited in the night deposit drop at the new Gentry police station for secure disposal. Deposited drugs go directly into a bank vault inside the station, Smith said, and are turned over to the DEA for disposal.
General News on 05/11/2016