GRAVETTE — Members of the Gravette city council met Thursday for the November committee of the whole meeting. Council member Ron Theis commented on the good voter turnout in Gravette, with more than 1,100 voting. The usual number voting is 400 to 450.
Paulette Austin addressed the council, representing the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street merchants, and requested permission to close Main Street when the KCS Santa train comes to town Dec. 13 to help with crowd safety. She reported plans are to set up a small stage where the state champion cloggers and the choir can perform. Free hot chocolate and coffee will be served. A lighted Christmas tree will be set up at Centennial Park and the caboose will be decorated with lights and open for tours.
Council members held a short special council meeting in which they passed an ordinance permitting and regulating the use of golf carts and two- and four-seat all terrain vehicles on Gravette city streets. This was the only item on the agenda for the November council meeting and that meeting will now be canceled.
During the special council meeting, members went into a short executive session. When they returned to regular session, Kurt Maddox, Gravette mayor, reported no action would be taken.
Tim Dewitt, streets and parks department manager, reported sidewalks are being put in now from Irving Street to the hospital and mowing is being done in the area of Mount Pleasant Road.
Corey Reardon, water and sewer department manager, reported all meters at the school have been marked and will be dug up. New meters will be installed there during Thanksgiving break.
Pennie Berry reported for the police department since Chief Skaggs is taking a Dale Carnegie leadership course on Thursdays. She said they had attended the district court budget meeting and the court fees for Gravette city court will be less for the 2017 fiscal year.
The canine officer has recently been fitted with a bulletproof vest secured through a grant. Berry also reported that Gravette police officers are participating in "No Shave November" to raise awareness for cancer research.
Library supervisor Karen Benson introduced herself and said she is now promoting the Library 2 Go program, encouraging patrons to download ebooks. She also told of Thanksgiving activities she has planned for youth at the library, including a drop-in scavenger hunt and activities for younger children.
Mayor Maddox introduced Carl Rabey, of Centerton, and said he had been hired as the new finance director and would begin work on Monday. Rabey said he has degrees in business administration and accounting and has 37 years of experience working in accounting.
General News on 11/16/2016