GENTRY -- At an Aug. 2 meeting, Gentry's economic development committee discussed how the city should handle the medical marijuana issue and considered moving forward on issues ranging from allowing golf carts on city streets to becoming a Purple Heart City.
Even though committee members considered it unlikely that a medical marijuana dispensary would soon come to Gentry, they said the city should be planning ahead and be ready for that day if it comes. They had planned to urge the council to adopt a temporary moratorium on grow facilities or dispensaries within the city but learned that city government cannot do so (see above article in this week's issue).
Also recommended by the committee for future council action will be an ordinance authorizing the use of golf carts on certain streets within the city. Committee members expressed support for such an ordinance because a golf cart is the only means of transportation some have within the city.
State law now allows cities to authorize the use of golf carts on city streets, but they are still prohibited on federal and state highways.
Recommended for future annexation into the Gentry city limits was parcel 18-13565-000, 9.96 acres adjacent to the city which is also owned by the city. The parcel, if annexed, would also make it possible for property owners of land adjacent to the city property to petition for annexation.
Also recommended was to pursue becoming a Purple Heart City and to invite all residents with a Purple Heart to participate in ceremonies designating Gentry as a Purple Heart City. It was noted that most area cities have become Purple Heart Cities and some were asking why Gentry had not yet approved the designation.
James Furgason, a military veteran with family members in the military, said he didn't see the purpose of the designation and called it a "window dressing" rather than actually honoring those who served. Furgason had, at the August 2016 council meeting, recommended doing more to honor veterans than simply designating the city as a Purple Heart City. He suggested gathering veterans' stories and publishing them in the newspaper.
"I'll withdraw my objection," Furgason said at the committee meeting last week. "I do want to honor those injured in service to their country and don't want to dishonor them."
Furgason also suggested honoring the wives and mothers who have sent their husbands and sons into combat not knowing if they would return again.
Discussed was a proposal to accept as a gift the wooden Main Street structure known as the Snack Shack and moving it to another location on Main Street for historical preservation. Committee members expressed disappointment that the old fixtures in the building had been sold at auction and would not be a part of any restoration effort. They also asked the mayor to further explore obtaining the building on its current site rather than moving the structure.
Mayor Kevin Johnston said the building had apparently been moved to Gentry in the late 1800s, being pulled by a team of mules or oxen. He said the building had been used for other businesses in Gentry, including being a real estate office at one time. He said the Snack Shack closed suddenly in 1968 or '69, leaving everything as it was when the business closed.
The building itself has suffered much decay, with the floor being gone. If the city were to accept the building, donations and grant money are available to restore it, Johnston said. If the city does not accept it, the building's new owner plans to demolish it and turn the lot into a small park in honor of Milo Reinhardt, a past Gentry peace officer killed in the line of duty.
General News on 08/09/2017