GRAVETTE -- The big news at the Nov. 15 meeting of the Gravette City Council was the surprise announcement that Fire Chief Lonnie Mullen had tendered his resignation. Mayor Kurt Maddox told council members that Mullen had submitted a letter of resignation that said he was leaving the department effective Dec. 7.
The letter stated simply, "I have received an offer from another organization as a Fire Chief for a considerable amount of money" and said he would do everything he could to help in a smooth transition and would make himself available for questions after his departure.
Mullen said he has enjoyed his time with the department and felt it has been an honor to serve the city as fire chief. On Friday he released a letter to the community of Gravette in which he explained that his decision to leave was not an easy one but was strictly a financial decision. He said that, during the 15 months he has served here, he has been contacted by recruiters and has passed up several opportunities for jobs elsewhere but the last offer financially was too great to pass up.
His letter to the community stated, "Over the past 15-month tenure as your fire chief, I have enjoyed the support from this community and its elected officials. Because of this support at all levels, we have been able to make improvements on how this fire department serves the community and becoming a truly community-based fire department. While there are still challenges for the future, the department is on the path to continue this progress regardless if I am here or not. It is the core group of firefighters that the department has that will continue this forward momentum."
Mullen concluded his letter by saying, "I wish the best for the future of the city and the Gravette Fire Department. It is my hope that the support for the fire department that the community has shown will continue in my absence."
In releasing the letter to the public, Mayor Maddox stated, "Thank you for your service to the city and we wish you the best of luck in the next chapter of your career."
Mullen is reportedly leaving to take a job with a refinery in Kansas. Captain David Orr of the Gravette Fire Department is expected to take over as interim chief until a new permanent chief is chosen.
In other business at the meeting, council members passed an ordinance to set the requirement to keep and maintain an inventory list of tangible personal property owned by the city, with a minimum value of $5,000 and a useful life of at least five years. The ordinance states that its approval is made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2017. A resolution was passed designating the city's planning area boundary and approving the map, and an ordinance was passed approving and adopting the planning area boundary and map.
Council members also voted to approve the 2015/2016 legislative audit report and approved a lot split for Francisco Rubio for a property at Bittersweet Road and Stage Coach Road in Gravette.
Ashley Harris was reappointed to the planning commission and two new planning commission members, Derek Estep and Dani Madison, were approved. Harris, Estep and Madison were all sworn in by Mayor Maddox.
Copies of the proposed 2019 budget were distributed to council members for their consideration. Discussion of a proposal to raise fire dues was tabled until the December Committee of the Whole meeting.
A short executive session was held. No action was taken.
General News on 11/19/2018