January 21, 2009 Edition

Also in this issue...

WRPD to purchase new car

Gloria Wilkerson
Staff Writer

The Walnut Ridge Police Department will receive another police car following the city council's vote to purchase a second Dodge Charger at their regular council meeting on Jan. 14. Councilmen also voted on several ordinances and a resolution to apply for a sewer extension grant.

The city will buy a 2007 Dodge Charger, with a 3.5 V6 engine from Baltz Chevrolet-Olds in Pocahontas. The $11,500 cost will be taken from the police department budget.

Aldermen noted that the city had spent more than that last year in repairs to their current vehicles.

Alderwoman Paula Haskins asked if there was any progress being made in paving a portion of Robin Lane that is greatly in need of repair. Mayor Rogers told her that a drainage tile will have to be replaced and some more work done before the street can be repaired.

Ron Thomas of Walnut Ridge told the council that the parking lot at Larkspur Apartments floods after heavy rain. He said he went there to visit on Christmas Eve and the parking lot was a foot deep in water, making it inaccessible to those on crutches, in wheelchairs, etc.

Mayor Rogers agreed to get in touch with the housing authority (HUD) to see if they can get the ditch drainage problem in that area corrected.

Cats are also causing problems according to the council. They have received several complaints about cats in the city limits.

"There's nowhere to take them even if you can catch them," Rogers said. "The pound and the Humane Society won't take them.

"People need to take responsibility for their pets and have them spayed or neutered," she added.

In other business the council:

adopted a budget cleanup ordinance for 2008.
voted in favor of an ordinance waiving competitive bidding on trash pickup service and allowing the city to enter into a contract with Downum Waste Service.
passed a resolution allowing the city to apply to the State of Arkansas for an Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Community Development Block Grant. The grant money would be used to extend the city's sewer lines to Luther Bridge, along Highway 34 and Midway Road. Some of the areas annexed by the city do not currently have city sewer service. The proposed sewer expansion would cover everyone in the city of Walnut Ridge, according to Mayor Rogers.
voted for an ordinance to rezone property located near the old Wal-Mart store north of town currently zoned as Residential (R-1) to Commercial (C-3).

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