Spring was a busy time for Greenwood. Rain in May kept the Street Department from mowing where they would usually have been, but it kept the reservoir full so that we did not have to buy water nor ration water through the months of June and July. Heavy rains caused vacant lots to become unsightly and the Code Enforcement Officer has worked with property owners on the issue throughout the quarter.
Water: The Water/Wastewater Advisory Committee has been negotiating with both the possible sources for a long term solution to a fifty year old water problem of not having enough water for our growth expectations. The problem has plagued the last ten mayors and city councils. This hard working group of concerned citizens is nearing completion of their recommendation for City Council and you will be receiving news soon of the history making plans. Water/Wastewater Director Greg Cross reports that the plant is operating efficiently, but, is overworked since June 1st to maintain supply for our customer consumption and fire fighting capabilities. When you see the committee members, thank them for the long hours and endless meetings they have endured on our behalf. They are: Dr. Tom Cuthbert, Daniel McDaniel, Tom Scott, Randy Coleman, Roy (Guy) Moss, Jr., as well as City Councilmen Lance Terry and Dr. Lee Johnson.
Water Distribution: Director Tim Posey and his crews have faced serious challenges in the second quarter with the extensive work being done on Jones Street and the Denver Street Bridge replacement project. Water lines had to be moved and the continuous threat of line failure draining tanks was alarming. This work was tedious and if not done exactly to plan, could have resulted in the loss of fire protection to major portions of our city, or, at the very least, water outages to parts of the business community during the workday. To avoid interruption in service to restaurants and other businesses, Tim and his crews worked at night until early morning hours moving fire hydrants and lines that service those businesses. The tax dollars generated by those businesses is important to us and the business community owes a good deal of gratitude to these crews. All this work was done by awarding “comp time” so as to not run up costs of overtime in the department. I am proud of that type of management and I know that you are too.
Streets: The Jones Street project is growing with the water line issues I have described. When complete, this project should reflect what future street projects will look like in Greenwood. There is no need in building anything less than perfect with your tax dollars. While that project was put out for bid, Street Department Director Don Keyes and his crews have been working with other contractors to enhance intersections at Denver and Daisy Streets. We have more culverts that need to be replaced and we will get to them. This Daisy/Denver project could not be started until school was out due to traffic. Go see it. Don and his crews have also been replacing undersize culverts at Denver Street and Bell Road with “stimulus money” to reduce flooding in threatened areas. This is all part of our flood control project. During the second quarter of 2009 we received rainfall amounts that would have likely caused flooding in some neighborhoods had we not spent a good part of last summer cleaning out creeks and replacing undersized tiles under some streets and driveways. We will clean out more creeks toward the end of summer.
$1,000,000.00! That’s right. One million dollars is what we are getting by participating in the bridge replacement program on Denver Street. All the paper work is submitted to the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. The negotiating is through and we are on track to have over 80% of that project paid for with State and Federal monies. The City of Greenwood has been deemed qualified for participation and Greenwood’s share of the costs will be around $180,000.00. I chose to obtain the easements and rights-of-way myself and not let the State do it. Don Keyes and I dealt directly with property owners and AHTD officials estimate that this resulted in a savings of nearly $400,000.00 on the project. Incidentally, we owe our thanks to the folks at Yeager’s, La Fiesta and Dr. Matthew Singer for their cooperation. The intersection will be widened and make for a safer and more attractive entrance to our community. Traffic will flow more smoothly and the bridge will no longer dam up flood waters into the Crooked Creek area behind Yeager’s. The bridge will also be designed with the Walking Trail beneath it so as to continue the trail to the next park and subdivision on its way to Bell Park.
Parks: The Second Quarter 2009 saw extensive work on the Promenade in C. O. Bell Park. Go see the rock work on the promenade plazas. The stone masons are working on sections that will be duplicated in other areas of the park project. A community center sub-committee is working with architects now and the Parks Committee and Director Doug Kinslow are discussing ways to implement further aspects of the C. O. Bell Park Master Plan, including a pool, splash pad or other water features. The Parks Committee received a grant form the City of Greenwood Advertising and Promotions Commission to buy playground equipment for Ossie Louise Park on Ridgecrest Drive. That equipment has been selected from those contractors submitting bid proposals.
Disk golf continues to draw visitors to Bell Park as do the newly installed soccer goals for practice fields.
In the second quarter of 2009, the Parks Committee welcomed new members. I appointed Terri Smith, Steve Ratterree, Grant Lowe and Jeb Baldwin to the committee.
Police Department: This quarter saw the retirement of Officer Allen Gossett after eight years on the force and 32 years in law enforcement.
Police Chief Keith Jackson and the Greenwood Police Department welcomed to the force three new officers in the second quarter 2009 to fill existing vacancies. They are Jeff Fugatt, David Scott and Chad Rohmer. They have all proved to be good hires for the department.
Officer David Stewart was certified in June to become the next School Resource Officer with the start of school in the fall. Officer Stewart will serve Easthills, North Main and Westwood. His office will be at Easthills.
The Greenwood PD conducted a child safety seat inspection and installation training to the public in May.
May also saw the Greenwood Police Department defeat the Greenwood Fire Department in the annual Mayor’s Cup Charity Softball Game to support the South Sebastian Boys and Girls Club. The event raised hundreds of dollars for a great cause and a fun evening.
Fire Department: Your City of Greenwood Fire Department responded to 25 fire/emergency calls in the second quarter of 2009. Our First Responders served the community on 84 occasions. In 3 of those calls the Sebastian County EMS personnel were on calls in other parts of the county. That would have meant that Greenwood was left without trained emergency medical if not for these dedicated First Responders. Remember, these First Responders are business people in our community who have undergone extensive training to provide an increased level of safety for our citizens. The Fire Department is responsible for First Responders in Greenwood and I continuously salute these folks for their efforts on behalf of us all.
Budget, Expenditures and Taxes: Sales tax collections in Greenwood have declined only slightly in the second quarter. Keeping a tight rein on expenditures has allowed the City to remain within its budget thus far. I appreciate the help of the department heads in curtailing any unnecessary expenses. Finance Director Steve Tedford reports daily to the various other departments concerning budget versus actual expenses and receipts. Our income to the city is sporadic and comes in lumps while our expenses are constant and regular! This takes exceptional talent in the Finance Department to keep the bills paid and the coffers from draining. We are regularly reminded that, “just because it’s in the budget does not mean that it’s in the bank!
The S.I.G.N. (Shop In Greenwood Now) campaign seems to be working and I certainly want to thank the committee for help with this. The local business leaders report seeing the signs and that the comments on the project have been positive. It’s has never been more important to support local businesses. In times of economic concern, your neighbors who own local businesses appreciate your patronage and the City appreciates your help in keeping sales tax collections level to support vital improvements and essential services. So, remember: Shop at home. It’s the civic minded thing to do!
Fuel costs fluctuating have made budgeting difficult and the rising costs associated with construction (concrete and lumber) have not helped. However, we are within our budget in every department and on schedule with each project. Jones Street being the lone exception. After the Jones Street project began, we approved changes that added to the time and the costs of the overall project, but will make for a better street, better water and sewer lines in the areas and improved drainage.
Plans: The Police Chief brought to the attention of the Planning Department Director-Sonny Bell that children walk along the edged of Highway 10 to get to Wells Junior High. Plans are underway for sidewalks connecting King’s Mountain and Ridgecrest. The newly appointed Executive Committee for the Veteran’s Memorial Square confirms that all funds are accounted for and that the project is continuing with the engraving of the names of those veterans in whose honor stepping stones have been purchased. Meetings with the architect have produced both ideas and concerns about the clock tower and whether it can be saved, updated or removed. Engineers are being consulted and plans drawn. The Greenwood Veterans’ Memorial Square will be a timeless thing of beauty and a fitting tribute to the area’s veterans and likely a tourist attraction as well.
The Mayor’s Community Improvements Committee (MCIC) has not only taken as active role in the S.I.G.N. campaign, but has awarded the Yard of the month Award throughout the quarter to those whose landscape efforts make their neighborhoods looks better. The Greenwood Garden Club’s help with this project has been valuable and the property owners seem to appreciate the honor. The MCIC is working on “entrance to Greenwood” signs with architect Michael LeJong. You should begin hearing and reading more about this project this quarter.
The dry spell in June hurt the Farmer’s Market in the Square, but a few vendors have continued to show up. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to bring activity to the square as this quarter progresses.
Planning and Community Development: Sonny Bell and the Planning Commission have been working with Community Developer Jim Von Tunglen form Little Rock on the updates to Greenwood’s Master Plan. Jim is a consultant to the Arkansas Municipal League and is delivering some beautiful ideas. We budgeted for this crucial help and it will pay big dividends in having a well thought out plan for our community’s growth. It is worthy on note that Sonny Bell reports housing starts in Greenwood are exceeding projections for this quarter and for the whole year. Cities that fail to keep their Master Plan updated suffer serious budgetary woes when future money is spent fixing past mistakes. I encourage you attend public meetings to see the results of these efforts. It’s your opportunity for input into what the City of Greenwood will look like that we leave to our children and theirs.
Watch the news for upcoming announcements concerning sewer in neglected areas, a committee to study a proposed bypass and grants I am pursuing. It’s all part of plans that I expect to unveil in the Third Quarter 2009. We at City Hall welcome your views and appreciate your input. The City Council and I thank you for your continued support. The Department Directors and I appreciate the kind notes and calls about progress in our town. Thank you and may God continue to bless Greenwood, Arkansas!