Minutes

Public Awareness Committee, Inc.

Fort Smith Public Library Community Room

March 25, 2004

 

Dick Gordon called the meeting to order.  The Colors were presented and Judge Jerry Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Gene McVay led a prayer.  Dick Gordon presented the minutes from the December 2003 meeting.  The minutes were approved, as written, with a motion by Crawford County Judge Jerry Williams and seconded by Bill Vines. The Treasurer’s Report was presented and approved.  Beginning balance was $1,834.83.  Interest was $.91.  There were no expenses. Balance on hand is $1,835.74.  Frankie Hamilton presented the officers of the Public Awareness Committee, Inc. to be effective March 25, 2004.  Claude Legris motioned that they be accepted by acclamation.  Gene McVay seconded the motion.  Officers are:

 

President:  Richard A. Gordon, Jr.

Vice Presidents:  Frankie Hamilton, Darla Rosenfield, Mayor Ray Baker, Bill Vines, Paul Rivaldo, County Judge David Hudson, County Judge Jerry Williams, Becky Murphy, Sgt. Jarrard Copeland, Claude Legris, Linda Schmidt, Blake Benson, Bill Pitts, Dr. Charles Larson, Colonel Thomas C. Hunt, Lt. Colonel Robin Reeves, Harriet Rouser, R.N., Dr. Gary Tucker, Jack Arnold, Michael Sindelar, Lynn Pincumbe, and Senator Denny Altes.

Recording Secretary:  Jennifer Goodson

Assistant Recording Secretary:  Paul Leggett

Treasurer:  Jennifer Goodson

 

Dick Gordon passed around a photograph that was taken at a past Board of Director’s meeting.  He also presented members of a newly formed veteran’s committee.  They are:

 

Mayor Ray Baker, Vice Mayor and Director Gary Campbell, Kathy Watson, Congressman John Boozman, Arkansas State Senator Denny Altes, Sebastian County Judge David Hudson, County Judge Jerry Williams, Bud Harper, Ray Caruthers, Dean Kruithof, Blake Benson, John Womack and staff, Claude Legris, Frankie Hamilton, Colonel Thomas Hunt and staff, Colonel John R. Dallas and staff, Jack Arnold, Bill Pitts, Bill Vines, Gene McVay, Ben Holmes, Chief Jerry Tomlin, Captain Dianna Fox, Major Jeff Barrows, Sgt. Jarrard Copeland, Paul Martin, Kelly Mulvihill, Dr. Charles Larson, Jennifer Goodson, and Richard A. Gordon.

 

Special recognition was given to Donna Reagan as secretary for the Public Awareness Committee.

 

The next scheduled meetings are:

 

The following are on file:

 

Short Reports: 

 

Bill Vines reported on retired and active rangers being recognized at the Darby Foundation.  The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard will put on displays for the rangers.  Tyson will be recognized as the Employer of the Year on June 23.  This company pays the difference in salary to those on active military duty.  On July 10, there will be displays at the Air National Guard hanger.  At Ft. Chaffee, the Army and Air National Guard units will have a “shootout”.  About 400 people signed up last year, but just over 200 actually participated because of the rain.  A large crowd is expected this year as well. 

 

Claude Legris, Ft. Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau, reported that the Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism was recently held.  Research has shown that tourism throughout the State generated some $3.9 billion of economic impact in the State last year.  Sebastian County showed $4.4 million in spending over 2001, which is a 2% growth ($221 million in State tax and $83 million in local tax).  There was a 13% increase in visitors to the Visitor Center in 2003 and a 16% increase in the number of motor coach tours through the center.  There has been a 1.8% growth in the hotel/motel room tax.  Increase in the economy began last summer.  There were more than 100 persons through the Fort Smith Visitors Center last Saturday alone.  The A&P Commission is drafting a letter to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regarding delay in construction of the River Valley Nature Center to encourage construction.  A copy will be provided to the Public Awareness Committee.  Fort Smith hosted 26 national and international group tour planners last Tuesday, prior to the National Tour Association Conference in Little Rock.  There were fabulous reviews from all in attendance.  The new Planning Guides have arrived as well as a new promotional DVD and video.  Copies will be donated to the library.  Entertainment Fort Smith published a special section on “Team Fort Smith” in their February issue.  A railroad service from Fort Smith will begin on Sunday, April 4.  Heritage Days Weekend is being planned in Belle Grove Historic District for Memorial Day weekend.  Descendants Day will be May 1, 2004, in preparation for obtaining the Marshal Service Museum.

 

Jennifer Goodson, Fort Smith Public Library, informed that an exhibit that chronicles women in the Little Rock Central High crisis is on display at the Main Library.   There were 33,997 visitors and 38,000 items checked out in February.  One hundred and sixty-three meetings were held, which included 2,600 people.  April 18-24 is National Library Week.  The library is sponsoring a free Trout Fishing in America concert at Creekmore Park on April 18 to kick off the week.  Several authors will visit the library as well.  March is the Library Friends membership drive.  This raises nearly $20,000 annually to supplement the budget.  There will be a book sale on May 1.  The library hopes to convert the bookmobile into a “storytime on wheels” that will visit daycares, etc.  It will focus on age 5 and under.  The library has a small grant but is looking for additional funds to do the conversion and make the vehicle more child-friendly. This will be a fall pilot project. 

 

Crawford County Judge Jerry Williams invited everyone to the Babe Ruth baseball tournament this summer.  Old Timers Day will be May 13-15th.  He spoke on school millage problems in Crawford County.  Crawford County is served by 12 fire departments with a total of 33 stations and over 350 trained personnel, all of which has verbal or written agreements to respond to aid each other.  Some of the departments have automatic aid agreements to provide water or other equipment.  Van Buren is the only full paid municipal department in Crawford County.  Alma and Dyer are municipal fire departments and the remaining 9 are rural volunteer departments.  For the last several years, all of the departments have been aggressively working to lower their ISO rating, which in turn lowers insurance rates for individual home owners and businesses located in Crawford County.  ISO ratings go from class 10 to class 1.  Class 10 has the highest insurance premiums and class 1 has the lowest premiums.  In the last year, District 3 which includes Mountainburg and District 5 has been evaluated by ISO.  The area inside Mountainburg was lowered to a class 5 rating and District 5 is expecting to hear at anytime what their lower rating will be.

 

In 2003, Crawford County Department of Emergency Management working in conjunction with the fire departments was awarded over $466,000 through the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) and Homeland Security for responders to use when responding to Weapons of Mass Destruction and terrorism incidents, Hazmat, or other disasters.

 

In 2002, Crawford County and its nine incorporated cities joined together to create a multi-jurisdictional Hazmat Response Team.  At this time, there are 40 technicians, 68 operations, and 43 awareness trained responders in Crawford County.  Many of the responders attended advanced WMD classes in Alabama, New Mexico, and Nevada.  Several more are scheduled to attend more of these classes at this time.  The ODP covers all the cost for this training, other than their time away from work.

 

Crawford County also signed mutual aid agreements with 8 of its surrounding counties to provide assistance for all type of disasters.    Crawford County is awaiting word from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management as to the amount of ODP funding it will receive in 2004.

 

US Forest Service Representative Rob Kopack stated that the Lake Fort Smith land exchange is being reviewed.  The prescribed burning season has begun.  The Ozark and Ouachita National Forests have a target of 164,000 acres.  So far, approximately 147,000 acres have been prescribed burned.  There was a 4,500 acre burn on Mount Magazine in preparation for the lodge being built.   Ground breaking will be April 9 at 10:30 a.m.  The budget is up in fire funding but other areas are stable or dropping.  Recreation and maintenance has dropped.

 

John Womack, Arvest Bank, gave an economy report.  The unemployment rate for December for Arkansas was 5.6, the Nation was 5.7.  The rate for February in Arkansas was 5.7 and 5.6 for the Nation.  The local economy is improving, particularly with the box companies.   These companies are good indicators of the economy.  Key interest rates are the lowest they have been in 45 years.  The 30-year mortgage rate is at 5.375%.  The 15-year mortgage rate is at 4.625%. The equity stock market rates in 2003 were good, but corrections are being made in 2004.  The $613 million fine to Microsoft in Europe has affected the market.  Retail gasoline prices are up.  Inflation is intact, except for energy issues.

 

Sebastian County Judge David Hudson reported that the courts building will cost $8.7 million.  This will be paid from monies collected since 1994.  No new taxes will pay for this.  The jail will also be expanded.  This will be paid with US Marshal’s revenues. 

 

Becky Murphy, Fort Smith Convention Center, spoke about the 2 new marquees that are up in town, one on Wheeler Avenue and one on Rogers Avenue.  She gave the website address (www.fortsmith.com).   Upcoming events are the Arkansas River Valley Lawn and Garden Show (March 26-28), Hank Thompson’s Sunset Tour, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, corporate meetings, River Valley Christian School banquet, Wizard of Oz, Evening for Sparks with Marty Stuart and Gene Watson, Baby Fair, River City Safety Council Conference, Western Arkansas Ballet “Shall We Dance”, Fort Smith Symphony, See Spot Tour, Sesame Street Live, Willie Nelson concert, Don Williams, and Ronnie Milsap. 

 

Kathy Watson, Congress Boozman’s office, reported that it is appropriations time in Washington DC.  The Times Record is doing a good job of keeping everyone informed.  Congress Boozman will be back in April.  The office has had 561 intervention requests since January, over 4,700 since elected.  His office is looking for WWII veterans (combat infantrymen badge) that would be eligible for the Bronze Star.  Steve Gray is the liaison for veterans.  The number one project is the Marshal’s museum.  Descendants Day will play an important role in acquiring this museum.  It will be held May 1 at the Frisco Depot.  Letters of support are needed from the community for this museum. 

 

Sgt. Smolley, Fort Smith Police Department Narcotics Supervisor, gave an update on the methamphetamine problems in the Fort Smith area.  There were 19 labs dismantled in 2001, 32 labs were dismantled in 2002, and 70 labs dismantled in 2003.  These labs are direct threats to anybody near them.  Officers are required to complete an exposure form that is kept for 30 years if they come into contact with these labs.  Symptoms of use are nervousness, paranoia, uninhibited fear, bad teeth and hair, weight loss, organ damage.  Usually there is a strong odor with a lab and visitors coming and going frequently.  The misuse of this illegal drug crosses all social and economic boundaries.  There is a 96% failure rate from rehab programs on the first attempt.  There has been 3 or 4 trash trucks catch on fire with lab materials being put out with the trash.  During the last 8 months, a new form has emerged, ICE.  More information can be found on the website (www.fortsmithpd.org).

 

Kelley Mulvihill, Director of the Nature Center, reported that the first set of building plans are in.  It is $500,000 above budget.  There will be a meeting with the architects on the exhibit plan. 

 

Denny Altes, Arkansas Legislative Representative, stated that they are recessed.  This was the longest special session in recorded history with the largest tax increase.  Topics covered were consolidation of schools and school standards being raised.  He stated that Arkansas taxes need reform. 

 

Lynn Hubbard, Area Agency on Aging, discussed the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.  Ombudsman responsibilities outlined in Title VII of the Older Americans Act include:  identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents;  provide information to residents about long-term care services; represent the interests of residents before governmental agencies and seeking administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect residents; educate and inform consumers and the general public regarding issues and concerns related to long-term care and facilitate public comment on laws, regulations, policies, and actions;  promote the development of citizen organizations to participate in the program;  provide technical support for the development of resident and family councils to protect the well-being and rights of residents; and advocate for changes to improve residents’ quality of life and care.  The most common complaint is lack of adequate staffing.  To contact a state or local long-term care ombudsman, visit the resource center’s website at www.ltcombudsman.org.

 

Leslie Przyloylek, Fort Smith Museum of History, has a new exhibit created from interviews from working women.  There is an antique clothing display.  There is a new historical committee that meets the 4th Wednesday at 1 p.m.

 

Lynne Dockery, Darby Foundation, thanked Leslie Przyloylek and Bill Vines.   A memorial service will be held May 1, at 3:40 p.m.  The reception will be at the Darby House.  Present day rangers, as well as WWII and Korean War rangers, will be recognized.  The first Fort Smith Heritage Day Festival will be held in the Historic District in May.  The purpose is to highlight the historic district and improvement needs.  Street lights are needed to lower crime.  Vintage lights cost about $3,000 each.

 

Paul Martin, Director of the Fort Smith National Cemetery, reported that work is being done in preparation for the Memorial Day celebration on May 30 at 2 p.m.  The ceremony of flags will be May 27.  Darby Junior High students will put out the small flags.  A road construction project will affect the main entrance to the cemetery, but should be completed by June.

 

Col. McVay, American Legion Post 31, commented that about 800 boys will be attending Boys State in about a month.  The state convention will be hosted in July. 

 

Dr. Chuck Larson, Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society AOAS, gave the following report.  The society meets the 3rd Friday of even numbered months at the Fort Smith Creekmore Park Community Center, at 7 p.m.  AOAS is sponsoring the free annual Devil’s Den State Park Star Party on July 16-17.  AOAS is one of the first clubs in the US to be selected to take part in an astronomy and space science educational outreach effort, known as the “Night Sky Network”, funded by NASA and Jet Propulsion Lab.  This program makes available to the public and area school programs public observing nights to introduce the night sky to everyone interested in astronomy.  The society has teamed up with the Fort Smith Parks Department to give the public an opportunity to view stars and planets.  These free programs are called “Stars in the Park”.  Attendants will be able to participate in a “Telescope Treasure Hunt”.  Observing dates are March 26 or 27, April 17, May 21-22, June 19, September 17 or 18 and October 16, all at Carol Ann Cross Park.  There will be one observation date on August 21 at Martin Luther King Park.

 

The society hosted Dr. Dereck Sears on December 19, 2003, at the regular meeting of the AOAS.  He is the Director of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  His presentation was “Surface Water Possible Under Mars-Like Conditions”.  AOAS will host Dr. P. Clay Sherrod of Arkansas Sky Observatory on April 16, 2004, at the regular meeting in the Rose Room at Creekmore Park, beginning at 7 p.m.  He will be speaking on “Comets, Ghosts of Myth and Legend Tails of Creation.”  The public is invited and there is no admission fee.

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.