Council member questions usage of ATV park grant

The grant to build a new ATV park at the Forrest City Sports Complex can only be used for that purpose, Mayor Larry Bryant told the city council during its meeting this week in response to a question from council member Cornescha Wright. Wright asked about the grant funding, noting that the lighting on the Interstate 40 cloverleaf needs repaired or replaced. “Could that grant apply anywhere else or how could we go about getting grants to do something on the cloverleaf?” she asked. “That one is particularly for that,” said Bryant. “We’ve always looked out for grants.” Bryant said the lighting at the Interstate 40 cloverleaf is “80% better than we were.” He also noted that councilman Bobby Astin, who was attending his first meeting this week, is a retired highway department employee and has agreed to try and help the city with the lighting issues. “I know I speak on the cloverleaf a lot and that area. I just want that part of town to be more presentable so that when they’re coming in and headed out to the Larry Bryant Multipurpose Center, they see that part of Forrest City first and then see what else we have to offer as a city,” said Wright. In other business, before approving the minutes from the Dec. 30 special council meeting during which the group voted to approve the city’s $34.7 million budget, city attorney Marshall Wright read the budget resolution so that it would be included in the minutes. On the vote, councilman Lowry Astin voted against the resolution. Councilman Wright presented an update on Ward 2, reporting that three structures were demolished last year in the ward although there are several others on the list for removal. She said that reports regarding water leaks were quickly addressed by the department and that public works is doing a better job picking up items residents place on curbs. “From 2022, 2023 and 2024, Ward 2 crime and calls were down 48% and ShotSpotter alerts were down 65%,” said Wright. “There is still work to be done, not only in Ward 2, but in the city of Forrest City. I believe it can be done if we all have the same vision, same mission and same passion,” she said. Wright also said she had been keeping a list of the street lights that are not working in her ward. “The light poles should have three numbers on them. Write them down and get them to us. The Entergy guy comes by once a month and gets those numbers,” said Bryant. “The one caveat is if they come out two times because it has been shot out, they start taking the lights out.” “I want to commend (Police) Chief (Ronald) Broussard also,” said councilman Lowry Astin. “He was out around New Year’s writing down all the street lights that are out in town at night after he completed his shift and all of his administrative duties, so kudos to him.” “He was following me because I check lights too,” said Bryant. “I can tell you where a bunch of them are.” District Court Judge Ann Hudson attended the meeting to present Bryant with the state law showing that security is required for District Court. Bryant questioned the process during budget meetings, saying he did not have the statute showing the requirement and had no communication with District Court. Bryant told Hudson the city would execute the contract with the employee. The city shares the cost for the position with the county. “It was not a slight of hand. It was just a matter of I have to do a contract and we will get her the contract this week. All parties are on the same accord and I don’t think it will be a problem,” said Bryant, adding that the state law would be attached to the contract. “I’m just here in case you need me,” said Hudson. “To close it out, I’d like to say I think we did a good job in 2024. We’re still trying to move forward rather than backward. I appreciate all of y’all and what you do,” said Bryant. “Hopefully, in 2025 all of the committees will function so that we can work toward eliminating the nuisance abatement we have,” he continued. “Our code enforcement officer is sending letters, taking names and trying to help us move forward in cleaning up Forrest City. We need everybody to help us.” Bryant also issued a reminder for residents to not place leaves, limbs or other yard debris in the streets, but to instead place it on the curb. “We have a problem with people putting leaves in the streets. When you put them in the street and it rains, it clogs the storm drains and we have water backing up in the community,” said Bryant. “I am asking residents to not put leaves in the streets. Otherwise, we’ll have to start enforcing the law we have in nuisance abatement that will fine someone for that.” He also mentioned that beginning in February, any resident who has two garbage carts but only pays for one will have their second cart removed by city workers. “We’re going to pull it or you can start paying for it,” said Bryant. He asked each council member to call the city shop at 870-261-1418 to get a work order number if they are contacted by residents in their wards about debris not being picked up or ask the resident to call the shop. “Either get a work order yourself or ask the person to call the shop and ask for a work order number. Then, I would have a mechanism to know who did what, when and where. I can’t hold anyone accountable if I don’t know who to hold accountable. Get a work order number so we will have a way to trace it,” said Bryant. The council also voted unanimously to reappoint Lindsay Hodges to the public library board.

Council member questions usage of ATV park grant

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