Quorum Court ties up year end business Says farewell to two justices

BY TAMARA BARTLETT-LONG White River Valley News

The Madison County Quorum Court tied up some end of year items in the form of ordinances and resolution during its last meeting of 2008. The Justices passed ordinance 2008-5 which levied taxes. Those taxes included 5 mills for county general ; 3 mills county road; 1 mill county library; 1.5 mills city of Huntsville general; 0.3 mills Huntsville Fireman Fund; and 0.8 mills for the city of St. Paul. School millage were as follows: Huntsville 32.1; St. Paul 33.40; Jasper 35.9; Berryville 38.05 and Eureka Springs 34.15. The court also approved an appropriation ordinance to cover overtime, unemployment and Christmas bonuses for all county departments as well as some capital outlay not covered in the 2008 budget. The appropriation came to $1,034,692.50 in total funds. The court approved a more than $9 million budget for the county in 2009. This included a 4 percent raise for employees. County Judge Wes Fowler said this was the largest budget he could remember. Two resolutions were passed both for grant applications - Thursday, January 1, 2009

2008: Year in review

BY PAT HARRIS White River Valley News

One could say 2008 was the year of the voter. Not only did the national presidential election pull in a record number of voters, voters also turned out to give a thumbs or thumbs down for local election issues. Elkins voters added another penny to its existing 1-cent sales tax on Sept. 9 and to issue bonds up to $6 million to replace a major water line through the city, It was the largest bond issue the city has ever passed, according to Mayor Jack Ladyman. In December, the city took out a sales and use tax capital improvment bond for $835,000 that will be supported by the new sales tax and a water and sewer system revenue improvement bond for $855,000, so work could begin on the new water line. On Election Day, Nov. 4, citizens of Elkins elected to keep half the city council and replace the other half. Jeremy Stevens, Bonnie Wilcox and Bruce Ledford kept their seats on the council, while Lloyd Stith, Terri Miller and Duane Foster will serve on the council for the first time. They will take the oath of office - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Community Events

Elkins Two meals delivered Elkins area residents ages 60 and over, their spouses, and disabled persons that are unable to prepare meals for themselves, or are homebound may recieve home delivered meals. The Elkins Senior Center prepares and delivers meals for the Meals on Wheels Program. Beginning in January the Senior Center will begin delivering breakfast and lunch meals. A daily lunch or breakfast can be delivered for a suggested donation of $2.50 per meal. If you are an Elkins area resident age 60 and over, or a spouse of a person age 60 or over, a disabled person that is unable to prepare meals for yourself, or are homebound, you may be able to recieve meals. Call Angela at 643-2741 for more information. Transportation Elkins Senior Center van is resuming transportation services for seniors. - Thursday, January 1, 2009

An epiphany: Twelve days after Christmas

To see a world in a grain of sand: This is the season of Twelfthtide. Epiphany is on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas, traditionally assumed to be the day the Magi, the Three Kings, the Wise Men reached Bethlehem and brought gifts to the Christ Child. Animals are thought to be able to speak at midnight on Twelfth Night, as well as on Christmas Eve. There is some discussion about whether or not it is at midnight of January 5th, Twelfth Night Eve, or January 6th, actual Twelfth Night. Vance Randolph, the wonderful chronicler of Ozark folklore and stories, recorded some of the regional Christmas and New Year beliefs in his book, "Ozark Superstitions," also published as recently as "Ozark Magic and Folklore." He noted that December 25th was thought of as "new Christmas" and January 6th as "old Christmas or Green Christmas." It was said that elderberry always sprouts on the eve of old Christmas, even under hard frozen snow. Do you know what elderberry looks like, under snow or not? If you do and it does sp - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Temptation

BY JOSH PARSLEY

This week I thought we would discuss a topic that is typically misunderstood today. I preach on the street in public places and I run into all kinds of misconceptions and deceptions. The topic of lust and sexual sin is one that many don't understand. When I have told people about Matthew 5:28, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." I get reactions like "so it's a sin to look at a girl and say she is pretty or attractive?" Or other times I'll be preaching against fornication and get responses such as, "How do you expect the human race to go on then? You don't want anyone to have children?" These are all typical responses that show a misunderstanding of the message. The first thing that must be understood is what is and isn't sin. You will not be held accountable for anything other than choices you have made. God will not condemn you for the color of your skin or any natural desire he has given you. Now, he will condemn yo - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Following God's light and words

Joshua 1:1-11 : God told Joshua, verse 6, "Be strong and of good courage." Joshua was a smart man; he knew he was filling big shoes and he knew that he was inadequate for the task. It's wise to feel inadequate, because only then will we learn to lean on God. I don't want to set under a teacher who thinks he or she knows enough that they don't have to study and study and study and study. I don't want to listen to a preacher who is not afraid and feels he is ADEQUATE every time he steps into the pulpit. I don't want a counselor who thinks he has all the answers to life's situation. Do you think Daniel was scared when he was placed in the lion's den? Of course, he was! Don't you know that David was trembling inside as he walked toward Goliath? - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Smith plans to leave Greenland district in June

BY BRETT BENNETT Northwest Arkansas Times

Greenland Superintendent Roland Smith said recently that he expects to leave the district in June but he intends to leave the district in as good of financial shape as possible for his successor. "I consider this a oneyear appointment," he said. Smith, a retired Rogers superintendent and University of Arkansas administrator, was appointed to run the district on July 24 by Arkansas Education Commissioner Ken James. The state took over the district July 14 after naming it to the state's fiscal distress list. Since he was put in charge, financial projections have grown increasingly positive. Smith most recently projected the district will end the 2008-2009 fiscal year with a balance of $135,000. Expenses have been trimmed dramatically this year, with Smith reporting the district spent $464,435 less from July to November than it did in 2007. He blames most of the district's financial struggles on past failures to cut spending in conjunction with an enrollment decline. He has also outlined steps the district can t - Thursday, January 1, 2009

West Fork mayoral election filing begins Jan. 14

BY DUSTIN TRACY Northwest Arkansas Times

The job for running the city of West Fork is up for grabs, and so far only one person has picked up a petition to run for mayor from the city hall. The previous mayor, Jeff Baker, only served half his term before resigning Nov. 18. Baker declared his resignation intentions via email. He said he had recently taken on more responsibilities with his job as a veterinarian with USDA Animal Care that will require him to be out of town a great deal in the future. Kristie Drymon, the city's secretary /treasurer, said that the dates to file for the open position are Jan. 14 through Feb. 3. Any legal adult who lives in the West Fork city limits can file for office by picking up a packet at city hall and getting 30 different signatures from qualified electors. The special election is set for April 14 and comes with a price tag of $2,000. The mayoral position in West Fork is a part-time position that pays $7,000 annually with no benefits. The current interim mayor, Alderman Jan Throgmorton, was appointed by the council a - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Despite fuel price drop, public transit in demand

BY TRISH HOLLENBECK Northwest Arkansas Times

Even as gasoline prices declined in the past couple of months, Ozark Regional Transit continues to see an increase in ridership, which follows a nationwide trend. Gas prices are almost as low as they were when he was in high school, said Phil Pumphrey, executive director of Ozark Regional Transit Inc. of Springdale. But even with that, he said, "We just continue to grow." Kendall Luallen, senior analyst with Ozark Regional Transit, said a promotion this month - providing free rides to all fixed route riders - pushed ridership up 10 percent for the first 15 operating days of December, compared to the same period last month. Luallen said ridership rose 21 percent for the three months of October, November and December, when comparing to the same period last year. He said there are essentially the same routes, mostly fixed, for the service this year compared to last year. Pumphrey said there were 18,628 riders and one route in 2004. The projection for next year is to have 218,207 riders with 11 routes. The local - Thursday, January 1, 2009