After a 15-minute wait to have a quorum, Calhoun City Mayor J.R. Denton and Board of Aldermen Jerry Vaughn, Barbara Goodson and Larry Bratton heard from three citizens at their regular meeting last night.
Rita Parker addressed the board about improving the road from Highway 9 to the nursing home. “Our town and county need to make a visible, substantial investment to improve that area and show Baptist that we appreciate their investment in the hospital,” she said. “Calhoun City needs to not just say support, but show it.”
J.R. Denton
Parker also wanted to ask if there was something that could be done to deter the litter on the square. “The litter is a problem for the image of the town,” she said, adding that she just wanted to give them a chance to talk about and work on both items that she brought to them.
“Prevention is key,” said Denton, and asked Police Chief Tito Lopez to get with his force and talk about the issue.
Amye Hill expressed her concern over the general appearance of the town and asked about the nuisance ordinance not being enforced. “I am willing to help with a solution and I have a group that will help.”
Denton said any citizen or group can ask for a letter to be sent to the property owner, giving them a 12-day compliance.
“The citizens will help. No one wants their house to be worth half, we want to keep the value up. We want to keep businesses here. I am gonna push it,” said Hill.
Henry Lackey expressed his concern over the condition of Williams Street. Denton told Lackey an engineer has been contacted and is getting a plan together on smoothing that road. “Give us a little time and let’s see what he comes up with.”
In response to Hill’s discussion, he asked if the beautification committee could file a complaint about areas of concern and Denton said all they needed was a specific site to start the process.
“It’s time to shape our town up,” said Lackey. “We have a lot to offer, we just need to clean it up,” said Hill.
Denton reported that the new $270,000 fire truck is here, and the culverts are in and that work may begin this week. The board agreed to “proceed at our own risk” with the purchase of a Dodge Charger Police Pursuit vehicle at below state contract price and pay the city back as they are in line waiting for a grant. At this time, there is only one dependable police vehicle.
Lopez was authorized to utilize the balance of wireless communications funds for a police radio for the new car, and walkie talkies before June 30.
Participation in the wireless communication program was voted against as the $10 assessment fines will no longer go toward local police equipment after July 1, but to the state general fund. The board appointed current police officers and any newly employed by the department from now forward to be automatically appointed as deputy court clerks.