Citizens at Saturday's regular Ward 3 meeting asked about crime prevention, sales tax funds and even questioned why the elected city treasurer didn't have to attend council meetings.
Ward 3 Councilman R.L. Jones welcomed approximately 15 citizens to the meeting encouraging them to bring their concerns before the officials present which included Blytheville Police Chef Ross Thompson and Blytheville Fire Chef Ivory Diamond among others.
Thompson was the first speaker who talked to the citizens about participating in National Night Out. He said the city has not participated in the event in the past for several reasons -- one is that it is held in August, which is typically one of the hottest times of the year in the area, but this year the Blytheville Police Department will be participating in the event.
"National Night Out is August 3," Thompson said. "It is a time when citizens are asked to turn their lights out to signify putting an end to crime. There are festivals or events that are usually held in conjunction with National Night Out. So if citizens want to sign up as a neighborhood to participate by turning their lights out we as a department will be supportive of that. We encourage citizens to have walks, vigils or barbecues to go along with this event and I will do my best to have an officer at as many events as I can to visit and talk with citizens."
Thompson said individual citizens, community groups such as the Blytheville Rotary Club, and city officials can all participate in the event. To sign up visit the National Night Out website at www.nationaltownwatch.org. To let the Blytheville Police Department know about a National Night Out event please contact Thompson via e-mail or phone.
Thompson went on to talk about the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force and Mississippi County Drug Task Force. Through the Mississippi County Drug Task Force the Blytheville Police Department has been able to make several drug arrests. Citizen James Gregory asked if the quarter cent sales tax was helping the Blytheville Police Department and if Thompson had looked into getting addition funds for the department. Thompson explained that there are very few grants specifically for police departments but there are several grants the Blytheville Police Department receives and is actively seeking.
One citizen asked about the Blytheville Police Department's GREAT program. Thompson said the Blytheville Police Department's GREAT officers have just returned from training and are looking at scheduling two family oriented sessions before school starts Aug. 19.
"Right now we are looking for a location," Thompson said. "We want to be where the families that need it the most can get to it. The sessions will help parents know what signs to look for and ways they can tell if their child has become involved in a gang. We hope those events can have a positive effect."
Blytheville Fire Chef Ivory Diamond started off his talk by thanking citizens for passing the quarter cent sales tax. He said with those funds he was able to purchase 15 news suits for firefighters and give his employees a 5 percent raise.
"Sometimes we forget to be thankful for our blessings," Diamond said. "I don't want to do that. I'm thankful for the voters who passed the sales tax. I sat down and made a list of the gear a firefighter wears when he goes into a structure fire. The helmet, hood, jacket, paints and boots, which all have to be specially made. cost $1,700 and then you add in the self-contained breathing apparatus and the cost goes up to $6,100 per firefighter. The sales tax you passed has allowed us to buy 15 new suits."
Diamond said in August the Blytheville Fire Department will host the Firefighters Association Meeting at Perkins in Blytheville where 200 firefighters from across the state are expected to attend.
"This year we have been on 250 runs and if we keep at this pace we will do 500 runs by December," Diamond said. "I also want to talk about disaster planning for a moment."
Diamond recommended that every citizen have two disaster kits, one for their home and a mini disaster kit for their car so they can be prepared for any possible disaster, including a fire.
Later in the meeting Quorum Court Justice Joe Lewis announced his intent to run for Blytheville City Council position Ward 3 position 2. Lewis said he would not make any promises or talk in depth about his goals as a city councilman until he has officially filed to run for the seat. Also announcing that she is considering running for the Ward 1 City Council was Vera James. James talked about wanting to improve the Blytheville crime situation and work with leaders to make Blytheville a better place to live. James did not know when she would make a definite decision to run for city council.
When the meeting was open for discussion Blytheville citizen James Gregory asked why elected city treasurer Doug Bush was not made to attend city council meetings. Gregory said he feels that it is an elected official's duty to be present at city council meetings
"To be fair you need to allow Mr. Bush to answer those questions," Blytheville City Councilman Jones said.
"But he never shows up to anything," Gregory replied.
Jones said he would invite Bush to attend the next Blytheville City Council meeting.
czolman@blythevillecourier.comWard 3 meeting:
Crime prevention
of major concern