Members of the Mississippi County Election Commission met Monday to certify the highway bond issue special election, which was overwhelmingly passed. The new highway bonds issued for the state of Arkansas will go to repair interstate systems, and will be paid for by a diesel tax which was already in place.
The commission also discussed with Mississippip County Judge Randy Carney the need for a new permanent early voting site in Blytheville. The current polling site used for early voting is the Moore Center on West Chickasawba. The building, owned by Arkansas Northeastern College but used by the county for free, is in a state of disrepair, with the roof and the air conditioning system needing work.
Carney and commissioners discussed several possibilities, including having the Moore Center repaired, or moving to a new location, possibly the old Federal Building on Broadway and Walnut. The building is owned, but not used by the city of Blytheville, and Carney said it might be possible for him to discuss the issue with Blytheville Mayor James Sanders, since he was unaware of any plans for the building in the near future.
Commissioners also voted to make a building owned by Main Street Osceola and the Leachville library permanent polling locations.
sharris@blythevillecourier.com