By REVIS BLAYLOCK
NEA Town Courier
The July community meeting in Blytheville on Saturday was hosted by Bishop R.L. Jones, city council member, Ward 3, with guest speakers Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan, Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook and Mississippi County Judge John A. Nelson. Also present was Ward 1 City Council member Jacquin Benson, Jr.
Citizens were encouraged to comment and ask questions with Bishop Jones asking everyone to be respectful.
The purpose of the meetings is to get the community involved in cleaning up the town, discussing crime and how to lower it and any other topics of concern to the residents of Blytheville.
Property clean up, streets and recycling were among the concerns expressed by residents. One citizen became angry as he loudly discussed what he considered unfair hiring of personnel in the city’s police department and abruptly left the meeting.
Before the confrontation, Mayor Logan told the citizens, “I want to know your requests from me.”
The first one to speak up was a lady with a concern on cleanup. She went on to say they pay taxes and she feels they deserve cleanup. She said she drove through Dell and it looks better than Blytheville.
Mayor Logan said she is doing all she can on cleanup with two crews. The city has three code enforcement officers that do respond to calls. Mayor Logan said the budget won’t allow hiring 15 or 20 more people and she discussed the high cost of taking individual properties down.
“As citizens we need to work together and form a coalition,” Mayor Logan said.
She talked about citizens adopting streets or neighborhoods in an effort to clean. The city will supply bags and items needed for cleanup
Abandoned houses was an issue discussed. One citizen asked if the fire department could not use the abandoned houses for training and be burned down.
Mayor Logan went on to explain the process of unkept property saying if the court gives owners additional time, there is nothing the city can do. She also went on to explain how liens can be placed on properties if the city has to clean up a property. If properties are taken over by the state due to unpaid taxes, the property is eventually auctioned. The city does not clean up the state properties.
It cost $5,000 to $10,000 for every structure taken down.
Mayor Logan also explained where the city receives funding through state taxes and one half cent city taxes. The city owns the water/sewer system and some of that money goes to maintain that. She said they do apply for grants.
The city has been working on drainage ditches in areas that flood.
“We tackle one issue at a time,” she said. “I have made a lot of progress in the 18 months I have been in office.”
One citizen asked about property across from her church that is overgrown and trees which need to come down.
Mayor Logan then discussed the process of naming the Chief of Police and assistant. She said there were 10 applicants reviewed and narrowed down to three for interviews. She hopes to hold a public forum.
In regards to the hiring of police officers, Mayor Logan said they can only hire those who apply and those who are qualified.
Mayor Logan informed the citizens there is going to be a drop-off site on Elm Street for recycling.
Sheriff Cook then addressed the crowd. He commended the mayor for doing an outstanding job“. It is not an easy job,” he said. “This is my 14th year as sheriff and I think she is doing a great job.”
He said there are 16 cities in the county and they try to help wherever they can. Sheriff Cook said the department loses good deputies to the mills or the state police.
“We strive to do the best we can and control what we can,” Sheriff Cook said.
He said all of the county jails and prisons are overcrowded and they try to make sure there is room for any violent offenders.
He said Jonesboro has a one half cent tax for a new jail in Craighead County.
“Their jail is older than ours,” he said.
He was asked about the work release program with inmates to work. He talked about the state program and how inmates qualify for the work program. He answered questions saying most of the felonies are drug related.
He was asked what the community could do to help put something together to help those getting out of jail and keep them from returning.
“That is a good question and it has not been solved,” Sheriff Cook said.
Prisoners are offered the opportunity to earn their GED and there are job placement programs.
“The only way to get a felony off a record is by a governor’s pardon,” Sheriff Cook said.
He said he tries to be fair to everyone and will help when he can.
One lady commented she wants to see young people brought back into society saying she is concerned about Mississippi County and the people and asked about forming a committee to discuss ways to help.
Sheriff Cook said he is willing to discuss all possibilities.
One citizen announced a public meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday with the School and the state. The meeting will be held at the multi-purpose room at the Blytheville Primary School on Byrum Road. She encouraged everyone to attend. She said she was born in Blytheville and she believes in Blytheville.
Councilman Benson said he came to listen to the concerns. He invited people to reach out to him.
Judge Nelson talked about work throughout the county including the clean up in areas of the former Blytheville Air Base, work being done at the Osceola Courthouse, the renovations of both the health departments in Blytheville and Osceola and more.
“We have been busy,” Judge Nelson said. “We are making headway.”
He also talked about the opportunities for new homes and the Live Here Work Here program.
“We have over 150 new homes in Mississippi County in the last 21 months,” he said. “Ninety-one are through the Live Here Work Here program…..
“We have 1,300 jobs to fill today,” Judge Nelson said. “We need people here. I believe we have a bright future for Blytheville.”
The next community meeting will be from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 26.