By Tammy Moore Teague
Newly appointed Mayor Mike Gipson presided over his first city council meeting on Thursday night. He opened and closed the meeting with the same declaration, “my door is always open.” Then, added that he was grateful to the city employees and all of their efforts.
Mansfield’s Treasurer/Recorder, Becky Walker commented that the city is on the right track. This after months of turmoil within the municipality. The city’s looming issues have included the deteriorating water treatment plant, mayoral and council changes. “Things are going good and we want to keep it that way,” stated Gipson.
He laid out plans regarding upcoming events for both fundraising and community involvement. Those include a 5k run at the Fourth of July Celebration and a children’s age 12 and under fishing derby. The 5k would benefit the Mansfield Volunteer Fire Department, who also hosts the annual celebration. The fishing derby would bring the community out to City Lake Park and involve the youth. Lastly, he looked to the future and discussed plans of offering businesses and organizations sponsorships for Christmas displays at the city park.
Mansfield’s City Attorney, Matt Ketcham, reported meeting with the new mayor and detailing his duties. “We had a great meeting,” Ketcham said. “He is a great champion for the city for the next eight months, and I believe he has a true open door policy.” He went on briefly explaining to the council the mayor’s role and day to day duties. “This government mirrors the state government, like the state government mirrors the federal government,” adding that the city council functions like Congress. In sum, Ketcham said, Gipson is to oversee all the divisions to ensure they are all working together like they should.
The progress being made is likewise evident within the community. Resident, Ronnie Beran reported to the mayor and council that issues he had with overflowing ditches had been resolved. As the city looks to continue its progression, the council, the citizens and the mayor all are working together towards that goal. “We want to continue being positive.” said Gipson.
Mayor Declares Open Door Policy, Oversees First Council Meeting
City Council Fills Vacated Seat
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening and appointed a new council member to fill the seat recently vacated by Buddy Black. Mansfield native and teacher, Jan Carlton was appointed unanimously to fill the remainder of the term for Ward 2 Position 1.
This seat was originally held by Nathan Sterling. Sterling abruptly resigned his position during a heated meeting which the council voted to strip then Mayor Austin’s of his duties.
The following week, Buddy Black came on board to serve in Sterling’s place. Black only held the position a few months before recently resigning. “I really like Buddy,” said newly appointed Mayor, Mike Gipson. “He has a lot of health problems.”
Carlton received a great vote of confidence from the council and was sworn in following the meeting. “I hope I can do a good job” she stated.
Burgess Endorses McFadden
James Burgess of Greenwood penned a letter of endorsement for Sebastian County Sherrif, Randy McFadden.
Hackett High School Awards Ceremony
Mrs. Schmitt -Family and Consumer Sciences Awards
1) Family and Consumer Science, Ivy Goines
2) Orientation to Teaching I, Emily Silva
3) Clothing Management, Asia Parks
4) Financial Literacy, Cierra Jeremiah
5) Foods and Nutrition, Kandace Byrd
6) Foods and Nutrition, Angel Hart
7) (2 awards) Parenting and Child Development, Kelby Carter
Mrs. Opolka – Business Education awards
1) Key Code “Top Keyboarder”, Jacob Garner
2) Key Code “Top Keyboarder”, Lily Slavens
3) Key Code “Top Keyboarder”, Rainey McCarthy
4) Key Code “Top Coder”, Maysen Duboise
5) Key Code “Top Coder”, Samantha Moss
6) Key Code “Top Coder”, Kaelea Halsey
7) Key Code “Top Coder”, Avery Bobbitt
8) Computer Business Applications, John Joyce
9) Computer Business Applications, Kelby Carter
10) Computer Business Applications, Bryer Duboise
11) Computer Business Applications, Taylor Glass
12) Computer Business Applications, Ivy Goines
13) Social Media Communications, Sydnie Opolka
14) Social Media Communications, Cass Moquett
15) Digital Communications III and IV, Megan Howard
16) (2 awards) Digital Communications III and IV and Social Media Communications, Aaron Silva
Mrs. Wilson – Art awards
1) Art 1 – Most Creative Artist, Ashton Efurd
2) Art Appreciation – Most Creative Artist, Caitlin Sabatucci
Mrs. Hester – EAST award
1) Outstanding EAST Student, Cass Moquett
Ms. Gillett – Online Lab Awards
1) Online Spanish I, Brevan Stiefel
2) Online Computer Coding, Emily Slavens
Mrs. Gutierrez – English awards
1) 7th Grade English, Kyleigh Hill
2) 7th Grade English, Gabe Hice
3) 7th Grade Most Improved Writing, Avery McClure
4) 8th Grade English, Shiloh Anderson
5) 8th Grade English, Cogan Hester
6) 8th Grade Most Improved Writing, Josh Dunkerson
Mrs. Sangster – English awards
1) Pre-AP English I, Angel Hart
2) Pre-AP English I, Brooke Holt
3) Oral Communications, Emily Slavens
4) Oral Communications, Stacy Carpenter
5) Journalism, Hunter Christenberry
Mrs. Shackelford – English awards
1) Creative Writing, Sophia Neal
2) Creative Writing, Shiloh Anderson
3) Creative Writing, Kaelea Halsey
4) Creative Writing, Jake Fisher
5) 10th Grade English, Sydney Widmer
6) 10th Grade English, Brevan Stiefel
7) Pre-AP 10th Grade English, Ashton Efurd
8) Pre-AP 10th Grade English, Hunter Christenberry
9) 11th Grade English, Joy Colwell
10) 11th Grade English, Kallie Turney
Mrs. Freeman – English awards
1) Creative Writing I Fall, Presley Cumbie
2) Creative Writing I Spring, Jacob Garner
3) AP English Language and Composition, Emily Slavens
4) AP English Language and Composition, Aaron Silva
Coach Hester – Science award
1) 7th Grade Science, Avery McClure
Coach Whitsett – Science awards
1) 8th Grade Science, Lauren Moran
2) 8th Grade Science, Madeline Freeman
3) 8th Grade Science, Kaelea Halsey
4) 8th Grade Science, Mason Oelke
5) 8th Grade Science, Kade Banning
Mr. Stone – Science awards
1) Physical Science, Stacy Carpenter
2) Pre AP Physical Science, Brooke Holt
3) Biology, Brevan Stiefel
Mr. Sheets – Science awards
1) Pre AP Biology, Tomey Carpenter
2) Chemistry, Asia Parks
3) Physics, Aaron Silva
Mrs. Thornburg – Math awards
1) 7th Grade Math, Kyleigh Hill
2) 7th Grade Math, Ashbie Gutierrez
3) 7th Grade Math, Mackenzie Mendenhall
4) 7th Grade Math, Gabe Hice
5) 8th Grade Pre-Algebra, Kinlee Null
6) 8th Grade Pre-Algebra, Madeline Freeman
7) 8th Grade Pre-Algebra, Juan Fajardo
8) 8th Grade Pre-Algebra, Mason Oelke
Coach Foster – Math awards
1) Algebra I, Stacy Carpenter
2) Algebra I, Brooke Holt
3) Algebra I, Kiersten Elmore
4) Algebra I, Sarah Moss
5) Algebra I, Colby Sabatucci
Mrs. Cooper – Math awards
1) Bridge to Algebra II, Daniel Hunter
2) Algebra II, Torri Sherman
3) Algebra II, Veera Varhama
4) Algebra II, Polung “Eric” Chang
5) Algebra II, Tomey Carpener
6) Pre-AP Algebra II, Emily Couch
7) Pre-AP Algebra II, Brevan Stiefel
Mr. Pierce – Math awards
1) Geometry, Marissa Haynes
2) Geometry, Brevan Stiefel
3) Geometry, Briar Goines
4) Pre-Calculus, Emily Slavens
5) Pre-Calculus, Aaron Silva
Coach Richardson – Social Studies awards
1) 8th Grade History, Victoria Smith
2) 8th Grade History, Madeline Freeman
3) 8th Grade History, Kinlee Null
4) 8th Grade History, Lauren Moran
5) 8th Grade History, Sarah White
6) 8th Grade History, Shayla Foster
7) 8th Grade History, Peyton Hester
8) 8th Grade History, Cogan Hester
9) 8th Grade History, Mason Oelke
10) 8th Grade History, Jake Fisher
Mr. Woodhull – Social Studies and Cadet Core awards
1) Cadet Core Outstanding Leadership, Pacey McBride
2) 7th grade Geography, Piper Dugan
3) Economics, Stacy Carpenter
4) Civics, Brooke Holt
Mr. Clark – Social Studies awards
1) World History, Asia Parks
2) World History, Noah Boster
3) U.S. History, Cobe Neal
4) AP U.S. History, Aaron Silva
Ms. Welch – Citizenship awards
The Citizenship awards are voted on by our teachers and awarded to a junior high boy and girl and a senior high boy and girl that best represent the ideal behavior of our students here at Hackett High School.
Junior High Girl Citizenship Award, Kiersten Elmore
Junior High Boy Citizenship Award, Dalton Colwell
The Senior high girl and boy award winners were both seniors, so they were recognized last week. But, I will also recognize them today even though they won’t be in attendance.
Senior High Girl Citizenship Award, Cassie Bell
Senior High Boy Citizenship Award, John Parnell
On behalf of Hackett High School, congratulations to all of the students that received an award today. Thank you to all of the guests that were in attendance.
Mansfield City Council Agenda
Mansfield City Council will meet tonight to discuss the following agenda, in their monthly meeting.
Board to Determine County Library’s Future
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Sebastian County Library board will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday in hopes of advancing improvements for several of its branches. This meeting is open to the public and will be held Farmers Bank’s community room in Greenwood.
At the last meeting a committee was formed and charged with the task of scouting possible sites for a new library or renovating the current building in Greenwood. “We are hoping that the committee presents to the board something that we can work toward,” said Friends of the Sebastian County Public Library member Beverly Jeffery. Additional improvements are needed at other South Sebastian County branches including Mansfield.
Consultant Dr. David Price advised the library board that an additional 10,000 square feet of space is needed. He added that the current building does not meet ADA requirements. The cost of a new facility is estimated at 1.9 million, with the old building serving as an administration building. Other options would include adding a third floor at the current location and a lease-purchase building agreement with the city of Greenwood.
Although ultimately the decision will be made by the library board, Friends of the Sebastian County Public Library is rallying for improvements. “I’m looking forward to the future,” FOL President Brenda Yancey Chamness said.
Anyone interested in the future of our library is encouraged to attend the meeting. If you are interested in joining Friends of the Sebastian County Public Library you can contact Chamness at 479-461-5198 and you can also check them out on Facebook.
LAVACA NATIVE WINS PGC BASKETBALL AWARD
Article by Jack James
Joe Hays got word recently that he was selected as the Arkansas Boys Basketball Transitional Coach of the Year for 2018. Joe graduated from Lavaca High School in 1993 and played basketball while there. He went on to Westark College and before finishing his degree in History/Science/Coaching at John Brown University. Joe started coaching at Hartford in 2011 and, under his coaching leadership has brought the Hartford Hustlers to winning seasons with heads held high instead of kicking the dirt on the way home.
Coach of the Year is an award for Joe, but it’s also a great achievement for Western Arkansas who doesn’t see this kind of recognition, especially in a small school like Hartford. Sadly, Hartford schools are closing and the students will be bussed to Hackett Schools to finish their education. Joe is keeping his options open to see where the Lord leads he says. He could be an assistant coach at Hackett, more than likely, or he could find a Head Coach position somewhere else. Where ever he lands, that school will have an honest, dedicated and loving leader in Joe Hays.
Joe is the son of Irene and the late Johnnie Hays of Lavaca. “This is a tremendous honor. I’ve tried to reflect positively to myself, my family and schools. It’s a wonderful award.” Congratulations Joe! You make your hometown proud!
Photo courtesy of Wendy James
Hartfords Hays Wins PGC Coach Award
Article by Jack James
Joe Hays got word recently that he was selected as the Arkansas Boys Basketball Transitional Coach of the Year for 2018. Joe graduated from Lavaca High School in 1993 and played basketball while there. He went on to Westark College and before finishing his degree in History/Science/Coaching at John Brown University. Joe started coaching at Hartford in 2011 and, under his coaching leadership has brought the Hartford Hustlers to winning seasons with heads held high instead of kicking the dirt on the way home.
Coach of the Year is an award for Joe, but it’s also a great achievement for Western Arkansas who doesn’t see this kind of recognition, especially in a small school like Hartford. Sadly, Hartford schools are closing and the students will be bussed to Hackett Schools to finish their education. Joe is keeping his options open to see where the Lord leads he says. He could be an assistant coach at Hackett, more than likely, or he could find a Head Coach position somewhere else. Where ever he lands, that school will have an honest, dedicated and loving leader in Joe Hays.
Joe is the son of Irene and the late Johnnie Hays of Lavaca. “This is a tremendous honor. I’ve tried to reflect positively to myself, my family and schools. It’s a wonderful award.” Congratulations Joe! You make your hometown proud!
Photo courtesy of Wendy James
Bargain Barn Brings Value To Waldron
Ricky, and Renea Bryan of Mansfield took an idea, and through their entrepreneurial effort (and spirit), recently opened Bargain Barn in Waldron, Arkansas.
When WalMart closed, it shook the Waldron consumers, and the Bryan’s were already working on turning this idea into a business. “We wanted to do something that benefited the town, and local economy. It was an idea we couldn’t get out of our minds, and our hearts” stated Renea.
The Bargain Barn’s inventory changes weekly, where most everything is 50% of what you would normally find elsewhere. That’s where the name came into their minds, being that the products should be a bargain.
Consumers can find a wide variety of items ranging from pet foods to mattresses, common household items, beauty products, health food, and the list goes one.“After starting the process of opening a business, we realized this is something we can do together as a family, and throughout our retirement” added Renea, who teaches business at Mansfield Middle School, and is the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) sponsor.
They’ve set their Summer hours at Wednesday and Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am – 12:00pm.
You can find the Bargain Barn at the below map.