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A Private Prayer

Resident News Network

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3:11 pm

Article by Jason Baggett

A picture captures a moment in time. Something important, and often times very meaningful. They rarely, almost never repeat themselves. You have to be ready, sometimes leaving a conversation to make the capture. Once that image escapes your grasp, it will haunt you. I’ve learned that the hard way.

Last Friday, as I stood among hundreds of people at the Mansfield High School attending the annual Health Fair, I had to remove myself from the hustle and bustle of the event to get a picture of the event from up top. As I walked up the stairs, and made my way down the hall, I witnessed three young men standing to themselves. Not an uncommon sight at a school location.

As I walked closer, these young men reached out to each other within an arms length. Closed their eyes, and began praying. Quietly praying. In doing so, they didn’t look who was watching, or ask permission. It was about the need of prayer, and that moment to pray.

As they proceeded, not one of them noticed the crowds below, the people walking by, or even me as I approached. They were intently focused.

So, three young men prayed in a hallway, of a high school, and this is a picture of them doing just that.

I might add that they ended with an encouraging hug. Thank you, for letting me be a part of that moment.

Austin No Shows City Council Meeting

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9:08 am

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Minutes before last Thursday nights Mansfield City Council’s weekly meeting, it was recognized that the Mansfield Mayor would be late. In fact, he didn’t show up at all and offered no reason as to why.
Showing poise, and a professional demeanor, Mansfield Recorder / Treasurer, Becky Walker took the helm of the meeting directing the Council through each item on the agenda. Opinions varied on the Mayor’s disappearance, and the council members centered on the bigger picture and task at hand.
Was the Mayor’s vanishing act due to the fact of potential questioning of a “wink-wink” meeting between Mayor Austin, Public Works Director, Ken Swilling, and Clay Davis who recently gave his 2-week notice? This meeting supposedly offered Davis the Public Works Director position.
Or, was it because of the Mayor’s ordering of motors for the Wastewater plant SAM’s unit without consent of the City Council?
The motors which were ordered without City Council vote, were purchased by the Mayor who went above his approved purchase limit of $5,000. Aside from ordering the motors, the council was educated that the motors would not work long, if at all. The ordered motors were 3-phase, thus needing additional wiring to work in the plant. Another added cost and further expense.
This weeks weekly City Council meeting should offer some insight into the motives, and current situation around the decisions being made by Mayor Austin.
Council member Rick McDaniel stated, “The community members need to start voicing their opinions, and start showing up at these meetings to show their concern.”
You can watch the full LIVE stream video from this meeting by clicking HERE

Mansfield Wastewater Plant Tour

Resident News Network

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11:19 am

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In light of recent issues centered on the Mansfield wastewater plant, we felt the community needed to see for themselves, rather than hear a prepared report.
At first glance, you’d suspect that all is well. But, that hasn’t been the case until recently. If you will remember, Braden Purcell who was hired as an operator has taken responsibility of the inherited mess, and is in the process of cleaning house, literally speaking.
With limited funds, and a lack of leadership, Purcell has gone to work on correcting the ADEQ violations, as well as ensuring future stability within the plants operating structure.
Follow along as we take you through the process from start to finish.

mansfield-arkansas-waste-water-fluidyne — STEP 1 – Diversion Station

As wastewater enters the Mansfield plant from Hartford, it’s held in this diversion station. Purcell believes the recent foul smells could be due to the excessive amount of grease build-up in the basin.
To remedy this, the grease would have to be pumped out of the basin, a grease eating bacteria block added, and FOG (Fat, Oil, and Grease) enforcement implemented.
If you’ll notice the ground around the diversion station (basin), Purcell and Clay Davis worked extensively to clean-up a previous Sanitary Sewer Overflow left at the plant.

Coming from the diversion station wastewater enters the headwords where large solids pass through a grinder and are screened, rinsed, and removed. The removal of these solids from the treatment process ensures that the pumps run more efficiently.
The auger at the headwords station is missing a brush that would help in the removal of solids from the treatment process. Purcell submitted a quote to the city on January 30th, but the brush has yet to be ordered.

As the wastewater continues its cycle, it is then passed onto, and through the Hydro-Grit vortex system that spins the wastewater at a high rate of speed. Fine particles of grit settle and are then filtered and removed by the Grit-Classifier before the wastewater moves on to be treated.

Wastewater then enters the SAM (surge/anoxic mix) tank. The SAM tank provides flow and nutrient equalization to provide treatment at a full range of flows and loadings. Mixed liquor (bacteria) is maintained in the SAM tank by being recycled from the top of the SBR (sequencing bach reactor) and mixes with incoming raw sewage to suppress odor and initiate carbon and nitrogen reactions.
Wastewater is treated in the SBR tank through nitrification (adding of dissolved oxygen) and denitrification (lowering of dissolved oxygen) then a timed settle phase before being decanted.
Currently the plant is not running efficiently due to a SBR feed pump needing replaced.

The last step in the process involves a narrow channel where the wastewater passes through a baffle plate to slow flow before a series of twenty four UV lights sterilizes the effluent water being discharged into the creek. The pneumatic cylinders that automatically clean the UV lights need to be replaced due to a lack of maintenance. Purcell gave a quote to the city on February 8th, however the parts have yet to be ordered. The UV lights have to be changed every 12,000 hours to remain effective. Before Purcell started working at the wastewater plant they had not been changed per manufacturer recommendation.
We would like to thank Braden Purcell for his time, and sharing of knowledge to make this article educational, and informational for the people whom this plant effects.

General Labor Job Opening

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9:31 am

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The City of Mansfield Public Works department is currently in need of filling a General Labor position. Applicants can
Applicant must meet the following minimum requirements: 18 Years of Age – Valid Driver’s License – Background Check – Drug Test
CLICK HERE TO VIEW JOB LISTING

County Clerk Office Costs Candidate School Board Bid

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9:43 am

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County Clerk Office Costs Candidate School Board Bid

by Tammy Moore Teague
It was Lesli Baggett’s intent to run for this year’s school board election. However, that was as far as her campaign got, as misinformation from the Sebastian County Clerks office thwarted her bid.
Anyone who intends to run for a school board position in the State of Arkansas must meet certain requirements.
The initial decision is not one to be made lightly. The intent to run should be made for the right reasons with willingness to serve and keeping best interest of our children and district at the top of the list. “I love our Mansfield Tigers and our school from the top to the bottom,” Baggett said. Those who seek this position are not only bound by moral obligation but also by law, as the actions of one can result in the removal from office or entire school boards.
Secondly, to be eligible for a board position, you must be a qualified voter residing in the school district as well as a clear criminal background. Lastly, the candidate must collect signatures in order file an intent.

randy-mcfadden-elect-sebastian-county-sheriff-2 — A vote for McFadden is a vote for ALL people!

“I got my paperwork filled out and all of the 20 plus required signatures to run,” Baggett added. “I went and turned it in on Wednesday, February 28th and I had not put in the position number since I wasn’t sure what it was.” The clerk instructed me that the position number that was up for election was number four, but then said “hold on there should be two positions” Being uncertain of how to instruct Baggett, the clerk phoned the Fort Smith clerks office for advice. Following a lengthy discussion, she was instructed to indicate position two, unexpired four year term. It was that instruction that cost Baggett her run.
“This morning (Thursday, March 1st) I found out that they were wrong in the clerks office and I should have never been told to put that position number.” That error voided not only her application but also all the signatures she had collected. Because of the lateness of being notified, Baggett was not afforded the time needed to go to the clerk’s office at the Greenwood courthouse and then find 20 plus people needed for the signatures to be able to refile the necessary paperwork back at the Greenwood courthouse before noon.
“Next time I’ll have all my research done. Even if I had known it was position four, I would have changed it to two upon their advise,” Baggett said. “I mean that’s their job to know that stuff right?”
She went on add that wanted to extend her gratitude to those who have encouraged and supported her.
Note: Resident Press reached out to both the Sebastian County Clerks office and the Arkansas School Board Association for comment, but neither have answered our request.

Waste Water Woes Continue

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8:19 am

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by Tammy Moore Teague
After reading the week’s report on the progress being made at the waste water plant Mayor Dr. Austin stated, “I think we are making good progress,”. He continued, reporting the cost of replacing the failed pump and the purchase of a second pump totaling just under 20k. The plan, he added, was for one of the pumps currently in operation to serve as a back up once the new pumps are installed. Neither the Publics Works Department Supervisor, Ken Swilling or general laborer, Braden Purcell’s presence is required for special meetings.
Failure to replace a malfunctioning part yielded costly. Purcell claimed that because he wasn’t given the liberty to make important decisions and purchases for the plant, a part went unrepaired and ultimately the pump failed. Austin reported that they had already purchased the pumps from Global Energy Solutions and that they were to be delivered within the week.
However, as the city continues to concentrate on the problems plaguing the waste water plant, citizens are voicing concerns of other business they feel is being neglected.
It was Mansfield resident Bobby Musgrove, who said “all we are worried about is water and sewer…when are we gonna get some of these holes fixed in the streets?” He went on to say that that there is a lack of maintenance not only in our streets but also in the ditches. He then went on to reference the tax for street maintenance and repair. “What are we doing with that money…where is the money for streets going?” Concluding that these needed repairs are more important than building walking trails around the lake.

Proprietor Plans to Fight Annexation

Resident News Network

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9:53 am

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by Tammy Moore Teague
At the Mansfield City Council meeting on Thursday, March 1, local business owner, Dan Yandell, spoke to the city council and voiced his opinion on the city’s plan to annex his business into the city limits.
During the previous meeting the council had discussed with city attorney, Matt Ketcham, the feasibility and costs associated with the plan. Last week Yandell was present, and addressed these issues. There are three ways to annex, Yandell said. First is by petition, second is by election and third is ordinance. He made it clear that he will be opposing any action by the council to annex his property.
One of the perks, as outlined by the council, was gaining city fire and police protection. However, Yandall stated he has always had a good response and relationship with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department. Next, he rebutted the claim that the city would be able to offset the cost of providing utilities verses the revenue brought in by his business. “It’s a point of delivery, that’s where you pay tax,” he stated. “The city would not receive 90 percent of taxes on my customers.” He added that he had recently delivered a building in Mena, and that was where taxes were collected. Yandall concluded that he had surveyed his customers to see how they felt about the annexation proposal. Not one single person, according to Yandell, was for being annexed and for paying city taxes. “I will fight this,” Yandall reiterated, claiming to fight for his customers and for his business.
The city attorney did follow up with comments stating that it was the responsibility of the council to at least explore the option. Councilman Dave Johnson replied that he was against the annexation and that the city had more pressing issues to address at this time.
No action was taken on annexing Yandell’s property and it was slated for more discussion at next week’s meeting.

Witcherville under a Watchful Eye

Resident News Network

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9:44 am

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by Tammy Moore Teague
Be on the look out. It’s the advice of those who have spotted a blue mini van with two men and a woman inside. With several break-ins in our area, and this suspicious vehicle being sighted, neighbors are alerting one another. “I awoke to my dog barking and I looked out my window and saw a man looking in,” said Ashley Hiatt who lives on Browntown Road in Huntington. This is the same area where recent burglaries have been reported.
Paulette Brewer, who lives outside Mansfield in the city lake area said this same blue mini van came to her house wanting to do a survey and offered a free gift. “I declined,” Brewer said. “The person acted like they were surveying my front yard when they left.” Others have reported this vehicle, which has no license plate, driving up. The woman goes to the door occupying the homeowner while the two male occupants survey the property.
The home invasions have been reported to the Mansfield City Police Department and also to the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office. Local authorities said they were aware of the break-ins and reports but did not have any further information to release to the public. You are urged to contact either agency if you notice any suspicious activity.
Mansfield Police Department – (479) 928-5700
Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department – (479) 783-1051

Mansfield Little League Baseball Fundraiser

Resident News Network

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9:26 am

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Mansfield Little League Baseball Fundraiser

The Masonic Lodge will host a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on March 17th, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the Mansfield Senior Citizens Center.

We hope to have some of our players out there to serve!

All proceeds will go towards Little League t ball, softball and baseball. Adults will be $7 and kids $5.

For further information, or donations, please contact Amanda Wilson at (479) 849-7616

MES Music Project Winners

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Resident News Network

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8:49 am

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The elementary students recently completed and presented projects in Mrs. McAlister’s music class.
Mrs. McAlister said all the students enjoyed this activity. Vocal project winners were Kasen Clay (1st place), Gabe Baker (2nd place), and Aiden Carney (Honorable Mention). Art Poster winners were Quelin Ruiz and partner (1st place), Chloe Hattabaugh (2nd place); Kerrington Quick (3rd place). Music Reports/Interview winners were Ashlynn Whittaker (1sst place) and Phineas Brown (2nd place).
Overall Grand Prize winners were Chloe Beran and Becky Griffin for their Science in Music project.
Congratulations to these students!

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