The abrupt resignation of Nathan Sterling left a vacancy on the Mansfield City Council. Last week, Buddy Black of Mansfield was nominated, and the council unanimously voted for him to fill that position.
After Black was asked about his recent nomination, he stated “I believe I can do something to help the city. I want to at a minimum serve as a vehicle to mend and heal our city’s problems.”
During the last several months, Mansfield City Council meetings have seen record turn outs in response to multiple issues within the governing powers.
Black has been present at a vast majority of the recent meetings as a citizen, and is aware of the major issues that both the City, and Council are facing. But, he wants to do what is right for the future of the town and it’s people. That starts with serving his community on a higher level.
With Black being on the Mansfield planning & zoning commissions for 20 years, a 1969 MHS Graduate, and a man with great passion for his hometown, the community feels his presence will be an asset to the board, and the current issues.
“We need to first, and foremost put all these issues behind us, and move quickly in a positive direction. The people want this, and deserve to have this done immediately” added Black.
Honor, transparency and hard work is a motto Black shared with us when speaking about his upbringing. The community of Mansfield residents know Black to have a good heart, and a great understanding of family values among many other honorable traits.
Resident Press extends our gratitude to Mr. Buddy Black for serving on the Mansfield City Council.
Black Accepts Mansfield City Council Appointment
Mansfield City Council Meeting Agenda – February 1st
Mansfield City Council voted to hold regular weekly meetings several weeks ago. The following is the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
$85K Grant Goes Toward Mansfield Walking Trail
Mansfield City Lake will soon receive an asphalt walking trail that will be 3,740 feet long with additional benches along it’s path.
The grant was formally presented to the City of Mansfield on Tuesday, January 23rd where Mayor Austin had previously accepted a check from Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, which is a charitable foundation established and funded by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote better health in Arkansas.
The City of Mansfield will pay near $10,000 for fees associated with planning, and engineering which will come from the city parks and recreation funds.
Plans for construction are set for April / May of this year.
Water Quality Linked to Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Sebastian County is currently experiencing a severe drought and according to city and state officials the lack of rain is to blame for the recent drop in water quality in Greenwood. The drought map shows Eastern Arkansas as the only area that is currently not under a drought warning, while the north central part of the state is under extreme drought conditions.
“We have received some complaints,” said Jeff Stone, Engineering Director for the Arkansas Department of Health “The taste and odor issues are affecting quite a few people. The operators of the plants are aware of it and they are doing what they can but until it rains and fills up the reservoir they are going to struggle.”
Stone stated that he has been in close contact with the James Fork Regional Water District, who provides the majority of Greenwood’s water, and that the samples that the Department of Health has been receiving from James Fork have been shown to be safe. “Bacteriologically the water is safe,” said Stone. “However when the reservoir got to be 14-15 foot low the water began to have a lot of taste and odor.
Stone explained that the treatment plants have been verified to ensure that they are working correctly. Treatment plants are tested in 10 different areas each month and more frequently when there are any issues.
Donnie Sandifer, General Manager at James Fork, stated that the reservoir is at its lowest point since it was built and is currently 16 foot below normal. “The lake has turned over,” said Sandifer. “We have switched our intake point from the top of the lake down to another point to take water from another level and hopefully that will clear things up.”
Sandifer stated that the reservoir turns over twice a year but that when water levels are normal it is not an issue.
Bodies of water turn over when the warm surface water begins to cool. As water cools, it becomes dense, causing it to sink. This dense water forces the water on the bottom to rise, turning over the layers.
Greenwood purchases 80 percent of their water from James Fork during the winter months according Greg Cross, Water Treatment Director for the city. Greenwood is under contract with James Fork to buy 15 million gallons each month. Cross stated that the city sells between 19-20 million gallons during the winter months and between 20-27 million gallons during the summer.
MMS 7th Grade Students of the Month – December
The Mansfield Middle School has been tremendously blessed with outstanding leaders of tomorrow. Instead of presenting a group of students of the month, we will attempt to select two students each week from different grades to highlight their abilities and educational success.
7th Grade students of the month for December are Chloe Jones, and a tremendous 7th grade student that we are not allowed to show his picture in the paper, but is an amazing 7th grade student as well as Chloe. Both students were nominated by their teachers for outstanding qualities they display by being positive leaders and helpful students and peers.
Chloe and the 7th grade young man have transitioned well from 6th to 7th grade. The young man was nominated for his hard work and dedication in the classroom as well as his leadership projected throughout the day. Chloe has been a persistent worker, with a quiet demeanor. Chloe and the young man continue working hard in each and every class and are working at impacting others that are around them. We hope that both students continue to grow and work on being positive students and leaders at Mansfield Middle School.
Here are some key facts that Chloe and 7th grade male student would like to share:
7th Grade Male Student: Favorite Subject Math Chloe Jones: Favorite subject English
Hobby: Basketball Hobby: Volleyball
Funniest School Memory: Playing wall ball Funniest School Memory: When I tripped and fell
And the ball hit me in the face Down the stairs as a 6th grader.
Favorite Movie: Avengers Favorite Movie: Twilight Series
Embarrassing Moment: Lost my phone, but Embarrassing Moment: When I fell down stairs at
Was in my pocket cousins UAFS graduation
Happiest Moment: Getting my dog Happiest Moment: Started living with my grandparents
Favorite Book: Last Kids on Earth Favorite Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Favorite Food: Seafood Favorite Food: Chicken
Future Aspirations: Mechanic/Military Future Aspirations: Nurse Practitioner
Favorite Color: Orange Favorite Color: Blue
Congratulations to Chloe and the 7th grade young man and their parents for having such great young students. Thanks for such great students from Mansfield Middle School.
MMS Student Frasher Displays Art
Mansfield Middle School 8th student Alyssa Frasher shows off her artwork in Mr. Love’s classroom.
Alyssa is a meticulous worker that spent many hours on the two drawings.
She continues to enhance her artistic skills in Mr. Love’s 8th grade art class. Awesome job, Alyssa!
City Council Ward Position OPEN
The City of Mansfield will be filling a recently vacated council member position at the council meeting tonight at 7:00 PM.
If you live in Ward 2, which is anything south of Broadway Street, East of Sebascott and South of Packard St you are eligible. If you are interested please come to the City Hall tonight at 7:00 PM and let us know. This term will expire on December 31, 2018. Each term is a four year term.
Junior Lady Tigers Rebound from Loss
Monday the Lady Tigers traveled to Hillbilly country at Ozark to take on the Lady Hillbillies. The Lady Tigers kept the game close going into half time down 13-9. Ozarks shooters came out hot after halftime going 6 for 6 on outside shots putting the Lady Tigers in catch-up position the rest of the game.
Coach Bryan felt the girls didn’t play to their full potential this game. “Our halftime adjustments didn’t show during the game,” said Coach Bryan. “We will work on getting ready for our upcoming game against Waldron.”
Thursday, the Lady Tigers traveled to rival Waldron to take on the Lady Bulldogs.
The games kicked off with a Junior Varsity game followed by the Varsity game. The Junior Varsity girls played well beating Waldron’s Junior Varsity team 19-9 in two, 10 minute halves. Mansfield’s first couple of baskets came from outside the arc by Haylee Helms and Morgan Burns.
Other players with points in the game include Hailea Raines, Kaitlyn Slinkard, Skylynn Harris, and Natalie Allison.
After the JV girls played their game, the Varsity Lady Tigers kept the ball rolling.
The Lady Tigers struck first with a Free Throw by Danielle Lillie as she was fouled going up for a layup off a steal. The Lady Tigers batted hard to take a 6-16 lead going into halftime.
Waldron came out and hit a couple shots to cut the lead down but the tigers rallied and kept the game out of reach for the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Tigers rebounded from their loss earlier in the season by 1 in overtime against the Lady Bulldogs with a 41-20 road victory on Thursday.
Post players Amber Elmore, Hailey Walker, and Skylynn Harris accounted for 24 of the Lady Tigers points, which were led by Amber Elmore with 14 points. Other players with points include Danielle Lillie, Mikayla Harrison, Olivia Bouse, and Sadie Roberts.
Coach Bryan siad he was pleased with the hustle and grit of his team. “They performed well today, and outworked their opponent in all four quarters.”
The Lady Tigers will be at home on Thursday January 25, 2018 against Ozark.
GO TIGERS!
2018 MHS Basketball Homecoming
Photos by Kandis Howard
Mansfield Basketball homecoming was Friday, January 19th at Mansfield High School. The ceremony capped off Spirit week which could be viewed daily on our Instagram account. The MHS, and MJH cheerleaders added to the story keeping viewers entertained with the daily events at each school.
With a packed house, 2018 MHS Basketball homecoming was a success. We’d like to congratulate Queen, Elizabeth Escalante, and her court.
Your 2018 Mansfield Basketball Queen, Senior Elizabeth Escalante, Escorted by Patrick Koenig and Colton Stipins
Senior Maid, Corrina Wesley. Escorted by Brennan James and Hayden Rose
Senior Maid, Freedom McDowell. Escorted by Tyler Holmes and Curtis Griffin
Basketball Maid, Emily Boyd. Escorted by Keaton Boyd and Brock Curry
Junior Maid, Brooklyn Carlton. Escorted by Zach Woolbright and Mahad Westerberg
Sophomore Maid, Kyli Davidson. Escorted by Andrew Wright and Isaac Cothran
Freshman Maid, Natalie Ellison. Escorted by Layton Howard and Hunter Willsey
A special thank you is extended to MMS teacher, and alumni, Kandis Howard for providing images.
Walker Assumes Mayoral Duties
During last night’s regular scheduled meeting, the City Council voted (5 to 1) to overturn the Mayor’s veto of a motion from December’s special meeting. This veto was made my Austin to stop the council from revising the personnel policy handbook.
The vote against the motion came from Nathan Sterling who immediately resigned, then left the building. Read that article by clicking here.
The actions taken by the city council removes most of the day-to-day actions of the Mayor, with him still presiding over city council meeting, hiring/firing, and purchasing / contractual agreements. City attorney, Matt Ketchum stated that the Mayor cannot be relieved of his duties and powers granted to him by State statute. But, this action removes “a lot of his power from daily business.”
The City Council went on to unanimously approve a motion that amended the personnel policy handbook replacing the word “Mayor” with “Recorder / Treasurer.” Elected Mansfield Recorder / Treasurer, Becky Walker will now take on the duties of the Mayor concerning daily business.