IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Agency says gas-lease cash to aid hiring of inspectors
BY L. LAMOR WILLIAMS
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/246962/
Gas-lease money to hire inspectors
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is set to get $3.5 million from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that it will use to hire more inspectors to keep watch on the state's growing natural gas drilling industry.
Teresa Marks, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, said Wednesday that while a formal agreement has yet to be signed, she is looking forward to using the money to hire new inspectors to regulate drill-water disposal sites.
The money will come from leases issued by the Game and Fish Commission to natural-gas firms to drill on state-wildlife management areas.
Drilling for natural gas in the Fayetteville Shale geologic formation has led to the creation of at least 13 drill-water disposal sites, which are permitted to store the water and rock sediment discarded during drilling. Two sites recently were ordered to cease operation until violations have been remedied.
...
The department currently has 17 inspectors who only visit the disposal sites in response to complaints. Eight inspectors are assigned to the Fayetteville Shale.
The Game and Fish Commission earns about $30 million annually on the land leases.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Beebe may not understand that coal-fired power plants should be outlawed but at least he understands that state regulatory agencies can't accept gifts
Let's hope he isn't going to accept any gifts from AEP-SWEPCO or any other state-regulated body.
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Beebe Nixes Proposed Repeal Of ABC Gift Ban
By John Lyon
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/17/news/121808lrliquorlaws.txt
LITTLE ROCK -- The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has dropped plans to ask state lawmakers to repeal a law banning ABC employees from accepting gifts from the people they regulate after Gov. Mike Beebe frowned on the change.
ABC officials had planned to request a repeal of the law as part of a draft bill the agency is preparing for the 2009 legislative session that starts next month, but a Beebe spokesman said Wednesday the governor believes the law should remain in place.
"We've been reviewing that proposal as it goes along, and there are some parts we agree with," spokesman Matt DeCample said. "Repealing the rule in regards to gifts is not something that we agree with."
DeCample said because of "the nature of the regulation and the enforcement that ABC undertakes, we think it's a good rule to have."
ABC is a division of the state Department of Finance and Administration, part of the executive branch of state government. ABC Director Michael Langley said Wednesday, "I support the governor's decision."
Just a day earlier, Langley had said the division was considering asking lawmakers to repeal section 3-2-208 of the Arkansas Code, which prohibits a division employee from soliciting or accepting a gift from any manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer of alcoholic beverages or any person who has applied with the division for any type of permit.
Langley said Tuesday the law has "no teeth" because it does not provide a penalty. ABC employees already have to report gifts and comply with other ethics laws that apply to all state employees, he said.
DeCample said Wednesday, "Just because there are no penalties in the rule, that does not mean that violators will not be held accountable."
DeCample said Beebe does not oppose the division's plans to seek across-the-board fee increases that Langley has said would generate an additional $1.5 million to $1.75 million per year.
"They're targeted because of the increased enforcement needs and requirements placed on ABC, and we understand their need for that," the governor's spokesman said.
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Beebe Nixes Proposed Repeal Of ABC Gift Ban
By John Lyon
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/17/news/121808lrliquorlaws.txt
LITTLE ROCK -- The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has dropped plans to ask state lawmakers to repeal a law banning ABC employees from accepting gifts from the people they regulate after Gov. Mike Beebe frowned on the change.
ABC officials had planned to request a repeal of the law as part of a draft bill the agency is preparing for the 2009 legislative session that starts next month, but a Beebe spokesman said Wednesday the governor believes the law should remain in place.
"We've been reviewing that proposal as it goes along, and there are some parts we agree with," spokesman Matt DeCample said. "Repealing the rule in regards to gifts is not something that we agree with."
DeCample said because of "the nature of the regulation and the enforcement that ABC undertakes, we think it's a good rule to have."
ABC is a division of the state Department of Finance and Administration, part of the executive branch of state government. ABC Director Michael Langley said Wednesday, "I support the governor's decision."
Just a day earlier, Langley had said the division was considering asking lawmakers to repeal section 3-2-208 of the Arkansas Code, which prohibits a division employee from soliciting or accepting a gift from any manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer of alcoholic beverages or any person who has applied with the division for any type of permit.
Langley said Tuesday the law has "no teeth" because it does not provide a penalty. ABC employees already have to report gifts and comply with other ethics laws that apply to all state employees, he said.
DeCample said Wednesday, "Just because there are no penalties in the rule, that does not mean that violators will not be held accountable."
DeCample said Beebe does not oppose the division's plans to seek across-the-board fee increases that Langley has said would generate an additional $1.5 million to $1.75 million per year.
"They're targeted because of the increased enforcement needs and requirements placed on ABC, and we understand their need for that," the governor's spokesman said.
Trail thieves get sentences in the capital-murder category. Did anyone mention trail robberies during election campaign?
Did the newspapers report these robberies BEFORE the ELECTION?
Maybe in the police report. I hadn't heard about them.
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Four Plead Guilty In Series Of Thefts On Trail
By Ron Wood
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/17/news/121808fztrailrobbers.txt
FAYETTEVILLE -- Four people pleaded guilty Wednesday for their roles in a series of springtime muggings on a city-owned trail that put downtown Fayetteville residents on edge. A fifth person still faces charges.
The group would steal credit cards from pedestrians on the Frisco Trail then use them to buy merchandise at local stores, according to deputy prosecuting attorneys Dustin Roberts and Mark Booher. One victim, who was beaten and kicked, suffered significant facial injuries.
Surveillance tapes from local businesses helped identify the suspects, police said.
Darrell Green, 23, of Fordyce, along with Robert Finks, 21, Britany Moreton, 19, and Keith Matthews, 19, all of Fayetteville, pleaded guilty in Washington County Circuit Court to list of charges arising out of five robberies in a two-week period.
Finks and Matthews were involved in robbing a pedestrian at Center and Hill streets on May 31 and two robberies June 4, one at 2100 N. Leverett Ave. and one at Meadow and Center streets.
Moreton is accused of using credit cards stolen in the robberies.
Charges stemming from an attempted robbery were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Martez Butler, 18, of Fayetteville faces charges related to the robberies. His case was reset to Feb. 17. He remains in the Washington County Jail.
Green also robbed a pedestrian at Leverett Avenue and Maple Street on June 7, according to police and prosecutors.
Green pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, two counts of being an accomplice to robbery, two counts of being an accomplice to the fraudulent use of credit cards and one count of theft by receiving. He was sentenced to a total of 60 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 20 years suspended, leaving 40 years to serve.
Finks pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to robbery, fraudulent use of a credit card and theft by receiving. He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge, delivery of cocaine. Finks was sentenced to a total of 60 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 20 years suspended, leaving 40 years to serve.
Matthews pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to robbery and two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Matthews was sentenced to 30 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 15 years suspended, leaving 15 years to serve.
Moreton pleaded guilty to two counts of being an accomplice to the fraudulent use of a credit card. Moreton was sentenced to 120 days at a regional punishment center and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
Maybe in the police report. I hadn't heard about them.
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Four Plead Guilty In Series Of Thefts On Trail
By Ron Wood
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/17/news/121808fztrailrobbers.txt
FAYETTEVILLE -- Four people pleaded guilty Wednesday for their roles in a series of springtime muggings on a city-owned trail that put downtown Fayetteville residents on edge. A fifth person still faces charges.
The group would steal credit cards from pedestrians on the Frisco Trail then use them to buy merchandise at local stores, according to deputy prosecuting attorneys Dustin Roberts and Mark Booher. One victim, who was beaten and kicked, suffered significant facial injuries.
Surveillance tapes from local businesses helped identify the suspects, police said.
Darrell Green, 23, of Fordyce, along with Robert Finks, 21, Britany Moreton, 19, and Keith Matthews, 19, all of Fayetteville, pleaded guilty in Washington County Circuit Court to list of charges arising out of five robberies in a two-week period.
Finks and Matthews were involved in robbing a pedestrian at Center and Hill streets on May 31 and two robberies June 4, one at 2100 N. Leverett Ave. and one at Meadow and Center streets.
Moreton is accused of using credit cards stolen in the robberies.
Charges stemming from an attempted robbery were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Martez Butler, 18, of Fayetteville faces charges related to the robberies. His case was reset to Feb. 17. He remains in the Washington County Jail.
Green also robbed a pedestrian at Leverett Avenue and Maple Street on June 7, according to police and prosecutors.
Green pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, two counts of being an accomplice to robbery, two counts of being an accomplice to the fraudulent use of credit cards and one count of theft by receiving. He was sentenced to a total of 60 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 20 years suspended, leaving 40 years to serve.
Finks pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to robbery, fraudulent use of a credit card and theft by receiving. He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge, delivery of cocaine. Finks was sentenced to a total of 60 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 20 years suspended, leaving 40 years to serve.
Matthews pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to robbery and two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Matthews was sentenced to 30 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 15 years suspended, leaving 15 years to serve.
Moreton pleaded guilty to two counts of being an accomplice to the fraudulent use of a credit card. Moreton was sentenced to 120 days at a regional punishment center and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
Neal announces first Audubon field trip for 2009 series to be held on December 28, 2008!
Everyone is welcome to join the newly reorganized Northwest Arkansas
Audubon Society on a field trip to the Eagle Watch Nature Area, just
west of Gentry in Benton County. Sunday, December 28, 2008. Meet at
the parking area just off highway 12, at 9 AM. I will post directions
below. It can be a birdy place, and not just Bald Eagles. After, some
may want to "retire" to a locale a few miles away, for Great-tailed
Grackles, etc.
DIRECTIONS AND OTHER INFO: Notice Highway 59 on your Arkansas highway
map. Gentry is at the intersection of 59 and Highway 12. From this
intersection, travel W on 12 for approx. two miles. The Eagle Watch
Nature Area is approx. 1 mile W of the city limits on the S side of
the highway. Look for the parking lot on the highway?s S side,
immediately E of the highway bridge spanning Little Flint Creek. There
is an information sign in the parking area.
The approx. 1,500 acres of EWNA are part the 500-acre SWEPCO Lake,
constructed to provide cooling water for the coal-fired plant
generating electricity for NW Arkansas. During winter, temperatures in
the lake average in the low 70s. This warm water is presumably the
source of some interesting bird records. The parking lot is the
starting point for a trail that is 0.5 miles long (1 mile round trip).
The trail is well-marked, generally level, and easily walked because
of a thick bed of mulch. The first 0.3 miles include open fields and
the Little Flint Creek bottoms. There is a farm to the E, and a
forested ridge to the W. The final 0.2 miles includes an optional
steeper path into typical Ozark woodland. The trail ends at an
attractive pavilion that provides tables, an appealing overlook of
part of the lake and forested ridges, and information about the flora
and fauna of EWNA.
JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas. "I have great faith in a
seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to
expect wonders." -- HD Thoreau
For details of other upcoming Audubon events, please visit northwestarkansasaudubonsociety.blogspot.com
linked at right in the future.
Audubon Society on a field trip to the Eagle Watch Nature Area, just
west of Gentry in Benton County. Sunday, December 28, 2008. Meet at
the parking area just off highway 12, at 9 AM. I will post directions
below. It can be a birdy place, and not just Bald Eagles. After, some
may want to "retire" to a locale a few miles away, for Great-tailed
Grackles, etc.
DIRECTIONS AND OTHER INFO: Notice Highway 59 on your Arkansas highway
map. Gentry is at the intersection of 59 and Highway 12. From this
intersection, travel W on 12 for approx. two miles. The Eagle Watch
Nature Area is approx. 1 mile W of the city limits on the S side of
the highway. Look for the parking lot on the highway?s S side,
immediately E of the highway bridge spanning Little Flint Creek. There
is an information sign in the parking area.
The approx. 1,500 acres of EWNA are part the 500-acre SWEPCO Lake,
constructed to provide cooling water for the coal-fired plant
generating electricity for NW Arkansas. During winter, temperatures in
the lake average in the low 70s. This warm water is presumably the
source of some interesting bird records. The parking lot is the
starting point for a trail that is 0.5 miles long (1 mile round trip).
The trail is well-marked, generally level, and easily walked because
of a thick bed of mulch. The first 0.3 miles include open fields and
the Little Flint Creek bottoms. There is a farm to the E, and a
forested ridge to the W. The final 0.2 miles includes an optional
steeper path into typical Ozark woodland. The trail ends at an
attractive pavilion that provides tables, an appealing overlook of
part of the lake and forested ridges, and information about the flora
and fauna of EWNA.
JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas. "I have great faith in a
seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to
expect wonders." -- HD Thoreau
For details of other upcoming Audubon events, please visit northwestarkansasaudubonsociety.blogspot.com
linked at right in the future.
Rumor that Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society was dying put to rest
About half the seats in the Pat and Willard Walker meeting room at the Fayetteville Public Library filled with enthusiastic Audubon supporters Wednesday night. New officers were elected and volunteer board members signed on. Joe Neal offered a slate of outings for 2009, starting on December 28, 2008.
Neal hikes and watches birds and leads organized birding events regularly.
We'll provide updates regularly.
The "new" president is Professor Doug James, who was the adviser/leader of the Northwest Arkansas Audubon when it was mostly made up of graduate students from his biology classes decades ago!
A special treat that Michelle Viney, the Northwest Arkansas coordinator for Audubon Arkansas attended and offered a new level of cooperation before the local and state chapter and national Audubon.
And, most important, some of the most significant young conservationists participated.
Neal hikes and watches birds and leads organized birding events regularly.
We'll provide updates regularly.
The "new" president is Professor Doug James, who was the adviser/leader of the Northwest Arkansas Audubon when it was mostly made up of graduate students from his biology classes decades ago!
A special treat that Michelle Viney, the Northwest Arkansas coordinator for Audubon Arkansas attended and offered a new level of cooperation before the local and state chapter and national Audubon.
And, most important, some of the most significant young conservationists participated.
Audubon Society meeting at 6 p.m. today at Walker meeting room of the Fayetteville Public Library
Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society (NWAAS) will have an important
meeting Dec 17, 6-7:45, in the Williard & Pat Walker meeting room of
the Fayetteville Public Library. Because of the short time available,
please come a little early. The only business of this meeting will be
whether or not NWAAS will continue to function. I urge anyone with an
interest in the outcome -- whether or not you are currently an Audubon
member -- to come. If you think NWAAS should dissolve, your voice will
be welcome. If you wish to see NWAAS continue into the future, your
voice will also be welcome.
Joe Neal
Fayetteville
Saturday, the Highlands chapter of the Ozark Society will bushwhack into Dismal Hollow in Newton County, visiting an abundance of waterfalls, bluffs and deep gorges. Although the distance is less than 5 miles, the route is rated difficult because of steep slopes.
Participants are to meet at 8 a.m. at FirstCare Medical in Fayetteville or at 9:30 a.m. at the country store in Deer.
For details, call Bob Cross at (479) 587-8757.
On Sunday, the group will explore the trails at Pea Ridge National Military Park. The trail is nine miles long and is rated easy. Participants are asked to meet at 9 a.m. at Root Elementary School in Fayetteville or at 10 a.m. at the park's visitors center in Pea Ridge. E-mail martykerns@juno. com for details.
meeting Dec 17, 6-7:45, in the Williard & Pat Walker meeting room of
the Fayetteville Public Library. Because of the short time available,
please come a little early. The only business of this meeting will be
whether or not NWAAS will continue to function. I urge anyone with an
interest in the outcome -- whether or not you are currently an Audubon
member -- to come. If you think NWAAS should dissolve, your voice will
be welcome. If you wish to see NWAAS continue into the future, your
voice will also be welcome.
Joe Neal
Fayetteville
Saturday, the Highlands chapter of the Ozark Society will bushwhack into Dismal Hollow in Newton County, visiting an abundance of waterfalls, bluffs and deep gorges. Although the distance is less than 5 miles, the route is rated difficult because of steep slopes.
Participants are to meet at 8 a.m. at FirstCare Medical in Fayetteville or at 9:30 a.m. at the country store in Deer.
For details, call Bob Cross at (479) 587-8757.
On Sunday, the group will explore the trails at Pea Ridge National Military Park. The trail is nine miles long and is rated easy. Participants are asked to meet at 9 a.m. at Root Elementary School in Fayetteville or at 10 a.m. at the park's visitors center in Pea Ridge. E-mail martykerns@juno. com for details.
Raft Creek pollution by gas-driller's waste kills fish in Wildlife Management Area
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opened a big can of worms when it leased public land for gas exporation and already is having to deal with habitat destruction caused by drilling on private land.
A weakness in the severance-tax passed many months ago was not ensuring that a portion of the proceeds of that tax would be set aside to restore the land leased to the drilling companies. Depending on collecting for damage after it occurs is always risky at best.
Aubrey
Dead fish spur state to ban site from taking driller wastewater
BY L. LAMOR WILLIAMS
Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/246862
Gas-drilling waste kills fish in Raft Creek
A second facility used to store and dispose of discarded water used by natural gas drillers can no longer accept the wastewater, the director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality said Tuesday.
A property owner reported seeing dead fish on his property near the Griffithville disposal site operated by Searcy-based Central Arkansas Disposal, said Teresa Marks, director of the Department of Environmental Quality.
After investigating, the department issued an emergency order Friday after an inspection found a "large unlined, unpermitted waste treatment reservoir," being filled through an underground pipe from the licensed facility, the emergency order states.
On Dec. 3, the department closed a wastewater storage and disposal facility near Carlisle for improperly applying the water onto farmland.
Marks imposed a moratorium on new permits for drill fluid storage facilities until a study is completed examining the effects the operations have on soils and waterways.
.............
A water sample also found high chloride levels in the stream. The creek feeds the Steve Wilson/Raft Creek Wildlife Management Area in White County.
.............
Mike Armstrong, chief of fisheries for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said ... "We found several largemouth bass up to 4 pounds and quality-sized crappie so there was a robust fish population in those ditches."
For more information, please visit
Gas-drilling waste kills fish in Raft Creek
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com
A weakness in the severance-tax passed many months ago was not ensuring that a portion of the proceeds of that tax would be set aside to restore the land leased to the drilling companies. Depending on collecting for damage after it occurs is always risky at best.
Aubrey
Dead fish spur state to ban site from taking driller wastewater
BY L. LAMOR WILLIAMS
Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/246862
Gas-drilling waste kills fish in Raft Creek
A second facility used to store and dispose of discarded water used by natural gas drillers can no longer accept the wastewater, the director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality said Tuesday.
A property owner reported seeing dead fish on his property near the Griffithville disposal site operated by Searcy-based Central Arkansas Disposal, said Teresa Marks, director of the Department of Environmental Quality.
After investigating, the department issued an emergency order Friday after an inspection found a "large unlined, unpermitted waste treatment reservoir," being filled through an underground pipe from the licensed facility, the emergency order states.
On Dec. 3, the department closed a wastewater storage and disposal facility near Carlisle for improperly applying the water onto farmland.
Marks imposed a moratorium on new permits for drill fluid storage facilities until a study is completed examining the effects the operations have on soils and waterways.
.............
A water sample also found high chloride levels in the stream. The creek feeds the Steve Wilson/Raft Creek Wildlife Management Area in White County.
.............
Mike Armstrong, chief of fisheries for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said ... "We found several largemouth bass up to 4 pounds and quality-sized crappie so there was a robust fish population in those ditches."
For more information, please visit
Gas-drilling waste kills fish in Raft Creek
Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com
Final 2008 meeting of the Fayetteville City Council
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Fayetteville, Arkansas, city council's final 2008 meeting. Lioneld Jordan, mayor-elect, is at far right, seemingly out of focus but actually in the process of turning his head. He'll be in better focus at the Jan. 6, 2009, meeting.
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Water, Sewer Impact Fees Going Up
By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Increased water and sewer impact fees will go into effect in Fayetteville on March 31.
The City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday night to increase the impact fees for new single-family residences by $700. Bobby Ferrell, an alderman from Ward 3, voted against the measure. The increased fees apply to only new development. The increase would bring the water and sewer fees to $1,843.
"Basically, if you need water and you're going to be an additional strain on the city system, you're going to have an impact fee," said Ron Petrie, the Fayetteville city engineer, as he explained the reasoning behind the increased fees.
Residents moving from septic tanks to the city sewer system will not be charged impact fees, officials said.
"Because we want to encourage people to get off the septic system," Petrie said.
The increased fees come as a recommendation from the Fayetteville Water and Sewer Committee and Duncan & Associates, the firm hired to study the fees. The added costs for water and sewer will be phased in over three years. The maximum fees are set at $5,703 for water and sewer.
"So we'll look at this in another year and see where we are," said Kyle Cook, a council member who also serves on the water and sewer committee.
The meeting Tuesday was the final council meeting of 2008 and the final council meeting for Nancy Allen, one of the council members from Ward 2. Allen chose to not seek re-election and will be replaced by Matthew Petty.
Also, Lioneld Jordan, Fayetteville's next mayor, will give up his seat in Ward 4. Sarah Lewis has been elected to the position.
But outgoing Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody took the evening to recognize both council members for their service on the council, presenting both Allen and Jordan with plaques.
"I've been hanging around City Hall for a long time now," Allen told the room of cheering supporters as she went through a lengthy list of both appointed and elected positions she's held in city government.
Allen, a retired schoolteacher, has served on the Fayetteville Planning Commission, the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods and other roles in public service.
"And I have never missed one meeting," she reminded the audience.
"It's the most interesting job I've ever had," Allen said, of her four-year term on the council. "I want to thank the people of Ward 2 for putting your confidence in me, to let me serve my beloved Fayetteville."
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Water, Sewer Impact Fees Going Up
By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Increased water and sewer impact fees will go into effect in Fayetteville on March 31.
The City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday night to increase the impact fees for new single-family residences by $700. Bobby Ferrell, an alderman from Ward 3, voted against the measure. The increased fees apply to only new development. The increase would bring the water and sewer fees to $1,843.
"Basically, if you need water and you're going to be an additional strain on the city system, you're going to have an impact fee," said Ron Petrie, the Fayetteville city engineer, as he explained the reasoning behind the increased fees.
Residents moving from septic tanks to the city sewer system will not be charged impact fees, officials said.
"Because we want to encourage people to get off the septic system," Petrie said.
The increased fees come as a recommendation from the Fayetteville Water and Sewer Committee and Duncan & Associates, the firm hired to study the fees. The added costs for water and sewer will be phased in over three years. The maximum fees are set at $5,703 for water and sewer.
"So we'll look at this in another year and see where we are," said Kyle Cook, a council member who also serves on the water and sewer committee.
The meeting Tuesday was the final council meeting of 2008 and the final council meeting for Nancy Allen, one of the council members from Ward 2. Allen chose to not seek re-election and will be replaced by Matthew Petty.
Also, Lioneld Jordan, Fayetteville's next mayor, will give up his seat in Ward 4. Sarah Lewis has been elected to the position.
But outgoing Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody took the evening to recognize both council members for their service on the council, presenting both Allen and Jordan with plaques.
"I've been hanging around City Hall for a long time now," Allen told the room of cheering supporters as she went through a lengthy list of both appointed and elected positions she's held in city government.
Allen, a retired schoolteacher, has served on the Fayetteville Planning Commission, the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods and other roles in public service.
"And I have never missed one meeting," she reminded the audience.
"It's the most interesting job I've ever had," Allen said, of her four-year term on the council. "I want to thank the people of Ward 2 for putting your confidence in me, to let me serve my beloved Fayetteville."
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Coal plant appeal set for trial March 9, 2009
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Trial date set for coal plant appeal
By THE MORNING NEWS
LITTLE ROCK -- A challenge to Southwestern Electric Power Co.'s air permit for a planned coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County will go to trial March 9, an administrative law judge said Monday. At a scheduling hearing, Judge Michael O'Malley set aside March 9-20 for a trial to decide whether the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's decision to grant an air permit for the $1.6 billion, 600-megawatt plant should be overturned.
The Morning News on coal-fired power plant
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Trial date set for coal plant appeal
By THE MORNING NEWS
LITTLE ROCK -- A challenge to Southwestern Electric Power Co.'s air permit for a planned coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County will go to trial March 9, an administrative law judge said Monday. At a scheduling hearing, Judge Michael O'Malley set aside March 9-20 for a trial to decide whether the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's decision to grant an air permit for the $1.6 billion, 600-megawatt plant should be overturned.
The Morning News on coal-fired power plant
Monday, December 15, 2008
Didn't Eva Klein hear about the fact that no new landfills can be created anywhere near Fayetteville? Where would the garbage for a million people go?
Why would someone propose turning the magnificent Northwest Arkansas mountains and prairies into a city of millions without even understanding its geology?
The Morning News on Eva Klein report
The Morning News on Eva Klein report
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