Thursday Night’s Hempstead Quorum Court Meeting

By Staff, 03/31/17 3:14 PM

HOPE – The Hempstead County Quorum Court met for their March meeting on Thursday evening,

County Judge Haskell Morse opened the meeting by recognizing JP Lynn Montgomery, as he was in a recent magazine, for being the longest serving JP in the state.

Two ordinances were then approved: one transfers and appropriated funds within the Drug Court budget and were added to the category Dues & Membership for 2017.. The second appropriated funds for Courthouse roof repair for the year 2017.

Kim Hollis had planned to speak about her concerns regarding the location of the new library, but when she took the podium, she stated that she had been told by a member of the library board that voicing her concerns would only embarrass her, so she declined to speak.

JP Cherry Stewart then related that she had received several calls about the location of the new library, stating that many people felt that it should be located downtown. This brought up discussion about who the library board should report to, what the 5-year Campbell donation timeline actually is and more discussion on changing the location of the building site. The Quorum Court approved the plans to build the library at the current location site in late 2015, the plans have been on display in the current library and the project is now up for bids.

County Assessor Kim Smith rose to speak about the correct assessment of personal property.

Sheriff James Singleton spoke about the upcoming April 14th fundraiser for 14-year Deputy Jonathan Keen, who is currently battling stage 4 cancer in Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Deputy Keen was named an honorary Deputy last year by the Sheriff. The fundraiser, a hamburger lunch and cake auction, will be held at the Sheriff’s Department from 11:00am to 1:00pm. There is also a Love Fund for Deputy Keen at Diamomd Bank.

Judge Morse reminded the JPs of the Hooe/Hempstead Chamber of Commerce annual banquet before the meeting was adjourned.