Turrell mayor receives Black History award

Turrell mayor receives Black History award

Cooper: ‘ It makes you feel good’

news@theeveningtimes.com

Turrell Mayor Dorothy Cooper received a certificate of appreciation from the Crittenden County NAACP chapter during its February meeting as part of Black History Month.

Rubye Johnson introduced the mayor and outlined her achievements after saying a piece on Black history in America.

“We have to remember the struggle in Black History,” said Johnson. “It is important for us to know our history in order for us to feel good. You need to know your history for two reasons, if you don’t you can repeat it and anybody can tell you any silly thing.

Second, Black History is American history. Nobody owns the subject anymore than we do. Our ancestors were not immigrants because they did not come on their own but we built the country. They got rich off our backs and your ancestors did that. So don’t let anybody make you feel inferior.”

Johnson expressed appre- ciation for the Mayor of Turrell.

“The Crittenden County NAACP recognizes and appreciate Miss Dorothy Cooper for her contribution and dedication to the NAACP,” said Johnson.

“I appreciate the NAACP,” said Cooper. “They are there for you when you have nobody else to support you in what you are doing. But when you have the NAACP there to encourage

and appreciate you

it makes you feel good.

They give me strength and courage.”

Cooper looked at the hurdles ahead in Turrell. Constructing a community park and improving a sewage pond topped the list for the year ahead. The mayor worked hard to get these projects in place and was recently appreciated by city council with raise.

The sewer pond project is the first thing that needs to be completed,” said Copper. a bridge to the pond, fixing the pumps and reshaping the steep sides for maintenance and mowing drive around access are on part of the plan. Even beavers have clogged the works. The mayor worried about ADEQ fines should the pond overflow. But, first things first is to obtain access to the pond from a land owner.

“We haven’t had a discussion yet,” said Cooper. “We should really should be able to get in there to work on the pump. None of that is working, the pump burned up.”

Cooper shifted focus to developing a new park with grant funds just off Highway 77 near the fire station. “The park is for forever,” said Cooper. “It’s going to be a pavilion, a half court, and a little playground for the children. The money is

in the bank to do it.”

By John Rech