Earle council addressing summertime concerns

Earle council addressing summertime concerns

Grass- cutting, mosquito- spraying will require extra efforts

news@theeveningtimes.com

Earle will make use of some part-time help to make sure it doesn’t fall behind on cutting the grass, but will take more time to study what they plan to do about mosquito control.

The council authorized Mayor Sherman Smith to hire a part-time worker to mow the grass for up to 20 hours a week to help out the street department.

Last year, the city fell behind on mowing after its bush hog and tractors broke down.

“We are definitely going to need to keep the grass under control,” Smith said.

“It’s embarrassing to have the city get all grown up.

And with the limited staff that we have, we need more help.

Councilman Kenneth Cross asked Matthews if he could get a complete inventory of all equipment at the city shop and to make sure that only qualified people operate the city’s equipment.

Broken and improperly maintained equipment has been a major problem for the city.

“We can’t keep replacing equipment,” Cross said. “We don’t have the money.”

Street Department manager Nemi Matthews told Cross that the bush hog is back up and running and that he has assigned one person to drive the tractor.

“That’s why I only allow that one person to drive the tractor,” Matthews said.

The city also heard a presentation from Earnest English of Vector Disease Control about the different mosquito control packages available to the city.

Packages range from $17,500 to $53,500 which includes aerial spraying.

Vector currently has contracts with Crawfordsville and West Memphis.

Mayor Sherman Smith said he doesn’t want to see the city get behind on mosquito control either. Last year’s efforts were hampered when the city’s spray truck broke down.

However, Smith pointed out that the city only has about $21,000 in its mosquito control fund to spend. “In my experience, aerial spraying works the best,” Smith said. “But that’s not going to buy us very much. It at least gives us something to look at.”

Cross noted that Crawfordsville has the full package minus the aerial spraying.

“I know he gets good results from Crawfordsville,” Cross said. “But whatever we are doing now, is not working. That’s just my opinion.”

Marion Boy Scouts.

Through a foundation, easements were acquired and points of natural interest and history from the days of Spain to the Civil War were marked out along the river between the store and Hopefield founded by Spanish as a military outpost. Esperanza means hope in Spanish and the name Hopefield for the settlement followed after the fort. A generation ago, scouts from all over the region earned a patch for making the hike and taking a quiz. The trail was officially recognized by the Bicentennial Commission.

The county used to mow the route but it fell into disrepair in recent years, many of the trail markers vandalized or stolen. Lowrance and his neighbors the Pirani family have recovered some of the huge old metal Esperanza Trail signs and they are being refurbished.

“Joe and Dennis Pirani preserved these signs,” said Lowrance standing in the shade behind the store and facing south. “I think the trail started right here goes down a way and crosses the levee but I don’t know exactly where.”

Lowrance isn’t sure what all would be involved in reviving that trail but wants to considerately work with any concerns from government entities, and his neighbors to revive the route.

He sees the old trail and the farm as another significant excursion hikers and bikers could enjoy after crossing the BRX and traveling the byway from Memphis to Marion.

“I’m told the top of the Mississippi River Levee that runs north past Mound City is under consideration to opening a bike/pedestrian trail. This would be a huge addition to the attractiveness of the entire area,” said Lowrance. “And I’d sure like to see that all come back.”

Mound City is indeed the happy intersection on which to build a tourism business including new visitors cycling from the BRX.

By Mark Randall