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Trumann, Arkansas ~ Saturday, October 11, 2008
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Hot topics Alumni Connection(23 ~ 4:08 PM, Oct 8)
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I love the new law pertaining to landlords and meth labs, maybe this will help us get rid of the drug problem!
Some good comments.
You guys seem to really care about your town.
Recently we had a guy speak at our local Rotary, Guy Enchelmayer, who is basically the local guru pertaining to recycling. He's the former head of the Craighead County Solid Waste Authority and created the Legacy Landfill.
He might be an insightful person to have as a Rotary or Lion's Club speaker.
I think we were all outside enjoying the weather! I'll take this cool weather in August anytime!
What's the deal??? No one has commented on anything in days........lol
First of all I want to say thanks boyz for a blast from the past-that made me laugh! And as for the pool issue, I remember when I was a kid we went to the pool quite often and my family would "rent" it for the evening and those were like the best times ever! It could be a place for everyone-not just members.
Trumann is a great place to live and I defend it on a regular basis! Me & my husband both work in Jonesboro and people are always trying to get us to move there, but we love this place! I have lived here basically all my life-all of my memories are here. I had to transplant my husband from Marked Tree, but now he wouldn't live anywhere else! People here know each other, they have history together. Sure we have problems just like every town in the world, but we need to pray for our city and turn back to God. We have an excellent police force that is doing a wonderful job getting drug dealers and other criminals off the streets and I am so grateful to these brave people. We should pray for them every single day! They are putting themselves at risk for our well-being. People may think that there are others that are more qualified to run the city to manage finances and attract industry. We should also pray for the leadership of this city. BUT we need to remember that God is the key to Trumann being a safe, drug-free, prosperous place that we and our children for generations to come can be proud to call home.
You might speak to your mayor or a city council member about setting up a recycling program.
I know in Jonesboro the city facilitates it by having the public use blue bags for their recycled products. The city then picks it up on the selected trash days for recycling.
I don't know what the cost would be for Trumann to facilitate a recycling program but I do believe it would be a worth while investment towards the future of our planet.
You might even contact a public official in Jonesboro to further inquire about how they do it.
July 26th recycling at Wal-Mart is a start but we need everyday recycling in this area, especially in our town. How can we make this happen. The best thing would be for us to have recycling bins we can use in our homes. This is very important for the future of our planet and our childrens lives--more of us should be concerned and get a movement started...Please take the time to think about the waste that u are creating while u are creating it and this will help u to realize the things that need to be changed. P.S. did you know that it takes 37+ trees to make one bag of charcoal--just making u think, thanks everyone!
We appreciate all of your input on the forum.
Obviously you care about your hometown and desire to see it prosper.
Everything's trickled down. Our economy nationwide struggles and it comes down to us. The unfortunate thing of the matter is that locally owned businesses take the worse blow. Trumann is saturated with these types of businesses.
Although it's a hopeful endeavor, I don't personally anticipate that Jonesboro citizens would venture to Trumann when virtually all they would want to do could be found in their hometown. However, you have the potential of drawing your smaller towns like Bay and Marked Tree and all the houses dispersed around you. One thing in particular is restaurants.
I've heard rumors that a factory might occupy the old Singer plant where the discount furniture store is located. This was about a month or so ago so we'll see what happens. This could potentially generate local businesses.
A public swimming facility wouldn't be a bad idea, but you have to think about how it's going to be paid for and who is going to maintain it. That could possibly mean more taxes.
Just some thoughts.
Dallas Collins passed away yesterday at the Baptist Memorial in Memphis due to heart failure after falling from the top of his shed Wednesday of June.
He suffered severe brain injury and we was told that he would have brain damage from an aneurysm which burst on impact. He was fine up until one night when he had a heart attack, and in the week following that, each of his bodily functions gave way and he passed. He was on life support for days on end, and now he is no longer suffering and is in a better place.
Dallas was a big supporter of the school and you would always see him at the games. He loved the Razorbacks and had fun going to their games. Dallas was a retiree from Hytrol Conveyor in Jonesboro, and was a well known person here in Trumann.
He left behind his wife Naomi Collins, his grand children, five sisters (Loretta Mooneyham, Helen Lee, Janet Spray, Wilma Fleming, and Ruth Cross) all origins of Trumann. He was and will always be in our hearts. We know that he is in a better place and is with his parents (my grand-parents).
Dallas Collins will always be loved and remembered.
I DO NOT LIVE IN TRUMANN OR EVEN IN ARKANSAS BUT I DID AT ONE TIME. I ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL THERE AND AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A PUBLIC POOL. THE POOL WAS USED BY THE SCHOOL FOR THEIR "PE" CLASSES. I AM DATING MYSELF NOW, BUT IT WAS IN THE JFK ERA AND FRANCES SMALLWOOD WAS PE INSTRUCTOR.(AND BY THE WAY, SHE WAS THE BEST THAT "THS" EVER HAD!)
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL SHOULD PLAY A LARGE PART OF OBTAINING A POOL, EVEN IF IT IS AN INSIDE POOL ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. NO MATTER WHERE IT IS LOCATED, THE STUDENTS OF "THS", THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND MAYBE WE MIGHT EVEN HAVE AN OLYMPICA CONDENDER IN OUR TOWN! KIDS ARE GREAT AT COMPUTERS, TEXTING FOR HOURS BUT WHERE IS THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THEY NEED?
I AM PROUD TO BE FROM TRUMANN, AR BUT AS MY SON GREW UP HE WOULD ASK ME QUESTIONS LIKE..."WHAT IS THERE TO DO AROUND HERE?" IT GOT TO A POINT THAT HE DID NOT EVEN WANT TO COME AND VISIT FAMILY.
Nicely said Harvo!
Is there a difference between being uninformed and thinking you are informed? TRBQ raises some interesting questions. If the city wants to control the water and sewer as long as they are doing it for the right reasons, I guess that's ok, but as far as grant writing goes apparently just not anyone can write a grant application and make it stick. As to Mr. Bakers insurance maybe they did maybe they didn't, but I have never seen hard evidence that they did or did not. Course, I haven't been looking for any either. I think sometimes we have the tendency to believe what we want to without taking the time to check out what the truth is. Then again, that raises the question as to how to go about seeking answers. Sometimes I think decisions are made in our city government with some preset thinking in mind and when it comes to the time to discuss these things minds are already made up. Then again I suppose I am just as guilty as I base these comments on what my current perception is. I have in the past tried to gain information on certain issues only to run into a dead end. I even had one councilman who shall remain nameless walk away from me in the middle of a conversation about an issue facing the city apparently because he wasn't interested in what I had to say. That surely isn't an example of open minded government.
True!!!
If we had "more restaurants and shopping places" people from Trumann would also be more likely to spend their money here. Trumann money would stay in Trumann. It has been said that every dollar spent in a community will roll over 7 times. I don't know if thats true or not but it does show the importance of local spending in the local economy. If we can get "outside dollars" that would be even greater. But with skyrocketing fuel prices that becomes an even greater challenge. It would really have to be beneificial to someone from Jonesboro to shop Trumann with fuel prices like they are. I have even talked to a couple of restaurant people in Jonesboro and they say that their business is down due to fuel prices. It is a tough situation. We would have to find ways to make it a win win situtation to get people to shop here. It's not impossible, it would just be very difficult. Just anothers' thoughts.
I believe they meet at the Court Room on the second Tuesday of every month. Dodged this month, oops.
I have to admit, I disagree with some of these posts.
Someone said something along the lines of Trumann lacking the work force that people desire...
Not true. People from Jonesboro wouldn't come here to eat at Jerry's, go to Sidelines, or swing by Mickey's Quicker Liquor if that was true.
Not only that, I know several people that will drive from JOnesboro to the Wal-Mart here in Trumann. Some of them say they come because it's not so crowded and some people come just to get out of Jonesboro.
Jonesboro is heavily overpopulated with not nearly enough room on their roads for all the people. There are only a few places where people can go and expect southern-hospitality type service, where as in Trumann, most all places have that.
Imagine if we had more restaurants and shopping places, people would be more likely to come here.
Just my thought.
When does the city council meet? I think it is time we all go to the city with our complaints and our concerns.
Thanks for checking out the repair job. I take care of MY yard and am not responsible for a few doors down, or for the sidewalk.
Just drove by and took a look at jotav21's "repair" job, quite bad, but then again, look on the bright side, you have 6 foot of the widest sidewalk in Trumann! A few doors down the sidewalk is almost totally grown over with grass. Is it the homeowners responsibility or the city's to keep the sidewalks clear? We don't have sidewalks in the 'hood I live in.
I was really disappointed with last weeks front page story in the Trumann Democrat on celebrating the 4th of July. It was a great story, with one exception, have fun on the 4th of July but for heaven's sake do it somewhere else! Go to the festivities in Blytheville, Jonesboro, or Timbuktu, anywhere but Trumann! Maybe the powers that be in Trumann should take a good look at the revenue they are sending out of Trumann and do something to keep some hard earned money here. Why not have a nice fireworks show and some type of festival right here? What's wrong with bringing folks to Trumann? Would it cost that much to organize something? Surely the city would benefit from folks coming TO Trumann instead of them having to go somewhere else to see a fireworks show. I'm curious to see your feedback on this, do you think I'm wrong on this?
IF THE CITIZENS OF TRUMANN WANT A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL TO BE BUILT, I SUGGEST YOU CHECK OUT THE SIDEWALK THE CITY REPAIRED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AT 551 MAIN STREET. IF THIS IS ANY INDICATION OF THE KIND OF WORK THEY DO, I WOULDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY. WE CAN'T EDGE OUR YARD BECAUSE OF THE MESS THEY MADE. MY 12 YEAR OLD COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB. PLEASE STOP BY AND TAKE A LOOK.
Ok.... I am leaving comments and they are not showing up! It says it was successfully posted but never shows up!
I agree with your last statement. I also agree with the fact that we need a good PR director. I still think we need people that live here to be in charge of things like that though.
Business are attracted to areas with a thriving work force. Trumann doesn't have that. We can't blame that on any one person. Do our leaders have problems? Of course, there human, but we have to take some responsibility too.
The truth is, Trumann isn't going to get business until we get a good growing workforce. A responsible workforce.
The way we do that is simple. We have a great opportunity to become a bed room community for Jonesboro. Please no jokes. Trumann has a pretty good housing market. You can get a lot more home in Trumann for the price you would pay for one in Jonesboro. This makes Trumann's proximity to Jonesboro perfect. If we get a PR director they need to build on this.
Also I've heard lately of several people from Jonesboro coming to Trumann to our Super Center. They comment it is cleaner and better organized. Keep up the great work Wal-Mart Employees.
If we advertise that you can work in Jonesboro then come home and get the "small town" environment for your family at Trumann we will grow in population. Then we will get more restaurants, shopping centers, and businesses as executives see the growth in our area.
Like I said before....the person we have in the chamber does not even live in Trumann. I am not impressed with his ability to help bring in new businesses to Trumann. If we had someone with a personal connection to Trumann, maybe he/she could really strive to want to improve our city. I think Trumann has lots of potential to have great businesses and restaurants. Jerry's Steak House should not only be the reason people want to come here. We are close enough to Jonesboro and other surrounding areas and I believe people would drive here to visit these places. After all, people who live in Trumann drive to Jonesboro to eat and shop...so what's the difference?
We could have the Mayor and various others from town dress up like The Village People and perform a dance to the song YMCA. That would be pretty cool and something to do......
That would be nice, but one thing that hurts Trumann is that we are so close to Jonesboro and it would be a big risk moneywise for anyone to put something like that here. Same thing goes for restaurants and shopping.
I think I remember the after school program. But, I was talking about like having the actual YMCA building with the pool and the activity rooms and all that stuff like the one at Jonesboro. We need something here instead of having to bus the kids back and forth to Jonesboro.
There used to be a YMCA program after school and during the summer that parents used as child care if they had to work. Someone who enrolled their child in that told me that it didn't have enough kids enrolled to do it this summer. I don't know what all they did at that, though.
Is it possible for Trumann to get a local chapter of the YMCA? That would take care of a pool and after school/summer activities. Not sure how all that works....anyone know????
I think it is going to take a new mayor, which seems to be the solution to everything.
The school system has a lot of after school things and such. I think if the school is involved, the kids may be less interested. They go to school all day, they don't want to do that after school, you know?
I agree with Mr. Harvison. I mean what would it take to get this going. I would help in any way that I can!
I would like to see the city, the school system and the local business community come together to form some sort of coalition or committee or whatever you want to call it, to develop some programs directed at the youth in Trumann. These could be after school activities or summer activities such as weekly movies, sports programs, field trips and the like. It wouldn't have to be anything major to start with. But once it's started maybe it could grow from there. Similar programs could be implemented for our adult population. I guess the goal would be to make our community more vibrant and active.
We do have a really great town. I just wish we had more organizations such as clubs for younger women in this town.
We may live in a small town, but it's a really great town!
There's not too many places where you'd feel completely safe with your car breaking down ANY where in town.
It is my opinion that if the city of Trumann wants to improve it would help if it would employ people that ACTUALLY LIVE in Trumann to handle things such as bringing businesses to our wonderful city. Such people are all for our city, but yet they don't want to live here! I just don't understand that!
I agree 100% with the last statement!
I think that last statement is the key to a lot that goes on in Trumann. Until we get some progressive leadership with new, fresh ideas in our city government, I am afraid that things will pretty much remain the same. I know Trumann is a small town and has the same problems as pretty much any small town in America. However,I think someone with some new, fresh ideas, and an outlook that is not clouded by the way things are being done now, could make a positive impact of our town. I think we need more open mindedness in our city government. Is there someone out there that fits that description. Who knows? I personally would like to see some leadership that is open minded and willing to search out the ways and means to make Trumann progressive and not regressive. A lot of that starts with our image. I am afraid that we have turned back into what we were in the past. A beer stop on the way to and from Memphis. I am not saying that everything in Trumann is bad. I just see a lot of potential in this town that could make Trumann an even greater place to live. But it seems to me the place to start is through our elected officials and and starts with each of us casting our votes.
If grant money is available, there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to accomplish getting a pool for recreational purposes. As far as money for M&O, it's not like we'd get a pool open this summer, so if we could get a grant to get it built, we have an entire year to raise some money to pay for that. It's only for three months of M&O, and surely there are some volunteers that would do it for free, with supplies.
It's really time that we take a long, hard look at elected officials. It's also time to take a long, harder look at what we need to do next election to better this town.
Well, let's see. We can either pay for it up front, and have something for the family to do together, which might keep us from paying for it later, when because of the lack of interest to provide community activities, the kids end up in rehab, jail or worse.
I'm so sick of hearing why something can't be done VS how it can be done. Are we that lazy?
Elected officials are meant to provide and serve the needs of the community, not give excuses as to why they are not capable of leading or producing. If they can't do the job, please... for our sake, step down.
The city is having to cut back because ELECTED OFFICIALS, past and present have had no vision.
The city government works for the people. If the people want a pool, a skating rink, indoor go kart track, a traffic light that works properly, then the people should get it. City government is there to provide the means. That's our tax dollar at work.
If we need it and want it bad enough, we can get it. Whatever it is.... We don't live in Russia.
I think we many times underestimate ourselves.
Go to work elected officials!!!!
No, wait a minute. Maybe we have to present something at a council meeting before its considered. Oh boy, talking about deaf ears. God forbid, someone might have to earn that monthly check!!!
Well they raise taxes for everything else... Tax for a new school, tax increase for sewage, and whatever else they want to increase! Why not put it somewhere the children of this town can benefit from it!
There is grant money from Arkansas Parks and Tourism for swimming pools. The most you can get is $250,000 and the city has to match it. THEN, there is the maintenance and operation of the pool. That is the main reason that the pool was shut down the last time, BECAUSE there was NO MONEY for M&O. The chemicals for the splash pad alone are very expensive. All these things sound great and if every department in Trumann is having to cut back, there is no way that they could ever afford a swimming pool.
WOW A BLAST FROM MY PAST!! I STILL FIND MYSELF TURNING AROUND AT MCDONALDS OR TRYING TO TURN AT BILCO. MY 15 Y/O HAS NO DESIRE TO DRIVE!! CAN YOU BELEIVE THAT? SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES ARE ON THAT HIWAY! MY PARENTS NEVER HAD TO WONDER WHERE I WAS OR WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO. WHAT DO TEENAGERS DO NOW? I GUESS THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE ORIGINAL TOPIC, WHAT IS THERE FOR THE KIDS TO DO? I THINK A SWIMMING POOL WOULD BE GREAT. IF THERE WERE PLENTY OF STAFF THAT INFORCED THE RULES. I WENT TO THE ONE ALONG TIME AGO, I DON'T REMEMBER TO HEAVEY SET GIRL, BUT I'M SURE THERE WAS SOME PEEING GOING ON. HOWEVER IT WAS FUN. I AM FOR ANYTHING THAT WILL KEEP THE KIDS OF THIS TOWN BUSY. A POOL, BOYS/GIRLS CLUB, SOMETHING, ANYTHING.
Loved the trip back in time! Wild n Free can be seen from time to time at the Wal-Mart on Highland. Shopping. Everytime I see him I get a big smile on my face! That is hilarious! Those were the good ole days!
My goodness, I had forgotten all about Wild and Free. Does anyone know where he is these days? Oh and Thanks "Boyz" for the trip back in time. That truly was our good ole days!
Remember when....
Just reflecting back on some the simple pleasures I miss from around town:
1) Harlow's - Oh how I loved to get some Jo-Jo's and ranch dressing
2) Outer Limits Arcade- I was the king of Centipede and Pac-Man
3) The Sno Cone Truck- One of the Stockton Boys tooling around town in the super cool cart of crushed ice delights
4) The Bowling Alley- nothing like a Sunday afternoon of good clean fun
5) Hightower's- back when they had pool tables, foosball, and video games...popular hang out for the teens
6) Jan's Video- There was always a dog in there that freaked me out. If you were looking for a place to get the newest release, second hand smoke, and fleas.....this was your place.
7) Cruising the strip- back before gas was $4 a gallon, every Friday and Saturday night we would cruise the strip from Blico (before the fence was put up) to either Guy's or McDonalds. From 6 till curfew we would make endless laps up and down the highway jamming out to our favorite tunes.
8) Wild and Free- There are few things in life you could count on...but like clockwork, you could find him on the hood of his car rockin out to his jam box !!
I would like to thank the Trumann Police Department and the citizens of Trumann on all their effort in stopping all this drug trafficking going on around here. It is unbelievable the amount of arrests that have been made. Even some of our so called friends who we trusted are caught up in it. They say you can make a lot of money but the funny thing is I have yet to meet one who has more than me and mine came the honest way. A swimming pool will be a great idea for our town. Families will be together and predetors do not like mommy and daddy hanging around. This town has more good than bad and we can bring more than just a pool here but a community that people from the outside can say "now thats the town I want to live in".
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080620/ap_o...
hmm....
Does the Mayor read the polls on here?
Where's our swimming pool?
If I remember correctly the drowning occurred after the pool was already shut down. I think that is one of the reasons that it was filled in. Of course I was rather young then, so I could be wrong. Any way, It would be nice to have a place that Trumanites or Trumanians that don't belong to the good ole TCC can go and cool off in the summer. As far as paying for it, hit up some rich dudes(male or female) for money or get some local construction folks to donate a little time and hard work, and before you know it you will be kickin' it poolside with a little umbrella in your beverage of choice.
Ok that was sick and yes I remember something about a drowning.
We had a public pool once, but I remember there was always this heavy set girl who hung out in the corner....I am pretty sure she peed in the water.
It seems like I remember someone climbing the fence and drowning...can't be for certain.
Big jobs usually go to the men and women who prove their ability to outgrow small ones. If the city can't manage a swimming pool, then our elected officials need to encourage private investors to build this needed facility as well as other projects.
With the number of professionals we have in Trumann, from cement people to welders; from electricians to plumbers and carpenters; from realty or insurance professionals to farmers and bankers; there is absolutely no reason that by this time next year why the city of Trumann could not have a Wave Pool if need be, "if we all worked together."
We need to build a new TOWN, one in which the eternal dignity of OUR CHILDREN is respected. Would a swimming pool do that? No!!! But it's a start.
When a city can become self sustaining, "with something for its citizens to do," strong economic growth generally follows and a reputation begins to change. And God knows, we need change.
There is nothing to do in Trumann, especially for the kids. Not every kid wants to play sports. But I don't know of one that doesn't like to go splash and play in a pool. Sure beats dope or the internet.
So, I reiterate, "why does Trumann not have a public swimming pool?"
If there is a solid good reason not to have one, let's hear it. Otherwise let's confront the city council and mayor at the next meeting or begin a legitimate search for private investors.
Money could be raised for something like this and their is money to be made in a public pool but I will tell you right now... A splash pad/public pool or waterpark like Paragould has would be much better. I would bet that place has already paid for itself and then some!
The question about a municipal swimming pool has apparently come up. If the city has difficulties running the parks and recreation as it exists now, it raises the question of whether or not they can administer the day to day operation of a swimming pool. Anyway, where would the money come from? Apparently, parks and recreation revenues are way down compared to what they where this time last year.
The article in this weeks paper (6/04/08) about the Water and Sewer is staggering. Why did the city want to take on the responsiblility of this department? Complete control-Is that the name of the game?
Does anyone know if any local businesses need some part-time help? Particularly before 1pm and/or on weekends?
Ok liking the open forum!
Hmm..