FRIDAY JULY 31, 2009
10:45 AM

I went to Searcy on Wednesday afternoon and returned to Wynne yesterday afternoon. I attended the annual planning meeting of the executive committee of the Arkansas Municipal League. We had a very productive meeting as we decided on the plans for the municipal league programs for the next year.

We met at Harding University. We were all impressed with the facilities that we used for our meetings and meal functions. I enjoyed seeing and visiting with my fellow city officials from around the state.

The group went downtown Searcy to a dinner theater for a meal and entertainment on Wednesday night. We were treated to an excellent meal and the entertainment was outstanding.

The trip over on Wednesday afternoon and the trip back yesterday afternoon was terrible. I made both trips in a downpour of rain. I had to drive much less than the speed limit just to be able to see the highway and control my truck.

After I returned to Wynne I was on my way to the barber shop and the director of public works flagged me down. He wanted me to see the damage to our public works building. Yesterday afternoon we had some strong winds in that section of the city. These winds resulted in the collapse of the ceiling in the break room of the public works building. There was no water damage or any roof damage but the ceiling was in a mess. We contacted a contractor this morning and employed him to make repairs to the building. There was also some wind damage to Kelleys restaurant for the same wind.

Amy came to Wynne and stayed with Pat while I was gone to Searcy. They had a good time visiting during her visit. They both said that Amy spend a lot of time playing with Oscar. He was tired last night. In fact he went to bed a little earlier than normal.

I have complete a memo to the city council members about our class three trash problems. I have given them some options to solve the problem and I have also asked them for their input before a decision is made. We must make some changes to this service. We cannot stay up with the amount of trash that is placed on the street with the manpower and equipment we now have assigned to this service. I look forward to getting their input as we solve this problem.

Pat continues to make improvements with her broken leg. Please continue to remember her in your prayers and also remember me as I assist her and try to work at the city hall.

TUESDAY JULY 28, 2009
3:15 PM

I have spent a good bit of time today working on the information we plan to distribute to the citizens about the new way residential trash cans will be dumped in the future. Sometime over night I received a proof of the publication. I reviewed it along with three other people. We reached a consensus about the publication and a few minor changes. I submitted the changes to the company. The company replied in a short time with our changes. After review, we have the final proof ready to go to the printer.

I have also spent time today working on projects that I plan to propose for the 2010 budget. I will have two committee meeting to get further input on my plans. It seems early, but it is time to begin work on the city budget for 2010.

One of the projects that I plan to discuss with the solid waste committee is the need for an additional truck in the sanitation department. We must add a truck, if we are to keep up with the removal of class three trash. The city cannot stay up with the amount of trash that is being placed on the street using only one truck. I hope that the council agrees. When they went back to picking up all of the trash my impression was that they wanted it pickup on the same schedule as the normal household trash. We cannot provide that service with the present staff and equipment. If the fuel prices remain about the same, I think that we can provide the extra truck
on the money that is now being collected. That may not be true, but if we do not add another truck, we will have to cut back on the service that we are attempting to now provide.

Another issue that a committee has been looking at for several months is retirement for a few elected officials. At the present time once a limited number of former elected officials begin drawing a retirement the amount remains the same throughout their life. A couple of years ago the state legislature passed a law that allows city council members to give up to a 3% cost of living adjustment to these former elected officials. Elected officials now are in another retirement plan and that plan has a yearly cost of living adjustment. It seems fair that this small number of former elected officials should be given this small adjustment. I hope that the committee and then the full council agree to grant this small cost of living adjustment for these former elected officials.

Pat seems to be improving daily. She told me at lunch that she had spent a good deal of the morning sitting and not lying down. Please keep her in your prayers. Also keep me in your prayers as I conduct city business and take care of Pat.

MONDAY JULY 27, 2009
2:50 PM

I have been busy today. I have had several issues that required action. I think that those issues are over for now.

I talked with the man that is producing the information sheets for our new residential garbage system. He plans to send the the final proof copy today. If I approve they should be here in about two weeks. They contain a lot of information about our new system and other information about other services that the sanitation department provides. A change in the system requires citizens to place their garbage contain on the edge of the street in a certain position. We plan to provide each customer with the regulations about the middle of next month. If the carts are not placed properly, they will not be emptied. I expect a number of calls, but when we start using the new truck in early September. The driver will be the only person on the new truck. He will not be expected to get out of the truck and properly place the cans for dumping.

I met with a representative of Entergy this morning. I plan to add three new street lights on the southern part of the city. I have called Woodruff and requested a meeting. We need to add several on the northern part of the city. It could be interesting. They have never placed street lights like the ones we need in that part of town. There are some highway regulations, that the representative of Woodruff had never heard of those regulations. I expect a call in the next few days.

I worked in the yard about 1/2 day on Saturday. I did not complete all the work that I had planned, but I will finish over the next few days.

Pat had a pretty good weekend. She was feeling much better today at noon. Joyce Futrell brought food to the house on Friday night. She brought six vegetables, chicken strips, dessert and corn bread. I think that was just what Pat needed. We even made two meals of the food and still have a small amount left. Shelby Wilkins brought dinner yesterday. She brought a beef roast with all the trimmings. We certainly enjoyed the food. We will probably have leftovers from Sunday for several meals.

The street department is working on another drainage project. They are installing a pipe to better handle the water in a section of ward 5.

FRIDAY JULY 24, 2009
10:30 AM

I have been busy this week. I have been catching up on a few items that I had to put off because of helping with Pat.

Pat is doing well considering her injury. I am still doing my best to make her easy and take care of all of her needs.

There is not any major things going on with the city. It is kinda of routine.

TUESDAY JULY 21, 2009
12:04 PM

Pat went to the surgeons office for a check up yesterday. She got a good report. The doctor said that the healing was doing well. He told her that she could put a little weight on the leg, would not have to keep it elevated and that she could take her boot off several times a day and move her foot and ankle. They removed the staples yesterday. The doctor and nurse showed us the x-rays of her leg. They had to put in 9 screws and a plate to aid in the healing of her leg.

After the doctors appointment we returned to Wynne. It is good to be back home and have Pat at home. I think that I will be able to take care of her by myself.

Amy is working this week at a cremation business in Memphis. She is helping our the owner while he is on vacation. I went out yesterday morning and Amy gave me a tour of the facility. The process and the equipment was very interesting. This just adds to my information about the business of dying. I know more than I ever thought I would know because of Amy's profession and my operating a cemetery.

WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2009
9:31 AM

The Wynne City Council met last night for the regular monthly meeting. The following items were acted on:

Passed a resolution setting a public hearing for the closing of an alley.

Extended the contract for management of Deshay Park for the city.

Heard a report from VDCI for the past month.

Amended an ordinance increasing the fee paid by people involved in the justice system. We increased the amount of the fine for jail fees from the present $5.00 to $25.00. This increase should cover the amount the city pays the county to keep the city law breakers in the county jail.

I made a presentation to the council about developing a website for the city. After I made the presentation and answered questions the council had a very good discussion about a website. They then voted to proceed with the development of a website for the city. The website should be operational in about one month. That will only be a start, but we will have a web presence. It will take a few months to get all the information on the website that we plan to place on the website.

TUESDAY JULY 14, 2009
3:55 PM

I am back at work today after missing several days taking care of Pat and her broken leg.

I have been very busy catching up on items that need my attention. I had a meeting this morning with a representative of a website company. I was very impressed with her ideas for a City of Wynne website. The city council meets tonight and I plan to present the information to the council members. Over the years I have, as well as some council members, had to request that the city develop a website. I hope that the council will approve the plan and the city can have a website.

The city council has a short agenda tonight. The meeting should not take very long.

I talked with Pat today and she is doing fine considering her situation.

I will try to report tomorrow on the actions of the city council.

SUNDAY JULY 12, 2009
6:10 PM

Today has been a routine day. Amy and I have been taking care of Pat and we have also doing chores around the house. We cooked dinner today. We had a beef roast with all of the trimmings. We all three enjoyed our dinner. We even had some left to eat later.

Amy has just left to embalm a body or two. One of her mortician friends called and asked her to come help with the bodies. She was glad to have a chance to work again in her profession. She was excited when she left. She has missed not being able to work.

SATURDAY JULY 11, 2009
2:30 PM

I made a quick trip to Wynne this morning. I needed to go to pickup our mail, mow the yard, and pick up a few items that we need.

I visited with the neighbors and did my chores and returned to Memphis.

I will be in Wynne next week. I have a couple of meetings I need to attend and the city council meets Tuesday night. I also need to report on the council meeting on KWYN Wednesday morning.

Pat has decided to stay in Memphis through the 20th. She has a doctors appointment on that day and we will decide what course of action to take in relation to her recovery. Hopefully we will be able to return to Wynne after the doctors appointment.

Continue to keep us in your prayers.

FRIDAY JULY 10, 2009
3:10 PM

Pat's surgery went well. We are at Amy' home in Memphis. We will make a decision about what to do about going home in a day or two.

Pat has to lie down with her foot and leg elevated for at least ten more days. She has an appointment with her surgeon in ten days. He will evaluate her case at that time and give us instructions.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

THURSDAY JULY9, 2009
5:10 PM

Today has been nothing out of the regular routine. Amy and I have been taking care of Pat.
She has surgery tomorrow on her broken leg.

In between taking care of Oscar and Pat I have been working in Amy's yard. This afternoon Pat told Amy that if we stayed much longer she would not have any grass left in her yard.

I talked to my brother this afternoon for and update on my mother. She had surgery on her back this afternoon. He said everything went well and the doctor was pleased with the work he was able to complete. (My mother is almost 91 years old.)

I talked with all of the department heads and Theda today. Everything is going smooth in the City of Wynne. Jerry and I did discuss a change that we will have to undertake in the sanitation department. Tuesday's route has to be changed a little so the men can complete the route in a normal day. We discussed the ways to achieve this and decided on a plan. We will make the changes in a week or two. We will notify all of the families that are going to be changed.

WEDNESDAY JULY 8, 2009
6:30 PM

The situation is the same as it has been since Monday. Pat is lying down with her broken leg elevated.

Amy and I are doing our best to take good care of her. She is scheduled to have surgery on Friday morning.

Please keep us in your prayers.

The city seems to be running smoothly. I have stayed in touch with the department heads and Theda.

TUESDAY JULY 7, 2009
3:05 PM

Pat saw a doctor yesterday afternoon. He confirmed that she had broken two bones and one of them twice. He will perform surgery early Friday morning. He will put in three screws and one plate. He said that the surgery should take about one hour. We have to wait for the swelling to go down before the surgery can be performed.

We are staying at Amy's in Memphis. Amy and I are taking good care of Pat.

Keep us in your prayers.

MONDAY JULY 6, 2009
8:35 AM

This has not been a good weekend. Pat and I visited Amy on Saturday for the weekend. Pat had to visit a doctor on Monday. She had planned to stay over Sunday night and the come home after her appointment. I had planned to go home Sunday afternoon.

THE SITUATION CHANGED QUICKLY---------

Saturday afternoon we planned to go for a quick ride around town. As Pat was getting in the truck she fell and broke both bones in her left leg. She broke one of the bones twice. We went to the emergency room at Methodist Hospital. We spent about 6 hours at the ER. The placed a temporary cast on and sent us home. They told us that she would need to see a doctor to do surgery and set the leg. They said that it would probably be several days before surgery would be possible because of the swelling. At this time Pat in talking with the doctors office trying to set up an appointment to take care of the problem. More information later.