Paving projects to begin in city

A $50,000 paving project with the city of Dexter is set to begin in the near future. The first of several projects will involve the paving of Vine Street from Walnut Street east to Kitchen Street, according to Jeff Myers, head of the city's Street Department. Myers elaborated on the paving project during Monday night's monthly meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.

Work on Vine Street is set to begin within the next several weeks, contingent upon when the pavers will become available. The city has hired ASA Ashpalt for the job.

City Administrator Mark Stidham said other projects are in the planning stage, some of which take priority because of a greater traffic flow.

"Depending upon funding," Stidham explained, "Grant Street will be looked at from Park Lane to Walnut Street, along with other side streets. We're still evaluating traffic flow there. Vine and Grant Streets are highly traveled areas, and then we'll move down to the lower traffic volume areas in residential settings."

In other reports to the board from city departments, it was learned that the city's Fourth of July fireworks display went off smoothly on the night on Thursday, July 3 at the grounds of East City Park.

Attendance was slightly down at the $7,500 display, according to city officials, but there were no serious incidents involving the misuse of fireworks at the park. Police Chief Sammy Stone also reported an uneventful Fourth, as did Fire Chief Don Seymore, with the exception of his crew battling a structure fire on the night of the Fourth.

The mosquito problem continues to plague the park area. Myers told the board his department had sprayed at the East Park complex three times during the recent holiday week, but that the problem still exists.

"Part of the problem is the flash flooding rains we've been having that wash away everything we've done," he said. "They're just bad this year."

Regarding the use of fireworks, aldermen voted to alter the city's ordinance that dictates how late on the Fourth of July fireworks may be set off. In the past, the city has maintained a 10 p.m. deadline, but it was decided Monday night that when the Fourth of July falls on a Friday or a Saturday, that deadline will be extended until midnight.

"That will allow some people within the city who work late hours to have a chance to display fireworks with their children, but that will be only when the holiday falls on a weekend," said City Administrator Mark Stidham.

Tom Espey, head of the Dexter's Water Department, asked the board to consider the purchase of a new backhoe for his crew. The sole backhoe that exists within his department is out of commission, with a potential repair bill upwards of $17,000.

Since next year's budget called for the purchase of a new backhoe for the Water Department, aldermen decided not to sink any more funds into repairing the outdated equipment and to go ahead with the purchase of a new backhoe at a cost of $82,000.

Park and Recreation Director Lawson Metcalf gave an overview of summer activities within his department, including the baseball and softball summer league operation.

"It's been a tough season for ball," Metcalf told the board. "With of all the rainouts, I've never seen a worse season."

Metcalf said many coaches opted to forfeit games because with all the postponements, the season was stretching into planned family vacation for several players.

Metcalf also reported on the operation of the Dexter Aquatic Center, saying that while attendance at the pool over the summer thus far is "slightly down," but still averaged about 100 paying guests per day.

Swim lessons, including adult and aerobic lessons, are currently underway at the pool.

Metcalf also mentioned that his department will be advertising for an individual to fill the position of Renee Stafford, longtime Park Office and Programs Coordinator. Stafford will be leaving her position as she increases a college class load to full-time.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Coleman reminded aldermen and department heads of the Chamber's July Jubilee for members, which will be held at the Chamber offices from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

In other routine business, the Dexter City Board of Aldermen:

* approved the appointment of Debbie Vanslyke as a new member of the Keller Public Library Board;

* approved the reappointment of Gregg Miller tot he Dexter Housing Authority & Fair Housing Board;

* approved of a liquor license for El Cabrito Mexican Restaurant (where the former Tios was located on Business Hwy. 60);

* approved of a liquor license for 60 Travel Plaza (formerly Stars & Stripes on AD Highway)

* approved the monthly City Clerk's report;

* approved the City Auditor's report as presented by Eddie Cato of Riley, Cato and Stubbs.

Plans underway for city to host Vietnam Memorial Wall

By NOREEN HYSLOP

Managing Editor

Dexter City Aldermen agreed Monday of a proposal by Ward I Aldermen Jerry Corder to bring the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to the city, possibly late in the fall, depending upon its availability. Corder, who also serves the city as chair of the Tourism Committee, made the proposal at the monthly meeting of the board, and his fellow-aldermen wasted no time in approving of the idea.

"To my knowledge, the wall has never made its way to Dexter," Corder said. "It was on display several years ago at the Stars and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield."

The traveling exhibit, known as The Wall That Heals, is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial that was unveiled in Washington, D.C. In 1982. The replica wall was dedicated in 1996 and has since been placed on display in hundreds of U.S. cities, each time for a four-day period from a Thursday through a Sunday.

"We haven't narrowed down the exact date as of yet," Corder said Tuesday morning. "But we believe it will be here late in the fall when the weather will be cooler, and more people will be able to get out and visit it."

The cost of securing the Memorial Wall is $5,000, plus an additional amount of about $2,000 to pay for the services of two individuals who accompany the display, set it up, and remain on hand for its exhibiting. Once in place, the memorial is open to the public for viewing 24-hours a day for the four-day period. In Dexter, the exhibit will be in place at the Welcome Center, which is the old railroad depot in the downtown area.

The Tourism Committee will fund the local exhibit. The Committee is funded through a four-cent sales tax on motels and RV parks.