Hartman Council Discusses Baskin Street Traffic And Repairs
by Stephanie Baker
The Hartman City Council met on Monday, Sept. 8, and discussed a school traffic detour on Baskin Street which is necessary due to construction at Westside Elementary School.
Alderman Larry Roberts explained in detail the school traffic situation was unsafe, as the road is very narrow and the increase in traffic had caused at least one section of the asphalt to begin breaking away, leaving the road in dire need of repair.
Recorder Merrie Christman, who is also employed by the school district, informed the Council the detour is temporary and was in place due to the construction.
Roberts expressed his frustration that the school had decided on the detour without prior input from the city, while harshly criticizing the district and its administration. He emphasized the traffic was potentially dangerous, and the road could not handle the traffic well. He said he did not want the city to be held responsible for any accidents.
Mayor Jackie Weathers agreed, stating Baskin Street it is a public road, and the city holds responsibility for the asphalt repairs. He assured the Council the road would be quickly repaired, and the situation monitored, as the construction remains ongoing for the next 18 months.
On a related matter, Weathers announced the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will assist with a set amount of asphalt overlays expected to be completed within the week. The overlays are part of the state-funded road assistance the city receives every four years.
Spadra Update
Weathers and multiple Council members expressed their anger and disappointment about the statement the Spadra Goose Camp Water Association had released, which appeared on the front page of the Aug. 27 issue of The Graphic.
Weathers stated the city was left with no choice but to purchase an additional tank to supply Spadra’s customers with water.
“It was all lies,” said Roberts of the statement.
“But the people know the truth,” responded Weathers.
He informed the Council he had been instructed by the city’s legal counsel not to issue a rebuttal in response to the Association’s statement.
Despite the controversy with its statement, the Association has upheld its side of the written agreement with Hartman to repay its debt. Weathers reported the Association had paid their August bill in full, with an additional $500 payment toward the debt…The full story appears in the Sept. 17 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.
