Earle needs tractor driver to catch up on mowing

Earle needs tractor driver to catch up on mowing

City’s one- man grass- cutting crew ‘ getting tired’

news@theevenigtimes.com Garbage pick up is going well. The boom truck is fixed. And mosquito spraying has also been going well.

But Earle could still use another tractor driver to help catch up on mowing.

Street Department Manager William Eaves said he is still behind on mowing but is doing the best he can. “I drive the bush hog. I drive the garbage truck,” Eaves said. “I’m one man.

I’m getting tired. I know everyone wants the grass cut. I’m asking the city council for at least a Class B CDL driver or just a tractor driver. We need a tractor driver every single day, not just two or three day a week. If you know a good tractor driver, please send him my way.”

Eaves also reported that the city has three vehicles which are either wrecked, totaled or inoperable that he would like to see the city either sell or haul off to the junk yard.

“Is there any way we can get rid of these vehicles and get some money in the city’s coffers because we’re starting a car lot here,” Eaves said. “It looks bad.

They’re wrecked and they are junk and we’re not going to do anything with them. I thought maybe it would be a good if we can get rid of them to get some money. I just thought I would bring that to your at- tention.

Eaves also informed the city council that one of his pick up trucks needs an ignition switch and the door latch on another pick up needs to be fixed.

“We have to fiddle with it and fiddle with it to get it to crank,” Eaves said. “One of these days it won’t. And the other truck has a bad door latch on it. It would be nice to get it fixed so we don’t have to put all the strain on one truck. It’s just a hassle having to crawl across the seat.”

He also asked the city to order some more garbage cans. The city is down to about seven carts.

“We do need some garbage cans,” Eaves said.

“However many you want to get, that’s up to you.”

And before the end of the month, Eaves said he would also like to get another load of asphalt to patch some more holes.

Jones agreed that the city needs another tractor driver.

“We have tried and tried and tried.” Mayor Carolyn Jones said about hiring another tractor driver.

Jones also agreed that the junk vehicles are an eyesore.

“They have been sitting up there for years and years,” Jones said.

Road Department worker Nemi Matthews said he would look at the junk cars and get back with the city council whether they wanted to try to put them up for auction or sell them to the junk yard.

Councilman Donnie Cheers suggested running an ad again to advertise that the vehicles would be up for public auction.

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham said while she also agrees that they need another tractor driver and would like to see the needed repairs made, reminded Eaves that the city doesn’t have the money.

“I know you are one person,” Barham said. “But I don’t see us right now with us having to go into a CD to pay bills how we can add another salary.”

The city recently had to take $50,000 out of one of its certificate of Deposit accounts to pay its bills.

“I just want to be straight with you,” Barham said.

Eaves said he understands the city’s situation, but said he is frustrated hearing people complain about the tall grass.

“I understand,” Eaves said. “It is just frustrating. Every time we turn around you see something in the paper saying the mayor is letting employees buy anything they want. Everything we buy, we buy because we need it. Everybody needs to work together. When are we going to start?”

“We’ll start when we have some money,” Barham said.

“We don’t need money to work together,” Jones responded.

“We need a lot,” Barham continued. “But we don’t have the funds to buy when we have gone in to two CDs to pay the bills.”

Eaves continued to press.

“Where’s the money at?”

he asked.

“The money is not there,” Barham said. “We’re not getting the sales tax like we have. We’re $20,000 less this year than last year.”

Barham said the city’s population is also down and they are getting less money from the state as well.

“We have over-spent,” Barham said. “We are not getting the money from Little Rock like that we have gotten before. And you say, well, we’re not out there buying big items. I don’t want to hear you up here just like you are — you are one person — and know what you need and me not say we don’t have any money to put on another salary. I hear you. But I don’t see how we are going to make it happen. We don’t have the money.”

“All I can say is I am one man,” Eaves responded.

“I know you are,” Barham said. “And we are thankful you are here and glad you are here.”

By Mark Randall