Arkansas recognized as first state to join American Legion; Posts receive flag flown over U.S. Capitol

This year marks the 100^th Anniversary of the founding of the American Legion. Ironically, the American Legion was established in Paris, France shortly after World War I.

According to a statement read into the Congressional Record by Arkansas United States Senator John Boozman on March 11, 2019, “[T]he American Legion was officially chartered by Congress on September 16, 1919.”

Later it states, “The Arkansas Department of the American Legion was incorporated on May 12, 1919. National Headquarters records show it was the first incorporation of the organization in the United States.”

In recognition of the 100^th Anniversary Senator Boozman has presented each American Legion Post in Arkansas with a United States Flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington, D.C.. Included with the flag is a copy of the statement read into the Congressional Record entitled “Celebrating the American Legion’s 100 Years of Service” and a certificate authenticating the flag did fly over the Capitol at the request of Senator Boozman.

Commander of the American Legion Post in Alexander, Harold Timmerman, brought the flag and documents to the Alexander monthly council meeting held July 15. Timmerman is also a member of the council.

He explained the significance of the flag and said he wanted to fly it on the city hall flag pole that night, but since it was raining he decided not to.” Timmerman hopes the weather will allow the flag to be flown during the August 19 meeting.

Timmerman also said he would be taking the flag to other municipalities in the area so they too can temporarily have a United States Flag that has flown over the D.C. Capitol fly from their flag pole. Municipalities mentioned included Bryant, Shannon Hills and Otter Creek. He said he will also try to get permission to fly it over the veterans memorial in front of the Saline County Courthouse.

According to the statement read by Senator Boozman the American Legion has been instrumental in promoting many legislative actions. “The list of achievements that the Legion has helped fight for is long and includes the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau in 1924, forerunner of the Veterans Administration,” it states. Also included in the Legion’s list of accomplishments are convincing Congress to adopt, “[A] flag code to formally lay out the protocol for caring for and displaying our nation’s banner;” … “The Legion continues to support a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from desecration;” ... “[D]rafted legislation that would become the G.I. Bill;” … and, “Its efforts were vital in the passage of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.”

Alexander police officer receives second life saving award

City of Alexander Police Officer Matthew A. Wharton was presented with his second Life Saving Citation. The ceremony was held near the end of the city council’s July 15 meeting.

Assistant Police Chief Richard Harper read the citation, which describes the situation encountered by Officer Wharton and the life saving actions he took. A South Alexander woman’s life was saved thanks to Officer Wharton’s military medical experience and the use of NARCAN.

According to the citation Officer Wharton responded to a call on June 27, 2018. When he received the call he was only told there was a medical emergency at the South Alexander residence and, “[T]he victim was not breathing.” The citation states when he arrived, “[H]e found an unconscious woman lying on the floor, her lips, and extremities were blue and purple indicating a lack of oxygen rich blood circulation.”

Since medical personnel had not arrived Officer Wharton checked her pulse, which was faint, and began CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) with the use of a CPR bag. While administering CPR the citation says Officer Wharton, “[N]oticed white powdery substances and syringes around her body.”

The citation notes the apparent loose drugs present on the floor were a hazard to Officer Wharton as well. “These items are indicators of illicit often deadly substances such as fentanyl and heroin. Fentanyl has seriously injured and killed many First Responders as well as overdose victims.”

Besides the officer and victim the only other person mentioned in the citation is, “[O]ne incoherent family member.” Officer Wharton, “[C]ould not get a clear answer as to what substances the woman might have ingested.”

After several rounds of CPR the woman did begin to breathe on her own. The citation then describes Officer Wharton’s next set of procedures which ultimately saved the woman’s life.

“Officer Wharton then ran to his patrol unit and retrieved his issued NARCAN dose. Upon returning to the victim he noted her respirations [sic] had again diminished hindering the administration of NARCAN. Officer Wharton used his CPR bag /valve to force the lifesaving drug into the woman’s airway and continued to provide respirations [sic]. A short time later the woman began to breath on her own again and regain normal skin color.”

In summarizing his actions the citation states, “Officer Wharton’s immediate implementation of emergency training and presence of mind under extreme conditions unhindered by the serious threat to his own personal safety undoubtably [sic] saved the woman’s life.”

According to the NARCAN website, “NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. NARCAN® Nasal Spray counteracts the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. Since most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, it was developed for first responders, as well as family, friends, and caregivers—with no medical training required.”

Before turning over the presentation to Assistant Chief Harper, Chief of Police Robert Burnett said Officer Wharton has been with the department about two years. Chief Burnett added Officer Wharton’s past experience includes serving as a military medic.

Chief Burnett noted this is Officer Wharton’s second life saving citation, “And he may be up for a third.”

After a rousing round of applause Mayor Paul Mitchell thanked Officer Wharton for his service to the city. He also noted that NARCAN is a recent addition to the police department’s arsenal.

“If it can save one life it’s worth it,” Mitchell said.

It was noted this is the second time a dose of NARCAN was used to save someone’s life.

Assistant Police Chief Richard Harper (right) presents Life Saving Medal
to Officer Matthew A. Wharton.

Life Saving Citation Bar.

Life Saving Medal

Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Saturday at Alexander Farmers Market

If you plan on visiting the Alexander Farmers Market Saturday (July 20) you may want to consider arriving early for breakfast. The Women’s Auxiliary of the Alexander American Legion Post will be serving a Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast to raise funds for the Post. The breakfast is $6 per person. They will begin serving at 7 AM and continue until they run out.

The Farmers Market is held in the city park every Saturday from now until September. The market is open from 8 AM to 1 PM.

There is no charge to vendors. Spaces under the pavilion are available for produce or craft based items only. Other vendors may set-up outside the pavilion.

Call 501-837-0885 for questions or set-up information.

Directions to park: Take N. Alexander Rd (Hwy. 111), to Robert Evans Street between bridge and Dollar General. Watch for signs. See map below.

Some light legal housekeeping on Alexander agenda

It shouldn’t take long for the Alexander City Council to conduct business at its July 15 meeting. And, if you read between the lines it appears the city has a new court judge.

According to the “New Business” section of the agenda council members are being asked to, “Remove Jackie Lindsey and Judge Stephanie Casady from First Security District Court Accounts.” Lindsey is the city’s former court clerk. As part of the same agenda item the council is asked to, “[A]dd Mayor Paul Mitchell, Court Clerk Amanda Douthit, and District Court Judge Josh Newton as Check Signers to said accounts.” Douthit is the new court clerk. The accounts include Court Automation, Bond & Fine and Administration of Justice.

The only other action item on the agenda involves amending an annexation ordinance passed in April. The annexation involved a 1.73-acre parcel added to the southwest corner of the property belonging to Ample Storage, located along Highway 5. The legal description of the parcel had an error that placed it in a different location.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, July 15 at 6 PM in the courtroom in city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Update on commercial development at former Alexander Human Development Center

As the old saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” That applies to commercial developments as well.

Before the end of every Alexander council meeting the public is offered the opportunity to speak to the mayor, council members and other city officials concerning problems or other issues important to the individual. It’s been several months since anyone has attended a meeting wanting to address an issue, but the June 17 meeting broke the run of public silence.

A resident, whom shall remain nameless, had a list of questions concerning the former Alexander Human Development Center (AHDC). Claiming to have heard from residents about the proposed commercial development on that site, the main issue cited boils down to the lack of visible progress on the development.

First some history.

AHDC closes;

The property along Highway 111 was originally built as a tuberculosis sanitarium for African-Americans. Eventually it was converted into a home for adults with special needs that required care and training from professionals.

A statewide lawsuit concerning the treatment and facilities provided to the clients was filed and resulted in the state shutting down all human development centers. Residents in these centers were moved into apartment-like settings. The Alexander center was closed in 2010.

Pathfinder, Inc. now provides the life-skills training and housing to anyone needing those services. Their state-wide offices, and apartments for local residents, are in the wooden buildings at the southeast corner of the property.

Arkansas makes an offer;

In early 2017 the State of Arkansas decided it had no further use for the AHCD property and offered it to the City of Alexander. Nothing moves slower than government and eventually the State ran out of steps for Alexander officials to complete. During its February 2018 meeting the council approved an ordinance accepting the State’s offer to take ownership of the 65.69-acre property at a cost of $10 paid to the State.

As part of the agreement the city must “honor” an existing lease with Pathfinder. While Pathfinder occupies approximately one acre of the property and five housing units, according to the lease Pathfinder pays one dollar ($1.00) per year and must maintain the grounds of the entire property. The lease expires in 2022.

While everyone thought the State couldn’t find a developer willing to pay the price Arkansas wanted for the property, it turns out by law the State isn’t allowed to sell real estate to individuals or businesses. Properties like AHDC can be transferred from one department to another but not sold.

“That restriction doesn’t apply to us,” Mayor Paul Mitchell said after the March, 2019 council meeting.

Finding a developer;

Since the beginning it has always been Mitchell’s plan to use the property as a lure to attract developers. The plan was never to sell it but to deed it to any developer willing to use it for commercial purposes that will generate sales tax revenue for the city.

He also had in mind extending Brookwood Road from where it turns towards West Azalea to Highway 111. That would not only create a short-cut to and from Highway 111 for that part of Alexander, but carry traffic through the new commercial area. Mitchell had already received approval from the owner of the Meadow’s Edge subdivision to provide access from the AHDC property to Brookwood Road. How to get it built was the question.

Originally, Mitchell thought he would have to find someone who wanted to develop the old hospital building and then parse out the rest of the property to one or more developers. With the help of Hope Consulting in Benton they were able to find one developer to take on the entire project, including extending Brookwood Road.

At this year’s March council meeting Mitchell announced a developer was found who was willing to convert the AHCD property into both a commercial and residential complex. The estimated 40 million dollar project will include renovating the property’s iconic former tuberculosis hospital into medium to high-end apartments and extending Brookwood Road through the property to Highway 111.

According to a drawing, provided by Hope consulting, all of the small buildings will be removed to provide a large commercial area. Mitchell noted the developers have contacts that could provide businesses such as McDonald’s, Big Red and possibly a Harps.

Strip malls will also be part of the mix. Mitchell says strip malls allow small businesses to set up without the hassle and cost of buying property and constructing a building.

The developer is Ben Hanford (DBA 14701 Alexander Road, LLC.), a client of the civil engineering firm of Hope Consulting in Benton. According to Mitchell Hanford will put $500,000.00 “in escrow” to guarantee completion of the Brookwood Road extension.

The property will be divided into 13 lots (See graphic above). Lot-1 (green) has the hospital building, which will be renovated into apartments. Next to Lot-1 is Lot-10 (tan), which will be developed into multi-family housing (apartments). The remainder of the property will be commercial.

Mitchell has revealed the name of the shopping center, Alexander Cross Roads. Besides the shopping center being accessible by area residents from all four points on the compass, from both inside and outside Alexander, Mitchell sees the name as a metaphor for Alexander’s future.

“We are at a cross roads,” he said. “Do we stay where we are or move ahead.”

What’s the hold-up?

The last thing Mitchell and the council members want is to deed the property over to someone who either fails to complete the development, or it ends up being sold to someone else. They want an agreement that returns ownership of the property to the city if something goes wrong.

Mitchell has found a real estate attorney to review the written proposal provided by the developer. The attorney is reviewing the proposed contract to ensure it will stand legal muster, allow the city to retrieve the property if certain criteria aren’t met and there are no legal pitfalls that will come back later to bite the city. Of course both sides must agree to the terms and ultimately it will be up to council members to give final approval on the transaction.

As of the June council meeting the attorney is still working on the contract review. As is usually the case, the City of Alexander is not his only client so officials must wait for this to be worked into his schedule.

There has been some behind-the-scenes grumbling that the mayor should find a different attorney who can move faster. Everyone will just have to wait and see.

Alexander Farmers Market Saturday

Alexander City Park

Saturdays, through September; 8 AM to 1 PM.

No charge to vendors. Produce or craft based items under pavilion only. Other vendors may set-up outside pavilion.

Call 501-837-0885 for questions or set-up information.

Directions to park: Take N. Alexander Rd (Hwy. 111), to Robert Evans Street between bridge and Dollar General. Watch for signs. See map below.