Petitions for City of Alexander Elections now available

Petitions are now available at the Saline County Clerk’s Office for municipal elections to be held during the November 3 General Election. Positions appearing on the ballot for the City of Alexander include all eight of the council seats, city recorder and the treasurer. Council members serve for two years while the city recorder and treasurer are four-year terms.

Whether you live in the Pulaski County or Saline County portion of Alexander petitions must be picked up at the Saline County Clerk’s Office;

215 North Main, Suite 9;

Benton, Arkansas;

between the hours of 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Fridays, except holidays. When requesting a petition you must state which position you are seeking (ie. Ward-1, Position-2).

Current members of the city council are Joe Pollard (Ward-1: Pos-1), Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1: Pos-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2: Pos-1), Juanita Wilson (Ward-2: Pos-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3: Pos-1), Dan Church (Ward-3: Pos-2), Lonny Chapman (Ward-4: Pos-1), and Jeffery Watson (Ward-4: Pos-2). The City Recorder is Sharon Bankhead. JoAn Churchill is serving as interim treasurer and is expected to run for that position.

The first opportunity to file a petition is Noon on Wednesday, July 29. Filing ends at Noon on Wednesday, August 5. The election is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Rules to follow concerning fireworks; sales and use

Independence Day (July 4) is near. If you plan to sell or shoot fireworks in the City of Alexander there are some rules you need to know. The ordinance establishing these requirements became law in June 2019.

Selling Fireworks:

Fireworks cannot be sold within the city limits without the purchase of a, “Privilege license.” Contact city hall for further information.

The use of fireworks:

“No parent, guardian, or custodian of any child under the age of majority shall knowingly permit or consent to the possession or discharge of fireworks by any child under the age of majority without proper supervision.” The ordinance also states the, “possession or discharge of fireworks” as, “prima facie evidence of the knowing permission or consent of such parent, guardian, or custodian.” In other words you’re responsible for the actions of the child whether you know what they’re doing or not. In Arkansas the age of majority is 18 years old.

Where and When:

The ordinance limits the discharging of fireworks, “on private property of the owner, by the owner and immediate family, when discharge is in a safe and sane manner.” “Safe and sane manner,” is defined as, “actions which do not endanger life, limb, or property of those in the area of the discharge.”

Fireworks may not, “be discharged within the boundaries of or within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of any public park owned or maintained by the city.” Also, fireworks may not be, “discharged upon any public street, alley, road, or right-of-way,” … “under or upon a motor vehicle, whether moving or not, or within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of any gas station, gas, oil, or propane storage facility, or other area which is highly flammable in nature.” Fireworks also may not be discharged if the Fire Chief has issued a burn ban due to drought or other conditions.

The ordinance allows for the discharging of fireworks on July 3 and July 4 from 12:00 PM (Noon) until 10:00 PM.

Clean up when finished:

The revelers are also required to clean-up the mess. The ordinance states, “Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association discharging fireworks under this ordinance shall, upon such discharge, be responsible for clean-up of the discharge site, including disposal of all discharged fireworks, all non-discharged or ‘dud’ fireworks, and the associated debris from the area in a safe manner.”

Fireworks defined:

The ordinance provides a definition of fireworks. Besides the legal and technical definition, examples of what constitutes fireworks is provided. The list includes, “sky rockets, roman candles, daygo bombs, blank cartridges, toy cannons, toy canes, or toy guns in which explosives other than toy paper caps are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel them, firecracker, torpedoes, sparklers, or other fireworks of like construction, any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or any tablet or other device containing an explosive substance.”

Enforcement and penalties:

Police, fire and code enforcement officers are given the authority to enforce this ordinance. They also have the authority to, “seize, impound, remove, or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all stocks of fireworks offered for sale, sold, or in the possession of any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association in violation of this chapter.” Penalties start at, “a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for a first time offense, a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for a second offense, and a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for a third or subsequent offense. Each day of a violation constitutes a separate offense.”

The ordinance also covers payment for damages and the cost of any services provided. “Any damages caused or injuries sustained as a result of any violation of this chapter shall be ordered paid as restitution as part of any conviction for any violation,” it states. Also, “The court may order the reimbursement of costs of enforcement, investigation, fire suppression services, and overtime related to a violation upon conviction.”

Excessive noise outlawed in Alexander, zoning change approved

The Alexander City Council has approved an ordinance which specifies how much “Noise” is allowed in the city and when everyone must be quiet. A zoning change was also approved which will allow nine more apartments to be built in the old part of town.

The “Noise Control Ordinance” recognizes that, “[E]xcessive sound and vibration are a serious hazard to the public health and welfare, safety, and the quality of life.” The ordinance also affirms that, “[P]eople have a right to and should be ensured an environment free from excessive sound and vibration that may jeopardize their health or welfare, or degrade the quality of life.”

The new ordinance establishes times when it is, “[U]nlawful for any person to willfully make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud and raucous noise.” Raucous is described as, “[A]ny sound which, because of its volume level, duration and character, annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities.” Quiet time is established as, “10 pm to 6 am Sunday through Thursday and 6 am to midnight Friday and Saturday.”

Noise violations, or requirements to restrict noise, covered in this ordinance include, “[T]he exhaust of any steam engine or stationary internal combustion engine except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud and disturbing noises,” “Every motor vehicle shall at all times, be equipped with factory-installed muffler or one duplicating factory specifications, in good working order and in constant operation,” “The creation or emission of engine of [sic] exhaust noise through the use of “Jake Brakes” or other similar engine compression retarding device …” “The use or operation of a radio, television, boombox, stereo, musical instrument, or similar device that produces or reproduces sound in a manner that is plainly audible to any person other than the player(s) or operator(s) of the device, and those who are voluntarily listening to the sound …” “Using, operating or permitting to be played any radio, music player, or audio system in a motor vehicle which produces or reproduces sound in such a manner as to cause a loud and disturbing noise which plainly audible to persons other than the occupants of said vehicle.”

While discussing the ordinance Mayor Paul Mitchell said the loud music from cars isn’t bad. “They keep moving,” he said. It’s the loud music from houses. “They don’t move.”

The ordinance also defines who may be responsible for, and subsequently charged with, violating the ordinance. “Any person, owner, agent, or supervisor in charge of operating, ordering, directing or allowing the operation or activity creating noise shall be guilty of a violation of this article and subject to the penalties.” If found guilty of violating any portion of this ordinance, “[A] penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) plus court costs and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) plus court costs,” may be levied.

Mitchell pointed out this ordinance request came from the police department. When handling loud noise complaints the officers would like something on the books they can take to court.

A long-time vacant lot along Main Street will be vacant no more. Thanks to a zoning change, approved by the Alexander City Council, construction will begin as soon as possible on nine two-bedroom apartments to be located in two separate buildings.

The lot at the northeast corner of East 2^nd Street and Main Street, along with the rest of that block, was zoned for single-family site-built homes, site-built duplexes and all types of factory-built housing. Only the zoning for the vacant lot was changed to allow for the construction of multi-family housing units (apartments).

Prior to the council’s vote on the zoning change Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck gave a report on the public hearing held June 9. Huck said despite giving all legally required notification to local property owners, residents and the general public no one attended in opposition to, or support of the zoning change.

Huck said the planning commission held its regular meeting following the public hearing. It was at that meeting the planning commissioners voted to recommend the council approve the zoning change.

Also at the June 15 meeting;

Mayor Mitchell spoke of the recent shooting and death of Officer Scott Hutton. Mitchell said he would like to have a memorial of some type established in the city. Council Member Juanita Wilson said her pastor is working on a plaque to present to the city.

Officer Hutton died Wednesday, June 3 in what is currently being referred to as, “an accidental shooting by a fellow officer.” The incident occurred on Evergreen Drive and was being investigated by the state police. The Saline County prosecuting attorney will decide if charges will be filed against the as-yet unnamed officer. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The council approved giving city hall staff the authority to refund park rental fees in the event of an emergency. The emergency can be an event that makes park facilities unusable, such as a flood or the current CoVid-19 pandemic, or the individual renting the facilities is unable to proceed with the planned event. Until now only the deposit has been refundable.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, July 20 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Council to consider Rezoning and Noise Control ordinances

The Alexander City Council will be presented with two ordinances to consider at the regular Monday night meeting. One involves rezoning a vacant lot in the old part of town, while the other is listed on the agenda as a “Noise Control Ordinance.”

The vacant lot to be rezoned is at the northeast corner of East 2^nd Street and Main Street. The proposed zoning change will allow for the construction of multi-family housing units (apartments). Current zoning allows for the construction of single-family site-built homes, site-built duplexes and all types of factory-built housing.

The June 15 meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend. Social distancing rules have been lifted.

Alexander Planning Commission recommends zoning change to council

The Alexander Planning Commission approved a recommendation to the city council that the zoning for a vacant lot at the northeast corner of East 2^nd Street and Main Street be changed to allow multi-family housing. Current zoning allows the placement of site-built single-family homes, site-built duplexes and factory-built homes. The property is across from Fire House 2 in the original part of the city.

The rezoning hearing was held Tuesday evening, June 9, prior to the planning commission’s regular meeting. Attending the meeting was William McFadden representing Hope Consulting in Benton. Also in attendance was property owner Joel Green.

The hearing was to give city residents and property owners an opportunity to express their opinions for or against the proposal. One of the requirements for a request to change a property’s zoning is to notify, by certified mail, property owners and residents within 300 feet of the area to be rezoned. A legal notice was also placed in the Saline Courier. No one other than McFadden, Green and three members of the planning commission were in attendance.

The developer, Heritage Homes & Development of Central Arkansas, is currently constructing three multi-family structures in Alexander on property surrounded by East 1^st Street, A.C. Wallace and East 2^nd Street. When completed the three single-story buildings will house 14 apartments. This new project will consist of two single-story buildings, housing a total of nine apartments, built in the same style as the apartments along A.C. Wallace.

Planning commission members had already heard the development proposal at a special meeting held in May. It was at the May meeting the June public hearing was scheduled.

With no need to hear the proposal again planning commission members adjourned the public hearing and moved on to the regular June meeting. Planning commission members Stephanie Beck, Michael Huck and Juanita Wilson approved sending the ordinance for rezoning the property to the city council for approval.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander Planning Commission is August 11, 6:30 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Obituary for Alexander Police Officer Scott Anderson Hutton announced; GoFundMe Page established

The obituary for Alexander Police Officer Scott Anderson Hutton has been posted on a GoFundMe page established by the Police Department to help his wife and family in their time of need. Officer Hutton died Wednesday, June 3 in what is currently being referred to as, “an accidental shooting by a fellow officer.” More information on the shooting can be found here.

The following is the information provided on the GoFundMe Page.

Scott Anderson Hutton, age 36, of Bryant died Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Baptist Health Hospital of Little Rock, AR. Scott was born June 11, 1983 in Greenville, Ms. He is the son of Herman Hutton and Carolyn Sue (Harvey) Hutton. He served two tours in the United States Army National Guard. After being medically retired he had just achieved his dream of becoming a police officer.

He is survived by his wife of 5 years: Brittany (Vaughn) Hutton of Bryant; his father Herman Hutton and mother Carolyn Sue (Harvey) Hutton; one sister-in-law: Megan Vaughn of Bryant; one brother: Shane Hutton of Dermott, AR; niece: Niki Honea and husband: Mike, and daughter: Luna; nephew: Christopher Hutton , and a host of friends he considered family.

Visitation will be Monday June 8 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Bishop - King Funeral Home, 1831 S Highway 82-65, Lake Village, AR. Services will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, June 9 at Bishop - King Funeral Home Chapel in Lake Village, AR. Burial will be in Lake Village Cemetery in Lake Village , AR. Arrangements are by Bishop - King Funeral Home of Lake Village, AR.

Condolences go out to the family and friends, both blood and blue, of Veteran and Officer Scott Hutton during this difficult time. Any help for his wife is greatly appreciated.

Alexander Mayor posts condolences on death of Officer Scott Hutton

City of Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell has posted a statement on Facebook concerning the recent shooting and death of Officer Scott Hutton. The incident occurred Wednesday, June 3 shortly after 7:00 PM.

The Alexander Police Department has also posted a statement on its Facebook page verifying a fellow officer was involved. “Officer Scott Hutton was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow, off-duty, officer,” the statement reads.

Mitchell’s statement reads as follows. “As Mayor of the City of Alexander I grieve for the loss of our Police Officer Scott Hutton. I did not get to know him very well as I have with others because of Covid-19 and the office personnel being reduced to a minimum for several weeks. I do know that he was the best of the best or he would not have been with our City Police Dept.. I thank him for his service to our Country and to our City, words cannot express my sorrow and I cannot begin to even understand how his family and friends must feel at this time. Our city is here to help the family in this time of need. Our prayers are with the family. May God Bless each and every one of the family at this time. We are here for you.”

According to a press release by the Arkansas State Police, which is investigating the shooting, Saline County Sheriff’s Deputies were sent to the 15000 block of Evergreen [Dr.] in Alexander about 7:12 PM (Wednesday, June 3rd) where they found Hutton wounded by a gunshot and lying outside the residence. Life saving measures were being administered to Hutton by an Alexander police officer. Hutton was transported to a Little Rock hospital where physicians pronounced him dead.

Hutton’s body was later transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where the manner and cause of death will be determined. Hutton, 36, was from Bryant.

The state police investigation is continuing and upon being completed will be presented to the prosecuting attorney of jurisdiction to determine whether any criminal charge should be filed or if the shooting was accidental.

Earlier reports indicated the, as yet, unnamed second officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

State Police release information on shooting of Alexander police officer

Based on an Arkansas State Police press release:

JUNE 4, 2020

The Arkansas State Police is investigating the death an Alexander Police Officer, Scott Hutton, 36, of Bryant.

Saline County Sheriff’s Deputies were sent to the 15000 block of Evergreen in Alexander about 7:12 PM (Wednesday, June 3rd) where they found Hutton wounded by a gunshot and lying outside the residence. Life saving measures were being administered to Hutton by an Alexander police officer.

Hutton was transported to a Little Rock hospital where physicians pronounced him dead.

According to the press release two people who were at the residence at the time of the shooting have been questioned by state police special agents assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigation Division. One of the individuals is an Alexander police officer.

Hutton’s body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where the manner and cause of death will be determined.

The state police investigation is continuing and upon being completed will be presented to the prosecuting attorney of jurisdiction to determine whether any criminal charge should be filed or if the shooting was accidental.

Earlier reports indicated the unnamed second officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

This is a developing story.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Arkansas State Police are investigating what’s being called an accidental shooting that killed an Alexander police officer. According to reports the incident occurred around 7:30 PM on Wednesday June 3.

Police are saying the officer was shot when a fellow Alexander officer accidentally discharged their weapon. That officer has been placed on administrative leave.

This is a developing story.

Alexander police officer died from shooting

(Headline corrected 4:55 PM June 4, 2020.)

The Arkansas State Police are investigating what’s being called an accidental shooting that killed an Alexander police officer. According to reports the incident occurred around 7:30 PM on Wednesday June 3.

Police are saying the officer was shot when a fellow Alexander officer accidentally discharged their weapon. That officer has been placed on administrative leave.

This is a developing story.