A question about the old hospital in Alexander and a sign stirs Facebook chatter

A question about the status of the former Alexander Human Development Center (HDC), and three signs recently posted on the fence that surrounds the property, has some drivers and nearby residents chattering on Facebook. The property is located along Highway 111 in South Alexander.

Members of the Facebook Group “MySaline.com” who either were unaware of the sign, along with those who did see the sign (See Photo) started asking questions about previously discussed plans for the property.

Michael Kincaid started the conversation with, “I heard that the state hospital in Alexander getting tore down and replaced. Does anyone know? What's going in there..”

Sign on HDC fence along Hwy. 111.

Carol Crowson followed with, “It's been talked about before but full of asbestos.”

Rebecca Denise Tagaloni-Jones responded with, “Big sign on the fence outside the human development center says shopping center/community center/splash pad.”

Kincaid followed up with, “We need something for the community instead more houses. The kiddos need one for sure..”

The sign appeared this week after the city council, during the August 15 council meeting, approved adding Tract-B (See map.) of the property to the parks and recreation department. This will allow the city to both use and maintain the property and buildings.

Map showing HDC property divided

into four tracts.

Photo provided by

Katherine Michelle Cullins.

Tract-B contains a building that will be used as a community center. It has already served as a polling
place in two elections. During the council meeting Mayor Paul Mitchell noted this is the location where he wants to put in a splash pad, but that won’t happen until next year.

Developing most of the property for commercial use has always been the plan since the Arkansas Department of Human Services deeded the property to the city in 2018. However, getting to that point had to be put on-hold. One of the stipulations to the agreement was to allow Pathfinder, Inc. to remain until their lease expired. That happens on August 31 this year.

Pathfinder is a non-profit organization which helps adults who have either physical or mental special needs. The organization took over the services, which were being provided by the Department of Human Services, after the state lost a lawsuit.

With the Pathfinder lease expiring the city can begin finding a developer to turn the former HDC into a commercial district. Pathfinder was located in the southeast corner near Highway 111.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the 65.69-acre property, and the state could not find another use for the property, it was deeded to the city in 2018. Under state law the property could not be sold to an individual. It could only be taken over by another government entity such as a municipality or county.

Once the city had legal ownership two developers showed interest in the property. One developer wanted to renovate the former state-run tuberculosis hospital with commercial space on the first floor and apartments above. The second wanted to demolish the building and replace it with housing. Both wanted to build housing units in the area west of the old hospital. The remaining portion of the property would be commercial. All that ended when the building burned on the night of March 18, 2020.

Mayor Paul Mitchell’s plan is not to “sell” the property to a developer. Instead the bait is to give the property to a developer in exchange for the developer building a two-lane road through the property that will connect Brookwood Drive to the west with Highway 111. And of course, the development must be mostly, if not all, commercial.

Mitchell wants the Brookwood extension to not only provide access to the commercial area from two ends of the city, but to be able to move some of the traffic flow off of West Azalea. The only issue now is to find a developer.

Alexander Council signs-off on detention center cost increase, transferring land to parks department and several financial transactions

It only took about 30 minutes but the Alexander City Council was able to dispense with several financial issues, transfer property to the parks department and hear two reports. The first item up was discussed at the July council meeting.

It was at last month’s meeting Mayor Paul Mitchell announced an increase in the cost of housing inmates at the Saline County Detention Center. The contract for calendar year 2023 sets the monthly rate for one inmate at $1,730.25 and $20,763.00 annually. Mitchell noted the monthly cost will average “Only a few dollars more” per inmate from last year.

Council members approved accepting the second distribution of funds from the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA is part of the Federal plan to aid municipalities and counties recovering from Covid related issues. The funding is provided by the Federal government and distributed by the state. After meeting state criteria Alexander received $358,109.99, which will be placed in the city’s ARPA Fund. This is the second distribution of funds.

The Alexander Council approved accepting and distributing funding provided by the Arkansas STIPEND program. The program provides a monetary award of up to $5,000.00 to police officers who meet specified standards. The city received $43,060.00 to give to officers who meet the standards.

Council members approved spending $101,930.72 for air breathing equipment for the fire department. The purchase includes ten sets of air tanks that hold 45-minutes of air, mounting straps, breathing masks, communication equipment, batteries; plus ten spare air tanks, two battery charging stations, and six spare batteries. The purchase is being paid from the 833 Fund, which is a state program to aid fire departments in purchasing equipment.

The council approved appropriating $16,100.00 to repaint some of the older lines on city streets. Mayor Paul Mitchell said some of them are getting difficult to see in the rain.

Human Development Center divided
into four tracts.

On the non-financial side, council members approved adding Tract-B of the Alexander Human Development Center to the parks and recreation department. Tract-B contains a building that will eventually be used as a community center. It has already served as a polling place in two elections. Mayor Paul Mitchell noted this is the location where he wants to put in a splash pad, but that won’t happen until next year.

Mitchell also announced the Pathfinder lease expires August 31. With that out of the way the city can begin finding a developer to turn the former human development center into a commercial district. The 65.69-acre property is located in South Alexander along Highway 111.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the property it was deeded to the city in 2018. Part of the deal was to allow Pathfinder to stay until the lease expired. Pathfinder is located in the southeast corner near Highway 111 (Tract-D).

During the “Announcements” portion of the meeting:

Planning commission gets fifth member

Mayor Paul Mitchell announced to council members that Rodney Chapman has volunteered to join the Alexander Planning Commission. The commission has been operating with four of the required five members since it was formed in 2018. Chapman lives in South Alexander and is a former Alexander Street Department and Parks and Recreation Department employee.

Police computers installed

Police Chief Robert Burnett reported that the new computers have been installed in department offices. They still, however, lack the software. Burnett said they continue to apply for grants to purchase items such as body cameras that activate when the car emergency lights are turned on.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, September 19 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Alexander American Legion Post 28 Car Show October 1

Alexander American Legion Post 28 will hold its fall car show on Saturday, October 1 from 10AM to 2PM at Alexander City Park. Access to the show is free to the public.

To participate in the car show the entrance fee is $15 for veterans and active-duty military and $20 for non-military. Thirty-six trophies will be awarded along with a 50/50 drawing.

The car show is sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts. In case of rain, the car show will be held October 8.

Food will be available for purchase including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, and bottled water.

If you have any questions call Harold Timmerman at (501) 813-4694.

Below is a map showing the location of the city park off Highway 111.

Alexander Mayoral Candidate Scott Chaloner announces Meet the Candidate event

Scott Chaloner, who is running to unseat current Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell in the November General Election, is giving Alexander voters the opportunity to meet him tomorrow (Monday, August 15 at 6:00 PM. According to a press release the event will be held at 15706 W. Azalea Dr. in Alexander (Elmo’s Grocery).

Full agenda for Alexander council

The Alexander City Council has several items on Monday’s agenda. Topics include, “Authorize Signing contract with Saline County Jail for jail fees, Add Tract-B at the Human Development Center to the parks and Recreation Department, Accept the second distribution of ARPA funds to be placed into the ARPA Account, Accept STIPEND monies and approve the disbursements, Appropriate funds to purchase new SCBA equipment for Fire Department, and Appropriate funds for Street striping project.”

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, August 15 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Last minute filings bring opposition to two more Alexander incumbents

Noon on Wednesday, August 10 was the deadline to file petitions for municipal elections. Before the clock ran out two more Alexander council members received challengers. A third council member submitted his petition and will run unopposed.

Angela Griffin filed her petition on Wednesday against Council Member Jeffery Watson, both running for the Ward 4; Position-1 seat. April Cotton also filed and will be running against Council Member Juanita Wilson for the Ward 4; Position-2 seat.

The only other council member with an opponent is Lonny Chapman who holds the Ward-2; Position-2 seat. He is being challenged by Gina Thomas Littlejohn.

Council Member Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Position-1) also filed on Wednesday and will be unopposed. Other council members seeking re-election to the Alexander City Council and are unopposed are Joy Gray (Ward-2; Position-1) and Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1).

Tony Staton has filed for the Ward-3; Position-2 seat on the city council, currently held by Dan Church. Church is not seeking re-election to that position.

The only council seat not spoke for is Ward-1; Position-2 currently held by Elizabeth Bland. She did not submit a petition seeking re-election and no one else filed as well. This may be an issue the council will have to deal with after the November 8 election.

Three candidates have filed to try to unseat current Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell. They are Tommy L. Gaylor, Jr, Scott Chaloner and Crystal Hermann. In order to avoid a run-off election a candidate must receive 50-percent plus one votes.

City council members serve a two-year term. The mayor’s position is a four-year term.

Run-off election almost guaranteed with four candidates running for mayor of Alexander; Two more candidates running for council

Chrystal Hermann is the third person to challenge Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell in his re-election bid in the November General Election. Two other opponents, Tommy L. Gaylor, Jr and Scott Chaloner, have submitted election petitions since filing began August 3. In order to avoid a run-off election a candidate must receive a majority of votes cast.

A two-way race is developing for the Ward-2; Position-2 seat. Incumbent Council Member Lonny Chapman is being challenged by Gina Thomas Littlejohn.

Tony Staton has filed for the Ward-3; Position-2 seat on the city council, currently held by Dan Church. Church will not be seeking re-election to that position.

Currently running unopposed for re-election to the Alexander City Council are council members Joy Gray (Ward-2; Position-1), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1), Jeffery Watson (Ward 4; Position-1) and Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Position-2).

Watson and Wilson have filed to switch positions for Ward-4. Watson is currently in Position-2 and Wilson is in Position-1.

This will be the first election for city council since the ward lines were redrawn earlier this year due to a change in the population based on the 2020 Census. Prior to this Wilson represented Ward-2 and Chapman represented Ward-4.

City council members serve a two-year term. The mayor’s position is a four-year term.

Potential candidates have until Wednesday, August 10 to pick up and return election petitions. Positions to appear on the November ballot for the City of Alexander are the eight seats on the city council and the mayor’s office.

When requesting a petition for a seat on the city council the candidate must provide the ward number and position number. Current members on the city council and their ward and position numbers are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Position-1), Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1; Position-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2; Position-1), Lonny Chapman (Ward-2; Position-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1), Dan Church (Ward-3; Position-2), Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Position-1), and Jeffery Watson (Ward-4; Position-2).

So far, only two council members have not submitted election petitions. They are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Position-1) and Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1; Position-2).

Anyone who wants to run for an elected city position, and has not picked up a petition, may acquire one at the Saline County Clerk's office weekdays from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at 215 N. Main St.; Benton, AR. Candidates have until Noon, August 10 to pick up and drop off petitions. If you have any questions call the County Clerk’s office at 501-303-5630.

It’s now a three-way race for mayor of Alexander; One more incumbent running for council

By the end of the day on Monday, August 8 two more candidates had submitted petitions for the position of mayor of Alexander. They are current Mayor Paul Mitchell and Scott Chaloner. On the first day of filing Tommy L. Gaylor, Jr. submitted his petition to run for mayor.

Another council member is seeking re-election. On Monday Joy Gray submitted a petition to retain her Ward-2; Position-1 seat on the city council.

Petitions have already been filed by incumbent council members Harold Timmerman, Jeffery Watson and Juanita Wilson. Timmerman is running to retain his seat in Ward-3; Position-1, Watson is seeking election for Ward 4; Position-1 and Wilson is running for Ward-4; Position-2.

Watson and Wilson have filed to switch positions for Ward-4. Watson is currently in Position-2 and Wilson is in Position-1.

This will be the first election for city council since the ward lines were redrawn earlier this year due to a change in the population based on the 2020 Census. Prior to this Wilson represented Ward-2.

City council members serve a two-year term. The mayor’s position is a four-year term.

Potential candidates have until August 10 to pick up and return election petitions. Positions to appear on the November ballot for the City of Alexander are the eight seats on the city council and the mayor’s office.

When requesting a petition for a seat on the city council the candidate must provide the ward number and position number. Current members on the city council and their ward and position numbers are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Position-1), Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1; Position-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2; Position-1), Lonny Chapman (Ward-2; Position-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1), Dan Church (Ward-3; Position-2), Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Position-1), and Jeffery Watson (Ward-4; Position-2).

Anyone who wants to run for an elected city position, and has not picked up a petition, may acquire one at the Saline County Clerk's office weekdays from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at 215 N. Main St.; Benton, AR. Candidates have until Noon, August 10 to pick up and drop off petitions. If you have any questions call the County Clerk’s office at 501-303-5630.

Proposed billboard regulations ordinance on Alexander planning agenda

The City of Alexander Planning Commission will be discussing proposed billboard regulations. The placement of billboards in the city is currently not covered under an ordinance or zoning regulations.

The Alexander Planning Commission’s next meeting is this Tuesday, August 9. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM and will be held in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall) on Hwy. 111 across from the post office. The public is invited to attend.

Another incumbent files for re-election to the Alexander City Council

Alexander Council Member Jeffery Watson submitted his election petition to the Saline County Clerk on August 4. Watson is seeking re-election to the city council to represent Ward 4; Position-1.

Watson is now the third incumbent to file. Council members Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1) and Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Position-2) were the first Alexander council members to file for re-election in the November General Election.

Watson and Wilson have filed to switch positions for Ward-4. Watson is currently in Position-2 and Wilson is in Position-1.

Potential candidates have until August 10 to pick up and return election petitions. Positions to appear on the November ballot for the City of Alexander are the eight seats on the city council and the mayor’s office.

Tommy L. Gaylor, Jr. has submitted his petition to run for the position of mayor. Mayor Paul Mitchell has yet to file a petition but is expected to seek re-election.

City council members serve a two-year term. The mayor’s position is a four-year term.

When requesting a petition for a seat on the city council the candidate must provide the ward number and position number. Current members on the city council and their ward and position numbers are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Position-1), Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1; Position-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2; Position-1), Lonny Chapman (Ward-2; Position-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1), Dan Church (Ward-3; Position-2), Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Position-1), and Jeffery Watson (Ward-4; Position-2). See map below.

Anyone who wants to run for an elected city position, and has not picked up a petition, may acquire one at the Saline County Clerk's office weekdays from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at 215 N. Main St.; Benton, AR. Candidates have until Noon, August 10 to pick up and drop off petitions. If you have any questions call the County Clerk’s office at 501-303-5630.

Two incumbents and newbie file first Alexander petitions

At the close of the first day to submit petitions for the municipal elections in November, two City of Alexander council members have filed petitions to be re-elected; along with a new-comer seeking election as mayor. Council members Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Pos-1) and Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Pos-1) are the first Alexander council members to file for re-election in the November General Election. Tommy L. Gaylor, Jr. has submitted his petition to run for the position of mayor.

Wednesday, August 3 was the first day candidates could submit election petitions. Positions to appear on the November ballot for the City of Alexander are the eight seats on the city council and the mayor’s office.

City council members serve a two-year term. The mayor’s position is a four-year term.

When requesting a petition for a seat on the city council the candidate must provide the ward number and position number. Current members on the city council and their ward and position numbers are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Pos-1), Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1; Pos-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2; Pos-1), Lonny Chapman (Ward-2; Pos-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Pos-1), Dan Church (Ward-3; Pos-2), Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Pos-1), and Jeffery Watson (Ward-4; Pos-2).

Anyone who wants to run for an elected city position, and has not picked up a petition, may acquire one at the Saline County Clerk's office weekdays from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at 215 N. Main St.; Benton, AR. Candidates have until Noon, August 10 to pick up or drop off petitions. If you have any questions call the County Clerk’s office at 501-303-5630.

Submitting petitions for municipal elections begins today

CORRECTION: The wards and positions of Juanita Wilson and Lonny Chapman have been corrected. (08/03/22 - 9:08PM)

Candidates circulating petitions to appear on the November ballot for municipal positions may begin submitting them today, Wednesday, August 3. Positions to appear on the ballot for the City of Alexander are the eight seats on the city council and the mayor’s office.

City council members serve a two-year term. The mayor’s position is a four-year term.

When requesting a petition for a seat on the city council the candidate must provide the ward number and position number. Current members on the city council and their ward and position are Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Pos-1), Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1; Pos-2), Joy Gray (Ward-2; Pos-1), Lonny Chapman (Ward-2; Pos-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Pos-1), Dan Church (Ward-3; Pos-2), Juanita Wilson (Ward-4; Pos-1), and Jeffery Watson (Ward-4; Pos-2).

Anyone who wants to run for an elected city position, and has not picked up a petition, may acquire one at the Saline County Clerk's office weekdays from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at 215 N. Main St.; Benton, AR. Candidates have until Noon, August 10 to pickup or drop off petitions. If you have any questions call the County Clerk’s office at 501-303-5630.