Things are looking bright for the Central Arkansas Farmers Market (CAFM) Yesterday, August 7th, the Arkansas Agriculture Board voted to back legislation that would officially exempt farmers markets from having to charge a sales tax on agricultural products. Most farmers markets do not currently charge sales tax, but since a 2006 ruling by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration declared that farmers markets are required to pay sales tax things have been slightly awkward for operators who aren't charging. This legislation will be voted on during the 2009 General Assembly.
The CAFM also recently recieved a grant from the state to participate in one of the ten pilot programs they are sponsoring statewide that would allow farmers markets to accept food stamps by means of debit cards. This will help speed up the CAFM's installation of their new wireless system for for credit and debit transactions. The CAFM says they are hoping to have the system operational in September.
Next Monday's City Council meeting agenda was posted this morning on the Levy Improvement Movement Blog. Here are some highlights:
There will be 2 public hearings to condemn houses at 802 N. Vine & 4624 Schaer St. I added pictures of the houses to the agenda
Public Hearings - 2 house condemnations at 802 N. Vine and 4624 Schaer St. (I added the pictures of the houses to the agenda) and a hearing regarding the collection of bulky and large trash or brush
Unfinished Business - a resolution to authorize the Travelers to manage some of the parking along Willow St. during events. The DemGazette is reporting that this will likely be postponed again
New Business - Convene public hearings on 4 house condemnations, Increasing Pension Benefits for certain former employees who
retired under the City Police and Fire Retirement System known as the
“Old Pension Plan”
Ordinances - Changing the names of Meeks Industrial Drive, Meeks Boulevard and
Links Boulevard to Paul Eells Drive in the City of NLR, Eels was the KATV sports broadcaster and the voice of the razorbacks. He was a longtime Maumelle resident until his death on July 31st, 2006 in an automobile accident.
Phillip William Kelly, 37, was found guilty of attempted first degree murder at the Pulaski County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Aug. 07. He was originally charged with attempted capital murder of state wildlife officer Daniel Matthew "Matt" Flowers in Burns Park on November 03 of last year, but the charges were reduced to the lighter attempted first degree murder charge.
The jury, of 4 men and 8 women, deliberated almost 2 hours to find him guilty. He recieved a 17 year sentence, but will be eligible for parole after 4 1/2 years.
Electric and gas utility CenterPoint Energy Inc. said Wednesday that their second-quarter profit rose 44 percent, beating Wall Street expectations. Centerpoint supplies natural gas to many NLR residences and businesses. They also reported that natural gas distribution
operating income fell by half to $4 million due to higher operating
expenses related to bad debts and customer-related costs and support
services.
We recently reported here, Centerpoint Energy customers can expect a price increase this winter of around 24% from last year. So why if profits are up 44%, are rates going up 24%?
It looks like the NLR Airport may be having some issues with the FAA concerning the proposed construction of some new T-Hangars at the airport. This according to an e-mail conversation held between NLR airport consultant, Mike H. Stengel with Garver Engineers and Glen Boles, the FAA program manager, during early June '06.
Thirty-one schools in 31 days, that's what THV and Hootens.com are
doing all this month. On August 6 THV spotlighted the North Little Rock
Charging Wildcats.
North Little Rock is looking to make big strides this year. Of note they have improved team speed and they had two standout linemen transfer this year.
Pulaski County residents will be able to save on gasoline and help central Arkansas’ air quality by taking a free ride on a Central Arkansas Transit Authority bus on Thursday.
The
free bus rides are intended to help reduce the amount of pollutants in
the air by getting more people to take public transportation.
Lalita Green filed today, August 6th to run as a write in candidate in the State 39th District. This is the seat formerly held by Dwayne Dobbins, and currently held by his wife, Rep. Sharon Dobbins. Ms. Green, 41, is a former Pulaski County Justice of the Peace. In the AP story, she declined to comment to the AP reporter when questioned if it was wrong of the House of Representatives to block Dobbins' seating, but she did mention that she had hoped that Sharon Dobbins would run for re-election.
Currently the race for the 39th is shaping up like this, one candidate will be on the ballot, Richard Carroll of the Green Party, and there are two registered write-in candidates, who are both democrats, Ms. Green, as well as retired educator Clinton Hampton, who filed to run as a write-in candidate on July 17th. For the full AP story see here.
Thanks to one of our readers who pointed us towards this story.
The Levy Wal-Mart, which was the 7th Wal-Mart store opened closed down recently, but if you are interested in picking up some office supplies, equipment or store racks, the interior furnishings will go up for auction this weekend at the old Wal-Mart, Saturday August 9, 10AM.
Fifty for the Future (a group of City and private business leaders) has retained Market Street Services of Atlanta to
produce a "consensus community strategy" for Pulaski County. The project -
Better Together - Little Rock Metro - will provide our community an opportunity
to build on past success, holistically address challenges, and effectively
maximize future opportunities. Market Street has done similar work for Austin
and Nashville with strong success.
As part of the strategy development process, public input is being
solicited. The online survey enables Market Street to understand the
opportunities and challenges facing Pulaski County. The survey will ask you to
rate different elements of the area's education system, infrastructure, quality
of life and economy. It will also help identify general strengths/weaknesses of
Pulaski County as a place to live, work and visit.
The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. Your responses are
confidential. The data will not be used for any purpose other than to inform the
development of this strategy. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey
and forward this email to your respective contacts.
Electric and gas utility CenterPoint Energy Inc. said Wednesday that their second-quarter profit rose 44 percent, beating Wall Street expectations. 
It looks like the NLR Airport may be having some issues with the FAA concerning the proposed construction of some new T-Hangars at the airport. This according to an 
Pulaski County residents will be able to save on gasoline and help central Arkansas’ air quality by taking a free ride on a Central Arkansas Transit Authority bus on Thursday. 
