prepares for trick or treaters

By Rick Couch

With Halloween only days away the Greenville City Council asked everyone to please be aware of the schedule the city will follow. These years Halloween trick or treat will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 30 and will continue until 7:30 p.m.

There will also be a change to some driving conditions in the city. Greenville Police Chief Lonzo Ingram said measures would be taken to make sure the roads were safe for trick or treaters.

&uot;Halloween night we are going to run traffic one way on Stone Road Drive,&uot; said Ingram. &uot;It is a very narrow street and there are a lot of people up there. We will run it one way from Gamble Street.&uot;

The council also discussed several issues with the Mac Crenshaw Airport. One issue had to do with the addition of hangers to the airport. Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon said the approval of Resolution 2004-95 to authorize the application for the airports improvement program grant would be very beneficial.

&uot;This is to build hangers with matching funds of $23,902,&uot; said McLendon. &uot;This is something we had to add to this year’s budget because of the timing it came on. We get $956,094 back from the Federal Government to build these hangers and it cost us only $23,9022. That is only 2.5 percent local match. That’s pretty good.&uot;

McLendon said the money invested by the city should make a quick return once the hangers are up and ready.

&uot;We also have to understand when you build hangers you also rent them out,&uot; said McLendon. &uot;We have a few people waiting on the hangers, so we should get that money back within a year and a half. It’s a good deal for us.&uot;

In relation to the airport the council also approved Resolutions 2004-84 and 84. Resolution 2004-84 was approval of the contract for lease of airport facilities to James Travis Capps Sr., and 2004-85 approved the airport manager’s contract. McLendon acknowledged that Capps had done a fine job in his capacity.

&uot;He really has done an excellent job,&uot; said McLendon. &uot;Our airport is getting better by the day and we appreciate all the hard work he has done.&uot;

The following contract renewals were also approved:

n Resolution 2004-86, which approved the pound, services contract between the city and Butler County Commission.

n Resolution 2004-87, which approved the jail and prisoner, contract between the Butler County Commission and the city.

n Resolution 2004-88 to approve a services agreement between the city and Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center.

n Resolution 2004-89 to approve a services agreement between the city and Butler County Commission for economic development.

n Resolution 2004-90 to approve services agreement between city and Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce.

n Resolution 2004-91 to approve services agreement between the city and Butler County Emergency Communications Services.

n Resolution 2004-92 to approve a service agreement between the city and Main Street USA of Greenville.

n Resolution 2004-93 to approve veterinary services contract for euthanization between the city and Dr. Bill Watson.

n Resolution 2004-94 to approve computer hardware maintenance contract between the city and GTI.

In new business the council approved Resolution 2004-82 for the GEMS ambulance franchise approval and Resolution 2004-83 to adopt the fiscal year 2004-2005 General Budget.

The following expenditures were also approved:

n Payment of $1,698.50 to L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital for emergency room Medical Service for City Prisoner Lashawn Perdue on Sept. 14. The price includes the city’s 60 percent discount.

n Payment of $1,670 for carts and buggies for motor replacement of a Sherling Lake work truckster.

City Councilman Jeddo Bell also reminded citizens to visit the Greenville Fire Department’s haunted house.

&uot;The haunted house put on by the fire department has been doing really, really well,&uot; said Bell. &uot;I would like to encourage everyone to go and see it. They have really been working hard on it. Even if you don’t go through, you should go and have a hot dog or a cup of hot chocolate.&uot;

The next regular city council meeting will be held Monday Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday Nov. 11 will also be observed as a Veteran’s Day holiday for City Employees.