05/13/15  City Marshal and Ambulance Service Discussed at This Month's Bearden Council

The Bearden City Council's chamber was packed with citizens Monday night...many concerned about the possibility of having their vote taken away in electing a city marshal. Yolanda Tidwell addressed the council bearing the signatures of 177 residents who want the system to remain the same in the election of the city marshal.

Tidwell also expressed concern about the lack of ambulance service for Bearden.

Council members and fire chief A-W Evans explained the reason there's no ambulance service in Bearden is because people who want to be EMT's don't apply. Tidwell advocated working together in the community to get things accomplished. Carolyn Pate spoke out at the council meeting about what she called “micro-managing” by the council.  She said what the people want is for the council to be concerned about the big things and let the department heads do their jobs.

One of the reasons for all the discussion at Monday night's meeting about the election of a city marshal was it was pointed out that  Bearden and Gurdon are the only city's in the state that still elect their marshal's. Former city marshal Mitch Pate said there are lots of communities around that wish they could have the priviledge again to be able to elect a city marshall.

City marshal John Ainsworth was just elected to a two year term. At the end of that term it will be decided whether the people will retain their right to elect their city marshal.

Another piece of business the council heard came from alderwoman Denise Link,  concerning whether to keep the district court or ship people down to Camden to that district court, with the idea of saving the city $900.00 a month.

A motion was made to table the proposal for the June meeting.