Arthur Firework Show rescheduled for Saturday, July 31

Arthur Police Department in need of full and part-time officers

By ARIANNA R CHERRY
Staff Writer

Pastor John Stewart spoke at the Arthur Village Board on the evening of Monday, July 6, representing the Arthur Rotary. He thanked the board for their donation for the fireworks. Stewart informed the board that the new date for the firework show will be Saturday, July 31. He said the band would still be performing but the skydivers will not be participating as they are already booked elsewhere. Stewart also said that they are working on booking vendors. Chief Goodman told the board that he would reissue a permit based on the earlier date that was set and that there would be security and volunteers for the event.

Moving forward, Treasurer Mike Hilgenberg commented on the Freedom Parade, mentioning that he thought it went really well and everyone did a good job. Trustee Justin Ray said he still saw many people in town, despite the fireworks being canceled. He also echoed Hilgenberg’s comment about the parade going great. Mayor Rod Randall agreed with Ray about there being many people in town, as he saw a number of people lined up on Progress Street.

Hilgenberg reported $30,326.52 in expenditures during the Treasurer’s report.

For the Police Report, Chief Goodman stated that the new police car is at Outfitters in Blue Mound and is having the new equipment installed. The new camera systems are also going into the car. The department hopes to have the car back before the fair starts.

Goodman said that they are down a few officers and are in need of hiring an officer for part and full-time. While one officer was on vacation, there were three other officers who had to work 12 hour shifts. The department is in desperate need of extra help. Goodman said he would be reaching out to the area agencies and putting out ads in local newspapers and on Indeed.com (job search website). “I think we will do better finding part-time for the short term,” he commented.

In the last couple of weeks, Grant Corum of Public Works reported that the curbs got painted and some striping was done downtown. Mayor Randall replied that the downtown looked very nice after all the striping had been completed. Corum also said that there have been no more incidents at the lift station and Hersch Manor and the pumps are working well. Hopefully the letter that was sent out helped the situation. Corum also commented that he hoped to have some interviews for the open position in the next couple of weeks.

A bid in the amount of $82,277 from Earl Walker Company was accepted for the oil and chipping project. The company has done the chipping in the past. This project will be covering the recoating. Dogwood Street and everything on that side of town will be done.