'Summit' helps city officials set priorities
By LEWIS DELAVAN News editor

Several priorities emerged at the Citizens Summit recently in Benton.

Participants ranged from teens through senior citizens, and broke into four half-hour discussion groups to develop three to five priorities per group.

Groups then presented their priorities to the full group. After large-group discussion, participants joined four new groups to further develop ideas. Top overall priorities identified were creating a youth center, city beautification and code enforcement, public safety and transportation.

Prior to the meeting, community development director Marsha Guffey said the forum's purpose was to develop new topics not already being addressed. As the city is already studying high-speed Internet, workforce education and public safety, she asked that the summit participants discuss other topics.

Some half dozen members of the Citizens Public Safety Committee were attending, and told Guffey the topic was a key issue and should be discussed at the summit. Guffey agreed the topic is important, and told the group the city should set a summit to discuss public safety alone.

Guffey asked if participants would be interested in participating with the commission, and retired Benton firefighter Bill Ragan said he wants to.

One member, Mary Kay Mooney, told the Voice the group soon will set several informational forums to update the public on the group's progress.

Summaries of initial discussions:

Katie Holland, a Mayor's Youth Advisory Council member, said her group set priorities for a youth center, job opportunities, transportation and "going green."

Holland said teens often are unaware of local job opportunities, and suggested Benton High School maintain a list of available jobs.

Many high school students either don't have cars, or don't always have money to buy gasoline, so building more sidewalks between residential neighborhoods to schools would help students, she said.

Roger Norman, also a MYAC member, said his group developed priorities of enhanced public safety, improving the city's emergency rescue system and better property upkeep.

Norman said Tyndall Park "becomes a different place after dark."

Uneven lighting and insuffi- cient police patrol contribute to the park's night-time safety issue, he said.

Patricia Ashley, said some "very inappropriate things" written on an empty Military Road restaurant have been visible for weeks, and should have been quickly removed by the city. She also asked how the "public trust of the police department could be restored" after recent reports of behavior involving police using alcoholic beverage.

Emily Noles, another MYAC member, said her group identified these priorities: a community center, a strategic plan, reducing electric rates and developing a light rail system from Benton to Little Rock were

Noles said a youth center is needed, but suggested a center that could serve all ages, from birth to senior citizens. Such amenities as a swimming pool should be considered, she said.

After the second small-group session, Noles said the building formerly housing Cafe Santa Fe would be an ideal site for a youth center, because parking would be available and it would be close to the movie theater and other amenities.

A strategic plan setting longterm spending priorities would help the city avoid financial problems, Noles said.

High utility rates are both keeping away new residents and encouraging current residents to move elsewhere, she said.

An electric-powered light-rail system between Benton and Little Rock could help University of Arkansas at Little Rock students throughout Saline County get to the campus. It could also reduce highway congestion and pollution.

Saline and Pulaski counties, in cooperation with Metroplan, have long-range plans to extend Little Rock's existing light-rail system to the Saline County Airport, using the former Rock Island Railroad right of way.

Scott Hunter spoke for his group, saying emergency preparedness; beautification and a community center were top issues.

Hunter said:

• An emergency medical technician should be on every fire truck;

• Benton neighborhoods, including the Ralph Bunche Community, should receive "equal treatment" for beautification;

• Young people need more activities and opportunities.

Ali McAtee and Andy Moon said more college scholarships would help young people, as it's "nearly impossible" to pay for college, even with a student loan.

Moon said Military Road and South Street need safety improvements.

A taxi cab service would be an asset, Moon said.

Hunter said further public forums are needed. "If we all communicate, we can make everything happen," he said.

Don White agreed that Tyndall Park needs enhanced nighttime safety, and said more police patrols and better lighting are needed. The skateboard site and tennis and basketball courts especially need better lighting.

White said problems in the police department "border on corruption," and said public trust of the department must be created. Recent news reports of police incidents - including use of alcoholic beverages and partial nudity - are troubling, White said.

"To me, that's incredible, but they get away with it," he said. "We don't want these types of people pulling people over.

"People are definitely afraid of the Benton Police Department now," White said. He called for Police Chief Gary Sipes to be removed.

Ashley told participants she agrees the police department has "serious problems," but said it wasn't a group consensus that Sipes be fired. She believes the problems can be resolved.

Another participant, Michelle Shoppach, also told the Voice that it wasn't the group's consensus for Sipes to be removed.

Near the summit's conclusion, Ragan noted that he served as a volunteer Boy Scout leader for more than 35 years, and it was wonderful to see a number of teens participating. "I am really encouraged to see all these young people participating," he said. "It does me good to see it."

Ragan also developed the fire department's emergency response team more than three decades ago.