By Ray King
A committee of the Jefferson County Quorum Court on Tuesday recommended that the full court, when it meets next Monday, approve a resolution allowing the Sherrill Volunteer Fire Department to absorb the Wright-Pastoria Volunteer Fire Department.
The Human Resources Committee, chaired by Justice of the Peace Cedric Jackson voted without dissent for the resolution, which says the Wright-Pastoria Department has suffered with recruitment and retention of qualified firefighters.
The meeting was chaired by Justice of the Peace Jimmy Fisher who was filling in for County Judge Gerald Robinson. In addition, five Justices of the Peace, Dr. Conley Byrd, Melanie Dumas, Glenda Daniels, Danny Holcomb and Cédric Jackson attended remotely by Zoom.
Sherrill Mayor Jody Campbell, whose volunteer department will absorb the fire stations, equipment, personnel and finances from Wright-Pastoria told Deltaplex News the idea of absorbing Wright-Pastoria was just being good neighbors.
Campbell went on to say that her department already responds to fire at Wright-Pastoria.
Also recommended for approval was an appropriation ordinance of $5,002.33 that will be used to pay the insurance match for 35 members of the sheriff’s department who qualified to receive a $5,000 one-time stipend from the State of Arkansas for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic. The state has already sent Jefferson County a check for $188,187.50 which also includes a social security match.
Another appropriation ordinance recommended for approval was for $225,150.99 for the Juvenile Justice Center with part of those funds going for utilities, food, building materials and supplies, janitorial supplies and vehicles.
