TURRELL, AR – Two weeks into 2010 and still no operating budget in the small Crittenden County town. Many are wondering how the town is even functioning, including members of the governing body.
The town’s financial situation has taken its toll on several residents including Doug Robbins. The town bridge leading up to his home hasn’t been maintained in more than ten years. One of the main support beams is broken, and Robbins says the wooden bridge, much like the town it connects to is falling apart. Robbins tells myEyewitnessNews.com he’s asked Turrell Mayor Franklin Lockhart to fix it but he says the mayor has done nothing about it.
Robbins was hoping repairs would be factored into the 2010 budget. According to Arkansas State Law the budget should’ve been submitted to council members for review by December, 2009.
MyEyewitnessNews.com has learned on January 4, 2010 Lockhart submitted a proposed budget to certain council members. It’s a budget he admits is not fully accurate. If a budget isn’t in place by the end of January, there’s a strong chance the town will shut down for the second year in a row. That means no garbage pickup, no police, and no water treatment. It’s something Robbins says the town can’t afford to go without.
MyEyewitnessNews.com tried to talk with Mayor Lockhart about the budget and the bridge, but he locked our reporters out of town hall. Councilman Emanual Harris says he’s been evasive with council as well. “It’s very frustrating, especially when the mayor, he know what he’s supposed to do and what he ain’t supposed to do.” Robbins just hopes the bickering between the mayor and council soon becomes water under the bridge. “Get Turrell back on the map as a city someone would be proud to say they live in.”
Turrell is one of three Crittenden County towns under investigation by the Arkansas State Police. The town’s 2008 audit revealed tens of thousands of dollars unaccounted for. The Arkansas State Prosecuting Attorney tells myEyewitnessNews.com the investigation should wrap up soon.
