Monticello Live

Members of Monticello’s 20 for the Future and MEDC are in Washington D.C., today. meeting with Congressman Mike Ross, Senator Mark Pryor, and Senator John Boozman.

The group includes Bennie Ryburn, Jack Lassiter of UAM, Scott Kuttenkuler of UAM, Michael Layfield (DMH CEO), Mayor Allen Maxwell, Tommy Maxwell of Maxwell Hardwood Flooring, Mike and Susan Akin,  Nita McDanie (MEDC Director), and David McDaniel of Maxwell Hardwood Flooring

Proposed funding needs to be addressed on the trip include projects for UAM, the city of Monticello,  Drew Memorial Hospital, The Ridgeway Hotel, and I-69 and I-530 construction, and the Yellow Bend Port.

Here are the specific requests for support and/or funding. (more…)

P.Q. Gardner and DeAnna Doherty

Drew County Developmentally Disabled, including Sesame School, The Other Way, and other operations in surrounding couties.

The Marketplace

Monticello Schools, Emily White

Drew Central Schools, Alan Goodding

UAMonticello, Jim Edson

James & Rene Knowles family, of Possum Valley.

Click here for the feature article that MonticelloLive posted when James & Rene were announced as the Drew County Farm Family of the Year, in July.

21 local business, education, and political leaders traveled to Washington D.C. last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and met with Arkansas’ Congressional Delegation. (more…)

MonticelloLive.com would like to thank the members of the “20 for the Future” group that went to Washington D.C. for the photos that they have provided for public posting. 

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Steel framed building with 35′ x 50′ bays, a total of 50,088 square feet under a standing seam metal roof system. A glass storefront has been installed to accommodate an interior office, or provide an attractive entry.

Decorative split-faced block has been utilized on the front and street sides of the building. Footing and foundations have been built; the floor remains to be poured thereby allowing the owner to establish specifications.

For more information contact the Monticello Economic Development Commission, P.O. Box 1890, Monticello, AR 71657 or see our web site at http://monticelloedc.org/

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Tuesday night the Chamber of Commerce and MEDC held their annual awards banquet, at the UAM University Center.

The winners are:

Monticello teacher of the year; Jennifer Touchstone, MMS science teacher, also awarded regional teacher of the year.

Drew Central teacher of the year;  Rose Ann Adcock, DCMS 6th grade teacher.

Industry of the year: UAM.  “UAM’s impact includes millions of dollars into the local economy.  More than buildings and books,” quoted from Truman Hamilton during the presentation.

Business of the year; Head of the Class Child Care and Learning Center, Sherrie and Shay Gillespie-10 years with 40 employees now.

Woman of the year;  Betty Lindsey, president of Drew Memorial Hospital auxiliary-recruited 12 new auxiliary members in last 2 years. Awarded state “auxiliary member of the year”.

Man of the year; Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.

 

 

Drew County Farm Family of the Year; Jeremy & Michael Oltmann families.

“20 for the Futrue” listens to Congressman Mike Ross, as he explains how he will support issues in Monticello & Drew County.

Monticello delegatin with Congressman Mike Ross ouside of his office.

Senator Blance Lincoln, Benny Ryburn, Dave Dickson, Sheilla Lampkin, and Judy Lassiter discussing Drew County’s needs in Senator Lincoln’s office.

Senator Blanche Lincoln with “20 for the Future”.

Photos courtesy of Curtis Larsen, of Union Bank.

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Monticello’s “20 for the Future” group left Tuesday, on their annual trip to Washington D.C., and returned late Thursday night.

While in Washington, they met with Congressman Mike Ross, Senator Blanche Lincoln, and staff members for our area’s other representatives.

They were also able to watch U.S. Senator Mark Pryor making a presentatin from the Senate floor.

MonticelloLive spoke to a couple from the group.  One member said, “with an effort like this, it will be next year before you know how much was accomplished”.  Another who was present commented, “Everyone we visited with seemed to be concerned.  They were also helpful with suggestions on other, possibly better, ways to achieve our goals.” 

Last year the group flew in to Nation’s Capitol during a snowstorm, and this year they arrived in Little Rock on the return trip with reports of snow as well.

Again recently, the sand sculptures at the old Post Office, currently the office of the Monticello Economic Development Commission, are drawing the attention of many people.

The subjects of the sculpture; a basket of tomatoes, a mule, and someone picking tomatoes, are a reflection of the importance of agriculture in Drew County’s history.

As it has been found out by research, the same creator of the Monticello Post Office’s artwork, is the same person who designed the work done in the Washington D.C. Post Office.

The Post Office construction began in early 1937, and the cost of the artwork was covered by the Dept. of Treasury’s Section on Fine Arts, at a cost of $750.

For more information, click here to read the original article from the Arkansas Preservation Society.