By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The Beebe City Council appointed Derrek Goff and Lee McLane to the city council on Monday to fill the remaining terms of two vacated aldermen seats.
The council voted unanimously on the resolution Alderman Matt Dugger put in motion since there are three months remaining in the year.
Goff fills the Ward 2, Position 1 seat that was vacated by the death of Alderman Becky Short on Sept. 8. Goff is social studies teacher at Cabot High School. He was running unopposed for the seat in the November general election.
McLane fills the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. The position was vacated by Alderman David Pruitt, who resigned on Aug. 22. Pruitt pleaded guilty on Aug. 2 in White County Circuit Court to a misdemeanor charge of violating state election law after voting twice during the primary election. Pruitt was ineligible to run for re-election.
McLane, who owns and publishes The Beebe News, was running unopposed for the seat in the November general election.
Goff and McLane were sworn in by City Attorney Scott Bles and immediately started working for the city.
The city council held a moment of silence and a prayer for the passing of Short on Sept. 8 and for police officer and firefighter David Nelson on Sept. 24. Nelson worked for the city of Beebe for the past 38 years.
Alderman Tracy Lightfoot presented a portrait of Short to hang in city hall.
Mayor Mike Robertson informed the council that the city purchased a 40 by 180 foot parcel of property across from city hall this month for $2,900. The vacant land neighbors the walking trail and property already owned by the city.
The council approved keeping the city’s millage rate at 1.8 mills.
Aldermen approved an ordinance increasing the number of dogs residents are allowed to have from three to four dogs.
The council approved an ordinance to close South Cherry Street from East Idaho Street to one block southeast of East Georgia Street. The property owner of block 14 requested the closure. The street was platted on the city’s map but was never built.
“I don’t see a reason why we would build a street there,” code enforcement officer Milton McCullar said.
Aldermen approved the city to tear down a house on 705 W. College St., and place a lien on the property. The property owners have been issued a warrant for failing to comply with the condemnation resolution.
