Photo: Courtesy Harrison Daily Times
Diamond City mayor and council members (from left) Larry Brown, Gina Whited, Mayor Jan Hudson, Carolyn Arnold, Don Bennett, Jim Wisnieski and Rick Van Dyke.
The Diamond City City Council is back at full capacity following an intervention by State Representative Jack Fortner of Yellville. Representative Fortner’s district includes portions of Baxter, Boone, Marion and Searcy counties. He told KTLO, Classic Hits 101.7 and The Boot news in early March he had been asked to help quell a political conflict in the Boone County city that led to Mayor Jan Hudson resigning and then rescinding her planned departure, with two other council members leaving.
It was reported at the time the two councilmen stepped down, there weren’t enough council members to hold a meeting. In Arkansas, a class two city, such as Diamond City, can conduct business with the two members and the mayor. Fortner says Mayor Hudson has the power to be a voting member and step in if it’s necessary.
The Harrison Daily Times reports last week Fortner showed himself to be Diamond Citys friend when he untied the knot paralyzing the citys government.
Fortner addressed the citizens at the March council meeting saying, “There is more than a little bit of conflict in your community. When it got to the point where you didnt have enough elected officials to conduct business, I felt like that I needed to try to give a little guidance.
Diamond City has endured a series of resignations over the past year, which accelerated until the mayor and all but one council member were asking to be relieved of duty.
Acting on suggestions from people who know the town, Fortner asked Mayor Jan Hudson, Troy Burleson, Larry Gray, and Chad Whited to meet with him to search for a solution.
Grant Ragland, the citys attorney, and Lanny Richmond of the Arkansas Municipal League advised the group.
Fortner said he had selected citizens who would make a cross-section of local opinion on issues dividing the city.
Fortner said at the council session the meeting he held with the mayor and the council was tense. He says he has asked them to not to talk about what was said.
Fortner advised the four sitting council members the designees for the vacant seats would be seated only if they voted unanimously to accept them.
Carolyn Arnold and Richard Van Dyke were appointed to serve out the unexpired terms on the council, with the unanimous support of the four incumbents.
Justice of the Peace David Thompson swore in both new council members, and they took their seats to proceed with the citys business.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI