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ONE COLONEL’S MISSION COMPLETED AS ANOTHER’S BEGINS
The military change of command ceremony is an ancient tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, and one that took place for the 34th time Thursday at the Pine Bluff Arsenal.
After being at the helm of Arkansas’ only active Army installation for the past two years, emotions ran high for Col. Bill M. Barnett IV as he relinquished command to Col. Franz J. Amann. Members of the military, elected officials and other civilians gathered on a sunny, mild morning under two large tents to observe the ceremony.
“The last two years has been a great run,” Barnett said after reflecting on his “last run” at the arsenal Thursday morning, drinking coffee and visiting with staff. “Today I can’t adequately express to you all how grateful I am for the way you’ve treated me and my family ... It’s been an honor to serve you.”
The Arkansas Army National Guard sent its Color guard to take part in the official exchange of the arsenal flag. Barnett took the flag, handed it to Brig. Gen. Larry Wyche, who then passed it to Amann.
Wyche is commander of the Army Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island, Ill.
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COL. FRANZ AMANN BIO
Graduated from The Citadel and commissioned as a regular Army officer into the Chemical Corps in 1985
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AREA WOMEN URGED TO BACK EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE BILL
In efforts to garner support for a piece of legislation touted for making it easier for workers to form unions, the Arkansas AFL-CIO is seeking support from Pine Bluff women.
At an informal meeting at the Holiday Inn Express Wednesday, about 20 women listened to Employee Free Choice Act supporters who are trying to secure votes from Arkansas’ two Democratic senators, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor. They also are working to get a big turnout for a July 11 rally at Lincoln’s Little Rock office, said AFL-CIO spokeswoman Ayketa Iverson.
“The whole purpose of this event is to get your two senators here to say ‘yes,’” Iverson said. “As of right now, they are opposing this bill outright.”
About 500 people are expected to attend. Locally, a smaller rally will be held at the Pine Bluff Labor Temple earlier in the day.
Candis Collins, director of Arkansas chapter of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and a retired union leader, provided background on the legislation and how labor leaders view it as a positive step for workers. The AFL-CIO spearheads the HCAN effort as well, Iverson said.
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DAVID BURDICK PROMOTES BROADBAND SERVICE
A lacking infrastructure for broadband Internet service leaves many Arkansans with slow, outdated service, according to a local advocate for broadband expansion.
“A lot of residents in Arkansas don’t have broadband access in their homes,” David Burdick, director of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System, told the West Pine Bluff Rotary Club Thursday.
Burdick serves on the Arkansas Broadband Council working to increase accessibility of broadband Internet service in the state.
“Connect Arkansas is responsible for preparing people in need of broadband and providing accessibility to people. They are promoting broadband development throughout the state,” he said.
“The infrastructure improvement is essential to advanced society,” he said.
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ROAF’S PROFESSIONALISM TOUTED
A friend of Andree Layton Roaf recalled her thoroughness as a jurist.
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SUSPECT TURNS HIMSELF IN WITHOUT INCIDENT
MONTICELLO — Duane Gonder, 24, of Plantersville, turned himself in to the Drew County Sheriff’s Department after 3 p.m. Wednesday.
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MINORITY HEALTH PANEL NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL
The Arkansas Minority Health Commission has named Idonia Trotter, formerly of Pine Bluff, as the new executive director.
Trotter obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law and a master of public service degree from the UA Clinton School of Public Service.
A reception was held for Trotter recently at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center at Little Rock.
The mission of the commission is to ensure all minority Arkansans access to health care that is equal to the care provided to other Arkansans. The panel will also seek ways to provide education and to address, treat and prevent diseases and conditions prevalent among minorities.
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HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
Several agencies will be closed today or Saturday for the Independence Day (July 4th) holiday. The following have announced their closing schedules:
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YESTERYEARS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009
77 Years Ago
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