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WH MAYOR REAPPLYING FOR $300,000 WATER GRANT

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 9:58 AM CST

WHITE HALL — Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan has been working to re-apply for an additional $300,000 Delta Regional Authority grant for the city’s water improvement project.

Morgan made the announcement at a regular meeting of the White Hall City Council on Monday evening.

The funds would be used to help construct a water tank on the north end of town that would provide adequate water flow to Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s medical and fitness facility under construction near the intersection of Interstate 530 and Arkansas 256.

Morgan was presented a $900,000 U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration grant check in June by Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and DRA approved a grant of $350,000 in October, both for the water project.

While on the topic of water improvements, Morgan stated he and others have begun gathering information on the costs and federal funding available for the construction of a water plant for the city.

“We’re just gathering information and talking to engineers right now,” Morgan said. “If we are going to stay in the water business, this is really going to have to be our next step.”

The city’s water is currently treated by Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility.

In other business, Alderman David Beck mentioned the White Hall Food Pantry, housed within the city’s fire department located at 200 Anderson Ave., is in great need of non-perishable food donations. The pantry gives food to those in need on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 12-3 p.m.

Donations may be dropped off at City Hall located at 101 Parkway Drive.

White Hall City Council meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of January and February at 6 p.m. in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and President’s Day.

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