Hutchinson to talk at chamber event
Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson will be the keynote speaker at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce's 30th annual banquet Feb. 24 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.
The event will include a cocktail reception at 5:15 p.m. with dinner and program to start at 6:45 p.m.
Hutchinson is to take office as the state's 46th governor Jan. 13.
Hutchinson is also a former congressman and federal prosecutor. He was appointed as a U.S. attorney by President Ronald Reagan. President George W. Bush named him administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and later the under secretary for border and transportation security at the Department of Homeland Security.
Tickets are $75 for individuals or $750 for a table of 10. For tickets and more information, email the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce at nlrchamber@nlrchamber.org or call 501-372-5959.
Ceremony set to swear in officials
A New Year's Day swearing-in ceremony for North Little Rock elected officials is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at North Little Rock City Hall, 300 Main St.
The public is invited to attend.
Taking the oath of office will be Ward 1 Alderman Debi Ross, Ward 2 Alderman Linda Robinson, Ward 3 Alderman Steve Baxter, Ward 4 Alderman Murry Witcher and City Attorney Jason Carter. All terms are for four years.
Witcher will be entering his seventh elected term as a city alderman after winning re-election in November. Robinson will be entering her fourth term, Ross her third term and Baxter his second term on the City Council. Carter will be sworn in for a third elected term as city attorney.
Ross and Carter were the only unopposed North Little Rock municipal officials in the Nov. 4 election.
Council takes next step for vets home
The North Little Rock City Council has approved a rezoning of the former nine-hole Emerald Park Golf Course and an amendment to the city's Land Use Plan as part of the process for a new state Veterans Affairs home in North Little Rock.
The city had leased the acreage for the municipal golf course for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The property, 2000 Fort Roots Drive, will remain as a state-owned property.
The proposed $22 million veterans home, consisting of eight, cottage-style residences to house 96 residents, is being built on a 34-acre parcel paid for with state funds and a construction grant from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
The City Council's ordinance was to approve the reclassification of the property from Open Space to residential zoning and adopt an amended Land Use Plan. The legislation passed 6-0 on Monday. Aldermen Beth White and Linda Robinson were absent.
Metro on 12/28/2014