Our Town

North Little Rock notebook

Bullet-plant permitnot before council

A request for a special-use permit to allow a bullet manufacturer to locate next to several houses in North Little Rock's Argenta neighborhood won't be on the City Council's agenda for its 6 p.m. Monday meeting.

Mayor Joe Smith said Friday that the legislation outlining conditions didn't have a supporting sponsor from among council members, but it would likely be on the council agenda for the July 14 meeting, even if "for consideration only." That designation is to allow a sponsor to bring legislation before the council without expressing support for it.

The application from Precision Brass and Bullet to produce bullet projectiles and test-fire bullets in a former warehouse at 501 W. Eighth St. won a 5-4 recommendation from the North Little Rock Planning Commission on June 10.

The vacant warehouse building has single-family homes to one side and is zoned for low-density residential on another side. Several residents at the meeting displayed their opposition and none expressed support. Since the Planning Commission's approval, petitions in opposition have been circulated within the neighborhood.

Treasurer receivesleadership award

Mary Ruth Morgan, who is retiring this year after 40 years as North Little Rock's city treasurer, was presented the Arkansas City Clerks Recorders and Treasurers Association's Distinguished Service Award during the association's annual meeting Wednesday at the Arkansas Municipal League's convention in Little Rock.

The award is the first of its kind and is given in recognition of outstanding service and leadership in the association and to the city, according to association information.

Morgan, 85, will retire when her term expires at the end of this year. The city treasurer duties will be consolidated with the city clerk's office beginning next year.

Morgan, a former teacher in the North Little Rock School District, was elected to 10 four-year terms as treasurer without ever being opposed for the citywide position.

City clerk electeddirector of region

Diane Whitbey, North Little Rock's city clerk/collector, was elected director for the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Region IV during a group's meeting held during the Arkansas Municipal League's convention in Little Rock last week.

Whitbey is in her fourth elected term as North Little Rock's city clerk.

The position is for a three-year term and requires support of both the city and the statewide association. Region IV includes Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

Hankins to speakat Laman Library

Jane F. Hankins will give a presentation on her book The Thirty-Foot Elvis at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock, as part of the library's "Meet the Author" series.

The series allows Arkansas authors to discuss their latest works with attendees. The sessions are free and open to the public.

Hankins' book is the second in the Peavine Chronicles Series. She will discuss her inspiration for writing the book, experiences with the characters during the writing process and will do a dramatic reading selection from the book. She is also scheduled to talk about her upcoming third book in the series Blue Hawaiian Bar and Grill.

The library's author series continues with Kevin Brockmeier on July 1, Mara Leveritt and Jason Baldwin on July 2, and Hope Coulter on July 8.

Metro on 06/22/2014

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