Fulmer seeks another term as Independence County assessor
Odus Fulmer
Independence County Assessor Odus Fulmer will seek a sixth term as county assessor. "It has been an honor to have served as your county assessor since 2001," said Fulmer. "In the past years in office, I have implemented the first website for the convenience of viewing real estate records. It has been a great tool in keeping the general public informed of changes in value and ownership. I am currently considering the implementation of a personal property website that will allow the yearly assessment of personal property from the convenience of your home." Since 1996, Fulmer has held a Level IV Senior Appraiser certification issued by the state Assessment Coordination Department. He also holds a retired Certified Residential Appraiser license regulated by the State of Arkansas Appraiser Licensing Board. He has served on the Arkansas Assessors Association Board of Directors since 2001 and is currently serving on the Association of Arkansas Counties Legislative Committee. In this leading role representing 75 counties as a committee member, he will be working with leaders of other associations in an effort to improve the services of local government. "It is my sincere desire to continue to serve as your county assessor and strive to keep a watchful position and to be involved in efforts for tax relief for the residents of Independence County," said Fulmer. "I shall continue to have an open door policy for the citizens of Independence County. I will also continue to develop methods to streamline the assessment process and to work toward fair and equitable property values." From Press Release
Henry seeks seat in Arkansas Supreme Court
Courtney Henry
Court of Appeals Judge Courtney Henry recently submitted four large volumes with more than 14,000 signatures to the secretary of state as a means of getting her name on the ballot for a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Although Arkansas law provides that candidates may be placed on the ballot by petition, Supreme Court candidates have always chosen to pay a filing fee instead. "This is certainly the road less taken," Henry said, "but this method more clearly demonstrates my belief that the people own the office." Arkansas law requires that a candidate for the Supreme Court submit petitions containing the signatures of 10,000 registered voters in order to qualify by this method. The deadline for submitting the petitions was at noon on Jan. 28. "I am humbled by my supporters from across the state, who helped me by circulating and signing these petitions through rain, sleet, snow and frigid temperatures to get this done," Henry said. "This level of grass roots support is necessary to reach the voters." Henry, who currently serves on the Arkansas Court of Appeals, is seeking election to the position 3 seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court in the May election. From Press Release
Local student to serve in Africa as a missionary
Jared Bridgman (far right) is pictured with his family (from left to right) -- his father, Fred; his sister, Danielle; and his mother, Kim. Jared will participate in a mission trip to South Africa and Lesotho. Photo submitted University of Central Arkansas junior Jared Bridgman will be spending a month of the upcoming summer doing mission work in South Africa and Lesotho. Bridgman is in a student leadership role in Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, a trans-denominational college ministry. Since 2002, Chi Alpha has sent college students overseas on mission trips as a part of Project 222. Project 222 gets its name from 2nd Timothy 2:2, which says, "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." In the past, Project 222 has gone to Spain, Morocco, Thailand and Burma. On May 13, Chi Alpha is sending 60 students to the southern African countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. They will return on June 12. One may wonder: Why Africa? Estimates say there are 40.3 million people in the world living with AIDS, and 65 percent of them live in Africa. The impact of AIDS is most seen in southern Africa -- where last year 336,000 South Africans were killed by AIDS. That is more than 800 people a day. Two years ago, there were 1.2 million AIDS orphans living in South Africa, and that number increases every year. The ministry will focus on those who have been widowed or orphaned by AIDS, who are the poorest of the poor. The days will consist of working in clinics, shelters and orphanages, doing everything from manual labor, organizing activities for orphans, or feeding widows. "God has really given me a heart for the poor and oppressed," Bridgman said. "In the book of James, it says that religion that God considers pure and faultless is looking after widows and orphans in their distress. God has put me in a situation where I have been given a great opportunity to actually go into the mission field and work with the people that James is referring to. "While a trip such as this is an amazing opportunity, it comes at a price. It costs $4,000 per person, which covers visas, vaccines, airfare, ground transportation, lodging, meals, administrative and ministry costs, training expenses and other general expenses. "Asking for money is never easy, especially in our society. We put such an emphasis on making your own way and doing things yourself that it is a completely different attitude for me to ask others for money. However, in the book of Romans when Paul asks how people can believe if they are not preached to, he asks how they can be preached to if no one is sent. Paul realized that financial supporters of missions are just as essential as the missionaries." Those interested may make a donation. All checks should be made payable to "Deep Well Campus Ministries." Do not write "Jared Bridgman" anywhere on the check. Instead, "Jared Bridgman" should be written on a Post-it note and enclosed with the check. All donations are tax deductible, and an invoice will be sent in January. Send checks to Deep Well Ministries; c/o Jared Bridgman; PO Box 10614; Conway, AR 72034. "You have no idea how much your gifts are appreciated," said Bridgman. "Thank you!" For more information, visit www.xauca.com.
Area Habitat for Humanity branch receives grant from Wal-Mart Foundation
BATESVILLE -- Habitat for Humanity of Independence County has received a $3,000 Community Grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to help in the building of Habitat's second house in Independence County. "Habitat for Humanity of Independence County is deeply grateful to the Batesville Wal-Mart -- especially Thomas Baxter, store manager; Kevin Fitterling, co-manager; and Brenda Bullard, community coordinator -- who submitted a grant request to the Wal-Mart Foundation in support of Habitat for Humanity of Independence County," said Paul Bube, board president of Habitat for Humanity of Independence County. "Their support with this grant, along with generous donations of tools, is invaluable to Habitat's mission to provide decent, affordable housing for low income residents of Independence County. Their $3,000 grant is a significant boost to our fundraising efforts toward building our second house." "When we learned that there was a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Batesville, we wanted to be part of it," said Bullard. "We want to benefit our community and to help families who need a little boost to improve their lives. Helping Habitat for Humanity grow can help our community. We hope that other businesses will support this organization too." Other parties may make tax deductible donations to the Independence County chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Its mailing address is Habitat for Humanity of Independence County; PO Box 3956; Batesville, AR 72503. Messages may be left at its phone number at (870) 793-1999. From Press Release
Batesville Rotary Club reschedules Haiti relief fundraiser collections event
BATESVILLE -- Due to the wintery weather on Friday, Jan. 29, the Batesville Rotary Club postponed its collection of donations at W.R.D. Entertainment until this Friday, Feb. 5. The Batesville Rotary Club is accepting donations to be forwarded to The Rotary Foundation's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. This fund was established by The Rotary Foundation to help raise money for medium- to long-term rebuilding projects in Haiti following the earthquake of Jan. 12. All donations are tax deductible, and donors will receive acknowledgment of their donation from The Rotary Foundation. Those wishing to donate by mail may send a check or money order to Batesville Rotary; Haiti Relief; PO Box 2654; Batesville, AR 72503-2654. Batesville Rotary Club members and others interested in helping will accept donations in person on Feb. 5 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the parking lot of W.R.D. Entertainment, located at 920 Harrison St. in Batesville. For more information about this fundraising effort, visit www.batesvillerotary.org. From Press Release
Batesville Preservation Association awards two grants
The Batesville Preservation Association (BPA) has awarded restoration matching grants to two local organizations. Both grants are for $1,000. Receiving funding at the organization's quarterly board meeting were Etta's Attic, a new antique mall located at 143 E. Main St. in Batesville, and Lyon College. The grant to Etta's Attic will assist in rewiring, cleaning and painting the top floor of the building in preparation for expansion of the business into that space. Mary Etta Crowder, owner of the business, said she is "excited about being able to expand" and expressed her "thanks to the Batesville Preservation Association" for its assistance. The grant to Lyon College will assist in the renovation of restrooms in Brown Chapel, where community events are often held. That project is one of several planned for the building. According to Dr. Donald Weatherman, Lyon's president, improvements to Brown Chapel, "will have a tremendous impact on the lives of students and others, not only on campus but in the greater Batesville community also." The Batesville Preservation Association has awarded a number of grants to downtown Batesville business and property owners in past years including the Montessori School, the Melba Theatre, the Batesville Area Arts Council and Elizabeth's Restaurant. Information on the grants is available from Grants Chair Terrell Tebbetts, and Robb Roberts, BPA president. From Press Release
BAAC annual fundraising event slated for this Saturday
Batesville Area Arts Council (BAAC) is gearing up for its annual Super Bowl Saturday fundraising event to be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Some of the best homemade soup from some great cooks of Batesville will be available for $6 per quart. Tickets for the event are available at Carlee's Hallmark, Citizens Bank Main Branch and the Batesville Arts Gallery on Main Street. The proceeds from the event will support the Arts in Education program, the Batesville Community Theatre and other programs offered by BAAC. For those wanting to donate soup, who have not been contacted, call the gallery at (870) 793-3387. From Press Release
