Aldermen Approve Lighting Repair For City Ballpark

Still recuperating from the devastation left after an EF-2 tornado ripped through the town just five months ago, Goodman aldermen on Tuesday night approved making some improvements at the city ballpark.

Aldermen approved Fagan Electric’s bid of $43,750 to repair ballpark lighting and discussed the possibility of having the lights lowered by several feet so they would be easier to replace and repair in the future.

Council members also discussed a tree giveaway, which is being hosted by Empire Electric and the Arbor Foundation. Goodman residents who lost a tree in the devastating April 4 tornado will have a chance to get a free tree on Saturday, Nov. 4. Anyone who lives within the city limits will be able to log on to a website — when it’s launched in coming weeks — and select from a Chinese dogwood, prairie fire crab apple, short leaf pine, swamp white oak or tulip tree. In addition, City Council members will plant a tulip tree in the city park that day.

In other clean-up efforts, the community building has been swept and cleaned in anticipation of the upcoming Ozark Orchard Festival next week. Members also discussed the possibility of raising money and possibly rebuilding the gazebo that was lost in the tornado.

In other business, aldermen approved the purchase and set-up for a credit card machine, which will be utilized for water, meter, court and tax collection fees. A representative from the 1st Community Bank said the machine and set-up will cost around $500.

The council also approved:

• The purchase of two back-up drives for the Police Department’s computer system, as well as new cabling for the phone and computer. Police Chief Curt Drake reported the phone and computer system’s wire cabling has been experiencing major problems for years.

• Averaging Earline Wilson’s water bill, due to several leaks.

• Bills in the amount of $33,128.42.