Garland City seeks gator aid

City officials say they don’t have money to deal with alligators

Alligators living in two sewer ponds have created a tough problem for Garland City, Ark., and have put fear into city employees. Alligators have thrived on frogs living in the sewer ponds, and the stench doesn’t bother them, Garland Mayor Tyeshekka Antwine said.

Antwine said about a year ago the Arkansas Health Department sent a written report saying the sewer ponds needed to be cleared of lily pads.

“I’ve tried to tell them we have way bigger problems with alligators than with the lily pads,” Antwine said.

The levees are becoming smaller because the larger alligators knock down the dirt when their underbellies drag the ground.

The town has no money to repair the levees or remove the alligators.

Preston Lamay, a city worker, has seen as many as 10 alligators on or near the sewer pond levees.

“We need help,” Lamay said.

If the gators continue to live in or nearby the ponds, the problem will grow as the gators breed, Lamay said.

City employees who maintain the sewer ponds are cautious about even getting near the sewer ponds after observing gators “sunning” on the levees.

Employees responsible for cutting grass near the levees use the tallest tractors to reduce the chance of an attack.

The problem continues to baffle the mayor, council and employees.

Obviously the gators have been living in the ponds for years based on the variety of sizes.

“I’ve seen some gators I’d guess were 11 to 12 feet in length and some small alligators,” Lamay said.

The Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District is aware of the gators.

“It’s a unique problem,” said executive director Renee Dycus. The agency serves Southwest Arkansas cities and counties with planning and develop-

ment projects.

The council asked for suggestions from A&L Engineering in Texarkana, Texas, who recommended a USDA loan for a comprehensive repair of the sewer ponds. The engineering company has worked with Garland on other projects.

The engineering company suggested applying for a $515,000 USDA loan.

The loan would have set up a monthly payment of $2,400 for 30 years.

The city council recently discussed the proposal, but rejected the idea.

“It a little steep for us and over our budget,” Antwine said.

“It’s back to ground zero for us,” she said.

Staff photo by Joshua Boucher n Alligators living in sewer ponds in Garland City, Ark., are causing problems for the city. The large reptiles swim in the ponds and sun themselves on the levees, making it dangerous for city workers to maintain the ponds.

Staff photo by Joshua Boucher Garland City, Ark., officials say a population of alligators has been thriving in the city’s sewer ponds and the reptiles don’t seem to mind the smell.

Staff photo by Joshua Boucher Garland City, Ark., officials say a population of alligators has been thriving in the city’s sewer ponds.