Quorum Court Still Discussing Trash Can Policy

RISON - After another lengthy discussion on a policy regarding a second trash can, the Cleveland County Quorum Court decided Monday night to have those interested in an additional can to complete a form to get an idea of how many would be involved. Also during Monday night's regular monthly meeting, the quorum court approved a lease agreement for a local group to take over the Woodlawn Community Park to be taken over by a local group, and the court also approved using money from the federal American Rescue Plan COVID relief funds to install a new air conditioning/heating unit in the Woodlawn Community Center. During its January meeting, the quorum court approved a motion to require residents wanting a second can to buy it themselves. However, County Judge Jimmy Cummings later pointed out that the county's contract with Big Smith Waste Services, Inc. of Dumas, does not include any language requiring Big Smith to pick up a second can, which essentially brought the subject back up for discussion again at this month's quorum court meeting. Jaylan Smith, co-owner of Big Smith, was at the meeting. The biggest concern by many of the justices of the peace on the quorum court was that providing a second can at no cost could be abused, especially if there are no stipulations for getting a second can. Cummings said one idea that was presented to him was to have residents complete a re(see (continued from page 1) quest form for a second can and the form would include a section allowing the applicant to justify the need for the additional can. That idea was eventually put in the form of a motion by Justice Charles Rodgers of Rison, and it was approved unanimously by the eight justices at the meeting. Justice Bruce Brown was not at the meeting. Cummings said in an interview Tuesday that he expects the county will send out the applications within the next couple of weeks. During the public comments portion of...