   
Mark Spain takes over as patrolman in Vilonia
By LINDA HICKS
LOG CABIN CORRESPONDENT
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 VILONIA A potential candidate for police officer was asked Thursday night why he wanted to live in Vilonia before he was hired by the city council to serve and protect.
"I don't like (Northwest Arkansas). It's too busy for me," answered Mark Spain, who minutes later became Vilonia's newest full time patrolman.
Mayor James Firestone called a special city council meeting to order Thursday evening saying it was for the purpose of discussing the hiring of a police officer and discussion on a street department employee.
The hiring of a police officer was the first agenda item. Chief Brad McNew addressed the council and asked permission to hire Spain saying he is certified to begin work "as soon as a uniform is available."
Prior to taking action, however, the council wanted to know a few things about who they were considering for the job. Introducing himself, Spain said he has been in law enforcement for about 14 years with his last duty in Des Arc. He also said he left Des Arc to live in Northwest Arkansas for awhile. His intentions, he said, are to move to Vilonia when he finds a rental house.
Discussion on the hiring of a street department employee led to the splitting up of a position that had been combined earlier in the year under the leadership of former mayor Ken Belote, who resigned due to health reasons Aug. 1. Minutes prior to tendering his resignation, Belote announced the dismissal of Tony Scroggins, street department supervisor/ code enforcement officer/building inspector, leaving a vacancy to be filled. Alderman Barry Eason suggested Thursday night the current position should be split up and the street department should stand alone. Other council members as well as Firestone agreed.
"We need a working person in that position," Firestone voiced.
Firestone also said the employee needs to be available to help with other related duties. Firestone said he had talked with McNew prior to the special meeting concerning the handling of code enforcement "at least through the end of the year" and they were in agreement on the matter being handled by the police department. The discussion continued with Firestone asking city engineer Fred Fowlkes, who was also in the audience, if he would handle building inspection through the end of the year. Fowlkes affirmed he would. Fowlkes has been handling the position since August. He said he had issued one new building permit this week as well as a few inspections.
There was a brief discussion on reviewing all city of Vilonia employee duties and pay scales with other like size communities prior to the end of the year. The meeting ended with the council giving Firestone the go-ahead to advertise for a city street employee with the qualifications to operate a backhoe, drive a dump truck, make asphalt repairs and clean out ditches. "It's a physical job," Firestone said.
It was also discussed that applications will be taken and a committee was formed to review them before making a suggestion to the council. The salary schedule was also left pending.
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