By Van A. Tyson

The Atkins City Council, at its monthly meeting Tuesday of last week, passed the novelty light ban that other Pope County councils have been approving. The meeting was delayed a week because of the cleanup after the tornado Feb. 5.

City Councils have been banning the sale of cigarette lighters that look like toys because they were blamed for a fire in Russellville that killed two children who were supposedly playing with such lighters.

The only hesitation in passing the ordinance was when Alderman Ken Ehemann voted against the second reading. When asked why by alderwoman Joann Spence, he said, "I don't think it is something that we should pass at a single meeting." He said he saw some problems of enforcement and didn't "see the urgency."

However he did vote to approve the ordinance after it was read three times. (See legal elsewhere in the paper for the complete ordinance.)

On the request from Fire Chief Tony Reel, the council voted to let the fire department have a 2000 Crown Victoria police car that had been put up for bids, to use for "running around and setting up as a command center."

Mayor Jerry Don Barrett said the fire department had been using Police Chief Charles Martin's car during the tornado cleanup, and he would appreciate transfer. The council also decided to withdraw its decision to sell the car.

In other police action, the council was told by Chief Martin the Michael Nuckols had been hired as a patrolman to replace an officer who had resigned. He said Nuckols had five years of experience. Aldermen were impressed with his size and noted that they were ordering some size 13D boots for him.

Martin said he appreciated the council support in the recent tornado activities. "Everybody's really come together."

Barrett said the tornado damaged the south wastewater treatment plant, which is just east of the Lake Atkins dam. He said the new screen was torn up and the aerators damaged, but he didn't say how much the repairs would cost.

Mayor Barrett said the new Innovative Molding plant is expected to begin operations March 1.

He said the opening is dependent on getting a 12-inch water line run to the plant for its fire sprinkler system, which is needed for insurance.

The plant, in the former PennyPlate building on West Main Street, will make plastic caps and jar lids. Mayor Barrett said earlier the plant is expected to employ about 15 people at the beginning and increase to about 50 later. Information about its operation is on its website at: www.innovativemolding.com

The council passed a resolution that allows for a grant to pay for the water line.

All members were present for the meeting, including Aldermen Paul David Carpenter, JoAnn Spence, Raymond Staggs, Charles Cheek, Sean Rehm and Kenneth Ehemann, as well as City Attorney Bill Swain and City Clerk Brenda Graves. In other action, the council:

• decided to send a letter to the owners of property at 1103 West Main, formerly used as a video game store, requesting that it be cleaned up, based on a petition that said it was littered with trash, limbs, and old furniture;

• heard Mayor Barrett tell Melanie Young that the city was interested in pursuing getting the downtown declared a historic district, to allow for restoration grants.