Batesville reverses parking ordinance

 
By Jason C. Mattox and Billy Davis

The City of Batesville repealed a board action passed last month that would have required residential parking in a designated area.

Mayor Jerry Autrey brought the matter back to the board for discussion during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I have gotten a lot of calls from people who are really against us doing this,” he said. “Plus, I don’t think we really know how we are going to enforce it.”

Alderman-at-Large Teddy Morrow said he, too, had received multiple complaints about the proposed ordinance.

If aldermen had not reversed their vote, the new ordinance would have gone into effect within a week.

Fines for violating the ordinance began at $500 for a first violation up to $1,000 for a third violation.

Jail time was also included.

The vote to reverse the earlier decision passed 4-0.

During discussion of the matter, Code Enforcement Office administrator Pam Comer said the ordinance was not going to solve certain issues.

“This was really done because there are people in certain areas that have cars constantly parked there,” she said. “One of the houses in question put gravel in their entire front yard making it a parking area.”

Ward 4 Alderman Bobbie Jean Pounders said she would support the board repealing the proposed ordinance.

“I thought it was a little too dictatorial,” she said. “I do think it is something we need to work on. We might need to have another work session and see if we can find an answer to our problem.”

In other board business:

•    Det. Tommy Crutcher of the Batesville Police Department was given permission to attend a Gang Conference on March 22-25 in Fort Smith, Ark.

•    Capt. Paul Shivers was given permission to attend Certified Voice Stress Analyzer training Feb. 24-26 in Birmingham, Ala.

•    Mayor Jerry Autrey and City Clerk Laura Herron were given permission to sign a matching funds resolution pertaining to CDBG money.

•    Firefighters Mark McGavock and John Phillips were given permission to attend the Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Course Feb. 16-26.