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Tue April 27, 2021

By Jordan Woodson

Business

Picture Museum in New Courthouse Brought Before Tourism Commission

Hempstead County Courthouse Hope Tourism Commission
Picture Museum in New Courthouse Brought Before Tourism Commission
The Hope Tourism Commission met this evening at the Hope Fair Park for their monthly meeting. After reviewing and approving financials, they heard requests from those in attendance.

Gary Johnson, Minister of Calvery Baptist Church, brought an idea to the board to turn the inside of the new courthouse to a museum, placing pictures throughout.

"I spent 13 years at the train station making a museum out of that, why don't we do something similar to that at the new courthouse?" He said. "Not only will it be for local people, but a lot of out-of-town people visit our courthouse as well."

The Arkansas State Archives provided a few photos of Hempstead County Government Pictures through the years and he asked the board for funding to frame the pictures. The board told Johnson that they would have to look into it and discuss with the quorum court to make sure they would be allowed to do that.

The commission went over the tax permits and payments for the City of Hope, noting that one business has been turned over to the City Attorney, Randall Wright, by the City Manager, Catherine Cook after failure to make payments to the city.

"They have actually been turned over to the City Attorney," Summer Powell, director of Hope Parks & Rec, said. "He's going to go in and take a little action because they have not yet picked up a permit or made a payment."

Beckie Moore, director of the Chamber of Commerce, also brought before the board an idea to invite the football players and coaches from around the area to the upcoming Chamber Banquet on May 24, since the keynote speak, Jake Bequette, is a famous football player.

"If any football teams want to come to the Banquet to hear Jake Bequette speak, we are selling tickets to any football teams for half off," Moore said.

Moore also discussed what businesses and media outlets will be sponsoring and advertising upcoming events like the Watermelon Festival and the Chamber Banquet, many of which include SWARK Today.

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