The meeting can be seen in its entirety just below the photos that accompany this article.
Jamie Simmons, Museum Director, and Paul Ridgell, President of the Museum Board who is in charge of the Prairie D’Ane Battlefield Park, spoke to the council for about 30 minutes, pointing to the potential benefits of further investment in the museum in getting more motorists to stop, tour the museum and other sites in the city and county and spend money.
Simmons said the two counties on the west (Hempstead) and east (Clark) borders of Nevada were both enjoying the benefits of more tourist spending in their respective counties, with Hempstead receiving twice as much and Clark receiving four times as much as Nevada.
“And the difference now, both Arkadelphia and Hope are larger towns, but the biggest difference, in my opinion, is the fact that they both have visitor’s centers,” Simmons said.
Ridgell described improvements at the Prairie D’Ane Battlefield Park including porta-potties, picnic tables and hiking trails.
Discussion also turned to the potential restoration of the Iron Bridge, possibly with state grant money. Simmons said she would start preparations for work on that. The council members also urged Simmons and Ridgell to present their proposal to the Nevada County Quorum Court for a contribution from that body. City Accountant Carl Dalrymple said he knew of no interlocal agreement that obliged the county to help pay for the Deport Museum now.
After being asked by Councilman Howard Austin what amount was being asked for, Ridgell said about $25,000. Simmons said this would pay for a full-time Visitors Center employee and a part-time one. The schedule of when the current Depot Museum is open would be expanded from three days to six.
The consensus of the council was for Simmons and Ridgell to report back at the October meeting on what the Nevada County Quorum Court had decided.
Before the meeting began, Mayor Terry Oliver asked that prayers be made for Police Chief Ann Jordan and Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Director Mary Godwin. Jordan he said was recovering from surgery and still undergoing treatment, while Godwin will soon be having surgery. Council member Ivory Curry, also a pastor, said the prayer that starts every meeting, adding prayers for the healing of the two officials.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Oliver announced the exhibition of art work by Spot Daniel at the National Guard Armory beginning Thursday. Sept 18th. A reception will take place at the armory beginning at 5:00 p.m. that day. The armory is located on 841 Gee Street.
Above photo: Jamie Simmons, in blue, speaks to the Prescott City Council as Paul Ridgell looks on.
Correction: an additional clarification was added to an early version of this story to reflect that the exhibits at the Nevada County Depot Museum will not be altered. No plans were proposed to change the status of the site from its purpose of being a historical museum. SWARK.Today regrets the omission.
