~Morley memorial service is planned
BENTON -- Scott County will not sponsor a Community Development Block Grant application for the Gloryland Community Development Corporation.
Scott County commissioners announced their decision during their regular meeting Thursday.
"Based on the information I have on this point, I just don't feel like I can support this grant," Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said.
Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission at Dexter did not give their "stamp of approval" and the commissioners rely on the BRPC's expertise when it comes to grant applications.
"We haven't got their blessing back on this one," he said. "They have some concerns about it."
Burger said Bishop Charles Green of the Gloryland Community Development Corporation has still not produced all the documentation asked for by the BRPC.
Joel Evans, county developer, added that there is no real chance of approval on a grant during this cycle of the CDBG program as the application was not submitted during the first couple of weeks applications were accepted.
In other business Thursday, Evans discussed with commissioners a memorial service by the city of Morley and the Morley Community Betterment Committee that will be held at 11 a.m. May 19 at the Old Morley Cemetery that history buffs especially will find interesting.
Steve Harris, descendent of the Boutwell family, and other families will be placing new stones at the gravesites of Civil War veterans James Boutwell, Steven Boutwell and Alexander Boutwell who served with Confederate forces during the Civil War.
The Boutwell family was among the earliest settlers of Scott County, living in and around Morley, according to Evans.
Morley Mayor Kerry Tidwell and Morley Board of Aldermen members will attend to represent the city while Commissioner Ron McCormick said he will attend to represent the county along with Evans.
Also present will be members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis Chapter 2595; the Major James D. Utz Camp 1815 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans who will be in period dress and will place wreaths on the graves of the veterans; and Darren Steelman who will perform trumpet solos during the ceremony.
The memorial service will be open to the public and refreshments will be served following the program.
"I think it will be a nice event," Evans said. "The community development group is doing a lot for the city. They've done a lot in the past for the community and have great plans for the future of the city."