City council hears proposal to place cross along levee front

Former New Madrid resident Lynn Akins would like to add another cross to the city’s attractions.

At the Dec. 12 New Madrid City Council meeting, Akins proposed locating a new 16-foot metal cross near the Mississippi River levee.

“I want it in a location where it could be seen. That is the whole thing, exposure. I have been up and down the levee and talked to a few people,” Akins told the Council. Akins suggested four sites where he would like to place the cross.

Akins noted this would be his third large cross located in the city. One is in the Evergreen Cemetery and another stands where Akins’ grandfather had a business in the community.

Emphasizing there would be no cost to the city, Akins added, “It is a cool cross. I think it would get a lot of attention. ... It represents God and Christ and everything I want it to do and a lot of people would enjoy it.”

Mayor Donnie Brown asked Akins to provide the city with photographs of the cross along with further details as the Council considers his proposal.

Also during the meeting, a resolution was approved for the city to sign a contract for $81,279.43 with Toth and Associates, the city’s electrical engineering firm in Springfield, Missouri. The money will allow for the rebuilding of a portion of a 69 kilovolt line on Bloomfield Road.

According to City Administrator Richard McGill this line would create a loop with the city’s newest substation, providing more electrical stability in the event of power outages.

With the passage of additional resolutions, the Mayor was authorized to sign contracts for the purchase of real estate.

The city will purchase 13.64 acres of real estate from Bloomfield Enterprises Inc. for $450,000. The land, located near the CST-New Madrid property where the rail spur comes across 55 and turns south, will be used for the extension of Bloomfield Road and a rail spur for the waste-to-renewable chemicals facility to be constructed along Highway U in New Madrid.

Also as the city continues its effort to bring more housing to the community, approval was given for Brown to sign a contract for the purchase of real estate from Antonio Rodgers.

Brown explained that Rodgers is interested in building houses in New Madrid, in particular three bed-room homes.

“The hope is to get him started on a couple and when we get the other deal done with the trailer park property, we would have a combination going of some two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes,” the Mayor told the Council. “Things are kind of rolling along. ... It would be a huge help to the community.”

According to McGill, the city’s agreement with Rodgers is similar to the one it has with Rob Cooksey, where the city builds the houses and Rodgers and Cooksey serve as contractors.

Resolutions were unanimously approved for the purchase of a lot on Virginia Street for $25,339.30, two lots on Hunter Street for $13, 672.50 and four lots on Brush Prairie at a cost of $17,052.40. All will be used for the construction of residences.

In his update to the Council, McGill stated Aaron Griffin, who is replacing him as city administrator, will officially begin his duties Jan. 3. McGill said Griffin already is being included on several projects underway in the city.

Also he noted the purchase of the former Henry Trailer Court will soon be completed. According to City Attorney Chance Hunter, the title company is currently reviewing the title to ensure there are no problems.