The Winnfield City Council has approved Clay Carroll to serve as its city attorney. Carroll has served that role in an interim capacity since the sudden death of longtime city attorney Herman Castete in April. The city action took place at the council’s July meeting.
Carroll has been practicing law in Jonesboro since 1993 where he had been the indigent defender for the Second Judicial District which covers Jackson, Bienville and Grant parishes. Ten years ago, he began work in the District Attorney’s Office and serves as an assistant DA.
His activity in Winnfield began when Keith Gates took on the role of Winnfield City Judge, taking his oath of office in January 2021. Mayor Gerald Hamms congratulated Carroll on his appointment.
In action during the council’s brief meeting August 13, members concurred with a request from the City Police Department to hire Joseph Carrithers as a part time dispatcher. The recommendation came though the Public Safety Committee.
The committee also recommended the hiring of six volunteer firemen requested by the Winnfield Fire Department. Assistant Chief Cassidy Martin explained that most of the volunteers work for the city in some capacity or other. He also said theirs would essentially be a support role, providing supplies to the frontline firefighters so they can remain at the scene.
Martin also said the move to strengthen the ranks of volunteer firefighters is part of the department’s effort to qualify for a Department of Agriculture grant to acquire new equipment. Approved were Hannah Lundy, Ashley Carpenter, David Turner, David G. Parker, Devin Primm and Ashley Rhymes.
Council member Matt Miller asked that the council seek perhaps an outside contractor to resolve problems with a large, overgrown drainage canal that starts on Maple Street. “It may be too large for local resources,” he suggested, adding that there may be similar issues n other districts.
Miller added a word of thanks to County Agent Donny Moon and city employees who helped with the rehab of the Earl K. Long Park.
The council also called out a word of congratulations to District 1 City Council member Erikia Breda who had “a healthy baby girl in July.”