jiffy mart disc

City officials were given a four-legged option toward cleaning up brush and weedy overgrowth around town.
goatsSteve and Kathy Wilhite approached the council Tuesday night with a proposal to bring goats to chew their way through areas, “that people and heavy equipment can’t get to,” including creeks and gullies.
“We are starting up a small business,” Wilhite said. He explained he and his wife could bring in goats to graze their way through some of the more brush-tangled areas. “They will eat the brush and weeds and even limbs as far up as they can reach.” They said they would put up temporary fences to contain the goats in the area to be cleared and have insurance as well as guard dogs or llamas to protect them. “Somebody will be there at least once a day to make sure they are all right and have water.”
The charge to the city could be based upon a per goat per day basis or by the acreage involved. “We would discuss that with the city after we look at the area to be cleared.”
He estimated three goats could be used on half an acre depending upon how overgrown it is.
Wilhite said the digestive system of goats actually destroys the plant material and would prevent weeds from sprouting up in their droppings. It is an alternative for the use of manpower or using herbicides.
Council members asked Wilhite to look into their insurance costs then discuss the project further with code enforcement officer Jody Agee.
Local resident Alan Kerby brought the council up to date on his efforts to get trauma kits in the schools. He said he started the project in March and has since received donations from several organizations as well as individuals. The kits, would be placed in the school buildings to be used in the event of emergencies including playground accidents or school shootings.
He said he is going to start training teachers and school staff members in the use of the kits next month.
In other business, council members approved a request to waive the civic center rental and security fees for the Henryetta Rotary club. That organization uses the space to hold dances for the elementary students as a fundraising project.
Ron Dombek was reappointed to another five-year term on the Henryetta Hospital Authority.
The H.O.T.T. off-road area at Nichols Park will be used for training a number of motorcycle dealers from around the state and area. That training will be under the direction of Can-Am, an international motorcycle company based in Canada.
The company will be bringing down two semi-trailer trucks with new equipment to educate their dealers Nov. 6 and 7. “They picked our track out of multiple others,” said mayor Jennifer Clason.