One of my favorite John Prine songs says, “All the snow has turned to water, Christmas days have come and gone”. As February leaves us and March is now upon us when we look around the city things look much different than they did just a short week ago. The week of the 15^th brought a snowstorm in Paragould that by many standards was historic. We as a city pulled together to weather the storm and make the best of the situation. We were very fortunate that PLWC’s preparedness allowed them to keep the power on to our residents without interruption. Our street department worked diligently for hours upon end to keep our roads passable and our residents safe. We as a city and a community owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the workers at PLWC, the Paragould Street Department and many others that weathered the storm and continued to work so that we all stayed safe. This list is endless from police and fire, to doctors and nurses, and even our grocery store workers, the list goes on and on. Record temps and record snowfall did not deter these men and women from getting the job done. From all of us in the city, I would like to say a huge THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

February also brought about some big changes in the parks. After being shut down for nearly a year due to COVID, our parks are slowly reopening. Labor park has reopened with great success and Monday, March 1^st, the rest of our parks will open full swing. I am sure I can speak for most, when I say I am overjoyed that we are to a point in the state where COVID-19 numbers are declining, vaccinations are taking place daily, and our administration feels it is safe to begin the process of lifting mandates. Life is looking more normal each and every day.

February being the shortest month of the year and having to shut down for nearly a week, did not keep us from making progress. As many of you know the 8-mile creek trail project has been in the works for nearly 5 years. I am ecstatic to announce the bid package is prepared and the official notice for bid will start running in statewide newspapers beginning the last day of February. The Greene County Future Fund and its members have worked countless hours on this quality-of-life project for the citizens of Paragould. We will soon all reap the rewards of their work.

In closing I’d like to say that with March comes warmer temps, the beginning of spring and from many indicators we have turned the corner as a state and a nation on the pandemic. I want to encourage each and every one of you to continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance and find a way each day to make someone smile. If we all continue to work together then I truly believe the worst is behind us and our future is as bright as it has been in recent memory. I read an article about 4 words this past week that I hope sum up where we are as country, state and city…

4 words that speak to life getting back to normal,

“PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT”

As always, thank you all for allowing me to represent you, it truly is an honor.

-Josh