Page 6 - RVO Spirit of Russellville

6V V SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 SPIRIT OF RUSSELLVILLE • RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Meet your neighbors
Stories by Emily Edmisten
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Photos by William Harvey
RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION PHOTOGRAPHER
KIRK SLONE
Russellville fire chief
What have you enjoyed most about the fire department since joining in 1992?
The people, both inside the department and being a par t of a ser vice that provides help to the citizens of Russellville when they need it the most. What do you anticipate your new routine to be?
The city of Russellville has a fantastic fire depart- ment.They provide an outstanding service.They are also full of good ideas on how we can improve and things that we can do better. So far, it has kept me hopping just trying to keep up with them. Internally, my routine is hustling to stay one step ahead of them.The last thing I want to be is a limiting factor. When will the new fire station be completed?
Projected completion is sometime around October/November 2017.
How extensive is the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program you’re enrolled in?
It is a four-year program offered by the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I am excited and ner vous. It is a unique oppor tunity that not many have the privilege of attending. My first class is Executive Development. It begins next month. What hobbies do you enjoy?
Reading, spending quality time with my family, mountain biking, kayaking, camping, traveling and boating on Arkansas’ amazing lakes.
EMILY BAILEY
Children’s department head
What is your favorite activity you facilitate at the Pope County Library in Russellville?
Our goal at the library is always to serve peo- ple. Although we do this in many ways, my most rewarding and favorite activity is when I can help make connections between our patrons, especially the kids, and the information or entertainment they need. How did you start working at the library in Russellville?
After graduating from Arkansas Tech University in 2008, I started working at the Russellville library in circulation. But I really found my calling in 2011 when I became the children’s librarian.
How do you encourage kids to read for fun?
We offer a wide variety of events and reading programs, some include incentives for reading progress. What are a few upcoming activities you would like kids to attend?
At the library, we regularly present stuffed-ani- mal sleepovers. During Halloween, we also create a spooky house for the little patrons who “think” they want to be scared.
What do you like most about Russellville?
My favorite thing is its location in the River Valley. It’s just minutes away from access to a wide variety of outdoor activities like boating, camping, hiking, fishing and canoing.
KEVIN HOBBY
School resource officer
How long have you served as an SRO for Russellville Junior High School?
I’ve been here since 2003, so about 13.5 years.
What do you enjoy most about being an SRO?
The kids. It’s always about the kids. It’s amazing to watch them come in and want to know where the playground is and then watch them leave as young men and women — to watch the transformation mentally as they grow and learn social skills. It’s exciting and kind of neat.
As an SRO, what is your main goal?
My goal is to provide a safe educational environ- ment for the students, teachers and staff. It’s really community policing at its best inside a school. I just want to provide a safe learning atmosphere. School is for learning. My goal is to make everyone relax and learn without any interference.
If you weren’t an SRO, what would you be doing?
I don’t know; this is my dream job. I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a police officer since I was 7 years old. What would you consider to be Russellville’s hidden gem?
The people here. It is the community involvement and support. I would put this community up against any in the state.They support the schools, people in need, and I would never want to live anywhere else or work anywhere else.The public school system here is amazing.