Fort Hood soldiers from the 36th Engineer Brigade build forms for sidewalks at Kempner’s Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park. PHOTO BY MAT TAYLOR Kempner City Council last week conducted the required second public hearing on voluntary annexation of 1.8 acres owned by Infinity Dollars of Texas. The property is the site of a new Dollar General store along the north of U.S. Highway 190 east of the Brick Oven restaurant.

No public comments were of- fered at the hearing, however Mayor Gene Isenhour said several residents had previously expressed some concerns about the store. One concern was about placement of lights in front of the store, and that the light could temporarily blind eastbound drivers on U.S. 190.

Isenhour said the lights are adjustable, and the city would recommend they be changed.

Another resident wondered if trash from the store might blow across neighboring property. The store, however, will be required to have adequate trash containers, said the mayor.

Isenhour also said he had received several inquiries about when the Dollar General would open but has not been informed of the store’s opening date. The building is complete, but the interior shelves have not been installed or stocked yet, he said.

The next step in the annexation process is the two readings of the annexation ordinance. The first reading will take place at a called meeting May 18 at 7 p.m. Second reading is scheduled for the council’s regular meeting May 25 at 7 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.

Isenhour, as he has done at previous meetings, updated the council and Kempner residents on progress at the Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park. He said the park was closed temporarily for construction. Soldiers from the 36th Engineer Brigade from Fort Hood recently built forms for sidewalks to the Veterans Memorial and for picnic table pads.

The sidewalks were completed a few days later with the pouring of concrete.

The mayor added that a handicapped accessible ramp over the flood-prevention berm has been designed, and construction of the 100- foot wooden ramp probably is the next park project to be completed.

During April, the Kempner area experienced winds over 60 miles per hour from a severe thunderstorm. Isenhour said numerous trees in the park had limbs broken off, and these limbs will be collected and burned.

Planning is under way for a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day.

Assistant City Secretary Trudy Davis said the city is still taking orders for engraved granite stones to be laid at the memorial. The stones recognize the service of a veteran in the country’s armed forces.

Ms. Davis said people wanting to recognize a family member or friend have purchased a total of 256 stones.

The price of a stone is $50, plus $0.40 per letter, she added. The memorial stones may be ordered at Kempner City Hall.