Several residents of Camden addressed Camden City Council Tuesday during the board's regular monthly meeting.
During the public comment section of the meeting, resident and business owner Bryan Smith raised concerns about the crime and tax rates in the city, requesting a breakdown on his tax bill showing what each area of the taxes are for.
"I don't bring much revenue, like other businesses, and yet, I'm paying more money than some of the other big corporations in this city," he said. "But, however, on property taxes, there is a breakthrough from your evaluation to your district and everything."
He asked why there was still no equipment in Carnes Park but the city's Christmas decorations have already been put up downtown.
"It is time to throw away this old money, philosophy and come again with new ideas as we have seen increased crime." Smith said. "We have seen increased taxes. We do not know when taxes are going up. Why is that?"
Resident Julie Brown was addressed the board next about the chili cook-off happening Saturday.
Brown said organizers haven't been able to find the banners normally used for the event and was unsure how to go about finding a solution.
The cost to participate in to cook-off would be $30 for cooks, she said, and a $1 entry fee for those who want to taste. All proceeds will be donated to The Call and Shop with a Cop.
Brown said this year's cook-off would include an antique car show and would take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday.
Robert Arnold brought his concerns over the Nov. 5 election results before the board. (See related article.)
Closing out eh public comment period of the meeting was resident William Willis.
Willis told the council about The Camden United Pastors for Revival and their plans to hold a "Unity get together for leaders and their wives and pastors and their wives" on Nov. 16.
He encouraged members of the council to attend the event and said the department heads within city government were also invited. He said the event is meant to bring unity to the community.
Willis said the event will be held on at 5 p.m. at the First Assembly of God.
Mayor Charlotte Young's report encouraged gratitude and kindness.
"During this time of year we should all be showing gratitude and kindness. We are all very blessed," she said.
Young told the council that local woman Lachelle Hicks has officially opened the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, located at 546 Cleveland Avenue.
According to Young the soup kitchen is open on Tuesday and Thursday.
Young also asked for help with delivering food to families in need on Thanksgiving.
"We have a community Thanksgiving meal and this is been going on for years around here," she said. "If it happens at First Methodist Great Hall, but it's not put on by First Methodist. It is literally put on by the community. There is many churches, organizations, businesses and individuals that help with this meal.
"I myself have been over the deliveries for many, many years. We deliver to people that shut in, that might be on hospice. That do not have transportation, we usually deliver about 300 meals, each Thanksgiving."
She said she has had members of the council help with food deliveries in the past and would like more people to help this year as there is a lot of food to be delivered in the community.
The Thanksgiving meal is sponsored annually by the First United Methodist Church in Camden and Tate Wunnenberg said at a meeting of The Hub in October they feed 600+ families in the county every year.
Young has been the organizer for this event for several years and individuals looking to help volunteer should contact her at 870-807-1468.
"I welcome you -- come help for one hour, give one hour on Thanksgiving Day. It will help you in being so thankful and grateful as we deliver those meals to our citizens. Camden is a community that does care of about one and another and dates like that, especially, shows it," she said.