Terrance Watts, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to illegally casting absentee ballots in two Canton municipal elections in 2009.
Watts was convicted of forgery, a disenfranchising crime, in 2005 and has not had the right to vote restored by the Mississippi Legislature, but he voted in Canton’s primary and general elections.
“The crime was that Mr. Watts falsely swore to an Affidavit on an absentee ballot that he was a duly and qualified elector of Madison County, when he knew he was not,” Madison/Rankin District Attorney Michael Guest said in a news release.
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Showing posts with label Madison County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Madison County. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Madison County redistricting hearing set for March 21st at 9:00 am
Supes to pick 1 of 3 plans at meeting
Three maps, each offering different splits on the five Madison County supervisors' districts, are up for public review before a vote on Monday.
The proposals on how to divide the county to reflect 2010 Census figures for elections later this year can be seen online or in person. Residents can look at the proposals via the county's website, http://www.madison-co.com/ or inspect the mounted display maps located outside the board room at the Madison County Chancery Courthouse, 146 W. Center St. in Canton during business hours.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to decide on one of the three plans following a public hearing that begins at 9 a.m. Monday.
"Are any of these perfect plans? No, but the plan chosen will be a fair plan that people can look at and know who their supervisor is as we move forward with the election process," Board of Supervisors President Tim Johnson said Tuesday.
District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith recommends that residents look over the plans that redistribute the county's population as evenly as possible throughout the five districts before the hearing. Then, he said, he expects the public to respond.
"People need to come to the hearing," he said. "This potentially could be one of the biggest numbers of citizens to get involved since the tax increase in 2008" when angry taxpayers packed the board room.
"I think people will be concerned when they see the massive changes proposed. This was not just tweaking district lines," Smith said.
Three maps, each offering different splits on the five Madison County supervisors' districts, are up for public review before a vote on Monday.
The proposals on how to divide the county to reflect 2010 Census figures for elections later this year can be seen online or in person. Residents can look at the proposals via the county's website, http://www.madison-co.com/ or inspect the mounted display maps located outside the board room at the Madison County Chancery Courthouse, 146 W. Center St. in Canton during business hours.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to decide on one of the three plans following a public hearing that begins at 9 a.m. Monday.
"Are any of these perfect plans? No, but the plan chosen will be a fair plan that people can look at and know who their supervisor is as we move forward with the election process," Board of Supervisors President Tim Johnson said Tuesday.
District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith recommends that residents look over the plans that redistribute the county's population as evenly as possible throughout the five districts before the hearing. Then, he said, he expects the public to respond.
"People need to come to the hearing," he said. "This potentially could be one of the biggest numbers of citizens to get involved since the tax increase in 2008" when angry taxpayers packed the board room.
"I think people will be concerned when they see the massive changes proposed. This was not just tweaking district lines," Smith said.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Madison County Considering forming Regional Solid Waste Managment Authority
The Madison County Board of Supervisors continue the process of setting up a Regional Solid Waste Management Authority by voting 4-1 during Wednesday's meeting to hire a consultant to prepare related documents. The estimated cost for this is $30,000 which is not currently budgeted.
This new bureaucratic organization is supposed to provide "efficiencies."
On Oct 1, 2009, Madison County took over garbage collection requiring the purchase of 6 new garbage trucks at nearly a $1 million. Previously, a contractor, Red River, had the contract and picked up the garbage with 12 employees. The County needs 23 to do the job and the County doesn't have all the areas that are now annexed by the City of Madison and Ridgeland. Red River did all that area plus what the County is now responsible for!
In Sept 2008, Supervisor Tim Johnson defended/argued for the tax increase saying we were wasting $1 million a year on the privatized garbage collection.
Well, in Sept 2009, when the 2010 budget was prepared, instead of saving a $1M as promised, $500,000 (1/2 mil) had to be added to Solid Waste. This money was taken from the Road and Bridge account, which reduced funds going to County roads and the municipalities, and created 1/2mil tax reduction for property owners in the municipalities! A loss of precious revenues that were greatly needed.
So, the point is that we had great "efficiencies" when the garbage collection was privatized. Now, there is a proposal to form a Regional Solid Waste Management Authority who will be responsible to no one -- and they are supposed to provide "efficiencies".... Give us a break!
Wonder why one of these is needed in Madison County since we have no shortage of landfills? There are other "authorities" in the State... but, each was established where there was a need for such an organization due to shortage of landfills.
So, what would be the motivation to have an "authority" in Madison County? What are the benefits? What existing problems would be corrected with such an organization.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Candidate for Madison County Superintendent hasn't lived in the county
Madison County eyes residency of schools candidate
Independent says he's looking for home so he'll meet qualifications
Madison County election officials want the independent candidate for superintendent of education to prove he lives in the county.
"His residency is the question at hand," District 5 Election Commissioner Leroy Lacy said.
The commission, meeting last week, asked its attorney, Spence Flatgard, to write Patrick Henderson and ask him to show proof of Madison County residency no later than June. The commission is charged with determining whether independent candidates meet the qualifications to appear on the ballot.
One of the legal requirements for the post is being a "qualified elector," which means the candidate has to be a registered voter. That requires residing in Madison County for at least 30 days.
The question is whether Henderson is a resident of Madison County and whether he should be registered to vote there, Flatgard said.
Henderson, an assistant principal at Kosciusko High School, filed qualifying papers for the education post Feb. 14 but did not register to vote in Madison County until March 1, the qualifying deadline for candidates.
In his voter registration, he listed his address as Stumpbridge Road in Canton, the same as on his qualifying papers. That address is his father's.
Independent says he's looking for home so he'll meet qualifications
Madison County election officials want the independent candidate for superintendent of education to prove he lives in the county.
"His residency is the question at hand," District 5 Election Commissioner Leroy Lacy said.
The commission, meeting last week, asked its attorney, Spence Flatgard, to write Patrick Henderson and ask him to show proof of Madison County residency no later than June. The commission is charged with determining whether independent candidates meet the qualifications to appear on the ballot.
One of the legal requirements for the post is being a "qualified elector," which means the candidate has to be a registered voter. That requires residing in Madison County for at least 30 days.
The question is whether Henderson is a resident of Madison County and whether he should be registered to vote there, Flatgard said.
Henderson, an assistant principal at Kosciusko High School, filed qualifying papers for the education post Feb. 14 but did not register to vote in Madison County until March 1, the qualifying deadline for candidates.
In his voter registration, he listed his address as Stumpbridge Road in Canton, the same as on his qualifying papers. That address is his father's.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
East Flora still on the chopping block? What should happen to cover the shortfall?
Board trying to cut upcoming budget
Madison County educators are beginning to consider their options for dealing with state funding that continues to fall short of what is needed.
Dipping into cash reserves, cutting jobs, cutting paychecks or closing a school were among the possible scenarios floated before the Madison County School Board Monday in its first look at the upcoming budget process.
The idea of a tax increase was not among the alternatives suggested on how to cope with state funding that currently lags a cumulated $6.6 million below expectations for the past two years. The Legislature is still considering the funding amount for school districts for the 2011-2012 year.
"I'm not going to raise taxes on my way out the door," said Superintendent Mike Kent, who is not running for a fourth term in this year's election.
Possible options presented to the five-member school board by finance director Debbie Jones include:
•Take $2.7 million from the district's fund balance.
•Cut all teachers' and administrators' local pay supplement, an average of $2,000, which would be a savings of $1 million, and then supplement that with $1.7 million from fund balance.
*Cut 40 teachers' positions or cut 20 positions and take $1.7 million from reserves.
•Close East Flora Middle and take $1.7 million from reserves.
Which option would you pick? Vote in the poll to the left of the page.
Madison County educators are beginning to consider their options for dealing with state funding that continues to fall short of what is needed.
Dipping into cash reserves, cutting jobs, cutting paychecks or closing a school were among the possible scenarios floated before the Madison County School Board Monday in its first look at the upcoming budget process.
The idea of a tax increase was not among the alternatives suggested on how to cope with state funding that currently lags a cumulated $6.6 million below expectations for the past two years. The Legislature is still considering the funding amount for school districts for the 2011-2012 year.
"I'm not going to raise taxes on my way out the door," said Superintendent Mike Kent, who is not running for a fourth term in this year's election.
Possible options presented to the five-member school board by finance director Debbie Jones include:
•Take $2.7 million from the district's fund balance.
•Cut all teachers' and administrators' local pay supplement, an average of $2,000, which would be a savings of $1 million, and then supplement that with $1.7 million from fund balance.
*Cut 40 teachers' positions or cut 20 positions and take $1.7 million from reserves.
•Close East Flora Middle and take $1.7 million from reserves.
Which option would you pick? Vote in the poll to the left of the page.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Morning carjacking in Madison results in manhunt and arrests
Two in custody in Madison carjacking
Two men are in custody following a carjacking in the Madison Burger King parking lot. The carjacking occurred at the fast-food restaurant at the intersection of Highway 463 and Galleria Parkway around 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The driver of the carjacked vehicle was put out at the intersection by two black men. They were making a turn against the light at Highway 463, and were hit by another car.
Master Sergeant Kevin Newman of the Madison Police Department says, "The Burger King Manager was leaving with a bank deposit when she was carjacked in the parking lot. One of the men was armed."
After the wreck, both men fled into a wooded area, but they were caught as they tried to elude police.
The names of the two in custody have not been identified. Madison Police say one is a juvenile. Both are black males. No weapon was recovered.
Officers from the city of Madison, Madison County Sheriff's Department, Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol assisted in the search.
Two men are in custody following a carjacking in the Madison Burger King parking lot. The carjacking occurred at the fast-food restaurant at the intersection of Highway 463 and Galleria Parkway around 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The driver of the carjacked vehicle was put out at the intersection by two black men. They were making a turn against the light at Highway 463, and were hit by another car.
Master Sergeant Kevin Newman of the Madison Police Department says, "The Burger King Manager was leaving with a bank deposit when she was carjacked in the parking lot. One of the men was armed."
After the wreck, both men fled into a wooded area, but they were caught as they tried to elude police.
The names of the two in custody have not been identified. Madison Police say one is a juvenile. Both are black males. No weapon was recovered.
Officers from the city of Madison, Madison County Sheriff's Department, Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol assisted in the search.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Johnson to run against Dick Hall for transportation commissioner
Madison County Supervisor Tim Johnson has announced his intent to run for Central District Transportation Commissioner, challenging incumbent Dick Hall, who will be seeking his fourth term in the office.
Johnson qualified today as a Republican candidate and said he is running to bring jobs to Mississippi.
"Mississippi needs more jobs," Johnson said in a press release. "We can bring more jobs to our state by improving our roads and bridges and making conditions favorable for increased economic development."
In his second-term, Johnson, the District 2 Madison County supervisor, made it widely known for months that he had no plans to run for re-election, but there was broad speculation about what he would do next.
In late January he revealed that a run against Hall was something he was considering.
Madison County Journal
You have to question a person that lists Elvis impersonations in his bio when running for a state-wide office.
Tim Johnson news release
Johnson qualified today as a Republican candidate and said he is running to bring jobs to Mississippi.
"Mississippi needs more jobs," Johnson said in a press release. "We can bring more jobs to our state by improving our roads and bridges and making conditions favorable for increased economic development."
In his second-term, Johnson, the District 2 Madison County supervisor, made it widely known for months that he had no plans to run for re-election, but there was broad speculation about what he would do next.
In late January he revealed that a run against Hall was something he was considering.
Madison County Journal
You have to question a person that lists Elvis impersonations in his bio when running for a state-wide office.
Tim Johnson news release
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Flora and Madison County gets blanketed in snow.
Click on the picture to enlarge.
Email your pictures to keith.plunkett@ymail.com
Email your pictures to keith.plunkett@ymail.com
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| Flora Depot covered in snow February 9, 2011. PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Magnolia leaves under the weight of snow in Flora. February 9, 2011. PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Downtown Flora snow. February 9, 2011 PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Stacking wood in preparation for a cold night. February 9, 2011 PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Flora was blanketed by snow on Wednesday February 9. PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Baptist campus expanding
"As the market in Madison County has needs for more health care, we will build accordingly," Baptist Health System spokesman Robby Channell said.
Baptist has begun work on the ambulatory center on the ground floor of its building at 401 Baptist Drive. The hospital has held a certificate of need for the out-patient surgery center since planning the building that opened in 2007, Channell said.
Mike Stevens, Baptist vice president of development, told the Madison Board of Aldermen in January that the center will open probably around June or July.
"We don't have a definite date of when we will start treating patients," Channell said.
MCH
Saturday, February 5, 2011
KF tackles inconsistencies in the Hatch Act and the Madison County race for Sheriff
The issue of the Hatch Act reared its head when Public Safety Commissioner announced he is running for Attorney General and was mentioned in a newspaper article covering the Madison County Sheriff's race. The Hatch Act prohibits government employees from running for public office. The question that usually arises is whether state or local government employees are covered by the law. The Office of Special Counsel states on its website a covered employee is:
"An officer or employee of a state or local agency is subject to the Hatch Act if, as a normal and foreseeable incident of his principal position or job, he performs duties in connection with an activity financed in whole or in part by federal funds. Coverage is not dependent on whether the employee actually administers the funds or has policy duties with respect to them. However, an employee may have other duties in connection with federally funded programs or activities, and thus may be covered by the Hatch Act, even though he does not apply for or administer federal loans or grants or have any authority or discretion over the federal funding." Special Counsel FAQ's, Federal Law
Considering how many local law enforcement agencies receive federal dollars for communications systems, Homeland Security, anti-drug programs, and supplementing salaries, the Hatch Act probably applies to some or all of those who have filed qualifying papers for the Madison County Sheriff election: Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston and Madison County Deputies Randall Tucker, Brad D. Harbour and Mark Sandridge.
Read More at Jackson Jambalaya
"An officer or employee of a state or local agency is subject to the Hatch Act if, as a normal and foreseeable incident of his principal position or job, he performs duties in connection with an activity financed in whole or in part by federal funds. Coverage is not dependent on whether the employee actually administers the funds or has policy duties with respect to them. However, an employee may have other duties in connection with federally funded programs or activities, and thus may be covered by the Hatch Act, even though he does not apply for or administer federal loans or grants or have any authority or discretion over the federal funding." Special Counsel FAQ's, Federal Law
Considering how many local law enforcement agencies receive federal dollars for communications systems, Homeland Security, anti-drug programs, and supplementing salaries, the Hatch Act probably applies to some or all of those who have filed qualifying papers for the Madison County Sheriff election: Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston and Madison County Deputies Randall Tucker, Brad D. Harbour and Mark Sandridge.
Read More at Jackson Jambalaya
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Bronze Horse stolen from Andover.
BY: B. Keith Plunkett
WLBT is reporting that one of the bronze horses at the Andover Subdivision on Hwy 22 was stolen in the last days of December. I've driven by several times now since then and haven't even noticed. I guess I just got accustomed to them being there--kind of like being accustomed to driving by a dump--so at some point I stopped looking. Apparently we have thieves with very poor taste. Flora folks may remember the tacky lions that stood guard at the gates of Andover a few years ago. After some people who purchased lots there threatened to sell over it if they weren't removed, the lions disappeared and the horses showed up.
Sorry if I sound a little unconcerned, Mr. Eaves. But out here, we appreciate the real thing much more than your tacky expensive yard ornaments from Italy.
If nothing else the report was good for the fact that we get to replace the silly images of Bert Case being threatened with an ass kicking by former Governor Kirk Fordice,
and the images of Bert yelling at a dog,
with this:
WLBT is reporting that one of the bronze horses at the Andover Subdivision on Hwy 22 was stolen in the last days of December. I've driven by several times now since then and haven't even noticed. I guess I just got accustomed to them being there--kind of like being accustomed to driving by a dump--so at some point I stopped looking. Apparently we have thieves with very poor taste. Flora folks may remember the tacky lions that stood guard at the gates of Andover a few years ago. After some people who purchased lots there threatened to sell over it if they weren't removed, the lions disappeared and the horses showed up.
Sorry if I sound a little unconcerned, Mr. Eaves. But out here, we appreciate the real thing much more than your tacky expensive yard ornaments from Italy.
If nothing else the report was good for the fact that we get to replace the silly images of Bert Case being threatened with an ass kicking by former Governor Kirk Fordice,
and the images of Bert yelling at a dog,
with this:
There's a horse thief on the loose in Madison County.Buuuuhhhhrrrrrrt Case . . . WLBT
But the horse is made of bronze and weighs about 600 pounds.
It was taken from the Andover Subdivision just east of the Flora city limits on Highway 22.
The stolen horse was taken between 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 27 and 7:00 a.m. Dec. 28.
The horse belongs to the John Arthur Eaves family and was brought here from Italy.
The bronze horse was purchased by attorney John Arthur Eaves, Sr. because the horses reminded him of some horses he owned when John Arthur Eaves, Jr. was a child.
"Someone came in the middle of the night and lifted this pure bronze horse out of ground, in this yard, which is an amazing accomplishment, by itself," John Aruthur Eaves, Jr. said. "So you can see we have one horse left, his name is Shadow and they took Velvet, and we just want to have them reunited in time for Valentine's Day."
The Andover Subdivision features 3 to 6 acre lots and appeals to horse owners.
"Well Bert I can't imagine, must a been a group of kids that pulled in here in a pickup truck on a trailer, and just loaded the brass horse off in it," Sheriff Toby Trowbridge of Madison County said. "And I need your help once again in trying to get this back. So my thought was let 3 On Your Side get a hold of it, and if any neighbors see a brass horse, in their neighbor's back yard please call you or us."
The bronze horse weighs about 600 pounds.
If anyone knows who stole it, they could get up to a $1,000 reward for turning them in.
Eaves, Jr. said if the people who stole the bronze horse bring it back, he will not press charges.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Keeping East Flora open is a bad idea until a majority of parents prove they care.
BY: B. Keith Plunkett
The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a resolution asking Madison County Superintendent Mike Kent to find a way to keep East Flora Middle School open following a special meeting on the subject on Friday January 28.
My guess is: most of them, leaving the school district and East Flora Middle School with the same problems--lower achievement, a majority of parents who care more about their own convenience than they do about their kids education, and an extremely ineffecient school.
Supervisor Paul Griffin's suggestion was predictable: raise taxes.
The attraction to economic development is a wonderful argument on it's face. Having a school in town is a much bigger draw to industry looking to relocate. But, like the redistricting argument, it doesn't hold water, either. Once industry recognizes the school is in serious trouble, it may as well not exist.
If parents of students don't care about the school, why should the Madison County taxpayer.
The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a resolution asking Madison County Superintendent Mike Kent to find a way to keep East Flora Middle School open following a special meeting on the subject on Friday January 28.
"The school is inefficient because of its economy of scale," Kent said, adding that the cost to educate a student there is $14,000 compared to $7,700 in the rest of the district.In a Madison County Herald report today, District 4 Supervisor Karl Banks suggested the district redraw lines to force kids from Madison Middle School--rated a top rated Star School--into the Flora District as a way of increasing attendance. The East Flora Middle School is currently rated as "academic watch". Banks suggested that, despite the fact that the Madison County taxpayers are spending almost double the average cost per student at East Flora, that the school is being "penalized." But, he obviously had no problem "penalizing" students from Madison Middle School.
"If you changed the attendance zone, student cost wouldn't be the issue. Fourteen thousand dollars is not the issue," said Banks, who represents the Flora area. "If you're going to penalize (East Flora Middle) because of the costs, you can solve that with the stroke of a pen - bring in more children."
"Maybe if the lines were drawn better, we could have two Star Schools," Banks said.But, will bringing kids in whose parents care more about their kids education, into a school that's parental involvement is among the lowest in the district help students, or hinder overall achievment? And is that an experiment the School District wants to conduct on it children? Furthermore, how many of the Madison Middle School students who would be drawn into the Flora District will withdraw from public schools and enter the private school system?
My guess is: most of them, leaving the school district and East Flora Middle School with the same problems--lower achievement, a majority of parents who care more about their own convenience than they do about their kids education, and an extremely ineffecient school.
Supervisor Paul Griffin's suggestion was predictable: raise taxes.
Supervisor Paul Griffin said the school district could consider doing what the county did a few years ago to provide for needed funds - increase the millage rate.Griffin made a similar suggestion weeks ago in order fund the construction of emergency sirens in his district.
"If the Board of Education wants to provide good schools and keep them going, they may have to bite the bullet and raise taxes," Griffin said.
The attraction to economic development is a wonderful argument on it's face. Having a school in town is a much bigger draw to industry looking to relocate. But, like the redistricting argument, it doesn't hold water, either. Once industry recognizes the school is in serious trouble, it may as well not exist.
If parents of students don't care about the school, why should the Madison County taxpayer.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Supes talk Flora Middle School Closure (Video) Part 2
Citzens respond at the Special meeting of the Madison County Board of Supervisors on January 28.
You can view Superintendent Mike Kent's statement in Part 1 HERE
Part 2 Madison County Board of Supervisors Jan 28, 2011 from DI Smith on Vimeo.
You can view Superintendent Mike Kent's statement in Part 1 HERE
Part 2 Madison County Board of Supervisors Jan 28, 2011 from DI Smith on Vimeo.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Supervisor Griffin says he's okay with Madison County incurring more debt for Emergency Sirens in his district.
BY: B. Keith Plunkett
District 5 Supervisor Paul Griffin was quoted in a weekend story as saying he would be willing to consider a bond issue for Madison County if he could get some emergency sirens in his rural district.
We have roads that have been engineered and re-engineered when the money isn't even there for construction. How much of these engineering fees that Mr. Griffin voted to approve could have gone to provide the safety he wants for his constituents?
Maybe Griffin wasn't looking that far ahead when he cast those votes. Maybe he doesn't care about budgets and taxes at all. After all, we know where the majority of the tax money comes from, and it ain't District 5!
But, let's just pretend that Griffin, Board President Tim Johnson, and Supervisor Karl Banks hadn't put the the taxpayers on the line 50 million dollars five years ago. Are the sirens a good investment?
District 5 is a very rural district. If, as the article says, to install a siren costs $20,000, it shouldn't cost over $40,000 to put one in Sharon and one in Camden. That should do it. Any more would be a waste and the money needed to cover those two communities can be found by cleaning up waste in other parts of the county budget. Attempts to cover the countryside with sirens to protect a few homes that, if they are like mine in Flora, already know the storm is coming before the sirens go off anyway, is a waste of resources.
Butch Hammack, the county's emergency management director, seemed to agree.
District 5 Supervisor Paul Griffin was quoted in a weekend story as saying he would be willing to consider a bond issue for Madison County if he could get some emergency sirens in his rural district.
Now, only residents of Ridgeland, Madison, Canton and Flora are within earshot of emergency weather warning systems run by those municipalities. But, Griffin said he wants all other county residents to hear similar alarms sound when tornadoes or dangerous storms approach.
"It's for public safety. I want to get citizens as much notice as possible," said Griffin, who represents the rural northern end of the county. "Having sirens in the county has always been a thought of mine."Let me say that I am not against properly managing emergencies. I am not against the people in Supervisor Griffin's district. I don't want to see their property destroyed by bad weather or a tornado. But, the idea that Madison County would even consider a bond issue right now is madness.
We have roads that have been engineered and re-engineered when the money isn't even there for construction. How much of these engineering fees that Mr. Griffin voted to approve could have gone to provide the safety he wants for his constituents?
Maybe Griffin wasn't looking that far ahead when he cast those votes. Maybe he doesn't care about budgets and taxes at all. After all, we know where the majority of the tax money comes from, and it ain't District 5!
But, let's just pretend that Griffin, Board President Tim Johnson, and Supervisor Karl Banks hadn't put the the taxpayers on the line 50 million dollars five years ago. Are the sirens a good investment?
District 5 is a very rural district. If, as the article says, to install a siren costs $20,000, it shouldn't cost over $40,000 to put one in Sharon and one in Camden. That should do it. Any more would be a waste and the money needed to cover those two communities can be found by cleaning up waste in other parts of the county budget. Attempts to cover the countryside with sirens to protect a few homes that, if they are like mine in Flora, already know the storm is coming before the sirens go off anyway, is a waste of resources.
Butch Hammack, the county's emergency management director, seemed to agree.
"There's always a lot of debate (about the effectiveness of sirens), but I'm putting together this study for the supervisors review," he said.
"It's not feasible to spend $20,000 for five houses and thousands of cattle," Hammack said.
Friday, January 14, 2011
The name says it all: Crook at it again.
We can add another peculiarity to former Madison County Chancery Clerk and Ridgeland Alderman Mike Crook's growing list. Some things get better with age. Crook's actions seems to get more unusual as time goes on.
He has been credited with royally screwing up the land records in Madison County during his tenure as clerk, being a lawsuit happy landlord, and attempting to conduct a coup of the TEA party movement for his own meglomaniacal purposes, among other things. Last year he refused to comply with police officers in Ridgeland, and then sued the City for arresting him over it.
But this one? This one makes all the others look positively normal by comparison.
He has been credited with royally screwing up the land records in Madison County during his tenure as clerk, being a lawsuit happy landlord, and attempting to conduct a coup of the TEA party movement for his own meglomaniacal purposes, among other things. Last year he refused to comply with police officers in Ridgeland, and then sued the City for arresting him over it.
But this one? This one makes all the others look positively normal by comparison.
BY: Lucy WeberREAD MORE
Former Ridgeland alderman Mike Crook may have figured dinner for he and his wife and a sleepover could keep him out of legal trouble over rental property, but he was wrong.
Crook was found guilty Thursday in Madison Municipal Court on two counts of violating the city's ordinance governing rental houses. Judge Dale Danks ordered him to pay $867, the maximum fine that includes $300 per count plus court costs.
Acting as his own attorney, Crook tried to convince the judge he didn't need to meet city licensing requirements because he lived at the house he owned at 127 Cypress Drive. However, Danks said tenant Tammy Thompson provided "the most compelling evidence."
"He asked if he and his wife could come over and have dinner and if he could sleep on my sofa in case the city asked if he was living there," testified Thompson, who paid $1,250 a month to live in the house for about seven months last year.
City officials said Crook, a former Madison County chancery clerk, never posted a $10,000 bond required under the rental ordinance adopted in 2008 despite numerous letters and phone calls, but he did pay the required $100 rental fee. A bond or letter of credit is used to guarantee the owner will make any needed repairs the city requires. A bond or letter from a bank for $10,000 costs anywhere from $200-$300, said Bill Foshee, the city's director of code enforcement.
"The city has 327 rental houses, and 326 of them have complied with the ordinance," Foshee said.
Crook said he intended to appeal to Madison County Court. "I'm glad to get to County Court to have a fair trial," he said.
The case against Crook marks the first time the city has taken a homeowner to court for violating the ordinance.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
East Flora PTA to meet Thursday night over potential school closing.
The East Flora PTA will meet Thursday night at 6:00 in the school gym to discuss the potential closing of the school. If closed, the town of Flora would be the only municipality in Madison County without a school. The move would force students to be bussed several miles away.
East Flora Middle School serves 147 students and is listed as underperforming. Madison County spends $14,000 per student at East Flora compared to the average per student cost of $7,700.
Concerned parents and town officials met Tuesday night at Flora City Hall to discuss the predicament.
East Flora Middle School serves 147 students and is listed as underperforming. Madison County spends $14,000 per student at East Flora compared to the average per student cost of $7,700.
Concerned parents and town officials met Tuesday night at Flora City Hall to discuss the predicament.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monsanto corn breeding facility up and running in Flora.
Elected officials from across the state joined Flora in welcoming Monsanto to the Flora Industrial Park on Tuesday January 11. The $2.4 million facility further boosts the company’s investment in the South and is a reflection of Monsanto’s commitment to continue delivering new high-performing products to southern farmers.
The 26,000-square-foot corn breeding station will employ approximately 10 full-time and up to 50 seasonal workers. Corn production in the southern region has been growing in the last several years, and the new site’s research focus will be on using the latest breeding techniques to develop higher-yielding corn hybrids with greater resistance to disease and other environmental stresses, specifically adapted to the region.
The site will complement Monsanto’s global breeding program and become part of a network of more than 50 corn breeding locations around the world. Southern farmers also will benefit from the genetic diversity of Monsanto’s global germplasm pool.
Monsanto currently has 3 technology research sites in Mississippi – Scott, Leland, and Winterville – focused on delivering cotton and soy varieties and traits to meet the needs of southern farmers.
The announcement comes two years after the town lost out to a site in Kansas to be the new location for a Department of Homeland Security Bio lab. Flora's Industrial Park currently has only one tenant, Primos Hunting Calls, locating there in May of 2002.
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| Mayor Les Childress, Ag Commissioner Lester Spell, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Congressman Gregg Harper, and Representative Phillip Gunn were on hand to welcome the new Monsanto facility to Flora. |
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| Flora Mayor Leslie Childress welcomes officials from across Madison County and Mississippi to Flora. |
The site will complement Monsanto’s global breeding program and become part of a network of more than 50 corn breeding locations around the world. Southern farmers also will benefit from the genetic diversity of Monsanto’s global germplasm pool.
Monsanto currently has 3 technology research sites in Mississippi – Scott, Leland, and Winterville – focused on delivering cotton and soy varieties and traits to meet the needs of southern farmers.
The announcement comes two years after the town lost out to a site in Kansas to be the new location for a Department of Homeland Security Bio lab. Flora's Industrial Park currently has only one tenant, Primos Hunting Calls, locating there in May of 2002.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Madison County Superintendent not to run for re-election
Kent said he had been weighing retirement.
"I've been struggling with it about a year," he said. "I am, by nature, a term limits guy. ... I think there is value in change and revitalization."
Kent, 59, has spent 38 years as a state educator, all of them in the Madison County School District. He was Madison Central High School's principal before being elected superintendent in 1999. Under his leadership, Madison County schools have consistently ranked among the top districts in the state.
During his tenure, Ridgeland High was built and two more bond issues were passed, the second funding construction of Germantown High, set to open in Gluckstadt this fall.
"We've gone from nine schools to 23. We've spent $300 million on new construction," he said.
The district serves nearly 12,000 students. "When I took office, we had about 7,000 students, and we had more kids in trailers than in bricks and mortar, but we're about to get that remedied." Kent said.
Kent also pointed to the district's achievement of unitary status, which "returned local control to the school district."
The district got out from under the U.S. Justice Department in 2006. A group of Madison County residents unsuccessfully challenged the change.
Board member Bill Grissett Jr. noted there has been no tax increase in the Madison County district in six years and attributed that to Kent's leadership.
Whoever is elected as the district's superintendent will need to follow Kent's lead "because what he's had in place has been working," Grissett said.
Deputy Superintendent Ronnie McGehee said Wed-nesday he plans to file qualifying papers to run for the job Friday, and Kent is endorsing him.
Read More: CL
"I've been struggling with it about a year," he said. "I am, by nature, a term limits guy. ... I think there is value in change and revitalization."
Kent, 59, has spent 38 years as a state educator, all of them in the Madison County School District. He was Madison Central High School's principal before being elected superintendent in 1999. Under his leadership, Madison County schools have consistently ranked among the top districts in the state.
During his tenure, Ridgeland High was built and two more bond issues were passed, the second funding construction of Germantown High, set to open in Gluckstadt this fall.
"We've gone from nine schools to 23. We've spent $300 million on new construction," he said.
The district serves nearly 12,000 students. "When I took office, we had about 7,000 students, and we had more kids in trailers than in bricks and mortar, but we're about to get that remedied." Kent said.
Kent also pointed to the district's achievement of unitary status, which "returned local control to the school district."
The district got out from under the U.S. Justice Department in 2006. A group of Madison County residents unsuccessfully challenged the change.
Board member Bill Grissett Jr. noted there has been no tax increase in the Madison County district in six years and attributed that to Kent's leadership.
Whoever is elected as the district's superintendent will need to follow Kent's lead "because what he's had in place has been working," Grissett said.
Deputy Superintendent Ronnie McGehee said Wed-nesday he plans to file qualifying papers to run for the job Friday, and Kent is endorsing him.
Read More: CL
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Ridgeland Police Chief to run for Sheriff
Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy R. Houston has qualified to run for Madison County Sheriff.
Houston filed qualifying papers late Wednesday afternoon to run in the Republican primary.
Houston filed qualifying papers late Wednesday afternoon to run in the Republican primary.
Trowbridge will be sorely missed
BY: B. Keith Plunkett
The news broke yesterday morning. I'll admit it was quite a shock to me that Madison County Sheriff Toby Trowbridge would not seek re-election this year. Those who have known the Sheriff since his youth have said that he was destined for this job. I've even been told he would sometimes dress as a law enforcement officer for Halloween in his younger days. His dedication to law and order and the brotherhood of officers that do that job well is unwavering.
The dealings I have had with the Sheriff over the course of my time living and working in Madison County have been extremely pleasant. His committment to his job sets the bar high for the person that will step into his shoes in 2012. He is well liked by his officers, and with 70 percent of the vote in the last elections, it is pretty obvious he is respected by the voters of Madison County. If current Census estimates are correct, Madison County has seen an increase in population of 24.7 percent in the past 10 years. Despite that phenomenal growth, and despite the county's close proximity to Jackson, crime has remained low. That's because of Trowbridge's leadership.
He has had a great working relationship with the Board of Supervisors during a time when the board has seen a great deal of political and managerial upheaval. His ethics are without reproach. A welcome thing following the way former Sheriff Jessie Hopkins left office.
The Sheriff and his wife Jenny are hard working and dedicated to their community and their church. In the past Jenny has given her time and efforts towards numerous causes. She is a previous director of the Flora Area Chamber of Commerce, and has recently giver her time to organize and promote the "Don't Forget Your Child" campaign. DFYC has been helpful in reminding busy adults not to leave their children behind in vehicles during the sweltering Mississippi heat. (Yes, apparently we have become that busy.) I have had the priviledge of witnessing their generosity at the Trowbridge home during a church event sponsored by she and Toby for the youth at Damascus Baptist Church where they open their home and their hearts frequently. The care they show is not about public relations.
Sheriff Trowbridge has never really quite cared much for being the celebrated center of attention, putting the work first. The media has never had an easy time getting anything more out of him than he thought he should give to inform without jeapordizing his officers or the cases they were working. When the blood began to swirl in the water over the ACLU and boycotts from black residents over profiling and roadblocks a few years ago, he simply said it wasn't up for debate and continued to do his job. His leadership has been calm and steady. We can only hope the next Sheriff has half his demeanor.
So, Toby is leaving the job. I am surprised. But, I would be willing to bet that he certainly will not be giving up on the good things he and his wife do for Madison County and the Flora community. His dedication to protect and serve runs too deep for that.
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| Sheriff Toby Trowbridge |
The dealings I have had with the Sheriff over the course of my time living and working in Madison County have been extremely pleasant. His committment to his job sets the bar high for the person that will step into his shoes in 2012. He is well liked by his officers, and with 70 percent of the vote in the last elections, it is pretty obvious he is respected by the voters of Madison County. If current Census estimates are correct, Madison County has seen an increase in population of 24.7 percent in the past 10 years. Despite that phenomenal growth, and despite the county's close proximity to Jackson, crime has remained low. That's because of Trowbridge's leadership.
He has had a great working relationship with the Board of Supervisors during a time when the board has seen a great deal of political and managerial upheaval. His ethics are without reproach. A welcome thing following the way former Sheriff Jessie Hopkins left office.
The Sheriff and his wife Jenny are hard working and dedicated to their community and their church. In the past Jenny has given her time and efforts towards numerous causes. She is a previous director of the Flora Area Chamber of Commerce, and has recently giver her time to organize and promote the "Don't Forget Your Child" campaign. DFYC has been helpful in reminding busy adults not to leave their children behind in vehicles during the sweltering Mississippi heat. (Yes, apparently we have become that busy.) I have had the priviledge of witnessing their generosity at the Trowbridge home during a church event sponsored by she and Toby for the youth at Damascus Baptist Church where they open their home and their hearts frequently. The care they show is not about public relations.
Sheriff Trowbridge has never really quite cared much for being the celebrated center of attention, putting the work first. The media has never had an easy time getting anything more out of him than he thought he should give to inform without jeapordizing his officers or the cases they were working. When the blood began to swirl in the water over the ACLU and boycotts from black residents over profiling and roadblocks a few years ago, he simply said it wasn't up for debate and continued to do his job. His leadership has been calm and steady. We can only hope the next Sheriff has half his demeanor.
So, Toby is leaving the job. I am surprised. But, I would be willing to bet that he certainly will not be giving up on the good things he and his wife do for Madison County and the Flora community. His dedication to protect and serve runs too deep for that.
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