The possibility of closing East Flora Middle School was discussed this week as the Madison County School Board faces another year of state funding cuts.
Flora Mayor Les Childress and a group of the school's PTA members sat down with School Board members in executive session to discuss the issue Monday.
The school has an enrollment of 154 students that requires around 13 teachers as well as administration and support staff. School officials estimate it costs around $1 million a year to operate.
Superintendent of Education Michael D. Kent said closing a school is never an easy decision, but with drastic cuts expected for the upcoming school year nothing is off the table.
"There's nothing set in stone, but is it being considered? Absolutely," he said. "It all hinges on funding at the state level.
"What we're doing right now is listening to all the talk coming from the state capitol about funding," he continued. "If we have the funding woes they're predicting we may not have any choice."
Childress said no one in Flora wants to see the school closed and he hoped to push the issue with the town's aldermen and with their state representatives.
"We certainly don't want to see any of the schools on this side of the county close," Childress said. "Hopefully the legislature will come up with the funding, but if not we need to look at all the options."
If closed, the students from East Flora Middle would instead go to Madison Middle School where Kent said they have room. Currently, Madison Middle has the district's second largest enrollment with 1,228 students, second only to Madison Central High School.
In July an analysis of the district's spending showed it costs nearly twice as much to educate a student at East Flora Middle School than it does at Madison Middle School.
The report calculated instructional, transportation and various other expenses coming up with a per-student expense at each school.
It showed East Flora Middle School, the district's smallest, is the most expensive school to operate at almost $10,000 per child.
Other middle schools, like Madison and Germantown Middle, average around $5,700 per student.
The district's overall average is $7,400 per student while the state's average is just over $9,000.
Read More: MCJ
Showing posts with label Town of Flora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Town of Flora. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Water running in West Madison, but questions remain.
According to a late Thursday afternoon report water began running about 5:30 p.m. Thursday for customers of the West Madison Utility District.
Is this now going to be forgotten again? This problem has been ongoing for more than 25 years, and officials have known it.
Is this band-aid fix going to be the only thing that happens until another crash of the system? Over the years, small fixes have held the system together, oftentimes after residents have gone days or weeks without safe water. When the water would begin to flow again, West Madison and Madison County officials would fall back into business as usual.
Will the West Madison Utility District and Supervisor Karl Banks attempt to blame the residents when nothing is done again? Residents have been blamed for not signing a survey so that a grant could be obtained to help. But, there are a wide range of funding options throug a variety of agencies if officials really wanted to do something. Furthermore, residents and stakeholders were often turned away from board meetings, or the West Madison Utilities Board would go into Executive Session when they didn't want to answer tough questions. In one instance, a resident refused to leave and was threatened with arrest. That officials refuse to allow stakeholders to participate in solutions, yet blame them for not signing on to the only solution offered is arrogant and protectionist. People that would rather do a poor job than allow other solutions to be considered should be removed from the equation.
Will the West Madison Utility District find a way to blame the Town of Flora again for the problems that is the responsibility of West Madison? Flora residents and officials have come to the aid of Kearney Park and the West Madison Utility District countless times. Yet, when there is no easy excuse for their ineptitude they blame the Town of Flora for not pushing through "paperwork".
Or . . .
Will resident's come together and make some demands of Madison County to clean up the real problem? That problem is in the makeup of the utility district leadership itself, and how it has been politicized by the current Supervisor in order to protect his turf come election time. The underlying current here is race and socioeconomics. There have been many times that white and black residents have tried to come together to affect some change. There have also been a few times where there have been some investors interested in revitalizing the old Industrial area, a move that would benefit residents and businesses immensely. But, changes to the social and economic order mean those in power who mismanage, would begin to lose that power. No real infrastructure improvement, means no change to the status quo, and those in office stay in office. Resident's must come together and force the change.
West Madison Commissioner Lawrence Morris said, "That Flora well can supply us with water until we dig a new well.” Yet, there is no timetable for digging a new well.
If residents strike now, they can demand a plan be put together that will finally get this problem under control. It took an emergency for everyone to work together. But, it will take some changes in leadership to get it to stay that way.
Related Post: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Related Post: Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Related Post: Madison Co. residents without water get relief
Related Post: Biting the hand the quenches? West Madison Utilities' Morris blames Kearney Park water problems on Town of Flora
West Madison Utilities/Kearney Park
The district tapped into a back-up well for Flora which is being purchased by the Madison County Economic Development Authority for the utility district’s use after its own well collapsed, shutting off water for the Kearney Park and Magnolia Heights areas Sept. 12.This is great news for many out in the Kearney Park area. But, some questions remain.
About a mile of pipe was laid to reach the well, which will also be used by Flora if a back-up well is needed.
Is this now going to be forgotten again? This problem has been ongoing for more than 25 years, and officials have known it.
Is this band-aid fix going to be the only thing that happens until another crash of the system? Over the years, small fixes have held the system together, oftentimes after residents have gone days or weeks without safe water. When the water would begin to flow again, West Madison and Madison County officials would fall back into business as usual.
Will the West Madison Utility District and Supervisor Karl Banks attempt to blame the residents when nothing is done again? Residents have been blamed for not signing a survey so that a grant could be obtained to help. But, there are a wide range of funding options throug a variety of agencies if officials really wanted to do something. Furthermore, residents and stakeholders were often turned away from board meetings, or the West Madison Utilities Board would go into Executive Session when they didn't want to answer tough questions. In one instance, a resident refused to leave and was threatened with arrest. That officials refuse to allow stakeholders to participate in solutions, yet blame them for not signing on to the only solution offered is arrogant and protectionist. People that would rather do a poor job than allow other solutions to be considered should be removed from the equation.
Will the West Madison Utility District find a way to blame the Town of Flora again for the problems that is the responsibility of West Madison? Flora residents and officials have come to the aid of Kearney Park and the West Madison Utility District countless times. Yet, when there is no easy excuse for their ineptitude they blame the Town of Flora for not pushing through "paperwork".
Or . . .
Will resident's come together and make some demands of Madison County to clean up the real problem? That problem is in the makeup of the utility district leadership itself, and how it has been politicized by the current Supervisor in order to protect his turf come election time. The underlying current here is race and socioeconomics. There have been many times that white and black residents have tried to come together to affect some change. There have also been a few times where there have been some investors interested in revitalizing the old Industrial area, a move that would benefit residents and businesses immensely. But, changes to the social and economic order mean those in power who mismanage, would begin to lose that power. No real infrastructure improvement, means no change to the status quo, and those in office stay in office. Resident's must come together and force the change.
West Madison Commissioner Lawrence Morris said, "That Flora well can supply us with water until we dig a new well.” Yet, there is no timetable for digging a new well.
If residents strike now, they can demand a plan be put together that will finally get this problem under control. It took an emergency for everyone to work together. But, it will take some changes in leadership to get it to stay that way.
Related Post: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Related Post: Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Related Post: Madison Co. residents without water get relief
Related Post: Biting the hand the quenches? West Madison Utilities' Morris blames Kearney Park water problems on Town of Flora
West Madison Utilities/Kearney Park
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Biting the hand the quenches? West Madison Utilities' Morris blames Kearney Park water problems on Town of Flora
As the Town of Flora officials and residents pitch in yet again to help out the people in Kearney Park with their water woes, Lawrence Morris with West Madison Utilities decided to blame Flora and the "paperwork" for the decades old problem. Morris told WAPT that it's taken so long because of the paperwork between West Madison Utilities and the Town of Flora.
This statement comes despite the fact that Flora officials continue to work diligently to help West Madison Utilities connect the pipes that will run for more than a mile and tie into the main water line in Kearney Park. Flora Mayor Leslie Childress is working with the West Madison Utility District to hook up an emergency water line to the town's well.
There's also this: Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
West Madison Utilities still has no backup water system as required by health department regulation. But, that one is easily blamed on someone else, too.
It would seem that many of the people of Kearney Park are having a hard time seeing they are being used by their "leaders" who don't care about doing anything but applying a bandaid to the problem. Maybe this time they will awaken to the reality of the situation.
Related Post: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Related Post: Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Related Post: Madison Co. residents without water get relief
Urtak 3355
"We finally got it together. You know, the paperwork can sometimes burn you out and delay some things," Morris said.
This statement comes despite the fact that Flora officials continue to work diligently to help West Madison Utilities connect the pipes that will run for more than a mile and tie into the main water line in Kearney Park. Flora Mayor Leslie Childress is working with the West Madison Utility District to hook up an emergency water line to the town's well.
There's also this: Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
West Madison Utilities still has no backup water system as required by health department regulation. But, that one is easily blamed on someone else, too.
County leaders said the community has been denied grants in the past to update the water system because of a failure by residents to fill out the required surveys. Officials said they are hoping residents will now be more motivated to get a new water system flowing.There's more on the "survey" and grant denials HERE.
It would seem that many of the people of Kearney Park are having a hard time seeing they are being used by their "leaders" who don't care about doing anything but applying a bandaid to the problem. Maybe this time they will awaken to the reality of the situation.
Related Post: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Related Post: Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Related Post: Madison Co. residents without water get relief
Urtak 3355
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Water Brought In For Residents
Madison County has restored water to about 250 residents, but another 250 are still without, officials said.
On Tuesday, officials with the Madison County Utilities Board attributed the outage to a pump that stopped in the Kearney Park community. Residents there have been without water for about three days.
The county has also brought in a 6,000 gallon tanker to provide water to residents to use for household purposes. Bottled drinking water has also been distributed to residents, county officials said.
County officials said the faulty pump should be fixed by the end of the week.
WAPT
Related Posts: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Madison County has restored water to about 250 residents, but another 250 are still without, officials said.
On Tuesday, officials with the Madison County Utilities Board attributed the outage to a pump that stopped in the Kearney Park community. Residents there have been without water for about three days.
The county has also brought in a 6,000 gallon tanker to provide water to residents to use for household purposes. Bottled drinking water has also been distributed to residents, county officials said.
County officials said the faulty pump should be fixed by the end of the week.
WAPT
Related Posts: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Madison County tax rolls swell
Property value tops $1B for 7th straight year
Madison County's growth spurt continues as the tax rolls keep getting fatter.
For the seventh year in a row, the assessed value of real and personal property topped the billion-dollar mark. The total worth of the county hit $1.36 billion in assessed value in 2010, showing a 4 percent increase over last year, Tax Assessor Gerald Barber told the Board of Supervisors.
"There are 81 other tax assessors who would love to have these numbers," Barber said.
In today's slumping national economy, the county's growth is more than the tax assessor expected. He said he was hoping to beat 2 percent growth.
Supervisors will take the property values, which represent a percentage of true value, to prepare a budget for spending in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
"Going into the budget working with these numbers and the positive news that Gerald gave us means we can balance our books without a tax increase," said Tim Johnson, president of the Board of Supervisors. "Looking at 4 percent growth in this economy, Madison County is very blessed."
In addition to the county's growth, Barber also presented assessed values for the four municipalities and two school districts, and all but one showed an increase. The city of Canton's 2010 tax assessment showed a 2 percent drop from 2009, from $71.7 million to $70.4 million.
Madison and Ridgeland both experienced a 5 percent growth in value, while Flora reflected a 3 percent growth in assessed value. The Madison County school district showed a 4 percent increase over last year, while the Canton school district showed a 3 percent rise.
"In this economy, that's really, really fantastic," said David Overby, Ridgeland director of finance.
The city of Madison was the only one to show an increase in the assessed value of autos among the county's taxing districts. The value of vehicles in the city, reflected by taxes paid in car tags, rose 6 percent, compared with a 4 percent drop in the county and in the county school district, a 5 percent drop in Ridgeland and in Flora, a 7 percent drop in the Canton school district and a 10 percent decrease in Canton.
"It appears the city of Madison is still buying cars," Barber said.
The lower values in the automobile class shows that people are holding onto their existing vehicles and paying less in taxes on tags each year or they are buying less expensive cars than in the past and paying less for tags, he said.
Barber, who spoke to supervisors on Tuesday, also said the tax rolls show a decrease in new construction throughout the county, except in Ridgeland.
Madison County overall showed a drop in construction of $7.8 million, down to $35.5 million, while Ridgeland showed an increase of about $841,000 in assessed value, up to $11.7 million.
Clarion Ledger
Madison County's growth spurt continues as the tax rolls keep getting fatter.
For the seventh year in a row, the assessed value of real and personal property topped the billion-dollar mark. The total worth of the county hit $1.36 billion in assessed value in 2010, showing a 4 percent increase over last year, Tax Assessor Gerald Barber told the Board of Supervisors.
"There are 81 other tax assessors who would love to have these numbers," Barber said.
In today's slumping national economy, the county's growth is more than the tax assessor expected. He said he was hoping to beat 2 percent growth.
Supervisors will take the property values, which represent a percentage of true value, to prepare a budget for spending in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
"Going into the budget working with these numbers and the positive news that Gerald gave us means we can balance our books without a tax increase," said Tim Johnson, president of the Board of Supervisors. "Looking at 4 percent growth in this economy, Madison County is very blessed."
In addition to the county's growth, Barber also presented assessed values for the four municipalities and two school districts, and all but one showed an increase. The city of Canton's 2010 tax assessment showed a 2 percent drop from 2009, from $71.7 million to $70.4 million.
Madison and Ridgeland both experienced a 5 percent growth in value, while Flora reflected a 3 percent growth in assessed value. The Madison County school district showed a 4 percent increase over last year, while the Canton school district showed a 3 percent rise.
"In this economy, that's really, really fantastic," said David Overby, Ridgeland director of finance.
The city of Madison was the only one to show an increase in the assessed value of autos among the county's taxing districts. The value of vehicles in the city, reflected by taxes paid in car tags, rose 6 percent, compared with a 4 percent drop in the county and in the county school district, a 5 percent drop in Ridgeland and in Flora, a 7 percent drop in the Canton school district and a 10 percent decrease in Canton.
"It appears the city of Madison is still buying cars," Barber said.
The lower values in the automobile class shows that people are holding onto their existing vehicles and paying less in taxes on tags each year or they are buying less expensive cars than in the past and paying less for tags, he said.
Barber, who spoke to supervisors on Tuesday, also said the tax rolls show a decrease in new construction throughout the county, except in Ridgeland.
Madison County overall showed a drop in construction of $7.8 million, down to $35.5 million, while Ridgeland showed an increase of about $841,000 in assessed value, up to $11.7 million.
Clarion Ledger
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Passing Of A Good-Hearted Person
BY: Keith Plunkett
Judy Greaves passed away on Tuesday, July 6 after a long bout with cancer. Judy was someone that always greeted with a smile. When she was still acting in her capacity as Flora's First Lady, she would also greet me with a chore. But, I could never say no to Miss Judy.
Only days after her husband Scott took the reins as Mayor in 2006, she called to ask me to come meet with them. I had been working on my first civic project for the town for the better part of a year, and had been attempting to get the former Mayor and Board of Alderman to approve some cleanup projects, landscaping and beautification for the Town of Flora to no avail. She sat both me and Scott down in a room at City Hall and told us we were going to get it done. We did.
She helped organize the first Landscape Advisory Board, and when it came time to pick a President, she unhesitatingly nominated me. The time I served on that board with Judy was some of the most aggravating and fun times I have had. It taught me a great deal about municipal government; how it works, and how it doesn't.
But, it also led to a number of important projects completed around Flora. We wrote and helped pass the first ever Landscape Ordinance in the town. We designed a town seal, had them constructed into big signs, and placed them at the entrances to town on Highway 49. We also worked with the Flora Historical Society to restart discussions about a Veteran's Memorial. That project had languished for years as nothing more than a good idea. Today, in part because of her tenacity, it stands at Main Street as a memorial to those who have given their life for our freedom.
In my mind, it also stands as a memorial to her. I will forever be grateful for her constant words of support and encouragement.
Our prayers are with Scott and the Greaves family. Judy will be laid to rest in Flora Cemetery on Friday at 11:30 following visitation at Flora Methodist Church.
Judy Greaves passed away on Tuesday, July 6 after a long bout with cancer. Judy was someone that always greeted with a smile. When she was still acting in her capacity as Flora's First Lady, she would also greet me with a chore. But, I could never say no to Miss Judy.Only days after her husband Scott took the reins as Mayor in 2006, she called to ask me to come meet with them. I had been working on my first civic project for the town for the better part of a year, and had been attempting to get the former Mayor and Board of Alderman to approve some cleanup projects, landscaping and beautification for the Town of Flora to no avail. She sat both me and Scott down in a room at City Hall and told us we were going to get it done. We did.
She helped organize the first Landscape Advisory Board, and when it came time to pick a President, she unhesitatingly nominated me. The time I served on that board with Judy was some of the most aggravating and fun times I have had. It taught me a great deal about municipal government; how it works, and how it doesn't.
But, it also led to a number of important projects completed around Flora. We wrote and helped pass the first ever Landscape Ordinance in the town. We designed a town seal, had them constructed into big signs, and placed them at the entrances to town on Highway 49. We also worked with the Flora Historical Society to restart discussions about a Veteran's Memorial. That project had languished for years as nothing more than a good idea. Today, in part because of her tenacity, it stands at Main Street as a memorial to those who have given their life for our freedom.
In my mind, it also stands as a memorial to her. I will forever be grateful for her constant words of support and encouragement.
Our prayers are with Scott and the Greaves family. Judy will be laid to rest in Flora Cemetery on Friday at 11:30 following visitation at Flora Methodist Church.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Flora police investigate death
FLORA, MS (WLBT) – Flora police are investigating a death.
Chief Judy Tucker confirmed the investigation Saturday night and said the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations was also working the case.
Chief Tucker said Sunday that the investigation revealed that the Flora resident died of a self inflicted injuries.
Residents told WLBT that it happened in the 200 block of Bannerman Drive, off Main Street in Flora.
They said Flora Police and Madison County deputies were on the scene throughout the day.
The victim's identity has not been released.
Chief Judy Tucker confirmed the investigation Saturday night and said the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations was also working the case.
Chief Tucker said Sunday that the investigation revealed that the Flora resident died of a self inflicted injuries.
Residents told WLBT that it happened in the 200 block of Bannerman Drive, off Main Street in Flora.
They said Flora Police and Madison County deputies were on the scene throughout the day.
The victim's identity has not been released.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
MC Journal: Barbour saws to Yazoo with Flora mayor
As Flora Mayor Les Childress and dozens of other volunteers used chain saws and tractors to clear debris off U.S. 49 to Yazoo City following Saturday's deadly tornado, he turned around to see Gov. Haley R. Barbour pitching in.
Childress and many other Flora residents were some of the first on the scene Saturday, literally cutting their way through downed trees to reach victims of an EF-4 tornado that cut through central Mississippi and claimed 10 lives.
State officials are estimating nearly 700 homes were damaged and 49 people were injured during the storms. Two others died in Alabama.
The hardest hit areas included Yazoo and Choctaw counties. This week Barbour asked President Barack Obama to declare both counties major disaster areas to open up aid for residents and business owners.
On Saturday, Barbour, a Yazoo City native, was on the front lines clearing debris from U.S 49 and directing traffic to give workers enough room to clear the roadway.
"It really hit home for him," Childress said. "You could tell he was really trying to get there (Yazoo City)."
Childress said they were all shocked at the amount of devastation before them, but the mayor said he was even more amazed at the almost instantaneous outpouring of support from the community.
"I went up there Saturday around 1 p.m. right after it happened and there were already folks from Flora there," he said. "Every citizen that lived in the surrounding area was there working to try and help out their neighbors.
"Flora has a lot of ties to Yazoo County," he added. "They're family."
Read more at the Madison County Journal
Childress and many other Flora residents were some of the first on the scene Saturday, literally cutting their way through downed trees to reach victims of an EF-4 tornado that cut through central Mississippi and claimed 10 lives.
State officials are estimating nearly 700 homes were damaged and 49 people were injured during the storms. Two others died in Alabama.
The hardest hit areas included Yazoo and Choctaw counties. This week Barbour asked President Barack Obama to declare both counties major disaster areas to open up aid for residents and business owners.
On Saturday, Barbour, a Yazoo City native, was on the front lines clearing debris from U.S 49 and directing traffic to give workers enough room to clear the roadway.
"It really hit home for him," Childress said. "You could tell he was really trying to get there (Yazoo City)."
Childress said they were all shocked at the amount of devastation before them, but the mayor said he was even more amazed at the almost instantaneous outpouring of support from the community.
"I went up there Saturday around 1 p.m. right after it happened and there were already folks from Flora there," he said. "Every citizen that lived in the surrounding area was there working to try and help out their neighbors.
"Flora has a lot of ties to Yazoo County," he added. "They're family."
Read more at the Madison County Journal
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Flora pitching in to assist with Yazoo Tornado Relief
Thursday, April 22, 2010
New PR push for Livingston Township suggests waning interest?
A recent story on WJTV promoting Livingston Township at the corner of Highway 22 and 463 is only one attempt of many over the past several months to keep the development in the public eye. The development is owned by David Landrum, and has seen significant challenges including the filing of two lien's here and here for over $120,000 in Madison County Chancery Court for architectural work.
Landrum was in Flora during a Town Board meeting earlier this year to promote the development as a good thing for Flora. That leap in logic is questionable. One would think development away from Flora is the opposite of "good for Flora."
WJTV reports:
I have a great respect for Charles Elon Bowering. But, I tend to think the "wilderness" that has grown up there is quite a beautiful and pastoral setting, and the fact that "it was abandoned years ago" doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea to rebuild something there now. There is only so much money to go around from developers and investors in today's real estate market, and with millions of dollars coming due this year, liens for architectural work, and rumors of Landrum's own financial problems the project is already at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, the assertion by Don Williams that essential services "are absent in the area" is nothing more than a sales pitch. Nothing could be further from the truth. Flora is only 5 miles away, the Mannsdale area where considerable development is now occurring, is even closer.
Maybe, like years ago, people are recognizing that Livingston should be abandoned.
WJTV reports:
Plans are in the works to bring life back to one part of Madison County.
Livingston once a historic town, was abandoned years ago.
The historic land is located at the corner of U.S. 22 and Highway 463 in the Mannsdale-Livingston Heritage Preservation District.
The historic land will turn into “Livingston Township”.
A 60 million dollar project that will be the home of offices and businesses while paying homage to the town’s history.
There are also plans to build about 60 Charleston-style cottages.
Developers say the project will keep the area’s history and economy alive.
“It’s our intent that the small businesses that will be located here will be in a nurturing environment to spawn other businesses that can open manufacturing in Flora or Canton’s industrial parts,“ said Don Williams the President of Livingston Holdings. “we are going to provide the essentials that are absent in this area.“
Historians like Charles Bowering hopes the future development will keep Livingston’s past in the present.
“I think it’s great,“ said Bowering. “It would just grow up in a wilderness if they don’t clean it up.“
Developers plan to break ground on the project this fall.
I have a great respect for Charles Elon Bowering. But, I tend to think the "wilderness" that has grown up there is quite a beautiful and pastoral setting, and the fact that "it was abandoned years ago" doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea to rebuild something there now. There is only so much money to go around from developers and investors in today's real estate market, and with millions of dollars coming due this year, liens for architectural work, and rumors of Landrum's own financial problems the project is already at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, the assertion by Don Williams that essential services "are absent in the area" is nothing more than a sales pitch. Nothing could be further from the truth. Flora is only 5 miles away, the Mannsdale area where considerable development is now occurring, is even closer.
Maybe, like years ago, people are recognizing that Livingston should be abandoned.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Repaving under way
Highland Colony's potholes targeted
Improvements to Highland Colony Parkway have been a year in the making but are expected to be finished quickly.
Madison and Ridgeland started planning last April to use federal stimulus funds to make improvements to portions of the roadway. By late April or early May, officials in the two cities expect to see work crews putting a smooth riding surface down by repairing the roadway base and adding new top coats.
"We were ready for them to start, like, yesterday," said Denson Robinson, public works director for Madison. "It took a long time, longer than anticipated. With federal money, sometimes is takes longer."
The money for the Highland Colony rehabilitation work comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The two cities, along with Madison County, Canton and Flora equally split the $2.2 million in federal money last April. Each local government got $451,699 but the Mississippi Department of Transportation is getting 15 percent from each for oversight of the projects.
"With ARRA money, there are various rules and regulations," Ridgeland public works director Mike McCollum said about the start-to-finish time. "There is a lot of paperwork, a lot of approvals to get."
Once the work starts, though, McCollum said drivers won't have to wait long for the job, stretching a little over half a mile, to be finished. "Ten days tops," he said.
Madison County Herald
Improvements to Highland Colony Parkway have been a year in the making but are expected to be finished quickly.
Madison and Ridgeland started planning last April to use federal stimulus funds to make improvements to portions of the roadway. By late April or early May, officials in the two cities expect to see work crews putting a smooth riding surface down by repairing the roadway base and adding new top coats.
"We were ready for them to start, like, yesterday," said Denson Robinson, public works director for Madison. "It took a long time, longer than anticipated. With federal money, sometimes is takes longer."
The money for the Highland Colony rehabilitation work comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The two cities, along with Madison County, Canton and Flora equally split the $2.2 million in federal money last April. Each local government got $451,699 but the Mississippi Department of Transportation is getting 15 percent from each for oversight of the projects.
"With ARRA money, there are various rules and regulations," Ridgeland public works director Mike McCollum said about the start-to-finish time. "There is a lot of paperwork, a lot of approvals to get."
Once the work starts, though, McCollum said drivers won't have to wait long for the job, stretching a little over half a mile, to be finished. "Ten days tops," he said.
Madison County Herald
Flora Resident Sees Jesus In Pecan Tree
I've looked at that picture a few times now and Jesus is still not coming into view. Maybe I can't see Jesus because I'm such a pitiful sinner, or maybe it's because I don't particularly like pecans.
WAPTHe Says Image Appeared Weeks Ago
A Flora resident said he can see the image of Jesus in his pecan tree.
Timothy Vincent said the image miraculously appeared a few weeks ago in his backyard. He said one day he saw an odd woodpecker on his tree and when the bird few away, the face of Jesus was there.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
State, County and Flora officials join Monsanto to break ground on $2.4 million facility at Flora Industrial Park
Corn Breeding Facility To Focus on New Beneficial Products For Southern Farmers
Rain showers didn't dampen the spirits of Flora and Madison County officials today as they join state officials to welcome Monsanto to the Flora Industrial Park. Monsanto plans to open a new corn breeding station in Flora and groundbreaking ceremonies for the new facility will be held this afternoon. 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.
“Our focus on research and development is what makes Monsanto a leader in agricultural productivity,” said Ted Crosbie, global breeding lead for Monsanto. “Our new facility in Flora will help further strengthen our R&D capabilities, and also is a great opportunity for us to strengthen relationships and collaborations in the southern states.”
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.
“We have always found that growing our crops where farmers will be growing theirs is the best way to develop new products that best meet the needs of our customers,” Crosbie said. “Our existing facilities in Scott, Leland and Winterville help serve the farmers’ need for innovative, higher-yielding products in cotton and soy. With the new site in Flora, we plan to do the same in corn.”
Southeast Industrial Properties I, LLC, a joint venture between Jackson, MS-based Hines Investments, Inc. and Duckworth Realty, Inc., has been awarded the build-to-suit project by Monsanto. Peoples Construction Corp. is the General Contractor.
The announcement comes just over a year 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.
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.
“Our focus on research and development is what makes Monsanto a leader in agricultural productivity,” said Ted Crosbie, global breeding lead for Monsanto. “Our new facility in Flora will help further strengthen our R&D capabilities, and also is a great opportunity for us to strengthen relationships and collaborations in the southern states.”
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.
“We have always found that growing our crops where farmers will be growing theirs is the best way to develop new products that best meet the needs of our customers,” Crosbie said. “Our existing facilities in Scott, Leland and Winterville help serve the farmers’ need for innovative, higher-yielding products in cotton and soy. With the new site in Flora, we plan to do the same in corn.”
Southeast Industrial Properties I, LLC, a joint venture between Jackson, MS-based Hines Investments, Inc. and Duckworth Realty, Inc., has been awarded the build-to-suit project by Monsanto. Peoples Construction Corp. is the General Contractor.
The announcement comes just over a year 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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