It is very refreshing to witness young people displaying an interest in government whether it is local, state, or national. At our recent Board meeting, students CeCe Whigham and Kinlee Odom appeared requesting support for their entry in the Environmental Ambassador Contest as part of the Family, Career & Community Leaders of America program. Their contest entry is based on protecting the environment through recycling and the elimination of littering. Career & Technology teacher, Tara Tucker, called me to let me know of her support for these wonderful students. They made a superb presentation and the Board agreed giving them up to ten 35 gallon recycling containers to paint and place throughout our city. Help CeCe and Kinlee with this important project and help keep our city a clean, beautiful place to live.
Complaints have persisted in the use of city intersections for fund raising roadblocks. Several citizens have had near miss accidents involving the young children taking part in the event. The Board takes safety issues very seriously, and in a unanimous vote decided to eliminate roadblocks starting in January.
We received two applications for the contract job of Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer. Both of these were of impressive quality and two of our board members are reviewing for a final decision to be made at the next board meeting. The board has two additional ordinances that are under consideration. The first is an expansion of our current Nuisance and Unkempt Property Ordinance, and the other relates to rental properties. A recent fire, that destroyed a rental home that would not have passed an inspection, is an example why this ordinance is so important.
The board approved the purchase of a truck, from the Chickasawhay Natural Gas District, to be used by our Police Department. This will give the city three vehicles utilizing natural gas. Natural gas is something we can all appreciate, first for its low cost, second for its being more friendly to our environment, and also for the marketing of our city as an economic development tool. Maintenance costs are substantially lower, and together with a low fuel cost make it very attractive . Chickasawhay Natural Gas District is in the process of buying land to build a quick fill station and the board of our city is very supportive.
We are grateful to the Dart Container Foundation for their grant contribution helping us purchase body cameras and body armor for our police department. Our police are currently testing cameras making sure what we purchase gives them and our citizens an accurate picture each time the officer leaves their vehicle. The Board will have to approve a policy for the camera usage per state law.
Alderman Ron Holliman and I will be in Natchez this week for Mississippi Municipal Small Town Conference. These are educational sessions which cover four different tracks or areas affecting small cities. I have chosen to attend classes on the Quality of Life track, because it fits with what our local volunteer commission is working on. Subject matter for my track is Downtown Development: Looking beyond retail, becoming bicycle and pedestrian friendly on a budget, and finally how Mississippi towns are creating Opportunities for Healthy Lifestyles. My wife, Judy, is very interested in me going to the latter session.
