Articles by Jeff Clark
CVB backs down: Board tables motion to change festival funding bylaw
The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau tabled a motion that would have eliminated elected officials from receiving festival grant funding during its Monday meeting.
The motion, made by Leon Ellis, would have closed the door on any elected official being part of a festival or quality of life committee.
Organizers to ask CVB for more band money
After a contentious showdown Dec. 17, District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks will once again be on the agenda at today’s meeting of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau’s board of trustees. Brooks, who said he submitted a letter to the board and festival grants committee chairman Mark Castleberry, said he will not personally appear before the board.
Legislators to address key differences between Senate, House charter school bills
With expanded charter school bills passing the Mississippi Senate and House, the stage is now set for both sides to begin what could be lengthy negotiation before a joint-bill is placed for a general vote.
Unemployment drops in Lowndes and Oktibbeha
Unemployment numbers in the region dipped slightly over a 12-month period, with Oktibbeha County staying within single digits.
Chism, Smith present bill to ‘assert state sovereignty’
A bill sponsored by two Columbus lawmakers would allow the state to defy federal laws through a joint-legislative committee.
The committee, composed of 14 state elected officials, would determine what is and isn’t within the federal government’s power when dealing with the state’s constitutional rights.
Van Daniel joins race for 36th District House seat
Hot on the heels of Wednesday’s announcement by West Point resident Rev. Eddie Longstreet, Aberdeen resident Dr. Roderick Van Daniel announced Thursday he will also be seeking the vacated 36th District House seat left open after the Jan. 13 death of Rep. David Gibbs.
Longstreet joins race for District 36 House
Although Gov. Phil Bryant has not set a date for a special election for the District 36 House of Representatives, left vacant by the death of longtime legislator David Gibbs, another Clay County resident has joined the race.
House to vote on its version of charter school bill
After a similar bill died in committee last year, the House Education Committee narrowly passed an expanded charter school bill Monday by a vote of 16-14. House Bill 369 passed through the committee after about 90 minutes of debate, according to The Associated Press.
Bryant’s speech is greeted with both praise and criticism
Gov. Phil Bryant, in his 2013 State of the State address made during a special joint-session of the state’s legislators, chose job creation, education and health care as his major talking points. On the subject of job creation and industry, Bryant used the speech as an opportunity to stump for his delayed-accelerated tax payment proposal.
Area residents participate in history at inauguration
For Columbus resident Kabir Karriem, Monday was all about capturing a moment in history.
“I was participating in history,” said Karriem, who also serves as a councilman in Columbus. “It was about seeing the first African- American president inaugurated into his second term on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 50 years after the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Soccer complex upgrades on track
“If you build it, they will come.”
That was the mentality when the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors and the Columbus City Council decided to build the $5 million, 70-acre soccer complex, and with the announcement of two major tournaments — the Coaches Cup in November and the Presidents Cup in May 2014 — people will definitely be coming to the Friendly City.
Charter school debate moves to Mississippi House
The hot potato that is charter school legislation is now in the hands of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, the Mississippi Senate passed its version of charter school legislation in a vote that went along party lines, for the most part. The 31-17 vote had the unanimous support of Senate Republicans, with only a couple of Democrats voting with the majority.
Work to begin on $2-million Trotter renovation
A more than $2-million renovation project for the Trotter Convention Center will begin later this year, with some work possibly beginning as early as May, city officials said Thursday. The project to renovate the city-owned facility could take up to two years to complete.
Snowstorm descends on Golden Triangle
For the first time since January 2011, Lowndes County residents awoke to find significant snow accumulations, triggering school and business closings and causing multiple vehicle accidents throughout the Golden Triangle. Government offices remained open for the most part, although municipal court was canceled.
Gibbs to run for father’s House seat
One day after Clay County Prosecutor Angela Turner Lairy was elected to fill the 16th District Senate seat left open by the death of her father, the late Sen. Bennie Turner, another Clay County resident is hoping he, too, can continue a family legacy.
Council votes for vertical landfill
After more than six weeks of discussion and committee meetings, the Columbus City Council is ready to make a move regarding the future of its landfill.
Lairy wins bid for father’s Senate seat
Voters in the 16th Senate District decided to keep it in the family Tuesday.
Clay County Prosecutor Angela Turner Lairy defeated Kenny Fowler in a landslide sweep to fill the seat vacated by father, Sen. Bennie Turner, who died in November.
MDA won’t disclose plans for Silicor site
Two weeks after backing out of a $600 million that promised 971 jobs for Lowndes County, state officials are staying silent regarding the latest developments with California-based Silicor and its plans to continue to locate in Mississippi.
Legislature hits ground running
State lawmakers headed back to work this week to begin the first legislative session of 2013. The 90-day session will be conducted at a faster pace than last year’s 125-day session.
Chism: Gibbs may withdraw resignation
One day after Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn announced the resignation of veteran lawmaker David Gibbs, one member of the House is saying Gibbs may be trying to withdraw his resignation.