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County decision may have hit sour note
Published Sunday, January 13, 2008
My left hand is a little sore this morning. Blame it on Christmas or, more precisely, on a Christmas gift and my late great-grandfather.
Paw Paw Ward died when I was young and I never heard him play, so his mandolin work was mostly just a myth in my head. He was never a professional musician or anything; it was just something he tinkered with for the family. I’ve always thought, “One day, I’ll learn to play, too.”
So it was a bit of surprise when I opened a Christmas present and saw a book and DVD intended on teaching yours truly how to play the small, guitar-like instrument.
The book and DVD was the perfect excuse to go and buy an instrument so a few trips later, I’d figured out that Stan Smith at Stan’s String Shop in Natchez might be a source of lessons, when I get frustrated with the book.
Later I found a mandolin that I liked at Easterling Music in Vidalia.
Jim Easterling, owner of the store, helped explain some about the instrument and hooked me up with a small tuner and some picks and sent me out in the world to become the world’s next great bluegrass musician.
I’ve spent a little time plucking the thing and I can tell you, it’s much more difficult than it looks — sour notes and non-notes (which happens when unskilled fingers get in the way accidentally).
Good hobbies are like that; their difficulty surprises you and creates a good challenge.
Several years ago, on a whim, I decided to buy a pistol and learn to shoot. One trip to the range and I realized all of those James Bond films I’d watched were definitely not based in reality.
Controlling shots from a pistol was much more difficult than I thought.
But learning something new is really what’s fun about a hobby, isn’t it?
Watching or listening as people learn, however, requires some patience.
How many parents out there have sat through an excruciatingly bad junior high band performance?
Talk about sour notes.
But beginners are expected to make mistakes.
Earlier this week, I fully intended to use this space to write about the decision by our newly elected board of supervisors. But I’ve changed my mind after a few practice sessions with the mandolin.
Supervisors made what I believe was a hasty, illogical decision this week by firing long-time board attorney Bob Latham without a good cause, at least not a publicly discussed good cause.
But the supervisors attempted to right their wrong at least a little bit when they wound up hiring Latham back to handle the massive Rentech project.
Anyone who has ever actually managed people successfully knows that such an abrupt transition is almost certain to be a rocky road.
They should have known that just like I should know that the second fret on the G string is an A note.
Only, their work isn’t a hobby and when they hit a sour note, they could hurt lives, not just an eardrum or two.
But it’s only been a few days.
I’m not ready to give up all hope yet. They might learn to work things out, for the best of our county, I hope they do — and quickly.
Now where did I put my pick?
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 5:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im still with Mike,Henry & Spanky.I think they made the rite decision on letting Mr Latham go.I didnt like it when they hired him back..but Im OK with it now that someone is looking over his work until this Rentech deal dies in April.
Posted by localyokel (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't always agree with your comments Mr. Cooper but you nailed this one. There has been no publicly released reason for Mr. Lathem's dismissal and until there is, his termination cannot be justified in the public's eyes. It can only be viewed as a backroom decision with only the result being made public. Most of the comments weighing in on this issue tend to lean toward allegianc to one party or another. That is politics and has nothing to do with reason. Reason and forethought should dominate decisions and doesn't appear to have been utilized in this case.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you shedevil! There does not have to be a reason for letting Latham go, that is making it public! Rentech was bought out! Do you think that it will still come to Natchez under the ownership? I support the new leadership also!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 13, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I does not appear that Rentech was bought out:
"Rentech Advises Sherwood Investments that its Board of Directors Does Not Intend to Engage in Sale Negotiations
Board Policy is to Execute Business Plan and Not to Pursue Sale Proposal
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2008--Rentech, Inc. (AMEX:RTK) announced today that it has advised Sherwood Investments that the Rentech Board of Directors has unanimously concluded that this is not the appropriate time to sell the Company. Accordingly, the Rentech board is not at this time prepared to engage in negotiations with Sherwood or any other party regarding a possible sale transaction.
In reaching this determination, the Rentech board carefully considered Sherwood's letters in several recent meetings. In the course of that consideration, the board sought the advice of its professional advisors and the independent directors also met in executive session without management present. During this process the board considered, among other things, its view of the future prospects of the Company and the potential upside for stockholders to be achieved upon proving the commercial viability of Rentech's technology. The board unanimously concluded that Rentech's policy is to execute on its business plan, and not to pursue sale proposals at this time."
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 13, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"I does not appear" should read "It does not appear".
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks gemccull!
Posted by jclinton (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it that when Eddie Walker fired everbody in is office it didn't make the headlines everyday like this story has. It is common practice that when the make up of the Board of Supervisors or the Circuit Clerk's office or the Sheriff's office changes some people are fired and some get to stay on. Why is this story making such headlines? Just maybe Henry, Spanky and Mike are trying to prevent Bob Latham and other board members' names from being dragged in the mud. In the meantime Henry, Spanky and Mike are being critized for being the better men. Do you think the ND would report anything negative about Mr. Latham even if it was brought to their attention?
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So shedevil, from your first entry you are ok with them firing Mr Latham AND you are ok with them hiring them back. You sound as confussed as the new supervisors!
Mr Latham was a true asset to the county and most people know this.
Posted by jclinton (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mike8427, the last time I looked at the Today's Poll about whether or not the supervisors made the right decision about dismissing Latham the results were in favor of the supervisors decision. So most people do not think Latham is an asset to the county. I don't believe Bobby Cox will be able to handle the workload but they will find one that can. Just because you can handle the job does not mean you are the right person for the job. He totally took advantage of the county with the help of two of the current supervisors and one who is no longer on the board.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jclinton - where is this poll? Todays poll is about the country and recession. Was it Sunday? I must of missed that.
Posted by hhoover (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mike8427- it was in last week's paper.
Posted by sandyman7 (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Your right jclinton...When new department head take over, there is always some change..wheather small or great..It happens...Aand I haven't heard an answere to my question...Maybe Mr Cooper can answere it....IS ATT. LATHAM BEING PAID BY THE SUPERVISORS AND REMTECH????
Posted by jclinton (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 7:10 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the supervisors only. And the county IS losing an advantage by firing Latham. Time will tell it all.
Posted by jclinton (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bob Latham is getting paid by more than the county, why else would he come back. Why do you think he doesn't want Bobby Cox looking over his shoulder?
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jclinton - Who is paying him. If you know all this stuff about Mr Latham tell us.
Posted by oilman111767 (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IP is also paying Bob Latham and others alot of money, that is why he came back.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 15, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would IP pay alot of money to sell the property? They have a real estate group or did have.
Posted by JunkyardDawg (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems like I remember hearing something about IP agreeing with the original owner when they first purchased the property...to completely cleanup the land if they ever went out of business. Also...if IP ever deserted the property, they were to allow the land to go back to the decendants of the people whom were then living on and working the land, and to give them and their decendants jobs as long as IP was in business.
Some of you techno savy folks can probably figure out if that rumor is fact or fiction and just how much that has to do with how the purchase and/or sale of IP is going.
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