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Natchez gets state money for streets
Originally published 02:21 p.m., May 13, 2008
Updated 11:26 p.m., May 13, 2008
NATCHEZ — The money requested by the city to the legislature to overlay the four major arteries of Natchez has been approved.
In Tuesday’s board of alderman meeting, city lobbyist Camille Young announced the $1.3 million has been appropriated in a letter of intent.
“The letter was finished yesterday,” Young said.
This money would pay for the resurfacing of Martin Luther King Jr., Homochitto, Franklin and St. Catherine streets.
Photo by Marcus Frazier
Potholes, cracks and all that makes a ride bumpy will soon be a thing of the past on Martin Luther King Jr., Homochitto, Franklin and St. Catherine streets. Natchez has received funding from the state to repair these major arteries.
While the money isn’t directly in the city’s hands, City Engineer David Gardner said having the money accounted for in a letter of intent is a very good thing.
Young said it’s as good as having the money itself.
Mayor Phillip West requested that the city start moving as soon as possible to get things prepared to start overlaying the streets.
Gardner said because the city is receiving so much money and it’s such a large-scale project, the city is going to have to bid on a contractor to do the project. He said that will take time.
The city also received half a million dollars to complete the planning phase for an interpretive center at the Forks of the Road site, Young said.
“The City of Natchez had a really good legislative year,” Young said.
Brett Brinegar, city grant writer, told the board that Natchez has been deemed as a Preserve America Community.
The city will be given this award by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Brinegar said HUD representatives want to personally give the award to the city.
“We’ll be the only community they want to visit personally,” she said.
Brinegar said the representatives are trying to come to Natchez on June 10.
By being established as a Preserve America Community, the city can now apply for Preservation America grants, which deal solely with developing heritage tourism.
Grant monies from this program could be used to build a Forks of the Road interpretative center.
Also, Young announced that Gov. Haley Barbour signed the $2 per occupied hotel room tax on Monday.
It will now come before the city for a vote in the June 3 general election.
The tax, which has been stressed by city tourism representatives, will not be one that affects the citizens of Natchez in anyway other than positive, he said.
In other business, Alderman James “Ricky” Gray made a motion to overlay Vanier Street, if the city has the $28,000 in its coffers to do so.
Alderman David Massey made a friendly amendment to Gray’s motion that the city appropriate funds to fix in a ditch on Lindberg Avenue.
Massey said the ditch is about 30 feet deep and has collected standing water.
“There are mosquitoes everywhere,” Massey said.
Gardner said for $15,000 the ditch could be fixed.
Massey said he’s been trying to get the board to vote on fixing this problem for three years and he said he believes it takes precedent over resurfacing Vanier Street.
He said there have been three cases of West Nile Virus in his ward.
“It’s going to be on your hands if we have another case of West Nile,” Massey said.
The amendment was approved as was the original motion made by Gray.
Comments
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This news came too late to help Phillip.
Posted by natsanus (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did PW have any input into this situation?
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a start!
Posted by firered (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That would be so awesome!!!! Sometimes i get a little nauseated when I travel down these roads due to how bad of conditions they are in now! :)
Posted by GEMINI (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's about time!!!
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a beautiful day!
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Phillip had a great deal to do with this - he lobbied for casino tax money for the roads. His contacts in Jackson helped make this happen.
Oh well his successor will claim the credit!
Posted by lad123 (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They should also consider Canal street at the old railroad tracks. It is apparent that the city officials wanted to re-pave the area from the tracks on Canal to downtaown for the tourism, but there are alot of us who work downtown that travel Canal and that part of the street is in bad need of repair.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
drop in the bucket
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Phillip proposed, lobbied and used his contacts to get this done. It was Phillip who handled this. I don't expect many of you or the Natchez Democrat to acknowledge his hard work.
Sad
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hitormiss...my sympathies...I'll have to give PW his credit on this one, but it isn't very much and way too late for him.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sam,
How could it not be much? Street overlays and $500,000 for the Forks in the Road, in addition to potential monies for tourism. Not a bad legislative session.
It is too bad that neither of the remaining mayoral candidates have the skills and contacts to interact with the state legislature and accomplish these types of legislative actions needed to move Natchez forward.
I would never say it is too late for Phillip. Phillip never did this work for himself, but for the betterment of Natchez, and our quality of life. No one knows what life has in store for any of us. I truly believe from the comments on this site that it would not have mattered what Phillip accomplished as Mayor. Daniel Moynihan was right. We all have a right to our own opinion, but we don't have a right to our own facts. Phillip accomplished more than any other mayor in recent times. That's not an opinion, that's a fact. Your opinion is different, but your opinion can't change the fact. No matter what Phillip did while Mayor of Natchez, the vote would have been the same. Sad.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Getting some money from the state for our streets is a good thing. But the fact that we have to rely on the state to fix our streets is pathetic. Our town, within the city limits, should be self sufficient.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hitormiss...I was trying to give PW some credit where I saw it due and be consiliatory...I'm sorry I can't give him credit for the world turning around on an axis everyday. The money granted by the state will not go very far and neither will the Forks in the Road monies. I know how construction and government expenditures work...it just won't stretch as far as you might think.
Moynihan was right, PW lost, get over it, vote for the best of the two left...unfortunately, because you and I have had it out here before, it probably won't be Chick for you because you feel bitter. If you do feel bitter, remember it wasn't Chick that beat PW, it was PW. Middleton just took advantage of it.
If you can summon the strength to put that aside and you don't vote Democratic just because you always have, you should come to the realization that Chick will be the best man for the job.
I really do sympathize, I've backed the second horse before too...PW will survive and so will you and so will Natchez.
Posted by NTZglasshouses (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure wish we could add Melrose Ave to that list. The 2 lane section of that road, near the entrance to Roselawn, is almost as bad as Homochitto.
And correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure you all will) but when was MLK considered one of the "arteries" to downtown from anywhere but Anna's Bottom, or MLK street itself?
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG, you're right, NTZglasshouses! You've got farmland on one end and an ice cream joint on the other.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What happened to Canal as a main artery? I agree that except for MLK from Homochitto to Jefferson is important, but a main artery, no I don't think so. The others do qualify.
Posted by ptrsdoe (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I moved away from Natchez last year. I return occasionally to visit family and friends. I went downtown recently and was amazed to see the poor conditions of the streets. State Street is horrible.
I saw some walking tourist almost fall in a pothole while crossing the street where State and MLK intersect. Seems like the preservation committee could spend more time examining existing problems than creating more with people who are actually spending money for growth and development. Good luck to the Mayor to Be. I hope whomever gets the job will take care of Natchez. Where is Butch when you need him??
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sammohon, are you the same sammohon, that moved to TX?
Maybe you should try blogging on their site instead of giving up your opinion here, to people that live here! Come on back, make a difference!
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As usual pw was a Day Late and $ Short!
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 12:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr....your candidate will need the PW votes if he is going to win.
Posted by dwhitley (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 5:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good news!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for Natchez! Whoever wants to claim credit for it.
Posted by justthefactsman (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Would it be a good idea for the City of Natchez to set up an account just for road repairs? Put a certain amount in there every quarter or year and when the roads need repair take the money out of there???
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems like just a week or two ago the Democrat was railing Mayor West about streets and recommending we just wait for federal government money on the Forks of the Road.
Were these efforts in the works?
This leaves Phillip West as the BEST mayor I have ever seen in my 25 or so years of living here, based on actually getting things done, changes made, and keeping business alive downtown.
Of course he tore down that abandoned Pecan Factory against the wishes of the blue-hairs. He is either a demon or a saint for that.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hitormiss, The P.West votes should go to Middleton. The very group backing Graning is the same group that absolutely HATES P. West and has been a thorn in his side since the Pecan Factory debacle. The P. West backers understand this and will vote for Middleton.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
so it takes PW all these years in office and at the end of his term the city gets the road money? A more effective leader would have gotten this done years ago. The roads didn't start crumbling 2, 3, or 4 years ago. He should have come in with a plan.
It is stupidity like that that cost him relection. And rightfully so.
And if the next mayor asks equally as stupid--out he goes!
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
great job jake on getting this money for road repair...keep up the good work.i just hate to see $500,000.00 wasted on the forks of the road project....i think this money could be used on road work or other useful projects.
Posted by reader (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who do you think West calls in Jackson when he wants to get things done? There are Natchezians working in Jackson that are very connected that get things done for the City.
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Could someone please tell me why people suddenly care about the Pecan Factory when it sat empty and deterioating for years? When I was in high school, people used it to "go parking" or to smoke pot. Why is it suddenly "historic"? The only thing it is historic for in my mind is making babies and getting a lot of people high! Does anyone why this building is suddenly so important, other than the fact that Mayor West bulldozed it illegally?
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eagle1,
II wouldn't speak for Phillip West backers if I were you. Just because Sam and Rushing are hateful towards Phillip doesn’t mean the candidate they support is. If their candidate loses it will be because he did not get the West support.
Yeahuhuh and natchezsouthside, this funding has been in the works for a while. Big projects take time.
shedevil, Jake had nothing to do with getting this money and will tell you so himself if you ask. The Forks in the Road money came out of the Civil Rights Museum money and cannot be used on roads. We cannot do anything about that locally.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchezsouthside,
Phillip asked the state for the money several years ago, but there was a little storm called Katrina that damaged other places in MS that needed money spent on them. The money was approved for Natchez but the State could not afford to give the money to Natchez until now.
Had Phillip repaired the roads using the city's funds he would have not been given any money, he lobbied for the money based on improving access to the Casinos.
Well done Phillip!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hitormiss, Unless you think they are idiots or can be completely bought off (rumored), the West supporters know exactly the people behind the Graning campaign and their feelings towards West. You are correct in saying that doesn't necessarily translate into Graning's personal feelings. No matter, they are aware of the machine backing Graning and do not want that group in power. What makes you think I'm speaking "for" them and not with them?
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yaaaaaah! Repaving the streets!!! I thought I'd knock all my teeth out on the bumps. Can I send my car alignment bill to the city?
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
None of them had anything to do with it. This was a handout. How do you word this, one of them begged harder than the other? The people in departments under them wrote this stuff up and worked on it. I know them and won't mention any names. This same kind of stuff happens at the EDA all the time. In other cities across the state Natchez has the reputation of being the poor little begger on the street with a can in his hand wanting a handout all the time. The big wigs in Jacskon don't mind helping those who help themselves, sad to say that is not the case around here. Handouts are getting few and harder to find. I don't mind grants, but it's not the job of other taxpayers across the state to keep up the streets in Natchez when people are still living in trailors on the coast. The money is here to do it, we just have not had the leadership to see it through. Natchez does not have it's priorities in the right place. We have a tourism market on the verge of collapse, we have a hospital with a future unknown and more jobs about to be lost there, we have streets about as good as the ones in Fayette. My gosh, the engineers department didn't supply anything but water and a hose to help the casino get back open! I don't mean to point out so many flaws but a deaf, dumb, blind person could see what is going on around this town. This paper puts a nice spin on a handout to the city, but 4 streets with cheap asphalt layed down? Think that is progress? What about all the other streets in disrepair in our "historic city"? The pagent people will complain about a sign, a vent on a resturaunt, or what color you paint your house, but not if you knock the front alignment out on you car getting to the pagent. If you don't know where the money goes you can't control it. AND THERE IS THE PROBLEM FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF NATCHEZ AND ADAMS COUNTY! All departments in this city need to be run like a business. Especially the so called "tourism industry". Untill then this town will be a dog eat dog town. There is not much left to go around.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(HitorMiss) All of our backers win either way!
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vote out the dead wood. we got rid of one--we can get rid of others.
Hey Watts--you campaigned on bringing a VA Hospital to Natchez--how is that coming along??? Just lies??? Empty promises????
Posted by deltoids (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Mayor West,
Thank you so much for doing so much for Natchez. Your leadership brought the Tulane Urban Design department to Natchez. They, in turn, brought the HUD people with them. They, combined, have given Natchez a great gift and a big step towards the future.
You have done Natchez a great deal of good. Thank you for all you have mangaged to do in the face of great odds.
Posted by 1blessedchild (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with deltoids! Phillip West has certainly done a great deal for our community.
We know what we had, but we certainly don't know what we're about to get. :-(
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
deltoids,
Your right Mayor West has faced great odds, many of them very personal. Some old folks say that tragedies come in three’s. Losing his brother, his wife and now his job so close together maybe the worst in over for him. He is still a young man and I expect we will see great things from him in the near future.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eagle1,
LOL, you have never been a West supporter. For you to say that they will automatically support Middleton is fooling yourself.
Posted by John (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why all the hot air? What makes fixing streets such a political event? It seems like just a practical matter.
I walk the streets of downtown all the time. Just the morning I saw one pot hole fixed in front of the council chambers, but an equally large only a feet north in front of the new court building. Is that a political thing? I doubt it! Lets all get together and fix what needs fixing and help what needs helping, and leave politics out of it.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
agreed John, except that the PW cheerleaders on here want to make sure their "man" gets credit on his way out the door. As if the rest of the city doesn't already know the deal.
good riddance.
Posted by LocustStorm (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FINALLY!! Even though it's AFTER your roads have COMPLETELY DESTROYED the struts and shocks on my car!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE FIX CANAL STREET!!! That road is TERRIBLE, especially where the railroad tracks are at!!! (the ones that cause people to have to come to a crawling stop to go over them)
It's completely ridiculous to have roads THAT MESSED UP!
Posted by VillageIdiot (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd suggest tearing out the old asphalt and resurfacing the inner city streets with modern gravel, that'd create quite a few new jobs locally. Thereafter, the horse and buggy trade should develop nicely, adding a few more jobs locally. Screw the price of oil! This'd free us up from our dependance on the State and Federal government bushwackers.
Posted by free_radical (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MOST of the roads here are awful. Makes me feel embarrassed just driving on them. LocustStorm is so right! They'll tear a car up. :(
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
steve_o...never moved to TX...and don't know any sammohon's who have...LOL.
It is true that I don't work in Natchez on a daily basis, but I still own a home there, my wife still resides and works there, my kids go to school there, my parents live there and I lived there most of my life and I'm still there two to three weekends a month...so why have you got a problem with me giving my opinion here?
Come back when you know who and what you're talking about.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hitormiss, your response copied from above:
"eagle1,
II wouldn't speak for Phillip West backers if I were you. Just because Sam and Rushing are hateful towards Phillip doesn’t mean the candidate they support is. If their candidate loses it will be because he did not get the West support.
Yeahuhuh and natchezsouthside, this funding has been in the works for a while. Big projects take time.
shedevil, Jake had nothing to do with getting this money and will tell you so himself if you ask. The Forks in the Road money came out of the Civil Rights Museum money and cannot be used on roads. We cannot do anything about that locally."
Amazingly I agreed with almost every word except the part about me...I don't hate the man...I hate the hate he sometimes stood for...I gave him credit for this road money, but I couldn't give him blanket credit that wasn't his due.
I think that if the PW supporters will think about it, Chick never did them any harm and is indeed reaching out to them. Middleton on the other hand worked everyday for four years to undermine PW.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eagle1...how could you possibly know who is supporting Chick except by looking at yard signs? What machine do you think is backing him? Sounds a bit paranoid to me...is there some vast conspiracy we're unaware of that only you are privy to...please, illuminate us.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sam,
It's the downtown machine, you know the one.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sometime back eagle1 made a post about the signs in the garden district. I remember it well because it hurt my feelings (I'm very sensitive). I posted asking for an explanation which never was given. But I have to decide on a candidate soon and since eagle1 seems to be the voice for Jake, I'd love to know how he stands.
By the way, I really have noticed a lot of Graning signs in the garden district. But there are some for Middleton. One home even has a big banner for him. And one happy home has signs for both candidates.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hitormiss...who, precisely? Name names, I don't think you can because the cabal you speak of simply doesn't exist...people may have tried to put one together, but you know Natchez...they couldn't have agreed on anything long enought for it to actually occur...there is no THEY to be railing against...it's just other people doing what people do individually.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad...as I'm accustomed to seeing, your comments are succinct and humorous...always enjoyed...at least by me.
Regarding signs...I was noticing this past weekend that there are a lot of Graning signs in neighborhoods other than the Garden District too...man, that red and yellow stands out doesn't it?
Would you like a bumper sticker?
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I think they over spend the money and they need to put a single mom in charge and let her show them how to spend they money and get the prisoners out working like a chain gang. This will surely cut cost! You know SINGLE mom's ae tight wads!!!!!!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hitormiss...if there is a machine, you're more likely to find it backing the man who has been in power for 16 years.
I've tried to reach out to you. I've readily admitted when you or PW were right just as readily as I have spoken when I thought you or he were wrong...it's just honesty...that's what you can expect from me and Chick too, if he is still the man I've known for all these years. I really don't think that he'd change much in that regard. If you look back I also pointed out some of Jake's problems too in an effort to be fair.
You must also remember that I'm just a supporter of Chick, I'm not part of the campaign...just a person doing what people do individually. My speculations are just that speculations...if you really want to know, ask Chick himself. I can't speak for him.
Would you like a yard sign or bumper sticker...I'm sure he'd be glad to accomodate...but, I'm just guessing.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezEnema...there is no such thing as cheap asphalt due to the price of petroleum, in fact, concrete has been cheaper in many areas for several years now...if you don't like monopolies, cast your eyes on the asphalt suppliers in Mississippi.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 14, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Sam, I'll take that as a compliment. Yes, the Graning signs were done extremely well and they are very noticeable. My compliments to the designer and the folks that ok'd the design.
But none for me, thank you. My yard & autos generally remain a neutral ground during elections. No signs, no bumper stickers. Its normally good business to do so. I have yet to talk to the candidates. I was told that one stopped by the house but I was not at home. I'd think it was coincidence but thats the way it goes every election. It truly must be a conspiracy of the machine - them talking to grandma and not to me. But she's awful cute so I guess its understandable.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sammohan, Middleton did what he could to undermine West?? That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Did you not read the more than kind words Middleton had for West in the Democrat when he won. The people backing Graning absolutely DESPISE West. His real supporters are fully aware of this. The people backing Graning are the ones who have been undermining West for the last couple of years. Everyone is also fully aware that the Graning group is trying their hardest to get PW's base to vote for him. I can assure you that Middleton is doing the same, he's reaching out to them everyday.
As far as the "machine," that's the word of others out there. I didn't come up with that. Most people with any intelligence are fully aware of the group of people that are backing Graning. Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful people voting for him, but the core group that put him up to this is, well, less than desirable.
Old GrandDad, I did make a post about the Garden District a while back and yes, I have friends that live there. That was a broad statement I should have retracted. But there's some truth to it also. Most of his signs are concentrated in that area for a reason. Keep in mind to that Graning litters every yard with two signs, not one like Middleton. Again, if you leave the immediate downtown area, the Middleton signs are 4 to 1.
I base my vote for Middleton on several factors. One, he's been wanting this position for years,(really wanting it) he didn't throw his hat in the ring at the last moment on a whim. Two, he's probably the most hard working human I've ever known, the fact he's growing his business despite losing some of his best customers (IP) is hard proof. Three, he's one of the most honest men I've ever known, you will not here about him or his campaign paying off certain groups for votes. Four, I've seen him at work as a salesman, he's incredible. We need a mayor who will work tirelessly selling our town. Five, he's NEVER left here despite having a long time previous job elsewhere, he commuted two hours each way daily for several years, that my friend, is a love for your town. Because of that success, he now owns a successful business employing locals, adding to the tax base and still wants to run this town. He doesn't need the money, he doesn't need the headache or the stress but he still BADLY wants to do it. Simply amazing.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way Sammohan, keep in mind that the Graning "machine" bought those beautiful signs you refer to at Office Depot, not a locally owned business. Their excuse is the local business couldn't get them in the time frame they wanted them. Well, I've got two arguments for that lame excuse. One, it only proves he did, in fact, throw his hat in the ring on a last second whim. Two, why did he need his signs up for the Democratic Primary??? He's not running until June.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Eagle1, Thanks.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It may not be locally owned, but it certainly is locally employed! Just as the casino, the new hotels, Wal-mart, K-mart, I could go on and on now couldn't I? Remember, I'm in the county, can't vote for mayor, but I would say either candidate is a step forward.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sam, asphalt is cheaper than concrete. If you doubt me next time you are in town drive over to the new hotel across from the convention center and look at the parking lot. IT'S A MESS, cracked, and needs more work and it's asphalt. I was told by one of the managers there it would have cost another 25,000$ more to had it made from concrete, and they wish they would have gone with concrete from the start. Now they are going to have to spend more than what they should have because they went with "cheap asphalt". Hope your right and I am wrong, if that is the case I will look forward to the new streets being made of concrete. But that is a pie in the sky.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Plus the asphalt in the Miss-Lou is made by the same company that is being sued by the police jury in Concordia parish for shoddy road building.
Just saying.....
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hmmmmm......Poor ole hitormiss just can't take it her PW got beat..Poor thing.....It's time for a change face it..He had 4 years to do something apparantly he didn't impress people like he has impressed you.....
Posted by triscuit (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1 mile of 1-1/2 inch asphalt on a 24' wide roadway costs about $100,000. So that's about 13 miles for 1.3 million. Think how much more money would be required to catch all the city streets that need it.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fire39212...first, you have my gender wrong. But you right about folk’s impression of Phillip, obviously the vote would have been different. I still feel the vote would have been the same no matter what wonderful things he did for the city.
Triscuit, David Gardner gave an estimate on how much it would cost the repave all the streets. I think it was around 15 million.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Speaking of machines, I notice that homes with signs for Middleton are often paired with Pollard while homes with signs for Graning are often paired with Ball. One combination pairs a Democrat and a Republican and the other pairs a Democrat with an independent. Is this by design or chance? Most folks don't mix their campaigns with those of others.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They are called fence runners old grand dad. We have a lot of them in this town. They also talk out of both sides of their mouths.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad, from what I can tell you are right - the Ball and Graning camps seem to paired. I like Gwen and Chick but I don't agree with much of what Gwen says. I am starting to find that Graning's thoughts are closer to Gwen's than I would have thought.
As for the comments about the new lot at the Country Suites, it will have to be re-done, Warren told me the other day it was put down when the ground was too wet and the asphalt was too cool. They needed to get it done quickly as they had to get the hotel opened.
It will be redone.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezEnema...Not necessarily, I haven't priced a yard of concrete vs. a yard of asphalt lately, but I know from having placed several acres of each about a year and a half ago, that IN SOME AREAS asphalt is actually more expensive than concrete...especially so now that the price of oil has skyrocketed.
It also depends on the manufacturer, for instance when APAC, the primary supplier in Mississippi with about 80% of the market, has a large state project the price goes up for the other contractors who buy asphalt from them. Sometimes those contractors can't even get asphalt at any price.
Since I've been out of the asphalt procurement business for a couple of years maybe redusmfan, who is a contractor has more current pricing info.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eagle1...gotcha...LOL
It would be interesting to see how many times Jake voted in favor of an issue that West also supported. You say Jake has wanted this job for years, yeah, you're right, for at least the last four years anyhow. Of course he was magnanimous in victory, they all are, it proves nothing.
The group of people who support Chick are simply people who believe he is the best man for the job. The is no there, there when you complain of a machine. It's just a political trick and scare tactic to associate him with a machine that doesn't exist. That group of people is less than desirable to you, and I wonder why. A good man attracts good people. Why don't you come out and say who, specifically, it is that you don't like...other than me obviously.
Yes, many of Chick's signs are downtown. Yes, many of them are in the Garden District. It's because he lives there and that's where many of his friends and neighbors asked him to give them a yard sign so they could show their support early. Since the primary Chick's signs have popped up all over the city and the suburbs. I didn't know you had nothing better to do than to count signs all day, but I highly doubt Jake has a four to one ratio over Chick.
I don't know who printed the signs, but I was told the stuff printed by Office Depot was for a mailout, not for signs. Quit making this stuff up...machines...printing signs...Middleton supporting West...you're beginning to sound like hitormiss.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchez1...what is Gwen saying that you don't like and what is Chick agreeing with?
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sam...anything you don't agree with or cannot defend you simply resort to name calling. News flash.... eagle1 nor myself are making anything up. You have had no problem hammer us but when the heat is on your guy you crumble. Blaming other people is not going to cut it. Control your anger, get the answers and then come back. Otherwise, you are going to drive West voters straight to Middleton.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchez1, To add to Sam's questions, where do you hear from Gwen and Chick? All I know is what I read in the Democrat. Do they grace you with visits?
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What name did I call anyone? I made a comparison between eagle1 and you...is that name calling? I was simply saying that he/she was a shrill in his/her efforts in behalf of Middleton as you were in yours for PW.
Angry?...no anger here...I'm happy as I can be and I don't blame anyone but me for it...don't worry, be happy!...LOL.
Who am I blaming for what? I'm simply asking eagle1 to identify the "machine" if there is one. Identify the who, where, how, why and when of his/her accusations about signage and printers. Give us numbers on how many signs were counted and where.
Did you even think about what I said about the voting record of Middleton vs. PW's efforts...was he for PW more than against? Was he helping this mayor be successful or not? Was he part of the solution or part of the problem?
I never had anything against you or even PW really, except his past racism...I just wanted you to substantiate your claims for him...and you couldn't. I'm asking the same from eagle1.
What answers are you looking for? I don't speak for Chick or his campaign, but I'm sure if a question is asked I can find the right person to answer it. Better yet, why don't you call Chick and ask him yourself...I think you'll find him refreshingly forthcoming, full of ideas, a great listener and a breath of fresh air politically.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Politicians make strange bedfellowes!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr...there you go again (Reaganesque dont'cha think)...accusing me of sleeping with someone other than my wife are ya?...LOL
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Your mind is in the wrong frequency tonight! I was not referring to you, my friend Chick or Mr. Middleton! Just throwing a "curve" into the conversations of others.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're a funny guy...weren't we talking at one point about sleeping with the fishes?...oh, now I remamber, what about the price of a yard of concrete vs. a yard of asphalt?...concrete shoes vs asphalt ones...LOL.
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