Lieutenant Governer visits Natchez

By Mary Hood (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, September 4, 2008

NATCHEZ — Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant visited Adams County Wednesday to see how his office could help the city and county.

“What can we get for you? Tell me what you need,” Bryant said.

One of the major needs the county faced Wednesday was more police presence.

Earlier in the week, law enforcement agencies were staffed with additional officers from Mississippi Highway Patrol, narcotics units and Mississippi Department of Transportation.

However, Wednesday morning, the MDOT officers left, said Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown.

“They told me there were pulling them out because they had to go rest before the storm hit them next week,” Brown said, referring to Tropical Storm Ike.

With the distribution of ice and water beginning Wednesday afternoon, the need for more officers was key, Brown said.

“Our main concern is the public getting ice and water,” Adams County Emergency Director Stan Owens said.

Because of the influx of people distributing water and ice causes, additional law enforcement officers are required, he said.

Bryant got on the phone Wednesday and asked for more state highway patrol officers to come down.

Also helping out was the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

Commissioner Leonard Bentz, said any urgent locations that needed power — nursing homes, hospitals, lift of pump stations — that still did not have it, they could assist in expediting the process.

“If you need us, don’t hesitate to call us, that’s what we’re here for,” Bentz said.

Bentz said he is having his response teams going to all local emergency operations centers and visiting with local municipalities.

“We’re trying to help everyone anyway we can,” he said.

He advised while Entergy was putting all electricity online again, for residents to stay far away from downed power lines.

“If you see a power line, do not touch it; it’s imperative,” he said.