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photo by Marcus Frazier
Jake Middleton paddles up St. Catherine Creek during high water Tuesday afternoon.
Mayor candidates tour St. Catherine Creek
Published Tuesday, April 22, 2008
NATCHEZ —The Mississippi River flood hasn’t been all bad.
The floodwaters have spilled into St. Catherine Creek giving visionaries who hope to dam the waters a true image of how the project would look once it came to fruition.
The project was the brainchild of former mayor Tony Byrne, who now sits as chair of the St. Catherine Creek Project Committee, nearly 30 years ago.
The idea of the St. Catherine Creek Project is to place strategic weirs, which are like dams, along the length of the creek which would cause the water to essentially pool into five lakes.
This would make the creek open for recreational purposes such as kayaking, canoeing and more.
Donning shorts, sunglasses and layers of sunscreen, the three mayoral candidates — Chick Graning, Jake Middleton and incumbent Mayor Phillip West — jumped into kayaks to traverse a portion of the creek Tuesday.
City Engineer David Gardner said though the water is between 1.5 and 2.5 feet higher than it would be once the project was completed, this is the most accurate portrayal that can be had.
“It really gives you a birds- eye view,” he said of what the project will look like once complete.
Keith Benoist, co-founder of the PhatWater Kayak Challenge, led the group and said he was pleased to have the mayoral candidates out.
Benoist said the project will offer good recreational opportunities for the community.
“This St. Catherine Creek Project is the kind of thing that needs to take place,” he said.
He also said it could draw crowds from across the state and beyond, bringing in tourism.
“This is an opportunity for interactive tourism,” he said.
The project has received $75,000 from the Mississippi Development Authority to have a feasibility study done but more funding is needed to complete the project.
West said the city is working to get more funds.
“We’ve been working on it already, we’ve made proposals to get more monies. It just takes time,” he said.
He said he was in support of the project and could see it going far in bringing in tourists and offering recreation.
“The sky is the limit with this,” he said. “It has tremendous potential.”
Graning said he was in support of the project.
“I think it’s a wonderful project,” he said. “Anything we can do to give the people of Natchez a beautiful touch of nature and recreation.”
He said he can envision people traveling from all over to visit the lakes.
Middleton has served on the recreation board as an aldermen and knows the potential the project has.
“It’s a big project but I think it’s possible,” he said.
He even has ideas of how to incorporate a recreational facility with the creek project, because the creek ends near 140 acres of unused land the city owns.
Comments
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will repeat what I have been asking elsewhere - Where can I look at the plans for this project? People will have their lands flooded. How will they be compensated? Does the plan call for anyone to lose their business or home? How far upstream would the water be backed up? Where will the dams be located? Would there be speed and/or noise restrictions for the boaters? These are some of the questions I have and I would appreciate directions to where I can read/view the plans.
If our politicians are going to run with this issue in their campaign, the public should receive more information on it. After looking at St. Catherine as it is currently flooded, and reading what David Gardner is saying about the water depth, I could possibly support this project. But on this site there seems to be a veil of secrecy about it. Where can I go to learn more?
Posted by fatherof4 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think thats great, that all 3 candidates participated in that little adventure! I don't kayak myself, but its a great idea for people who do.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad - I have seen vague plans - I think Tony and/or Keith did something at Rotary. I am not sure the feasibility study has be done (and or completed) I think the plan is to add a few small dams along the creek. I don't think there would be much private land flooded; most people like waterfront property so I doubt anyone along the project would be too opposed. (Although you can never be too sure!)
The river depth would be kept low - (lower than it is now) so in rainy times excess water would be allowed to flow to the river. In dry times the water would be dammed.
Once again it looks like Phillip has the edge, project dreamed up 30 years ago - first money spent on the project under Phillip.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
natchez1, Your help is appreciated. Thanks much. I'd love to see maps and more. The people who post here and always speak for their candidates don't seem to have a clue.
The magnitude of the project would interest me much. Specifically, how far will the impounded waters reach upstream and the tributaries? I realize the town is currently catering to the flatwater kayakers since they have started with an excellent annual race/festival. But after a long hard rain, a fastwater ride from Washington to Steamplant road (and past) is about the best thing we have going.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 4:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, I'm surprised they went out there considering the Deliverance-like episode that occurred a couple of weeks ago. Glad to hear no one shot at them or chased them down in a boat this time.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
elvisss.....they werent high on drugs when they boated down the creek.the dopehead dude that blew this out of proprotion should have been drug tested when he reported he was shot at.the nice lady that he is telling these lies on would never hurt anyone...not even a dopehead.i hope when this is over they sue him and take everything he has...of course being he lives with his mother and has no regular job i doubt it will not be much,but maybe the could get his boat so he can stop causing trouble with it.
Posted by LdyBreez (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 5:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is so much oportunity here. If you want to go tubing now you have to go to Boga Chitta. Nice little business for someone to start up... Small camping area's tents, pop-ups maybe larger. Would the lakes be stockable, or would the fish be able to go through the weirs? Maybe a clear springs type area? Traceway camp ground is gone now, Plantation Park has a few camper spots, but we use to have a rather large group parking at the convention center every year where do they go now across the river to Vidalia? Loads of potential!!!
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Paddle faster...I hear banjo's playing....hurry....I do not want to skweellll.....like a little piggy...lol...
On the serious side, I like this idea, but one thing that will have to be set up is a patrol system. They will have to have someone ride through daily making sure things do not get out of hand on the water. I like the low water level idea, but would like to know how it is going to work.
I know that a patrol system is not popular, but it can keep dopeheads off teh water and keep thugs from shooting at people that get close to the shorelines. They have to patrol the reservoir in Metro Jackson every day to make sure things like this do not happen and it really is a problem on any navigable water system.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One question, could they add some hybrid bass to the area after the dams are built so we could have some good stream fishing. I like stream fishing and a good crop of hybrid bass would make it a lot of fun.....
Posted by reb1843 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does Hizzoner West EVER smile?
Posted by GopherBaroque (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, let's do this instead of paving and repairing all the roads around that need resurfacing. Have you driven around Park Place lately. It's pitiful and that's not the only one that needs attention.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
shedevil, the nice lady leadpaint was telling lies about was arrested for assult. It was in Sunday's paper - check it out.
BTW he doesn't use drugs, most people who live and enjoy out-of-doors don't.
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
leadpaint doesn't use drugs....BUT the "nice lady" that was doing the target practicing DOES do alcohol and yes, it was in the paper for the assult charge (which, by the way, her husband claimed in the comment section that she was not issued a citation) and she received a nice little fine for "not doing anything wrong"! NOW WHO'S THE IDIOT?
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to hear the perpetrator was properly charged with assault and fined for her wreckless and arrogant behavior, as she should have been.
Posted by annuity (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Done right and above board this could be a great venture. Maybe the Feds could help out but not like they did to absorb the Melrose Albatross where you have to find a U.S. Senator on the take. Seriously, this would be a great attraction. Just take a look at some of the opportunities for tubing, canoeing, etc.
Posted by josey (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The project was the brainchild of former mayor Tony Byrne, who now sits as chair of the St. Catherine Creek Project Committee, nearly 30 years ago."
Natchez1 quoted..."Once again it looks like Phillip has the edge, project dreamed up 30 years ago - first money spent on the project under Phillip."
Why is Bucket getting the credit for this????
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shedevil-- your incorrect, Lead paint does have a full time job, get your facts straight.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
banjo music......help.......
Posted by LeadPaint (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shedevil- is lost! I don't know where they get the disinfo from.Maybe they're one of them "assumers" (lol)
I have not stopped floating the creek,I went yesterday and will go today it's beautiful everyone should get out and see Natchez from this view.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yall, lets pleaseget back to the project and not to attacking anybody about an issue from 2 weeks ago.
The project can be a great thing for Natchez. If they do this and then build a climbing wall up the riverbank of the river, tourism might be a good thing. Kayaking and climbing are things that will bring in YOUNGER PEOPLE to tour Natchez, not just ole dust-farting 80 year olds....
Lets keep to the subject, making an area that would be fun for people in Natchez and visitors...PLEASE!!!!!!!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
redusmfan, HEY. How did you know my age?
I'll beat those young whipper snappers on the rock anyday. AND on the water.
Posted by LeadPaint (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's what i'm talking about USMfan.this needless name calling is outrageous. I don't want to deter anyone from floating the creek. I just want everyone to be careful and know that a kayaking rule is "NEVER GO ALONE" I learned the hard way!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LeadPaint, Maybe you could go alone and go armed. But then I do canoes and not kayaks. Didn't know y'all have such a rule. Whatever works.
Posted by waterbourne (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Natchez, Please DO NOT pollute the St Catherine Creek Project if built. This can be great for our town and community lets not spoil it.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
waterbourne, The creek is already polluted. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, tires and so on. And raw sewage. Hopefully the plans, which I have yet to locate, will address these issues. This concerns lower St. Catherine. The upper creek is pretty much pristine when it is not getting runoff from the garbage dump which then leaves a distinctive smell in the water for miles.
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Leadpaint, you didnt learn the hard way, you escaped unharmed and blew something out of proportion.
Posted by 000117 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am just wondering if anyone took into mind that the Creek is also used as Flood Relief.
Back in the Mid 70s Farmers in Mississippi and Louisiana was Damming up creeks and ponds so they could make more farm land. When Washington found out about it, they made all of the farmers remove the dams, and dig the ponds back out. Talk about the millions of dollars that was spent on damming and removal.
Maybe we should stop and think before we do something that is going to HURT some one along the River.
If our leader would focus on business that is going to help the WHOLE AREA and not just a SELECT FEW THEN AND ONLY THEN will we grow and Your CHILDREN will stop leaving the area. The problem with this area is you want to live in the Pass! Put the pass behind you and move ahead into the 21 century.
A city can not survive on tourism along.
Maybe all of the candidates should take a lesson from the Mayor of Vidalia.
Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
great lets make this happen
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I gave Phillip some credit for this because the idea was conceived 30 years ago and nothing happened. Keith came to Phillip and mentioned the idea. Phillip had the city grant writer (which Phillip Hired) to write a grant for the feasibility study (which was awarded $75,000) and the study is done or under way. This little deliverance demo was done for 2 reasons - One to show the potential of the fun of Kayaking the creek and if West is defeated to keep the project alive with his successor.
Tony Byrne and Keith get the credit for keeping the project idea alive - I was just giving some credit to the mayor for his part too. I hope the project is feasible, and that it is affordable. Looks fun.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Phillip West looks hilarious to me in these photos! Looks like he is scared to death!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Aha. Grant writer??? I'll bet they have more information on this than anyone else has given. Thanks.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad,
For more information you can call the Mayor or Tony at KETCO.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hitormiss, Will do. Thanks.
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rocketman and freedom you are both wrong. She was charged after lead paint made a second attempt of signing a affidavade against her. She has paid no fine. I'm just waiting for the court date. Can't wait to see paint chips in the courtroom. As for drugs I have said nothing, but lead paints neighbors have said volumes
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rocketman I'm still waiting for you to tell me who you are since you know me so well. Sounds like you have an ax to grind against me. What did I do to you
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I really hope they make this happen. Natchez needs fun things like this!
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Grant writer is Bret Brindegar _-- or some variation of that ---
I am sure my old computer would have her email!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchezbum, you had to post bond, and as of Sunday morning leadpaints family did not know if her arrest was about her shooting at him or something else.
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the paper was wrong, she was relesed on her on recog bond. paintchips knows why she was called sat morning to come to the station. The police said he came down and filled out another affidavide. so his family knows!
Posted by dreamweaver61 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now this is the type of activities that will draw tourist of all ages to Natchez. Hope it gets done. Got my canoe, camping gear and fishing tackle ready
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hey rocket idiot, where are you? You have not answered any of my posts.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez1, yes thanks. We've met. Friend of a friend. An excellent decision of the Mayor, I might add, hiring someone who is capable of bringing in literal millions to the city.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchezbum1....he is spaced out at the present time...maybe he will land soon and reply...good luck with the paint flake idiot in court we will be supporting yall natchezbum
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
okay lowrider... if youre so smart where does he work?
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote West out!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone keeps complaining about the quality of information in the Democrat's reporting. Myself included. But maybe they would have more time to do their job if they did not have to constantly police this site for the slander violations. If folks would write with a certain amount of self-control and decency, the Democrat just might have the time to write that extra story or paragraph that we always feel is missing.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
West is only smiling when he wants something....like a re-election.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, I simply can't disclose that information, due to confidentiality reasons, but your still wrong and as hard as you may try you will still be wrong tomorrow. Hope you have a wonderful evening. :)
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And your point was? Sorry, must have missed it.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
O, I see back now, employment thing.
Thanks for clearing that up lowrider...?
Posted by LeadPaint (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoohoo, I went and floated my kayak in the creek today with my friends from back home (up north) and we were having a great time, we found some of them frogs that we started licking and sucking on and we got so high and I fell out of my boat!
But thankfully being the "panzy" that am I had on my floaties on, but (I don't have a regular job so that leaves me poor) one of the floaties had a hole in it and oh boy was I scared!!! I bobbed under like a cork and then went down to the bottom I started flapping my arms like chicken little wings and along with my one spongebob floatie I just popped up to the top of the water,POP!!! (I think an injured gar nibbled on one of my toes)
While I was under that deep dark scary water I was thinking "I WANT MY MOMMY"
I managed to climb back into my boat and hurry home so that I could have my mommy tell me that everything will be alright.
She did ground me though.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! sorry I missed all the fun, and I wasn't busy today at all!!!
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LeadPaint, I think I might have an odd spongebob floaty left of my grandchilds. I'll gladly donate it to you. :-)
Wouldn't want you to have to float sideways. LOL
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jammin1, I think that leadpaint might be using the 1 arm floatie thing to evade detection. I probably got a pool floatie you can have now that the river is receding!
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 5:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
at least paint flake was honest with his last post...something i knew all along
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hey bum...if I have an ax to grind with you, I'll do it when I get ready to and not here on an open forum. Not a smart move on your part to invite me to air my grieveances publicly of you and yours since you are a man that owns a business that relies on the public to keep that business going. Everytime you get on here, your attitude speaks VOLUMNS about you. You may do well to watch your sharp tongue and stop criticizing a man that actually did nothing wrong other than get in the way of your "sharp shooter" that was "hunting" gar when she obiviously couldn't see well enough to notice a man nearby. Isn't that in the safety rules of a hunter, being that she is such a "safety minded" shooter as you all claim? Oh and shedevil, you sure sound like you may actually be the "shooter" yourself!
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
air it
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AIR IT
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