City to Use Eminent Domain in Burns Bottom

City to Use Eminent Domain in Burns Bottom

Jul 18, 2019 | , | 0 |

(The above is an artist’s rendering of a possible development.) Citing the need for action on a multi-million dollar Columbus improvement project, Mayor Robert Smith and the Columbus City Council approved beginning eminent domain action on two occupied houses and 10 vacant lots or houses in the Burns Bottom area downtown Columbus. John Acker, president of the Columbus Redevelopment Authority (CRA), asked the Columbus City Council on Tuesday to consider eminent domain action on the 12 properties. In each of the cases, the land and/or house have been appraised and the owners have been offered the appraisal value but...

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Public Invited to EMCC Communiversity Open House

Public Invited to EMCC Communiversity Open House

Jul 15, 2019 | , | 0 |

The public is invited to attend an open house for East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, Wednesday, July 17, and Thursday, July 18. They college’s Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Division is hosting the open house. Construction was recently completed on the Communiversity, a $42 million facility dedicated to training students for careers in modern manufacturing. The Communiversity is located in Mayhew at 7003 Frontage Road, between EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus and PACCAR Engine...

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Fredrick Jackson Resigns From Council

Fredrick Jackson Resigns From Council

Jul 3, 2019 | , | 0 |

Ward 4 Councilman Fredrick Jackson has resigned and a special election will be called to replace him. Mayor Robert Smith announced the resignation at a press conference Wednesday morning. Jackson was not present. Smith said he had received Jackson’s letter of resignation about 8:45 that morning. “He stated in his letter to the mayor and council that he was resigning to spend more time focusing on his family and career opportunities,” Smith said. “He also thanked the citizens of Ward 4 for allowing him to serve them over the past two years.” Smith was asked if Jackson had resigned...

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Travel Woes For City

Travel Woes For City

Jun 20, 2019 | , | 0 |

BY BRIAN JONES brian.jones@packet-media.com Money dominated the June 18 meeting of the Columbus City Council, with discussions about the current financial status, travel in the fire department and issuance of emergency bonds. The council also questioned Police Chief Fred Shelton on incarceration rates and made two board appointments. Financial update Chief Financial Officer Deliah Vaughn said the city’s general fund was at about $7 million. “For the month of May, our bank balance in the general fund is $4.2 million,” she said. “There is $2.8 million, for a grand total of $7 million. For the month of May there...

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Candidates Square Off in Caledonia

Candidates Square Off in Caledonia

Jun 20, 2019 | , , | 0 |

BY BRIAN JONES brian.jones@packet-media.com Eight candidates took questions from constituents during a political forum at Caledonia Thursday night. Candidates for District 1 Justice Court Judge, District 1 Supervisor, Chancery Clerk and Senate District 17; a second forum, set for July 18th, with feature candidates for Representative District 39, sheriff, county prosecuting attorney and District 1 Constable. Each candidate was given a few minutes to introduce themselves, and then took questions. Caledonia Middle School teacher Allison Barnett served as the moderator. [I’m not going to cover every question for the sake of brevity. – Ed.] Incumbent District 1 Justice Court...

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