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Tentative Agenda for Lamar County Board of Supervisors Meeting for Thursday Feb 17

Board of Supervisors

Of

Lamar County, Mississippi

Board Meeting

Date: February 17, 2011 Time: 9:00 A.M.

Bid Opening:

  1. Annual, legal and depository bids.  Receive and enter Proof of Publication.  (10:00 am).

Subject Matter:

  1. Reading of Minutes for Correction and Approval
  1. Approval of the February 7, 2011 board minutes.
  1. Personnel Matters
  1. Approval to transfer 10 hours of vacation time from Jimmy Breazeale to Stephen Pierce.
  2. Approval to transfer 10 hours of vacation time from Gary Holston to Stephen Pierce.
  3. Approval to transfer 20 hours of sick time from Joey Walker to Stephen Pierce.
  4. New Hire: Trey Wood, tax office at $18.50 per hour as of February 14, 2011.
  5. Terminated: Joshua Delancey, multipurpose center as of February 14, 2011.
  6. Approval of the following county personnel handbook revision: In the event of a dismissal or delay of the work day, all employees that report to work will be compensated for the entire day, not to exceed each employee normal current daily work schedule of hours.
  1. Road Department Matters
  1. Approval of the request from the City of Purvis to remove seven big trees located off Highway 589.
  1. Bids and Claims
  1. Approval to award the bid of 35 replacement doors to 10 fire stations to Overhead Door of Hattiesburg in the amount of $61,181. The cost breakdown: $50,681 for doors, $7,000 for labor and $3,500 removal fee. (The board finds the bid of Underwood Sales failed to meet bid specifications).
  2. Approval of a check in the amount of $12,442.30 made payable to MDA for payment of a fire truck.  (Payment is due March 1, 2011).
  3. Approval of a $2,500 disbursement to the City of Purvis to assist with recreation needs.  (To be paid from Fund 012 District 2 Parks and Recreation).
  1. School Board Matters
  1. Sheriff Department Matters
  1. Approval to retire K9 dog Mikey from active duty and allow him to remain with Lt. Brad Weathers for the remainder of his retirement.
  2. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of Matt Henderson and Christopher Regan to attend North American Sniper Competition, March 20-25, 2011 in Southaven, Mississippi.
  1. Planning Matters
    1. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of Tara Coggins to attend the 2011 Association of Floodplain Managers Conference, April 26-29, 2011 in Natchez, Mississippi.
    2. Approval of a lot line change for Lot J-6 of Bellegrass, Neighborhood J.  (The driveway was partially built on the adjacent property; therefore, they have to move the lot line 500 feet).
    3. Discuss changes in the Site Plan Ordinance.
  1. Fairground Matters
  1. Fire Coordination Matters
  1. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend Deerfield Wage & Hour Youth Employment Seminar (to assist with Jr. Volunteer Firefighters), March 8, 2011 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
  2. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend the Mississippi Association of Public Fire Safety Educators Conference, April 27-30, 2011 in Jackson, Mississippi.
  3. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend the National Volunteer Fire Council Conference, April 3-6, 2011 in Alexandria, Virginia.
  4. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend the National Fire and Emergency Services Seminar, April 6-7, 2011 in Washington, DC.
  1. Emergency Management Matters
  1. Approval to transfer a 2005 Ford Truck from Hinds County to our inventory.  The vehicle to be used by the local Homeland Security personnel.
  1. Economic Development Matters
    1. Report from the Area Development Partnership/Lamar County Economic Development District.
  1. Additional Matters
  1. Approval of changes in Assessments per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
  2. Approval of changes in Homestead per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
  3. Approval of Tax Sale Cancellations per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
  4. Approval to surrender old vehicle tags per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
  5. Approval of the attached asset deletion list and sell as surplus at auction.
  6. Approval of the attached asset transfer list.
  7. Approval to pay the legal expenses of Frankie Glennis, Molly Goff, Marvin Pittman, Chance Curry, Tangi Carter, Prentiss Harrell and Matthew O’Quain to attend the Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals annual training conference, May 4-6, 2011 in Biloxi, Mississippi.
  8. Approval to pay the lawful expenses of Michelle Martin to attend HR Training (certification credit), March 29-30, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  9. Approval to pay the annual dues of $50 to the Mississippi Recycling Coalition.
  10. Update: The County received a $23,544 grant from InterAct Funds.  (Helps pay a small portion of the dispatch upgrades).

  1. Under Advisement

  1. Approval to accept the roads for maintenance in Dandridge Subdivision, Phase 4. (May 3, 2010).
  2. The purchase of 35 replacement fire department doors.  (January 20, 2011).
  3. The recommendation of the Planning Commission to fine owners of a mobile home located on Cole Road.  (February 7, 2011).

Next Board Meeting: Monday, March 7, 2011

Future Board Meetings:
Thursday, March 24, 2011 (4th Thursday)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Filed under: Government, Lamar County, Oak Grove, Politics, Purvis, Sumrall, agenda, Lamar County, supervisors meeting

FINANCIAL PLANNING TOPIC OF SALES AND MARKETING FEBRUARY MEETING

The February meeting of Sales and Marketing Professionals – Pine Belt (SMP) will feature. Steve Anderson and Tammy Wesson, representing Financial Works.  The meeting will be held at Hattiesburg’s Lake Terrace Convention Center on Tuesday, February 8.  Networking and lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon.
TekLinks is the sponsor for the February meeting

Steve Anderson is founder and principle of Financial Works. He is a corporate accountant and has dedicated over 30 years to the financial industry.

Tammy Wesson has been in the insurance and financial industry since 2004 and is a financial advisor.

Sales and Marketing Professionals – Pine Belt is the regional professional organization for all sales and marketing professionals in the area.  All who work in the area of sales and marketing and related professions are welcome to become affiliated with the new organization. Visitors are welcome at all meetings.

Filed under: Business, Ellisville, Featured, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Marketing, Sales, smp, steve anderson, tammy wesson

All Jones County Schools Closed Fri. Feb. 4; Hattiesburg Public Schools and Lamar County OPEN

All Jones County Public Schools are closed today including Laurel Schools.

JCJC has cancelled classes for today.

Headmaster Ronnie Jones at St. John’s Day School in Laurel has announced that classes are cancelled today, Friday, February 4, 2011.

Hattiesburg Public Schools will be OPEN today.

Lamar County Schools are OPEN

Filed under: Breaking News, Ellisville, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones, Jones County, K-12, Lamar County, Laurel, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, education, Forrest County Mississippi, Lamar County Mississippi, laurel, school closings, St. John's Day School

MDOT News Release: roads being

MDOT Prepares for Wintry Weather in South Mississippi

JACKSON, MISS., Thursday, February 3, 2011— The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) would like to announce a winter weather alert on roadway conditions for motorists traveling in southern Mississippi.

 

MDOT crews have begun distributing de-icing material (salt brine) on four-lane and two-lane roads in Forrest, Lamar, Jones, Wayne, Jasper and Clarke Counties. MDOT urges all motorist traveling in these counties to use extreme caution while crews are at work.

 

For the most up-to-date information in your area, please visit www.MSTraffic.com and sign up for your traffic alerts.  Also, visit http://www.mstraffic.com/mobile to get the latest traffic information from MSTraffic.com on your mobile device. MDOT advises the public to pull off the road to a safe location if you need to check the MSTraffic.com website while driving. For more information, please contact MDOT Public Affairs Division at (601) 359-7074 or visit www.GoMDOT.com. MDOT's number one concern is the safety of the traveling public.

 

-30-

Filed under: Breaking News, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones County, Lamar County, Laurel, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Weather, ice, traffic, Weather

Severe Storms/Tornadoes Possible Tuesday Afternoon Across the Pine Belt

The National Weather Service in Jackson is putting the Pine Belt on notice that tomorrow’s weather could get a little rough. It’s all part of a huge storm system rolling across the U.S. In fact, some are calling the storm one of the biggest to ever hit the country. In addition to the storms in the area, the rest of the storm will bring severe icing from Texas towards St. Louis and up to 2 feet of snow in the midwest including Chicago.

For the Pine Belt here is where we stand:

* Wind Advisory in effect 9am till Midnight Tuesday.

Southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph will be increasing Tuesday morning along the Mississippi River. Wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph will likely occur by midday generally west of the Interstate 55 corridor before spreading to the rest of the area by 300 PM.

Some gusts could reach 45 to 50 mph across the Mississippi Delta Region ahead of a front.

Once the strong cold front passes…winds will shift abruptly to the northwest at 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts lasting into Tuesday evening before they diminish from the south to north overnight.

* Impacts: wind gusts of 40 miles per hour and higher can bring down large limbs or rotted trees and blow loose objects causing serious injury and property damage. Exercise caution if you are outdoors during these strong winds.

Severe Storm/Tornado Risk

Severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rain will be possible Tuesday afternoon. These storms could contain a few strong tornadoes and damaging winds up to 70mph. The area at greatest likelihood to see these storms, is southeast of a line from Natchez to Jackson to Macon. These storms could also drop one to two inches of rain in a very brief period of time leading to ponding and flooding in some areas.

Timing of Storms



Filed under: Camp Shelby, Ellisville, Featured, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Weather, National Weather Service, Storm, Weather

PRCC speaker says to laugh long and often

POPLARVILLE – Women need laughter and tears to maintain an emotional balance and cope with the changes life brings, the keynote speaker told more than 300 people Saturday at Pearl River Community College for the Women’s Health Symposium.

Sally Baskey of Arlington, Texas, reminded the audience that laughter causes the brain to release endorphins which increase feelings of happiness.

Sally Baskey of Arlington, Texas, was keynote speaker and told the audience laughter is her drug of choice. PRCC Public Relations photo

“You control the dosage,” Baskey said. “That’s what self-medicating is all about.”

Baskey spoke at the fifth annual Women’s Health Symposium, which offered women free health screenings and pampering, including manicures and chair massages; an art walk, break-out sessions on a variety of topics as well as the luncheon where she spoke.

“We’re very proud to have you come to our campus and be part of special events,” Dr. William Lewis, PRCC president, said in welcoming the women.

Health becomes more important to people as they age, he said.

“Quite frankly, we sometimes take our health for granted,” Lewis said. “We hope events like this help put a spotlight on various health issues.”

Women lined up for health screenings, including blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol and posture analysis. They also stood in line for the chair massages offered by Healing Touch Day Spa in Hattiesburg.

“It was fabulous,” said Alicia Logan of Hattiesburg.

Sharon Ezell, left, and Jean Massey, both of Petal and members of the Hub City Red Hat Dames, get their cholesterol checked Saturday during the Women's Health Symposium at Pearl River Community College. Pricking their fingers are PRCC medical laboratory technology students Kyle Payne of Purvis and Hannah Skipper of Picayune. PRCC Public Relations photo

The luncheon included entertainment by The Voices, PRCC’s jazz vocal ensemble, and more than 100 door prizes. Rachel Fucich of Starkville won the grand prize of a two-night stay at the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino.

Baskey started her career as a motivational speaker after a year which started when her husband left her.

“My husband was not as happy with me as I was with him,” she said. “I so did not see this coming. I get home one day and the man is gone.”

During the next year, the divorce was finalized, their dream home was sold, her Lexus was totaled and her father died of cancer. The changes left her disliking the adage about a door doesn’t close unless a window opens.

“That much cross ventilation can blow you away,” she said.

But the adage is true, and laughter eases the pain, Baskey said.

“Laughter is a good thing,” she said. “Why is it so undervalued as a way to take care of ourselves? Laughter is my drug of choice; crying is my physical therapy. Life is about 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it.”

Grand sponsor for the symposium was the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation. Silver sponsors were Firth National Bank of Picayune/Poplarville, Hancock Band and Mississippi Power Foundation. Bronze sponsors were BankPlus, Hattiesburg Clinic, Highland Community Hospital, Southern Bone and Joint Specialists, Wal-Mart Supercenter of Picayune and Wesley Medical Center.

Filed under: Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Lamar County, Lifestyle, Marion County, Medical, Oak Grove, Pearl River, Petal, Purvis, Pearl River Community College, prcc, Sally Baskey, Women's Health Symposium

PRCC hosts Mississippi Showchoir Contest in Hub City

More than 30 middle and high school showchoirs will be in Hattiesburg Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4 and 5, for the Mississippi Showchoir contest.

Sponsored by Pearl River Community College, the contest will be held at William Carey University.

PRCC Honors Military

Judges will be Dr. Mark Malone, coordinator of music education in The Winters School of Music at Carey and former choral director at PRCC; Michael Winslow, choral director at Mount Zion High School, Mount Zion, Illinois; Jena Adrianson, choral director at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis; and Eric Van Cleave of Lafayette, Ind., producer, musical arranger and director.

Carol Joy Sparkman of the Missisisppi College music faculty will be the solo competition judge. Dr. Jonathan Kilgore, chair of fine arts and choral director at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, will judge the final showchoir competition.

Middle school showchoir competition begins at 3 p.m. Friday. Schools expected to compete are South Forrest Attendance Center, Petal, Purvis, Pearl River Central, N.R. Burger, Baxterville, Northeast Jones, Clinton, South Jones, Columbia Academy, Jackson Prep and Brandon.

Three Class A high schools – Forrest County AHS, Purvis and Stone will also compete Friday, beginning at 9:10 p.m.

The Voices, PRCC’s jazz ensemble, will present an exhibition performance before awards are given at 10:40 p.m. Friday.

High schools expected to compete Saturday are Wayne County, Lumberton, Columbia Academy, Picayune, Oak Grove, Pearl River Central, Hattiesburg, West Jones, Pascagoula, Clinton, Madison Central, Northeast Jones, Opelika, Ala.; Jackson Prep, Sumrall and Petal. Competition begins at 7:55 a.m. Saturday and continues until 6:35 p.m.

Three women’s groups – Northwest Rankin, Opelika and Petal – will also compete Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m.

PRCC’s showchoir, RiverRoad, will present an exhibition performance at 2:25 p.m. following preliminary competition.

The Voices will perform again at 6:35 p.m. before finalists are announced at 7 p.m. Three soloists and five showchoirs will perform again in final competition, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Awards will be presented at 10:40 p.m.

Admission is $6 on Friday night, $6 for preliminary competition on Saturday and $6 for final competition Saturday night or $10 for both preliminary and final competition on Saturday.

PRCC started the Mississippi Showchoir Contest in 1987 and hosted it in Poplarville until Hurricane Katrina in 2005 destroyed the performance venues. The contest was held in Petal in 2006.

After a two-year break, PRCC revived the contest in 2009 with the cooperation of William Carey University.

LaDona Tyson is director of choral activities at PRCC, and Archie Rawls is chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication.

Filed under: Arts, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, K-12, Oak Grove, Pearl River, Petal, Purvis, William Carey, Baxterville, Clinton, Columbia Academy, education, Entertainment/Culture, Gulf Coast Community College, Jena Adrianson, Mark Malone, Opelika, POPLARVILLE, prcc, Show choir, South Forrest Attendance Center, Wayne County, William Carey University, Winters School of Music

Verna Robertson Cole of the Midway Community in Lamar County

Verna Robertson Cole of the Midway Community in Lamar County died Wednesday afternoon January 26, 2011. Mrs. Cole was retired from the University of Southern Mississippi where she worked in Food Services. Mrs. Cole was a dedicated member of Midway First Baptist Church where she took pride in assisting her husband in caring for the church grounds. When she was able her hobbies included gardening, sitting on the “Gallery”, and spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Judy and Terry Thomas of Sandy Hook, MS; her daughter-in-law Debbie Cole of the Midway Community; grandchildren Heather and Jason Graham of Sandy Hook; Shane Cole of Oak Grove; Vanessa and Ben David of Sandy Hook; and Kacey Cole of Birmingham, AL. Great-Grandchildren Anna and Cassidy Graham and Wyatt and Will David all of Sandy Hook, MS. A sister Ivloy Davis and brother Hermon Robertson, both of the Midway Community.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Claude Elbert Cole; her son, Danny Dannon Cole; her parents Charlie Zeno and Ruth Webster Robertson; and her brothers, Walter, Clyde, and Cassie Ray Robertson.
Pallbearers are her nephews: Steve, Jonathan and Randy Robertson, Mickey Friend, and Bartley Faulkner of the Midway Community; Winford and Robert Cole of Columbia; and Ronnie Newton of Madison, MS.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Midway First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund.

Visitation was held Thursday January 27, from 5:00-9:00pm and Services will be held at Midway First Baptist Church at 11:00am on Friday.

Filed under: Lamar County, Oak Grove, Obituaries, huelett-winstead funeral home, Obits, Verna Robertson Cole

Local Theatre Group Wins Top Honors at MTA

Just Over the Rainbow Theatre (JORT) won The Warren McDaniel Award for best production recently at the Mississippi Theatre Association (MTA) 2011 Festival in Meridian.  The group presented the play, “Driving Miss Daisy” by Alfred Uhry, in competition against seven other community theater groups from throughout the state.  Cast and crew members include Thomas Hardy, who directed the show as well as portraying “Boolie Werthan”; Deborah Hardy, assistant director; Ruth Ann Black, “Daisy Werthan”; Michael Marks, “Hoke Coleburn”; technical crew: Sherri Marengo and Irene Waites; stage managers: Jan Van Nostrand and Marianne Voorbrood.

Kneeling: Sherri Marengo, Irene Waites, Marianne Voorbrood Standing: Deborah Hardy, Ruth Ann Black, Thomas Hardy, Michael Marks, Jane Allison, Dick Allison. Not pictured: Jan Van Nostrand

Along with the award, JORT received an invitation to attend the Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc. (SETC), the largest and most active regional theatre organization in the country, where they will present “Driving Miss Daisy” in competition against community theatres from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.  The SETC will be held March 2-6 in Atlanta.

Other awards presented to JORT for “Driving Miss Daisy” at the MTA include Overall Technical Excellence; best actor in a leading role presented to Michael Marks for his portrayal of “Hoke”; and All Star Cast for outstanding performance presented to Ruth Ann Black for her portrayal of “Daisy”.  Additional awards presented to JORT include individual event winners: Dick and Jane Allison – first place dialogue performance, Irene Waites – third place monologue performance and Marianne Voorbrood – first place monologue performance.

Supporters wishing to sponsor JORT’s trip to the SETC may call 601-520-5272 or mail their contributions to P.O. Box 16553, Hattiesburg, MS 39404. JORT is a non-profit organization and donations are tax deductable.

Sitting: Thomas Hardy, Michael Marks, Ruth Ann Black, Standing: Sherri Marengo, Irene Waites, Jan Van Nostrand, Deborah Hardy, Marianne Voorbrood

Filed under: Arts, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Lamar County, Oak Grove, Petal, Deborah Hardy, Dick Allison, Driving Miss Daisy, Irene Waites, Jan Van Nostrand, Jane Allison, jort, Marianne Voorbrood, Michael Marks, Mississippi Theatre Association, Ruth Ann Black, Sherri Marengo, Southeastern Theatre Conference Inc., The Warren McDaniel Award, Thomas Hardy

Eat at Buffalo Wild Wings all Day Today | Help Stephen St. James Fight Cancer

Eat at Buffalo Wild Wings in Hattiesburg today and they will donate 15% off all pretax food sales to the STEPHEN ST. JAMES FUND.

Stephen St. James

B95′s Allyson Scott will be broadcasting live from 11-1pm and Rock 104′s Tom Colt will be broadcasting live from 3-5pm.

Print the COUPON to present to your server on Wednesday, Jan 19th from 11am until close.

Stephen St. James has been working for Blakeney Communications for the past 14 years. Shortly after coming to Rock 104, Stephen was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Last March 2010, Stephen had his third surgery and has taken chemo continually since then.
Stephen is now back in the hospital in Jackson. His wife is not able to work because she is staying with him constantly.

We have had clients, listeners, and friends of Stephen ask if there is anything they can do to help. There is.

Blakeney Communications has an account set up for Stephen. Years ago, we helped raise money to pay his medical bills and actually wrote the checks and paid as many of his bills as possible.

Filed under: Camp Shelby, Coupons, Covington County, Ellisville, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones County, Lamar County, Laurel, Marion County, Medical, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Allyson Scott, blakeney communications, buffalo wild wings, fundraiser, STEPHEN ST. JAMES FUND, Tom Colt