Editor’s Note: Some pretty pointed comments about the City of Magee have appeared in this paper the past few weeks.
We try to be careful with the words we choose; however, sometimes there is a misinterpretation of what was said versus what was meant.
City attorney Bruce Smith visited the paper last Thursday morning to discuss a previous conversation.
In error, we had reported that a meeting between an alderman and the county superintendent of education should have been conducted publically. However, after contacting the Ethics Commission we realized that we were incorrect. The open meeting rule would apply only if a quorum of one of the boards was present for discussion at this meeting. We apologize for any aspersion this may have cast on either the city board or the school administration.
It is the goal of this newspaper to report timely news as objectively as possible. The words we choose are meant to convey a situation as we see it. Sometimes other people saw the situation differently. It is not the intention of the paper to misinform.
At the City of Magee’s Board of Aldermen meeting this week, Magee Mayor Dale Berry reported that he had been in contact with the county regarding the possibility of working with the Department of Agriculture to help fund Magee’s animal shelter.
Simpson County currently has no policy to deal with animals nor facilities to house any animals that are picked up in the county.
Berry also said that the City of Magee had offered to place a law enforcement officer on duty at Magee High School. He said the city would be responsible for half of the cost of the position if the school district would pay the other half. Berry cited a figure of $36,000 a year for the position. He said that if the district was interested they should contact the city.
The board discussed the condition of McNair Springs Park. Berry made a personal commitment that the park would be maintained in the future once cleaning and renovation is completed in the current project.
Other aldermen commented that people would enjoy the park because of its natural beauty. Alderman Lane Steel stated that people should volunteer time to make the park a nicer place. His own lawn care business has been working in the park to improve the facility.
It was announced that in conjunction with the work going on at the park, the State of Mississippi will kick off their Keep Mississippi Beautiful Program from Magee. Park project volunteer Christian Carrico announced that an effort is being made to attract other grant opportunities for the park.
The mayor mentioned that he had attended a conference where presenters outlined issues that cities should not have.
-No swimming pools
-No police chases
-No jails
-Nothing thrown at parades.
In regard to Magee, Berry noted that the city had a reason for having a jail.
The board approved the pressure washing of the city tennis courts at the request of Christian Carrico.
Mayor Berry reported that Senator Chris Caughman had told him of a $500,000 grant from the state that could be used for projects. The board voted to apply for the funding to assist with maintenance of the sewer system.
The city agreed to using a texting system to alert participants of bad weather for baseball events. The cost for the text program is $1,200. It gives weather updates regarding rainouts for games as well as storm warnings.
Berry told the board that Simpson Academy had given the city $2,000 for use of the Magee ballfields.
A report from the airport indicated that some renters at the airport are non-compliant on their insurance and the city plans to evict them. The list includes Keith Jones for three hangers and Richard Sica for one hanger.
The board agreed to issue clean up notices to the following properties in the city:
-421 Second St. S.W.
-114 4th Ave. S.W.
-106 4th Ave. S.W.
-707 Main Ave. S
-213 4th Ave. N.W.
-539 Simpson 149
-523 9th Ave, N.W,
-844 !st St. S.W.
-Hillside Apartments
-603 3rd St. N.W.
-217 5th Ave. S.W.
-623 2nd Street S.W,
-571 Simpson 149
-628 11 Ave. N.W.
-631 11 Ave. N.W.
-423 11th Ave. N.W.
-414 5th Ave. S.W.
-104 7th Ave. S.E.
-607 9th Ave. S.E.
-920 Mill Drive
Notices are sent for various infractions to include clean up, abandoned property, abandoned house and delapidation,
The next meeting of the board is set for Feb. 19.
