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Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 116
• Corinth, Mississippi •
Mostly cloudy Today
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22 pages • Two sections
20 percent of voters needed for vote Past elections may provide preview of possible liquor vote BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Should an effort to legalize liquor sales in the city of Corinth emerge, proponents and opponents will likely be studying the math of past elections. The law, which allows cities of a certain population such as Corinth to set a city-only vote, must receive approval under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 before becoming effective. The first hurdle to clear for a city-only liquor vote will be a petition containing signatures of at least 20 percent of the city’s reg-
istered voters presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. As of Wednesday, the number of registered voters in the city is 11,703. Twenty percent of that number is 2,341, and the number can fluctuate as people register to vote and as people who have moved or died are purged from the voter rolls. A look at liquor elections held since 1989, when the tide turned against legalization in Alcorn County, shows that precincts consisting largely of city voters have generally given majority support to ending prohibition.
Because of the way the 16 county precincts are divided, it’s not possible to take a countywide vote and extract only the city results. Predominantly city precincts do, however, give a good indication. The last county-wide vote in December 2005 had very similar results to the votes in 1989 and 1993, with a final tally of 5,489 (54.8 percent) against legalization and 4,489 (45.2 percent) for. Among the predominantly city precincts, three voted in favor — South Corinth, North Corinth
and East Corinth, while two voted against — West Corinth and East Third Street. The large College Hill precinct, which includes a substantial number of city voters, barely went into the “for” column by a vote of 526 to 521. Taking just those six precincts from the December 2005 vote essentially flips the percentages. The “for” total is 2,328 (54.8 percent) and the “against” total is 1,920 (45.2 percent). Legalization had the most support at South Corinth (433-228) and East Corinth (615-371). It was fairly close at the city pre-
cincts going against — West Corinth (255-266) and East Third Street (143-201). In 1993, the county-wide vote was 5,793 against and 4,386 for. In 1989, it was 4,323 against and 3,411 for. Just days before the 1989 reversal on liquor, Corinth voters approved beer sales in a city-only referendum with 2,172 (53.8 percent) in favor and 1,868 (46.2 percent) opposed. That vote followed unsuccessful city beer referendums in 1976 and 1981 which failed by 138 and 444 votes, respectively.
Readers pay tribute to mothers BY MARK BOEHLER editor@dailycorinthian.com
Happy Mother’s Day to all those women who have made a difference in the lives of others. Today we pay tribute and say thanks for being the inspiration to all things great in life. The Daily Corinthian asked readers to think of the women in their lives who deserve special mention. Response was great and here are some touching thoughts on this very special day. Nell York A lot of people can say they were lucky to have their mother take them to church when they were a child, but not many can still say that when they are over 50. I’m fortunate to have a mother who has always taken me to church. I am blessed she has taken care of me even when it hurts her body. It is not easy being my mother for a lot of reasons and I am thankful to be her son. — Jeff York Senior Ladies at Oakland My life has been blessed beyond measure with godly women. I have been privileged to learn from my Senior Ladies Sunday School Class at Oakland Baptist Church since 1998. Ages 70 to 97 years young, they are faithful to the Lord and to our class. If they are not there, it is be-
cause they are in the hospital or “next door” to it. They always have words of encouragement and they are prayer warriors from the word go. In 2008-09, I had a round with cancer and chemo for six months. Their prayers and cards were the highlight of many days. They continue to bless my life every week. When I see the struggles they have with health and all the things that life throws at us, they handle it with grace and wisdom knowing that God will take care of them. What a testimony their lives are and what a blessing they have been to me. Thank you ladies. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day. — Ruth Ann Phillips Daisy Coleman Newcomb I think of my mother daily. She moved to Gaines Road -- Daisy’s Homeplace -- in 1900 at the age of 13, living there until she was 78. She lost her mother at an early age and had to care for a ninemonth-old little bother. She became a mother to him, two sisters and three other brothers. Her life was family, community and me, her only child. She also had her two grandsons and her husband. She lived her entire life for others. — Ms. D Ruth Teague Please see TRIBUTE | 5A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Paige Farris, 4, gives her mom, Priscilla, a big hug during the annual Mother’s Day Tea at First Baptist Church on Friday. Children presented their mothers a flower and then escorted them to the table. The preschool/kindergarten children — 64 total — also served their mothers punch and cookies. Today is Mother’s Day.
Oakland Baptist Church plants Garden of Hope BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Oakland Baptist Church has decided to get dirty. The congregation is rolling up its sleeves in effort to let hurting people know there is hope. A half acre garden -- The Oakland Baptist Church Garden of Hope -- has been planted behind the church on Harper Road. In planting the garden of vegetables, Oakland is hoping other churches follow suit to help those in the community who are struggling. “Some people are in situations where they think no one cares,” said Oakland pastor Dr. Randy Bostick. “This is one way we can show them hope and it’s something we just have to do.” Close to 30 members of the church showed up on May 5 ready to work. It took them just an hour and a half to get the ground ready and plant 200 tomato plants along with squash, sweet corn, okra, peas, peppers and a few watermelons. “We got it planted pretty
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Oakland Baptist Church has planted the Garden of Hope to assist those needy in the community. Church pastor Dr. Randy Bostick (right) came up with the idea and church member Lowell Hinton is the overseer of the half acre garden behind the church. quick,” said church member and garden overseer Lowell Hinton.
“It was really good to see the people come out and contribute, not
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only with their finances, but with labor also.”
Dr. Bostick came up with the idea while reading scripture about fallow ground. The unplowed ground is talked about in Jeremiah 4:3 — Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. The particular ground is also mentioned in Hosea 10:12 — Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. The phrase fallow ground means land that could be productive, but for whatever reason has not been broken up, tilled, plowed, and prepared for planting. Both passages are spoken by Old Testament prophets to the people of Israel, who had become lazy, sloppy, and disobedient in their service of the Lord. “That really spoke to me,” said the pastor. “When I came to the staff and told them what I wantPlease see GARDEN | 12A
On this day in history 150 years ago Confederate forces in Virginia fall back to within three miles of the capital at Richmond. Union soldiers, eight miles from Richmond, can hear the church bells chiming the hours.