9-10-11 Daily Corinthian

Page 1

Saturday Sept. 10,

2011

50 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 115, No. 216

Mostly sunny Today

Tonight

84

58

• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 2 sections

Court clears judge of misconduct Supreme Court dismisses alleged ticket-fixing complaint against Little Court Judge Jimmy McGee was also recently dismissed. “I’m pleased with the Supreme Court decision this week,” said Little. “I look forward to continuing to serve Alcorn County. I will seek reelection in November and I will continue to help individuals overcome drug and alcohol abuse, which has become a major and continually growing problem in our society, one

BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The Mississippi Supreme Court has cleared Justice Court Judge Steve Little of a judicial misconduct charge leveled by the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance. The court this week dismissed with prejudice the complaint relating to alleged ticket-fixing. The ticket-fixing complaint against Justice

that affects and attacks our families and community.” He said he appreciates the public’s support. The Commission on Judicial Performance had recommended a public reprimand, 90-day suspension without pay and $100 assessment for costs. The commission argued that Little improperly ordered alcohol and drug treatment in lieu of conviction in

16 misdemeanor DUI cases. Little said the judges used two local faith-based programs to try to help firsttime DUI offenders. The Supreme Court’s decision states, “’Passing to the file’ charges of DUI on recommendation of the county prosecutor does not, in and of itself, constitute willful misconduct, nor does it constitute a reduction of a charge … Because Judge Little did

Federal grant money will repair airport taxiway BY BOBBY J. SMITH

not act without the authority of law, the Commission’s reference to this case as one of ‘ticket-fixing’ is unfounded.” The Supreme Court further opined that “the Commission made no finding of bad faith or gross unconcern on behalf of Judge Little, and the record lacks evidence of any wrongdoing. Steve Little Thus, the sanctions recommended by the Commission are unwarranted.”

Ward 4 election dispute likely headed to trial BY JEBB JOHNSTON

bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The taxiway at the Corinth-Alcorn County Airport will soon be undergoing some muchneeded repairs. The upcoming project, made possible by a $1,197,556 grant for airport development from the Federal Aviation Administration, will repair and resurface severely cracked areas of the taxiway and taxiway crossover, and improve the drainage system. The project began when Donna Briggs, operations supervisor at the airport, discovered the cracks while bicycling for exercise on the taxiway. “We have cracking of the taxiway vertically and horizontally running all the way down to the subsoil,” Briggs explained. “Also, the centerline is cracking from end to end.” Briggs brought this to the attention of the airport’s board and engineering firm, who then initiated geo-tech studies, including borings and

Staff photos by Bobby J. Smith

A corporate jet awaits time for takeoff at the Corinth-Alcorn County Airport, above. Severe transverse cracks in the airport’s taxiway, below, will be repaired with the $1.2 million grant from the FAA.

Please see AIRPORT | 2A

The challenge to Corinth’s 2010 Democratic primary runoff result for ward 4 is likely heading to trial. A circuit judge recently denied challenger Steve Hill’s motion for summary judgment in the case. A motion for trial setting entered by Danny Lowrey, attorney for Steve Hill, was filed in Alcorn County Circuit Court on Thursday. J.C. Hill was certified the winner by two votes over Steve Hill, who was the incumbent. Steve Hill challenged the election result, alleging that a number of voters were not residents of ward 4 and thus cast illegal ballots. His challenge seeks a new election for ward 4. The court order denying the motion for summary judgment states, “… the court finds that an issue of material fact exists as to whether or not each of the challenged voters were illegal voters in the ward four alderman race and for whom they voted, which precludes the court from

granting judgment as a matter of law in this case.” In a Jan. 28 hearing on the case before Special Circuit Judge Vernon Cotten, Lowrey argued that if he proves a sufficient number of the votes in question are illegal votes, Steve Hill is entitled to a new election. He argues the majority of the voters in question had not lived in ward 4 for some time. Richard Bowen, representing J.C. Hill, argued that the critical point is a person’s “voting domicile” — the place where he or she is registered to vote — rather than their current place of residence. Steve Hill has named 16 individuals who allegedly cast illegal votes in the election. He would seek to prove that at least two of those votes were for J.C. Hill and were illegal, requiring a new election and for the office to be vacated. Steve Hill’s motion for summary judgment included copies of absentee ballot applications and envelopes and documents from utilities and 911 to make his case that the votes were improper.

Corinth Artist Guild Gallery opens acrylic painting exhibit BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The art gallery opens a new exhibit this weekend featuring Tennessee artist Terrance Thomas. An opening reception with the Huntingdon resident is Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Corinth Artist Guild Gallery at 507 Cruise. The exhibit runs through Sept. 30. The self-taught artist’s acrylic paintings include a number of landscapes and still life subjects. “The main mission in my painting is to touch the heart as well as to please the eye,” he said. He describes his style as “impressionistic with a touch of realism.” He began painting in 2004 with a focus on landscapes. He later began to produce still lifes, drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastes in the Bible.

Thomas has now been painting for seven years and has work at Art in the Village in Jackson, Tenn., and The Artisan Market in Dickson, Tenn. He has taken first-place honors in several juried shows for acrylic painting and has more than 100 paintings in private and corporate collections. Thomas aims to produce about 10 paintings per month. He was recommended to the gallery by Mary Spellings, who recently exhibited in Corinth. “I think it’s an impressive body of work showing a variety from really outstanding still lifes to heavily textured landscapes,” said Guild President Sonny Boatman. (Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. This month’s opening reception is sponsored by the tourism office.)

Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......4B Comics......3B Crossroads ..10A

Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports...1-2B

Submitted photo by Jesse Ables

The gallery is featuring acrylic paintings by Terrance Thomas during September. An opening reception will be held Sunday afternoon.

On this day in history 150 years ago Albert Sidney Johnston appointed Full General in the C.S.A. and given command of the sweeping Confederate Department Number Two. Arthur E. Reynolds of Jacinto elected Colonel of the 26 Mississippi.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.