11-09-11 by Daily Corinthian

Wednesday Nov. 9,

2011

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 115, No. 267

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• Corinth, Mississippi • 24 pages • 2 sections

Over 11,600 turn out for election Bain beats Wood; Parks edges Powell

Smith easily wins school leader race

Bubba Carpenter coasts to easy margin of victory

BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

He said Kossuth had a very impressive turnout of about 1,200. Caldwell described the general election as a smooth day of voting. “We had a lot of machines set up, and that really helped a lot of the precincts,” he said. Among the regional races, longtime District Attorney John

Gina Rogers Smith is ready for the challenge. The Biggersville Elementary principal earned the chance with a resounding victory over Republican Rivers Stroup in the race for Alcorn County Superintendent of Education. “I know there is a lot of work ahead, but I am looking forward to it,” said Rogers Smith. “This job has to have someone step up and motivate children to be successful, not only now, but for the future.” Rogers Smith, who defeated incumbent Stacy Suggs in the primary and Bo Seago in the runoff, completed the hat trick on Tuesday night. The Democrat collected 5,165 votes (68.8 percent) compared to Stroup’s count of 2,334 (31.1 percent) on Tuesday. “The citizens of Alcorn County believed in our vision and were so hospitable to my family,” said the superintendent-elect. “I want to thank the citizens, my husband and family for their hard work.” The Kossuth High School graduate won all 14 precincts, dominating the 2nd District boxes of Five Points (604), Central (578) and Glen (504) along with her home box of Kossuth (818). The new county education leader improved on

Please see TURNOUT | 2A

Please see SMITH | 2A

BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Nick Bain (D) narrowly edged out Chip Wood (R) to win the district 2 House seat while Eric Powell (D) appeared to come up short in his reelection bid for the district 4 Mississippi Senate seat. In the district 1 House race, Lester “Bubb a ” C a r penter (R) easily won reelection. Bain, Bain a Corinth attorn e y , a n d Wood, a seco n d t e r m Corinth alderman for Parks w a r d 3, had a neck-and-neck race throughout the night. In complete and official results, including all absentee and affidavit ballots, Please see SENATE, HOUSE | 2A

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Voting help Farmington poll workers Wayne Burrell (left) and Noreene Green get a machine ready to use during Tuesday’s Alcorn County General Election.

Turnout bigger than expected; Young loses DA re-election bid BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Alcorn County voters turned out in bigger than expected numbers Tuesday for a heavy ballot that ushered in changes on the local and state level. The turnout of 11,608, including more than 600 absentee ballots, was just short of matching the summer’s first primary.

Those numbers include all absentee and affidavit ballots. Circuit Clerk Joe Caldwell had predicted 10,000, and a pleasantly warm and sunny day saw many residents head to the polls. “The weather really makes a difference,” said Caldwell. “It can change things a lot. You couldn’t have had the weather any better today.”

Ross will be new Voters return 2 justice county tax collector court judges to office; Jones named coroner

BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Relief. That was the first word out of the mouth of Larry Ross following a long election season. The campaign journey ended with the 62-year-old being elected Alcorn County Tax Collector on Tuesday night. “The most important thing is I want to praise the people who helped and give the glory to God,” said Ross outside the Circuit Clerk’s office. “I am thankful for the kind of race and the men who I ran against ... they are all good men.” Ross garnered 51.7 percent of the vote with his count of 5,873. He bested Republican challenger Bobby Burns (4,465) and Independent canRoss didate Milton Sandy (1,009) in becoming a first-time winner. “I am so blessed and will do my best to not let the people of Alcorn County down,” said Ross. Ross took 13 of the 16 precincts. His biggest count came at College Hill where he totaled 631 votes. The

Alcorn County voters chose to give the two incumbent justice court judges another term at the bench in Tuesday’s general election. Post 1 Justice Court Judge Steve Little was elected to his fifth term over challenger Luke Doehner, chef and owner of the Generals Quarters Inn. Doehner carried half of the Post 1 precincts, but Little emerged victorious with a total of 2,922 votes over Doehner’s 2,662. “I appreciate all of the voters who turned out,” Little said. “I want to thank my supporters, family and friends — and I look forward to serving the county for Little the next four years.” Three-term incumbent Jimmy McGee was reelected as Post 2 Justice Court Judge over challenger Ken Weeden, a former Baldwyn alderman. McGee took six of the post’s nine precincts and

Please see COLLECTOR | 2A

Please see RACES | 2A

BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

Ross re-elected as supervisor; Mitchell, Nelms, Hinton win BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

Democratic Party candidates made a clean sweep in the races for county supervisors. In the first district, Democratic candidate Lowell Hinton, a farmer and program associate at the MSU Extension Service, defeated District 1 employee Eddy Sanders with 74.68 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s general election. Hinton took all three of the precincts in the district and finished with a total of 1,755 votes over Sanders’ 589. “It’s been a long campaign and I am really humbled by the support and vote I received,” Hinton said. “I Please see SUPERVISOR | 2A

Hinton

Mitchell

Nelms

Republican Arnold wins House District 3 seat over Cadle BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington @dailycorinthian.com

Republican William ‘Tracy’ Arnold defeated Democrat Tommy Cadle Tuesday night to claim the Mississippi House of Representatives seat left

vacant with the retirement of William ‘Billy’ McCoy after three decades in the state house. Arnold, pastor of The Vineyard church in Prentiss County, came out on top in the general election over longtime Booneville

attorney Cadle, carrying clear margins on both sides of the county line in the district that covers most of Prentiss County and a small portion of Alcorn County. Arnold received a total of 3,899 votes over

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Cadle’s total of 3,496. In Prentiss County, Arnold had a total of 3,296 and Cadle came in second with 3,034 votes. In Alcorn County, the total stood at 603-462 in favor of Arnold. Arnold was unopposed

in the Republican primary for the seat while Cadle won the Democratic nomination in a threeway race for the right to represent his party in the general election. The representative-elect said he is grateful for all

the support shown to him throughout the campaign and understands the victory is just the beginning. “It’s an honor and I truly appreciate the people and their faith in me,” Please see ARNOLD | 2A

On this day in history 150 years ago President Jefferson Davis, in a letter to Gen. Joseph Johnston voiced concern over lack of recruits, but “we are restricted in our capacity to reinforce for want of arms.” By Tom Parson, NPS Ranger

Local

2A • Daily Corinthian

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

COLLECTOR:

SENATE, HOUSE: ‘I’m ready to

Burns won East, North, West boxes

get to work,’ congressman says CONTINUED FROM 1A

CONTINUED FROM 1A

new tax collector also had big numbers at Kossuth (566) and Central (511). Burns won the East Corinth, North Corinth and West Corinth boxes. The General Secretary for the Corinth Scottish Rite picked up almost 100 more votes than he did in the August runoff. He finished with 5,798 votes in his victory over Zane Elliott, earning all but one box in the August victory.

SMITH: School leader will take office in January CONTINUED FROM 1A

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Election question Poll worker Linda Burnett (left) and assistant polling officer Marsha Briggs go through the Farmington roll during Tuesday’s election.

her vote total from the August runoff. She earned 4,175 votes or just over 60 percent in the win against Seago in late August. “It was a beautiful day for voters and they got out and voted,” said the winner. Rogers Smith will take office on Jan. 1, 2012. “I’m going to be the principal of Biggersville Elementary and enjoy every minute of it until January,” she said.

RACES: Corinth PD officer Hinds defeats Bradley for Post 1 Constable CONTINUED FROM 1A

finished with 3,041 votes over Weeden’s 2,579.

Constable In the Post 1 Constable race Chuck Hinds, a veteran Army infantryman and current Corinth PD officer, won over Scotty Bradley, the information & technology director of Transc a r e AmbuHinds lance, w i t h 3,042 votes over Bradley’s 2,483. “I want to thank God for keeping his hand on me for the past year and thank my wife for her patience and hard work as cam-

paign manager,” said Hinds, w h o a l s o thanked his family, supporters and his Jones fellow candidates for an exceptionally clean campaign. “At the beginning of the election, all of the candidates said the winner would have to buy lunch for the others at the end,” he added. “It looks like lunch is on me!” Incumbent Roger Voyles swept the election for Post 2 Constable over challenger Stephen Gayer with over 85 percent of all votes cast as he carried all the precincts in the post except for Bethel. “It’s a beautiful day!” said Voyles. “I want to

thank G o d , m y family and all the voters and my supporters in Post 2. McGee They’ve elected me to this office for four terms now, and for that I am eternally grateful.” Voyles said he ran on his experience, his qualifications, the job he’s been doing and the job he’ll continue to do. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning on the job,” he added, “and I want to thank everybody for the tremendous vote.”

Coroner In the Alcorn County Coroner’s race, longtime funeral home employee

J a y Jones w a s elected o v e r E M S a n d paramedic G a i l B u r cham P a r -

Voyles

rish. Jones netted 7,593 votes over Parrish’s 3,498 — and carried every precinct in Corinth and Alcorn County. “I want to thank the citizens of Alcorn County for giving me the opportunity to serve as their next coroner, and I look forward to the next four years,” Jones said. “I’ve been doing this job, and now it’s time to switch titles from deputy coroner to chief — and I look forward to serving the citizens.”

Bain led with 3,772, or 51.5 percent, to Wood’s 3,550. “I’m ready to get to Jackson. I’m ready to get to work,” said Bain. ”I’m ready to bring jobs up to Alcorn County. I’m ready to protect our conservative values up here and make sure that our state employees’ retirement is taken care of and make sure that our educators get what they need to do their jobs.” While campaigning, he said the need for jobs and concern about public e m ployees’ r e tirement were t h e t o p issues Carpenter voters discussed. He described Wood as a “fine, worthy opponent.” “I commend him on a good, hard-fought race,” said Bain. He follows Harvey Moss (D), who did not seek reelection after 28 years in the post. “Thank you so much to Alcorn County,” said Bain. “I’m not going to let you down.” Wood carried five precincts — East Corinth, East Third Street, Kossuth, North Corinth and West Corinth. The Senate district 4 race was a nail-biter that left apparent winner Rita Potts Parks (R) reluctant to declare a win until the official results emerge in the neighboring counties. She did, however, express thanks for the vote and, like the others, said she heard voters’ call for jobs while on the campaign trail. The unofficial dis-

TURNOUT: Eminent domain initiative enjoyed the strongest support of the three initiatives CONTINUED FROM 1A

SUPERVISOR: Democrat Nelms finished with over half the votes cast CONTINUED FROM 1A

want to thank the Good Lord for giving me this opportunity, and I want to thank my friends and family for their hard work and support. But I know the real work is ahead of us and I’ll be asking for help again as we face the challenges ahead of us.” Residential builder and developer Dal Nelms (D) defeated Independent Billy Paul Burcham and Republican Jon Newcomb in the District 2 supervisors race. Nelms finished with over half of the total votes cast, with 1,237 (53.36

p e r cent) — over B u r cham’s 2 2 2 (10.42 p e r cent) a n d NewRoss comb’s 768 (36.04 percent). During the campaign, Nelms paid tribute to his father, the late Grady Nelms, who was always known to carry toothpicks. The younger Nelms was defeated by less than 20 votes in the 2007 District 2 Supervisor race.

“When I ran last time he said, ‘We’ll do it again in four years.’ He passed away last year,” Nelms explained. “In the campaign we made boxes of toothpicks — they looked like small matchboxes.” In the third district Tim Mitchell, owner of Biggersville’s Mitchell Farms, beat independent candidate Keith W. Hughes with over three-quarters of the total vote cast. Hughes finished ahead in the South Corinth precinct, but Hughes won the district’s two other precincts — Biggersville and Rienzi — to cinch the supervisor’s seat.

District 4 was the setting of the closest supervisor’s race of the general election, with incumbent Gary Ross claiming 57.25 percent of the vote for a victory over Republican challenger Pat Barnes’ 42.75 percent. Ross carried the district, receiving a majority of the votes in both the College Hill and Kossuth precincts. The fifth district supervisor’s race was settled in the August 28 runoff election with incumbent Jimmy Tate Waldon finishing with a secure lead over Jimmy Travis Drewery.

ARNOLD: ‘We’ve got to make a difference for our district and our state’ CONTINUED FROM 1A

he said. “Now the real work begins. We’ve got to make a difference for our district and our state.” Arnold thanked all those who worked so hard on his campaign and emphasized the importance of every volunteer, family member, friend and voter who played

P.O. Box 1800 Corinth, MS 38835

a role in the win. He pledged to get to work from day one on trying to improve opportunities for the people of the third district. “My goal is to work to make Mississippi more business friendly to bring jobs to our people,” he said. He said he wants to focus on passing legislation to restrict illegal immigration,

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protect existing jobs and create better opportunities for job creation in the state. Arnold steps into a seat held since 1980 by McCoy, who announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection to the post. In addition to over 30 years of service in the house, he has served as Mississippi’s speaker of the house since January 2004.

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Arnold

trict-wide tally was 8,862 for Parks and 8,578 for Powell. In Alcorn County’s official totals, Parks led 5,878 to 5,540. Powell did not expect the outstanding absentee ballots in Tishomingo and Tippah counties to change the outcome. “The people have spoken,” he said. “I’m not sad. I’m not mad. When the people elected me to this office, I did the best I knew how to do. I accepted their call for me, and I’m accepting their call for me to step down.” Powell, seeking a second term, said he felt he was the target of a negative advertising campaign. “I just hate that the Republican Party got as nasty as they got,” he said. “I could have gone very negative, but I chose to take the high road and not go negative.” Powell said he has strived to work across party lines during his time in office. “I wish Ms. Parks well,” he said. For district 1, which includes five precincts in Alcorn County, Lester “Bubba” Carpenter of Burnsville enjoyed a solid victory over Democratic challenger Thomas McCarley, leading 2,066 to 836 in Alcorn County and 3,113 to 1,608 in Tishomingo County. “We worked very hard and ran a positive campaign,” said Carpenter. “I think that showed in the results.” He said many voters voiced concern about the state retirement issue. However, “Jobs and economic development is still number one in their hearts,” he said. Carpenter said he appreciates voters’ support and is looking forward to serving the people for another four years.

Young (D) easily carried his home county but fell short across the district. With 156 of 172 precincts, Trent Kelly (R) had 55 percent, or 36,285, to Young’s 29,428. In Alcorn County, Young led 6,993 to 4,108. Brandon Presley (D) won re-election as public service commissioner for the northern district and carried Alcorn County with 6,057 votes to Boyce Adam’s 4,725. Incumbent Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert (R) also won reelection and carried Alcorn County with 6,318 votes to Ray Minor’s 4,347. Alcorn County heavily favored outgoing Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant (R) for the state’s top office with 8,210 votes, 72 percent, to Johnny DuPree’s 3,110. Although the “personhood” initiative failed on the state level, Alcorn County gave support to all three initiatives. The “life at fertilization” initiative got 6,681 “yes” votes, or 61 percent, and 4,298 “no” votes. The eminent domain initiative, which passed, enjoyed the strongest

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support of the three in the county with 8,512 or 77 percent voting in favor and 2,539 against. Voter identification, which also passed, had 7,997 “yes” votes and 2,865 “no” votes. Alcorn County results for other contested state offices on the ballot: ■ Lieutenant governor: Tate Reeves (R) - 9,029; Tracella Lou O’Hara Hill (Ref.) 1,306. ■ Attorney general: Jim Hood (D) - 6,266; Steve Simpson (R) 4,746. ■ State auditor: Stacey Pickering (R) - 7,871; Ashley Norwood (Ref.) - 2,124. ■ State treasurer: Lynn Fitch (R) - 7,097; Connie Moran (D) 3,087; Shawn O’Hara (Ref.) - 483. ■ Commissioner of agriculture and commerce: Cindy HydeSmith (R) - 5,921; Joel Gill (D) - 4,197; Cathy L. Toole (Ref.) - 429. ■ Commissioner of insurance: Mike Chaney (R) - 7,336; Louis Fondren (D) - 2,706; Barbara Dale Washer (Ref.) - 569. The new terms of office begin during the first week of January.

USPS 142-560 The Daily Corinthian is published daily Tuesday through Sunday by PMG, LLC. at 1607 South Harper Road, Corinth, Miss.Periodicals postage paid at Corinth, MS 38834

Postmaster: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, MS 38835

Local

3A • Daily Corinthian

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Deaths Neoma Hodges TISHOMINGO — Neoma Hodges, 74, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at Wellstar Douglas Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Patterson Memorial Chapel.

Bruce Crum HENDERSON, Tenn. — Funeral services for Timothy Bruce Crum, 34, are set for 4:30 p.m. Friday at Shackelford Funeral Directors Casey Chapel. Mr. Crum died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at his home. He was born in Ripley and raised in Corinth, the son of the late Timmy Dale Crum and Deborah Annette Woodall Seefelt. He attended school in Alcorn County. Survivors include his wife, Amber Leigh Cherry Crum; a son, Myles Crum; and a daughter, Savannah Crum, all of Henderson, Tenn. Terry Bell will officiate. Visitation is Friday from 11 a.m. until service time at Casey Chapel.

Auston Curtis IUKA — Funeral services for Auston Everet Curtis, 87, are set for 1 p.m. today at Cutshall Funer-

Ann Criss Ann Renee Dial Criss, 78, died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at the home of her daughter in Tupelo. A native of Williams, Ariz., she was an artist and a homemaker. She was a Lifetime Member of the Junior Auxiliary of Grenada, and a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Corinth. She enjoyed reading, playing piano, singing, painting and playing bridge. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Corinth, with the Rev. Ann Benton-Frasier officiating. Her ashes will be interred in St. Paul’s Columbarium. Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo is in charge. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Francis W. Criss Jr.; two daughters, Leslie Criss of Tupelo and Beth Criss Cook of Huntsville, Ala.; one granddaughter, Bailey Elizabeth Cook of Huntsville; a son-in-law, Timothy A. Cook of Huntsville; an adopted daughter and special friend, Cheryl Sproles of Tupelo; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Vera Livingston Dial; two sisters, Claire Dial and Roma Jane Vin-

al Home Chapel - Iuka with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery. Mr. Curtis died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, at Tishomingo Manor Nursing Home. Born Dec. 23, 1923, he was the longtime owner of Curtis Furniture and employed by Iuka Post Office for four years. He was an Air Force veteran of World War II. He was a member of Iuka Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ruby Curtis; a brother, Clifton Curtis; a sister, Mary Etta Boswell; and one grandchild, Casey Walker. Survivors include his wife, Gladys Curtis of Iuka; a daughter, Cindy O’Daniel (Charles) of Hixson, Tenn.; a son, Mike Curtis (Debbie) of Iuka; four grandchildren, Bryan Curtis (Kim), Kim Curtis, Catrece Wileman and Shanno King; and six great-grandchildren. Dr. Ronnie Hatfield will officiate.

Jo Jobe Funeral services for Jo Kate Jobe, 78, are set for 12:30 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Forrest Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Jobe died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Iuka. She was a homemaker and a member of the Eastern Star. She was of the Methodist faith. cent; a brother, Gene Dial; and a brother-in-law, Charlie Vincent. A reception will be held in the parish hall following the service. Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Home Hospice or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Corinth.

Les Luce Leslie Kenneth Luce, 64, died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. Mr. Luce was an active member of Strickland Baptist Church where he had served as youth minister. Mr. Luce served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1972 during Vietnam. He was a member of the Magnolia Car Club. He loved to ride motorcycles, drive his corvette, Luce cook, participate in cooking competitions, and fishing. He was a wonderful craftsman and a smooth talker. He was the most wonderful dad and papaw. He was a blessing to have in our lives. Funeral services will be Thurs-

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Fred Jobe; one son, Gary Dale Jobe; five sisters; and one brother. Survivors include her two sisters-in-law, Frances Jobe of Corinth, and Margie Jobe of Southaven; two special nieces, Regenia Rickman and Teresa South; a special nephew, Joe Youngblood; and a host of other nieces and nephews. Visitation is Wednesday from 10 a.m. until service time.

Lynn Suggs

11.9 percent of Alcorn income comes from Social Security BY BILL BISHOP AND ROBERTO GALLARDO The Daily Yonder

SELMER, Tenn. — Funeral services for Lynn Suggs, 48, are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer with burial at Indian Creek Cemetery in Ramer, Tenn. Ms. Suggs died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. Born June 1, 1963, in Corinth, she was a factory employee. Survivors include a daughter, Katie Lynn Suggs of Bartlett, Tenn.; her parents, Maurice and Sue Suggs of Selmer, Tenn.; and two brothers, David Suggs (Tara) of Horn Lake and Greg Suggs (Vickie) of Olive Branch. Bro. Richard Doyle will officiate. Visitation is today from 5 until 9 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors. day, Nov. 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. at McPeters Funeral Directors with Bro. Harold Burcham officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Corinth National Cemetery. Survivors include two sons, Richard Luce (Tammy) of Mayfield, Ky., and Gaines Luce (Krista) of Bartlett, Tenn.; one daughter, Lisa Luce Chandler (Louise) of Ponotoc; two brothers, Bob Luce (Bobby) of Burney, Ca. and Jack Luce (Deanna) of Washington; four sisters, Peggy Anderson of San Bruno, Calif., Lou Ellen Simning (Bud) of Corinth, Andrea Smith of San Bruno, Calif., and Denise Martin (Bill) of York, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Kristen Luce, Brittanni Lynch (Derrick), Justin Veatch, Nicholas Luce, Clay Chandler, Benjamin Chandler, and Anna Chandler; and one great-grandchild, Deacon James Edwards. Mr. Luce was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Doris Lee Luce; his wife, Nelda Mills Luce; one brother, Don Luce; and one sister, Sandra Lillie; and a sister in law, Audrey Luce. Online condolences: mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com

If Alcorn County residents didn’t receive their monthly payments from the Social Security Administration, 11.9 percent of total personal income in the county would be lost, a total of $117,787,547 in 2009. Alcorn County is more dependent on Social Security payments than is the rest of the country. Nationally, 5.5 percent of total personal income in 2009 came from Social Security payments. In Mississippi, 7.7 percent of all income comes from these payments. In Alcorn County, 9,830 people receive some form of Social Security payment, either an old age pension, a survivor benefit or a disability check, according to the Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Social Security beneficiaries represent 27.4 percent of the total county population. In rural counties and counties such as Alcorn with smaller cities, Social Security payments constitute a much larger chunk of the local economy than in urban areas. A greater percentage of people in rural America receive these payments than in urban counties, and so rural counties have higher average payments per resident. “In many rural places, Social Security is a very critical element of the local economic base,” said Peter Nelson, a geographer at Middlebury College in Vermont. “It’s less important to a place like Los Angeles because there is so much additional economic activity going on there.”

More degrees to be offered at Lambuth campus Associated Press

JACKSON, Tenn. — The University of Memphis at Lambuth, just one semester old, has announced plans to expand its aca-

demic offerings. The campus in Jackson will add eight new degree programs for the spring 2012 semester, including bachelor’s de-

grees in English, communications, criminal justice, psychology, public relations, social work, accounting and entertainment music indus-

tries. In the fall of 2012, undergraduate degrees in biology/pre-med and nursing will be added. The Jackson Sun re-

ports that when classes began this fall, about 300 students were enrolled in courses in education, business and nursing.

Total Social Security payments in Alcorn County amounted to $3,288 per person in 2009. The national average was $2,199 per person and in Mississippi it was $2,393. Social Security payments in Alcorn County have been changing as a proportion of total income. These payments amounted to 5.5 percent of total income in 1970, 6.9 percent in 1980, 8.4 percent in 1990, 9.4 percent in 2000 and 11.9 percent in 2009. Social Security payments are particularly important to rural counties and small cities because the money is largely spent in the community. “The seniors who get these payments are primarily going to spend their money locally,” said Mark Partridge, a rural economist at Ohio State University. “And they are a key reason why some communities are still viable. If this money dried up, there wouldn’t be a lot of these small towns.” Social Security payments amount to 5 percent of the total income in urban counties. In counties with small cities, such as Alcorn County, these payments amount to 8.2 percent of total income, and in rural counties, Social Security totals 9.3 percent of all personal income. More than one out of five Americans living in small cities and rural counties received some kind of Social Security check in 2009.

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Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

www.dailycorinthian.com

Mark Boehler, editor

4A • Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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Who’s looking out for The Little Man? BY ROBERT PURVIS The general perception of the current twoparty political system has long been that the Republican Party represents big business and the wealthy, while the Democratic Party functions in the best interest of the common people. The case can certainly be made Republicans pander to the likes of Wall Street tycoons and investment banking firms. According to data compiled by opensecrets.org, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup Inc. all were included among the top donors to George W. Bush’s 2004 presidential campaign. However, all three reappeared as top donors to Obama’s 2008 campaign as well. President Bush was also extensively criticized for his ties to the oil industry, which became the focus of wide-spread accusations regarding his administration and policy making. However, British Petroleum (BP), the fourth-largest oil company in the world and responsible for the 2010 Gulf oil spill, donated more to President Obama’s campaign in 2008 than it did President Bush in 2004. BP’s campaign donations to the 2008 Obama campaign totaled $71,051 versus that of George Bush, which was $14,165 in 2004. The fact of the matter is both parties are equally culpable of fraternizing with corporate elites. Therefore, what is to blame for the misconception Democrats possess a greater compassion for the less-fortunate in our society? One must first understand progressive ideology and how it has impacted the American political system. It first appeared on a major scale in 1901 with the election of President Theodore Roosevelt, who was the first to propose major progressive programs such as environmental conservation, The Pure Food and Drug Act and the regulation of industry. He was also the first to aggressively use the presidency as a forum for promoting particular domestic policy initiatives. Roosevelt was greatly influenced by the philosophies of Herbert Croly, a progressive intellectual. In his 1909 book, “The Promise of American Life,” Croly wrote the American belief in individual freedom would result in what he called “a socially undesirable distribution of wealth.” This was, of course, in direct contrast to the constitutionalism of the American founding. Following Roosevelt’s administration, such progressive ideas increased under the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Wilson firmly believed the founding principles of limited government, individual liberty and economic freedom were outdated and should therefore be eradicated. Furthermore, he believed the idea of inherent, God-given, natural rights was absurd. Wilson’s embodiment of progressivism can be characterized by the philosophy of Karl Marx, which stated, “ . . . from each according to his ability to each according to his needs.” The progressive movement continued to manifest itself throughout the programs of future presidencies, such as that of Lyndon Johnson’s The Great Society and Franklin Roosevelt’s The New Deal. The one major characteristic all programs of progressive legislation share is the desire to take us somewhere “new”; in other words, further and further away from limited constitutional government as the framers intended. We currently find ourselves in a society that has developed a mentality of entitlement due to social programs created by the progressive movement. For decades, the progressivedominated Democratic Party has been the source of major social programs creating the illusion among many Democrats have a greater concern for the common people. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Progressive Democrats seek to create a society of voters which is solely dependent on the government, while convincing their constituency the liberties they sacrifice are worth the entitlements they receive in return. The progressive movement continues to execute its assault on American constitutionalism, with the current administration leading the way. President Obama has demonstrated his adherence to progressive ideology by not only proposing socialist legislation such as Cap and Trade, increased taxation on the wealthy, and a nationalized healthcare system, but also verbally by stating his belief Americans should “spread the wealth.” The age-old question of which party is really looking out for the common people is, in some ways, a trick question because it should be us as individuals, rather than the government, who regulates our own lives. As we find ourselves on the cusp of another major presidential election year, we should all remind ourselves it is our responsibility, as individuals, to govern our own lives. The instant we submit to the idea our rights are given to us by government rather than our creator, we open the door to our demise as a free society. After all, if we derive our rights from man, then man has the power to take them away. (Robert Purvis is a 31 year old Alcorn County resident and has a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State University.)

Reece Terry publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

Heart of Occupy Wall Street is lawlessness law, the instinct of Even before some most people is to of them girded themcomply, especially if selves for combat they are violating a with police, donning rule. The instinct of masks and wielding many of the Occupy black shields emblaprotesters is to resist, zoned with skeletons, Rich then inflate their arthe “Occupy” protestLowry rests or clashes with ers in Oakland, Calif., the police into a engaged in a willfully National destructive act. Review monumental struggle with the forces They shut down of oppression. “The the fifth-busiest container port in America. Why whole world is watching.” There is an honorable trawould anyone acting in the name of people harmed by dition of civil disobedience the Great Recession inter- in America. If an injustice rupt the flow of commerce, is so grave and the system especially at a hub employ- is so rigged that it can’t be ing dockworkers and truck- changed through normal ers? It was a symbolic blow democratic means, as in the against our economic sys- Jim Crow South, breaking tem as such, and by defini- the law may be a recourse. The civil-rights protesters tion a radical act. It’s become clear dur- did it peacefully and with ing the past few weeks that dignity. The difference bethere is a lawlessness at tween them and the Occupy the heart of Occupy Wall protesters challenging the Street. It has created little cops is the difference beungoverned spaces in cit- tween self-sacrificial heroes ies around the country, into and ideologically drunk which homeless people, punks and whiners. In Oakland over a week addicts and criminals have flowed. It believes that the ago, when police cleared rules of a fundamentally out an encampment near corrupt system shouldn’t City Hall, protesters fought apply to it, and its self- back, and roughly 100 of image depends on conflict them were arrested and with the agents of that sys- one gravely wounded. It was all avoidable if they had tem, the police. When asked to do some- peaceably complied with thing by an officer of the an order to vacate their il-

legal makeshift campsite. In retaliation, the protesters called for a “general strike,” a phrase redolent of revolutionary action. The strike wasn’t anywhere close to general, since most people with jobs don’t have time for idle political indulgences. But the protesters turned out a few thousand. Even before it truly got out of control at night, protesters were smashing windows and spraying graffiti on walls. After shutting down the port, a black-clad contingent headed downtown, where they set fires and threw firecrackers, rocks and bottles at the police. In a perfect expression of wanton destructiveness, they attacked road signs. Other Oakland protesters tried to restrain the violence, without much luck. Such is the dynamic of mobs. With no specific agenda and no standards for disentangling legitimate demands from lunacy, the Occupy movement is prone to get more extreme rather than less. A free-floating radicalism is written into its DNA. The catchy, initial promotional poster for Occupy Wall Street designed by the left-wing magazine Ad-

busters depicted a ballerina standing on the iconic Wall Street bull surrounded by riot police. In its absurdist aesthetic and forecast of conflict with the authorities, the poster presciently represented the future of the Occupy movement. Everyone acknowledges the right of the Occupiers to protest and to live however they please. They can request permits to march every day, and try to levitate the Federal Reserve building if they want. They can, in a fine American tradition, go off and create freakish communes where they hold goods in common and live in splendid squalor. But they shouldn’t be allowed to break the rules while building fetid encampments on property not their own, and their contempt for the police should be tolerated by no one. Mere protests probably won’t satisfy the movement, though. It is a self-styled “occupation,” which inherently involves taking what is not yours. It’s already ugly and will probably get more so. (Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. He can be reached via email: comments.lowry@nationalreview.com.)

Hunting can be challenging in or out of the woods ping greetings. Stars FISHTRAP HOLwere lingering. As LOW — I love Brunslight began to silhouwick stew and believe ette the trees, birds the best is made with and squirrels chatsquirrel, not chicken. tered. That’s how I came to be in the woods beAt such times I fore light, perform- Rheta Grimsley wonder why I don’t Johnson spend more time in ing what amounted to squirrel dog duty for the woods and less in Columnist my hunter husband. town. On a few occaI would spot a sions, however, you squirrel and point. He have to hitch your would shoot, I would fetch. horses and go. To town. This I know. I don’t sound week had been one of them. too liberated here. But deWe were after the elusive manding squirrels for a rec- car, not squirrels, which ipe and not doing my share presented altogether anof the work seemed wrong, other kind of challenge. A even less liberated. I can’t lot of rituals change with shoot and won’t dress ro- time, but the age-old game dents. So I did what I could. of haggling with a car salesWe left an inviting kitchen man until one of you blinks fire to tramp through dew- never does. wet grass and sycamore First stop and dealership, leaves to gain a position by we spotted the ideal car. All the branch. A visiting teen- cars pretty much look alike ager recently misunder- these days, but this one had stood my use of the word adequate space yet got good “branch” to mean a tree gas mileage. I even liked the limb instead of a creek and color, the granite gray of a ended up in the water. So shotgun barrel. in this case, be clear: I once Before we could reach again mean the latter. it, the salesman reached I’ve always thought I us. “You’re lucky,” he said, lacked the patience to be a waving his arms like a Baphunter, but this day I was tist choir director. “We’re still as the morning, happy having a sale. If we make a to be in the woods near wa- deal today, any kind of deal, ter waiting for dawn. The you get a flat-screen TV.” peace and dark were as difWe don’t need a televiferent from the rest of my sion. We have two perfectly week as Catahoula from good ones and are trying Chicago. Owls were swap- to unload a third. Nobody

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these days wants the old models that have innards and heft. But we took the bait. First we drove the car, the salesman riding in the back and rhapsodizing about the car’s rather ordinary beige interior. Then he drove, periodically throwing up his hands before jamming on the brakes to show us how the car didn’t shudder when stopped in a big fat hurry. “If this gig doesn’t work out for you,” I said, “you could always drive a Paris taxi.” Soon enough we began that irritating process of making an offer, then waiting while the enthusiastic salesman checked with his manager, who, bless his heart, was on the verge of losing money on this car.

Back and forth, thrust and parry, till the salesman sensed we were irritated and weary and might just walk away. In for the kill he came. We left in a gently used car with a flat-screen television in its trunk, feeling like stuffed trophies on the wall. If buying a car doesn’t make you want to hide in dark woods, I don’t know what will. (Correction: In last week’s column, we referred to Justice Hugo Black, a close friend of Virginia Durr. Although he was a Supreme Court Justice, he was not the Chief Justice as described. Sorry. To find out more about Rheta Grimsley Johnson and her books, visit www. rhetagrimsleyjohnsonbooks.com.)

Prayer for today Dear God, give us a glimpse of you in the difficult circumstances of daily life. Help us see and reflect your transforming light. Amen.

A verse to share David sang to God, “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” — 2 Samuel 22:30 (NIV)

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Editorials represent the voice of the Daily Corinthian. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other articles that appear on this page represent the opinions of the writers and the Daily Corinthian may or may not agree.

Daily Corinthian • Wednesday, November 9, 2011 • 5A

Republican Bryant wins governor’s race BY EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press

JACKSON — Republican Phil Bryant of Brandon won the Mississippi governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Democrat Johnny DuPree of Hattiesburg. Bryant will take office Jan. 10 to succeed Republican Haley Barbour, who couldn’t seek a third term as governor. With 83 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday, Bryant had 61 percent of the vote and DuPree had 39 percent. Bryant, 56, makes history as the first Republican to succeed another Republican as Mississippi governor in modern times. Barbour unseated a one-term Democrat in 2003. Bryant outspent DuPree 7-to-1, and the two nominees avoided criticizing each other during the campaign. “It’s been a long, hard campaign,” Bryant told The Associated Press by phone from his electionnight party in Jackson “The thing I really am

proud of is that Johnny and I ran a campaign without attack ads, without ugly mail-outs. We differ on some issues and that’s good. That’s what American democracy is all about.” DuPree, 57, is the first black candidate to win a major-party nomination for governor of Mississippi. He’s in his third term as mayor of Hattiesburg. He was not immediately available for comment. Republicans have held the Mississippi governor’s mansion for four of the past five terms. Vicksburg contractor Kirk Fordice unseated Democratic Gov. Ray Mabus in 1991 to be-

elected back-to-back Republican governors. That’s a tremendous testament to Mississippi’s GOP leaders and elected officials as well as the type of campaign run by Phil Bryant.” Bryant said he plans to hold a news conference Wednesday at the Capitol to unveil his 2012 legislative agenda, including a proposal for performance-based budgeting or state agencies. He said he’s also proposing cre-

ation of dual enrollment aimed at helping high school students who don’t want to earn four-year college degrees. Bryant said the students could take vocational courses at community colleges while

they’re still in high school so they’ll have marketable skills when they graduate. Kathryn Gray of Jackson, a public school educator, said she voted against Bryant, though she thought he would win.

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