NewsReleaseV2012-4

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Bridge, Phillips, Elam Drainage District News From the desk of Milton Sandy Jr

August 17, 2012

Vol 2012-4

This newsletter is directed to friends and supporters of our efforts to get something done about the repetitive flooding in Corinth and Alcorn County which on May 2, 2010, caused loss of life, public and private property and threatened public health and safety by the massive release of raw sewage into flood waters. If you have news, questions or comments, please fire away.

FUTURE FARE “What do you think about the mayor's Future Fare

Flood Threat for August

proposal?� is a question I've been asked quite often lately. Before I can respond, many people have flatly told me they are against it. It seems that some people's minds are made up and they don't want to be confused by any facts. The City of Corinth is now around 150 years old. With age comes some benefits and plenty of problems- sounds like my personal life as well. Due to historic preservation efforts, we have much of our historic downtown and residential area intact. We have good schools. We have a beautiful tree canopy which shades our city and filters much of the rain which falls in the center of Corinth. We have a man made drainage system built almost 100 years ago which made the present day City of Corinth no longer a swamp. We now have good major four lane highways intersecting in Corinth which we didn't have through most of my lifetime. We have major railroads serving our city both North-South and East-West. We have a very nice airport named after a historic aviator. We have a treasury of local history which draws visitors to our city year round. Unfortunately, many of the trees are now aging and need our attention. Streets, sewers, drainage and water supply and distribution are aging and need attention. While some financial information has been forthcoming with Future Fare, a more timely and consolidated financial reporting system would help the public restore confidence in our city government. These are problems that take time to resolve but which need immediate attention. Our new Mayor Irwin and Aldermen inherited the problems but not enough resources to fix everything at once. It will take time but you have to start somewhere. I have been most impressed with two things accomplished so far. Mayor Irwin was elected on a promise to do things right and I credit him with these examples of what I've seen so far. 1. Paving downtown and on Proper Street was done in the most professional, well planned and thoughtful way that I've seen any street project in my lifetime. Proper Street looks as good today as it did when it was first paved as part of the Lee Highway project back in the 1920's. The street was milled, sewer lines were inspected and replaced, and curbs and gutters were repaired before the asphalt was laid. Everyone knows this is not the way its been done in the past. 2. Genuine progress has been made in clearing our ditches. While this is a continuing major project requiring maintenance continuously into the future, we can all sleep a little better with the progress that has been done thus far in mitigating the risk of future flooding. What is amazing to me is that with only one change in the city staffing, the new mayor and board have made great progress in cleaning out our drainage ditches with the same personnel as prior administrations.

Can we trust them further?

Contact: Milton Sandy Jr 662-286-6087 - Fax 287-4187 - E-mail mlsandy@tsixroads.com


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NewsReleaseV2012-4 by Milton Sandy - Issuu