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For 44 Years, Covering Northeast Jackson, Madison and Ridgeland
Vol. 44, No. 44
Two Sections, 36 Pages, Thursday, August 18, 2011
Marital Bliss
Spouse of Hinds County board attorney wins big tion agreement with the Martin law firm in 2010. While Crystal Martin’s actions appear to be in clear violation of state law, officials on the state and local levels appear either unwilling or unable to investigate the case further. There is also confusion as to which law can be applied to the matter. Tom Hood, executive director of the Mississippi Ethics Commission, said the case was not being reviewed at press time and couldn’t comment on the case if it were. Hood did, however, provide the Sun with a code section that shed more light on the subject. Under Mississippi Code Section 25-4-105, no public servant shall use his or her position “to obtain, or attempt to See Precious Martin, Page 7A
No public servant shall use his or her position “to obtain, or attempt to obtain,
MANDARIN BALL
County goes after false claims of homestead exemption
By ANTHONY WARREN Sun Staff Writer IT APPARENTLY PAYS TO BE married to the Hinds County board attorney. Precious T. Martin and Associates will receive a payout of roughly $475,000 from the county’s recent $1.4 million settlement with Motorola. The Jackson firm is getting the money, thanks in part to his wife, board of supervisors attorney Crystal Martin. District Three Supervisor Peggy Calhoun said Martin recommended her husband for the job and the board voted to approve it. The Sun is questioning whether or not state nepotism and ethics laws were violated in the process. No other attorneys were recommended for the position. According to county documents, the board approved a reten-
PECUNIARY BENEFIT FOR ANY RELATIVE
Symphony prepares for major fund-raiser Plans are under way for the 2011 Symphony Ball set for October 8 at the Country Club of Jackson. The ball is the Jackson Symphony League’s largest fund-raiser each year and features a seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing to the Capital City Stage Band. This year’s theme will be the Far East and will be carried out from the décor to menu to auction items. For more information, call Becky Ivison at 601-366-2121. The Mandarin Ball committee includes (from left, back) Faira Bishop, Meredith Virden, Lisa
Paris, Cathy Miller, Marley Roberson, Becky Ivison; (front) Jackie Root, Angela Byers. Not pictured: Beth Ann Hinds, Nora Frances McRae, Lisa Rotolo, Mary Helen Bowen, Jeanette O’Reilly, Alexandra Wilkes, Sherri Jennings, Ginger Whitwell, Emily Dye, Cynthia Winkelman, Gina Diamond, Donna Ashley McCarty, Susan Burnham, Brittney Allen, Kay Mortimer, Jennifer Boydston, Pamela Prather, Claudia Hauberg, Kim Porter.
or any business with which he is associated.”
-Mississippi Code Section 25-4-105
By KATIE EUBANKS Sun Staff Writer THE MADISON COUNTY Tax Assessor’s office has been investigating several ineligible claims for homestead exemption - including a few potential cases of fraud - that could yield more than $200,000. Tax Assessor Gerald Barber recently told the board of supervisors that his office had spent three months contacting and investigating residents whose homestead exemption claims looked suspicious. Homestead exemption decreases the assessed value of owner-occupied houses in Mississippi from 15 percent to 10 percent, thus decreasing the taxes on the home. For instance, a $200,000 house with homestead exemption would be assessed at $20,000 instead of $30,000 and the taxes would be $2,003.60 instead of $3,455.40. People who lie about homestead claims are subject not only to financial penalties but also charges of perjury and misdemeanor and felony charges. Barber gave a list to the board of supervisors that included 32 property owners who’d wrongly claimed homestead in 2010 - 12 See Homestead Exemption, Page 12A
FAMILY AFFAIR
BOYLL FAMILY ATTRIBUTES GOOD LOCATION, TENANTS TO SUCCESS
The Boylls: Guy III and Guy II
HIGHLAND VILLAGE has done something many shopping centers have been unable to do. After being in business for more than 40 years, the center is as viable today as it was when Jimmy Fowler and the H.C. Bailey family purchased it in the 1960s. Today, the 194,000-square-foot development has 50 professional offices and 48 retailers, with room for three more. Vice President of Operations Guy Boyll III said Highland Village continues to go strong because of its good location, good tenant relationships and God’s grace. “We’re just good people trying to do
the right thing,” he said. The open-air center is sandwiched between the I-55 North frontage road, Old Canton Road and East Northside Drive. The north end of the facility, where Maison Weiss, Julep, Early Settler and Super D are located, used to be home to an A & P grocery, a five and dime store, and Patterson’s Drugs. “The rest of the acreage was open land. A home was located where Bravo! (Italian Restaurant) is today,” Boyll said. Fowler, Boyll’s grandfather, purchased the center’s original buildings in the 1960s. Around the same time, he and the
Bailey family bought the surrounding acreage on which the rest of the center would be built. By 1972, the promenade, courtyard and additional stores had been erected. Boyll’s father, Guy Boyll II, and Fowler oversaw construction and tenant leases. Boyll II also ran the center’s dayto-day operations. More construction followed in the next few years, and in 1978, work wrapped up on the plaza and new retail facilities to the south of the property. Today, Bravo!, Beagle Bagel and Nursery Rhymes are located there. See Highland Village, Page 12A
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
N’sider deaf but never in silence By AMANDA SEXTON FERGUSON Special to the Sun WINONA NATIVE Lidell Simpson was born deaf. However, he doesn’t dwell in silence. Simpson lives with synesthesia, a neurological condition that blurs the boundaries of the senses - touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell. For Simpson, although he is deaf, he hears the world around him, each object and movement having a distinct sound inside his head. “Everything I see translates through sound,” Simpson said, now a resident of Ridgeland. “I have been deaf all my life, but I am never in silence.” Simpson, who can hear sufficiently with hearing aids, explained that when he looks at something, the sounds he hears inside his head sound like musical sound effects. “Kind of like Roadrunner and Coyote sound effects,” Simpson laughed. “I have composed a music track of the things I hear.” Simpson said to him, synesthesia “is like having a permanent walkman in my head.” For example, he explained that a red laser light sounds like a high-pitched squeal while other things have more musical sound effects. Simpson said people also have a distinct sound effect. “It differs from person to person, the severity as well. Everything, taste, touch and sight has a sound.” It has only been in the last 10 years that Simpson learned he had the condition. “About 10 years ago, I read a book, The Man Who Tasted Shapes by Richard E. Cytowic, M.D.,” Simpson said. “I finally figured out that it wasn’t all in my head, so I contacted the author.” SINCE THAT TIME, Simpson has become a leading expert in the field of synesthesia - speaking regularly at conferences around the world, including Oxford
“I hear the blinking lights and its
INTENSITY INCREASES
as I approach. Now add the reflectors along the side of the road. Every one of them I see emits its ‘ping,’ and the center striping of the road emits its own sound. Every car light has its tune.” --Lidell Simpson
Lidell Simpson University, Hanover, Germany, and the University of East London. He has learned from the best doctors in the field; Cytowic is a leading international neurologist. “I am self taught in this specialty,” Simpson said, who has a degree in biology. He has even been featured in a recent book co-authored by Drs. David Eagleman of Baylor Medical Center and Richard Cytowic, Wednesday Is Indigo Blue. In the book, Simpson explained that his eyes actually act as eardrums - every color emitting a tone. He spoke of the blinking light in a radio transmitter. “I hear the blinking lights and its intensity increases as I approach. Now add the reflectors along the side of the road. Every one of them I see emits its ‘ping,’ and the
center striping of the road emits its own sound. Every car light has its tune. The tonal quality changes with respect to relative position, like the Doppler effect.” (Cytowic, 103) According to Simpson, some living with synesthesia, can actually taste words - experiencing distinct tastes for different words. Simpson said in some cases musicians, like Duke Ellington and Lady Gaga, who have synesthesia when hearing music they can see colors projected into space in front of them. “It is like having an extra sense, like a sixth sense,” Simpson said. “In most cases, having synesthesia is kind of a blessing. A majority of those with this are multilingual and have an above average memory.” SIMPSON, who is also multilingual, said in so many cases, those with synesthesia have above average intelligence, especially the creative types. Although Simpson said he knew those who saw numbers in an entirely different way and could solve difficult math problems in their heads. “A lot of people that have synesthesia don’t realize it,” Simpson said. “Most people think everyone is like they are.” For Simpson, he said he has had the condition all his life.
“I mentioned this to doctors and they have never heard of it and wanted to ‘fix’ it,” Simpson said. “It can be a distraction, but I have learned to deal with it. Just because one smelled a foul odor does not mean one would want to do away with the sense of smell.” In one case, Simpson said synesthesia was very beneficial to him, when he was a system analyst for Saks Fifth Avenue. “In my work, [coding] was like hearing a symphony in my head and finding a sour note,” Simpson said. Amanda Sexton Ferguson is editor and publisher of the Winona Times.
Carol Steen, Dr. Richard Cytowic, Lidell Simpson
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a conversation with
Burnett on Art for Heart benefit Anna Burnett, 45, is the 2012 chairman of the American Heart Association’s “Art for Heart” ball, coming up in January. Sun Staff Writer Katie Eubanks recently spoke to her about plans for the ball. Burnett lives in Jackson with her husband, Phil, a financial advisor, and their daughter and three sons. She and her family attend St. James Episcopal Church.
Heart Association’s general fund maybe? “The American Heart Association [AHA] does have a very big general fund. But because Mississippi has got such a high rate of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, so much more of the money we raise in Mississippi comes back to the state instead of going into the general pot. “It really is a local fund-raiser, even How has Art for Heart changed over though it seems big since the AHA seems the years? so big. “It’s in its 34th year. It started with a “Last year the Metro Jackson AHA handful of doctor’s wives and has grown raised $650,000 but invested $2 million into an event that raises close to half a mil- locally. People need to know that so lion dollars. It’s the premiere art auction in they’re confident that their money is staythe city.” ing here.”
“Last year the Metro Jackson AHA
RAISED $650,000 but invested $2 million locally.” --Anna Burnett
What are some of your goals regarding this year’s event specifically? “One of our goals is to reach out to more people, a younger crowd. We’d love to have more diversity all around. “Immediately after the live auction, we’ll have a really fun band, the Billy Smiley Band, starting at 9:30, sort of an after party. And they’re fabulous. It’s going to be awesome. We think that’ll attract some younger people. “But our main goal is to continue to educate Jackson about what we’re doing and raise money. We’ll be talking about our mission that night. But it won’t be a seminar. I would also like to raise 10 percent more than we did last year. “Also, this event has a great legacy. So we will maintain the high quality of the event and keep and add more sponsors.” Where specifically does the Art for Heart money go - into the American
What do y’all do with the money that comes back? “Our money comes back to educate the public. We have a full-time quality initiatives director that works directly with hospitals to educate them on what to do if someone comes in with a heart attack. “We also have a full-time advocacy director who works on policy initiatives throughout the state. “Our new goal for 2020 is to reduce cardiovascular and stroke-related deaths by 20 percent. “Something they focus on at Art for Heart is prevention, staying healthy. This time we really wanted to focus on the positive side of stroke and heart disease and ways to keep it from happening. “The Life’s Simple 7 [that AHA] has in place right now is really amazing. I think it’s something everybody should know about. It has seven tips: get active; control cholesterol; eat better; manage blood pres-
sure; lose weight; reduce blood sugar; and stop smoking. “Our health is in our own hands here in Mississippi.” When did you start preparing for Art for Heart 2012? “The minute last year’s was over, we started taking notes. We let everybody take a breather over the summer, and now we’re really kicking into gear. By the end of October, we’d like to have almost all of our donors in place. “When you get closer to the event, you want to focus on the fun part - the food and the music and what you’re going to wear and all the things that will make it the best party in town.” What kinds of art are auctioned off? “Mainly paintings, and also fine jewelry and exotic trips.” Do artists create pieces specifically for Art for Heart? Is there a theme? “There is no theme, but yes. All art in the live auction is commissioned specificially for Art for Heart. “And we’ll have a preview party two weeks before the event, where everybody can come and see what they can buy.” Why did you get involved with the AHA? “I lost my mother to a stroke and my father to a heart attack, both when they were very young. I feel like that’s where a lot of my passion comes from. Rather than focusing on my loss, I focus on my heart and your heart and my children’s hearts.”
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Thursday, August 11, 2011
from the publisher I don’t think there were any male characters who said more than a few lines. This was a movie about women and the intricate relationships between themselves and, of course, their “help.” So men be warned. The movie portrays a lot of snooty, spoiled, racist, upper-middle-class Mississippi women treating their maids with gross insensitivity. For every nice person in the movie, there are five mean ones. I haven’t found such depressing ratios in my life’s experience. The costumes and scenery are awesome. It’s By cool that the movie was filmed in Greenwood. I laugh every time I think of my Greenwood WYATT Don Brock who successfully captured EMMERICH buddy a silent part riding on a bus. He told the casting director, “I’m white but I’m gonna play it black.” I went to high school in Greenwood and still have close ties there. My company publishes the Greenwood Commonwealth. The entire town has been tickled pink by all the attention. This shows you how far we have come. It is true, the movie portrays Mississippi in the ’60s in a negative light. Positive movies I WENT TO “The Help” on opening night about racial progress don’t do nearly as well at a packed theater in Tinseltown in Pearl - the at the box office. That’s just the way it is. But if we must have yet another movie poronly place we could get tickets. My reaction? “Chick flick.” Not that there’s traying this sordid decade of Mississippi’s history, at least it was written and directed by anything wrong with that.
“The Help” gives ray of redemption to a bad era
Time for blatant cronyism to come to a stop in Hinds County IT’S HIGH TIME someone put a stop to the blatant cronyism going on with the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. We call on State Auditor Stacey Pickering and State Attorney General Jim Hood to step up to the plate. Two clear violations of state law, both reported by this newspaper, have occurred this year. It’s time for these illegal practices to stop. This week the Sun shows how Hinds County attorney Crystal Martin helped her husband make $475,000 from a county legal settlement. The settlement was a no-brainer. Motorola was caught benefiting from unauthorized use of Hinds’ radio towers to sell radio services to adjacent counties. A big cash settlement was all but guaranteed. Crystal Martin could have done this work herself as part of her job. Or the work could have been competitively bid. Instead, Crystal Martin recommended her husband be retained to negotiate the settlement on a 25 percent contingency basis.The board slavishly agreed. Precious Martin, the husband, said there was no violation of state law because the board hired him, not his wife. Who does he think he’s fooling? State law 25-4-105 states no public servant shall use his or her position “to obtain, or attempt to obtain, pecuniary benefit for any relative or any business with which he is associated.” The fact that Crystal Martin recommended her husband to represent the county is a clear violation of her position as county attorney. Elected and appointed officials are not permitted to use their influ-
ence for personal gain. Period. No ands. No ifs. No buts. ON ANOTHER FRONT, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted, without competitive bidding, to award a $4 million contract to a start-up company to maintain county radios. This is a clear violation of state bidding laws. Mississippi Code Section 19-3-69 provides a list of certain professional services that do not have to be bid out. However, maintenance agreements are not included on that list. Despite repeated requests, county officials failed to provide the Sun with information indicating this new company had the qualifications to do this work. When the Sun compared similar radio maintenance costs in comparable counties, we discovered the Hinds contract to be far more expensive. In fact, Hinds County could buy brand new radios every three years and spend less money than its current maintenance contract. WE BELIEVE THESE flagrant violations are just the tip of the iceberg at the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.The cavalier manner in which these violations have occurred indicate it’s gotten bad, real bad.There is so little fear that only minimal effort is expended to cover up the graft. Attorney General Jim Hood is the natural person to put a stop to this. Unfortunately, it’s an election year and Hood seems hesitant to rock the boat. We suggest he quit worrying about politics and enforce the law.The people will demand it.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dear Editor: Once again, the local public broadcasting channel has stopped most of its “regular” programming. Instead, it is showing “special” entertainment shows, with frequent interruptions as they beg their viewers for money. If their "regular" programming is so worthy and deserving, why don't they continue to show their regular shows during fund-raising months instead of special programming? Robert G. Morris
genuine Mississippians who can provide some measure of redemptive insight. In this regard, “The Help” makes the most of a terrible era. “The Help” keenly focuses on the symbolic crux of the matter. Whites didn’t want their black maids using the same toilets that they did. The black maids had their own inferior facilities. A key scene is when a maid is fired for using her employer’s toilet. It was depressing watching this, knowing this practice was definitely widespread for many decades prior to the ’60s. Even today, many whites don’t like to share swimming pools with blacks. I was somewhat distracted during the movie by my wife Ginny’s emotional sniffles. She was raised by her nanny, Nola, who is practically a canonized saint in the Knight family. I’d be afraid to ask Ginny whether she wants to be buried next to me or Nola. We have help today. Her name is Mary Merchant. She’s been part of our family for 15 years. From the time Mary was six until the time she got married at 19, a truck came at dawn to take her to the fields where she chopped or picked by hand. At dusk, the truck took her back home. She got an hour for lunch. Mary can’t hold back the tears when she
recalls those days. “I never have forgiven my father but I try every day,” she told me. “He wasn’t educated and all he could think about was survival.” Mary’s five children all went to college and now work as managers and professionals. She suffered so her children would not. She accomplished her self-sacrificing dream. Can anyone accomplish anything more in life? Can anyone walk with their head held any higher? What are my accomplishments compared to that? I am proud to share my bathroom with Mary and she has never once gotten on my case about the lid. All those years working in the fields and as a maid, Mary never got Social Security withheld so she has little government security blanket. But she doesn’t have to worry about that. She is part of our family. One day I came home and gave my little girl Ruth a big hug with tickles and kisses. I looked up and realized there was Mary, who was far more deserving, to whom I rarely showed outward affection. In a burst of uncharacteristic warmth and spontaneity, I walked over and started hugging, kissing and tickling Mary just as I did to Ruth. Her eyes practically popped out of her head, but she was smiling and laughing, just like Ruth.
apparently wanted Tate Taylor, the film’s director and Stockett’s nearly lifelong friend, to make it more of a civil rights movie than it is. Instead, Taylor, who also wrote the screenplay, stuck largely to Stockett’s script. The civil rights movement is a backdrop, rather than the focal point, for a story about relationships between a collection of intriguingly different - though not all likeable - female characters in 1960s Jackson. (If anyone should feel slighted by this movie, it should be men of both colors, who play small and By mostly forgettable roles.) TIM I don’t know that “The Help” will prompt a KALICH national discussion about race, but I don’t think that was either Stockett’s or Taylor’s intentions. They wanted to tell a sometimes sad, sometimes fearful, sometimes sweet and often funny story. They wanted their audiences to connect with the bravery of the three leading characters - the two black maids and the white Ole Miss graduate who gets them WHEN I ATTENDED the Mississippi pre- to collaborate on a book about what it’s realmiere of “The Help” a couple of weekends ly like to work for their white employers and ago, I was enthralled by the movie. live in a segregated society. And they wanted I wasn’t sure if I thought the film was ter- the experience to be enjoyable and uplifting. rific on its own merits, or because it had been primarily filmed in Greenwood and is filled THOUGH THERE ARE some awful with familiar faces and places. white women in the movie, you don’t walk I confess to being a bit of a “homer” as far away burdened with white guilt. Fifty years as it comes to this movie. I want it to be well-received not just in Mississippi but else- and exaggerated characters create a comfortwhere, too. I’d also like it to have staying able distance between those on screen and power because Greenwood will always be those in the audience. associated with it. That doesn’t mean, however, the story That’s why I was anxious this past week to doesn’t serve a serious purpose beyond being read what the critics - with no emotional awfully entertaining. investment in the film - would say about it. For the most part, the reviews have been The premise of “The Help” is that until you positive. On average, “The Help” is getting look at the world through other people’s three stars out of four. Good, not great, but good enough for the movie to be a box-office eyes, you have no idea what they are really thinking. You may imagine you do, but you success and potentially artistic one. Even those critics who find serious flaws in are probably far off the mark. the movie, as they did in Kathryn Stockett’s What good storytellers do - whether in novel on which it is based, seem to be in uniprint or on film - is help stimulate empathy in versal agreement on one point. Viola Davis their audience for the characters they create. and Octavia Spencer, the two actresses who play the black maids Aibileen and Minny, Cultivated enough, the empathy can be transturn in Oscar-worthy performances. ferred into how we relate to others in real The biggest knocks on the movie are that life. it’s too faithful to Stockett’s book, that it lets You don’t always have to use heavy doses whites off the hook too much for their past mistreatment of blacks, that it’s too feel-good of anger or guilt to help people better underfor such a feel-bad subject: racism. Manohla stand something as delicate as race. You can Dargis of The New York Times belittles the do it, as “The Help” demonstrates, with film as a “big, ole slab of honey-glazed humor and tenderness, too. hokum.” Ann Hornaday of the Washington Tim Kalich has been editor and publishPost says it’s “puzzling - if not galling” that moviemakers continue to inject white heroes er of the Greenwood Commonwealth for or heroines into stories about the black expe- more than 15 years. He can be contacted rience. at tkalich@gwcommonwealth.com. Those most reticent to praise the movie
delta point
“The Help” has strong dose of empathy
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view point
ing was demanded of me but compassion. I wasn't her Higher Power, but knew Someone who was. I let Him take over the phone call as it progressed, and we became acquainted. This was someone, it developed, with whom I had interests in common: horses, art ... we might have met for lunch somewhere to plan a charity event. But I, too, recalled tough times from years ago when being a single mother with children meant I had to scramble hard. I recalled what it was like to live by one's wits in a Colorado cabin, to trust the wrong person, and finally to call out to God in one word: "Help!" and receive immediate answers, a light on the path, and to find my way forward to a calm and peaceful life. I had received kindness then; it was easy to be kind to this educated, bright sounding voice on the phone: she was in trouble, and needed to know someone cared, that she mattered and was not a throw-away.
By LINDA BERRY
Possibility of homelessness not so remote THIS WEEK, I checked my appointments calendar and noted a phone number which I had been given awhile back from a private social services office. It was for a woman, close to my age, then staying temporarily in a motel following her ejection from a violent home environment. The agency said she needed someone to talk with, and knew I was a priest. With some trepidation, I had placed the first call. A clear, intelligent-sounding voice answered. "Hello. Oh, I appreciate your calling me. I'm .... Yes, I'm staying for a few days at this motel...." We went on to become acquainted, during this and subsequent conversations over a few weeks. A picture of Mary emerged, one I had not imagined. THOUGH IN A STATE of shock at finding herself homeless, she displayed no self pity. In the first conversation, she was still a bit confused. How did this happen to her? Why had she let the downhill slide go on so long? I didn't need to ask this - she was asking herself, with no answers yet. My role was just to be a kind voice on the phone, concerned for a human being who was suffering more than her words indicated. I relaxed a little ... noth-
I'LL CALL HER MARY, but that isn't her name. "Mary" had issues (who doesn't) and they had caught up with her. She said that she had been drinking periodically for some time, had married an abuser, and as the abuse escalated, she knew her life was in danger. Strangely, it was the husband who forced her to leave. This was new to me, but shouldn't have been a surprise. Few, it seems, of family members who stay in a dangerous environment actually believe that they will be permanently injured or killed. Until recently, she said, she had not. Reality was dawning, at the motel, but the lady sounded game. She was a survivor. Over several more conversations during the span of three weeks, it emerged that she had family in the area, relatives, adult children, etc., but was unable to stay with any of them. "They pay me to stay away," she related breezily. Eventually, between calls, she made contact with a therapist. A bed in one of the Jackson shelters opened up, and she was encouraged with new, non-addictive medication. Her voice became more upbeat as she took steps upward, to climb out of the hole. I told her, of course, that God loved her, that He cared, letting her know that I did, also. She mentioned that she is now clean from drugs and alcohol, and sounded like it. How was she living? "I cashed in some bonds...." OK. "They think they have a bed for me this week. I've started AA meetings...." And Mary moved on. Blessed also with a compassionate mission center director who allows her to remain indoors sometimes and rest because of her age, she has a damaged knee but has begun to look for work. I reached her at the last call, waiting at a downtown bus stop. "I'm going to get some used clothes. I didn't take any with me, and I'm
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PUBLISHER: Wyatt Emmerich EDITOR: Jimmye Sweat BUSINESS MANAGER: Dani Poe ADVERTISING SALES: Melanie North, Katy Agnew, Holly Dean, Amy Forsyth, Carly O’Bryant, Carley Baker GRAPHIC DESIGN: Wanda McCain, Mary Margaret Adcock CIRCULATION: Dale Frazier, Dottie Cole, Jeff Cole, Keri Hawkins EDITORIAL: Anthony Warren, Katie Eubanks, Beth Buckley, Jo Ann Ward Published weekly on Thursday by Sunland Publishing Co., Inc. Offices at 246 Briarwood, Jackson, MS, 39206. Mailing address is P.O. Box 16709, Jackson, MS, 39236. Phone is 601-957-1122. Subscription price in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties, $20 per year. Long distance rates vary slightly higher. Single copy price is 75 cents. Issues over a month old are 75 cents. Periodical postage paid at Jackson, MS. The Sun
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an odd size to fit. (Laughter) They asked how much I weighed when the shelter called. Some of the ladies there are really big. The people are nice, though.... I'll get my knee fixed when I can, I think I hurt it riding....The clinic said they'd call when they could do surgery on an indigent...ha!... I've applied for disability," though her chances of getting it look slim, because - and this is important the lady communicates extremely well, is able to stand upright and walk, despite the limp, and to look for a job a shelter requirement - under her own power. She also has been given that vital tool in western civilization, a cell phone. If she stays clean, her chances for a productive life are much better than they were, and she is out of the dangerous environment - at least for now - and away from the violent spouse. "There are lots of us down here (on Capitol Street). No one seems to see us, though...." THIS BRINGS ME UP short: In 30 years of doing business downtown, I cannot recall seeing a homeless person along the several blocks of high rises from which she speaks to me. Of course, they were always there, but invisible. I wasn't looking. Or did I see a flash of ragged shoes, a dilapidated purse, and look the other way, blanking out what was inconvenient to notice? A business executive for many years before becoming a priest, I retain the cognitive editing habits which served well in the corporate world - don't get distracted, focus on the task at hand, keep planning for your next meeting ... but the next meeting was here, now, me sitting in my cool office, talking to a stranger in considerable distress from heat and leg pain, over a wireless phone. Too late to apologize, her need each time we spoke was for simple compassion: I know you're alive, and you matter. She never asked for another thing, and usually did not call me - I called her. "Are you OK today?" "Yes, I had heat stroke yesterday, but I'm better. I'm getting on the bus again to look for work. It's hotter today.... Thanks for calling!" Always pleasant, always polite, not much self pity, her messages sent indicated increased resilience and acceptance that she already 'had work' - putting her life together, one day at a time, up from a bottom-out, which was fortunate because she was still alive, still able to function. I do not know if she will call again. But I will remember Mary. And when I drive to Capitol Street, I will now see the invisible people who are always there. I will look for something more to do than phone calls, as Mary looks for something beyond survival. Linda Berry is a Northsider.
We Want Letters, Columns and Articles The Northside Sun encourages readers to write letters and guest columns. Letters of diverse viewpoints are welcome. Just because a letter appears in the Sun does not imply a Northside Sun endorsement. In the interest of freedom of the press, we run many letters with which we strongly disagree. You can send letters to the Northside Sun, P.O. Box 16709, Jackson MS 39236. Or e-mail letters to wyatt@northsidesun.com. Please e-mail or mail a photo if you can. All letters must be signed and we reserve the right to edit them.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Election 2010
SEVERAL CANDIDATES FACE RUNOFFS
By ANTHONY WARREN and KATIE EUBANKS Sun Staff Writers CANDIDATES IN two Democratic primary races and one Republican race will be headed to a runoff, meaning that Northsiders will again be casting ballots next week. The primary runoffs are Tuesday, August 23. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. In the District 25 Senate race, voters will choose between the top two vote-getters: Charles Barbour and Will Longwitz. The winner will face Democrat Cecilia Sampayo in the November 8 general election. In the Hinds County District 2 supervisor race, longtime incumbent Doug Anderson will face David Archie. Anderson received just under 49 percent of the vote compared to Archie’s 28.5 percent, according to the Hinds County Web site. And in the Hinds District 1constable race, incumbent Jerry Moore is being forced into a runoff against Eddie Wheeler. Moore, who is seeking his second term, carried 34.4 percent of the vote to Wheeler’s 25.4 percent. The winner of that race will face Republican Jimmie Caudle in the general election. He carried 55. 9 percent to defeat challenger John Jason Hulsman.
cent of the vote in the Republican primary and public defender Gregory Weber carrying 37.4 percent. The Democratic Party did not field a candidate for the race. In the District 4 judge race, Republican attorneys Bruce McKinley and Michael Louvier are neck and neck, with McKinley at 29.3 percent and Louvier at 29.1 percent. The winner will face Democrat Gigi Gibson and Independent William Featherston in the general election. In the District 5 supervisor race, Republicans David Buchanan and Michael Jolly will vie for the chance to unseat incumbent Paul Griffin.
MADISON COUNTY will also hold three primary runoffs in statewide elections. The winner will take all in the state Senate District 20 race, as Republicans Josh Harkins and Knox Ross battle it out. Each took 41 percent of the vote in the primary, and the winner will have no Democratic or third-party opponents. Republicans Will Longwitz and Charles Barbour will also face off on Tuesday, with the winner taking on Democrat Cecilia Sampayo. Longwitz, an attorney, led former Hinds County Supervisor Barbour 50 percent to 47 percent after the primary. The lone Democratic runoff in Madison County belongs to gubernatorial candidates MADISON COUNTY voters will cast their Johnny Dupree, mayor of Hattiesburg, and attorney Bill Luckett. Dupree captured 43 perballots again in seven primary runoffs. cent of the vote and Luckett 39 percent in the Just-retired Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy primary. The winner will face Republican Phil Houston leads county sheriff’s deputy Randy Tucker with 35.2 percent of the vote compared Bryant. All registered voters are eligible to vote in the to Tucker’s 27.7 percent. Whichever runoffs. Voters cannot cross party lines, meanRepublican wins the runoff will face Democrat ing that if a person cast ballots in the Ted Smith in the general election. Democratic primary, he or she cannot vote in The District 1 Justice Court Judge race will be decided at the runoff, with recent law school the Republican runoff. grad Marsha Weems Stacey carrying 43.2 per-
Voter turnout up in Madison County; down for Hinds County HOTLY CONTESTED local and statewide races translated into more votes in Madison County, while fewer people headed to the polls in Hinds County. The primary runoffs are Tuesday, August 23, and local leaders are hoping for a stronger showing from residents in both counties. “On the Democratic side, around 34,000 people turned out. It was awful,” said Hinds County Circuit Clerk Barbara Dunn. “I was very disappointed.” In all, 48,062 ballots were cast in Hinds, down from 52,970 in 2007. The losses were on the Democratic side, something evidenced by one of Hinds’ most contentious Democratic races. In 2011 and 2007, the sheriff’s race garnered the most votes of any race in the Democratic primary. In 2007, 40,783 people voted, the majority of which chose to keep incumbent Malcolm McMillin in office. This time around, though, only 34,671 ballots were cast, with the majority going to Tyrone Lewis. The Republican side saw a slight uptick in voter turnout. This year, 13,459 voted in the gubernatorial primary, up from 12,187 in 2007. Madison County Circuit Clerk Lee Westbrook said 25,517 voted in the primaries in her county, up from 20,332 four years ago. About 500 more people voted in the Democratic primary, bringing its vote totals up to 6,740. On the Republican side, about 4,700 more people voted. In all, 18,777 votes were cast for governor, up from 14,085 in 2007. Stephen Phillips, an associate professor of history and political science at Belhaven University, wasn’t surprised that turnout was low. “In a primary, unless there’s great controversy, the turnout is small,” he said. He said the lieutenant governor’s race likely contributed to a higher turnout among Republicans, while the governor’s race was a top priority for Democrats. He said the Hinds County sheriff’s race also drew people to the polls. Phillps expects voter turnout to be higher in the general election. On Tuesday, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The race is open to all registered voters. However, voters cannot cross party lines. If a person cast a ballot in the Democratic primary, he or she cannot vote in the Republican race. You did not have to vote in the August 3 primary in order to vote, said Dunn.
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Precious Martin Continued from Page One obtain, pecuniary benefit for any relative or any business with which he is associated.” Non-elected employees found in clear violation can face censure, suspension, removal from office or a reduction in pay, with the sentence being handed down by a circuit judge. Additionally, the judge can impose a fine of up to $5,000. By recommending her husband, it would seem that Martin attempted to influence the board to make a decision that would benefit her husband monetarily. Jan Schaefer, public information officer for the Mississippi attorney general’s office, though, said no law had been broken. She told the Sun to read code section 25-1-53. The section states that it is unlawful for a public official to appoint a relative to a position that is paid for with public funds. The law does not state that a public official can’t advocate on behalf of a relative, however.
Schaefer couldn’t be reached for comment late last week regarding section 25-4-105. She also didn’t respond to the Sun’s other questions via e-mail. Auditor Stacey Pickering told the Sun in an e-mail that his office had turned the case over to the ethics commission and was “monitoring it closely.” Hood said the information had not been received as of Monday morning. District Attorney Robert Schuler Smith also couldn’t be reached for comment, despite repeated calls to his cell phone. Precious Martin said he was hired by the board of supervisors, not by his wife, and therefore no laws were violated. “This issue is concocted by the enemies of me and my wife,” he said. “My wife is not in a decisionmaking position.” When asked if he understood how some could conceive his hiring as nepotism, Martin said no. “Anyone who reads the law has a clear understanding,” he said.
Special Election RIDGELAND TO SET ELECTION TO REPLACE GERALD STEEN By KATIE EUBANKS Sun Staff Writer THE CITY OF RIDGELAND will hold a special election, probably in February, to replace Alderman-at-Large Gerald Steen, who will take D.I. Smith’s seat as Madison County’s District 3 supervisor on January 1. The longtime alderman and the first-time supervisor ran in one of the tightest primary elections in the Northside on August 2: Steen beat Smith by a 2.5 percent margin, or 119 votes. The Democratic Party did not field a candidate for the race. Steen has served as Ridgeland’s alderman at large for 14 years and also works as region leader at Victory Marketing in Ridgeland. Some county residents have accused the board of supervisors of deliberately using redistricting to put Smith at a political disadvantage. The county’s new district lines, drawn by the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD), moved District 2 candidate Billy Redd into District 3 with Smith. Redd then withdrew his candida-
cy and threw his support behind Smith. MEANWHILE, District 1 incumbent John Bell Crosby won re-election against challenger Leland Hennington in the Republican primary. No Democrats ran for the seat. In District 2, Republican Ronny Lott will face Independent Danny Chandler in the general election. Lott beat Richard “Dick” Hutchinson in the Republican primary. Current District 2 Supervisor and Board President Tim Johnson ran unsuccessfully for Central District Transportation Commissioner. Districts 4 and 5 both have Democratic incumbents facing Republican challengers in the general election. Longtime District 4 Supervisor Karl Banks had no Democratic challengers and will run against Republican Robert Maloney in November. In District 5, incumbent Paul Griffin defeated three Democratic opponents and will face the winner of a runoff between Republicans David Buchanan and Michael Jolly.
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ACCORDING to the county’s retention agreement, Martin’s firm would receive various percentages of damages awarded to the county, depending on how far the case made it through the legal system. He would get 25 percent of “any and all damages” the county received if the case was settled before litigation began; 33.33 percent of damages if Motorola settled after a suit was filed; 40 percent if the matter was resolved through the trial process; and 50 percent if the case was appealed and the county won. District One Supervisor Robert Graham, who was board president when Precious Martin was hired, did not return phone calls. In May, Motorola filed a joint motion for dismissal with prejudice and settled out of court. The case had yet to go to trial, meaning Precious Martin should receive a third of the damages under his agreement with the board. It was unclear at press time whether or not
Precious Martin had been paid. Supervisors filed suit against Motorola in February 2009, after an audit revealed the firm had given agencies in neighboring counties the information needed to access Hinds’ 800 MHz emergency communications system. The system is used by law enforcement agencies in the county, including the sheriff’s department and Jackson Police Department. At the time, Motorola had a deal with the county to maintain the system. Today, it is being maintained by Airwave LLC. Court documents stated that as a result of Motorola’s action, a number of law enforcement and governmental entities outside of Hinds County were using the system to operate their own radio networks, all without having the permission of the board to do so or providing any compensation to taxpayers in return.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Officials preparing plans for metro area to help deal with different disasters By KATIE EUBANKS Sun Staff Writer IN CASE OF A hurricane, flood or tornado on the Northside, plans are being updated to help mitigate and respond to natural and man-made disasters. The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD) is in the process of updating its hazard mitigation plan for the seven-county area it serves. Individual plans for the cities of Jackson and Ridgeland have already been adopted, and plans for Hinds and Madison counties and other cities are being reviewed by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Once MEMA and FEMA have approved the plans, they will be sent to local governments for adoption and included in the overall plan for the district. The plans are updated every five years to identify potential natural and manmade disasters, prevent them if possible, and develop response tactics for when disasters do happen. A variety of local entities team up with CMPDD to update the individual plans, which can cover single cities or entire counties. Hinds County’s plan covers the whole county minus the cities of Jackson and Clinton, which have their own cityspecific plans. Madison County’s plan only covers unincorporated areas, so municipalities in the county have their own plans. “In the counties, we’ve worked a lot with the emergency management offices and the community development directors. In the cities, it’s been fire, police, community development and planning and zoning [departments],” said CMPDD Regional Project Coordinator Lesley Callender. “Each jurisdiction is different...In the city of Jackson, they had a large committee that even had private citizens that helped.”
business notes St. Dominic Hospital has been ranked the number one hospital in the Jackson metro area in the U.S. News Media and World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/best hospitals. St. Dominic’s was also ranked as
Callender said plans for the city of Madison and Hinds and Madison counties should be approved and adopted within the next three or four months. HAZARD MITIGATION is something every local government should do, said Madison Fire Chief Tom Lariviere. “Every jurisdiction does it to try to assess where their greatest hazard would be,” Lariviere said. “[And] you inventory everything you’ve got in town, houses and subdivisions and infrastructure like water works. “You look at your greatest risks and decide if there is some way you can mitigate it,” he said. “If you’ve identified flooding, can I do something to prevent the flooding?” But the fire department can’t stop a tornado from blowing through town - so the other part of hazard mitigation is developing a response plan, he said. “Perhaps through public education efforts you can lessen the impact. You can know what room you’re going to go to in your home, things like that. I can’t help you [prevent] damage to your home, but I can help you have a better opportunity to survive a tornado.” He said when the city of Madison updated its plan in 2005, “our major threat was a winter storm. And I’m sure we’ll find the same thing when we update it [this year]. It affects the entire city and all the jurisdictions around us. “If we have a winter storm and you can get every school and daycare to open a day earlier [afterward] and get the moms and dads back to work a day earlier, you’re talking major economic impact.” He said while the probability of storms and other natural disasters might not change that much in five years, mitigation plans still need to be updated that often, “especially in an area like Madison, where we’ve annexed 1,500 or 1,800 more homes.” MEMA has given CMPDD a $100,000 grant for the district-wide project. “high-performing” in the specialties of neurology and neurosurgery, diabetes and endocrinology, and urology. River Oaks Hospital and the physicians of Southern Women’s Health welcome Drs. Leigh Edwards and Ashley Canizaro to their facilities.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Illegal political signs costing taxpayers By KATIE EUBANKS Sun Staff Writer SOME POLITICAL CANDIDATES, or maybe just their operatives, got a little overzealous in the Northside before the primary elections. “The only thing we’re doing right now is pulling all the campaign signs,” Bill Foshee recently told the Sun. “We’ve got truckloads and truckloads of them.” Foshee said he and two other people had spent a couple of days removing clusters of signs placed illegally on city property, easements and rights of way. But most of the illegal signs didn’t show up until the last minute, another city official said. “They were in pretty good shape, as far as the locations were concerned, up until about two days before the election,” said Madison Economic Development Director Jerry Cook. “And then all of a sudden they were just everywhere. “It was very difficult for us to keep up with them because that’s all we’d be doing all day long,” Cook said. “So we decided…just to wait until the election was over [to remove them].” FOSHEE SAID CANDIDATES and their campaign teams should be responsible for removing the signs. “But they don’t. And the taxpayer pays. You’re paying for us to go out and get them. And that’s always been a problem. “There have been quite a few [signs to collect], believe me. I filled a truck up just by Old Canton Road, by the community center and the church that are precincts - just at those little small locations.” He said most of the signs he’d been removing were for candidates who’d definitely lost, though “we’ve got some win-
ticular is a really big problem.” Signs placed on private property are the responsibility of the property owner, officials said. As for whether candidates or property owners would be fined for illegally placed signs, “I think we’ll try to solicit their cooperation” instead, Cook said. RIDGELAND CODE ENFORCEMENT Officer Tyler Moore echoed Cook’s leniency, saying, “We’re certainly not going to write any tickets at this time.” At press time, the city of Ridgeland hadn’t started removing illegally placed campaign signs. “We probably will within the next few days or so,” Moore said. “We’re giving the candidates an opportunity to get them first if they want them.” He said most political signs were placed legally in the city, though some were in the right of way. “For the most part, everybody kind of knows the rules.” Madison crews have removed several truckloads of signs As in Madison, Ridgeland saw a frenzy of sign placement right before election time. “They were all putting them at the polling locations [at the last minute], mainly.” The city of Jackson wasn’t immune to campaign sign issues. For instance, dozens of Tyrone Lewis signs popped up the intersection of Beasley and the --Bill Foshee at frontage road west of I-55 a few days before the primary - and city code allows ners here on these [signs for] state jobs. “That would be a great help, I think for only one sign per street frontage per The state people generally don’t come in for the candidates because they won’t and get them.” lose their signs [when we remove them], candidate. The signs were gone within two days and it’ll save us time and energy,” he Cook said that, once the city knows of the election. said. who’s eligible for November’s general Jackson Deputy Director of Code election, officials would contact camBesides avoiding city right of way, Services Kenneth Taylor couldn’t be paigns to fill them in on the city’s sign “don’t put them on our utility poles, don’t reached for comment at press time. ordinance. put them on our stop signs - that in par-
“And the taxpayer pays. You’re paying for us to go out
AND GET THEM.
And that’s always been a problem..”
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Team to assess MPD for accreditation By KATIE EUBANKS Sun Staff Writer THE CITY OF MADISON Police Department is seeking reaccreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). A CALEA assessment team will arrive August 27 and spend three days examining all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services and taking comments from the public. CALEA accreditation is voluntary and lasts three years before requiring another on-site assessment for renewal. The Madison PD has previously been accredited with CALEA since November 2002. CALEA is a nonprofit organization that includes representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); the National Sheriffs’Association (NSA); and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The organization is funded through assessment fees and accreditation continuation fees. “The annual accreditation continuation fee we are currently paying per agreement with CALEA is $2,197,” said Master Sergeant Kevin Newman - adding that the department must also submit annual reports of their compliance with CALEA’s 379 standards. “There is also an on-site assessment fee every three years of $2,266. This is subject to having a portion refunded if the total cost of the on-site assessment does not exceed $2,266.” Newman said CALEA accreditation has many advantages. “It provides transparency for the community and lets the community know we’re operating under professional standards that are recognized all over the country,” he said. “If you go to any other [CALEA] accredit-
Carter, worked diligently to ensure that the Ridgeland Police Department became a Mississippi State Accredited and CALEA recognized agency,” said Interim Police Chief Randy Tyler. “Brad completed a vast introspection of our departmental practices, policies and procedures and brought all of these factors into compliance,” Tyler said. “It is a monumental -Master Sergeant Kevin Newman feat to accomplish this on the first assessment, and Officer Carter was commended for his hard work and diligence. ed police department, you see that it’s run the can be reached at 601-856-6111. “Achieving accreditation reflects greatly on same way, with the most up-to-date policies Written comments about the department’s our department and the city of Ridgeland.” and procedures.” ability to meet CALEA standards can be sent CALEA Program Specialist Janice Dixon to: Commission on Accreditation for Law said almost 25 percent of all state and local Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA), 13575 THE CALEAASSESSMENT team Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainsville, law enforcement officers in the United States includes two police captains from similar are employed at agencies enrolled in VA 20155-6660. out-of-state departments: Captain Perry CALEA’s accreditation program. Twisdale of the Henderson, N.C., Police “This is indicative of the fact that over 100 Department, and Captain Andree Robinson THE RIDGELAND POLICE agencies in the U.S. with 500 or more [fullof the LaGrange, Ga., Police Department. Department is a CALEA recognized agency time employees] are CALEA accredited,” The assessors will review written materiand is accredited by the Mississippi Law Dixon said. als, interview individuals and visit offices and Enforcement Accreditation Coalition. other places to examine the department. They “Our accreditation manager, Officer Brad will then report back to the full commission, who will decide whether to grant reaccreditation. As part of CALEA’s assessment of the 11:45 a.m.; Children’s Madison PD, agency personnel and members Crohn’s and Colitis, August of the community are invited to offer comupcoming season August 27, 26, 11:45 a.m.; Stroke Goodwill salute ments at a public information session 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Prevention, August 30, 11:45 Goodwill Industries Monday, August 29, at 7 p.m. The session Mississippi College. To a.m. To register call 601-948will be conducted in the court/board room of Volunteer Services will hold schedule an audition e-mail 6262. their annual dinner honoring the city of Madison Justice Complex at 2001 gypc34@gmail.com. outstanding volunteers Main Street. August 18, 6:30 p.m., at the Characters Those who cannot attend the public meetHealth seminars Country Club of Jackson. For The American Cancer ing may call 601-500-2831 on August 29 Baptist Health Systems reservations or information Society will hold a between 1 and 3 p.m. to offer comments. announces the following free “Character Breakfast for a Comments made in person or over the phone call 601-594-1867. health seminars to be held at Cause,” August 20, seatings are limited to 10 minutes and must address the department’s ability to comply with Chorus auditions Baptist Madison: Diabetes at 8 a.m. and 9:15 a.m., at Support Group, August 18, 1 Mint restaurant. Tickets $12 CALEA standards. Mississippi Opera p.m.; “Faces - Keep Them adult, $20 children. For A copy of the standards is available at the announces an audition for Looking Young,” August 19, details call 601-321-5504. Madison Police Department, and Newman new chorus members for the
“It provides transparency for the community and lets the community know we’re operating under
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS that are recognized all over the country.”
happenings
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Homestead Exemption Highland Village Continued from Page One who’d agreed to pay the bill after being notified, and 20 who had been unresponsive to the county’s efforts to reach them. “We sent letters out to all of these people you see on this list several months ago. We gave them a deadline,” Barber said. “We had twice this many that proved there was something right about it: They legitimately had homestead even though they were showing up on our investigative list of things to look at.” Since Barber has the power to back tax up to seven years, his office has also sent notices to 24 property owners who wrongly claimed homestead between 2005 and 2009, some of whom were on this year’s list too. Twelve of them have signed the notices and agreed to the tax increase, and 12 have not. “Most of the people we found were uninformed,” Barber said. “They were not trying to be fraudulent. We’ve got a couple we’re not sure of, and that investigation is ongoing.” Meanwhile, the chancery clerk’s office will be notifying the unresponsive property owners to show up in court for a hearing. “If they fail to appear, then the board [of supervisors] will approve an increase of assessment. The tax collector will then notify them of what is due per the increase,” said Board of Supervisors Secretary Cynthia Parker.
Ridgeland.” But when the Sun asked if an investigation like the current one was typical, Barber said, “No. We do some every year, but we saw more than normal [this year]. This warranted an investigation.” When all is said and done, he said the county will probably receive upward of $200,000 - including the tax shortfalls, penalties and interest. “If that went on for five or six years, that’s $1 million. That’s a lot of teachers, a lot of police cars, a lot of asphalt. “The difference between local ad valorem taxes and income tax is…you don’t see where income tax goes. When you see a school bus or police car or fire truck, you see [your property taxes at work],” he said. And if one person fails to pay taxes, the rest of the county foots the bill. “If you have a budget and you’re missing $200,000, everybody’s paying that. If one guy cheats, then the rest of the group picks up the ticket,” Barber said. “People get pretty angry when they find out their neighbors aren’t paying their property taxes.”
FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS for homestead exemption must physically go to their tax assessor’s office to apply before April 1 of a given year. Once homestead is applied to a home the first time, the exemption is renewed every year unless the filing status is SOME HOMESTEAD HICCUPS changed. occur when homeowners move to another Residents who operate businesses in house, rent the first one out, and fail to tell their homes could be disqualified or the tax assessor so he can remove the receive less of a tax break. homestead claim from the first house. Homestead exemption was established Barber’s office finds out about such by the state Legislature in 1938 “to cases in multiple ways. “Sometimes their encourage home building and ownership, neighbors tell on them,” he said. “And and give additional security to family also, we have a rental report that comes groups” according to the Mississippi from the city of Madison and the city of Code.
Continued from Page One “From that point forward, it was a matter of maintaining the facilities and building relationships with our tenants,” Boyll said. “We have several tenants here today that were here originally. We have third-generation family members running stores.” One example is Maison Weiss. Bernard and Nell Weiss opened the store more than 35 years ago. According to the retailer’s Web site, the store is run today by their grandson Ken Szilasi and his wife Tracy. KATHERYN SAMS, owner of High Cotton, opened her shop in the promenade in 1974. She had a second store on County Line Road and moved out of Highland Village in the late 1980s, but moved back in only a few years later, in 1994. “I have liked it far more than any other place I’ve been,” Sams said. “When I came back to Highland Village, it was like opening a brand new business. I’m crazy about the landlord, the mix of merchants and maintenance crew. They’re all just great.” While many shopping centers have lost tenants in recent years, Highland Village has been a hopping place, even during the economic downturn. Between 2009 and 2010, seven retailers opened their doors there: A Southern Affair, Nursery Rhymes, Dancing Divas, Beagle Bagel, Turkoyz at Home, Daisy A Day, and J. Stewart. Existing retailers have expanded or are currently expanding, like Buffalo Peak Outfitters, Julep, Mozingo Clothiers and High Cotton. In contrast, Metrocenter Mall on U.S. 80 is more than 10 years Highland Village’s junior, but has become nearly empty in recent years.
ability to respond quickly to tenant needs. The center has a three-member maintenance crew, carpenter and painter on staff. “Most people sub out the work, where we’re able to respond to needs as they occur. In turn, we create happy tenants,” he said. “We take care of problems as quickly as possible, with as minimal interruption to business as possible.” The little things count as well. Each spring, the center plants 15,000 tulips. Last week, the center replaced a large, storm-damaged sign located near the interstate. The new sign is approximately 50 feet high and includes replacing the shopping center’s logo and the previous analog light board with an electronic LED message board with full-color display. It is similar to the one that was taken down, but slightly taller and more narrow. It’s one of many examples of how owners have reinvested in the shopping center over the years. Last year, owners repaved the parking lot there. And a few years ago, the sound system HIGHLAND VILLAGE, on the other was updated. hand, has continued to be a strong destination “We try to treat people the way we want to for retailers. be treated,” Boyll said. “That’s how you Boyll said one of the reasons the center is maintain business.” still attractive to tenants is because of staffers’
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in memoriam
Obituaries
1986. Petty was active in various professional insurance organizations and was one of the Ford Franklin Petty founders of the Mississippi Insurance Memorial services were held Institute. The organization was established August 11 at St. Andrew’s after Hurricane Camille specifically to assist Episcopal Cathedral for Ford Camille victims in filing and speeding up Franklin Petty of Jackson. Petty, a writer and retired insurance execu- their claims process. Petty was also among a small group of tive, died at his home August 8, following a Jacksonians who founded New Stage Theatre fall. He was 95 years old. in 1964. He served as the board president for “He was the quintessential, Renaissance many years. man,” Petty’s son-in-law Dr. Maddux said, “Ford, as much as anyone, is responsible “and he was my friend. I have never known for New Stage Theatre being the outstanding anyone like him. We’ll all miss the pleasure regional theater that it is today,” said James of his very good company.” Petty, the son of the late Alma Burkett Petty K. Child, a founding and lifetime board and Ford Franklin “Doc” Petty, was born in member. It was not only his vision some 46 years ago but also his dedicated efforts in the Los Angeles, June 14, 1916. He attended many years following in support of the thepublic schools there and received a bacheater that have resulted in our community and lor’s degree in English in 1940 from the state having this valuable cultural resource.” University of Southern California. “He was like a stealth bomber as an art He served in the United States Army in the force in the community, “ Patti Carr Black, Pacific Theatre during World II and with the another New Stage founding and lifetime Occupation Forces in Japan after the war board member, said. “New Stage would not ended. When he returned to this country in 1947, he moved to New Orleans determined, exist today without his moral and financial support in its formative years. He was a as he frequently said, “to write the great American novel.” When that process proved writer, philosopher, generous host and friend. He had a calming influence on all who knew “slower than he’d hoped,” he enrolled in Hudson Strode’s noted creative writing pro- him - and at 95 was still an extraordinarily gram at the University of Alabama where he handsome man.” In retirement, Petty spent many of his days met his former wife, Jane Reid Petty. writing. He was editing a novel called He and Jane married in 1949 and lived in Mexico and New Orleans prior to returning “Cabbage Rose” at his death. Survivors are his daughter Diane, her husto Jackson in 1950 when their daughter, band, Dr. Robert Maddux, and their sons, Diane, was born and he joined the Sam B. Ford Reid and Samuel Lowry, all of Reid Agency. He became a partner in the Whitfield. insurance agency in 1960. He established Memorials may be made to New Stage Southern Cross Underwriters, a general insurance agency, in 1976 and was its presi- Theatre, 1100 Carlisle, Jackson, 39202. Interment was in Lakewood Memorial dent until he sold the agency and retired in Park.
Northside Sun Obituary Policy The Sun publishes obituaries of Northsiders and their families. Typically, we receive obituary information from the funeral homes. For a small charge, we invite readers who are so inclined to supplement this with more descriptive text capturing the spirit of the person’s life.
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Page 14A Thursday, August 18, 2011
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BAPTIST BRIARWOOD DRIVE 245 Briarwood Dr., 956-4561 BROADMOOR BAPTIST 1531 Highland Colony, Madison, 898-2345 CALVARY BAPTIST 1300 W. Capitol St., 354-1300 CASTLEWOODS 175 Castlewoods Blvd., 992-9977 COLONIAL HEIGHTS 444 Northpark Drive Ridgeland, 956-5000 CROSSGATES BAPTIST 8 Crosswoods, Brandon, 825-2562 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JACKSON 431 N. State St., 949-1900 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MADISON 2100 Main St., 856-6177 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF RIDGELAND 302 W. Jackson St., 856-6139 FLOWOOD BAPTIST 1649 Old Fannin Rd., Flowood, 992-6464 GREATER RICHMOND GROVE BAPTIST Complex Road, Ridgeland, 856-2209 GREATER ROSS CHAPEL BAPTIST Gluckstadt Road, Madison, 856-8778 HIGHLAND COLONY 1200 H.C. Pkwy., Ridgeland, 856-4031 HORIZON COMMUNITY CHURCH 4711 I-55 North, 982-8889 MOUNT CHARITY 964 Lake Harbour Dr., Ridgeland, 956-1767 MOUNT PLEASANT Gluckstadt Rd. Madison, 856-5862 NEW HOPE GROVE Old Agency Rd., Madison, 856-5279 NEW LIFE BAPTIST 385 N. Old Canton Rd., Madison, 209-9500 NORTHMINSTER 3955 Ridgewood Rd., 982-4703 PARKWAY BAPTIST 802 N. Frontage Rd., Clinton, 924-9912 PEAR ORCHARD 5725 Pear Orchard Rd., 957-2086 PILGRIM’S REST BAPTIST 409 Main St., Madison, 856-2609 PINELAKE BAPTIST Lakeland Drive RIDGECREST BAPTIST 7469 Old Canton Rd., Madison, 853-1090 RIDLEY HILL BAPTIST 1034 N. Livingston Rd., Madison, 853-1068 RIVERCREST FELLOWSHIP 21 Northtown Dr., 991-0046 ROCKY HILL BAPTIST Rocky Hill Rd., Madison, 856-0759 SIMON HILL BAPTIST 139 W. Ridgeland, Ridgeland, 853-2669 TRACE RIDGE BAPTIST 238 Lake Harbour Dr., Ridgeland, 856-2529
BIBLE GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 380 Highland Colony Pkwy. 991-1910 RIVERWOOD BIBLE 5228 Old Canton Rd., 956-5694
CATHOLIC ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC 4000 W. Tidewater Ln., Madison, 856-5556 ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC 123 N. West St., 969-3125 ST. RICHARD CATHOLIC 1242 Lynnwood Dr., 366-2335
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 543 Eldorado Rd., Pearl, 936-9618
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST FIRST CHRISTIAN 645 Briarwood, 977-9477 NORTHEAST CHRISTIAN 3169 W. Tidewater Ln., Madison, 856-7399 UNITED CHRISTIAN 1730 Florence Ave., Ridgeland, 354-1177
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST 731 S. Pear Orchard Rd., Ste. 9, 952-0307
CHURCH OF CHRIST MEADOWBROOK CHURCH OF CHRIST 4261 I-55 N., 362-5374 SOUTH MADISON CHURCH OF CHRIST 338 Lake Harbour Dr., Ridgeland, 856-2165
CHURCH OF GOD CHRISTWAY 1501 Old Fannin Rd. 992-7474 COBBLESTONE CHURCH OF GOD 444 Pebble Creek Dr., Madison, 853-6910 FIRST CHURCH OF GOD 829 Hwy. 51 N., Madison, 856-0652
EPISCOPAL CHAPEL OF THE CROSS EPISCOPAL 674 Mannsdale Rd., Madison, 856-2593 ST. ALEXIS EPISCOPAL 650 E. South St. stalexisjackson.org ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL 305 E. Capitol St., 354-1535 ST. COLUMB’S EPISCOPAL 550 Sunnybrook Rd., Ridgeland, 853-0205 ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL 3921 Oakridge Dr., 982-4880 ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH N. College, Brandon, 825-5836 ST. PETER’S BY-THE-LAKE EPISCOPAL 1954 Spillway Rd., Brandon, 992-2691 ST. PHILIP’S EPISCOPAL 5400 Old Canton Rd., 956-5788
EPISCOPAL (Cont.) ST. STEPHEN’S REFORMED EPISCOPAL 5049 Lakeland Dr., 992-4317 JEWISH BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION 5315 Old Canton Rd., 956-6215
LUTHERAN ASCENSION LUTHERAN Old Canton Rd./E. County Line Rd., 956-4263 CHRIST LUTHERAN 4423 I-55 North 366-2055 GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN Hwy. 25, 992-4752 NATIVITY LUTHERAN 495 Crossgates Blvd., Brandon, 825-5125
METHODIST ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST 655 Beasley Rd. 366-6630 ANDERSON UNITED METHODIST 6205 Hanging Moss Rd., 982-3997 BELLWETHER, Flowood JA Performing Arts Center BRIARWOOD UMC 320 Briarwood Dr., 956-4035 BROADMEADOW UNITED METHODIST 4419 Broadmeadow Dr., 366-1403 CHRIST THE WAY FREE METHODIST 978-3423 CROSSGATES UMC 23 Crossgates Dr., Brandon, 825-8677 CHRIST UNITED METHODIST 6000 Old Canton Rd., 956-6974 EAST JACKSON UMC 855 S. Pear Orchard Rd., 957-0515 EMMANUEL UNITED METHODIST 100 Shands St., 372-9424 FIRST INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH OF MADISON 1556 Hwy. 51N, 672-1240 FIRST UNITED METHODIST Ridgeland, 856-6456 GALLOWAY MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST 305 N. Congress St., 353-9691 MADISON UNITED METHODIST 2050 Main St., Madison, 856-6058 PARKWAY HILLS UNITED METHODIST 1468 Highland Col. Pky., Madison, 856-2733 RIVERSIDE INDEPENDENT METHODIST 1127 Luckney Rd Flowood, 919-8311 ST. LUKE’S UNITED METHODIST 621 Duling Ave., 362-6381 ST. MARKS UNITED METHODIST 400 Grants Ferry Rd., Brandon, 922-2131 ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED METHODIST 7427 Old Canton Rd., Madison, 856-9581 WELLS CHURCH UNITED METHODIST 2019 Bailey, 353-0658 WESLEY BIBLICAL SEMINARY CHAPEL 787 E. Northside, 366-8880
NAZARENE FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 5416 Lakeland Dr., Flowood, 992-8680
ORTHODOX ST. PETER’S ORTHODOX 180 St. Augustine Dr., Madison, 856-3894 HOLY TRINITY, ST JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 5725 Pear Orchard Rd., Jackson, 601-355-6325
PENTECOSTAL APOSTOLIC REVIVAL CENTER-UPC 301 W. Washington St., Ridgeland, 856-2385 DAVIS TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 1700 Dalton St., 969-9519 FIRST PENTECOSTAL 5000 I-55S, 373-9000 LANDMARK CHURCH Springridge Rd., 372-7761 PARKWAY 1620 Mannsdale Rd., Madison, 853-2607
PRESBYTERIAN BRIARWOOD PRESBYTERIAN 620 Briarwood 956-4553 COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN 4000 Ridgewood Rd 981-7236 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 1390 N. State, 353-8316 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MADISON 7717 Old Canton Rd., 856-6625 FONDREN PRESBYTERIAN 3220 Old Canton Rd., 982-3232 GRACE CHAPEL Hwy. 463, Madison, 856-7223 HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN 1160 H.C. Pkwy., Ridgeland, 853-0636 LAKELAND PRESBYTERIAN 5212 Lakeland Drive, Brandon, 992-2448 LAKESIDE PRESBYTERIAN 2070 Spillway Rd., Brandon, 992-2835 NORTH PARK PRESBYTERIAN 4624 Old Canton Rd., 362-2886 PEAR ORCHARD PRESBYTERIAN 750 Pear Orchard Rd., Ridgeland, 956-3283 TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN 5301 Old Canton Rd., 977-0774 REDEEMER CHURCH 640 E. Northside Dr., 362-9987
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SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST COLLEGE DRIVE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
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NONDENOMINATIONAL CALVARY CHAPEL 109 Jetport Dr., Pearl, 932-9673 CONGREGATION BEIT LECHEM - MESSIANIC 110 Jones Ln. Ste F, Flowood 601-933-4913 CORNERSTONE CHURCH 2460 Terry Road, 371-3323 RIDGELAND FAMILY CHURCH Old Agency Rd., Ridgeland, 856-2101 CHURCH TRIUMPHANT 731 S. Pear Orchard, 977-0007 UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST 4872 N. State, 982-5919 UNITY OF JACKSON 4660 McWillie, 981-9412 VINEYARD CHURCH 600 Grants Ferry Rd., 919-1414
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19
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Whitwell wants overlay district BRING IN THIS AD TO RECEIVE 10% OFF! to improve County Line Road By ANTHONY WARREN Sun Staff Writer AN OVERLAY district that would ban certain businesses and require stricter architectural standards could be on tap for County Line Road. Jackson Ward One Councilman Quentin Whitwell is proposing an ordinance that would create the district on the East County Line commercial corridor, from I-55 North to U.S. 51 and south to Mossline Drive. A public hearing was held last week to discuss the ordinance, and those who spoke on the matter appeared to be in favor of it. Whitwell plans to present the ordinance at the next Jackson City Council meeting on August 23. He said the ordinance is needed to create a better sense of unity in the area and to bring the Jackson side of the corridor up to the same standards as the Ridgeland side. Ridgeland implemented an overlay district on the north side of County Line in 2010. “The corridor has lagged behind on the south side for a long time. The city of Ridgeland has done a lot to upgrade their standards, and we want to do something similar,” he said. “This is a very important ordinance.” Provisions in a draft copy of the measure govern design standards such as architectural standards, the location of trash and recycling receptacles, grease containers and loading docks, sidewalks, bicycle access, landscaping, lighting and signage. Land uses prohibited in the district will include adult book stores, auction barns, bail bond offices, pawn shops, check-cashing places, night clubs and dance halls, laundromats, carwashes, massage or tatoo parlors, pool halls or arcades, shooting galleries or target ranges, bingo and other gaming establishments, and shops that purchase gold or
other precious metals as a primary business. Before a building permit is issued on a new development or redevelopment can begin, the builder must apply for and receive a sustainability certificate from the city’s planning department. Provisions mirror the ones Ridgeland put in place on the north side of County Line last year. “The city of Jackson drew a lot from Ridgeland,” Whitwell said. A final draft of the ordinance will also likely include similar paint schemes, non-conformity and grandfather clauses. SUSAN SGRIGNOLI, general manager of Northpark Mall and Ridgewood Court, applauds the measure. “These things are the standards that make our people, my people, feel comfortable,” she said, referring to her tenants and customers. “What makes an area a great place is consistency, where things look and feel the same and are clean.” Whitwell asked Sgrignoli if implementing the district would help bring in more business. He referred to three empty spots in particular: the old Barnhill’s, Copeland’s, and Barnes and Noble. “If we put this in place, would it help fill those up?” he asked. Sgrignoli gave a definite yes. “Do I think that national tenants come to a market if we provide them with a sense of place? Yes.” Alan Hart, director of Community Development for Ridgeland, agrees. He pointed to the number of businesses that have set up shop on the north side since Ridgeland started tightening building and architectural guidelines. About 25 retailers have moved to the area since Ridgeland began investigating creating an overlay district five years ago.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
northside facts
Crime Report Jackson Crime The Jackson Police Department received the following reports for: Adkins Boulevard, 900 block, house burglary, August 5; Ashcot Circle, 200 block, house burglary, August 8; Aztec Drive, 1800 block, larceny, July 30; Barnes Street, 300 block, auto burglary, July 27; Beasley Road, 500 block east, auto burglary, July 20; Bounds Street, 300 block, auto theft, July 14; Bounds Street, 400 block, auto burglary, July 20; Breckinridge Road, 2200 block, bicycle theft, August 1; Briarwood Drive, 100 block, larceny, August 1; Briarwood Drive, 200 block, auto burglary, July 12; Briarwood Drive, 200 block, business burglary, August 1; Briarwood Drive, 200 block, robbery - carjacking, July 26; Briarwood Drive, 300 block, auto burglary, July 26; Briarwood Drive, 300 block, business burglary, two counts, July 28; Briarwood Drive, 400 block, auto theft, August 2; Briarwood Drive, 400 block, auto theft, July 26; Briarwood Drive, 600 block, auto theft, July 21; Buckley Drive, 900 block, house burglary, August 4; Canton Club Circle, 200 block, house bur-
glary, July 27; Canton Mart Road, 1400 block, auto burglary, July 30; Canton Mart Road, 1400 block, business burglary, July 24; Carlisle Street, 800 block, auto theft, August 2; Cedar Hill Drive, 1000 block, larceny, July 15; Cedar Park Drive, 5300 block, auto burglary, July 21; Cedarhurst Road, 300 block, house burglary, July 25; Cedarhurst Road, 500 block, house burglary, July 14; Cedarhurst Road, 700 block, house burglary, July 15; Cedars of Lebanon Road, 100 block, business burglary, July 25; Chastain Drive, 4800 block, bicycle theft, August 2; Choctaw Road, 500 block, house burglary, August 8; Council Circle, 4100 block, auto theft, August 4; County Line Road, 1000 block east, larceny, July 15; County Line Road, 1000 block east, larceny, July 15; County Line Road, 1100 block, business burglary, Academy Sports, July 13; County Line Road, 1700 block west, auto burglary, July 17; County Line Road, 3700 block west, larceny, August 5; Crane Boulevard, 4200 block, house burglary, July 22; Culley Drive, 300 block, larceny, July 27; Douglas Drive, 1700 block, house burglary,
August 8; Druid Hill Drive, 1100 block, larceny, August 6; Duling Avenue, 600 block, auto theft, August 6; East Hill Drive, house burglary, July 12; Edgewood Terrace Drive, 200 block, auto theft, July 14; Edgewood Terrace Drive, 200 block, house burglary, July 28; Fondren Place, 500 block, larceny, July 17; Fondren Place, 600 block, robbery - individual, July 12; Fortification Street, 1300 block east, auto theft, July 28; Fortification Street, 800 block east, robbery - business, Shell Express, July 26; Galloway Avenue, 3500 block, house burglary, August 4; Glenway Drive, 100 block, house burglary, July 25; Greymont Avenue, 300 block, larceny, July 20; Greymont Avenue, 400 block, larceny, July 28; Greymont Avenue, 400 block, larceny, two counts, July 24; Hanging Moss, 5900 block, auto theft, August 2; Hartfield Street, 400 block, auto burglary, July 13; Hazel / Gillespie, larceny, July 29; Henderson Road, 3800 block, larceny, July 20; Hialeah Drive, 5400 block, larceny, August 2; Highland Circle, 100 block, auto theft, June 22; Highland Drive, 5700 block, house burglary, July 6; Highland Park Drive, 1400 block, house burglary, August 6; I-220 / Watkins, auto theft, June 16; I-55 / Briarwood, auto theft, July 22; I-55 / Fortification, auto theft, July 18; I-55 / Old Canton Road, larceny, July 16;
I-55, 3700 block north, auto burglary, July 29; I-55, 3700 block north, larceny, July 6; I-55, 4400 block north, auto burglary, June 13; I-55, 4400 block north, auto theft, July 13; I-55, 4400 block north, larceny, July 7; I-55, 4500 block north, auto burglary, June 22; I-55, 4500 block north, auto burglary, june 26; I-55, 4500 block north, auto burglary, June 8; I-55, 4500 block north, larceny, June 22; I-55, 4600 block north, auto burglary, July 25; I-55, 4600 block north, auto burglary, June 21; I-55, 4600 block north, larceny, July 24; I-55, 4600 block north, larceny, June 14; I-55, 4600 block north, robbery - individual, July 6; I-55, 4900 block north, auto burglary, July 24; I-55, 4900 block north, auto theft, July 13; I-55, 4900 block north, larceny, July 12; I-55, 5000 block north, auto burglary, July 22; I-55, 5000 block north, auto burglary, June 12; I-55, 5000 block north, auto burglary, June 28; I-55, 5000 block north, auto theft, June 7; I-55, 5000 block north, house burglary, July 18; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, July 12; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, July 15; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, July 16; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, July 23; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, July 31; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, two counts, July 14; I-55, 5000 block north, larceny, two counts, July 15; I-55, 5000 block north, robbery - business, July 5.
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Page 18A
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Shoot-out The Mississippi Baptist Health Systems team enjoyed a day of golf at the recent Legislative Shoot-Out held at Annandale Golf Club. The annual four-man scramble tournament raises funds for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi’s (DFM) programs and services. Shown are (from left) Mark Slyter, Wayne Walters, Dan Modisett and Mississippi Baptist Health Systems CEO Kurt Metzner.
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Page 19A
THOUGHTS FROM MARITA b y
m a r i t a
w a l t o n
THE NEED TO RESOLVE a dissonance in the country this week is real, but I feel helpless to do anything. I have no rank, no security clearance. Is the pen mightier than the sword? Restless Heart Syndrome has laid me bare in the August heat. Something has to give. Perceiving a palpable loss to our nation’s most valuable investment in the destruction of the Chinook in Afghanistan, I have tried to learn more and to honor our countrymen. But the onslaught of opinions about the U.S. bond ratings change, which quickly dissolved from crisis coverage to routine blaming, blanketed news channels for days, nearly snuffing out anything else. Yes, AA+ was historic. But the immensity of our military loss was occluded by the money talk of ups and downs all week. Where was the Tip of the Spear in all this chatter? Seal Team 6 and Special Ops pilots and crew are all too used to being out of the spotlight - it goes with the job but I wanted to hear some kind of acknowledgement,
some timely public mourning, for their deaths. They are not replaceable commodities. It takes a generation to raise a guy like that. One guy. And now 22 Seals? Three Air Force Special Operations Command airmen? Five Army aviators? Others? All in one crash? Do we even grasp what that means to their close community and support teams? I LONGED TO communicate a sense of shared grief, though I am a complete outsider. I don’t belong. It became personal when I visualized other brave men whose names I know: Jones, Duddleston, Stuart, Nix, Hinkebein, Pace, Mayberry…all with a Northside connection. So I took up the pen, figuratively. I wrote the man who wrote the book. And I told him that I got it. Mark E. Green, M.D., a native Mississippian from Monticello, served with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Airborne as its flight surgeon. (Google it, if that designation is unfamiliar.) As a West Point graduate who served as an infantry officer for nine years before he went to medical school, Mark Green also has the distinction of spending the night with Saddam Hussein in his cell and interviewing him after his capture. “A Night with Saddam” details this capture and the missions which led to the successful manhunt. This a riveting story in itself, or have we forgotten already? Read it when you can. Even more important to me, however, is Green’s ability to convey with clarity and conviction to this civilian the soul of special operations by writing in vivid color while always preserving the privacy required. (Although, perhaps under mounting pressure, the names of the honored dead were released just today.) Though I would never know the magnitude of the devastating blow in the crash of that Chinook, he helped just one American begin to sense the nation’s loss. I read again his words, and said I appreciated the talent, courage, commitment and sacrifice he and others offer on behalf of a grateful - even when silent - nation. SIMPLY, “THANK YOU.” From one who has found her voice. And to my surprise, he replied warmly in like manner, graciously accepting the condolences, in the voice of one grieving deeply the loss of fallen brothers. And somehow there is a resolution, of sorts, that often comes when we act on the prompting of our hearts. We cannot make it better, but each can share the load.
To advertise in the Northside Sun, call 601-977-0470
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
social news
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Dianne Hazard, Donna and Courtney Love, Pamela Houchins, Sally North, Mona Evans, Claire Aiken
section B
Nancy Palmer, Angelyn Cannada, Pamela Houchins, Claire Palmer, Deetsa Molpus, Emily McVey
Engagement celebration Cathryn McIntosh, Palmer Houchins honored in Hood home CATHRYN McIntosh and Palmer Houchins, both of New York City, were honored in June with an engagement celebration. The party was held in the home of Paula and Jimmy Hood. Parents of the couple are Bill and Katrina McIntosh of Moultrie, Ga., and Pamela and Larry Houchins. Co-hosts and hostesses were Claire and Richard Aiken, Vicki and Robert Arnold, Carole and Hall Bailey, Maury and Kyle Ball, Anna Helm and Mike Blair, Leslie and Joel Bobo, Ann and David Bowling, Grace and John Buchanan, Libby and Pete Cajoleas, Angelyn and Barry Cannada, Joy and Donnie Cannada, Leslie and Phillip Carpenter, Carol and Dennis Craig, Mona and Johnny Evans, Bette and George Fair, Ruth Fly, Claire and Greg Frascogna, Ann and Jack Fry, Pryor Graeber, Julie and Ken Gresham, Terre and Hardy Harris, Sara Hays, Carol and Steve Hazard, Dianne and Wyatt Hazard, Sally Hederman, Marsha
Cathryn McIntosh, Palmer Houchins
Jimmy and Paula Hood
Hobbs, Nina and Carey Johnston; ALSO, LEIGH AND KEN Johnston, Phoebe and Stephen Kruger, Courtney and Rob Love, Cathy and George May, Trudy and Sidney McLaurin, Susan and David McNamara, Emily and John McVey, Donna and Eric McVey, Nancy and Billy Mink, Deetsa and Charlie Molpus, Sally and Darden North, Debbie O’Connell, Denise and Vernon Phillips, Betsy and George Ritter, Joanna and Joe Roberts, Betsy and Steve Rosenblatt, Cathey and David Russell, Carol and Bill Sneed, Monica and Tom Underwood, Jan and Johnny Wade, Sue and Jim Watts, Cheryl and Cal Wells, Jane and David Westbrook, Jane Wiggins, Martha and Marcus Wilson, Julia and Terrel Williams, Linda and Wirt Yerger. After a September wedding in Moultrie, the couple will live in New York, N.Y. Shown are scenes from the party.
Courtney and Rob Love, Leslie Bobo
Bobby Bailess, Larry Houchins
Bill, Katrina and Cathryn McIntosh; Palmer, Pamela and Larry Houchins
Julia Williams, Jane Wiggins, Cheryl Wells, Ann Fry, Cathryn McIntosh, Jack Fry
Palmer Houchins, Robert Williams, Colby Carmichiel, Larry Houchins, Ben Long, Will McIntosh, Jack Fry, David Palmer, Charles Miller
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Weddings & Engagements Amy Calvert and Joseph Campbell wed at First Baptist Chruch AMY ELIZABETH Calvert and Joseph Lane Campbell were united in marriage on the evening of March 26 at First Baptist Church in Jackson. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Ronald Mumbower. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Randall Calvert of Madison. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Francis Joseph Campbell and the late ‘Frank’ Campbell of Vicksburg. Given in marriage by her father and brothers, the bride wore a gown of ivory silk organza and lace fashioned with a sweetheart strapless neckline and covered buttons. A ballgown skirt of Alencon lace and organza roses dropped from a shirred taffeta cummerbund that encircled the natural waistline. She wore a cathedral-length ivory illusion veil paired with blusher and an ivory silk rose in her hair. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white ranunculus and garden roses. Music for the ceremony was provided by Magnolia String Quartet; Eva Hart, pianist; and Kathy Gautier, soloist. A Scripture reading from the book of Ephesians was read by Lori Frances Harris.
Mrs. Joseph Lane Campbell
The bridegroom’s brothers, William Francis Campbell and Matthew Dunagin Campbell were best men. Groomsmen included Harry Lenwood Brooks V, Graham Carr Calvert, Justin Allen Calvert and John Randall Calvert, all brothers of the bride; Gordon Withmond Fellows; James Peter Glover; Aaron Luke Kidder; David Carter Sharp; Ryan Matthew Walker; and William Moore Walker. Ushers were Jonathan Lindsey Blackledge, Joshua David Blackledge and Kenneth Forbes Grogan IV, all cousins of the groom; and John Taylor Jabour. Flower girls were Savannah Rhodes and Abigail Rhodes, cousins of the bride. Ring bearers were Carr Calvert, nephew of the bride; Riley Lampkin; and Samuel Roach, cousin of the bride. Program and registry attendants were Laura Blackledge, Lindsey Blackledge, and Katie Grogan, all cousins of the bridegroom. Ashleigh Daniel served as the bride’s proxy.
ON THE EVE of the wedding, the bridegroom’s mother hosted a rehearsal dinner for the wedding party and families at the Capital Club. The morning of the wedding, the bride and bridesmaids MATRON OF HONOR was the bride’s cousin, Meredith were treated to a bridal breakfast at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Rhodes Roach. Maid of honor was Mary Christine Kellum. Gregory Fiser and the bridegroom’s family held a bachelors Bridesmaids included Meredith Haygood Calvert, sister-inbrunch at Char in honor of the bridegroom and groomsmen. law of the bride; Mallory May Davis; Anna Gregory Fiser; Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a recepLauren Harrison Ledbetter; Jill Elizabeth Johnson, cousin of tion at The South where guests dined and danced to the music the bride; Allison McPherson Nash; Carrleigh Paige Partee of Band 24/7 of Nashville. and Catherine Anne Partee, both cousins of the bride; Following a wedding trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the Rebecca Bailess Stewart; and Mary Margaret Adcock Thiel. couple is at home in Vicksburg where the bride is a nurse Anna Lauren Partee was junior bridesmaid. They wore gowns practitioner with Vicksburg Medical Associates and the brideof petal pink chiffon and carried hand-tied bouquets of white groom is an assistant district attorney for the Ninth Judicial hydrangeas. District of the state of Mississippi.
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social news
Weddings & Engagements Miss McIntosh, Houchins plan September wedding MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM McLeod McIntosh of Moultrie, Ga., announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Cathryn McIntosh, to Lawrence Palmer Houchins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Lawrence Houchins Jr. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Cathryn Jarrell Cheek of Butler, Ga., and the late Hugh Giles Cheek, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Tillman Mahoney McIntosh of Moultrie. A 2003 honor graduate of Colquitt County High School, she was graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2007. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and was a member of Phi Mu sorority and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is in the marketing department at Bumble and Bumble, an Estee Lauder company in New York. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of David Maurice Palmer and his wife Jo Ann of Corinth and the late Grizelda Green Palmer, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Lawrence Houchins of Vicksburg. A 2002 honor graduate from Jackson Preparatory School, he was graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi in 2006. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and journalism and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. He is associated with the
Mary Cathryn McIntosh marketing and advertising firm, Hear and There, in New York. THE WEDDING WILL BE September 17 at the First United Methodist Church in Moultrie.
Miss Hamilton, Crosswhite to marry September 17 MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM Stewart Hamilton Jr. of Oxford announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Ann Hamilton, to Chadwick Dees Crosswhite, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen R. Crosswhite of Philadelphia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of William S. Hamilton Sr. and the late Sally M. Hamilton of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Taylor of Conroe, Texas, and Jerry Foster of Panama City, Fla. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Peggy W. Dees and the late William H. Dees Jr. of Philadelphia, and Patricia H. Crosswhite and the late Donald W. Crosswhite of Jackson. Miss Hamilton, a 2005 graduate of Joe E. Newsome High School, was graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2009, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology, and received a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2011. Crosswhite, a 2004 graduate of Madison Chadwick Dees Crosswhite, Ridgeland Academy, was graduated from Emily Ann Hamilton Mississippi State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He played baseball at State from 2004 to 2009 and The couple will exchange vows was member of the 2007 College World September 17 at 5:30 p.m. in a private cerSeries team. emony at the home of the bridegroom.
The Northside Sun’s wedding and engagement policy --All write-ups need to be submitted at least a week prior to publication date; Color photo (vertical please) should be submitted at the time the write up is. --Priority is given to write-ups that appear in the Northside Sun first. If announced first in the Sun, the picture and as much of the story will be used as soon as possible; --Copy and photo must be submitted together; --Coverage is restricted to residents in the Sun’s prime circulation area - North Jackson, South Madison County, the Reservoir - and former Northsiders; --The Sun accepts no responsibility for unsolicited stories, artwork or photographs. All photos published are filed according to the week they appear. If a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed, every effort will be made to return such photos, but this cannot be guaranteed; --Please include a daytime phone number on all releases;
For more information, call 601- 957-1123
For advertising information call 601-957-1125
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
social news
Weddings & Engagements Miss Green, Mann planning August 27 wedding in Massachusetts MAXINE ‘NICKI’ McLaurin Green announces the engagement of her daughter, Adrian Coleman Green, to Ryan John Mann, son of Roslyn Robinson of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., and Robert J. Mann of Riner, Va. Miss Green is also the daughter of the late Dr. Edmon Lee Green of Natchez. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Max McLaurin (Velma) of Jackson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Carson Green of Natchez. Miss Green is a graduate of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and she received her bachelor’s degree in geology from Millsaps College. She then received her master’s in geology/geochemistry from the University of Alabama. She lives on Cape Cod where she is a physical scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, Mass. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Dr. Chester H. Robinson of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Marguerite Robinson of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Mann of Chappaqua, N.Y. Mann is a graduate of the University of Ryan John Mann, Massachusetts Amherst where he received Adrian Coleman Green a bachelor’s degree in natural resources. He is the outreach and stewardship coordinator August 27 in Harwich, Mass., at a private for the Harwich Conservation Trust, a beach home. town-based land trust on Cape Cod. After the wedding, the couple will have a wedding trip in Iceland. THE COUPLE WILL BE married
sunbeams Bella Lyric Tompkins Allyson Slayton and Brandon Tompkins announce the birth of their daughter, Bella Lyric Tompkins, August 9 at St. Dominic Hospital. Grandparents are Bill Slayton, Deborah Apperson, Jeff Johnson, and Katherine Hampton. Aiden Myers Perry Mitch Perry and Leslie Baddley announce the birth of their child, Aiden Myers Perry, August 8 at St. Dominic
Hospital. Grandparents are Kathy and Harper Sanders and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Perry. Also welcoming the baby is sibling Addison Perry. Jack Dawson Estel Justin and Angela Estel of Flowood announce the birth of their son, Jack Dawson Estel, August 1 at Baptist Medical Center. Grandparents are Ken and Sharon Shelton and Rick and Pat Estel.
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social news
Gardening Glimpses WHEN IT’S HOT as an oven most of the working day outdoors, then it’s hard to think about new plants for your garden even when you retreat to the air conditioning. But maybe a good compromise is to consider the diversity of the succulents. Unlike their dry-setting counterpart, the cactus, all prickles and proclaiming their desert heritage even in the greenest of settings, the succulent offers something for everyone and is a delight to those who want something different in shape and texture. They’re also appropriate both for indoor and outdoor growing. This quality they share with the cactus. I’ve tried to grow a cactus indoors, actually the same one several times, the typical green trunk topped with a strawberry colored bloom, with spikes. I put it where I wanted the accent of that red color, and it perished. Twice. Only when I read the label, and a little more, and put it in the blazing sun of my kitchen windowsill, where I water it only the first day of each month, did it decide to stay with me. Succulents, now - they fit right into my lifestyle, either indoors or out. I consider with pleasure the sedums and echeverias and sempervivums, which to me are so much of the same family that it’s hard to classify them separately, though I’ve spent the last hour reading about this trio. When the nickname listed after the botanical Latin is in every case “hens and chicks,” you can’t convince me they aren’t pretty much the same family. IN THE READING process, I found quite a few special succulents, which we’d
all enjoy either indoors, in the right sunny setting, outdoors in containers to show off their different colors and sculptural forms, or in a rocky-soil garden setting. Watch for these, and see if they suit you. They’re a great staple of the garden centers at home improvement stores, who tend to put them near the check-out stand of the garden center, the last chance to entice you into impulse buying. More focused garden centers hide them back in the house-plant section, where you have to go look for them. But they’re worth it, and the price might be right as holiday decorations crowd out every other consideration. One succulent that would be a temptation to any of us is the paddle plant, one of the kalanchoes, which is happy only indoors here, but in Zone 10 and warmer, a creature of warm outdoor shade. Its leaves are flat, hence the name, looking much like pancakes layered into odd-shaped rosettes. The enchanting thing to me is the brilliant red edging on the “paddles.” This is one of those plants which spends its life cycle trying to grow a bloom stalk, a gangly white stalk. If you find it in a nursery, it will have been grown to maximum size for visual impact. Or perhaps you are a part of the current craze for black or near-black plants. (I haven’t caught that particular fever myself.) If deep burgundy to black is the contrast you need in the landscape, or in a container which you are using as an accent, look for the tree aeonium, which is happy in full sun to light shade. It is most striking in the midst of light green or yellow plants. Once it starts
developing a thick trunk, it may branch out with foot-long cone-shaped stems of vivid yellow flowers. A PLANT YOU’D HARDLY think was a succulent is the pencil tree, an old variety of euphorbia, which is appearing today as the modern cultivar “Firesticks.” The finetextured branches are the red form of the species, the result of reduced chlorophyll, which stunts growth and keeps the plants small. Its most intense color occurs in winter on plants in full sun. This plant is also more tolerant of ordinary soil than most succulents, so perhaps can share a large container with moisture-loving plants. Again, one for the sunny window, as it is hardy only in Zone 9 or warmer. If you want an impressive single specimen, be alert to the Queen Victoria agave, which is one foot wide and equally as tall. Maureen Gilmer, a California gardener/writer, says that a truly mature specimen of this plant might cost as much as a thousand dollars. This one would be the size roughly of a volleyball, and rock hard, with leaves edged in white lines. One to just think about, not add to your wish list. If you like something smaller, and different, you might enjoy the Zebra haworthia, which is four inches tall and equally wide at maturity. The leaves feel like a crocodile’s skin, or like I think a crocodile’s skin would be. This hard leathery surface makes it hard to kill, except with too much water or frost. Its favorite planting site is a shallow bowl, where it soon fills up the pot. Another unique small succulent is the spi-
By Mrs. Herman McKenzie der aloe. We’re used to the large African aloes but the spider aloe blooms just as spectacularly. In spring, a foot-long spike emerges, topped with tubular coral blooms that hummingbirds find irresistible. This plant, the size of your hand, is a good one for a rock garden in a warmer climate than ours (yes, that is possible), where its toothy leaves are thick and stiff, never flopping. And just the right size to snap off if you need one to treat a burn. Finally, if you like blue, the array of rarer succulents includes two you’d really like. The senecio popularly known as blue chalk sticks blends nicely into a container with yellow succulents, and you may discover some of a shrubby nature or perhaps those with low-spreading growth. The cobweb houseleek, sempervivum arachnoideum, has small rosettes, and this one can happily escape from your window sill into the fall and winter garden. It is a native of the high mountains of Europe, where its ancestors thrived in granite pockets of sunny windswept cliffs.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Goodwill salute set to honor volunteers GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF Mississippi will hold its annual awards dinner August 18 at the Country Club of Jackson to recognize outstanding volunteer efforts of those who gave of their time and talents to improve the lives of others. Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services (GIVS) 2011 Volunteer Salute Dinner is a fund-raiser for the organization, according to Gray Wiggers, president and CEO of Goodwill. Proceeds from the event have enabled Goodwill to serve the community for the past 54 years. Ticket prices include a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m., and presentation of honorees at 8 p.m. Honorees include Keith Buchanan, Sandra K. Burrow, Karen Gordon Bush, Michael P. Cottingham, Dr. Suman K. Das, David Marsh, Nora Frances McRae, Gail Pittman, Hazel Thornton, Amanda Cox and Scott Montgomery Jr.
Reception scheduled for artist Cliff Speaks SOUTHERN BREEZE Gallery featured artist during Ridgeland Rendezvous will be Cliff Speaks. Speaks, a local Jackson artist who paints in a gritty, urban style, mixes a graphic-design orientation with modern, painterly expressionism in its broadest sense. His repertoire of paintings, featured August 18, is musical in imagery. It draws on a variety of traditions, including the Mexican Muralists, Abstract Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism and Pop Art. Cliff, a painter and a graphic designer, considers his works “temporary conclusions to ongoing ideas.” He describes his present emphasis as a mix of the formal design of musical posters with the energetic sense of a live jam session. In his most recent paintings words integrate with performance-movement-energy. The reception at Southern Breeze is from 5 - 8 p.m. For more information call 601-607-4147.
Solution for this week’s puzzle next week. This solution for August 11 puzzle
happenings Opera event Mississippi Opera will stage a “Dance with the Stars,” fund-raising gala August 20, 7 p.m., at the Jackson Marriott. Call 601960-2300 for information.
Hospital benefit The 2011 Enchanted Evening Under the Stars benefiting Friends of Children’s Hospital will be
held August 27, 7 to 10 p.m., at the home of Susan and Chip Triplett. Tickets $100. For details call 601984-5273.
Bottom line Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth will hold their annual fund-raiser, Bottom Line for Kids, September 15, 6 p.m., at the Country Club of Jackson. Tickets $100. For reservations call 601-3540983.
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social news
Karen and Kristi Easterling
Anna Meade, Tracy Brewster, Kenny Pilgrim
Missy and Thomas McElroy
Judd Moss, Nap Bryan, David and Jamie Stricklin
Summer extravaganza MSU event held in convention complex The 33rd annual MSU Summer Extravaganza was held recently at the Jackson Convention Complex. The event featured Mississippi State University coaches, player autographs, cheerleaders, MSU cheese for sale and a children’s area. Shown are scenes from the event.
Elizabeth and Mark Shapley, Brice Davis, Fenly Akers, Debbie and Ashley Hamby
BJ Barr, Mary Margaret Johnson, Amanda Meeler
Jessica Cross, Jessicca Rawls
Joanne Girod, Kaleb Strickland, Brittany Holeman
Mark and Shelby Conerly
Sheri Shelby, Mandy Goldman
Matt and Megan West Allen
William Terry, Robert Weaver
Give a gift subscription to the Northside Sun for just $20 per year locally
Jeff Mobley, Frank Jarman, Shair and Patrick Rahaim
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
social news
Enchanted Evening
Friends of Children’s Hospital will host An Enchanted Evening Under the Stars, 7 to 10 p.m. August 27, at a private home in Ridgeland. This fund-raising event includes live music, food, and live and silent auction items. There will also be a chance for one person to win $5,000. Live entertainment will be provided by The Plaintiffs. Casual, white attire is encouraged. Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold prior to and during the party for $100 each, and the winner will be announced during the gala. The winner does not need to be present. Tickets to attend the party are $100 apiece. For more information about the event, to purchase raffle tickets, or to reserve general tickets, call Melanie Schade at 601-984-5273. Planning committee members are (from left, back) Jordan Willett, David Spurk; (middle row) Kathy Henry, Lynn Wentworth, Ellen Skrmetti, Donna Windsor, Erin Cogswell, Elizabeth Upchurch, Mary Kirk King, Alisha Sartin, Allison Muirhead; (front) Melanie Schade, Cathy Havens, Leigh Reeves, Jackie Petrus and Lanier Clark.
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A flight second Christ Covenant School recently held the ninth annual Warrior Classic Golf Tournament. The second place A flight team was (from left) Grant McDonnieal, Steven Yelverton, Ron Massengill, and Ryan McGuffee.
happenings Safety program Ridgeland Recreation and Parks will host an AARP Driver Safety Program August 18, 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ridgeland Recreation Center. Cost, $14. For details call 601-856-6876.
BRITTANY ANDERSON, a May graduate of the Education Center School, was honored with a Perico Institute Leadership Certificate. This organization focuses on developing entrepreneurship in today’s youth. She also received a School Service Award.
JAMIE ARON was awarded the Jesse Howell Award scholarship at Jackson Prep. The PAT board established the Jesse Howell Award in honor of Jesse Lee Howell Jr., who served Jackson Prep as headmaster from 1970-1987. This scholarship award is given annually to a junior who has exhibited scholarship, strong moral character, participation in school activities, and involvement in the community.
8:30 and 11 a.m. Call 601856-9581 for more information.
Theater auditions
Millsaps College is holding auditions for their production of “Little Women.” Middle and high school age actors are needed. Auditions are scheduled for August 29, 5 p.m., in room 7 of the Concert Christian Center. For details Mississippi Community Symphonic Band will present call Ellen Burke at 717-552a concert, August 20, 7 p.m., 3712. at the Belhaven University Center for the Arts. Diabetes support Baptist Nutrition Center hosts a free Diabetes Support Faith journey Group at 1 p.m. on the third St. Matthew’s UMC in Thursday of each month. For Madison will launch a sermon series, Journey of Souls, more information call 601973-1624. through September 18, at Sunday morning services,
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
WIN SERIES
The Diamond Dogs 14-year-olds Major team from Madison recently won the 2011 Global World Series in Gulf Shores. Shown are (from left, back) Lindy Calhoun, Roman Fratesi, Chance Cotton, Perry Harris, Austin Dillon, Austin Harrison, Storm Davis, Chris Richardson, Dillon Deweese, John Mitchell; (front) Dennis Cotton, Alex Blossman, Andrew Luley, Morgan Alexander, Tucker Calhoun, Jackson Mitchell, Noah Mashburn.
What a turtle Serena Cody and Annalise Wells enjoy watching Percy King’s amazing tortoise at Wee Care Ridgeland.
DASHA TSEMA is the 2011 recipient of the Julie Dyer Collins Leadership Award. Each year a Jackson Academy junior is selected to receive the Julie Dyer Collins Leadership Award based on academics, sports participation, character, and leadership.
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tips f or Submittin g pictures f or the bes t reproduction If submitting by e-mail (jimmye@northsidesun.com) please do not shrink the picture . If submitting the print of a picture from a digital camera, set the printer to best quality and please do not print the date on the picture.
Thanks for helping those Northsiders look their best!
601-977-8122
Winners Each year Jackson Prep recognizes individual students who have achieved a high degree of excellence in the major courses of study and electives that comprise the curriculum at Prep. Eighth-graders with distinc-
tive performances in individual course offerings include (from left, back) Ben Clark, Alex Russell, Ty Thompson; (second row) Caroline Jones, Claire Parrish; (front) Mae Mae Cook, Kennady Galloway and Claire McDowell.
Band awards St. Andrew’s Episcopal School intermediate band members were recently presented awards for outstanding achievement this year. Shown are (from left) William Viola
happenings Harmony The Jackson Chapter of Barbershop Harmony meets Tuesday nights, 7 p.m., at North Park Presbyterian Church at the corner of Northside Drive and Old
(Journey), Sohil Patel (Journey), Spencer Bobbitt (Spirit), Kristin Boykin (All-Around Bandsman), Kathryn Walton Monroe (Musicianship).
Canton Road.
Art exhibit The Greater Jackson Arts Council will hold a juried art exhibition, “Material World: An Art Homage to the ’80s,” through August 21. For details call 601-960-1557.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
happenings Storytime
related craft. To reserve a spot call 601-3537762.
Art reception The Eudora Welty House will offer Artist Cliff Speaks will be featured at “Storytime on the Side Porch,” August 17 and 24, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Each week children Southern Breeze Gallery during Ridgeland Rendezvous, August 18, 5 to 8 p.m. For kindergarten through third grade and their more information call 601-607-4147. parents will hear a classic story and make a
Summer graduation The Education Center School recently held Mays, Amanda Stegall, Haley Watson, and summer graduation for 34 participants Addison Smith. including (from left) Shannon Potratz, Jillian
special days HAPPY BIRTHDAY August 18: Ted Copeland, Caldwell Collins, Ellie Hales, Sis Holland, Kristen Nooe, Phyllis Palmer, Matt Stanford, Susan Robertson, Stephen Rogers, Jamie Kerr. August 19: Edwin Mack, Louise Miley, Helen Dalehite, Carolyn Hardin, Gary McLemore, John Robinson, Glenn Watts, John Kyle Davis, Tamera Longmire, Lou Anne Snow, Joe Lutz. August 20: Drew Dearman, Betty Love McLarty, Joe Bryant, Don Nichols, Leeja Smith, Debbie Taylor, Paul Griffith. August 21: John Browning, Frank Briggs, Chris Gilmer, Aaron Chandler, Jillian Lally, Katy Lovell, Eck Beard, Will Ezelle, Buddy Guice, Marian Montgomery, Barbara Mize, Blaine Hart. August 22: Eloise Ellis, Cole Green, Laurel Lackey, Gary Lazich, Donald Raborn, Charles Ramsey, Robert P. Arnold, Guy Blankinship, Katherine B. King, Kathleen B. Bishop, Hollis Shoemaker, Claiborne Frazier. August 23: Melanie Dearman, Annie Laurie Jordan, Leslie Bear, Jess Butcher, Britton Holleman, Michael Jaques, Pat Ross, Tad Stolz, Robert Mozingo, Hunter Howard, Carl Gustav Evers Jr., Mrs. James L. Jordan. August 24: Dee Hudson, Randall Lewis, Walter Bivins, Jared Letson, Nancy Cheney, Kurt Buechler, Anne Piazza, Diana Howie. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY August 18: Sam and Barbara Baker. August 19: Joe and Gail Buzhardt, Max and Sandra McDaniel. August 20: Rob and Pam Fairley, Tommy and Mary Dent, Con and Betty Maloney, Mr. and Mrs. Olgia Graves, Jan and Bobby Berry, Donald and Kim Sloan. August 21: Ken and Diane Sullivan, Tony and Kathy Klingler. August 22: George and Jo Anne Vining, Jack and Sigrid Conway. August 23: Randall and Teresa Saxton, August 24: Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Stacy Jr. To add your ‘Special Days’ call 601-977-8122, write to P.O. Box 16709, Jackson, MS 39236 or e-mail sun@northsidesun.com.
names in
the news Northsiders participating in the summer gifted studies program at the University of Southern Mississippi include Kyle Brown, son of Jeffery and Yoluanda Brown; Samantah Leard, daughter of Robert and Ginger Leard; and Sam Peddicord, son of Wallace and Linda Peddicord.
Advertising deadline Monday, 10 a.m.
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GOOD CITIZENS
tips f or Submittin g pictures f or the bes t reproduction If submitting by e-mail (jimmye@northsidesun.com) please do not shrink the picture . If submitting the print of a picture from a digital camera, set the printer to best quality and please do not print the date on the picture.
Thanks for helping those Northsiders look their best!
601-977-8122
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SHANNON HAHN Each term, Jackson Academy teachers and students select several students who, in their judgment, demonstrate the qualities for being a good citizen. Sixth-graders receiving the Citizenship Award include (from left, back) Sahil Patel, Miles Merrell, Andrew King, Logan Anderson; (middle row) Milla McCormack, Mary Hunter Johnston, Tori Lee, Callie Hall; (front) Catherine Burford, Nancy Usey, Malon Stratton, Conley Chinn.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
school news
Advisory council The St. Anthony Catholic School advisory council prepares for another year of supporting the school. Shown are (from left, back) Msgr. Michael Flannery, J. Eustis
Corrigan Jr., Patrick Harmon, Ronnie Tubertini, T.G. Bolen Jr.; (front) Brigette Towler, Ann Beard, Principal Angela Brunini, Alicia Baladi, and Tina Dancer.
Math league Jackson Prep’s eighth-grade team placed second at the Alabama-LouisianaMississippi Mathematics League exam.
Shown are (from left) Ben Clark, Parker McGowan, Kyle Culbertson, Holt Crews and Jordan Barclay.
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CVI workshop Mississippi School for the Blind recently hosted a workshop on Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) for educators, families, and rehabilitation personnel with internationally recognized CVI expert and author, Christine Roman. Shown are representatives from various agencies serving the visually
impaired and blind of Mississippi (from left) David Farmer, Dr. Vashti Clayton, Loria Powell, Marie Smith, Dr. Christine Roman, Katherine Young, Dr. Rosie Pridgen, Linda Baker, Cassandra Holly-Glausier.
happenings Award dinner The Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America will hold their annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honoring U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, August 23, 7 p.m. at the Jackson Hilton.
Choral rehearsals Excel on NSE Three Jackson Prep ninth-graders received gold medals on the National Spanish Exam Level I. They are (from left) Paul Vegas Ott, Elise Brewer and Thomas Joyner.
sunlanders in service Air Force Airman 1st Class Nathan A. Asay graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Asay earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Elliott and Roxanne Asay of Twin Cedars Drive, Madison. The airman was graduated in 2005 from Madison Central High School.
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The Jackson Choral Society invites singers to join them for rehearsals for their fall concert beginning August 23, 7 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church. For more information call 601927-9604.
Art sale The Mississippi Museum of Art will host Art by Choice, sale and auction, August 26. VIP reception, 6
p.m.; Sale, 7 p.m.; Live auction, 8 p.m. For reservations call 601-960-1515.
Tri-Delta event Jackson area Delta Delta Delta alumnae are planning Deltas After Dark, September 8 at the Treehouse. For more information contact Betty Lynn Freeman at bfreeman@christunitedjxn.org.
Fitness run Paul Lacoste Sports Fit 4 Teaching 5K will be held August 20, 6:30 a.m., at the Mississippi State Capitol. For details visit www.paullacoste.com.
History is lunch Mississippi Department of Archives and History upcoming History is Lunch programs include: August 17, John Sumrall on Mississippi Rock ‘n Roll.
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
school news
Solo and ensemble St. Andrew’s Episcopal School band’s junior and senior members recently participated in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. Shown
are (from left) Charlie Scott, Thea’Myers, Caleb Ross, Matthew Bear, Revanth Sanne.
Bruin burn St. Joseph Catholic High School recently held its second annual Bruin Burn 5k fun run as a community-building project of the booster club. Participants include St. Joe
eighth-graders (from left) Olivia Post, Emily McCabe, Olivia Bourn, and Anna Katherine Brunini, and Post’s cousin, Bailey Dykes.