tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-150852602024-03-19T03:14:11.272-07:00Mississippi Gulf CoastIssues concerning the Mississippi Gulf Coast, especially Jackson CountyAlastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-39634158195018238282020-08-28T10:28:00.002-07:002020-08-28T10:28:34.821-07:00Too Funny Not to Share<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1598635648">
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/mississippi/comments/ihnsty/the_great_digest_flag/">The Great Digest Flag</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mississippi">r/mississippi</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="UTF-8" src="//embed.redditmedia.com/widgets/platform.js"></script><br /></div>
Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-44741242430316506032017-12-24T09:33:00.004-08:002018-05-06T11:31:14.783-07:00The Stennis Flag is Full of Confederate SymbolsIronically the proponents of the Stennis Flag who insist that we MUST remove our current flag due to the St. Andrews Cross (aka The Southern Cross) in the design seem intent on replacing it with a flag based on past Confederate Flags.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stennisflagflyers.com/uploads/1/1/2/7/112731913/21371325-1810557575628893-3737319307811432440-n_1_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://www.stennisflagflyers.com/uploads/1/1/2/7/112731913/21371325-1810557575628893-3737319307811432440-n_1_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stennis Flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The single star in the middle pays homage to The Bonnie Blue Flag.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bonnie_Blue_flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America.svg/150px-Bonnie_Blue_flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="150" height="266" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bonnie_Blue_flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America.svg/150px-Bonnie_Blue_flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America.svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnie Blue Fag - Unofficial Flag of the Confederacy 1861</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is intentional on the designers part. From their website The centering of the blue star on the field of white is an inverted "Bonnie Blue," a reference to the state's secession (1861 - 1865). The symbols are so esoteric they have to explain them, and do so <a href="https://www.stennisflagflyers.com/the-stennis-flag.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
And the circle of stars seems to have been copied from the First National Flag of the Confederacy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(March_1861_%E2%80%93_May_1861).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(March_1861_%E2%80%93_May_1861).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="180" height="222" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(March_1861_%E2%80%93_May_1861).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(March_1861_%E2%80%93_May_1861).svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First national flag with 7 stars<br />
(March 4 – May 21, 1861) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(May_1861_%E2%80%93_July_1861).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(May_1861_%E2%80%93_July_1861).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="180" height="222" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(May_1861_%E2%80%93_July_1861).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(May_1861_%E2%80%93_July_1861).svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First national flag with 9 stars<br />
(May 21 – July 2, 1861) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(July_1861_%E2%80%93_November_1861).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(July_1861_%E2%80%93_November_1861).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="180" height="222" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(July_1861_%E2%80%93_November_1861).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(July_1861_%E2%80%93_November_1861).svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First national flag with 11 stars<br />
(July 2 – November 28, 1861)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1861-1863).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1861-1863).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="180" height="222" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1861-1863).svg/180px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1861-1863).svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First national flag with 13 stars<br />
(December 10, 1861 – May 1, 1863</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The red bars on the Stennis Flag seem to be copied from the Blood Stained Banner<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1865).svg/158px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1865).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="105" data-original-width="158" height="265" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1865).svg/158px-Flag_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America_(1865).svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The third national flag of the Confederate States of America.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Do we really want to replace our current flag which many find offensive because of the St. Andrews Cross aka The Southern Cross in the corner, which was based on a Confederate Flag, with another flag that is based on a hodgepodge of Confederate Flags? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Flag_of_Mississippi.svg/255px-Flag_of_Mississippi.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="255" height="266" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Flag_of_Mississippi.svg/255px-Flag_of_Mississippi.svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current MS State Flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-48763013782507452132016-09-11T05:48:00.001-07:002016-09-11T05:48:29.206-07:00Was Hillary being coached during the debates?Was Hillary being coached during the debates?<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe src="https://www.wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/14039?embed=1#efmAGDAG2"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
#NeverHill #HilLiarCheatsAlastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-74735847608360368122015-08-26T04:24:00.003-07:002015-08-26T04:24:43.507-07:00Troy Ross is Costing Taxpayers Money Toss Ross in November<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/SRHShopes/posts/921957074566414" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/SRHShopes/posts/921957074566414">
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SRHShopes">Srhs Hopes</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SRHShopes/posts/921957074566414">Tuesday, August 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
Frank Leach has some questions for Mr. Ross. I wonder if Mr. Ross will answer them? A very good point is made the current Jackson County Board of Supervisors has cost TAXPAYERS money, doing deals behind closed doors, and making unwise decisions.
Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-66711702983984082992015-07-21T04:15:00.003-07:002015-07-22T14:57:40.494-07:00Jackson County Board of Supervisors and The Mess at SRHSIt's been awhile since I have done any political blogging, but given recent events I have decided to dip my hand in again.<br />
<br />
We have a mess at Singing River Health Systems, our County owned Hospital. According to Guice the mouthpiece for the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/welcome_page/?shf=/2015/07/20/6329576_guice-to-srhs-retirees-no-full.html">the pension plan will not be fully funded</a>. So I guess it's OK for county entities to defraud retirees of their <b>earned </b>pensions. They have pretty much set the pension up to fail when they stopped first the hospitals contributions (without telling anyone) and later the employees contributions while still paying money out. Meanwhile the Board of Supervisors throws money at the problem first by hiring Guice and doing an investigation and now by offering to hire a "<a href="http://www.sunherald.com/welcome_page/?shf=/2015/07/20/6329576_guice-to-srhs-retirees-no-full.html">turnaround firm</a>". Which sounds suspiciously like a new group of administrators will come in and tell the current group of administrators how to do their job. Why not just get rid of the current group of administrators that are incompetent and hire someone competent? Oh and the Board of Supervisors just "hopes" the hospital will take them up on their offer and that they will actually have some say in the matter since they are footing the bill????<br />
<br />
And while the Board of Supervisors insist they can hire the "turnaround firm" without raising our taxes they are obviously planning to shortchange other service to come up with the cash. <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/20/6330055/jackson-county-supervisors-look.html?fb_action_ids=10152860074966150&fb_action_types=og.comments">The first casualty the Jackson County Animal Shelter.</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But Supervisor Mike Mangum said he couldn't support allocating funds to a
shelter until he looks at the budget, and pointed out that the
supervisors had just committed to hiring a turnaround firm for the
financially struggling county hospital system.<br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />
Read
more here:
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/20/6330055/jackson-county-supervisors-look.html?fb_action_ids=10152860074966150&fb_action_types=og.comments#storylink=cpy</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
This is the same <a href="http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/11/srhs_owes_106m_on_jackson_coun.html">Board of Supervisors that co-signed loans</a> for the hospital obligating Jackson County taxpayers to payoff the loans if the hospital defaults, without finding out what the money was for or if the hospital actually had the funds to repay the loans.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Singing River Health System has about $106 million in Jackson County co-signed loans -- </blockquote>
<br />
And <a href="http://srhswatch.org/who-owns-the-os-imaging-center/">who actually owns the Ocean Springs Imaging Center</a>? Not SRHS as it turns out.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Instead of SRHS purchasing the land and constructing the building,
they decided to go another route. On October 4, 2006, a group of doctors
and investors led by Drs. John Bailey and Bradley Sams formed Horn
Island Realty, LLC. Horn Island was set up with the sole purpose to
develop the imaging center property.
<br />
Horn Island bought the land in August of 2007 from D & W
Enterprises, LLC which was controlled by Danny and John Jalanivich.
Danny Jalanivich was hired by John McKay’s 2011 re-election campaign and
is now the Ocean Springs harbormaster.<br />
Horn Island borrowed $8 million from the Mississippi Development
Bank, which issued bonds to raise money for the building. Horn Island
has 20 years to repay the money. In turn, Singing River signed a 20 year
lease with Horn Island.</blockquote>
<br />
Is this a good deal for SRHS? <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Generally a purchase will be cheaper than a long term lease. Singing
River is on the hook for maintenance, insurance, rent, and an additional
layer of profit on top the rent.
The possible benefit for Singing River is that it allowed them to
keep building with less scrutiny. If Singing River wanted to build this
facility, the bond issue would have to be approved by the Jackson County
Board of Supervisors. The additional debt would also go on SRHS’
balance sheet. This way, SRHS got their building without having to ask
permission from anyone and without it affecting their future borrowing</blockquote>
<br />
Don't get me wrong as a woman I <b>LOVE</b> the Imagine Center, with it's comfy couches, cozy fireplace and large changing room complete with terry cloth robes it's more reminiscent of a spa than a place you go to get a mammogram, making the experience much better than the bad old days when you got them at the hospital and felt exposed. But as a taxpayer I can't help but feel it's a bad deal meant to benefit the good ole boys in power.<br />
<br />
We also have McKay and the other <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/17/6325585/not-until-after-the-election-attorney.html">Supervisors smugly refusing to testify </a>until after the primary election and then limiting what questions they can be asked. A democracy depends on an educated well informed electorate. When your elected officials refuse to testify before elections, handle most matters in executive session and behave in a secretive manner voters do not have the information they need to make an informed decision.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Update: Looks like SRHS isn't enamored at the idea of money being wasted on a "turnaround firm" </span><a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/21/6330669_singing-river-health-system-doesnt.html?rh=1"><span>Singing River Health System doesn't bite, questions timing of county supervisors' offer</span></a><br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/21/6330669_singing-river-health-system-doesnt.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy</div>
Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-63274269657782813572012-07-31T10:26:00.001-07:002012-07-31T10:26:53.778-07:00District 4 Town Hall Meeting hosted by Supervisor Troy RossI was very pleased to learn of the plans to place asphalt on the walking track in Latimer. I hate having the mulch get in my shoes when I walk there. I was also pleased to learn they are considering putting in restrooms and perhaps even a splash pad. There are also plans to create a Youth Complex where the old St. Martin Upper Elementary and Middle Schools were.<br />
<br />
A free medical clinic is being added in West Jackson County near the Sheriffs Department on Tucker Road/Washington Avenue. The county is providing the building for a nominal rent.<br />
<br />
A wildlife rehabilitation center is being allowed to locate near the Jackson County Animal Shelter in Gautier.<br />
<br />
To see the new property rolls for Jackson County go <a href="http://www.deltacomputersystems.com/MS/MS30/INDEX.HTML">here</a>. No notices were sent out informing homeowners of the new assessed values of their home.<br />
<br />
And a reminder that<a href="http://jcspan.org/"> Jackson County Spay & Neuter</a> provides a low cost spay and neuter program for low income residents thanks to scholarships and grants.Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-44453472956707480542012-06-22T15:45:00.000-07:002012-06-22T15:45:14.378-07:00PSC rejects Mississippi Power rate increase requestRead more in the <a href="http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120622/BIZ/120622025/PSC-rejects-Mississippi-Power-rate-increase-request">Clarion Ledger.</a>Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-6619784424271032612012-06-21T16:46:00.003-07:002012-06-21T16:48:22.397-07:00Congressman Steven Palazzo's Teletown Hall MeetingScripted phone conference and why can't this pseudo Congressman hold a REAL town hall meeting. Palazzo is so Junior High first he refuses to refer to the Act by IT'S proper name<u><b> THE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACT.</b></u> Secondly he outright <u><b>LIED </b></u>about a lot of things.<a href="http://tomprice.house.gov/"> Congressman, Dr. Tom Price </a>really didn't have anything to offer.<br />
<br />
Medicare is not an entitlement, people pay into it during their working lives and have earned it. Fraud, waste and abuse is not the problem. Dr. Tom Price wants to completely get rid of Medicare and claims that MALPRACTICE SUITES are the problem.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Rep. Price: "Going down the path of more government will only
compound the problem. While the stated goal remains noble, as a
physician, I can attest that nothing has had a greater negative effect
on the delivery of health care than the federal government's intrusion
into medicine through Medicare."</span></div>
<br />
Congressman Palazzo claims that Medicare is going to go bankrupt. Lot of empty rhetoric aimed at scaring seniors.<br />
<br />
Congressman Palazzo claims that health insurance should be available for all..............and insist that they "Republicans" will do the same things the Affordable Healthcare Act does force insurance companies to insure anyone even if they have pre-exisisting conditions, make laws preventing insurance companies from dropping your coverage etc. <br />
<br />
I will do all I can to make sure that Congressman Palazzo is a ONE TERM Congressman. He never holds real tall hall meetings, he doesn't respond to his constituents, and he seems incapable of understanding anything that doesn't fit his "narrow" world view. CONGRESSMAN PALAZZO DOESN'T REPRESENT ME AND HE MAKES NO EFFORT TO DO SO, he only represents the TEA PARTY.<br />
<br />
The questions were screened and only those who agreed with Palazzo's view point got through. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13233710830920626326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-43913959102575225362012-06-19T10:19:00.002-07:002012-06-19T10:19:48.933-07:00Private Property Stolen and Katrina Recovery Money Misused by Mississippi GovernmentAn Associated Press investigation shows officials in Mississippi took
private property and spent millions of dollars in Hurricane Katrina
recovery money on sewage plants that may not be needed for decades.<a href="http://msbusiness.com/2012/06/ap-property-taken-katrina-recovery-money-used-for-unneeded-sewage-plants/"> Read more in The Mississippi Business Journal.</a>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-48519303663714008412012-06-14T04:58:00.002-07:002012-06-14T16:29:09.174-07:00Big SupriseThe environmentally unfriendly and economically unsound coal plant in Kemper County is already costing more than projected. Mississippi Power sis seeking a 6 percent hike to pay for the Kemper plant. Which is to be wholly funded by customers. Not one penny of private money is being invested in this boondoggle.<br />
<br />
See <a href="http://msbusiness.com/2012/06/mississippi-powers-kemper-plant-running-366m-over-budget/">Mississippi Power’s Kemper plant running $366M over budget</a> in the Mississippi Business Journal for more details.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/06/13/4006852/utility-seeks-6-percent-hike-to.html#storylink=cpy</div>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-60645159857382606352012-06-13T05:19:00.001-07:002012-06-13T05:19:34.309-07:00We want a BIG sign?Ocean Springs the sign bully par excellence who has forced many business inside the city limits to make due with small signs barely visible to their customers is demanding that Jackson County allow them to have a BIG sign, a sign far bigger then the County ordinance allows for their Sportsplex. <br />
<br />
Hoist with your own petard Ocean Springs make due with a sign that meets the County sign ordinance instead of expecting a special exemption.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-8173510795348051732012-06-12T12:08:00.001-07:002012-06-12T12:08:21.292-07:00Report: Defense spending cuts could damage shipbuilding industryRead more in the<a href="http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2012/06/report_defense_spending_cuts_c.html"> Mississippi Press</a>.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-48295766021422224182012-06-12T04:08:00.000-07:002012-06-12T04:08:05.275-07:00Community Disaster Loan Forgiven - Jackson CountyJackson County announced Monday morning that FEMA has decided to forgive -- all of the $10.5 million Community Disaster Loan the county
borrowed after Katrina.<br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/06/11/4000541/jackson-countys-katrina-debt-forgiven.html#storylink=cpy</div>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-40376140806721454892012-06-11T17:09:00.003-07:002012-06-12T04:37:34.440-07:00Public Service Announcement<div align="center" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">
<small><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><small><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><b>STOP
the 48% INCREASE to OUR POWER
BILL!</b></span></span></small></span></span></small></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<small><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><small><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><b>JOIN
US ON<a href="http://www.psc.state.ms.us/executive/hearing%20schedule/2012/Meetings/SPECIAL%20NOTICE%20JUNE%202012%20DOCKET.pdf"> June 22</a> in JACKSON!</b></span></span></small></span></span></small></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">The Sierra Club and Mississippians for Affordable
Energy need your help!<br />The Mississippi Power Company wants you, the
rate-payer, to finance the<br />dirty, expensive, and unnecessary Kemper County
Coal Plant.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>DIRTY—</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The plant will use one of the most polluting types
of mining known as lignite strip mining, 45 square miles in the headwaters of
the Pascagoula River.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>EXPENSIVE</b></span>—<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The cost is estimated at more than
$2.88 billion dollars. Once again, this cost is put on the rate payers and
not the company itself. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>UNNECESSARY—</b></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mississippi</span></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">currently has natural gas power plants
lying idle that can supply three times the necessary amount of power for the
state.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><br />Senate Bill No. 2793, signed by the governor,
authorizes Mississippi Power to charge its customers to pay for the construction
of this plant. Due to its experimental nature, the plant may never EVEN
WORK. The rate payer will have to pay for the plant, with an
<b>ESTIMATED 48% RATE INCREASE,</b> even if it never produces one watt of
electricity. Yes, this provision is even in the bill. We can no
longer afford to support this type of corporate welfare. This project will
make a few very rich while producing SOME jobs. These jobs will most
likely not be created jobs but jobs that are simply relocated from power plants
on the Coast.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><br />The MS Public Service Commission will hold a
public hearing on the request by the Mississippi Power Company for a 12%
increase in our electric rates, starting NOW, toward the estimated 48% increase
in the future.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">We will be chartering a bus to travel to Jackson, MS
on June 22 to attend the MS Public Service Commission hearing. Round trip
including lunch $10 by June 22. Join us to protest the blatant collusion of MS
Power and our Mississippi lawmakers to satisfy their own interests instead of
the public’s interest. </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Meet us at 7:00 am at the parking lot of
Barnes and Noble. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Please RSVP to Linda St. Martin at
228-324-4028 </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">or <a href="mailto:glens@ieee.org">email </a>
Glen Sandberg </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">if you plan on
coming. If you are in Jackson County, there will be a pickup location in
your area TBD.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"></span></span></span></span></span>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-71228321932066477202012-06-11T17:06:00.002-07:002012-06-11T17:06:20.076-07:00What You Should Know About Heavy MetalsLearn how to protect yourself and loved ones from heavy metal poisoning. Read <a href="http://www.bewholebewell.com/articles/WhatYouShouldKnowAboutHeavyMetals.pdf">What You Should Know About Heavy Metals</a>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-40845418472372514872012-06-11T17:03:00.000-07:002012-06-11T17:03:26.424-07:00What's killing the honey bees?<div>
A <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/336/6086/1304">new
study</a> published in the journal <em>Science</em> has revealed that, in
addition to the destruction of natural habitats and the widespread use of
industrial chemical pesticides, the global bee die-off witnessed in recent
years is also caused by a deadly virus carried by bloodsucking parasitic
mites.<br />
</div>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-35176642723511246222012-06-11T14:30:00.004-07:002012-06-11T14:30:42.727-07:00Beer-lovers to push for homebrewing lawMississippi is one of only TWO states where homebrewing is illegal. Click<a href="http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120611/NEWS/206110313/Beer-lovers-push-homebrewing-law?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs"> here</a> to read more in the <a href="http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120611/NEWS/206110313/Beer-lovers-push-homebrewing-law?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs">Clarion Ledger.</a>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-40114378140580755412012-01-20T06:37:00.000-08:002012-01-20T06:37:16.137-08:00Town Hall Meeting Jackson County Animal ShelterFirst I want to thank John McKay for hosting the meeting and Troy Ross and Barry Cumbest for taking the time to attend.<br />
<br />
I am troubled that the animal shelter plans to implement a fee for owner
surrenders. While in theory since according to the shelter 50% of the
animals in their care are owner surrenders this sounds like a sound plan
for increasing revenue, I am afraid the unintended consequence may be
more abandoned pets.<br />
<br />
I was heartened to see the number of people raise their hands in support
of a spay and neuter program that would provide low cost spaying and
neutering to those who do rescue, TNR (trap neuter release) and senior
citizens even if it meant a tax increase. It was also suggested that a<b> licensing fee</b>
for breeders be
implemented and that the fee could be dedicated to spay and neuter
programs so a tax increase would not be necessary. The Hard Rock is
also willing to do fundraisers for the animal shelter. There was also a
great deal of support for a Humane Society like the <a href="http://hssm.org/">Humane Society of South Mississippi</a> located in Gulfport instead of the county run animal shelter. <br />
<br />
Current criticism of the animal shelter included the lack of oversight.
Far to many people stated that animals were not checked for microchips,
that owners were not allowed to view the animals kept in back and that
pets were mistakenly euthanized without their owners having a chance to
rescue them. It was also brought up that the animals are kept in
deplorable condition and are not properly groomed. <br />
<br />
There was a demand that the shelter allow people to foster animals, and
that they work with rescue groups so the number of animals euthanized
could be lowered. Many people mentioned working with transport groups
who rescue animals from the South to take them to the North East where
there is a large demand for adoptable pets. Supervisor McKay suggested
starting a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Jackson-County-Animal-Shelter-pets/288695074487416?sk=wall"> Friends of the Jackson County Animal Shelter</a> but learned that there was already a friends group.<br />
<br />
It was also suggested that a Trust Fund dedicated to the animals and
their welfare be established so people could donate directly to the
animal shelter and that Supervisors commit to not using donations to
offset money budgeted for the shelter.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-63048078108804033082012-01-18T03:46:00.000-08:002012-01-18T03:48:46.597-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-dTaP3A_GAn1VpKP0pLpeoAudi7Atu-5oMsqIe91VZOayzyoB4CIcMOhyphenhyphenLjoQb8DHKLssAxbUewtKmcAR8BqQNZiWclvzb0EA1ErY9Re11EDSLlq7IapzdB9XUTw72Y9-ne_/s400/stop-sopa-protest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-dTaP3A_GAn1VpKP0pLpeoAudi7Atu-5oMsqIe91VZOayzyoB4CIcMOhyphenhyphenLjoQb8DHKLssAxbUewtKmcAR8BqQNZiWclvzb0EA1ErY9Re11EDSLlq7IapzdB9XUTw72Y9-ne_/s320/stop-sopa-protest.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There is a bill in Congress that will affect your rights on the web
and will censor all web sites, blogs, etc. In a nutshell :<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
SOPA explicitly states that companies will be liable for
everything their users post. Sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter,
Reddit, Wikipedia, or any sites that allow user generated content
CANNOT exist under these laws. Immediately after this bill is passed,
you will see the media mafia (MPIAA, RIAA, etc) replacing websites
like Wikipedia with commercialized encyclopedia software. Mainstream
media outlets will not cover this bill because they are the ones
lobbying for it.</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you want to know more - Google created a doc to read and inform - <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/thenextweb.com/document/d/1pkjK3fllT3Oojtl3tsk5CC2cnIIKiWGodPHGdDAknjQ/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1#">SOPA for Dummies. </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b>WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND STOP THIS BILL FROM PASSING!</b></u> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To help you do this stop by<a href="http://www.stopthewall.us/?gclid=CPir4YKg2K0CFcOP7QodtHO3kg"> Fight the Wall </a> or <a href="http://americancensorship.org/">American Censorship</a> and find out how to connect with your Representative!<br />
Hat Tip :<a href="http://wildcatwoodscats.blogspot.com/"> Cats of Wildcat Woods </a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://sopastrike.com/strike">Tell Congress to Stop the Bill NOW</a>.
</div>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-83857791158424452662011-11-10T03:26:00.001-08:002011-11-10T03:27:39.769-08:00Satan Wins in Mississippi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://votesmart.org/canphoto/2126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://votesmart.org/canphoto/2126.jpg" /></a></div>
Phil Bryant was elected Governor in Mississippi November 8, 2011 the same day the Personhood Amendment he co-chaired was defeated.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-5868048511029141542011-10-25T12:09:00.000-07:002011-10-25T17:22:56.052-07:00Notes From the Political ForumCissy Jordan called the meeting to order and Henry Harris lead us in prayer and the Salute to the Flag.<br />
<br />
The Habitat for Humanity Project (off Brodnax Road) has finally been defeated for good, the court upheld the decision by the Planning Commission and The Board of Supervisors.<br />
<br />
Singing River Electric Power Association is experiencing problems with their phones. Cissy asked for a show of hands to see how many people it was affecting and discovered it was not affecting many people.<br />
<br />
Everyone was invited to the January Meeting where we will elect officers.<br />
<br />
Read the Initiatives that will be on the November 8th Ballot. <br />
No 26 Persoonhood - NO<br />
No 27 Voter ID - NO<br />
No 31 Eminent Domain - YES<br />
<br />
Recognized Michael Watson.<br />
<br />
Candidates were allowed to make a 5 minutes speech.<br />
<br />
<u><b>The candidates running for School Board went first</b>.</u><br />
<br />
Duane Dobson - Wants to improve our scores so that our schools are not just first in the State, but also in the top percentage Nationally instead of ranked last as we currently are. Wants to see the funds distributed fairly and everyone working together. Is for comprehensive sex education in the schools and will research uniforms to see if there is a valid reason to do away with them if someone ask.<br />
<br />
Lori Ramsay Massey - In the interest of full disclosure we are friends. Concerned with school bus safety, proper hand-washing to prevent germs from being picked up and in insuring that special needs children get the therapy they need. <br />
<br />
Karen Ray Tolbert - wants to make sure we have winning athletic teams.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Candidates for Jackson County Sheriff</b></u><br />
<br />
Jeff Barnes - maintains there is serious issues with Sheriff Byrd's leadership, that he waste our tax dollars and wants to know where the money goes.<br />
<br />
Mike Byrd - was unable to attend due to a mix up in the dates. The Civic Association allowed a letter he wrote to be read on his behalf.<br />
<br />
Walter "Bo" Bohl - did not attend<br />
<br />
<u><b>Candidates for Jackson County District 4 Supervisor</b></u><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://boalawine.com/">Bo Alawine</a> - In the interest of full disclosure he is my spouse. Since I have a copy of his speech I am including it here. </div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
wife, Sandra, and I both consider it a privilege to be part of the Latimer
community and citizens of Jackson County.
We moved here 24 years ago and have loved it. However, as much as I love Jackson County, we
could be doing far better. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
I believe government is often used
to benefit the well-connected, while the rest of us pick up the tab. For
example, giving tax breaks to large businesses leads to more jobs which leads
to more revenue. Unfortunately, this is usually an article of faith that results
in a significant shift of the tax burden onto homeowners.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Overall,
Jackson Countians pay higher property taxes despite the presence of several
large industries here.</u></b> Our total assessed valuation is fourth in the
state, whereas Harrison County is first. Yet we have the 26th highest total
millage assessed while Harrison County ranks near the bottom in total
millage. Despite having the second highest millage for Fire Protection in
the state, <b><u>the fire ratings for the unincorporated areas remain at 7 or
above and those for the incorporated areas are 5 or higher</u></b><u>.</u> Higher fire ratings translate into higher
insurance costs.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
begs the question: Are we getting a good
return on our investment for the tax breaks granted to large employers in the
county?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I believe
in using tax incentives to attract and retain businesses but those businesses
should be held accountable for upholding their end of the bargain and we need
to know for sure that they are.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We need
a more diverse economic development plan, one that relies less on heavy
industry and more on small to mid-size businesses which offer competitive wages
and benefits. Aggressively promote our
natural attractions such as the Pascagoula River basin and DeSoto National Forest as well as other venues
such as downtown Ocean Springs and the proposed <i>USS Ticonderoga</i> project in Pascagoula. Adding quality of life improvements such as
bike paths, more parks and public boat launches when we upgrade our
infrastructure.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Additionally,
everyone should be able to know what their elected
and appointed officials are doing without having to attend every meeting. There
is no reason all county information should not be readily and
publicly-accessible online 24/7. As noted by the <i>Sun Herald</i>, Jackson County is the lone holdout here on the Coast
with making its spending information publicly available. That is inexcusable. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>It boils down to this</u>: We deserve a county
government which looks to the future and doesn’t rely on the “business as
usual” approach in which the public’s business, OUR business, is discussed
behind closed doors.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why did
I decide to run for supervisor? Well,
besides the fact I arguably have no better sense, I have two very important vested
interests: Jonathan and Sean. Jonathan
graduates from college this December, while Sean has a couple more years. I want them to be able to find good-paying
jobs here in Jackson County. Not in
Alabama or Louisiana, but here. I want
them to be able to afford homes, put down roots, raise families, without
worrying about whether their county is cutting backroom deals that will mean a
lower quality of life for their families.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It’s conventional wisdom
that money often buys political influence.
</span>That’s
why<span style="color: black;"> you should know that,
with one exception, I have not received any political campaign contributions. I am a self-funded candidate and I have
copies of my campaign finance report here to prove it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I’d rather risk losing
an election due to insufficient campaign funds than win one bankrolled by special
interests that come calling after Election Day.
When it’s all said and done, I do not want to owe anyone anything but a
“Thank you!” for their vote. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Sandra has more than
once told me she honestly believes I’d make a great supervisor but I definitely
make a lousy politician. I personally
think that’s a great compliment.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I don’t
want Jackson County to be <b><u>just</u></b>
a good place to work. I don’t want it to be <b><u>just</u></b> a good place to do business. I want Jackson County to be a great place to
live. A great place to start and raise a
family. A great place to enjoy the
company of friends and family. A great
place to grow old and retire.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A great
place for all of our children to build their futures.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
consider me for your next supervisor. - <a href="http://boalawine.com/">Bo Alawine</a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
There was some confusion and his time was cut short as he wanted to clarify that even though he is a member of the Latimer Civic Association the Association is apolitical and does not endorse any candidates, therefore he did not get to give the speech in it's entirety. <br />
<br />
Troy Ross - He is currently the Alderman at Large for Ocean Springs.<br />
<br />
The meeting was adjourned.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0Latimer, MS, USA30.5346407 -88.866697630.4799342 -88.9456616 30.589347200000002 -88.7877336tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-62824962364479115662011-10-23T12:07:00.000-07:002011-10-23T12:07:52.800-07:00Political Forum MondayThe Latimer Civic Association is holding a Jackson County candidate forum at<b> 7 p.m. Monday at the Latimer Community Center</b>. Candidates for sheriff, District 4 supervisor and Jackson County school board will be speaking to residents. There will also be discussion of the three ballot initiatives on the Nov. 8 ballot -- personhood, voter ID and eminent domain.<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-41953653565286286812011-10-20T18:03:00.001-07:002011-10-25T17:44:32.732-07:00Interview with Bo Alawine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdKiemzVxKmVgOz9o80pKrxxq10BdITvAg9UPm7-ices8H5kHuK8KzlGPMPj79N8OWxbQUKd_PniBhMn5X63nLSuSLqod3C54uJLWVG96ARVEexzyEaCbE9TSLa3PFaFOLDb59A/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdKiemzVxKmVgOz9o80pKrxxq10BdITvAg9UPm7-ices8H5kHuK8KzlGPMPj79N8OWxbQUKd_PniBhMn5X63nLSuSLqod3C54uJLWVG96ARVEexzyEaCbE9TSLa3PFaFOLDb59A/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Note: The following Q and A appeared in the October 19, 2011, edition of<a href="http://oceanspringsgazette.com/"> The Gazette </a>(article not yet online).<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Q. What is your political philosophy?</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><b>
</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><b>
</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A. </b></span>If I
had to condense my political philosophy down to one sentence, I suppose it
would have to be something along the lines of "<u>Government is to be for
the betterment of all, not for just a privileged few</u>." It is my
belief that, more than ever, the levers of government have been and are being
used to fatten the bank accounts of the well-connected, while the rest of us
are expected to pick up the tab. Often this sleight of hand is presented
to the rest of us as "economic development". A perfect example
would be the favorite conservative tactic of granting tax exemptions to large
businesses/industries under the claim that those businesses/industries will
create more jobs which will lead to more revenue. In my opinion, the current means of
ascertaining economic impacts is fraught with pollyannish guesswork and wishful
thinking, resulting in a significant shift of the tax burden onto the taxpayers
themselves. I find it hard to believe
this isn’t intentional.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I would also add as a corollary that
government should be transparent so that every citizen can know what his/her
elected official is discussing and that official will be voting upon. Publicizing what factors go into the various
decisions and votes is critical for having an informed electorate. Unfortunately, it is often standard operating
procedure to coordinate the public’s business away from the public forums
and/or to move to “executive session” to discuss politically sensitive
items. In this day and age, there is no
reason why every agenda, all official meeting minutes (as well as video of all
meetings) and every document should not be publicly-accessible online 24/7. Jackson County is the lone holdout here on the
Coast with respect to making its spending information available and the current
Board of Supervisors has postponed doing so until next year. That is inexcusable.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Q. W</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">ho are your political heroes?</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">My
political heroes? That’s an interesting
question, one I haven’t even considered until now and I’m not sure I’d consider
anyone a political “hero”. “Hero” is a
term which has become almost meaningless in today’s lexicon. To me, a “hero” is someone who selflessly
goes far beyond the requirements of their daily lives to help others, putting
themselves at considerable risk, professionally and personally.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Having
said that, I would consider former Congressman Gene Taylor as someone worthy of
emulation. While I strongly disagreed with
a number of his conservative positions, he was always respectful and willing to
listen to my concerns. I was also
greatly impressed with his display of “grace under pressure” during his August
2009 “town hall” meeting in Moss Point.
I could only hope to be half as patient as he was in dealing with some
of the most outrageous attacks on both his character and his person.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Q. </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">What propelled you to enter the race?</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Every
American boy and girl probably dreams of being president one day; I was no
different. As I’ve grown older, though, I’ve
become more interested in the workings of local, state and federal
government. I’ve never been interested
in “politics”, <i>per se</i>, but in the day-to-day operations that most of us
take for granted. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">The
specific impetus for throwing my hat into the ring was the initially unopposed candidacy
of the current Jackson County District #4 supervisor, Tommy Brodnax. On more than one occasion, Mr. Brodnax had
displayed what I considered an incredible contempt for the concerns for his
constituents, particularly those in the Latimer community with respect to the
Highway 15 proposal. No one, regardless
of their job approval numbers, should be allowed to run for office unopposed
and I intended to not allow Mr. Brodnax to “walk” into office. It wasn’t until after I had registered as a
Democrat that two other challengers, Mr. Ross and Mr. Cruthirds, filed to run
against Mr. Brodnax in the Republican primary.
Had I known Mr. Brodnax would have had two challengers, my decision
would have still been the same, given my personal political philosophy is generally
at odds with that espoused by Republican politicians.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">I
am also motivated to move Jackson County away from what I perceive to be “good
ol’ boy” politics, where officials count on the indifference or ignorance of
the public to push through policies which might not be in the public’s interest. I would also like to see the county rely less
on heavy industry and more on sustainable, “smart” growth, growth which
promotes our natural resources and our people.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Q. </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Who has supported you in this race?</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">A
number of coworkers, friends and family have wished me the best of luck. I feel it important to note that, with one
exception, I have not received any political campaign contributions; i.e., no
one is supporting me financially. In
other words, I am a self-funded candidate.
At the end of the day, I want to owe no one but a “Thank you!” for their
vote. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
often said that money is the mother’s milk of politics, a necessary evil to
promote one’s campaign message. While
this may be true, it would be difficult to dissuade me from the firm belief
that money often buys influence. I’d
rather risk losing an election due to insufficient campaign funds than win one
bankrolled by a number of people who come calling after I’ve been sworn into
office.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Q. </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Tell us about yourself, your family.</span></i></b></span><b><span style="color: black;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">My
wife, Sandra, and I are both originally from Meridian. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">I
graduated from Clarkdale Attendance Center in 1983 and received my A.A. in
Electronics Technology from Meridian Junior College in 1985.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">When
I graduated with my B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology from the
University of Southern Mississippi in May 1987, Sandra and I got married and we
moved to a little rental house on Stennis Avenue in Ocean Springs in August of
that year when I was hired by a defense
contractor out at Ingalls Shipyard. In September
1991, we bought our first (and only) house in the Latimer community where we’ve
lived ever since. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Both
of our sons, Jonathan and Sean, were born at Ocean Springs Hospital and attended
St. Martin Elementary until we decided to homeschool. Both boys are currently attending the
University of South Alabama where Jonathan is working on his Master’s in
Computer Science and Sean is pursuing a Bachelor’s in History with a minor in
Political Science. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">I
have been fortunate that my employment has allowed me to travel all over this country
and to points beyond. I’ve been to
Japan, Panama, Mexico and Canada. I’ve
had the pleasure of meeting different people and hearing different viewpoints
on politics and government and life in general.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Q. </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Tell us what has surprised you in the past months as you have
been out campaigning.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">I was completely taken
aback with the amount of money that local candidates were expected to raise
during the course of an average campaign.
At my first Democratic Party meeting, several experienced incumbents
offered their experiences with fundraising and relayed the amounts they had
raised in their last campaigns, amounts I found staggering. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">My first true campaign
experience was during the Ocean Springs Mardi Gras parade. Prior to the parade itself, I walked up and
down Government Street, introducing myself to folks. It turned out approximately half of the
people I talked to weren’t even from Mississippi, must less Jackson County
District #4. This caused me to
re-evaluate how I was going to get message out to prospective voters. Given my decision to self-fund my campaign,
it seemed wasteful to purchase advertising that couldn’t be targeted to just
District #4.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Another thing that came
as a bit of a surprise to me was the number of people who had no idea as to
their supervisor, their district, their voting precinct or even when Election
Day was. It strikes me as a bit odd that
so many people could rail about what the federal government was or was not doing
right but had no clue about their own local government.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<br /></div>
<br />Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-6755756762114559532011-07-27T18:15:00.000-07:002011-10-25T17:27:16.040-07:00Dick Hall out of Date<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<a href="http://www.wlbt.com/story/15160629/transportation-commissioner-candidates-appear-at-neshoba-co-fair#">Hall revived a proposal first seriously considered in the 1980's.</a></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
The proposal is to four lane Mississippi
Highway 15 right through the center of the state from the Tennessee line
to the Gulf of Mexico.</div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
"It will affect every town it passes through
and every county it passes through, and it would provide a badly needed
evacuation route off of the Gulf Coast," Hall said.</div>
<br />
Our tax money was just wasted on a proposal to four lane Mississippi Highway 15. After upsetting numerous residents of Jackson County who were in danger of losing their homes to one of the proposed routes<b> the no build option </b>was chosen by MDOT in February of 2011. <br />
<br />
For those of you unfamiliar with the issue, you can read more<a href="http://donotmoverr.blogspot.com/search?q=highway+15"> here</a>.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15085260.post-65586583941158795102011-07-24T12:17:00.000-07:002011-07-24T12:17:55.739-07:00Political ForumThe Latimer Civic Association is hosting a political forum Monday July 25 @ 7PM. It will be hosted at the Latimer Community Center. All candidates who face opposition in the Primary (August 2nd) will be given the opportunity to speak. Those running unopposed in the primary will be given a chance to speak at the political forum in October before the General Election.Alasandra, The Cats and Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14589200631693075320noreply@blogger.com0