Attendees from the 47 active Main Street programs and Member towns heard about the accomplishments that have established Mississippi as the number one Main Street Program in the nation. Leland Speed, Director, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and Butch Brown, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) addressed the group.

MDOT has agreed to present and install entry way signs indicating "Certified Main Street Communities" in all programs that obtained certification during 2004. Butch Brown and Leland Speed unveiled the sign, presented the certificates of completion to the Managers and Communities and addressed the group over lunch.

"Since 1993, the Main Street Program in Mississippi has been responsible for over $1.5 billion in private and public investment, 2996 new businesses, 1622 Rehabilitated Buildings, and 18,669 new jobs," stated Beverly Meng, Executive Director. Main Street is the most successful economic development program under the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Urban sprawl has refocused citizens, businesses and developers back to our downtown commercial districts. The future of Main Street in Mississippi and across the Nation never looked brighter," added Meng.

Construction of state subsidized housing in Sardis has hit a snag as result of an unexpected land issue.

Tim Prewitt of Anco Construction, Inc., told the Panola County Board of Supervisors he was in need of assistance with some aspects of the project which is owned by the State of Mississippi and some private investors.

The property is close to North Panola School and was sold to the state by Sardis contractor Nolan West who’s company, W & W Contractors is doing the dirt work for the project.

"When we first began working on the project, we realized there was a small ditch," he said.

Prewitt explained that, at the time, the ditch did not cause a problem with the construction, but that is no longer the case.

"When we first encountered it, there wasn’t really a concern," he said. "We thought it was nothing more than the normal amount of water coming through.

"Now that we are in this part of the year and there is so much rain and moisture, the ditch is constantly full and running," Prewitt said.

In order to resolve the problem, Prewitt said he was seeking assistance from the county in the way of a culvert and riprap.

According to a letter presented to the supervisors during the meeting, a ditch will need to be dug from the property line due north from the northeast corner of the gazebo.

"If the board of supervisors would also consider digging this ditch, it would be greatly appreciated," he said.

Road Department Manager Lygunnah Bean told the board the estimated cost for their assistance would be $2,126.

"I think the question is whether or not the supervisors can do what you are asking," Board president Jerry Perkins said.

Board attorney William McKenzie said he was not comfortable with the board moving forward with the issue until the ownership was cleared up.

"I think everyone on the board is well aware of the fact that you are limited to what you can do as far as things like this are concerned," he said. "I think it is something that needs to be investigated further before you make a decision."

The Panola County Board of Supervisors gave the OK for a pay as you go system on storm shelters to be installed throughout the county.

Panola County Civil Defense Coordinator Son Hudson explained the method was needed to speed up the installation of the shelters.

"According to the figures, the county will be responsible for $1,955 per shelter," he said.

The county will be responsible for paying the full amount of the shelters and will later be reimbursed for $5,000.

"FEMA is requiring that we have a copy of the check in order for us to receive the reimbursement for the shelters," Hudson said. "This is not uncommon, we have done things like this in the past on other projects."

Board president Jerry Perkins was curious as to how long it would take for the county to receive the money back from FEMA.

"I understand the county is responsible for the $1,955, but when will the county get the additional $5,000 in federal money," he asked.

Hudson said he expected the turnaround on the money to take between two and three weeks.

"As soon as we get the new shelters in the ground I will get the paperwork handled so we can get the federal funding back as soon as possible," he said.

Other supervisors were curious about how many of the shelters were being installed in the county and just where they would be.

"I think, if the money works out right, we will end up with eight out of this round of federal money," Hudson said.

The shelters would be installed in Crenshaw, Curtis, Courtland, Union, Mt. Olivet and Sardis Lake.

"Sardis was supposed to get two shelters, but they voted it down," he said. "I don’t know where they got those numbers.

"They weren’t even close to the actual figures," Hudson said.

The shelter expected to go into the Curtis community might require additional work from the county.

"I’m not sure, but I think the location in Curtis is in a flood zone," he said. "If that is the case, we will have to build it up before we install it."

The supervisors voted 5-0 to allow the payments when the shelters are installed.

Please come by The Panolian newspaper to receive your gifts PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS:

Members of the Batesville Kiwanis Club will have Santa in town on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19 for photos with interested parties.