By Billy Davis

Three county bridges are repaired and open to traffic after undergoing work by the county road department, road manager Lygunnah Bean said Monday.

He reported to the Board of Supervisors that bridges on Curtis-Locke Station, Tocowa and Benson roads were repaired recently.

Bean said more bridge projects are planned on three other roads: Old Panola, Melrose, and Curtis and Pride.

The road manager informed supervisors last month that state bridge inspectors had threatened to shut down traffic on several county bridges unless work was performed immediately.
Bean told The Panolian Monday the road department is working quickly to make repairs and is cooperating with the inspectors.

The road department has also performed bridge repair work on Rooks Road and Lawrence Bros. Road, he said.

Bean said most of the inspections were performed by County Engineer Larry Britt while two others were done by an outside company.

In other county business:
•Supervisors postponed a vote to reclassify property for a women’s shelter until the Second District meeting next week in Batesville.

Jake Jullian, executive director of the Batesville Safe Shelter, appeared before supervisors to describe plans for the 20-bed facility.

The county land commission voted in November to recommend the zoning change from residential to a multi-family dwelling. All zoning changes must get final approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Michael Purdy, who oversees the Panola County Land Development office, rose from his seat and explained to supervisors that Jullian’s appearance is supposed to be scheduled for next week.

Panola County’s zoning by-laws require supervisors to approve zoning changes and to vote after a public hearing at the Second District meeting, Purdy said.

Some supervisors mistakenly believed Jullian was appearing to request funding for the planned shelter.

•Board attorney Bill McKenzie asked supervisors to table a truck purchase for Panola County Land Development until he can review it.

Purdy submitted two bids for a new truck, one from Hallmark Ford in Batesville and one from a dealership in Brandon.

Purdy asked supervisors to approve the local purchase, which he said is $228 more than the Brandon dealership.

McKenzie said he agreed with the sentiment to buy locally but added, “I recommend taking the lowest bid every time.”

The board attorney then suggested tabling the issue and the county board voted to do so.

•Sheriff Dennis Darby informed supervisors the sheriff’s department is working hard to catch drug dealers, when supervisors asked about “buy money” requested by the narcotics task force.

The request was included among other topics mentioned by County Administrator Kelley Magee.
“We’re buying a bunch of dope,” Darby said, adding that the drug dealers have been warned the task force is “coming after them.”

Darby said he was proud of deputies for their hard work, which he said is routinely dangerous.

The sheriff also announced the hiring of Adrian Kirkwood to fill an open slot at the department.

•McKenzie advised supervisors they will name appointments in December for three public boards, Panola County Housing Authority, airport board and library board.