By Rupert Howell
Supervisors voted Monday in favor of APAC and property owner Nolan West to permit a gravel mining, washing and asphalt plant in the Como area on the northeast quadrant of the I-55 and Hwy. 310 intersection.

The three-to-one vote overturns a decision by Panola County’s Land Use Commission that last month rejected the plan. APAC has a  20-year lease agreement with West who has stated that he plans to reclaim the property and develop it at the end of the lease.

An overflowing meeting room Monday morning at Batesville Courthouse was filled mostly with opponents of the operation with as many standing and sitting on the floor, (about 50 in all) as were seated.

District Five Supervisor Cole Flint made the motion to accept the proposal as was last presented to Planning Commissioners during a July meeting. District Three supervisor John Thomas seconded the motion and Board President Kelly Morris called for a voice-vote when he also voted in favor of the proposal.

The dissenting vote was that of James Birge whose District One encompasses the area of the mining operation.

District Two Supervisor Vernice Avant was unable to attend Monday’s meeting for medical reasons.

Board of Supervisors’ attorney Bill McKenzie said either side that feels agrieved by today’s decision has the option to appeal in Circuit Court.

Desoto county attorney Mike Gray laid out six areas needed to be considered and specified how each area has been addressed while calling on well-known Senatobia appraiser Jerry Brewer to relate how similar operations had no affect on property values.

Attorney for Como area residents opposed to the plant David Slocum disputed some of those claims and called on Cistern Hill M.B. Church member Earnestine Bridgeforth to tell what effects the project could have on her church. Cistern Hill members as well several established Como citizens have opposed the  operation from the beginning.

James May also spoke on behalf of concerned citizens of Como.

A 10-year resident of Como, May said, “Como is Mayberry. I love it. I don’t want to live anywhere else,” after stating that the operation may change the town’s character.