CD: Helmet ordinance hearing draws mixed reaction

TIM PRATT

The first of two public hearings on a proposed child safety helmet ordinance drew mixed reaction Tuesday night from Starkville citizens, aldermen and former city officials.

Several residents and aldermen said they were in favor of new rules which would require persons 16 and younger to wear a helmet while riding bicycles and other alternative forms of transportation, while others liked the concept but were concerned with how the measure was written.

As it stands, the ordinance doesn’t specify who would be allowed to issue citations to violators of the ordinance. It says “any authorized agent” of the city can issue citations.

The ordinance also states a parent or legal guardian of the violator must pay a $15 fine for a first offense, although it gives the parent or legal guardian the option to purchase a helmet in lieu of paying the fine.

Mayor Parker Wiseman said only city police officers and code enforcement officers can issue citations. He also said the ordinance “isn’t meant to punitive” because its goal is to get people to purchase and wear helmets while riding bicycles and other alternative forms of transportation.

“I think, in most cases, what this ordinance is aimed at and what it will do is require a helmet to be worn,” Wiseman said.

Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas doesn’t like the idea of a police officer or code enforcement officer stopping a child without a helmet and issuing a citation.

“So if my 10-year-old is out on her bike and she gets a ticket, are they going to ask for her driver’s license?” Dumas said to a round of laughter.

Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver had a similar concern.

“Everybody laughs about this … but if my son comes in at 6 years old with a ticket, I’m going to have a major issue with that,” Carver said. “There’s going to be all kinds of profiling issues and identification of children and things like that.”

“Half of them don’t know their street address,” Carver added.

Carver also suggested the ordinance be revised to specify that only police and code enforcement officers can issue citations. He also suggested looking into ways to enforce the ordinance without a monetary fine.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Suspect wanted in Starkville shooting captured in New Orleans

TIM PRATT

STARKVILLE — The second suspect wanted for an October shooting on North Montgomery Street was captured today in Louisiana.

Roderick D. Franklin, aka “Bam Bam,” of 203 Middle Court, Starkville, was apprehended shortly after 12 p.m. by U.S. Marshals and the New Orleans Police Department at a home in New Orleans, Starkville Police Department Sgt. Chadd Garnett said. Garnett believes Franklin, 30, was tracked down through cell phone records, but was still awaiting more information as of Tuesday afternoon.

Franklin is now awaiting extradition back to Starkville to face a charge of aggravated assault. The other suspect in the shooting, Kenyon Cannon, aka “Smoke,” of 141 Pilkington Park, was arrested in New Orleans March 8 by U.S. Marshals and the New Orleans Police Department. Cannon still is awaiting extradition back to Mississippi, Garnett said.

“I’m just glad they’re both off the street,” Garnett said.

Franklin and Cannon, who are half-brothers, were wanted for a shooting the night of Oct. 30 in the 800 block of North Montgomery. The victim, whom police have not identified, was shot several times in the head, neck and shoulder area. Bloody and reeling, the man attempted to flag down passing motorists on North Montgomery Street and knocked on several nearby doors for help before someone called 911.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Soldiers refocus on family

JASON BROWNE

After nine months in the desert, you can’t blame a soldier for wanting to spend some time in the house.

For members of the Starkville-based Army National Guard Alpha Battery 2-114 Strike Battalion, who began returning to North Mississippi from Mosul, Iraq, last week, spending time with family was first on everyone’s to-do list. Relaxation was a close second.

“I’m looking forward to being at the house, to relax and have no worries and enjoy the comforts of home,” said Sgt. 1st Class Fountain Saylors, 42, of Tupelo, who remained at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg on Monday.

Sgt. 1st Class Danny Browning Jr., 36, of Columbus, planned to “relax, catch up on stuff I missed and get back into a good rhythm.”

“I was looking forward to doing a lot of stuff, like going out and getting barbecue,” recalls 1st Lt. Dustin Guadagno, 26, of Caledonia. “But now I just want to casually go to everyone’s house for 10-20 minutes and come back and be with my family.”

Of course, family was the clear winner. Whether visiting parents and siblings or reconnecting with children, the soldiers from the 114th kept it moving.

Upon returning home, Saylors will watch two of his three sons play ball for Shannon High School. Browning, who also remains at Camp Shelby, will return to his wife and two daughters. Guadagno reconnected with his 1-year-old son Sunday night.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

BOA Agenda, Tuesday March 16, 2010

OFFICIAL AGENDA
THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
RECESS MEETING OF TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010
5:30 P.M., CITY HALL COURTROOM
101 LAMPKIN STREET

I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE

III. APPROVAL OF THE OFFICIAL AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

IV. INTERVIEW OF APPLICANTS FOR THE VACANT SCHOOL BOARD POSITION.

V. APPROVAL OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN MINUTES
A. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE RECESS MEETING OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF DECEMBER 15, 2009.

VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS
A. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: 2
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES:
UYLESS GRAY – MAINTENANCE WORKER IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT
DONNA DOLLARHIDE – RADIO OPERATOR/RECORDS CLERK IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
STEPHANNE DRUMMOND – RADIO OPERATOR/RECORDS CLERK IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. BOARD COMMENTS:
C. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:

VII. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
A. PUBLIC APPEARANCE BY NISREEN CAIN TO DISCUSS THE CITY’S RECOGNITION OF EARTH HOUR.
B. PUBLIC APPEARANCE BY FENLY AKERS REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP BY THE CITY FOR THE MISS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY PROGRAM AD.
C. PUBLIC APPEARANCE BY CHRIS HUGHES PRESENTING A HOUSING PROJECT PLAN AND REQUESTING CITY SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.

VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CHILD SAFETY PROTECTIVE HELMET ORDINANCE.

IX. MAYOR’S BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE LETTER TO BE SENT TO THE DEVELOPER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOME CORPORATION
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
B. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL TO AUSTIN, TEXAS, FOR THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO ATTEND A FACILITIES
PLANNING CLASS AT A COST OF $550.00 FOR TUITION ONLY.
C. DISCUSSION OF ADOPTING A PROCESS AND BUDGETARY POLICY ON BOARD CONSIDERATION OF OUTSIDE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PROGRAM ADS AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972 §17-3-1.

X. BOARD BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO THE STARKVILLE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE TERM BEGINNING MARCH 6, 2010.
B. CONSIDERATION OF ADVERTISING FOR BIDS FOR THE MOWING CONTRACT FOR THE CITY’S ODDFELLOWS CEMETERIES FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS 2010 AND 2011.
C. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUING A PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF STARKVILLE TO DECLARE THE HOUR FROM 8:30 TO 9:30 PM ON MARCH 27, 2010 AS EARTH
HOUR IN THE CITY OF STARKVILLE.
D. CONSIDERATION OF CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE SIGN ORDINANCE 2008-10 AND THE CITY OF STARKVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES, APPENDIX A TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES OF EXEMPTIONS FOR SIGNAGE LOCATED IN CITY RIGHTS OF WAY.
E. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A PROGRAM AD FOR THE MISS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY PAGEANT PROGRAM BOOK IN ACCORDANCE WITH MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, § 17-3-1.
F. CONSIDERATION OF HOSTING AN AREA WORKSHOP THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI URBAN FOREST COUNCIL.
G. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING AN INTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE RESULTING FROM BOARD RETREAT PROCESS.

XI. DEPARTMENT BUSINESS
A. AIRPORT
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA
B. BUILDING, CODES AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT
1. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE P&Z ITEM #FP 09-06: A REQUEST BY RMR INVESTMENTS, LLC, FOR A FINAL PLAT APPROVAL OF “WESTERN CROSSING DEVELOPMENT—PHASE II” IN A C-2 (GENERAL BUSINESS) AND R-5 (MULTI-FAMILY, HIGH-DENSITY) ZONING DISTRICT LOCATED NORTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF NEW LIGHT ROAD AND THE MS HIGHWAY 25 BYPASS IN WARD 1.
2. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE P&Z ITEM #FP 10-01: A REQUEST BY RMR INVESTMENTS, LLC, A FINAL CONDO PLAT APPROVAL OF “UNIVERSITY CROSSING CONDO PLAT REVISION #1” IN A C-2 (GENERAL BUSINESS) ZONING DISTRICT LOCATED AT THE 600 BLOCK OF MS HIGHWAY 12 EAST IN WARD 4.
C. OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
1. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE CLAIMS DOCKET AS OF MARCH 11, 2010, FOR THE CITY OF STARKVILLE DEPARTMENTS EXCEPT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH REYNOLDS INSURANCE, THE LOWEST AND BEST BID FOR THE CITY OF STARKVILLE PROPERTY INSURANCE SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2010/2011.
D. COURTS
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA
E. ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT (ALL ITEMS ON CONSENT)
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT SUBSTATION VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER FROM WESCO/DIVERSIFIED SUPPLY COMPANY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS FOR THE LOW BID OF $20,500.00.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN A CHANGE ORDER FOR THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THE RETAINER WALL THAT IS
LOCATED ON THE EAST BOUNDARY OF THE SED PROPERTY AND WESTERN BOUNDARY OF PROPERTY OWNED BY MR. LARRY TABOR AT A COST OF $28,087.00.
F. ENGINEERING AND STREETS
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR SC-1 ASPHALT SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2010.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE LOWEST AND BEST BID FOR THE HOSPITAL ROAD PEDESTRIAN PROJECT TO INCLUDE AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTURAL AGREEMENT WITH SAID PROVIDER.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR THE 2010 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR THE LYNN LANE MULTI-USE PATH PROJECT.
5. REQUEST CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A RECOMMENDATION COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF CITY ENGINEER, ENGINEERING ASSISTANT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO ASSESS THE RFQ FOR THE LYNN LANE MULTI-USE PATH PROJECT.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PAT STATION ROADWAY ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT TO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND TESTING.
G. FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. REQUEST PERMISSION TO PAY NORTH GREENVILLE FITNESS $12,796.35 FOR ANNUAL FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTING AS BUDGETED.
H. PERSONNEL
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER TAMMY CARLISLE FOR THE POSITION OF STAFF SUPPORT TECHNICIAN LEVEL 2 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I. POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. REPORT BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE CITY OF STARKVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES, SECTION 106-40. ANNUAL TRAFFIC SAFETY REPORT
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR LIEUTENANT MALVIN DAILEY TO TAKE SIX (6) CREDIT HOURS AT KAPLAN UNIVERSITY AS ALLOWED BY CITY
POLICY FOR REIMBURSABLE EDUCATIONAL COURSES.
J. PUBLIC SERVICES
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA
K. SANITATION DEPARTMENT
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA

XII. CLOSED DETERMINATION SESSION

XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. PENDING LITIGATION
B. PERSONNEL

XIV. ADJOURN UNTIL APRIL 6, 2010 @ 5:30 AT 101 LAMPKIN STREET IN THE CITY HALL COURTROOM.

Press Release from Dux D’Lux

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Haley Montgomery, Art Director
Dux D’Lux Advertising
301 C.C. Clark Rd
Starkville, MS 39759
Phone: 662-323-1503
Email: haley.montgomery@duxdlux.com???For Immediate Release

DUX D’LUX ADVERTISING TO HOST ONLINE ?WOMEN IN BUSINESS FORUM
Starkville, MS – March 8, 2010
Dux D’Lux Advertising, a Starkville-based full service advertising agency will host an online Women in Business Forum, March 15 – 26, 2010. The Forum is a creative collaboration between Dux D’Lux and the Paducah, KY-based coaching and consulting company, Her Executive Coach. The Women in Business Forum will be hosted exclusively on the social networking website, Facebook, with discussions featured on the “fan pages” of both companies.
Targeting women entrepreneurs, business professionals and small business owners, the Women in Business Forum aims to provide opportunities for learning, interacting and networking in a unique venue.
“Social networking websites such as Facebook offer unprecedented opportunities for finding resources and sharing expertise. We felt that the collaboration between our two companies on Facebook “fan pages” provided the perfect vehicle for bringing professional women together in a format that was convenient for time-conscious entrepreneurs and small business owners and would also allow for maximum networking opportunities,” said Haley Montgomery, Art Director of Dux D’Lux.
The first week of the Forum event will be hosted at the Her Executive Coach fan page. Jennifer Wyatt, owner and resident business coach for Her Executive Coach will facilitate discussions on small business coaching topics such as assessing current business practices and strengths, shifting or updating business priorities and re-focusing business strategies.
Dux D’Lux Advertising will host the second Forum week on its Facebook page. Haley Montgomery, one of the design and marketing specialists with Dux D’Lux will facilitate discussions on small business marketing including an outline of marketing essentials for small businesses, budget-friendly marketing strategies and ways to market through new media such as social networks and blogs.
“Jennifer Wyatt has collaborated with our staff for more than 8 years in helping to promote and market a number of small business start-ups. When we came up with the idea of an online information-sharing forum, Her Executive Coach was the obvious choice for a partnership,” Montgomery said.
Women in Business Forum online participants are invited to “become a fan” of each company’s Facebook profile before or during the March 15-26 event. Facebook ?“fans “ may view and participate in the ongoing discussions that will be posted throughout the two-week period, as well as download available topic materials. In addition, two “real-time” mentoring sessions are scheduled with Debra Shafer, owner of Dux D’Lux. Debra will field questions and share her perspectives on being a woman entrepreneur and a successful 30-year small business owner.

For more information about the online Women in Business Forum, please visit http://facebook.duxdlux.com

CD: Arsenal of history: Starkville man turns Civil War collection into museum

TIM PRATT

The building sits just off Troy Lane in the Sunset subdivision west of Starkville.

From the outside, it has no distinct features. The brown metal, coupled with white bay doors, gives the 2,200-square-foot structure the appearance of a storage unit. It doesn’t even have an address.

But a step inside takes visitors back to the 1860s.

It’s the Starkville Civil War Arsenal and it opened recently under the auspices of curator Duffy Neubauer, a seasoned battle re-enactor and Civil War artifact collector who has called Starkville home since the early 1970s.

Neubauer, who spends his days as operations coordinator at Mississippi State University’s Humphrey Coliseum, became interested in cannons and other military ordnance when he was growing up in Wisconsin. He became a full-fledged collector 35 years ago and only recently put those items on display at the Starkville Civil War Arsenal.

When visitors enter the Arsenal, they encounter Neubauer dressed in Civil War garb. After a short presentation, visitors can tour the collection of rolling stock and carriages which made up Union and Confederate battery during the Civil War.

Among the collection sits three cannons that were used in the war. One dates back to 1861, another to 1862 and the third was constructed in 1863, though Neubauer built each of the carriages on which they rest. The cannons still fire. Neubauer also put two replica cannons on display.

About two dozen authentic Civil War projectiles, from 3-pound shots to a 100-pound shell, also are featured, along with 150 to 200 period tools, photographs and other items.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Woman tries to put out fire, suffers smoke inhalation

TIM PRATT

STARKVILLE — A Starkville woman was treated for minor smoke inhalation this weekend after fire broke out in her home on Highway 25 South and she tried to extinguish the blaze herself.

The Starkville Fire Department was dispatched just before noon Saturday to a duplex at 1429 Highway 25 S., in the Conner Heights subdivision, for a report of a residential fire. The resident, Carlene Ware, had arrived home to find a small fire in the kitchen/laundry area, SFD Chief Rodger Mann said.

Ware attempted to put out the blaze with two fire extinguishers and suffered minor smoke inhalation, Mann said. Starkville firefighters arrived at the scene and extinguished the blaze; Ware was transported to Oktibbeha County Hospital, where she was treated and released, Mann said.

“A small fire can still produce a lot of smoke,” Mann said.

Mann described the damage to Ware’s apartment as “light to moderate,” but said it is now uninhabitable.

Ware and her son, who was not home at the time of the blaze and was not identified by fire officials, were displaced due to the damage, though it is unclear where they are staying now. The Oktibbeha County Red Cross was unaware of the fire when contacted Monday.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: MSU students arrested for stealing beer

TIM PRATT

The Starkville Police Department arrested two Mississippi State University students Sunday morning for breaking into a convenience store on Highway 182 and stealing several 12-packs of beer.

Officers on patrol responded to an alarm at Sprint Mart, at the corner of Highway 182 and Jackson Street, Sunday between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., SPD Sgt. Chadd Garnett said. When officers arrived at the store, they found one of the front windows busted out with what appeared to be a chunk of concrete, Garnett said.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Foster homes needed for Starkville puppies

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

STARKVILLE — Six puppies from the Oktibbeha County Humane Society need temporary foster homes for the next two weeks before being transported to New England where their forever homes await them.

Foster families provide a much-needed service to OCHS as they provide a temporary home where the puppies can experience living in a home setting, socialize with other people and animals, and be observed for any medical or behavioral issues. Foster homes are needed from March 5th until the transport on March 20th. Foster families receive food and supplies to care for the animal(s) they take in. All animals are up-to-date on shots and spayed/neutered.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Police still searching for suspects in computer, identity theft cases

TIM PRATT

STARKVILLE — The Starkville Police Department is still searching for two suspects wanted for stealing four touch-screen computers from Wal-Mart over the past three months, and a woman suspected of illegally using another woman’s debit card to purchase items from the same store.

Starkville police last week released security camera photos of two suspects wanted in the computer theft case and have since interviewed one person, but the man had a valid alibi and was not charged with the crime, SPD Detective Landon Stamps said Wednesday.

Police also stopped a car matching the description of a vehicle seen at Wal-Mart during all three computer theft incidents — a white, older-model, box-style Cadillac or Lincoln — but the traffic stop yielded no suspects, Stamps said.

“We have no (additional) leads as of yet …” Stamps said. “At this time, I’ve got a blurry (security camera) picture and that’s about it.”

The latest computer theft took place the evening of Feb. 19, when a black male put two Hewlett Packard touch-screen desktop units in a cart and walked out of the store without paying, despite a greeter’s attempt to stop him, Stamps said. The man is described as middle-aged, between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, with a slender build.

It was the second such incident in February.

On Feb. 11, a different man, whom Stamps described as black, about 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-8, and younger than the suspect in the Feb. 19 theft, also attempted to leave Wal-Mart with two HP touch screen computers, but a greeter at the door stepped in front of the cart and put her hand on it to stop him, Stamps said. The suspect then left his cart and ran from the store.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

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