Aldermen have given formal approval for the city of Eupora to be part of a proposed countywide Mississippi Main Street program.
The action came Monday during a special called meeting of the city board. Alderman Dan Burchfield (Ward 2) introduced a motion to adopt a resolution in support of participation in the program with the Webster County Development Council as the designated applicant. Hank Flowers (Ward 4) seconded the motion, which passed 4-0. Mike Hillhouse (at-large) was unable to attend the meeting.
The motion stipulated that no additional costs will be involved above what the city is already paying to support the WCDC, which is $40,000 a year, according to City Clerk Lesa Hardin. Each municipality in the county must pass a similar resolution in order to participate.
Informational meetings and discussions concerning possible participation in the Mississippi Main Street program have been conducted locally for the past 1-1/2 years. The WCDC Advisory Board gave approval in May for the organization to go forward with plans for a countywide Main Street community, according to Executive Director Steve Anderson.
The program assists small cities and towns to develop a public/private effort to revitalize their downtown areas. It involves organization, economic restructuring, design and promotion.
The resolution states that the city, through the WCDC, applies for selection to participate in the program with the specific goal of revitalizing the central business district within the context of the preservation and rehabilitation of its historic buildings. It also states that the city will support the goals of the local program if so selected.
The statement designates the WCDC to employ at its expense a Main Street project manager with a travel and operating budget.
In other business Monday, the Board of Aldermen voted 4-0 to rehire four park employees, including Park Director Collin Ray. Approval was also given to continue the employment, as needed, of Scott Norwood as a part-time seasonal employee and Curry Johnson as additional summer help. Charles Embry was rehired as is currently employed. Half of Embry's time is paid from the Park and Recreation Department and half from the Street Department. Aldermen also discussed having a children's basketball program.
The board had tabled consideration of the Park and Recreation Department's workers at Mayor Pete Fortner's request when it voted to rehire all city employees on July 6. During a July 13 work session, when no action was taken, Fortner voiced various concerns he had with the operation of the department and complaints he had received. The mayor said he wanted to see the park facilities improved as well as participation. Flowers also complained about umpires not being in full uniform at ballgames.
In response to a complaint that the general appearance of the ball fields had been lacking, Ray said workers could not cut the grass as needed as a result of frequent rains since June and would have rutted up the ground because it was so wet when it wasn't raining. He also said the grass was cut that day.
After further discussion, Fortner, Flowers and Hillhouse agreed to provide Ray with written suggestions and expectations for the department.
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