From Press, Staff Reports

MATHISTON - Last year, Nick Walters, state director for USDA Rural Development in Mississippi, challenged the elected officials in each of our municipalities to develop a long-range plan or vision.

In an effort to assist each of our municipalities with the development of a long-range plan, Phil Hardwick with the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University facilitated two sessions with the mayor and Board of Aldermen in Mathiston on June 19 and July 6.

The vision for Mathiston that the mayor and board decided on was for Mathiston, Miss., to be known as a community with an excellent quality of life. To be able to fulfill that vision these goals were set:

€ The city will develop a strategy and plan for the development of U.S. Highway 82. They will be investigating other cities' efforts and strategies. They will take into consideration the aesthetics and curb appeal of new businesses. And, they will investigate building code enforcement and zoning options.

€ Build a new City Hall. They will identify community center and city hall options, especially as related to potential grants for construction.

€ Increase the population of Mathiston by 17 percent.

€ Increase the number of sports programs offered by the city.

€ Continue to maintain a low crime rate.

€ Improve healthcare opportunities for our citizens. They will be looking into recruiting a doctor or other healthcare professional to Mathiston. They will be working to recruit a new drugstore/pharmacy to the community. And, they will be working to bring a medical clinic to the community.

Late November, Choctaw County Medical Center opened a second healthcare clinic on Highway 15 north of Mathiston. Mathiston Clinic has a staff of three and was treating between 30 and 40 patients a day within a month of opening.

€ Develop a marketing plan focusing on quality of life in Mathiston.

Mathiston is home to East Webster Elementary School, Evergreen Ag and Sly Manufacturing, which makes industrial filters and scrubbers, and employs around 75.

Front Line Apparel Group recently located in the former Red Kap building. FLAG closed an economic development loan with the county in December and is scheduled to make military apparel once production starts.

In recent developments, the county is considering locating the planned E911 center and possibly other offices in the science annex building on The Wood Institute campus.

ADOPT SMOKING BAN

Also, the Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted a smoking ban on Feb.5 and the ordinance goes into effect April 15. The ordinance creates rules and regulations for smoking public places and places of employment. The order were published as a legal notice in the Feb. 15 issue of the WPT.

Work has already begun by the mayor and Board of Aldermen to accomplish the goals that they set forth during the session. We will be looking for great things to begin to happen in Mathiston, and the mayor and board are to be commended for their efforts to fulfill their vision for the town.

Mathiston's mayor is Jimmy Carden; aldermen are Matthew Carden, Earl Frost, Jeff Haney, Lavelle McAlpin and Harvey Pinnix,; and town marshal is Roger Miller. Rachel Robertson serves as town clerk.

This article includes information from a previously published article by Cynthia Wilson, executive director of the Webster County Development Council, and reporting by the WPT staff..