Crossroads 2013-2014 Visitors Guide
Crossroads Magazine Visitors Guide Inside Today Saturday June 1,
2013
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 130
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Commission seeks answers in demolition BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The Corinth Preservation Commission believes the demise of the old gas station at 600 Fillmore Street was no accident. In its meeting Wednesday night, the commission passed a motion recommending that
the Board of Mayor and Aldermen follow the laws of the city and “seek proper and mitigating restitution” from the property owner, John Dodd. “If they don’t do something, even if we don’t lose the CLG this time, we can never tell anybody else they can’t tear down a building,” said com-
mission member Van Hedges. CLG is certified local government status, which enables tax incentives for renovation of historic properties. The old gas station building, which was considered a contributing building in the Downtown Corinth Historic District, came down May 23.
State of the Region
Dodd’s attorney, Nick Bain, said it collapsed during the process of removing asbestos. The machine operator then demolished what was left. “This total demolition was not part of the agreement with the city concerning the asbestos abatement,” said Bill Davis, attorney for the city on
BY JEBB JOHNSTON
Staff photo by Brant Sappington
Meeting in Tupelo focuses on education and workforce development’s high value BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
TUPELO — Continuing to develop a highly skilled, highly motivated workforce will be key to economic success in the com-
ing years according to a series of speakers who shared their views on economic and community development Friday during the annual State of the Region conference.
The event, hosted by the Tupelo-based CREATE Foundation, brought together government, economic and comPlease see REGION | 2
Please see DEMOLITION | 2
Gun law change prompts concerns jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Alliance President Gary Chandler (left) visits with Prentiss County Development Association Executive Director Leon Hays following Friday’s State of the Region meeting in Tupelo.
this matter. “Throughout the day, the abatement proceeded in a very careful manner under the oversight of city officials to help preserve the building. I’m advised that when it appeared the abatement was essentially completed, city officials left
A change in Mississippi law on concealed weapons has been a topic of discussion among city leaders and the business community this week. The city of Corinth will seek an attorney general’s opinion on whether city regulations on gun possession will be superseded by the change, which is effective on July 1. Also, representatives of the Corinth Police Department held a talk with interested business leaders to inform them of some of the nuances of the changes. House Bill 2, signed by Gov. Phil Bryant in March, sought to clarify law on the carrying of concealed weapons. It was a response to a 2012 attorney general’s opinion stating that it is a violation for a weapon carried by a concealed carry permit holder to not be fully concealed. However, many are describing it as an “open carry” law because the bill states, “The licensing requirements of this section do not apply to the carrying by any person of a stun gun, pistol or revolver, knife, or other deadly weapon that is not concealed as defined in Section 97-37-1.” The police department gets many calls about individuals who are seen carrying a gun. As long as they carry it in a non-threatening manner, “after July 1, that will no longer be illegal,” said Police Chief David Lancaster. He said the law will result in three situations — open carry,
concealed carry and enhanced carry. Owners of private businesses can bar people from entering their establishments while openly carrying a firearm by posting a written notice visible within 10 feet stating that “the carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited.” The owner can ask a person carrying a visible gun to leave and, if the person fails to leave, it is trespassing, the chief said. He also discussed the changes with the Board of Aldermen on Thursday. City law prohibits possession of a gun in certain places such as the park, and it is unclear if that restriction would be valid under the new law. “I think our ordinance will stand,” said Lancaster. “Normally you can be more restrictive, but you can’t be less restrictive than state law.” Concealed and unconcealed weapons will still be prohibited by law on school campuses and a list of other places. While a few more people than usual may be carrying guns come July 1, the police chief said he is not expecting it to be a widespread problem. “I am a supporter of the second amendment,” said Lancaster. “We had the meeting this week to help business leaders understand what the new revisions mean and not to infringe on anybody’s rights.” The bill’s principal author is District 77 Rep. Andy Gipson (R). Among the local delegation, Reps. Nick Bain and Tracy Arnold are cosponsors.
‘Mr. Ronald’ makes two-wheeled dream come true for 12-year-old BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Jaiye Agnew was like every other youngster at the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi. The 12-year-old was hoping to win the bright Mello Yello bike on display. Club part-time professional Ronald Edmond made Agnew’s day on Thursday. Edmond, who had won the drawing for the shiny yellow bicycle that was raffled off to raise money for the Phenomenal Woman Gala, decided he would pass it onto one of the kids at the club. “When Miss Christy (Grice) called and told me I had won
the bike, I decided I would surprise one of the kids with it,” said the part-time professional. Mr. Ronald, as he is known by the youngsters at the club, had Agnew in mind the whole time. “He is the perfect kid to get the bike,” said Edmond. “Jaiye deserves it and it was meant to be.” “Ronald couldn’t have picked a better kid,” added Grice, the unit director at the club. Jaiye had no idea he was getting the bike when Edmond ran across him Thursday morning. The youngster was on his way to the Lighthouse
when the Boys & Girls Club worker stopped him. “He didn’t have a clue what was going on,” said Edmond with a smile. Once the 12-year-old was told the bike was his, all he could do was smile and say “thank you Mr. Ronald” several times. The middle school student’s politeness and affection for Please see BIKE | 3 Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Boys & Girls Club part-time professional Ronald Edmond (left) surprised club member Jaiye A gnew by giving the youngster the bike he won.
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
On this day in history 150 years ago Artillery bombardment of Vicksburg continues. Gen. Ambrose Burnside kicks over an ant hill when he orders the closure of the anti-government Chicago Times. This is the latest in a series of newspaper censures which are made without the approval of the Lincoln Administration.