Friday July 12,
2013
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 165
Partly sunny Today
Tonight
87
61
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • 2 sections
Leaders hope incentive helps road BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
City leaders hope to stimulate redevelopment of Shiloh Road commercial properties with a tax incentive. The Board of Aldermen on Thursday expanded the Corinth Opportunity Redevelopment District to take in Shiloh Road
from Oak lane on the west to just east of Harper Road. It also dips south to Third Street in the Video Gallery area and includes Harper Road between Shiloh Road and Third Street. CORD was approved by the board in February 2012 to stimulate rehabilitation and development of existing structures in
the central business district and areas such as Wick Street and Highway 72. The city believes that has been a success and sees Shiloh Road, with several older businesses, as a logical extension of the incentive area. The area is primarily zoned neighborhood commercial. The incentive, in the form of
an ad valorem tax exemption, is offered for construction of a new, privately owned structure or renovations of existing structures. It begins with a $50,000 investment and increases in duration with investments of $100,000 and $150,000. It is also tied to the “shop Corinth first” concept by re-
26th Annual Slugburger Festival Lineup set for Saturday’s eating contest BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
“The Boss” is ready for “Jaws” and the “Megatoad” come Saturday. Main Street Director Taylor “The Boss” Coombs got in some training for the World Slugburger Eating Contest with a plate of slugs from White Trolley on Thursday. “Realistically, I think I can eat five,” said Coombs prior to beginning her training. “A lot of people are surprised I entered, but I am going to do my best. Coombs will be taking a bite out of the competition which includes Major League Eating’s top eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. The defending slugburger eating world champ Matt “Megatoad” Stonie is also coming back to defend his crown. The contest – part of the 26th Annual Slugburger Festival that began Thursday night – is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of the Corinth Historic Depot. Chestnut, the seven-time defending Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eat-
quiring that 70 percent of the total cost is incurred in Alcorn County. The board can make an exception if a substantial amount of the materials or work cannot be obtained in Alcorn County. The ordinance also has stipulations on the types of construction materials to be used.
VFW hosting benefit BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
eater bested a group of eaters, including MLE’s 17th ranked
The VFW is stepping in to help. Post 3962 is set to host a benefit for two young children who lost their mother in a mobile home fire last month in Itawamba County. “The grandmother (Marie Tucker) came to us to see if she could use the building and we thought this would a wonderful opportunity for us to help someone,” said Post Men’s Auxiliary President Tom Chartres. VFW members will be having an auction along with hamburger and hot dog benefit for 5-year-old Destiny Tucker and 4-year-old Taylor Tucker on July 21 from noon to 5 p.m. Lanny Cox will also be providing the music free of charge. Cost for the meal will be $5 and includes slaw, chips and pickle. Drinks are not included. The children’s mother, 23-year-old Amber Parker, died in the fire. According to a
Please see SLUGBURGER | A2
Please see VFW | 3A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Main Street Director Taylor Coombs gets in some training for Saturday’s World Championship Slugburger Eating contest by downing some slugs at the White Trolley. ing Contest champion, will be looking to out eat 13 other competitors and add a slugburger crown to his resume.
Last year, Stonie downed 30 slugburgers in 10 minutes to claim his first world title. The San Jose, Ca. professional
Arena board change leaves only 2 original members BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Another new face will soon be added to the Crossroads Arena Board. Jackie Coombs will become the third new addition to the sevenperson group since January when she joins the board next month. Coombs was appointed by the Corinth Board of Alderman to replace longtime board member Sam Tull on July 2. Tull, whose term was slated to expire in August, was voted vice chairman in a June 19 meeting only to be replaced less than two weeks later. “The mayor and aldermen saw fit to go with someone else,” said Tull. “My best wishes go to the arena board and I hope everything continues to be successful out there.” Tull was among three of the original board members still serving until the decision to go with someone else was made by the mayor and aldermen. Board chairman Dr. Hardwick Kay and county appointee Jane Clark Summers are the two remaining members of the initial board. “I was happy to be a part of the many things the Arena did for the community,” said the Tull Bros. CEO. “I don’t think people realize how much the Arena does in the community … it’s a very valuable facility.” The death of board member Joe Franks on Dec. 31 – less than five months after he was named the
joint appointment by aldermen and supervisors to replace former chairman Bill Strickland – started the turnover. Franks’ wife, Sharon, was named to fill the remainder of his five-year turn. Vice chairman Alva Dalton resigned after six years as part of the board in March. Penn Majors was selected by aldermen to take Dalton’s seat. “Sam brought a lot of valuable experience to the board,” said Summers. “Because of his business experience, we depended on him on a lot of occasions … it leaves a hole without him not being part of the board.” “He brought a wealth of knowledge to the board,” added county appointed board member Thom Rogers. Members are grateful for Tull’s dedication over the years. “From the short time I have been here, it was obvious how concerned Sam was for the Arena and its wellbeing,” said Majors. “It was a responsibility he didn’t take lightly.” “I hate Sam didn’t get the respect due to him,” added Summers. “Sam was out here every day,” said Kay. “I leaned on him a lot and he is going to be missed.” Kay said the board will move forward and continue to do its best for the community. “We have people on the board who are dedicated to the Arena,” he said. “It will take a little time to adjust, but I have a lot of confidence in the people we have out here.”
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Quilt show
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
Susan West of the Cross City Piecemakers Quilt Guild hangs a quilt called “Memory Wallhanging,” pieced by Terri Embrey and machine quilted by Johnni Schell, for the quilt show being held today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church.
On this day in history 150 years ago There is fighting near Clinton, Miss., during the siege of Jackson. A disastrous Union attack by a single brigade results in enormous casualties and the dismissal of Brig. Gen. Jacob Lauman, a veteran of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth and Davis Bridge.