110115 daily corinthian e edition

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 262

• Corinth, Mississippi •

BY ZACK STEEN

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Eyrn Coleman was one of several voters to cast an absentee ballot over the last few weeks.

Corruption news may hurt turnout Voters could be fed up. Corruption news over the last few months could keep some people away from the polls on Tuesday. “I heard some of that in the first primary,” said Al-

corn County Circuit Clerk Joe Caldwell. A slow year when it comes to the state level may also be a factor in voter turnout. “There hasn’t been a lot of television advertising in the state races and that makes a difference,” said Caldwell.

Tonight

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Initiative 42 vote causes confusion zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

BY STEVE BEAVERS

Today

28 pages • Three sections

Election Day news

sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Rain

Absentee numbers were at around 730 as of lunchtime Friday. Over 800 voted absentee in the first primary, according to Caldwell. Voters in a pair of precincts are reminded to vote at the corPlease see VOTING | 3A

The crowded Tuesday general election ballot will include a statewide education initiative which has caused confusion among voters. The citizen-sponsored proposal sets out to change the words of section 201 of the Mississippi Constitution to enhance the state’s commitment to public education. Supporters say if the initiative is passed, it will ensure the full funding of local school districts over a period of time, the same districts that have been underfunded $1.7 billion by the state since 2008. Opponents of the proposal say the initiative, if it passes, would represent a “radical” change in governance for the state. While the Corinth School District said it does not take a stand on political issues, members of the Alcorn School District Board of Education announced earlier this month their support of Initiative 42. Board members hope passing of the referendum will force the legislature to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program and K-12 public education. Local resident Lee Jones said he wants to fund education, but believes 42 is too

vague. “It states that raising taxes is not recommended, but it does not rule it out,” Jones said. “It also states that there will be no cuts in other programs to fund education if this passes.” Jones believes changes should be made on a local level. “Do a little bit of housekeeping in the school systems and it will help improve the education our kids are getting without passing an initiative that will open the door to many unknowns,” he added. Initiative 42 opponents and proponents have jammed Mississippian’s lives with TV ads and mailers over the past few weeks with information each group believes to be the truth. “The television ads for and against Initiative 42 have some degree of truthfulness, but common sense should tell us both sides can’t be right,” said local resident Dale Leonard. “Somebody is slightly bending the facts to suit their taste.” “I have heard more positive things about the initiative than negative,” he said. Leonard calls the promise that a liberal Hinds County judge will get the power to Please see INITIATIVE | 3A

Toy Store registration gets underway Monday BY BRANT SAPPINGTON boonevilleeditor@bellsouth.net

As little minds turn to dreams of Christmas morning the Lighthouse Foundation is gearing up to again help make those dreams come true for those hurting in Alcorn County. Registration begins next Monday, Nov. 2 for the 20th Annual Lighthouse Foundation Toy Store. The annual outreach effort provides Christmas gifts to children in families in need through the generous donation of money and time from people throughout the community. The need for help is huge this year and it’s going to take a huge outpouring of support to make the Toy Store happen again this year, said foundation Executive Director Gary Caveness. “The need seems to be as big as ever. People are hurting,” he said. Registration sessions begin Monday and continue each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon each day at the foundation building on Johns Street. There will also be one evening

registration session from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 for those unable to attend a morning session. Applicants must be residents of Alcorn County and should bring current identification, proof of Alcorn County residence (a utility bill, rent receipt or other document showing their current address in the county) and a Social Security card and birth certificate for each child they wish to be assisted. There is also a $5 per person registration fee. Caveness said the Toy Store only happens each year because of the dedicated financial and volunteer support they receive from the community. Donations are especially needed this year during difficult economic times. Donations may be brought to the foundation office or may be mailed to The Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 2121, Corinth, MS 38835. Volunteers are also needed. All volunteers are required to attend one of two training sesPlease see REGISTRATION | 3A

Photo compliments of Magnolia Regional Health Center

Emergency agencies took part in a mock drill on Friday.

Drill tests agencies’ response times BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Testing their reaction times in the event of a multiple-injury automobile accident, officers, firefighters and other emergency responders combined efforts to stage and clear a head-on collision involving an SUV versus school bus at 9:17 a.m. on Friday.

Agencies responding to the mock accident were Magnolia Regional Health Center, Magnolia EMS, the Corinth Police Department, Corinth Fire Department, Alcorn County EMA, the Mississippi Department of Health Emergency Planning and Alcorn Emergency Services. Located at the intersection

of Norman and Harper, approximately 16 students from the Alcorn Career and Technology Center’s Allied Health program served as victims. “We conducted a wrap assessment, checking vital signs and tagging those injured with color codes for triage,” said Please see DRILL | 6A

25 years ago

10 years ago

Alcorn School District teachers receive earthquake preparedness training from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. District Curriculum Coordinator Mike Wamsley says the training is needed in light of concerns about a possible earthquake on the New Madrid Fault.

Troopers Allen Lyles, Brian McGee and Darrell Mathis visit Kossuth Elementary School for a patriotic program, sharing their experiences working on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

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