Thursday Dec. 18,
2014
50 cents
Daily Corinthian
Some sun Today
Tonight
48
33
40% chance of freezing rain
Vol. 118, No. 295
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section
City urges special sales tax structure work. The board passed a resolution on Tuesday to request the legislation move forward. It would allow a special tax of not more than 1 percent — and would likely be less than 1 percent — if approved by 60 per-
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The Corinth Board of Mayor and Aldermen is asking local legislators to support a bill that would give citizens a chance to vote on enacting a special local sales tax in Corinth for infra-
cent of the voters in a special city election. With the push for a statewide local option again failing to gain traction in the Legislature earlier this year, the board is banking on Corinth-specific legislation.
Basket fund giving tops $7,000 mark
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Please see BASKET | 3 Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Aylah Chelmowski helps Domino’s Pizza General Manager David Fillhart and assistant manager Haley Bonds decorate the restaurant’s tree for the Christmas Spirit Program.
Restaurants decorate for good cause BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The decision of the Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Board was music to the ears of the Corinth Symphony Orchestra. During its final meeting of 2014, board members voted to approve the $3,200 funding request of the symphony board. Orchestra conductor Maurice Weatherall approached the board last month with the request. Action was tabled pending receipts and documentation where the symphony received funding for a July event. On Tuesday, symphony board president Joshua Bryant informed the tourism board all advertising had been donated, but the symphony needed money to pay string musicians for performing at the Christmas Concert. “Many traveled and spent the night in Corinth,” said Bryant. The symphony had originally requested $5,000 last month prior to learning of advertising being donated. “There is a misconception that musicians come to play for free,” said Weatherall. “Most of them had to make a 250-mile trek twice, but they came here and did their Christmas shopping … they all love coming to Corinth because we try to make it nice for them as possible.” According to Weatherall, 200 attended the concert at the Coliseum on Nov. 30. An earlier date than normal played a part in only 200 of the 800 projected from showing up, according to the conductor. “Usually the concert brings in 400-500 people, but it remains
Please see TAX | 3
Corinth addresses work on Webster
The spirit of giving this Christmas season is alive and well in the Alcorn County area. Donations continue to arrive for the 19th Annual Corinth Rotary Club / Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund. A $25,000 fund raising goal was set so 1,000 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 6. Baskets were given away based upon faith the goal will be reached. So far, $7,077 has been raised, meaning $17,923 still needs to be raised to make the goal.
Symphony event funded by Tourism
“We’re going to ask our senator and two representatives to lead the way in this new legislative session this January to help Corinth have that opportunity,” said Mayor Tommy Ir-
Local restaurants have turned its lights on for Christmas — all because a teenage girl wants to give back. When Aylah Chelmowski kicked around her Christmas Spirit Program (CSP) idea to benefit a pair of charities, she wasn’t expecting a great number of restaurants to respond. “I was hoping for about 10,” said Chelmowski. What she got was 27 who signed up to see who has the best Christmas decorations. “No didn’t even come into my mind,” said Domino’s Pizza General Manager David
Fillhart when approached by Chelmowski. “She came in and was confident in what she was doing.” Chelmowski’s sales pitch brought in $746 to be divided equally between a small orphanage in Ecuador and a local charity. The 13-year-old was only expecting to raise $300-$500. “A few who didn’t take part gave a donation instead,” said Chelmowski. The winner of the contest will be graded on friendliness, service and decor, according to Chelmowski. The winning restaurant gets a plaque and small cash prize. Individuals can vote for
participating restaurants by texting 662-594-4322 and giving the restaurant’s four digit contest number. “We’ve had about 300 calls and want people to keep calling,” said Bill Chelmowski, Aylah’s father. Deadline to vote for the best decorations is Dec. 22. “Aylah has learned a lot from this,” said her mother, Barbara. Should CSP become an annual event, Chelmowski has already thought of some changes. “I would like to do it next year,” she said. “If I do, I want to put together a team so more can be accomplished.”
After some sewer line repairs, the affected section of Webster Street is going to be resurfaced, but it’s not going to be right away. The city wants residents to know that the strip that has been paved down the center of the street is just the initial patching to the cut that was made in the street. “The pavers that we use under our supply bid contract are shut down for the rest of the year, so we couldn’t get them in here to pave it,” said Street Commissioner Philip Verdung. “It’s a patch now and we will pave the whole thing in the spring.” The affected strip of Webster extends several blocks north of Linden Street. The utility work that has been in progress the last few weeks is in conjunction with the assessment of sewer lines throughout the city. “Part of the first phase of that project was to replace some bad pipes along Webster,” said Matthew Estes of Cook Coggin. “They have replaced all that pipe and now they are in the process of back-filling and repaving the cut section along the Please see WEBSTER | 3
Santa Claus event raises scholarship funds BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
GLEN — Children were ready for last-minute requests. Santa Claus was happy to listen as students in Pre-K through fourth grade filed through to talk with St. Nick at Alcorn Central High School. Santa’s visit was a reward for the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. For a third straight year, Mr. and Mrs. Claus showed up to assist in the chapter’s “Pictures with Santa” event which uses part of the proceeds for a pair of $250 scholarships. “Their eyes just sparkle every time they see Santa Claus,” said FCA sponsor Charlette Foster of the numerous children who had their photo taken. “Things like this just give you a new sense of joy.” Students received a print with Santa for only $5. Those who didn’t have a photo made still got a chance to visit with Santa. “He wanted to talk with every child who came by,” added Foster. Santa’s helpers, Marvin and Sheryl Ratliff from Morris Chapel, Tenn., both donated their services to help with the project.
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Please see SANTA | 3
Alcorn Central High School FCA Representative Ashlee Manahan listens to a Santa request by a youngster during the “Photos with Santa” event at the school.
Please see TOURISM | 2
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 9 State........ 5
Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
On this day in history 150 years ago Savannah, Ga. — Gen. Hardee refuses Sherman’s demands for surrender and prepares to abandon the city. All hopes for reinforcement are dashed when Hardee is informed by President Davis that no other troops can be spared to help.
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Have A Safe Holiday Season
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