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Thursday August 9,

2012

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 191

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â€˘ Corinth, Mississippi â€˘ 18 pages â€˘ One section

Court upholds Whitaker conviction BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The Mississippi Court of Appeals this week upheld an aggravated assault and burglary conviction that occurred in Alcorn County Circuit Court. Timmy Dale Whitaker, 48, challenged the November 2010 convictions, which carried a sentence of 25 years on the burglary of a dwelling charge and 20 years on the aggravated assault charge, running consecutively. He was sentenced as a habitual offender without eligibility for parole or probation

and fined $10,000. The victim in the case was beaten and died several months after the crime. The Court of Appeals in a decision handed down Tuesday did not agree with Whitakerâ€™s assertion that the circuit court erred in denying a mistrial following comments made by prospective jurors during questioning of potential jurors; that his right to a speedy trial was violated; that the court erred by not suppressing the statement he made to investigators while under the influence of narcotics; and that the juryâ€™s verdict

was against the weight of evidence. Whitaker argued the jury panel was tainted by comments during voir dire by three prospective jurors who were dismissed for cause â€” one who said he had jailed Whitaker and been sued by Whitaker, one who was a former correctional officer and a lifelong associate of the Whitaker family, and one who was a jail administrator while Whitaker was incarcerated for an unrelated crime. On the question of a speedy trial, the Court of Appeals

found that Whitaker did not raise the issue until 595 days after arraignment, outside the 270-day time frame to raise the violation. The court noted continuances requested by Whitaker delayed the trial by 216 days. According to the court opinion, on Aug. 5, 2008, Whitaker drove Samuel Patterson Jr. and William Danny Whitaker to the home of William Clark after they picked up a crowbar and a pipe from Pattersonâ€™s workplace. Whitaker dropped off the two at Clarkâ€™s trailer, where they broke in and severely beat

Fair lines up Eagles tribute band

ACES has big first day

BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

The first day was a crowded one at Alcorn Central Elementary School. Close to 120 kindergarten students showed up for their first official school experience. The huge number meant that the four kindergarten classes at the school will contain an average of 30 children until a new teacher arrives Friday. â€œOur enrollment is at 511 with 116 of those being kindergarten students,â€? said ACES Principal Tonya Farris. â€œIt has been an exciting day and all our teachers have worked so hard to get ready.â€? Farris expects more kindergarten students to arrive next week. That could push the average of 23 â€” when the new teacher begins â€” to a higher number. â€œThere are all kind of mixed emotions the first day,â€? said kindergarten teacher Kim Kirkland. â€œWe have had to squeeze 7-8 per table â€Ś right now we are going over rules and regulations and making sure they are comfortable and loved.â€? Maria Shipman's class was in search of the Gingerbread Man on day one. Please see ACES | 13

the man, taking his wallet with several hundred dollars and his telephone so that he could not call for help. Timmy Whitaker picked up the two 20 minutes after dropping them off. Clark was found the next morning by his daughter. He was treated at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis and later released. He died on Nov. 8, 2008. The case was tried before Judge Thomas Gardner III. Whitaker is incarcerated at the Mississippi State Penitentiary.

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Organizers of the Alcorn County Fair are taking the event to the limit. â€œTake it to the Limitâ€? â€” an Eagles Concert Tribute Band â€” has been booked as the fair's finale on Sept. 15 at Crossroads Arena. â€œWe really wanted to have a concert last year,â€? said fair committee member Sandy Mitchell. â€œThis gives a way to reach some people who don't normally come to the fair and the group is really excited about coming.â€? â€œTake it to the Limitâ€? performs four nights a week in Branson, Missouri. Voted Branson's Group of the Year, the band is one of the most popular in the vacation town. â€œThis kind of fell in our lap,â€? said committee chairman Chris Porterfield. â€œA local businessman contacted us about bringing the band in for the final night.â€? Sponsored by Big A Auto Sales, the concert is set for 8-10 p.m. Tickets go on sale next week at the arena box office. The $22 tickets can also be purchased on the arena website. â€œIt's a Branson show, so you know it's going to be

McCaden Rhoads gets ready to use his scissors on a cutting activity.

Please see FAIR | 2

Marsh attends national 55 graduate from county work center leadership conference BY BOBBY J. SMITH

bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

A local youth leader recently attended a national leadership conference in Orlando, Fla. Corinthâ€™s Kala Marsh was one of approximately 430 youth service club leaders who earned the opportunity to take part in the Modern Woodmen of Americaâ€™s Merit Club Leadership Conference. While in Orlando, Marsh attended educational and motivational workshop sessions, networked with other club leaders and gained new ideas for leading volunteer activities for kids. She was accompanied by her husband, Jonathan, and their two children, Bryant, 12,

and Dacy Kate, 7. â€œThe conference was held to inform us, to motivate us and help us get new ideas for community service and working with youth in our area,â€? Marsh said. During their time in Orlando, the Modern Woodmen youth leader attended a private screening of IllumiNation at Epcot Center and completed a service project. They stuffed 500 teddy bears for the childrenâ€™s hospital in Atlanta, dressed the bears in Modern Woodmen T-shirts and wrote positive notes to go with the bears to the hospitalâ€™s young patients, many of whom are terminally ill. Please see MARSH | 2

The Alcorn County Community Work Center recently completed its first Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program with 55 graduates. â€œThe purpose is to make a difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals so that when they get out you wouldnâ€™t mind them living next door to you,â€? explained Program Coordinator Barbara Ware. The six-month program began in February. Class members attended classes every day and worked with Mississippi Correctional Management facilitators. They also received credit for participating in an interactive journal program. The inspiration for the program came from Irb Benjamin, president and CEO of Missis-

Index Stocks........7 Classified......14 Comics...... 12 Wisdom...... 11

sippi Correctional Management Inc. According to program of-

ficials, the Alcohol and Drug Please see GRADUATION | 2

On this day in history 150 years ago

Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports........8

MEDISTAT CLINIC

Submitted photo

Fifty-five graduates recently completed the Alcorn County Community Work Center Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program.

During the Battle of Cedar Mountain in Virginia, â€œStonewallâ€? Jackson turns a near defeat into a victory over a small Union force from John Popeâ€™s Army of Virginia. Pope halts his movement southward, allowing Gen. Lee to rush reinforcements into the region.

A minor medical walk-in clinic and diabetes management

clinic located adjacent to Magnolia Regional Health Center in the Doctorâ€™s Plaza.

Amanda Ham, NP & William Ross, MD

MEDISTAT CLINIC

(662) 286-1499

"MDPSO %S 4VJUF $PSJOUI .4 t )PVST BN o QN .POEBZ 'SJEBZ (closed for lunch 2-3pm)

2 • Daily Corinthian

Local/Region

Thursday, August 9, 2012

FAIR CONTINUED FROM 1

good,” added Porterfield. Those who purchase concert tickets will be able to get free admission into the rest of the fair. “We want to make it financial friendly so families will want to come,” said Mitchell. The Alcorn County Fair, set for Sept. 11-15, is making its return for a second year with plenty of new events. An art show along with a baked goods judging and display are just two of the fresh additions. There will also be a lawn mower pull, blacksmith demonstration and gristmill demonstration new to the fair. Local arts and crafts booths along with local food vendors have also been added to the list of new things. “A majority of the additions are from requests of people after last year,” said Mitchell. “We are looking to build on things every year.” Admission will be charged only three of the five nights of the fair.

Children five and under get in free. Student armbands — that takes $2 off admission — will also be handed out to area schools in early September. “Most of our money goes back to the children of Alcorn County,” said Porterfield. “Our focus is to help the children and youth in the county.” Mitchell and Porterfield are quick to thank the community for its support in bringing back the fair. “We had so many civic clubs and individuals jump in and help last year,” said Mitchell. “The arena has also been very helpful in hosting the fair.” The Corinth Tourism Office is a platinum sponsor of the fair while Coke, Daily Corinthian and The Dinner Bell make up the gold sponsorship. “We are always looking for volunteers and sponsors,” added Mitchell. To volunteer or for any registration information go to the event website at www.alcornfair.com

The schedule for the fair is: Tuesday, Sept. 11 Crescent City Carnival from 5-10 p.m. ■ T-N-T is set to provide rock climbing, mechanical bull, bungie jump, along with shaved ice from 5-9 p.m. ■ Petting Zoo, 5-9 p.m. ■ Magnolia Car Show, 5-10 p.m. ■ Corinth Taekwond/ Self Defense demonstration, 6:30-6:50 p.m. ■ Area cheer-off, 7-9 p.m. Admission is $3. “The petting zoo is something new for the younger folks,” said Mitchell. “There will be a lot of miniature animals and children will be able to feed the animals for a $1.” Wednesday, Sept. 12 ■ Crescent City Carnival from 5-10 p.m. ■ Canned goods registration, 9 a.m.-noon ■ Arts & Quilts Registration, 2-4 p.m. ■ Magnolia Car Show, 5-10 p.m. ■ T-N-T, 5-9 p.m. ■

Petting Zoo, 5-9 p.m. Revolve (West Room of arena), 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. “Revolve is praise and worship that really targets the youth,” added Mitchell. ■ ■

Thursday, Sept. 13 Crescent City Carnival from 5-10 p.m. ■ Baked goods registration, 9 a.m.-noon ■ Baked goods judging, 2-4 p.m. ■ Baked goods display, 5-10 p.m. ■ Arts & Quilts Exhibits, 5-10 p.m. ■ Magnolia Car Show, 5-10 p.m. ■ T-N-T, 5-9 p.m. ■ Petting Zoo, 5-9 p.m. ■ Canned goods display, 5-10 p.m. ■ Pickin' at the Fair, 6-10 p.m. Admission is free. Pickin on the Square moves to the fair with Crossroads Blue Grass, Hatchie Bottom Boys, Wayne Jerrolds and Savannah Grass along with Breaking Grass all set to perform. ■

Friday, Sept. 14

■ Crescent City Carnival from 3 p.m.-12 a.m. ■ T-N-T, 5-9 p.m. ■ Petting Zoo, 5-9 p.m. ■ Magnolia Car Show, 5-10 p.m. ■ Arts & Quilts Exhibits, 5-10 p.m. ■ Canned goods display, 5-10 p.m. ■ Mid-South Talent Show, 6-8 p.m. Two winners will selected to move onto the Mid-South Fair competition. ■ Livestock Registration, 6-10 p.m. ■ Horse Showmanship Clinic (at the outdoor arena), 6-8 p.m. ■ Cattle Showmanship Clinic (at the barn), 7-9 p.m. ■ Open Talent Show, 8:15-10 p.m. A winner in the individual and band divisions will be selected in the open talent event. Admission is $5.

The pageant is for those 0-18 years of age and will be held in the conference room. Both the north and south entrances will be open during the day. ■ Magnolia Car Show, 9-11 a.m. ■ Livestock Show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ■ Lawn Mower Pull, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ■ Gristmill Demonstration, 12-4 p.m. Cornmeal will be available to purchase after the demonstration. ■ 4-H Horseshow, 2-5 p.m. ■ Blacksmith Demonstration, 1:30-2 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. ■ Arts & Quilts Exhibits, 9-11 a.m. ■ Canned goods display, 9-11 a.m. ■ Ranch Rodeo, 5:307:30 p.m. ■ Eagles Tribute Concert, 8-11 p.m.

Saturday, Sept.15 Crescent City Carnival from 12 p.m.-12 a.m. ■ Beauty Pageant Registration, 9-10 a.m. ■ Beauty Pageant, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Admission to the fair is $5 on final day. “Everything will need to be out of the arena by noon to accommodate the concert,” said Mitchell.

■

Aldermen move forward with baggy pants restriction BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com

Submitted photo

Officials present at the graduation included (front row) Satchel Long — commander of correctional facility; Christine Powell — facilitator at correctional facility; Barbara Ware — project coordinator; Lt. Jerry Gifford; James Walker — facilitator; Irb Benjamin — president of Mississippi Correctional Management; Fred Guenther — MCM program consultant; and Jimmy Hughey — facilitator.

GRADUATION CONTINUED FROM 1

Treatment Program will help meet the tremendous need within the Mississippi Department of Corrections to help

incarcerated individuals within its care to receive assistance with their alcohol and drug addiction issues as well as their criminal behavior prior to their release.

“It’s all about changing thoughts and behaviors,” said Ware. The program’s second class began shortly after the inaugural group’s graduation.

projects for 2011. These projects focused on volunteerism, patriotism, education and fun. “Volunteer service is a main focus of our youth clubs and our organization as a whole,” explained Melissa Gottwalt, the youth service clubs coordinator at Modern Woodmen’s home office in Rock Island, Ill. “People like Kala are great examples of the volunteer spirit in action.” Gottwalt said the youth leaders are invited to the annual conference to recognize their accomplishments and motivate them to continue. Membership in a youth

service club is one of the many fraternal benefits to Modern Woodmen’s youth members. Modern Woodmen youth clubs have served children since 1942, and more than 900 clubs are active across the country today. Modern Woodmen is a tax-exempt fraternal financial services organization that sells life insurance, annuity and investment products, not to benefit stockholders but to improve the quality of life for members, their families and their communities. This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities.

MARSH CONTINUED FROM 1

They also listened to two guest speakers. The first was Joy Howard, a writer for Disney’s “Family Fun” magazine. Howard’s talk focused on easy and fun crafts ideas for youth groups. The second speaker was V.J. Smith, a motivational speaker, who talked about how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact on other people’s lives. Marsh, a Modern Woodmen youth service leader for two years, qualified for the conference because her club completed a variety of

Tennessee school districts show growth BY JEFF YORK Special to the Daily Corinthian

The Tennessee Department of Education announced that student performance on the 2012 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program improved significantly in school districts across the state. Nearly all of the state’s 136 districts saw proficiently levels increase, and two-thirds improved in every subject of the 3-8 TCAP Achievement tests.

The district-by-district results follow unprecedented gains on the statewide level, where student scores saw the largest growth in TCAP history as Tennessee continued to implement its First to the Top Education reforms. “The widespread improvement shows that efforts to raise student outcomes are working in many districts,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. “Our students, teachers and

administrators worked incredibly hard, and we are gratified that so many districts were able to significantly grow results.” District proficiency levels reveal major improvements in math skills. More than 50 districts saw double-digit growth over last year in Algebra I, with some reporting gains greater than 30 percentage points. Additionally, 23 districts saw double-digit growth in grades 3-8 math.

Booneville aldermen are moving forward with an ordinance to restrict the wearing of baggy pants in the city. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to have the city attorney draft a proposed ordinance banning the wearing of sagging or baggy pants in the city limits. Alderman Mark McCoy, who made the motion for the proposal, said he’s been approached by numerous business owners who want the city’s support in policing the pants issue. He said the issue is one of propriety and respect and he believes an ordinance restricting the clothing would give business owners the ability to

restrict the wearing of indecently low pants in their establishments knowing they had the power of city law behind them. “The city needs to step in and help these store owners and restaurants out,” he said. McCoy noted he does not expect city police to enforce the ordinance on those simply walking down the street, but a law would give business owners the ability to file a complaint against anyone wearing indecently baggy or low hanging pants in their business. The ordinance must now be drafted by City Attorney Daniel Tucker, who will present a proposed ordinance to the board at a future meeting. If the board approves the proposed or-

dinance a public hearing would be held prior to final approval of the new ordinance. Mayor Joe Eaton said they will also be working closely with the Northeast Mississippi Community College police department regarding the proposed ordinance and its enforcement if it is finally approved. If finally approved, Booneville would join a growing list of communities in the state which have passed ordinances prohibiting the wearing of pants or skirts riding low on the hips and exposing the body or undergarments. Ripley, Saltillo, Guntown and Columbus are among the area municipalities that have passed similar ordinances in recent months.

18-year-old faces aggravated robbery, six other charges BETHEL SPRINGS, Tenn. — An 18-year-old Selmer, Tenn., man is facing a string of charges after an armed robbery Tuesday afternoon in Bethel Springs. The suspect was arrested on the campus of Bethel Springs Elementary School. Raheem Harris was arrested by the M c Nairy Count y SherHarris i f f ’ s D e partment soon after the robbery. He is being held in the McNairy County Justice Center and a juvenile suspect was transferred to a Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center. Harris is charged with aggravated robbery, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a weapon, destruction of private property and theft of

property. The robbery occurred at the AT&T building on 244 Front St. in Bethel Springs. Victim Joe Dickey told officers he opened the door and a teenage male asked for a drink of water. He said another male walked up with a shirt over his face and pointed a gun at him. The suspect then took Dickey’s cell phone and wallet, which were later recovered by the arresting deputies. Dickey told officers the two men split up and ran in different directions, according to the arrest report. Deputy Jonathan Kellum saw the suspects in the school parking lot and ordered them to stop. Harris refused to stop and began cursing loudly in the school parking lot. Kellum and Officer David Johnson finally took Harris to the ground after he resisted arrest. Harris refused to follow directions as he was being arrested, according to the report. Sgt. Steve Ellsworth and Investigator Rob-

ert Hitchborn arrived on the scene and helped place Harris into custody, and the juvenile was arrested and taken into custody. Harris later kicked out the passenger side window of Johnson’s patrol car. Deputy Kellum received a cut on his nose and Sgt. Ellsworth received glass shards in his eyes. Kellum and Ellsworth were takento McNairy Regional Hospital by Sheriff Guy Buck, but both were not seriously injured. “I want to thank the staff of Bethel Springs School, all the bystanders, first responders, the ER staff at the hospital for the assistance, concern and compassion shown to the officers,” said Buck. “I am proud to live in a community that still appreciates its heroes.” Harris is also facing three felony charges in Murfreesboro and has two previous felony convictions. Buck said he has been in communication with the Murfreesboro Police Department since the arrest of Harris, but the suspect will remain in the McNairy County Jail.

Local

3 • Daily Corinthian

Deaths Raymond Howard Cook

SPINDALE, N.C. — Funeral services for Raymond Howard Cook, 69, are set for 3 p.m. Friday at Magnolia Funeral Home with Military Honors with burial at Oaks Hill Cemetery. Mr. Cook died Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at Hospice House of Rutherford County, N.C. Born Oct. 16, 1942, he was a retired truck driver for a freight company. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the National Guard.

He was a member of Main Street Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Grady H. Cook; his mother, Opal Rogers Cook Bumpas; and a brother, Weyman T. Cook. Survivors include a daughter, Sandy Estrada of Winfield, Kan.; his sisters, Gloria C. Shehan of Rutherfordton, N.C., Jo Ezekiel of Rutherfordton, N.C.; and four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Minister Brad Dillingham will officiate. Visitation is Friday

Velma Griffin Long

Velma Griffin Long died August 7, 2012 at her home surrounded by family at the age of 87. She was born in Pontotoc County, August 9, 1924 to the late Marlin and Sue Griffin. As a graduate of Blue Mountain College with a major in Mathematics, she taught school at Glendale and Corinth High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Long Wholesale Distributors, Inc. and also was a licensed realtor with Bailey Williams Realty for many years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church EPC of Corinth where she served as Elder, Deacon, President of the WOC, church bookkeeper, and Sunday school teacher. Her “heart” ministry for many years was sewing handmade baby samplers for children and grandchildren of friends and family. Long Each sampler had the phrase “God gave us” along with the name and birthday of the child. In the last years, she along with other ladies of the church, made these samples for every child born to First Presbyterian members. Her favorite verses are Psalm 23, loving the characterization of the Lord as a dependable shepherd and guide over us; Psalm 37, which has been an anchor verse for her since college, and Psalm 16, denoting the joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God. In her last days, Psalm 118 was an extreme comfort. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Erst

from 2 until 3 p.m. at Magnolia Funeral Home.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Opponents: Officials wrote rules favoring gas drilling

Lottie Jacobs

RIENZI — Lottie Helen Potts Jacobs, 89, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, at her home. Visitation is Friday from 5 until 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 p.m. until service time at Magnolia Funeral Home. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Magnolia Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Magnolia Funeral Home.

Long; and two sisters Estelle Henry and Grace Dandridge. Survivors include one daughter, Susie Marshall and husband Bob; two sons, Sam Long and wife Frances and Randy Long and wife Penny; four sisters Elsie Blanke, Clarice Duff, Wilma Chittom, Marlene Michael; one brother, Max Griffin; seven grandchildren, Barnes Marshall and wife Leslie, Sam Marshall and wife Danielle, Scott Marshall and wife Helen, Peyton Hutchinson and husband Burney, Meredith Kimbrell and husband Aubert, Laura Kate Carmichiel and husband Colby, and Ben Long; eleven great grandchildren: Maggie Marshall, Cate Marshall, Tilton Lee, Taylor Marshall, Molly Marshall, Clark Carmichiel, Griffin Carmichiel, Katherine Carmichiel, Annabelle Kimbrell, Max Hutchinson, and Sam Hutchinson. Barnes Marshall, Sam Marshall, Scott Marshall, Ben Long, Colby Carmichiel, Burney Hutchinson and Aubert Kimbrell will serve as pallbearers. All past and present employees of Long Distribution will serve as honorary pallbearers as well as special caregivers Peggy Pickens, Jean Kennedy, and Diane Franks. Family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church EPC in Corinth on Thursday August 9, 2012 from noon until 1:45 PM. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at the church. Dr. Don Elliott will officiate. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial may be made to First Presbyterian Church EPC, 919 Shiloh Road, Corinth, MS 38834. Condolences for the family can be left at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors. com. McPeters Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

BY JEFF AMY Associated Press

JACKSON — Opponents say Mississippi officials stacked the deck in favor of offshore natural gas drilling when they wrote rules to allow it. Sierra Club attorney Robert Wiygul questioned employees of the Mississippi Development Authority at a hearing Wednesday. He argued the state was biased in favor of allowing drilling, when the law only said the state could offer such leases. The legal action centers not on whether drilling would be good for the state’s environment and economy but on whether MDA properly drew up the rules to allow seismic testing and leasing of parts of the Mississippi Sound by oil and gas companies Drilling would be limited to areas seaward of the barrier islands, but closer to shore in the eastern edge of Mississippi waters near the Alabama state line. Experts say there’s natural gas under the sound but little oil. The administrative hearing will continue Thursday with more testimony from opponents’ witnesses. An appeal to Hinds County Chancery Court could follow. The Sierra Club and the Gulf Restoration Network, which challenged the rules in March, say MDA erred by failing to prepare an economic impact statement that encompassed all the risks

The Daily Corinthian include the following information in obituaries: The name, age, city of residence of the deceased; when, where and manner of death of the deceased; time and location of funeral service; name of officiant; time and location of visitation; time and location of memorial services; biographical information can include date of birth, education, place of employment/occupation, military service and church membership; survivors can include spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings (step included), and grandchildren, greatgrandchildren can be listed by number only.

was looking for issues we could deal with.” For example, the state agreed to put environmental monitors on seismic boats, charge enough for permits to pay them properly, and allow them to shut down seismic testing if they detected problems. Moody said that the sound is roughly estimated to have 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas beneath it. That’s less than Alabama, which he said has roughly 5 trillion feet in Mobile Bay and offshore areas. Wiygul noted that the 2004 law that reassigned leasing to MDA says the agency “may” lease parts of the sound. However, MDA officials said they work for the governor’s office and that officials from former Gov. Haley Barbour’s administration told them to proceed. “I believe that’s mandatory,” Moody said. “They told us what they wanted to do.” Wiygul also questioned whether MDA’s website was inappropriately prodrilling. “MDA had already decided it was going to promote this and it was going to go forward with leasing the Mississippi Sound for oil and gas development, hadn’t it?” Wiygul asked McPhillips. Dan Turner, marketing and communications director for MDA, denied that the publicity effort was a “slick marketing campaign.” “It was an educational campaign,” Turner said.

DeSoto County appeals EPA ruling on ozone levels Associated Press

Obituary Policy

and benefits of oil and gas drilling. The agency limited its analysis to only the costs and benefits of seismic exploration and leasing, not to the actual drilling. “They’re committing the public resources before they do the analysis,” Wiygul said in an interview after the hearing. An analysis by opponents argues that visible oil and gas rigs could drive away visitors and that a serious spill could do great harm to the coast’s $1.8 billion tourism industry, outweighing any gains from lease fees and royalties. MDA argues that it’s not required to do an analysis of the whole issue. State economist Bob Neal said such a study would likely be prepared when the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board prepares rules for the actual drilling and recovery of gas. The opponents also say MDA didn’t adequately respond to and analyze all the public comments it received during the rule-making. “To my knowledge, every comment was looked at,” said Manning McPhillips, MDA’s chief administrative officer. Officials said they responded to some comments, but that responses to all were not required. Jack Moody, a geologist for MDA, said some comments resulted in changes. “I wasn’t just marking time,” Moody said. “I

HERNANDO — A Mississippi county is challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to group the county with Memphis on ozone levels. At its Monday meeting, The Commercial Appeal reports the DeSoto

County Board of Supervisors met in closed session to discuss litigation filed against the EPA. Gary Rikard, an attorney who represents the county on the issue, says the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality has also filed a review petition with the court.

Court records show that on July 26, the state's petition was consolidated with the county's case and several other parties, and now “constitutes the lead case for this consolidated matter.” Rikard said it could take until next summer for the court to make a decision on the issue.

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Opinion

Mark Boehler, editor

4 • Thursday, August 9, 2012

Corinth, Miss.

Letter to the editor

Get back to Christ To the editor, I have a concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are being attacked for their belief in the Bible. The unchanging Bible is being pushed aside and replaced with the feelings of men’s hearts, which change to fit their own desires. Our government seems to have sided with those who seek to destroy Christianity. As a consequence today in our nation today, we have religions teaching that Jesus was not the Son of God and did not really die on the cross. These religions are growing by the thousands daily and seek to completely transform our nation. First and Second John tells us plainly that those who teach such things are anti-christs. If there was ever a time for Christians to stand together, it is now. Yet many Christians would rather demonize each other rather than the true demonic teachings. Disagreement on doctrine is a fact of life and men choose to attend the church denomination that teaches the closest to what they understand God’s word to say. Demonization of a believer simply due to a sign on the building he attends only weakens us all. As followers of Jesus Christ, we will all face the same sword regardless of denomination. If you don’t believe it, just look into Christian persecution around the world and you will be convinced. Will we ever realize our enemies are not those with a different sign on their building, but a different sign on their heart? The enemy is knocking on the gate, but until we call a cease-fire among ourselves, we cannot hope for our nation to withstand the attack of the true enemy. I just hope we realize this before we find ourselves sitting on the cold concrete benches of any American prison with the question being asked, “What are you in for, Mr. Baptist?” And the reply is “Jesus.” “What about you, Mr. Methodist?” “Jesus,” is the reply. “What are you in for, Mr. Pentecostal?” “Jesus” is the reply. “What about you, Mr. Church of Christ?” “Jesus” is the reply. Get the Idea? We will then realize our true enemies are not those of the household of faith, but those who want to tear that house down. May God lead us into true fellowship before it is too late. Donny H. Davis CR 518, Rienzi

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Prayer for today

Natural map of Middle East “Apart from political maps of mankind, there are natural maps of mankind. ... One of the first laws of political stability is to draw your political boundaries along the lines of the natural map of mankind.” So wrote H.G. Wells in “What Is Coming: A Forecast of Things to Come After the War” in the year of Verdun and the Somme Offensive. In redrawing the map of Europe, however, the statesmen of Versailles ignored Wells and parceled out Austrians, Hungarians, Germans and other nationalities to alien lands to divide, punish and weaken the defeated peoples. So doing they set the table for a second world war. The Middle East was sliced up along lines set down in the secret Sykes-Picot agreement. But with the Islamic awakening and Arab Spring toppling regimes, the natural map of the Middle East seems now to be asserting itself. Sunni and Shia align with Sunni and Shia, as Protestants and Catholics did in 17th-century Europe. Ethiopia and Sudan split. Mali and Nigeria may be next. While world attention is focused on Aleppo and when Bashar Assad might fall, Syria itself may be about to disintegrate. In Syria’s northeast, a Kurdish minority of 2 to 3 million with ethnic ties to

Dear Lord, grant us the determination to be reconciled with those we have harmed or been harmed by. Amen.

A verse to share “You, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” — Psalm 92:4

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Iraqi Kurdistan and 15 million Kurds in Turkey seems to be dissolving its ties to DaPat mascus. A Buchanan Kurdish nation carved Columnist out of Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Iran would appear to be a casus belli for all four nations. Yet in any natural map of the world, there would be a Kurdistan. The Sunni four-fifths of the Syrian population seems fated to rise and the Muslim Brotherhood to rule, as happened in Egypt. The fall of Assad and his Shia Alawite minority would be celebrated by the Sunni across the border in Iraq’s Anbar province, who would then have a powerful new ally in any campaign to recapture Sunni lands lost to Iraqi Shia. With its recent murderous attacks inside Iraq, al-Qaida seems to be instigating a new Sunni-Shia war to tear Iraq apart. The fall of the Alawites in Damascus would end the dream of a Shiam crescent — Iran, Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah — leave Hezbollah isolated, and conceivably lead to a renewal of Lebanon’s sectarian and civil war. The losers in all this? Certainly Iran, which seems fated to lose its only Arab ally, Syria, and its land link to Hezbollah. That would make Israel

a winner. But Israel’s situation appears more perilous than it was a decade ago. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has replaced Hosni Mubarak, who kept the peace in Sinai and the lid on Hamas. Recently, new Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi met with Hamas’ Khaled Meshaal at the presidential palace in Cairo. The Sinai is becoming a no man’s land where terrorists plot and Africans cross to Israel. To Israel’s east, there is no peace with the Palestinians, and the Jordanian throne has rarely been shakier. On the Golan Heights, quiet for decades, the future may see Syrian troops loyal to a militant Sunni regime in Damascus. Hezbollah sits on Israel’s northern border. Beyond is a Turkey no longer friendly. Israel is blaming the atrocity in Bulgaria, in which Israeli tourists were massacred, on Iran. But neither the Bulgarians nor the Americans appear to know who did it. And why would the Iranians, who, following the slaughter, publicly denounced such atrocities against civilians, do it? Were an Iranian hand to be found in this act of barbarism, it would give Israel justification for an attack, igniting a war in which America could be dragged in. Why would Iran want a war with the United States when that would mean destruction of its air force,

navy, missile force and nuclear program, a crippling blockade and perhaps destruction of its vital oil facilities on Kharg Island? Whoever was behind the attack on the Israeli tourists seems to want a war between the Jewish state of Israel and the Shia state of Iran. Who would benefit from such a war? Answer: Al-Qaida, which, during the Iraq War, urged the United States to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age. An al-Qaida affiliate has also attacked Israeli vacationers before, at Egyptian resorts on the Gulf of Aqaba. “There is an international plot against Gulf states in particular and Arab countries in general ... to take over our fortunes,” says Dubai’s chief of police. “I had no idea that there is this large number of Muslim Brotherhood in the Gulf states.” What is al-Qaida’s goal? Ignite Sunni-Shia wars and Muslim-Christian clashes in Arab states. Draw in the Americans to smash Iran. And when the Sunni are ascendant, expel the Americans and Christians, isolate Israel and set about creating the caliphate of Osama bin Laden’s dream. If a U.S. war on Iran is good for al-Qaida, how can it be good or us? (Daily Corinthian columnist Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?”)

Reid — a blissfully free man? There’s something liberating about not caring about your reputation, your institution or the truth. By those standards, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is a blissfully free man. The Nevada Democrat maintains that Mitt Romney didn’t pay taxes for 10 years. Reid’s charge is an intellectual and moral mess that makes the notorious question “When did you stop beating your wife?” seem rigorous by comparison. Reid has a super-doublesecret source he says is an investor in Bain who called to tell him, “Harry, he didn’t pay any taxes for 10 years.” Ordinarily, before repeating such a charge publicly, one would want a little proof, especially given that there’s no more reason that a Bain investor would be familiar with Mitt Romney’s tax returns than a Facebook investor would be familiar with Mark Zuckerberg’s. Harry Reid, though, is liberated from all such mundane evidentiary standards. Not to mention logic. His statements on Romney’s tax returns lurch from outland-

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ish premise to completely unconnected conclusion. The only thing that holds toRich gether Reid’s Lowery jumbled case is the vein National Review of idiot malice that runs through the whole rancid thing. “Now, do I know that that’s true?” Reid mused to The Huffington Post about Romney not paying taxes. “Well, I’m not certain.” With that bow to epistemological modesty, he proceeded in the next breath to indict Romney yet again: “But obviously he can’t release those tax returns. How would it look?” Reid took his case to the Senate floor, where he concluded a meandering oration. In the twisted world of Harry Reid, if something is not proven false, it must be true. “I don’t think the burden should be on me,” Reid told Nevada reporters about proving his charge. “The bur-

den should be on him. He’s the one I’ve alleged has not paid any taxes.” Reid has the judicial instincts of someone who might have enjoyed the legendary witch trials of hundreds of years ago when the accused were thrown into the water — and considered innocent only if they sank. Reid’s alleged sources are ever-shifting. In The Huffington Post interview, it was one knowledgeable investor. On the Senate floor, it was a vague “the word is out.” To Nevada reporters, it was “a number of people.” Democrats relish the Reid smear. Anything to keep the attention off the economy and on Romney’s taxes or some other extraneous matter. Nancy Pelosi says “it is a fact” that someone told Reid that Romney didn’t pay taxes. If she’s right, all it proves is that Reid is indeed repeating hearsay. Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt, working for the re-election of the man who still professes to regret the pettiness of American politics, cheered the Nevadan on: “Sen. Reid rightfully pointed out that Gov. Rom-

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ney has something to hide.” No, he made a specific, fantastical charge. Reid isn’t a blogger, a cable host or even a Senate backbencher. He’s the highest elected Democrat in Congress. But his station doesn’t mean anything to him; he’s a hack at heart. Reid’s chief of staff, David Krone, shot back at the senator’s critics as “cowards” and “henchmen.” According to Krone, the Republicans’ scorching reaction “shows you how scared they are that Harry Reid was telling the truth.” Yet more evidence for the majority leader’s files! Republicans have condemned Reid’s unsupported allegations as modern-day McCarthyism. Old Tail Gunner Joe was deflated at the Army-McCarthy hearings when he was confronted with the famous question, “Have you no sense of decency, sir?” In the case of Harry Reid, it isn’t even worth asking. (National Review Editor and Daily Corinthian columnist Rich Lowry can be reached via e-mail: comments.lowry@nationalreview.com)

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Daily Corinthian • Thursday, August 9, 2012 • 5

State Auditor to seize mayor’s paycheck Associated Press

SOUTHAVEN — Mississippi Auditor Stacey Pickering paid a surprise visit to Southaven Mayor Greg Davis at a city meeting and announced plans to garnish the mayor’s paycheck. The Commercial Appeal reports Pickering returned $96,000 in disputed funds repaid by Davis Tuesday night, but announced plans to take the mayor’s paycheck to recover another $70,000. Pickering said Davis’s $3,700 bi-weekly pay check will be garnisheed to help recover the remaining funds that Pickering’s office ordered Davis to repay the city late last year. Pickering also said he has filed a lawsuit in Hinds County Court against the mayor and the mayor’s bonding company. Davis repaid the $96,000 through donations from supporters in

December. The auditor’s office has demanded Davis pay the city for travel, stress counseling and other personal expenses billed to taxpayers. “If there had been a good-faith effort, we would not have had to take the action we have taken,” Pickering said. “If the city does issue him a paycheck, whoever authorizes that paycheck and cuts it will be liable to the taxpayers of Southaven and the state of Mississippi.” Davis, who said he didn’t know Pickering planned to appear until he saw him in the hallway shortly before Tuesday’s regular board meeting, said his attorney, Steve Farese, plans to file a temporary restraining order as soon as possible in Hinds County Court. “This issue will be taken care of before the next pay period, which is next

Friday,” Davis said. “If a judge rules he has the authority to stop it (Davis’s pay), we will keep coming to work, doing our job and paying our bills.” Pickering said Mississippi Code 7-7-43 allows his office to take the mayor’s paycheck. “There are three ways the debt can be satisfied,” Pickering said. “The debt can be paid by the mayor, or his bonding company can pay it, and also the wages he has earned through the city will be remitted back to the state

of Mississippi until this is resolved.” Davis repaid the $96,000 through donations from supporters in December. The money was spent on expensive dinners, liquor and trips. He said he was glad the Hinds County lawsuit has been filed because he will finally get his day in court. “We were expecting some action from Mr. Pickering and have been expecting some action from him for the last 60 days,” Davis said.

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Casino: Man lied in suit over slot machine injury BY HOLBROOK MOHR Associated Press

JACKSON — Lawyers for a Mississippi casino say a man lied under oath as part of a lawsuit that claims he was hurt by a slot machine. Randy Perkins says he was gambling at the Tunica Roadhouse Casino in August 2010 when the

door of the slot machine fell open and hit his left arm. That, he says, caused him to jump back and injure his spine. He filed a $750,000 lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Greenville in July 2011. Perkins attorney, Jonathan Barrett, said he can’t discuss the case because the lawsuit is pending.

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