My Two Cents welcomes anonymous commentary from readers. Mean-spirited observations rarely make it into print or onto the website. Constructive criticism with ideas for improvement is greatly preferred. Contributions are reviewed before publication. They should be less than 100 words and will be edited for clarity.
RADAR RESTRICTIONS
I saw where chief deputy Brad Bellipanni urged citizens of Pike County to call their elected representatives and tell them county officers need to use radar to detect speeders. I have called my representative, only to be told that they didn’t need radar, that we have safe drivers in Southwest Mississippi and that he wasn’t for it. He hasn’t gotten my vote since then.
OPPOSED TO RADAR
The speed limit on all county roads is 45 unless posted as less. Do we really want deputies with radar hiding over a hill or around a curve to catch you doing, say 55, on the way to work every morning? Try this: Pay attention to your normal speed as you drive to work. Then ask yourself if you want the SO to have radar. I say no. This idea sounds like just one more way for them to write tickets to raise revenue.
WHY WE NEED RADAR
The writer opposing the use of radar made a good point as to why we need it. Someone going to work every day doing 55 mph over a hill or around a curve deserves a ticket. If you give the county enough money, you will slow down. I travel on a state highway to work every day. The state hasn’t got any of my money. I leave early enough so I don’t have to speed.
McCOMB’S JOB SEARCH
Hopefully McComb will hire a seasoned, experienced police chief with documented, proven success as a police chief — and from somewhere off who will bring new methods and new ideas to get a handle on the gang violence, shootings and murders. McComb used to be such a lovely town and it still has such great potential. But we have a real gang violence problem and we need a real police chief, not a social justice warrior that checks all the boxes; a chief in name only.
THE SEARCH FOR A POLICE CHIEF
A recent writer stated that they were hoping McComb could hire a chief of police that would turn McComb around. Though everyone’s wish is for a safer city, the truth is the process hasn’t changed. One person chooses the candidate, who will serve at the administration’s will. Don’t get your hopes too high.
McCOMB’S INHERITANCE
In my opinion, all the problems in McComb are not “this” board’s fault. They inherited a mess from previous boards and their lack of planning. If McComb is going to survive, the seven members of this board must unite around a vision for McComb: “Without a vision my people perish.” Stop the divisions and unite with a vision and a 10-year plan, as there is no quick solution. McComb is well worth it.
TWO CENTS, TOO NEGATIVE
Mr. Ryan, I’m with the majority of people (of color) who gave high criticism of the comments that you allow to be published in the “My Two Cents” column. It is overwhelmingly negative. If you dislike this community so much perhaps you should consider a move elsewhere. We are sick and tired of it.
STILL MORE CENTS
Let's get the record straight. I am a Black man that shares my opinions in the My Two Cents column. Some of it pertains to my opinion of poor performance and not living up to campaign promises. There are other Black people that share these thoughts in My Two Cents. Mr. Ryan does not write the opinions that you read, he only prints what is written to him.
WHY SOME WRITE ANONYMOUSLY
One reason we don’t write letters to the editor indicating our name, and instead comment on My Two Cents, is that we are fearful of retaliation and boycott if we ever try to do business with the city.
ONE THING'S GOOD, BUT ANOTHER NEEDS WORK
Love your Two Cents column, and please try not to be so politically correct.
ANNEXATION AND COWS
The city board was taking about annexing the rest of Gateway Park and a big area between there and the current city limits. If they do, what about all that pasture land? Will people be allowed to keep our cows in the new city limits?
ANNEXATION AND HUNTING
So the city administrator thinks they can annex large parcels of rural land and then tell the landowners they can no longer hunt on their land as they have for generations? Yeah, good luck with that.
ANNEXATION NOW?
Young Black men are running berserk shooting and killing each other. Our streets are full of potholes with no indication that they will work towards fixing them. No one ever talks about bringing jobs into the empty industrial park, and all that our city board can talk about is expanding boundaries. You all worked harder putting up signs than you are now.
ARMS SALES
Very interesting that only a short time ago the city couldn’t sell retiring Deputy Police Chief Rodney Nordstrom his service weapon for a dollar, but now there is no problem selling one to a retiring fireman. Very interesting indeed.
LOUSY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
A few weeks ago I read an article that gave the average daily attendance in the McComb School District. It was a shocking 49%. Where are these students? At home watching TV or playing video games? What about the parents? Do they care if their children are going to school or not? What about school administrators. do they have a plan to work on this problem?
CEMETERY FENCE NEEDS A CLEANING
The white plastic fence on the north side of Hollywood Cemetery, on Virginia Avenue across from McComb High School, is in need of attention. Parts of it are broken and need to be replaced. The fence needs to be washed, as it is dirty. Please give it some attention or remove it.
STREET REPAIRS REQUESTED
Mayor Lockley, I’m from Tylertown, and I do shop in McComb — especially in all the nice grocery stores! If you want to keep my business, please repair the potholes on the frontage road in front of the new Chick-fil-A and Aldi. Such wonderful new businesses and a road that continues to destroy my vehicle!
STATE TESTING VS. NIGHT BASEBALL
The front page of the April 19 paper says it all! The story is about state tests for our children and schools. Right under that are the pictures of what is important to parents and everyone else. Students cannot do their best when they are tired from being up late at the ballpark. Why aren’t games not scheduled the week of state tests, or better yet, why can’t the season start when school is out?
CONCERNED ABOUT CHATAWA PLANS
Are the citizens of Pike County going to stand by and allow an organization from out of state to turn the Tangipahoa River and the surrounding area into a sewer? Chatawa is one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Mississippi. Get a copy of these people’s long range plans for this area. Look at it closely and think about what Chatawa will look like in 10 years. Wake up Pike County!
