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.
INDUSTRY'S I-55 DIVIDING LINE
A great editorial last Tuesday on economic development. This issue goes deeper than politics, such as the logistics of moving raw product in and finished product out. Then, do environmentalists welcome it? Remember the “not in my backyard” attitude? The Delta floods annually because of environmentalists and “no pumps.” Any development needs to be welcomed.
NORTH MISSISSIPPI WINS AGAIN
What about the southern hub of Mississippi? Why aren’t our representatives trying to bring industry to southern Mississippi? Gov. Reeves keeps announcing industry in Northern Mississippi. Better-paying jobs might help with the poverty-stricken, high-crime and derelict properties in our area. We have to do something different, and no disrespect, but more chicken plants and chicken eating places ain’t it.
LOGIC, GUNS AND CRIME
We have individuals riding our city streets in broad daylight shooting powerful weapons with no regard to life. I know that the powers that be thought open carry was a great idea, how about now? And for those that say weapons don’t kill people, people kill people. Life started with checks and balances and will end with checks and balances. When we throw out logic we get crime.
DISTRUST OF THE POLICE
It’s stated in the E-J that many in McComb don’t trust the police. Apparently youth clubs, committees and basketball courts aren’t working either, so why don’t civil rights groups and churches take to the streets after dark and talk to those who have no respect for life?
SHOOTOUT QUESTION
Sounds like the police have been very active lately with all the shootings. Thanks for the reports in the paper. One has me wondering: The recent shootout in Burglund with no injuries. We have people just standing on sidewalks, carrying guns just in case they are shot at? Self-defense? Were they released with their weapons in case they are shot at again?
WHAT ARE POLICE OFFICERS PAID?
Chief Cloy stated that smaller agencies around us are paying police officers more than McComb is. Please provide the names of those agencies, their pay scale and population size. Also, MHP and the Bureau of Narcotics are state-funded agencies, and their area of expertise, duties and other factors outweigh those of a municipal shift patrolman.
PARKING LOT ACCIDENTS
I had to stop and catch my breath when I saw that the McComb Police Department would not be working some parking lot wrecks. How dumb is that! Somebody is not going to comply and there will be trouble. And how will you go about getting a police report for your insurance company it they don’t comply?
AGAINST RESTAURANT TAX
A big “NO!” for me regarding the proposed 3% restaurant tax. As opposed to the hotel tax which affects mostly out-of-towners, this tax would penalize area residents who want to go out to eat. If you haven’t noticed, McComb isn’t exactly a hotbed of quality eating establishments. This tax would do nothing but hurt the industry in my opinion and make McComb even less likely to attract good restaurants.
A RESTAURANT TAX OBSERVATION
It seems neither fair nor equitable that a patron be taxed based on what a restaurant legally chooses to offer on their menu. Suppose we each wanted a hamburger and Coke. You prefer Applebee’s, I want a Wendy’s. Why should you pay 3% more tax than I?
KEEP HOSPITAL PEDESTRIANS SAFE
The mayor and selectmen urgently need to prioritize the safety of pedestrians as they cross Marion Avenue in front of Southwest hospital. Pavement markings for the pedestrian crosswalks have faded, some completely, and the speed humps are damaged or gone. A serious accident could easily occur at any time at this location unless something changes soon.
STREET REPAIR LISTS PROBABLY ARE SIMILAR
I wonder why the selectwoman at large and the mayor are arguing about which streets to fix. If the selectwoman compared her list of streets needing repair with the other board members, they would probably be many of the same streets. Top priority should go to the streets most traveled. Let’s have a little more cooperation and just get the horrible streets fixed.
FACT AND FEAR
It is a fact that business and industry scouts come to our area without the knowledge of local officials. A few years ago, one left when he saw the potholes in the roads. I fear that other scouts will leave when they see the trash on the roads and read about the number of local killings.
IT TAKES ALL OF US
What are the constables doing about the litter problem and garbage dumping in their districts? Brian Mullins can’t do everything.
NEW YORK VISITORS SET AN EXAMPLE
As I was leaving a convenience store near I-55 in McComb, a car pulled up beside me. Two white males got out. The passenger had a bag of trash, and he put it in a trash can. The car had a New York tag. I bet they have cleaner highways than we do. If everyone did this, we wouldn’t have trash problems.
TALKING TRASH
I drive regularly to Meridian, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Mobile. Most of the roadways are fairly clean and free of litter. However, the interstate in the McComb area is very, very trashy. It appears that the trash along I-55 is never picked up. The same trash remains for months. Why is there more trash here than anywhere else? Why is it never picked up?
TIME FOR A YOUTH MOVEMENT
Mr. Hosemann would be 80 years old in 2028 if he were to become governor. We need a younger generation of folks to lead. Same with the White House. Come on, young folks, time to step up and lead.
BILL CLINTON AND SCHOOL CHOICE
I recently visited Bill Clinton’s presidential library in Little Rock. He believed that all parents should have a choice among public schools for their children. He believed choice would force schools to compete and thus improve. This is why his administration championed the creation of public charter schools. When the president took office there was only one charter school in America. When he left, there were 2,000.
WHY HELP UKRAINE?
Zelensky can’t raise money from his neighbors. Why should the U.S. send him more money?
