Malcolm Allen of the Pike County Arts Council asked McComb selectmen on Tuesday to support the group’s plans for a “Blue Bottle Tree installation.”
Allen said the arts council has support all over the county, with plans for blue bottle trees to be created and placed in public places from Osyka to Dixie Springs.
The project was inspired, in part, by photographs taken by Eudora Welty when she worked for the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.
Blue bottles should be easy to find, Allen said, and create a distinctive display.
Institutions such as banks, churchs, Southwest Mississippi Community College and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce have offered their support, he said.
“There’s a lull over this city,” Allen said. “We believe this will boost morale, as well as place art in public.”
The project will begin in April, Allen said, and the entire community is invited to participate.
In other business, selectmen:
• Discussedprocedures for the upcoming election. Board attorney Wayne Dowdy said he is still examining the city charter and state law to ensure the city follows the controlling statutes in each source.
• Reappointed Johnny Turnerto the city’s planning commission for another three-year term.
• Received donations totaling $1,020 for the McComb Animal Shelter.
• Accepted reimbursement of $734.56 for training undertaken by police Detective Sidney Boyte.
• Paid the sheriff’s department $14,210.93 for housing city prisoners.
• Heard a letter of thanks sent by Tylertown Mayor Ed Hughes for the city fire department’s assistance in fighting a fire at Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home in January.
• Learned a hazardous waste collection day will be held 8 a.m. to noon, April 28, at the Pike County Health Department on U.S. 98.
• Discussed a legal matter in executive session.
• Heard a request from Selectman Ronnie Brock to see video footage involving former Mayor Zach Patterson.
