By Barrett L. Welch
Enterprise-Journal
McComb selectmen indicated Thursday night that they will support the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance during a special meeting with organization director Joseph Parker and alliance representative James Brumfield at the McComb Sports Park.
The alliance is meant to promote outdoor tourism such as birdwatching, fishing and hunting in southwest Mississippi. The alliance was originally composed of representatives from Amite, Pike and Walthall counties.
The city board will likely vote on supporting the group at Tuesday’s board meeting. The alliance is requesting a $10,000 donation from the city. Pike County will contribute $40,000 and Amite County will contribute $10,000.
Brumfield told officials Walthall County supervisors decided not to participate as initially intended. Parker said that will drop the alliance’s projected operating budget to $115,000.
McComb officials said their primary concern is how Parker’s involvement with Scenic Rivers could impact his job as director of the McComb Recreation Department.
With Field 3 at the sports park slated for completion in May, and a tournament starting in June, Selectman Melvin Joe Johnson raised concerns of the timing of Parker’s involvement with Scenic Rivers.
City Administrator Quordiniah Lockley said he and Parker talked about the issue at length, and he will make sure Parker’s job with the city comes first.
“My preference would be that Joseph be left out entirely,” Lockley said. “I will be looking at Joseph through a microscope.”
Selectmen also raised concerns that if the organization is successful and expands in the future, it could hire Parker away from the city. Brumfield said the organization does not have the funds or intention to do that now.
Parker assured city officials that Scenic Rivers will not impact his work with the city, and he said he will not participate without the support of each board member, as well as Mayor Whitney Rawlings and Lockley.
Parker said he will work between eight and 12 hours on the weekends, and maybe a little more at some trade shows and events. The alliance will compensate him for that work.
Parker added that his future involvement in the organization is unknown, and he agreed to accept the director’s job because no one else was willing to take it.
“They couldn’t find anyone else to do this,” Parker said. “I have served in this position for free. I will continue to do my work and do my job.”
Brumfield told officials the alliance needs the city’s support, with or without Parker.
“Scenic Rivers needs to happen, and McComb needs to participate,” Brumfield said. “There’s got to be a certain amount of faith we have to step out on. I think we’re on the verge of something good.
“(Southwest Mississippi) can no longer be an island. I think all of us together can do it; we can have a voice.”
Selectman Tommy McKenzie suggested that at some point the alliance should fall under the Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s control.
He expounded on that point Friday, adding that the city and chamber should merge their efforts, and several city programs should join under a new McComb Chamber of Commerce.
“The discussion of Scenic Rivers has exposed a flaw in our system of promoting McComb and the surrounding area,” McKenzie said. “McComb needs a ‘One Vision, One Voice’ strategy to move forward.”
He cited multiple groups working on promoting their passions, but said they are doing it in an “individualistic way to benefit the area.”
“While the effort is commended, the message becomes watered down because they do not speak on behalf of a larger group,” McKenzie said. “All these efforts are running a parallel course to a finish line. There is strength in synergy.
“I believe it is time for the City of McComb and the Chamber of Commerce to merge their efforts. The McComb Chamber of Commerce is the best entity for all programs to speak with One Vision-One Voice with strength. Results will come with faith in good ideas.”
As for the alliance’s success and growth, McKenzie said Thursday “that’s a nice problem to have.”
Rawlings and Selectman Andranette Jordan did not attend Thursday’s meeting.
