In what was billed as a town hall-type meeting Thursday night sponsored by the Pike County Republican Party at Days Inn, the four local politicians on the program outnumbered the actual questions from the audience.
McComb Mayor Whitney Rawlings spoke, along with Ward 1 Selectman Ted Tullos, Ward 2 Selectman Michael Cameron and Selectman at-Large Tommy McKenzie. Speakers presented opening statements before the floor was opened up for questions from the audience.
The meeting started a few minutes behind schedule. McComb resident Jim McCullough explained the delay by saying McKenzie, who was late, was changing a tire after his car hit a pot hole in the city. McCullough’s attempt at humor was not lost on Rawlings or the other selectmen.
“I ride on the same streets you ride on. We’ve got a few things to do,” Rawlings admitted. “We spent $185,000 last year on street repairs and all that paved was from here to the front door. We’re working on a 10-year overlay plan. None of us here is considering additional (tax) millage.”
In his first term, Rawlings said McComb is on the right track.
“The city, in my opinion, is in good hands,” Rawlings said. “The board of selectmen members that you see here, along with (Ward 4) Selectman Melvin Joe Johnson, (Ward 5) Selectman Andranette Jordan and (Ward 3) Selectman Tammy Witherspoon, is an excellent Board to work with. I believe we make a good team. We have the city’s best interests at heart.”
Rawlings said the city is in the midst of establishing its 2013 budget.
“We have seen a little uptick in retail sales,” Rawlings said. “It needs to continue to pick up. We feel like it will pick up over the next 12 months.”
Rawlings touched on the motel tax, saying funds generated from the tax are earmarked for completion of the McComb Sports Park. He said the city’s first check in November from money generated by the tax was for $13,000. From there, it rose to $20,000 for May, and $24,000 for June.
“We have the first tournament this weekend,” Rawlings said. “All construction costs have been paid for by the tax. We’re putting in bids to complete Field 4, which we hope to complete by spring 2013.”
Pike County Republican Party Chairman Bobby McDaniel asked if the city will sell water from the wastewater treatment plant to oil companies should they continue hydraulic fracturing in the Tuscaloosa Shale locally.
“We’d love to sell them water,” Rawlings said. “The plant treats three million gallons daily. We think it makes sense for us to offer those companies.
“We’ve requested the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to modify our permit. If we have the opportunity to sell our water, it would add more money to pay off our debt,” he said.
Cameron said McComb needs to be prepared for the boom fracking could bring.
“If we get it in here, it’s going to be a positive,” Cameron said.
Bob Hensarling asked what can be done about the city’s shrinking tax base.
“We’re concerned about property values,” Rawlings said. “A little bit at a time we’re trying to bring our city back. Property values are going down because some things need to be fixed.”
Businessman Pat Brumfield voiced concerns about how grass in neutral grounds in South McComb is not being properly maintained.
Tullos, who moved to McComb in 1985, talked about how what he called “the little things” have changed within McComb.
“This board is responsible for codes and enforcement. I can already see yards are being picked up and mowed,” Tullos said. “We implemented random drug testing (for city employees) and published an employee handbook.”
Tullos mentioned organizations like Pike County Volunteers for Children and Youth, the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi, Wings and Habitat for Humanity are all supported by caring individuals in McComb.
“I think this city is possibly the most giving, caring city in this state,” Tullos said. “I am so proud to be a part of this city.”
In his remarks, Rawlings spoke about several grants for which the city has applied.
• McComb hopes for a Transportation Enhancement Grant that would cover expenses for the city to bring two old Illinois Central Railroad cars currently in Hammond, La., to a new home in McComb. Grant money would pay for restoration and display.
• McComb and the McComb Main Street Association are applying for a Mississippi Makeover Grant, sponsored by Entergy.
“We’re trying to make a good first impression to Amtrak riders,” Rawlings said. “I want their first impression of McComb to be a good one.”
• The city has applied for a Walking Track Grant for the sports park.
But not all the changes needed in the city are costly.
McKenzie said there are things citizens can do without spending tax dollars.
“Two things that won’t cost us a dime are putting people on city boards, which will have a tremendous impact on this city. They will spend those dollars wisely,” McKenzie said.
“The other is creating an environment for fostering new ideas for this community,” he said. “We need programs where we can promote existing businesses, where they’re comfortable doing business. We need to create incentives for new business.”
Cameron echoed many of the thoughts Rawlings and McKenzie expressed and offered some of his own.
“I know this is a Republican meeting, and we have three Republicans on board, but I think we as a board have worked well together tremendously,” Cameron said. “Every day, it’s something new. Employees we have are tremendous. All the department heads work with budgets they’ve been given.”
Cameron said he speaks with officials in other cities about similar problems whenever he travels to out-of-town meetings.
“We don’t have all these problems on our own,” he said. “We’re not alone. Just go somewhere and they’ve got some of the same problems we do.”
