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.
6/5 BEHINDS AND BELLIES
People! How about taking some pride in your appearance when you come to the grocery stores, Walmart, etc.? Wear some clothes (not pajamas and slippers) that cover your bodies where they should be covered. We really do not want to see your behinds hanging out from shorts that are way too short, the spillage from tops that are more appropriate for the beach, the exposed bellies, and too tight yoga pants. Where is decency and self respect anymore?
6/18 EAST McCOMB’S SPORTS HISTORY
Naming the East McComb Activities Field for Charvarius Ward is a good idea. I also think it would be a good idea to put up a plaque with the names of the activities field’s original directors. There used to be a gym with a softball field and even tennis courts. There were church league softball and basketball games with a packed house every night. Mechanics Bank was the best fast-pitch men’s softball team.
6/4 THE PIKE COUNTY CRIME COMMISSION
Concerning the Pike County crime commission survey, it should not matter what district the majority of the participants live in, what color they are, how much money they make, whether they are male or female or how old they are. Take the good information that you have and put it to good use — safety check points, after-school programs, summer work programs, more access to mental health and social services are all great ideas. Let’s stop talking and get to work.
5/21 A CRIME CAMERA SUGGESTION
Why don’t they put up cameras in the Algiers community of McComb, where it sounds like a war zone with all of the shooting going on? Also, there is a large hole in the middle of the street right behind city hall. You can’t miss it, especially when the city board comes to meetings. Come on, you all can do better.
5/29 A TEST SCORE SIREN
Headlines of “Local Test Scores Below Average” are more alarming than a tornado siren. Statewide average score was just 76%. McComb’s average score was only 56.6%. Whom do taxpayers hold accountable? Everybody: communities, broken homes, single parents, fatherless families, school board members, all administrators and the teachers. McComb spends more money per student than any other school in southwest Mississippi. Where is the money being spent?
6/20 STREET-LEVEL ACTION IS NEEDED
Is there some level of condition that city streets should be maintained? Who is responsible for maintaining city streets to an expected level of quality? There are several streets in McComb causing damage to vehicles. Can this be considered negligence of duty? It’s no longer funny. It’s time for action! It’s past time to fix the streets!
5/22 WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ASPHALT!
Some of the McComb selectmen keep talking about redesigning Delaware Avenue and Summit Street. Why? The city probably cannot afford to make big, expensive and unnecessary changes. They just need to fix the bumps and potholes. City board members, please think about returning to reality, practicality and common sense. Just wake up and smell the asphalt!
6/11 PIKE COUNTY ROAD REPAIR COMPLAINT
Why is District 4 in Pike County always the last to receive help? County Line Road was supposed to be repaired in 2023, now it will be 2025. ... Ukraine is shooting missiles that Biden sent them into Russia.
5/31 REBUILDING THE RAILROAD DEPOT
How could such a simple building cost so much? I understand there are different standards than home construction. Set the budget, set the specifications (which I think they have) turn it over to a third party, move the funds to pay for the completed building, and step aside. The depot is one of the few things McComb has that would get someone to pull off the interstate to do something other than grab a hamburger.
5/30 TIME FOR A RAILROAD DEPOT UPDATE
Like everyone else, I would like the McComb railroad depot built back better than ever. A lot of people have put a lot of time and effort into that project. Could you please write an article about the person who started the fire? Where is he, what sentence did he get, will he ever spend a day in jail, or has he?
6/21 IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD
I saw in the paper about a shooting on Hillcrest Avenue, which runs parallel with West Street and Marion Avenue, only a few blocks south of Wal-Mart. You can’t say one area of McComb is any better from shootings than another one. It’s all over McComb City.
6/13 A DOWNTOWN PARKING QUESTION
While I was doing business in the Graphics Etc. store in downtown McComb, a sign was placed in front of my parked car. It said the parking space I was in was reserved for a neighboring business, and that unauthorized vehicles would be towed at the owner’s expense. Can a privately owned Main Street business issue a tow order for a privately owned vehicle that is parked on a public street?
6/6 DOWNTOWN BRIDGE SUGGESTION
Maybe it’s time for the city of McComb to start thinking about a new name for the downtown bridge over the railroad tracks. The present name, Black Lives Matter, doesn’t seem to be working.
