Development in Holly Springs - City police station notches forward


Thursday, March 29, 2007
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Development in Holly Springs
City police station notches forward

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

A public hearing for the Holly Springs police station bond issue lasted less than a minute with no comment at the board of aldermen meeting last week.

The measure paves the way for renovation of Williams Clinic on Access Road into a police station headquarters once a new Williams Clinic is constructed northwest of the Holly Springs Commons area. The city plans to acquire the current clinic and convert it into a modern police headquarters.

The city moved police headquarters from the dilapidated structure on Falconer to the Mississippi Industrial College campus under the leadership of former police chief Robert Burby.

Chief Robert Pearson said in an interview Friday that the MI building has several drawbacks in terms of serving as a headquarters.

“It’s not designed to serve as a police station and we have three or four other occupants that share the building,” he said. “We need adequate space and we don’t have it here. We’re professional people and we are doing the best with what we have. We’re very anxious to move into our new facility.”

In other business, the mayor and board of aldermen:

opened bids on a line truck for the electric department. AllTek bid $141,481 and Terex bid $140,723.
passed a resolution and declaration of intention to issue $3.5 million in general obligation bonds for the new police station and other building needs.
approved a $250,000 Home grant application through the Mississippi Development Authority and office of the governor.
approved renewal of a Phase II rural development gas loan at $636,948.
heard a request from Lois Swanee for financial support for a Holly Springs/Marshall County birthday celebration to coincide with the annual hummingbird migration celebration in September.

“We’re doing it for the love of Holly Springs and Marshall County,” Swanee said in defending the request before the mayor and board. “We need a shot in the arm.”

Mayor Andre’ DeBerry was unfavorable toward the city making a direct donation saying that the 1-cent tourism tax is a fund that should be drawn on for the financing of the festival.

Proceeds from the birthday celebration after paying expenses will go to the support of the Marshall County Historical Museum, Swanee said.

She thanked the board of aldermen for continuous support of the museum since its inception in 1970.
heard a concern from Rust College senior Hal Spratt, who deplored conditions at Rankin Circle. Spratt said he had done community service work in the area and wondered if the first-time homebuyer grant money could be used for repair work at the Circle.

DeBerry said the city has no ownership in the property.

“But we’re hoping the housing authority is making grants to hopefully replace some of those,” he said.

Spratt asked if the housing programs are helping people get better living conditions.

“Would that lead some of the people out of the slums?” he asked. “Because that thing (Rankin Circle) is out of control.”

Alderman Russell Johnson and DeBerry said they had talked to two bishops with the Methodist Church about doing something with the housing and also with the MI college campus.

“I talked to Bishop Brown and he’s definitely concerned,” Johnson said. “Bishop Brown has discussed the condition of all the MI property and he’s aware it’s not up to standard.”

DeBerry said he does not want the city to condemn the property.

“They’ve worked with us trying to develop some of the properties. I think the senior bishop in Memphis understands blight conditions as he comes from Los Angeles.”

Alfred Moore, with MI Home Corporation, said he had spoken with Rev. Charles Thomas, who said Rust College could get about one-sixth the money to work on apartments, if MI Home Corporation could come up with one-sixth of it.

“But MI Home will likely end up fixing the unit,” he said. “HUD won’t put anymore money in it.”

DeBerry offered appreciation to Rust students coming forward at board meetings and to Spratt.

“Your concern gives me great confidence in our young people,” DeBerry said.
welcomed Information Technology director Ken Robinson back to the boardroom after several months of recuperation from illness.
heard Swanee’s concerns about the condition of Hillcrest Cemetery. She said a huge dead tree needed taking down and there was a problem with vandalism at the cemetery. She urged that the cemetery be put in better order for the annual pilgrimage.

“We won’t have significant renovations in three weeks,” DeBerry said.

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