County discusses busing workers
Marshall County Industrial Development Authority is working with existing industries and Northeast Mississippi Community Ser vices to see if it is feasible to offer bus transportation to industrial parks in the county.
The topic was discussed during a recent report to the board of supervisors by chancery clerk Chuck Thomas, who said he hears companies are busing people from Greenwood to FedEx facilities to work.
“Greenwood and Clarksdale are running buses from the Delta up to FedEx,” Thomas said. “People need transportation. Companies route buses in the community that run to Memphis, and FedEx is setting up stops and congregate sites.
“They are running morning and night. When these industries come in we have to look for routes and how to fill up buses.” Justin Hall, executive director of
Marshall County IDA, said IDA is working with Northeast Mississippi Community Services to seek grant opportunities that would provide large passenger buses to assist in transporting workers in local communities to industrial parks in Holly Springs, Byhalia, and Chickasaw Trail.
Some industries are reporting that some employees are having trouble getting to work at times because of lack of reliable transportation.
“We are still promoting the ACT WorkReady Community,” Hall said. “We had goals set up but COVID hit.”
Schools are trying to test high school seniors before they leave school.
Taking the test gives graduating seniors a jump start if they want to go straight to work. Others who choose college first can still take the test and go to work immediately out of college.
Supervisors’ report
George Zinn III asked the board to get an attorney general’s opinion on whether it would be ethical for the county to adopt a road in a housing development he built. “You are being punished because you are sitting in that seat right there,” quipped District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett. A motion was made to approve seeking the attorney general’s opinion. It passed 41 with Taylor opposing the measure. “I wouldn’t ask for it if it was for me,” Taylor said. Zinn then asked for permission to donate a portion of his alloted community funds to Davis Temple Food Pantry. The donation is allowed through Local and Private legislation.
Trash pickup
Supervisors discussed whether Team Waste will pick up white goods and rubbish that is set on the shoulders of the roadways or if a person has to be enrolled in the household solid waste collection with Team Waste in order to set things out. Zinn asked if a person has to be a customer. Taylor said everyone in the county is supposed to have a household garbage account. “There are people who do not have trash containers,” Zinn said. “Not just a few. A whole bunch of them,” said Bennett. “It’s going to be a problem,” said Zinn. Taylor said Team Waste is to do an audit to see who has service and who doesn’t. “Let’s get a letter to Team Waste. Everybody will be eligible for trash pickup,” Taylor said. County administrator Larry Hall said it is up to Team Waste to enroll households in service. “If they are not sending them a bill, that’s their fault,” Taylor said.
“It is an issue you will have to grapple with,” Zinn said. “Everybody does not have cans, so trash pickup will be an issue. Our contract (with Team Waste) says we assume every resident has service.”
“As to enforcing it,” Taylor said, “if we find out somebody is burning waste....” Zoning director Ken Jones weighed in on the issue.
“I was finding dump sites where household garbage was being burned,” he said. “They were turning off service.”
He said Team Waste was probably terminating service when people were not paying in order to not run up a big bill at the tax office, which can withhold a tag request until the bill is paid.
“I’m arguing it goes back on Team Waste if someone does not have service,” Taylor said.
“It’s a problem Team Waste has to address,” Zinn said.
Larry Hall said a different pick-up crew will be running the trucks that pick up stuff left on the shoulders of the roads.
“If rubbish is set out there, they will pick it up,” said county attorney Amanda Smith.
“The only problem I have with Team Waste is that they leave cans too close to the road,” said Bennett. “People call and say they are hitting them.”
“I don’t think the attorney should send them a letter,” Zinn said.
“If there is trash set out there, they are going to pick it up,” Bennett said Zinn wondered how long the county would be eligible for the tipping fee at the landfill. He said the business could be sold and the county could lose its agreement with Team Waste.