Civic Corner: Board Of Aldermen Recap – March 2022
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman at Large
In its February 15 Board of Aldermen meeting, the Board asked for a report from our economic developer, Daniel Lang, regarding his proposed trip to Hanover, Frankfurt, and Munich, Germany, to attend the Hannover Messe Conference and for economic development meetings. In his report, Director Lang indicated that the trip came about through an invitation by Continental Tire to attend the meeting and that it would include the conference, as well as meetings with various companies who might be interested in bringing a facility to Clinton. The Board approved the expenditure.
Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge provided a report to the Board and indicated that there is currently a burn ban in Clinton due to extremely dry conditions. However, once conditions improve, citizens can once again request approval from the fire department to do a controlled burn.
The Board approved facility usage agreements with the Clinton Girls’ Softball Association, Clinton Soccer Association, and Clinton Baseball Association, at the request of Parks and Recreation Director Adam Wade. The City of Clinton has an excellent working relationship with these associations, which, in turn, provide some financial support to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
For those who have hoped for an enhancement in the City’s Christmas decorations, particularly on the Clinton Parkway, the Board approved a budget amendment which will allow Main Street Director Tara Lytal to order new Christmas decorations. Delivery delays prevented the order from occurring prior to this year’s holiday.
Finally, Ward 6 Alderman James Lott asked for the approval of the Board to make a laptop giveaway program, intended for citizens making less than $42,000.00 a year, a City event. The Board voted five to one for approval, with Ward 3 Alderman Bill Barnett voting no, and Ward 2 Alderman Jim Martin abstaining.
On another note, the Legislature has passed a medical marijuana bill to replace the medical marijuana voter initiative that was struck down by the Mississippi Supreme Court. The bill passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves. Since the initiative was supported by 70.5 percent of Clintonians and over 73 percent statewide, the Legislature was supportive of the issue. Hopefully, now, the Legislature will repair the initiative process so that our current four Congressional Districts, rather than the five utilized in the previous initiative, will be used to gather signatures. Now that the medical marijuana bill has passed, each city is automatically opted in. However, each governing body has 90 days to opt their city out. They can opt back in at a later date, or an initiative of the voters can opt a city back in with 50% plus 1 of the voters. The Board of Aldermen will be looking at this issue over the coming months.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Space will be provided in each issue of The Clinton Courier to the Board of Aldermen for a recap of each meeting. Aldermen are asked to volunteer to provide this recap for the Courier.
