January 26, 2012

I read an editorial in yesterday's Clarion-Ledger and Hattiesburg American that decried proposed cuts in the state's Department of Health. The editorial stated that the Dept. of Health was one state agency that could not stand a budget cut and proceeded to list the good work provided by this department. This, my friends, sums up the problem we have today at all levels of government from Washington on down to right here in Petal, Ms. The problem is that once government creates a program, department or agency, there will be a constituency for that program that will mount a political fight any time there is talk of cutting that program or department's budget - even if the cuts are in forecasted growth and not an actual cut.

The newspapers would howl just as loud, or louder, if the proposed cuts were in the state Department of Education budget, even though as a former teacher, I can tell you that classroom teachers I know feel that department's budget is bloated with unneeded expenses and personnel who did little to nothing to benefit the education taking place in the classroom. Education needs to be adequately funded at the local levels where the real work is done, not wasted on layers of bureaucracy in Jackson.

The federal and state governments could learn to do as we have done in the City of Petal. We worked this year off of a zero increase in our municipal budget. Even though certain costs went up, such as fuel and supplies, we made the cuts in other areas to offset that increase and kept our budget at the same level as the previous fiscal year. It is hard to understand how a city can operate in that manner, yet our federal and state leaders can't seem to do the same.

The pundits, editorial writers, and special interest boosters are going to have to face up to our new reality: The United States is spending beyond our means at all levels of the public sector. The public can no longer bear the burden of the taxes needed to support the entitlement lifestyle we have come to expect. Cuts, deep ones, will have to be made at all levels for our nation to avoid total collapse and the unimaginable problems that would bring. The days of cheerleading for pet projects and favored programs are over. We all must learn to live in our new reality. We have no other choice short of our own ruin.

December 22, 2011

On behalf of the Board of Aldermen and the City of Petal, I would like to wish everyone in the Friendly City a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Although our religious heritage is under attack by those who would deny the history of our nation and the importance the Founders placed on faith in God and freedom of worship, I personally wish everyone a Christmas where Christ is the center of our celebration. It is during this time of year we remember that He was born in a manger and died and rose again for our sins, so that we who believe in Him can have everlasting life. The spirit of giving is the spirit of Christmas because of His special gift to each of us. And it is because of our faith and Christian heritage that the United States of America has been for more than 200 years a special and exceptional nation upon this earth. May all of us remember this now, and forever.

November 14, 2011

The long-planned Veteran's Walk of Honor was officially dedicated on Veteran's Day with a flag-raising ceremony and remarks by Transportation Commissioner-elect Tom King. Tom and the other members of our veteran's committee, Alan Flynt, Mike Cochran, Bo Tims, Deborah Reynolds and Tom Hardges, deserve a great pat-on-the-back for their hard work and dedication to this worthy project. It is way past time that we have a memorial befitting those who have served our nation in uniform. I want to also give a special thanks to Rodney Sessions, who first brought up the subject of the memorial with me shortly after I took office.

Anyone interested in purchasing a brick to honor a veteran and help us pay for the second and third phases of the walk, can contact Deborah Reynolds at 601-582-2672.

November 1, 2011

The first annual Petal Fall Festival was a great success! It is estimated that several thousand people attended the festival itself, shopping from over 60 vendors selling arts and crafts. Festival goers also sampled items from 17 different food vendors. A crowd of between 3,000 and 4,000 came back later in the evening to enjoy a free concert featuring Natalie Kirk, Cadie Calhoun, the King Fridays, and Nashville star Colt Ford. 

The reaction from those who attended the festival has been overwhelmingly positive and reinforces my belief that it should become an annual event for Petal. I believe it will serve to raise Petal’s profile in the Pine Belt, allow our local businesses to reach new customers, and let the folks who don’t already know it see just how great a place Petal is to live! 

I have to give a lot of thanks to our department heads and city employees for their hard work in making the festival a reality. All of our departments chipped in to do their part, with our Tom Hardges and our Parks and Recreation Department doing a superb job in getting things set up and organized, then cleaning things up once it was all over. Our Parks and Recreation Commission also contributed ideas and effort to the cause.   

Wendy Lampton at City Hall deserves a special pat-on-the-back for doing such a fantastic job lining up vendors and securing entertainment. With such a success in our first year, I can’t wait to see what we can do to make next year’s festival even better!

September 22, 2011

I intended this blog to be more frequent than it has been in the past few months. I will try to do better on longer posts as time or circumstance permit, but for short updates on happenings during the day or thoughts that just cross my mind, I've established a Twitter account @MayorHalMarx. If you are interested in knowing what is going on during the day at City Hall, sign up to follow me there.

August 23, 2011

Update on a few projects. The Seabees continue to make progress on our new youth baseball complex. The grading is almost complete and work has begun to ready for the electrical wiring necessary for the lights, as well as putting down water pipes for the irrigation system. Everything is still on go for completion of the project in time for the upcoming baseball season.

The Veteran's Memorial Walk is also still on go. Actual site work should begin soon on the first phase of the project, which will include a flag pole, monuments to each branch of the armed forces, a courtyard with benches, and a wall along one side of the courtyard. Special thanks to our volunteer committee chaired by Sen. Tom King for their work on this project. We will be selling memorial bricks for anyone who wishes to honor a veteran.

We continue to prepare for our first annual Petal Fall Festival, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Willie Hinton Park. We already have a lot of great food vendors signed up, several fun activities are going to be available for kids, plus a car show is scheduled, too. The night will cap off with Nashville recording artist Colt Ford giving a free concert in the park. I am excited to see our plans coming together and I hope this festival will be something Petal can be proud of and be known for through years to come. I have to give our Deputy City Clerk Wendy Lampton special thanks for working hard to promote the festival and to round up sponsors and vendors. She has done an exceptional job!

Finally, let me say a word to those of you who might be disappointed in my endorsement of a candidate in the race for supervisor. I was elected to do what I think is best for our city and our future. You might not always agree with my decisions, and I respect each citizen's opinion. However, we already have too many politicians who say what they think the public wants to hear, and not enough leaders who say what they really believe the public needs to hear. I want to be a leader, not a politician, and I will never back away from doing what I think is in the best interest of our city.

July 6, 2011

When Willie Hinton sat down in my office last Friday morning, neither of us expected that it would be our last conversation. Just two hours after leaving City Hall, Willie was in heaven and we with the City of Petal were left in shock and grief at our sudden loss.

Willie loved his God, his family, and the City of Petal. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a devoted and dedicated public servant. Willie enjoyed being an alderman and it showed. He took intense interest in the budget, asking questions about every expenditure, always suggesting that the amount being spent could be lowered, even if just a bit. He responded to his constituents' concerns, bringing items to my attention when he received questions or complaints from a citizen. Frequently he would drop by City Hall to check up on things, or just to say hi. He would usually leave with a smile on his face, treating everyone he met as if they were his friend.

And I believe they were. We were all Willie's friends. I honestly don't believe Willie had any enemies. I never heard him speak ill of anyone, and he certainly did not seem to hold grudges or make disagreements personal. If you disagreed with Willie on an issue he would state his case, listen to your side and then move on. He saw no reason to argue or get angry. He was that unusal individual in our day and time who could separate politics and personal relationships, not letting the former get in the way of the latter. And that is what we all shall miss most about Willie.

Tomorrow we will gather for the funeral and say our goodbyes. I know we will see Willie again one day, and he is already in a better place. We are left with a hole in our hearts and on our Board of Alderman. The city will soon elect a new alderman at-large, and I am sure he or she will do a good job. But the City of Petal has lost a true friend and tireless supporter, and we shall not forget his service or his friendship.

God bless the Hinton family.

June 14, 2011

Our fiscal year 2011 budget is on track and looking good at this point in the year. That doesn't mean we need to sit back and relax, though. The Board of Aldermen and I are determined to stay a step ahead of potential problems. I have noticed a trend in our sales tax figures over the past several months and it points to a possible plateau of our revenue numbers for the time being. With the economy still being shaky, at best, I feel it is best to ask our department heads to trim 2% of their non-personnel spending out of the remaining year's budget. This should keep us from having to make possibly deeper and more painful cuts if our sales tax or other revenue begins to dip below our expectations.

The Board of Aldermen recently approved giving the mayor an appointment on the city's Planning Commission. I am going to use my appointment to place E.L. Porter on the commission. E.L. is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Petal residents and will make informed decisions on matters that come before the commission. I know he will be a great asset to the city.

If you haven't been by the construction site at the Robert Russell Sports Complex in a few days, be sure to go by and look at the progress the Navy SeaBees are making on the new ballfields. They are doing a great job and have made tremendous progress on leveling the area for the fields. Barring a long stretch of bad weather, they look to be on track with finishing the fields by early October.

April 28, 2011

I would like to thank Mayor Johnny DuPree and the City of Hattiesburg for helping us during the funeral services for retired firefighter John E. Anderson. The City of Hattiesburg provided resources through its fire and police departments that made it possible for us to give John a proper "fireman's funeral" earlier this week. John served our city for 36 years, helping to make our fire department what it is today. We will miss John tremendously, and extend our sympathies to his family.

Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. on May 20th for the city's new youth baseball fields. The Navy SeaBees will be on hand to mark the beginning of construction of four fields for youth 12 and under. This day has been long in coming, but we are on track to have the fields ready for play in March of next year.

March 10, 2011

The Board of Alderman have approved the list of streets for our 2011 Street Project. Streets set to be repaved include N. George, East and West 8th Ave., Pinehaven and Meadowbrook. The city will also complete an extension of Mulberry Lane which will aid in the development of a new residential subdivision in the future. If contractor bids come in lower than expected, we may have enough money left in our road and bridge fund to add another street or two for this year's round of paving. We all know there are many streets in Petal which are in need of resurfacing. With the relatively limited budget we have for this process, however, the aldermen and I have to decide on a priority list each year.

According to the Census Bureau, the City of Petal's population now stands at 10,454. We know it is at least a little higher than that in actuality, because there are always families that are left out of the count. I spoke yesterday with a man who said his family of six was not counted, because they were in transition between homes during the count. Although he made repeated efforts to contact the Census Bureau and be included, he was never able to get the necessary forms. I am sure there are other similar stories in our city. As far as the official number is concerned, though, Petal has crossed the 10,000 mark in population for the first time in our 37 year history.

Due to our new population count, Petal has moved into a new category of municipality when it comes to our method of electing city officials. Under the method used to elect the current Board of Aldermen, the aldermen were required to live in the ward they represented, but voters throughout the city were able to cast votes in each of the ward races. While we have to make some decisions before the 2013 municipal elections regarding how many board members we have, or whether we should look at the mayor-council form of government, the law is clear that in future elections, citizens will only be able to vote for the candidates running to represent their particular ward.

Mike Slaughter will be the city's consultant as we re-draw the ward lines before the next election to maintain an even population in each ward. Mr. Slaughter will be at the April 5 board meeting to brief us on the different steps on this process and to answer any questions the board members have. Regardless of what we decide to do, the aldermen and I are committed to having an open process to keep citizens well informed. I am also certain that we will have public hearings before any final decision is made, so that voters can have input on the way we choose our leaders.

February 16, 2011

The City of Petal has appointed Laurie Porciello to serve on the Petal School District Board of Trustees for the next five years. Laurie is an attorney who chose to live in Petal 10 years ago because of our school system. She has three children in our schools and wanted the opportunity to be part of keeping our schools the best in the state. It was a tough choice for myself and the Board of Aldermen, we had 13 candidates for the position and each candidate was well-qualified. I think Laurie is going to do a great job and be an asset to our school district.

Literally, as I sit here to type this blog I have been told that the Navy Seabees are coming tomorrow to meet with us about our new ballfields at the Robert E. Russell Sports Complex. They have confirmed they will be onboard to help the city complete this project. This is great news and should result in a big savings for Petal as we finish what was started more than four years ago.

January 18, 2011

In response to the shooting in Tuscon, AZ, there is once again a national debate about the causes of such acts and what, if anything, can be done to prevent another one in the future. While I do not profess to have the answers to all of our nation's problems, I can say that more gun laws and restrictions on political speech will do nothing to curb the actions of those who are intent on doing harm.

To those who advocate more gun control laws I ask, why would someone willing to commit murder care about violating a gun law? Criminals find ways to get guns. Gun control only serves to take a means of protection from the hands of those who follow our laws. The right to keep and bear arms was not placed in the Constitution to protect our right to hunt, it was put there to protect our right to protect our rights, and our families.

As for political speech, the Left seems intent on blaming conservatives like Sarah Palin for the "vitriol" in politics. If you want to see true "vitriol", try watching MSNBC one night, or read the blogs at the DailyKos. There are more than enough angry words and rhetoric coming from all sides of the spectrum. I agree that we need to be able to discuss and debate issues of importance without becoming personal or becoming uncivil. However, when someone feels strongly that their nation is headed in the wrong direction and that our children's future is on the line, words are bound to become harsher.

We should all do our part to retain as much civility as possible in our political speech. But to blame one side or the other for the actions of a clearly deranged individual is just flat wrong.

January 13, 2011

The Petal Parks and Recreation Commission has chosen Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 as the date for what I hope will become the annual Petal Fall Festival at Relay Park. Many towns across the Pine Belt have their own festivals, a time to come together as a community for food, fun and fellowship. It is also a great way for local merchants to reach new customers by setting up booths where their products can be displayed.

Details are still be worked out, but if your church, business, or civic group would like to be a part of this event you can contact Wendy Lampton at 601-545-1776 for more information.

January 7, 2011

In a city our size there are numerous ways one can give back to the community, but few "official" positions that allow for direct public service with a governmental entity. The Petal School District Board of Trustees is one of those positions that allows citizens to directly impact a vital part of the greater Petal community - our schools.

The Petal School District is a Separate Municipal District, which means it is comprised of people living within and outside of the city limits of Petal. Since a majority of the population of the district reside within the city, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen appoint three of the five school board members. The other two are elected by voters living in the unincorporated areas. The board members serve five year terms and can be re-appointed or re-elected. The board makes policy for the school district, sets the budget for the district, awards contracts to all certified personnel and chooses the Superintendent of Education. In other words, serving on the Petal school board is a large responsibility and can have a significant impact for our city.

One of the three seats appointed by the city is about to become vacant with term of member Anne Coleman set to expire in March. We are now searching for applicants who wish to be considered for service on this important body. If you are interested in applying for the position, please send a letter of interest and a resume to the address listed under the News Releases on this website. We will accept applications until Jan. 21 and will try and have a new member appointed in time for the March school board meeting.

I know we have a lot of very qualified individuals who might be willing to serve. I look forward to interviewing them and finding the right person to help lead our schools for the next five years.

December 22, 2010

Christmas is my favorite time of year, as I suspect it is for many of you. It is a time to give gifts and to remember the gifts we have been given. I have been blessed this year with many gifts, including a new wife and step-children. It has been a very eventful year, to say the least.

The coming New Year also promises to be eventful for the City of Petal. In the spring we will again pave as many of our city streets as our budget allows, focusing on those most in need and perhaps one of our more heavily traveled. We should soon see work begin on the Byrd Blvd. project, formerly called Byrd Parkway, which will connect our growing commerical area on the Evelyn Gandy Parkway with Old Richton Road. We also hope to soon see more progress being made at the Robert E. Russell sports complex with construction of four new baseball fields. This is a project that has been too long in the making, but with the funding options we have, it is going to be a difficult undertaking without significant help from the U.S. Navy Seabees.

In the New Year, I also hope to see our sales tax continue to improve. I believe we can look for more growth with new retail businesses and new restaurants locating in the Friendly City. The added revenue will allow us to continue to build our cash reserves so that we can fund more improvements in our infrastructure and provide better services to our citizens.

This will be my last blog of 2010. I wish each citizen of Petal a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please be safe during the holidays. And remember the real reason for this season is not the tree and the lights, but the birth of Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

November 23, 2010

A special meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen was held this morning at 10 a.m. at the request of Mr. Lynn Cartlidge. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the city's position on the burning of large piles of debris on property along Highway 42 owned by Mr. Cartlidge and Mr. Sean Hancock.

Neither Mr. Cartlidge nor Mr. Hancock, nor their attorneys, were in attendance. More than 20 people opposed to the burning did show up, however. City Attorney Tom Tyner informed the Board that the International Fire Code adopted by the City in 2003 gives the Fire Chief the authority to deny permission for open burning when conditions would be hazardous to the health or safety of our citizens. Acting on that information, the Board took no action to reverse Chief Joe Hendry's decision to deny Mr. Cartlidge and Mr. Hancock permission to burn debris on their property.

As far as I am concerned, this ends the issue with the property developers. It is now up to them to either challenge the City's decision in court, or to find other means to clear the debris. Burning is not an option. I have heard from many residents who are against such burning, most due to health concerns.

We as a City are in favor of commercial development and wish to aid developers in bringing new business to Petal. However, we cannot sacrifice the safety of the many for the profit of the few. I applaud the Board for standing with our Fire Chief, and I appreciate the job Chief Hendry is doing to protect the lives and health of Petal citizens.

November 18, 2010

In response to the article in today's newspaper and on WDAM last night, the following is a letter I gave to Mr. Lynn Cartlidge on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Hon. Lynn Cartlidge
Forrest County Board of Supervisors
202 Pine Ridge Petal, MS 39465 

Dear Mr. Cartlidge, 

On behalf of the City of Petal and the Board of Aldermen, I am writing to ask that you submit a detailed plan for burning the piles of debris from the property you have cleared on the corner of Twin Lakes and Highway 42. 

As you know, Chief Joe Hendry has serious concerns for the safety and welfare of residents nearby and has informed you that he cannot give his permission for your proposed burn. In addition, Chief of Police Leonard Fuller has expressed his opinion to myself and the Aldermen that burning the debris that close to Hwy. 42 will create dangerous traffic conditions, which is already complicated by construction in that area.  

I realize that the City of Petal does not have a specific ordinance dealing with this type of issue. However, I believe it is implied in the powers and duties of our Fire Chief to determine if hazardous conditions exist for such burns and to act in the interests of public safety. Also, the City has adopted the International Fire Code, which does include certain specifications for handling outdoor burning of land-clearing debris. 

The City of Petal will not allow you to burn the debris until such time as the Board of Alderman and I can review your procedures and determine if they meet the specifications found in the International Fire Code.   Our next Board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 7th.  Please submit your plan to Chief Hendry or to me at City Hall before that date so it can be reviewed. 

The City would look favorably on your decision to avoid creating a nuisance and potential hazard to our citizens by seeking other means to dispose of this debris.  

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.  

Sincerely, 
Hal Marx, Mayor


November 9, 2010

Thank you to the Petal Kiwanis Club for sponsoring the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast this morning at the Civic Center. It is the 19th year the Kiwanis Club has held this event, and I appreciate their efforts. Prayer is an important tool for us all, but we in leadership positions should use it more often. We sometimes don't turn to prayer unless we are faced with a crisis. Perhaps if we prayed more often, the rough times would be fewer.

I have heard several complaints about the tree cutting on some property at the corner of Twin Lakes and Highway 42. While we may not like to see every tree on large areas of property cut down, private property rights are fundamental to our freedom. Before any commercial development is approved, however, a proper buffer zone with screening will be required to protect the residential neighborhood. We have been consistent in protecting the character of residential areas when commercial property develops. We will continue to do so.

November 2, 2010

Today is election day. I hope you have, or will, exercise your right to vote. If the polls are right, we will see a massive change in Congress, with Republicans taking control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. Why? Because the federal government has grown too large and in possession of too much power over our daily lives. The Founders of our nation believed in a limited national government, taking care of large issues like war and peace, diplomacy, and international trade. The federal government would regulate trade between the states and settle internal disputes between the states, but most all other decisions affecting our daily lives were to be made at the state and local level.

When I go to the grocery store or to church, or any other public place, people frequently come up to me with a comment or question. As their mayor, I am accessible to them. They can reach me on the phone very easily, or drop by City Hall to talk. They can't do that with their Congressman, and certainly not with the President. That is why most decisions on daily issues are best left to elected officials on the local level, and in the state capital. We are close to the people and we can respond to their concerns or be held accountable. Many of us today feel our national leaders are unaccountable, except for today, when we have a chance to speak in a way they cannot ignore.

I think the Founders were on to something.

On that same note, we will be holding a town hall meeting on November 9th, at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center. I invite all of you reading this to come out and ask questions or voice concerns on issues regarding our city. We want to hear from you.

October 21, 2010

Our congressional elections are just two weeks away. I encourage everyone to remember to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Seldom do we have an election this important in determining the course of our nation and impacting our children's future. Please consider your vote carefully, remembering that our system in Washington works along party lines. Party identification does matter when it comes to determining who will be in charge of Congress and who will set the agenda for the next two years. I wish it were not that way, but it is reality.

October 6, 2010

After careful consideration of all sides of the annexation issue regarding the Evelyn Gandy Parkway, the Board of Aldermen and I have agreed that now is not the time to undertake such a measure. We are going to continue working to create an atmosphere which promotes both commercial and residential growth within the City of Petal. To pursue annexation of the outlying Parkway at this time would be a distraction to that work.

We have a lot of good things going on in our city. Thanks to State Sen. Tom King, we have confirmed that MDOT will be ready to move ahead on the Byrd Parkway extension project within the next few months. Hopefully, you will see construction of this new road underway shortly after the first of the new year. This new connection to Old Richton Road will not only make it more convenient for motorists, it will open up a substantial amount of land for residential and commercial development.

That new development, coupled with the last stage of the EGP being four-laned to our eastern city limits, will give us more oppotunities to attract restaurants and businesses to Petal.

September 29, 2010

Folks reading the local newspaper in recent days would think the City of Petal must be pretty bad at collecting court fines and building ballfields. As a matter of fact, it would appear that we aren't doing much toward either project. Here's a slightly different perspective for you to consider.

First, the City of Petal is not the only municipality that has outstanding court fines. I don't know the exact numbers, but my guess would be the Cities of Hattiesburg, Laurel, Purvis, Sumrall, Columbia, Ellisville, etc. all have outstanding balances owed to their municipal courts.
 
Once an offender is found guilty and fails to pay, the unpaid balance remains on the books, with more fines accumulating each year until at some point you have a pretty hefty total on the books. The truth is, no one will ever be able to collect 100 percent of the fines imposed when people don't show up for court. Many of them don't live at their given addresses, or perhaps they have moved out of the area completely. Most will not be found until they get stopped at a random traffic stop and the officer finds that they have a warrant out for their arrest.

That does not mean we don't try to find them. Our warrants officer works hard tracking down those who have failed to pay their punishment. Our other officers also work to serve warrants when they have time, and many are brought in from traffic stops when it is discovered they have warrants. No one is given a free ride, but some do escape the long arm of the law for awhile, and a few may never get caught. 

The City of Petal has been using an outside agency for the past year to help in tracking down those who owe fines. We also have held an amnesty month, offering people a chance to pay their old fines at only half the cost. Even after those efforts, we have a large unpaid balance stretching back over 20 years. 

I'm sure that at some point, we will see a story in the local news about these other cities and their unpaid fines.

On the issue of the ballfields, it is important to remember that when this administration took office 14 months ago, the city budget was in perilous condition. The bond set aside by the previous administration to construct the new fields had been depleted to a point where available funds were not enough to finish the project. There certainly was no extra money in the general fund to use, the city had to borrow money just to make payroll.

We have not been sitting idly by, however. We have contacted the Navy Seabees about helping construct the fields. If they are able to help, we expect to save enough on the project to complete it with remaining bond funds. Unfortunately, it takes awhile to work projects up the military chain of command and get permission to go ahead. Believe me, we are as anxious as anyone to get started on the fields and see them completed. Things like this just take time and patience. 

September 15, 2010

As a political junkie, I keep up with national politics on a daily basis. I am pleased with the results out of last night's Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Deleware. The true conservative, backed by Sarah Palin and the Tea Party, defeated a liberal Republican congressman who votes more like a Democrat. I have always favored principle over politics. What good does it do the Republican Party to have liberal senators and representatives win seats, when all they do is vote with the Democrats and against the conservative agenda?

I am a conservative first and Republican second. Big government means less freedom and more debt that we cannot repay. The voters of our nation are realizing this and are soundly rejecting the policies that are driving up our deficit to unsustainable levels, and adding more regulations to our most basic life decisions. All I can say is, it is about time!

On a local note, I had the pleasure of having lunch today with Chad Newell, president of the Area Development Partnership. I enjoyed showing him around our great city and pointing out the many positive things we have going for us on our side of the river!

Petal is growing and adding more variety in our retail and restaurant choices. The day will come in the future when Shop Petal First is a reality in every aspect of our lives. A good example of this growth is the opening of Taco Bell in Petal, which is slated for tomorrow. I know I will see a lot of you there as you "run for the border" right here in Petal.

September 2, 2010

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker visited Petal today to tour the Dynamic Dyslexia Design School. The 3D School is housed in the city's Senior Center and Cultural Arts Center. The City of Petal is proud to be a partner and supporter of school director Cena Holifield and her wonderful staff of teachers. The school has brought a lot of positive attention to our city and only adds to Petal's reputation as a center of excellent educational opportunities.

Sen. Wicker spoke with the children, teachers, and parents. He also announced that the 3D School is on track to receive over $400,000 in federal funds. Anyone who knows Cena knows she has been lobbying for more dollars to help more kids for several years now. It is good to see her work earn results.

I am a big opponent of more and more Washington spending. Our nation is going broke as we spend money on so many needless projects all across the nation, all in the name of "bringing home the bacon." However, the work Cena and her staff perform yields real results. Many of those kids might otherwise give up on school as they grow older, but with the tools they are taught at the 3D School, they can build confidence and find academic success after they return to "normal" school.

Thank you, Sen. Wicker, for visiting Petal and supporting the 3D School.

August 26, 2010

You may have read articles recently in the local newspapers concerning the possible annexation of the portion of the Evelyn Gandy Parkway that lies across the Leaf River and stretches to the Interstate. It is important to remember that at this stage, all the City is doing is exploring options. Nothing has been decided, and nothing will decided, until much more thought and study is given to all possibilities.

Although I respect the right of property owners to oppose being annexed by our city, as mayor, my first concern has to be for the financial health and long-term stability of the City of Petal. We are working to bring more commercial development into our city. One day, retail businesses and restaurants will line the EGP, both inside and outside our existing city limits. The question is should we, as the City of Petal, make long-range plans for that development, including the areas that are presently in the unicorporated portion of Forrest County? I think it would be negligence on the part of leaders of any city not to consider those long-range prospects.

Again, all of this is simply points for discussion right now. We are concentrating on improving services and attracting businesses to the City of Petal. Annexation, if it comes, will only come after we are assured as city leaders that it is in the best interests of the citizens we represent.

August 11, 2010

Reading in the Hattiesburg American about the Hattiesburg Public School District's request for a millage increase reminded me of the way current state law confuses the issue of millage increases for school districts.
 
Under the present law, a school district is allowed to request an increase in funding each year, under most circumstances, from the local levying authority, which for most districts is the city council or board of aldermen, or the county board of supervisors. The levying authority has no choice, in most circumstances, but to allow the increase and levy the number of mills on to the property tax rolls needed to bring in the amount of funds requested by the school district.

This leads to confusion on the part of citizens as to which entity is actually increasing taxes. The article in today's newspaper quoted the financial officer of the HPSD as saying the school district is not raising millage. Technically, that is correct, but it is also very incorrect. The city would not be raising millage if not for the request from the school district, which the city cannot deny. Therefore, it is the school district raising millage and thus raising property taxes.

To avoid such confusion, the Legislature should either change the statute and give the school boards direct tax levying authority, or, give the city councils, boards of aldermen, and boards of supervisors the ability to turn down such increases. Either way would be preferable to the system we have now.

I am not against any school district requesting the funds it feels it needs to operate a quality school district, but I am against a method of raising funds that confuses the public and allows parties on both sides to point the finger at someone else when citizens complain about higher property taxes.

August 2, 2010

At tomorrow night's Board of Aldermen meeting, I expect that we will approve a new ordinance banning the sale, possession and use of several substances known as synthetic marijuana. Commonly called "Spice" or "K2" on the streets, these substances give the user the same effects as marijuana, but do not show up in drug tests. It is becoming a problem all through the state, and the Petal Police report it is being used in our city, as well.

We are modeling our ordinance on a similar one passed by the City of Southaven. Ward Two Alderman Steve Stringer brought the issue to my attention and I agreed with him that we need to do our part to take these "drugs" off our streets.

July 28, 2010

I just read where a federal judge has struck down most of Arizona's new immigration law until it can be further reviewed by the court. As a former government teacher, I know that one of the federal government's prime responsibilities to the states is to protect our borders from foreign invasion. It is evident from the number of people crossing our borders illegally that we are faced with what amounts to an invasion of our country and the federal government is doing very little to help states like Arizona cope with this problem.

I can't understand how enforcing our federal immigration laws at the state level constitutues discrimination or a violation of rights. All Arizona is trying to do is enforce what is already the law of the land, albeit a law that is being ignored by federal authorities.
 
Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant has talked about the possibility of Mississippi adopting a law similar to Arizona's. I support that proposal and hope our legislature passes such a bill next year and urge Gov. Barbour to sign it into law. It is not about racial profiling or discrimination against immigrants. Almost all of us can trace our ancestry back to immigrants to this land. The difference is that most of our ancestors came here under the method allowed by law. The problem we face is from a huge influx of people who are not coming in through that process, but who are sneaking in across the border.

This is a national security issue, since we have no idea who is coming into the country or for what reason. A nation that cannot control who comes into it is no longer a true, sovereign nation.

I support Arizona's law and hope to see it copied by many other states, including Mississippi.

July 21, 2010

The Board of Aldermen met last night and passed an ordinance setting the primary speed limit on city streets at 25 miles per hour. This will only apply to those streets with no posted speed limit already in place. The purpose of this ordinance is not to create speed traps or generate more citations, but to give our police officers another tool to keep our neighborhoods safe. Now, if a citizen reports a problem with cars speeding through a residential area where no speed limit signs are posted, the police have a better chance to enforce a reasonable speed without the need of coming before the Board of Aldermen to have a speed limit set specifically for that street.

The Board also set a hearing date of Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. for several pieces of property that have been abandoned and are overgrown. We have many houses in our city that have been vacated and are owned by mortgage companies. Unfortunately, these properties often are forgotten when it comes to upkeep of the yard and structure itself. There is a legal process the city must follow to have these properties cleaned, and it does take time. We are moving ahead with getting these sites cleared as quickly as possible.

We also agreed on a new price for treatment of our wastewater by the City of Hattiesburg. We will go from paying .44 cents per 1,000 gallons of wastewater to .66 cents per 1,000 gallons, beginning January 1, 2011. The good news is, any adjustments that might need to be made in the sewer fee can be offset by a similar reduction in the sanitation portion of the water bill. It is our sincere hope that we can continue for several more years without the necessity of an increase in our overall water bill.

July 15, 2010

Good news on the budget front. The board and I met last night with the city's financial advisor, Doug King, to hear his forecast for the remainder of our fiscal year 2010 budget. Our department heads have done an excellent job of watching their spending and providing quality services. Due to their hard work, the city stands to begin our next fiscal year with about $1.1 million in the bank to draw on during our lean months that typically stretch from October until February. This should result in the city being able to meet all financial obligations without worrying about lay-offs or borrowing more funds to get us through the year, as the city was forced to do last year.

We look to be on the right track by following a very conservative plan for city spending and putting emphasis on our essential governmental duties. This term will not be one big projects and new endeavors, but by the end of our four years in office the City of Petal should be back on firm ground financially, which was and remains the primary goal of this administration.

July 14, 2010

I just read where the state of Illinois is considering a tax on sugared drinks as a way to stop people from buying them and thus cure the problem of obesity. Where will the nanny-state mentality end? The job of the government is not to dictate every aspect of our lives or to force us into compliance with the whims of "experts". Reading stories like this make me determined to speak out on such nonsense.

July 6, 2010

MDOT crews have begun preliminary work in preparation for the final phase of the Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Although the construction phase will be inconvenient for some and downright irritating for others, the finished product will be good for Petal. The four-lane highway will undoubtedly cut down on the number of traffic accidents we see on Highway 42, and will also help ease traffic congestion during peak school hours.

Soon, work will also begin on the extension of the Byrd Parkway from where it currently ends near Wal-Mart to Old Richton Road. This will open up a large tract of land for development as residential and commercial property. It will also provide faster and easier access to our growing commercial center for those residents living in the neighborhoods along Old Richton Road.

Both of these projects will hopefully lead to further business growth in Petal, along with more land for new subdivisions and the families that come with them.

June 22, 2010

Twice in the past two weeks, city equipment left overnight near the Robert E. Russell Sports Complex has been vandalized and damaged. A new city ordinance now makes such vandalism a separate crime of destruction of city property. Violation of this ordinance carries up to a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
 
The equipment is paid for by the taxpayers of Petal, and any costs to repair or replace the equipment is also paid for with tax money. This kind of crime is a crime against all taxpayers in Petal and those responsible for causing the damage need to be forced to pay the costs.
 
If you have any information regarding these incidences, or if you witness anyone tampering with equipment at the park, or anywhere else, please contact the Petal Police Department at 601-544-5331.

June 21, 2010

Last week representatives of the Navy Seabee's visited the Robert E. Russell sports complex and met with city officials to discuss possible assistance in completing the four baseball fields slated for the park. The Seabee's are the Navy's construction crew, responsible for building airstrips, bases, and all-around infrastructure needs for the Navy around the globe. As part of their training, the Seabee's, based in Gulfport, look for civil projects they can work. I am optimistic they will be able to lend us a lot of help in getting our fields completed with what remains of the $5 million general obligation bond.

It is now time to begin work on the city's budget for fiscal year 2011. Based on our sales tax collections and other revenue, I have instructed our department directors to anticipate a two percent increase in their budgets for next year. They have done an excellent job of keeping watch on spending and remaining within budget this year, and I am confident the budget we craft for next year will also be one that allows the city to continue to provide needed services with less expense than two or three years ago.

Too often, governmental entities turn to tax hikes when faced with revenue shortfalls. I am committed to making sure there will be no tax increase within the City of Petal while I am your mayor. The Board of Aldermen and I will work to craft policies and plans that will increase our revenue through growth, not by raising millage rates. My goal is to attract new businesses and new residents into Petal, expanding our tax base and increasing revenue, while affording the opportunity in the future to actually lower millage for property owners. It is still very early in this term of office, and many things can occur beyond our control, but I do believe we have the city on the right track.

June 7, 2010

It has been awhile since my last blog post and a lot has happened in the interim. On the matter of the ballfields, the city held a special board of aldermen meeting last week to discuss reworking the specifications for the fields and received advice on how we might cut costs. Our engineer is presently putting those recommendations into the specs and a new bid process will soon begin. We are still committed to building the fields and having them ready for play sometime in 2011.

On a related note, it is with regret that I announce the resignation of our Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission chairman. E.L. Porter has served as chairman of the commission since it was established last year and has done an excellent job in getting the PARC off the ground. E.L. has always had the best interests of Petal at heart and I know he will stay active in helping our community in other ways.

The CDBG sewer project is almost complete on Springfield Road. The city will soon be turning our attention to the next phase of sewer expansion, which will include the Autumn Ridge subdivision and parts of Old Richton Road. Our engineer also tells me that we are getting closer to work on the Central Avenue drainage project which has been on the drawing board for at least a year and a half.

The city is currently observing an amnesty month for those who owe outstanding fines to our Municipal Court. I encourage you to take advantage of this program while it is available and clear your name of any citations you might owe, which will also clear any outstanding arrest warrants the city might have for you due to your failure to pay your fine. This program will only last until the end of June and it will not be held again for many years.


May 18, 2010

The city held bid openings this morning for the new ballfields at the Robert E. Russell Sports Complex. Unfortunately, the bids all came in much higher than anticipated, at a cost much higher than remaining funds. The city is determined to see this project through. However, we will have to sit down and meet with our engineer, our recreation department director, Parks and Recreation Commission members, and other interested parties to decide how to proceed. I am hopeful that we can come to some kind of resolution on the design of the fields so that construction is not delayed any further and kids can begin using the new fields for baseball by next summer.

April 28, 2010

The Petal Planning Commission has approved changes to our subdivision and zoning regulations that I believe will lead to more residential and commercial development in our city. The changes included removal of the sidewalk requirement for subdivisions, lowering the asphalt requirement for roads in new subdivisions, and removal of the special Evelyn Gandy Overlay District.

While sidewalks may be ideal in a perfect world, the world we live in is driven by cost and profit. If developers wish to add sidewalks to their subdivisions and thus advertise to buyers that their property has extra amenities, that is their choice. If, on the other hand, developers wish to sell more affordable homes by not paying for sidewalk construction, people have a choice to buy those, too. In today's economy, saving even a few thousand dollars can be the difference between a project being constructed in Petal, or being started in Lamar County.

That is the reasoning, too, behind the asphalt requirement being lowered from six inches to four. The city engineer has told us that four inches is sufficient for a quality road. If that is the case, why require even more cost for a new development? Again, more cost equals less development, which means fewer tax dollars for our city to be used to benefit Petal citizens.

Regarding the special overlay district for the EGP, there are presently separate rules for development of the EGP from the city limits to Fairchild Drive as opposed to past Fairchild Drive. Why? Let's open up all of the EGP to be used as an economic development tool. Let's let everyone know that Petal is open for business and that we provide an affordable place to build, with a growing population base, and continued growth in our sales tax numbers.

I applaud the Planning Commission for their recommendations and I feel certain the Board of Aldermen will agree with them and make those changes official at our meeting on May 4.

April 22, 2010

A federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. This is another egregious example of judges imposing law rather than interpreting the Constitution as the framers intended. The First Amendment was designed to protect religion from government, not to keep religious expression out of government. Unfortunately, the anti-religious forces are determined to use court decisions such as this one to drive all mention of God or prayer out of the public domain.

As long as I am mayor, I will continue to issue proclamations in support of the National Day of Prayer and will continue to attend the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. It is time that elected officials, speaking for the people they represent, stand up for the values this nation was founded upon. Let us all pray for our country.

April 19, 2010

I just want to share the latest numbers with you on the percentage of census forms that have been returned in our area.

Petal 73%
Ellisville 68%
Lamar County and Laurel 64%
Jones County 63%
Hattiesburg 57%

Thank you to all Petal residents who have already mailed in your Census forms. As you can see, we are leading the way in South Mississippi. However, we still have folks who need to be counted. It is very important for our city that we get an accurate population count, as this can affect funding for certain programs and increases our chances for securing grants and other aid for projects benefitting our community.

If you know of someone who has not returned their forms, encourage them to do so. And, thank you again for helping Petal lead the way in this important civic duty.

April 16, 2010

I want to thank all of you who turned out yesterday to honor SPC Anthony Blount and his family. Riding in the processional, it was a very moving experience to witness the hundreds of people lined along the highway, American flags in hand, saluting this fallen hero from our hometown. We will have another opportunity to show our respect on Saturday, as the young man takes his final journey through Petal.

Let us never forget the sacrifice he has made, and the thousands more who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. We know that freedom isn't free. It is paid for in the blood of our men and women in uniform. We owe them all a debt that we can never  repay.

April 8, 2010

The Board of Aldermen agreed Tuesday night to approve an Amnesty Month for our Municipal Court in the month of June. Anyone with an outstanding fine more than one year old may clear their record by paying half of the fees owed to the City. We are not able to lower the fees assessed by the state. This is a one-time opportunity that I hope many people will take advantage of, allowing them to rid themselves of a warrant for their arrest and allowing the City to rid the books of many old fines that have been uncollected.

On Good Friday last week, the City observed the holiday by closing all City offices and allowing all non-emergency personnel to have the day off. This included our sanitation workers. To accomplish this, we had to adjust our normal garbage collection dates. Although we posted the notice well in advance on this website, in the Petal News, The Hattiesburg American, and the Impact, a lot of people did not get the word and the results were many unhappy residents with trash piled on the side of the street for a week.

This is one of those cases where we tried our best, but our best was not good enough. Lesson learned. From now on, to avoid confusion and inconvenience to our customers, our sanitation crews will only be off on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. These holidays are easy to remember and most people assume the garbage will not be picked up on those days. On the other holidays, our workers will do their normal routes, but be paid holiday overtime pay for their time.

As to the many requests for refunds by residents whose garbage was not collected last week, I can only explain it this way. The city does not charge a fee based on what a week's collection for your household actually costs, it charges it based on what the sanitation department requires for monthly operations. In other words, those men must be paid, the trucks must be serviced and fueled, and, most importantly, the garbage that is collected is deposited in the regional landfill, where we are charged by the ton, not by the day. If we missed your trash last week, we will collect it this week and still deliver the same tonnage for burial in the landfill.

The city budgets for our sanitation department based on these total costs. Again, it is not a weekly fee that is paid only because your garbage is picked up that week. Think of it as a tax, because that is what government fees actually are. And we all pay taxes to support certain governmental operations that we may or may not always benefit from.
 
If it were strictly a business and you were paying directly for that particular week's pick up, I would gladly request that the Board of Aldermen refund your fees any time your garbage was missed. Unfortunately, the way governmental entities operate, that cannot occur without reducing the City's ability to provide sanitation services for the entire month. I hope this better explains the situation and that you can trust that we are not trying to gouge you or make you pay any more than absolutely necessary to provide garbage collection for the City of Petal. Since taking office, we have actually lowered the fee for garbage collection by $4 per month and we hope to lower it slightly more next year.

Again, lesson learned and we promise to do a better job from here on out.

March 25, 2010

We held a budget workshop last night to review where the city is at this point in the fiscal year with revenues and expenditures. In every area of revenue except one - court fines - the city is meeting or exceeding projections. On spending, all departments are below projections for where they would be at this half-way point in the year. That is all very good news.

Due to a drop in court fines, however, we thought it was prudent to go ahead and make some pre-emptive cuts in the budget, just in case other revenues do not rise enough to make up the difference in what we originally budgeted to collect from our court. We actually think other revenues might be enough to offset this difference, but it is best to act now instead of wait, when it will be more difficult and more painful to cut departmental budgets.

Along those lines, the Board of Aldermen and I agreed to cut over $100,000 from the budget, all from different categories of supplies and machinery and equipment repairs. No jobs were cut, although we did agree not to replace two positions recently vacated by resignations. Judging by our projections and revenue so far to date, we don't see any reason to expect any further cuts to the budget, especially involving employees. This is a far cry from this point last year, when the city realized almost 20 positions would have to be cut as a $1.8 million budget shortfall was discovered.

On the subject of the decrease in court fines, this is actually due to a change in philosophy at our police department. Our police officers are more mobile now, patrolling neighborhoods and meeting with citizens. We have fewer officers sitting on the EGP running radar on a regular basis, which means we have written about half as many traffic citations so far this budget year as in the previous one. I welcome this change in philosophy, even if it does result in less revenue. I think the benefits of how we are now policing the city outweigh the negatives in terms of fewer dollars generated through our court system.

Our police officers are still looking for those who ignore our traffic safety laws and create hazards to the public, but Petal is no longer a place where tickets will be used as a major source of city revenue.

March 22, 2010

I am disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives has pushed ahead with passage of a massive new government entitlement program under the guise of health care "reform." What this plan will actually do is start us on the path toward full government-controlled health care as we see in Britain, Canada, and other nations. Never mind that the United States has the most innovative health care system in the world, along with the best quality of care.
 
I am convinced that the plan, as passed by Congress, will worsen our health care system, add to its cost, and ultimately rob us of our freedom to choose our doctors and our course of treatments. On top of that, the United States faces the loss of our AAA bond ratings because of our ballooning national debt, yet we continue to add more and more entitlements at the cost of trillions of dollars over the next 20 years. To those who claim this plan will actually cut costs and save money on the deficit, I would ask them to simply point to one government program that has ever come in within the projected costs.

We are a nation spending ourselves into bankruptcy, exporting our jobs to Third World nations, and borrowing money from our greatest potential enemy, China. I pray that we will find some real leadership at the national level to stop this self-destruction.

March 15, 2010

More good news economically for the City of Petal. Our latest sales tax figures show an increase in January sales from the previous year. This year's number was $164,631 which compared to last year's $126,339. Overall, since July 1 of last year we are a little over $100,000 above the previous year's sales tax collections. Continue to Shop Petal First and show the Pine Belt that Petal is on the move!

March 3, 2010

You might have read in today's Hattiesburg American about the $65,000 in state assessments that was apparently never paid from our municipal court in three separate months back in 2007. We are investigating this matter and cooperating with the State Auditor's Office in trying to find out why this money never made it to Jackson. We plan to try and collect the money from the surety bond of the city's previous city clerk, who would have been the person responsible for making these payments.

It is disappointing, to say the least, that we are having to deal with an issue from three years ago that may wind up costing us $65,000 in unbudgeted expense. It is unacceptable that the money was not properly paid at the time it was due. Unfortunately, this is not the only case of budget irregularities that we have discovered since taking office in July, 2009. The important thing to remember is that we have made the necessary changes in personnel to make sure this kind of thing does not happen again. People must be held accountable for the performance of their job.

February 26, 2010

The City of Petal is quite fortunate to have Joe Hendry as our new fire chief. Joe has 25 years experience as a firefighter with the Hattiesburg Fire Department and rose to the rank of battalion chief. Since the announcement of Joe's hiring, I have heard nothing but good things about him from folks in the community. Joe's first official day on the job will be March 8th, but he is already getting down to work, reading over the department's operating procedures, visiting the stations and talking with the firefighters. I have every confidence that Joe Hendry will be an excellent fire chief for the City of Petal.

 February 23, 2010

I am disappointed that we are once again without a full-time fire chief, but I am confident we will find the right person to lead that department very soon. In the meantime, Assistant Chief Shane Pickett will handle all of the administrative duties as he did for more than a year in 2008-2009. Shane will do a fine job and the firefighters of the PFD will continue to provide excellent fire protection for our citizens.

I am excited that we are gearing up for the start of our 2010 street rehab project. You should soon be able to see the work in progress as some of our neglected streets get a much-needed paving. The most noticable work will be on Hillcrest Loop and Carterville Rd. This is part of the ARRA stimulus project and will be overseen by MDOT. By May you should also see MDOT beginning work on the remaining phase of the Evelyn Gandy Parkway, four-laning Highway 42 all the way to the city limits at Sunrise Road.

February 10, 2010

Third and final part of the State of the City

Looking ahead at the coming years, my priorities for Petal remain simple. The first priority is to continue to improve our financial health and get to a point where we have enough cash reserve to handle any emergency or future economic downturn. This will not be achieved overnight, but it must be achieved. We should not get to the point where we must choose between laying off city employees or raising taxes to solve a budget crunch.
 
Second, we must invest in our city roads and bridges. We will begin work soon on repaving several city streets, along with the ARRA project that will repave Hillcrest and Carterville Rd. Main Street, Old Richton Road, Chappell Hill and several other highly traveled streets are also in need of repair. Unfortunately, we cannot address all of the streets at once, but we will continue to prioritize these projects so that we can proceed as funds are available. 

Third, we must continue to make Petal business friendly and attract more retail and commercial establishments. We can accomplish this through fewer regulations, more cooperation with business owners, and an atmosphere that welcomes people to live and shop in Petal. Development of our downtown district and continued support of our existing local merchants is also very important.  

Finally, I want to continue to make Petal’s municipal government the most transparent and open governmental entity in Mississippi. Citizens should be informed of issues and decisions that affect them. Public records should be easily accessible by the public. We have made a good start in this area, but more remains to be done. I would like to see the day come soon where our Board of Aldermen meetings are televised on local access cable or through the Internet. 

Petal is on the right track. Our city employees are doing a great job under the direction of an outstanding group of department directors. I hear good things from citizens who tell me they have noticed a change in attitude throughout city government. I also hear criticisms for things that still need to be better, and I take that criticism to heart. We will continue to work on improving services and the overall image of the City of Petal. 

The State of our City is strong and, through cooperation with the citizens of Petal, will continue to strengthen.

February 2, 2010

More on the State of the City

Over the past seven months, this administration has amended or repealed several ordinances we believed were overly restrictive of citizens' rights, or just plain unfair.

The tree ordinance gave the city too much authority over decisions which should be left to the property owner. It has been repealed. The sign ordinance was too big and too restrictive as well, placing a heavy burden on local business owners to adhere to a set of standards that could be confusing and expensive at the same time. We have amended that ordinance, cutting it down to a reasonable length and taking out many of the restrictions on how business owners may choose to advertise.

The mobile home ordinance has been amended to allow existing mobile homes not located in mobile home parks to be upgraded by the homeowner. A newer, larger home can now replace older, smaller homes, without the owner being required to remove the mobile home altogether. The homes can also be sold or passed down to family members. This will not increase the number of mobile homes in the city, but it does give the same property rights to those citizens who own mobile homes as those of traditional home owners.

The requirement that all billboards in the city come down by 2012 has also been repealed. Again, the issue of freedom and fairness was the deciding factor in our decision. Outdoor advertising is used by many local businesses to get the word out and attract customers. The property owners who lease space to billboards also are local citizens who are earning money from the venture. And, of course, the companies who own the signs have made an investment that was scheduled to be taken away with no compensation. That is something that strikes me as un-American.

The board and I will continue to look at our ordinances for ways to improve the lives of citizens in Petal, whether it be from repealing or amending existing laws, to passing new ones. My philosophy is similar to that of President Ronald Reagan - the government that governs least, governs best. It is time that Petal sheds the reputation as a place where every decision, every action, by private citizen or business owner must be approved and granted a permit by the city administration. I feel we are well on our way to accomplishing this goal.

February 1, 2010

Instead of a speech, I would like to present my take on the State of the City in several parts on this page. The first part today deals with the financial condition of the City.

The biggest challenge the City of Petal faced in the past year concerned the general fund budget. A combination of overspending and a drop in revenue led to the layoff of 19 employees and required the borrowing of $500,000 in cash for operating expenses. The financial situation of the City is now vastly improved, although hurdles do remain.

Sales tax collections to this point in the fiscal year are averaging about $12,000 more per month than the previous year. These figures are undoubtedly helped by the opening of Lowe’s last summer, but might also be the result of the successful “Shop Petal First” campaigns of the past decade. Sales tax collections should continue to do better than previous years as we see more new stores and restaurants open in 2010.

The increase in sales tax collections, together with an increase in building permits and ad valorem tax collections has given the City a needed boost in revenue. But revenue is only part of a budget. Spending is just as important when it comes to balancing a budget and the City has so far been right where it needs to be, thanks to the efforts of our department heads and employees. The department heads have cooperated in holding down spending and have done an excellent job of being responsible for their own budgets.

While the outlook is better than it appeared last year, the City is still facing the prospect of being short of operating cash should revenues drop. It is the goal of this administration to begin building a surplus of cash reserves to be carried over each fiscal year to be used only in the event that revenues fail to meet expectations. Realistically, it will take about three years to build the reserve fund we need, but we are committed to making the City of Petal financially sound and able to weather any future economic storms.

January 13, 2010

There is an article in today's Hattiesburg American concerning the ongoing repairs and improvements being made at our water tower on Old Richton Road. When the project originally  began, the estimate on completion time was about two months. It is now going on three months, mainly due to the many days of rain and below freezing weather we have had in the past month. The City Engineer tells me that we are only a few more days away from being able to re-fill the water tower - weather permitting - and water pressure will return to normal in those neighborhoods that have been struggling with lower pressure since the project began. I have made it clear that I expect it to be done very soon. This project had to be done and could not be done without lowering the pressure on that side of the city. I thank everyone for their patience during this process.

On another note, the recent threat of severe winter weather prompted the city to make preparations for opening a shelter at the Civic Center. Thankfully, power outages within the city did not occur and no shelter was needed. However, I want to commend the city departments and their supervisors for doing a great job of preparing for the worst. We have plans now to conduct a mock exercise in April or May to test our preparations in the event of a major hurricane.

January 7, 2010

We are beginning the new year with some of the coldest temperatures we have seen in this area in quite some time. According to Emergency Management officials, we may see temperatures as low as 11 degrees by Saturday. In such extreme cold, it is important that people take every precaution - especially when it comes to their water pipes. Make sure your outside pipes are wrapped and that you leave some water running inside to avoid frozen pipes that might burst. Also, stay inside and off the roads if possible. We are expecting rain today and tonight that might turn to ice on the roads. Our Street Department will be ready to put sand on iced roads if needed, but avoid driving if possible.

In the unlikely event of widespread power outages in Petal, we will have the Civic Center on stand-by as a shelter for those people needing a warm place to stay. Any power outage we see here will probably only last a short time, too short to be a risk to your health or safety. However, if you do lose power and feel that you are not safe in your home, you may call the Petal Police Department at 601-544-5331 for assistance.

December 22, 2009

As we approach the end of another year it is customary to look back on the year past and look ahead to the new. There have certainly been a lot of ups and downs for the City of Petal in 2009, but we end the year on a strong note. We are financially more secure than a year ago. Our sales tax collections continue to run ahead of last year, probably due to the addition of Lowe's, as well as the Shop Petal First mentality. Our city departments are doing an excellent job of watching their spending, staying well-within their budgets.

My goals for the City of Petal in 2010 are very simple. Obviously, I want to end the fiscal year with a surplus instead of a deficit. I also want to see our streets get the attention they need, which will be accomplished through our 2010 street project. The neighborhoods around Centre Circle and Clarendon should see much improvement through our re-paving plan, while ARRA (stimulus) money pays to overlay Carterville Rd. and Hillcrest Loop.

I hope that by the end of 2010 we will have our ballfields at the Robert E. Russell Sports Complex finally completed. Our new Parks and Recreation Commission is working to make sure that plan moves forward in the right direction. The fields should be ready for play by the Spring of 2011.

My overriding goal, however, is for Petal to keep moving forward in a positive manner. We will see more changes to our city in coming years, with the completion of the four-lane phase of the Evelyn Gandy Parkway to the city limits, and the extension of the Byrd Parkway to Old Richton Rd. This will open up new area for residential and commercial development. But, as we grow, I want to ensure that the character of our neighborhoods are maintained and that citizens have a voice in our decisions. I want to keep the spirit of transparency that we have begun and expand it further. I want Petal to live up to its designation as "The Friendly City."

It has been a good year for the City of Petal, but I trust that 2010 will be even better. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

December 10, 2009

You might remember seeing our Petal firefighters standing at the intersection of Central and Main last month collecting money in their boots. It was part of a statewide campaign by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, using fire departments from cities all over Mississippi to collect dollars for "Jerry's Kids." I am proud to report that our very own Petal Fire Department has received an award from the MDA for raising more funds than any other department!

This is the first time Petal has won this award, which comes with a "golden axe" trophy. The City of Grenada had won the prize for the past three years. In all, Petal firefighters collected more than $14,000 for this worthy charity.

I am very proud of our Fire Department for the job they did in working to collect the money, but the award really goes to the people of Petal and the surrounding area for contributing to the "boot". This shows that Petal, although smaller in size than Jackson, Gulfport, Meridian, etc., is per capita one of the most generous communities in the state. It is something that many of us already knew from experience. Now, we have the evidence to prove it.

Congratulations to Chief Brian Townsend, Asst. Chief Shane Pickett, and the entire Petal Fire Department for a job well done. And thank you, the citizens of Petal, for being so giving, even in these tough economic times.

December 1, 2009

At tonight's meeting, the Board will vote on repealing the tree ordinance and to begin the process of reviewing and amending the ordinance dealing with mobile homes within the city. In the case of the tree ordinance, the Aldermen and I feel that residents should have the right to cut or plant whatever trees they wish on their property. The ordinance we are repealing established a tree commission - that was never created - that would have the power to grant or deny permission for property owners to cut a tree. The commission could then even determine that another tree must be planted on that property to replace the one cut, and could order which type of tree to plant. This strikes me as fundamentally opposed to the idea of freedom and property rights and is a perfect example of overreaching the scope and purpose of our municipal government.

The mobile home ordinance is also a issue of fairness, but the topic often gets misconstrued by those who oppose mobile homes in general within the city limits. The amendment we are planning to make to our existing ordinance would not allow additional mobile homes in areas that are not currently occupied by a mobile home. What it would do, is allow a person who has lived in a mobile home on property outside of a mobile home park to replace their older model home with a newer model. It would also allow for an owner of a mobile home to sell the home, or to allow for the inheritance of a mobile home without requiring that the home be removed from the property. This way, the owners of mobile homes would have the same rights as the owners of conventional homes to sell their property or to allow their children or grandchildren to inherit the home and to occupy it.

No one is proposing to allow more mobile homes to be placed outside of existing mobile home parks. It is simply another example of allowing all of our citizens more property rights.

November 23, 2009

Petal tragically saw its second homicide in the past month on Saturday, only the second within the city in the past nine years. It is important to note that both of these incidents allegedly stemmed from domestic situations and were not random acts of violence.

Along with our excellent schools, one of Petal's top attributes as a place to raise a family is our low crime rate. This continues to be true. Through the month of October, our city had only 18 reports of grand larceny, 27 reports of burglary, 1 armed robbery, and two aggravated assaults. This is the total for 10 months. In many cities in our state this would be the number reported for one month, or even one week. It is also worth noting that our detectives cleared about 77 percent of those crimes, and in both homicides our police officers immediately had suspects in custody and off the streets.

One of the greatest privileges I have in being mayor is the opportunity to work with the fine men and women of the Petal Police Department. Chief Leonard Fuller and Asst. Chief Matthew Hiatt have set the tone for the department and are implementing new ideas and new techniques in the fight against crime. We are fortunate to have quality officers leading our department and within the ranks. They take their mission of protecting and serving the citizens of Petal seriously and they do a great job.

November 18, 2009

At last night's board meeting, the Board of Aldermen passed a resolution calling on the Mississippi Legislature to give us the authority to lower our water and sewer rates for those over 65 years of age and for honorably discharged disabled veterans. State Rep. Larry Byrd is going to sponsor legislation in the local and private committee of the House to grant us this authority. Presently, we have no power to offer reduced rates to senior citizens. However, we realize that the high rates necessary to pay for the city's water and sewer bonds have created a strain on many of our older citizens. Alderman James Runnels also had the idea to add disabled veterans to the category of those who might receive a reduction, based on their honorable service to our nation. We might not get this legislation passed in the next session of the Legislature, but it is worth the effort and we will continue to push for this authority until we get it.

The Board has also begun the process of putting together a list of city streets for repair and repaving. There are many streets in the city that have not been repaved for decades and it shows. We have a limited budget for road and bridge repair, but we want to begin using these funds on our neglected streets. Work on this project should begin sometime early next year.

November 10, 2009

This morning it was my privilege to take part in the Kiwanis Club of Petal's 18th Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Special thanks to State Auditor Stacy Pickering for agreeing to be guest speaker and for doing a wonderful job. Thank you also to the Kiwanis Club for sponsoring the event.

With our nation facing so many crisis points, it is vitally important for all of us to pray each day for our nation and for its leaders. Events such as the recent shooting at Ft. Hood remind us that the United States faces grave threats not only from without, but from within. We sing the song "God Bless America", but how many of us pray each day that He will bless our nation? If we don't ask, why should He answer?

This nation was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs and morals. For 200 years it has grown and prospered unlike any other nation on earth. Is it any coincidence that as we have drifted away from that foundation we have seen the United States begin to slip from its position as the world's only superpower? I don't think it is. It is up to all of us - government leaders, business leaders, educators, blue collar workers, etc., to stand up for our beliefs and to unashamedly announce that we need the Lord's guidance in our lives and in our nation. And we need to do it while we still have the right to do so.

Just something to think about.

November 4, 2009

As a group, the BOA and I probably faced our toughest decision yet at last night's meeting in deciding to deny the rezoning request on S. George Street. I respect the developers who wish to build new buildings in Petal, whether they be new houses, new apartments, or new commercial businesses. However, as David Clayton eloquently stated it last night, the people who voted us into office expect us at some point to stand up for them and protect their property.
 
I don't believe that we should sacrifice entire neighborhoods or impose more inconveniences on residents simply because someone else calls it "progress". Yes, we want Petal to grow and to prosper, but prosperity has different meanings depending on your viewpoint. For the residents of South George who came out last night, prosperity and progress simply mean holding on to their way of life.

This is not meant to disparage the vote of any alderman. Each board member must vote they way they feel is best, looking at all the facts and evidence and making their own evaluation and judgement. It is a tough call in some cases. But, I think that the board made the right decision last night.

October 30, 2009

I had the pleasure to appear this morning on WDAM's morning edition with Miranda Beard and Rex Thompson. I wish to thank WDAM for giving me the opportunity to answer questions from Petal residents and to personally thank Miranda and Rex for making it an enjoyable experience.

We had several questions regarding drainage in the city. This is an ongoing problem that we are trying to proactively address, but one that will take time to correct. Petal has many drainage issues due to elevation and how subdivisions were built. Our Street Department is working to identify the most pressing areas of need and correct them.

I was also asked about our Police Department and its reputation for writing tickets. I've had the opportunity to ride along with our police officers on three different occasions since taking office. They do an outstanding job of protecting our citizens. If you are pulled over and issued a citation, I believe it is truly because you broke the law. Our officers issue as many courtsey citations as they do actual tickets. Under this administration, we do not intend to use our police officers as a way to generate funds for the city. We want more community policing activities, with officers patrolling neighborhoods instead of focusing primarily on sitting on the side of the road running radar. Chief Leonard Fuller shares this philosophy and has made many positive changes in that department.

One question that was emailed in concerned a recent Ku Klux Klan rally held in Smith County. Apparently, at least one of the individuals attending that rally indicated he was from Petal. I want to make clear that the City of Petal does not endorse any hate group, from any side of the political spectrum. I sincerely hope that people do not associate Petal with groups such as these. All communities have their share of people with extreme views. Living in Petal for most of my life, I believe those particular extreme views are not consistent with the attitudes and beliefs of the vast majority of Petal residents.

Finally, I also received several questions about the low water pressure in parts of our city. As explained earlier, we are repairing and painting the water tower on Old Richton Road. These are necessary and needed repairs. The work crews are working seven days a week when weather permits. I hope that with some good weather, we can have this work completed ahead of the expected time schedule.

October 21, 2009

At last night's board meeting, the city established an account for donations toward erecting a memorial honoring Petal-area veterans. The idea came from Mr. Rodney Sessions who has already made the first donation to the cause. Petal has many veterans living in our city and in the larger Petal "community." We owe our freedom to those men and women who are willing to serve in uniform, many of them in wartime. Rodney estimates it will take around $10,000 to construct the type of memorial he envisions. It could be placed near the pavillion at Relay Park, where it would be a prominent reminder to all of us that freedom isn't free.

It is my hope that civic organizations and private citizens will donate the bulk of the funds needed for this project. I am sure that the city will eventually add its own contribution, but at this time we have no funds budgeted and it will probably have to wait until the next fiscal year. If you would like to make a donation, you can drop it off at City Hall or mail it to our address at 119 West 8th Avenue, Petal, MS 39465. Thank you in advance for your support.

October 20, 2009

The Hattiesburg American has a story in today's paper concerning the water pressure in the area of the city north of the Evelyn Gandy Parkway. WDAM is scheduled to report on the situation tonight. Let me take this opportunity to explain why this problem is occuring and why it is a necessary inconvenience.

The water tower on Old Richton Road is being sandblasted and painted as part of a repair project. Part of the project is necessary to rid the water of the "rotten eggs" odor that some residents in that area complain of smelling. The tower had to be drained of water while work is being performed on the inside. This requires that water be pumped from another, further location to the neighborhoods in the Beverly Hills/Old Richton Road area. A noticeable decrease in water pressure has resulted, with some residents reporting that the pressure is extremely low. I live in that same area and I have noticed a decrease, but nothing severe. I am being told by our water department that the pressure should still be well-above the minimum pressure required, and that residents should still be able to do all normal functions around their homes, such as using the clothes washer and the dishwasher, etc.

I realize it is irritating to those who have experienced a drop in pressure. I apologize for not giving prior notice before the pressure decreased. If I had known it was going to be so noticeable for some people in the area, I would have sent out notices on water bills. Instead, when we began to get complaints we posted information on the website to inform residents of the situation. We are also trying to use the news media to get the word out.

About 200 residences and 20 businesses are affected by this drop in pressure. I ask that you be patient as we conduct these needed and necessary repairs.

October 12, 2009

Many of us don’t like to be thought of as a “griper.” We see or hear about things going on in our neighborhoods or in our city that we would like to have a say in, yet we hold back because we don’t want to be labeled as someone who complains. As your mayor, I encourage you to utilize your rights of free speech to let us as your elected leaders know how you feel on issues that come before us. It is only with citizen input that we can make informed decisions. 

Take for example our most recent Board of Aldermen meeting, where we heard from citizens who were in favor of placing speed bumps in their neighborhoods to slow down speeding traffic. Residents on Garden Lane and West Temple Road were informed of our intent to examine the speed bump issue by signs placed at both locations. Several aldermen and I received calls and emails expressing opinions on the speed bumps and other citizens came out to the meeting to express their views in public. In the end, I believe the board came up with a workable solution, a compromise of sorts. Had we acted without public input the outcome might have been more upsetting to more people. 

Can we solve every problem every time to everyone’s satisfaction? Of course not. However, when the public gets involved and lets us know their feelings, it goes a long way to making sure the solution we reach is one that is most satisfying to the most people. That is what representative government is all about.

October 9, 2009 

Let me take this opportunity to plug two worthy causes that deserve your support. The first is the annual “Guns and Hoses” blood drive competition between the police and fire departments. This event will be held on Friday, October 23rd, from 12-6 p.m. at the Petal Civic Center. Whether you donate in the name of our police officers or firefighters, the important thing is just to donate. You can set up an appointment to give by visiting the website www.bloodhero.com, or by calling the Petal Police Department at 601-544-5331. 

Another event going on this month is the Candy for Soldiers drive. The month of October is dedicated for collecting candy and treats to send to our men and women in uniform at Camp Shelby. Many of these soldiers will soon be serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. When you go buy that bag of candy to give to the little ones trick or treating, buy an extra bag as a real treat for our brave soldiers. They deserve a treat, don’t you think? You can contact Jane Lyon at 601-558-2883 for more information.

September 30, 2009

You might not realize it, but today is New Year's Eve. At least it is for our budget cycle. The new fiscal year 2010 begins tomorrow, October 1. I am looking forward to the beginning of this new fiscal year almost as much as I would a real holiday. The reason? With the new budget year comes this administration's official start in terms of setting our priorities and managing the city's affairs. No longer will we be tied to the previous budget and some of the related issues that came with it. Now, myself and the board of aldermen will be totally responsible for what happens regarding the city's finances. If something goes wrong, it will be our problem, plain and simple. The buck really stops here.

I welcome that responsibility. It is why all of us ran for office. I take that responsibility seriously, as do the aldermen. We believe we have put measures in place to better manage city spending and which allows department heads to keep accurate, up-to-date records of their own spending. So, happy new year to you all!

As a reminder, we have a draft proposal of a new sign ordinance that is now available online and at city hall. A public hearing will be held on the ordinance at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27 at city hall. We invite public comment on this proposal, especially from our business owners. This draft is about 15 pages long, as opposed to our current sign ordinance which comes in at about 40 pages. It is our hope that the new ordinance will allow for the right balance of regulation for public safety and asthetic issues, while also allowing  flexibility for businesses to get noticed and to attract customers.

On another note, I received an invitation today to the ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Petal High School football stadium. Work has already begun and the school district hopes to have it completed in time for next year's season opener. The City of Petal supports the school district in this project and certainly wishes them the best in creating a premier facility for our student athletes.

September 21, 2009

As a former school teacher, I am well aware that many of our young people enjoy the “tradition” of rolling yards with toilet paper during homecoming week. They see it as harmless, just a prank to show teachers and friends that they are “liked” enough to get rolled. Unfortunately, what is a prank to some is actually a crime, with harm, to others.

I have received complaints from several Petal residents that the activities of homecoming week have escalated in some cases to actual vandalism, with mud being thrown against the front of a house, cracking the glass of the front door. Trash was dumped on another resident’s yard, the doorbell rung at 3 a.m. A local utility office reported that a fence was cut in an attempt to spray paint a water tower. And early in the week, a wreck was reported when two groups of teens out rolling yards ran into each other in the dark. Luckily, no one was injured in that last incident, but in other communities injuries or worse have occurred.

No one wants to be a spoil sport, but my job as mayor is to enforce the laws of the City of Petal and to protect the lives and property of our citizens. To that end, I must remind everyone that we have laws on the books regarding vandalism, littering, malicious mischief, and we also have a curfew for those under the age of 18. I am convinced by the activities of this past week that this should be the last homecoming where yard rolling is seen as a harmless prank and should begin to be treated as what it actually is, a crime that can result in a fine from those who are caught in the act.

Leading up to next year’s homecoming, I intend to remind parents of our laws and that they are ultimately responsible for their minor children. I know as a parent I would not want to be called down to the police station in the middle of the night to pick up my teenage child and be required to help them pay off a hefty fine. But that is what will happen beginning next year if children are stopped by our police department and found to be guilty of this type of behavior. Fun is fun, but trashing yards and damaging property is against the law.

September 16, 2009

At last night's BOA meeting we heard from Mr. Mike Slaughter of Slaughter and Associates, a firm that had been commissioned by the previous adminstration to conduct a study on possible annexation. We heard from Mr. Slaughter only because the city has already paid for this study, not because this administration has any plans to undertake annexation during the next four years. It is my belief that before we ask any other residents to be part of our city, we need to show our ability to operate efficiently and effectively as a city. I would not blame residents outside of Petal for fighting annexation if it occured now, with all of the recent headlines concerning our budget problems and other issues that have seemed to divide our city. It is my hope that after four years of stability, growth, and relative harmony within our city limits, that perhaps there would be less opposition to being a part of the City of Petal  - IF - annexation was ever considered. But that issue is not on the horizon.

September 9, 2009

It is also interesting to see the source of our funds. The following is a break-down of revenue estimates for the coming year.

1. Ad valorem taxes - $2,961,780
2. Water and sewer fees - $2,346,000
3. Sales tax - $2,070,000
4. Solid waste (garbage fees) - $940,300
5. Other fees (permits, grants, other sources) - $1,406,100

It is worth noting that 38.2 percent of the city revenue is from property taxes, while 18.5 percent is from sales taxes. The rest is from other fees and intergovernmental sources, such as grants. If we can be successful in growing our commercial sector, we can begin to lighten the load on property owners by relying less on ad valorem for revenue.

September 9, 2009

I thought I would post a few numbers for you that allows you to see where city money is budgeted for the coming year. It also shows what percentage of the total budget is allocated to each department.

1. Police Department - $1,858,910 (16.6%)
2. Fire Department - $1,474,550 (13.1%)
3. Street Department - $1,436,123 (12.8%)
4. Water and Sewer - $1,397,205 (11.7%)
5. Solid Waste - $1,008,405 (9.0%)

As is the case with most governmental entities, the majority of our budget goes toward personnel salaries. We will have the entire budget online for viewing once the Board of Aldermen officially adopt it at our September 15 meeting.

September 2, 2009

Now that our budget work for the coming year is almost complete, I hope we can begin to address some other issues that were discussed during the past campaign. Personally, I feel that the city should repeal the ordinance requiring existing billboards to be taken down by 2012. While I am against any new billboards going up in the city, I believe that the ones already here are an economic tool for local businesses, and provide income for local property owners who lease their land to the outdoor advertising companies.
 
More than that, however, is my belief that it is generally wrong for the government to take private property without a clear public benefit to the whole community. While it is true that some people believe the asthetic value of the community would be improved if the existing boards were taken down, I don't feel that is a strong enough reason to force their removal. It would be the same as if the city decided we did not want any new apartments built, then went and bulldozed down those buildings already in use.

The billboard issue is separate from the general sign ordinance which is currently being studied for revision. Our present sign ordinance is too complicated and too restrictive in my opinion. The goal should be to create an ordinance that is easy to follow and to comply with, yet also allows for a number of advertising options for our local businesses. We must show businesses that we will work with them, giving them options they can afford and which fit their needs. Petal needs new commercial growth. The way to attract that is to create a true, business-friendly environment in a variety of ways. Then, in the future, we can begin to rely less on revenue from property taxes on homeowners and more on sales tax from our commercial sector.

If you have any suggestions for changes in existing ordinances, or new ordinances that you feel are needed, please contact me at City Hall at 601-545-1776, or email me at hmarx@cityofpetal.com.

August 26, 2009

For the past two days I had the opportunity to take part as a member of the Petal School District's Core Planning Team for the Strategic Plan. What I took away from that experience is the knowledge that we are blessed with a wonderful school system for our children, and even more blessed with citizens who are willing to devote their time and energy to helping our schools.

Like any school district, ours has challenges to meet. The good news is that it is meeting those challenges and has the foresight to look down the road at future needs, so that a plan can be developed to meet those needs before they present a true crisis. It is the kind of thinking that I would like to see applied to our municipal government. We need to forecast problems and seek solutions, before they actually begin affecting our city.

I have been impressed with Dr. John Buchanan, our new school superintendent. I believe he is going to lead our school district to even greater success, building on the work that has been done through the years by educators such as James Hutto, Ione Bond, Jack Linton, and many others. I thank Dr. Buchanan and Ms. Bond for allowing me to be part of such a group and I look forward to working with them as the City of Petal finds ways it can support our number one resource - our children.

This is also a good time to mention that for the second year in a row, Petal High School eleventh graders taking the Subject Area Test in U.S. History had the highest mean scores in the state of Mississippi! Congratulations to those students and to the teachers who helped make them so successful. State championships in sports are wonderful to win, but I think we all should celebrate being "state champs" for two years running in this academic requirement.

 August 18, 2009

I've heard several complaints about the traffic situation on Herrington Road and Highway 42 since the beginning of the new school year. At the request of the Petal School District, we have a police officer stationed each morning during peak school traffic at the intersection of Herrington Rd. and Highway 42, trying to keep traffic from turning left. That is because traffic backs up considerably when people try to turn left onto Herrington, plus it increases the risk of an accident. The school district has a plan in place for parents coming down the highway to turn at the traffic light near the fire station, then go behind the schools on Stadium Drive to drop off their children at the Primary School. We realize this takes a few more minutes, but it does keep traffic moving instead of backing up on 42.

I ask that each of you have patience and courtesy toward your fellow drivers as you navigate this traffic. The most important thing is to get your children safely to school and safely home again in the afternoon. I have been told by school officials that they expect the traffic to ease up some after the first three weeks of school, based on past history.

Perhaps in the future we can look at widening Herrington Rd. to add a turn lane at the Primary School, which might alleviate some of the congestion.

August 13, 2009

Although we still have work to do, the 2010 fiscal year budget is taking shape. I'm pleased to report that this budget, while conservative and lean in spending, will actually include some much needed measures for several city departments. A few of these include: Eight new patrol cars for the police department; a new CAD system for the police department; two additional part-time employees for the recreation department; several new trucks to be spread between the street and water departments; and a new position to oversee a community-service program for those who are sentenced in Municipal Court and cannot pay off their fines. In addition, this budget includes a new fire chief, a building inspector, and a part-time code enforcement officer.

Some may be wondering how we can be adding vehicles and employees in some departments and still be "cutting" our budget. To put it simply, the board of aldermen have done an excellent job working with our department heads to weed out spending that can wait, in exchange for needs that are considered more critical. Our final budget will most likely be about $1.4 million less than the original 2009 fiscal year budget. We also hope to use only 95 percent of our estimated revenue this year, leaving us with a small surplus by the beginning of the 2011 budget cycle.

 August 7, 2009

After last night's budget meeting with the board of aldermen and our accountant, Doug King, it is very clear what a deep financial hole the city is in. This is not a time to point fingers or cast blame, but we must recognize that the spend-freely days of the past four years has taken its toll. Our job now is to dig out of the hole, while not cutting services any further than has already been done. I do not believe we can afford to cut any more personnel in our city departments. I believe the aldermen share this view. That means we will have to commit ourselves to a very tight budget in the 2010 fiscal year, with no room for anything other than absolute necessities.

I want to commend our department heads for submitting budget requests that, for the most part, come in under the previous year's budget, and even the amended budget that reflects the cuts made by the last administration in April and June. The department directors know that this is the time to be conservative with our funds and they have stepped up to the plate. They have my gratitude for making it much easier for myself and the board as we go through this process.

It is my goal that very soon in the future we will no longer see the City of Petal associated with the term "budget woes" in the local news. It will be a tough year, but I believe that by the end of this coming fiscal cycle we will be back on firm footing and headed in the right financial direction.

August 5, 2009

Last night, the Board of Aldermen approved the appointment of Leonard Fuller as chief of police, and Melissa Martin as city clerk. Both of these individuals have proven themselves worthy of these positions during the past month, as they served in an interim basis.

Chief Fuller is an experienced law enforcement officer who has served for three years as assistant chief in Petal. He knows the department and the community. I have been impressed with his vision for the department and the respect he has from his officers. He earned the job by his leadership and the way he has handled the department as interim chief. He has my full support and confidence.

Melissa Martin has been exceptional in the role of city clerk. She has been immersed in learning the financial aspects of the job and has been very willing to help department heads with their budget questions, all while continuing to perform her duties as deputy clerk. I feel confident that Melissa will be a valuable asset to the city in her new position.

I also wanted to thank the men and women of the Petal Police Department for the exceptional job they do in protecting the lives and property of our citizens. It was my privilege this past weekend to ride along with Sgt. Matthew Hiatt and observe our officers in action. I firmly believe all of you would be proud of your police officers if you were to see them the way I had the opportunity to Saturday night.

July 31, 2009

I want to reassure Petal residents who might be alarmed by the article in the Hattiesburg American concerning our water department budget that the City of Petal has no plans to raise our rates in the coming year. The shortfall in the water department is due to poor budgeting for this fiscal year and can be corrected by creating a sound budget for the upcoming 2009-2010 fiscal year. We know that your water and sewer bill, combined with your cost for sanitation, is already high enough. The city will work toward an ultimate goal of actually lowering that cost in the future.

Concerning our relationship with the City of Hattiesburg and our sewer treatment, I believe a solution will be worked out that will be fair to both cities. I do not anticipate any agreement we ultimately reach to require a rate increase for our customers, and certainly not by the figure quoted in the newspaper and attributed to the past administration.

July 21, 2009

I would like to use this page as a way to keep citizens of Petal updated on city business and items of interest, as well as answer specific questions and comments that are directed to me or the Board of Aldermen. I believe a well-informed public is a necessity for good government, whether it be on the local, state, or national level. This website is provided as a way to keep you informed of things that might affect you as a taxpayer and resident of Petal.

My first message to you is this: We will work our present budget situation out so that Petal will be on sound financial footing in the coming years. I simply ask you to be patient. Rome was not built in a day, and neither will Petal's budget woes be corrected overnight. The Aldermen and I agree that in the future, we must be conservative on estimating our revenue, and just as conservative on spending. We decided to borrow $500,000 at the July 21st BOA meeting, not because we wanted to have more money to spend, but that we were concerned that should the city be forced by an emergency situation to spend money quickly, the cash would not be available on hand. The process of borrowing the funds requires a specified time period, it cannot be done overnight. Therefore, it was necessary to go ahead with the loan so we can respond should an urgent need arise. If no need does arise, the money will be kept in the bank and used to repay the principal of the loan.

I also would like to point out that our school district operates with their own budget. City funds and school funds are separate and no city money will be used to construct the new high school football stadium. I agree that the existing stadium is no longer adequate for the school's needs, but I can assure you that if city funds were to be used for that project, it would not be happening. The city's financial condition, however, has no connection to the school district's ability to pay for this worthy project. I wish the school district well in this endeavor.
 
Please check in on this site for future updates. If you have any questions or concerns, give me a call at City Hall at 601-545-1776. Or, you can email me at hmarx@cityofpetal.com.