FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 1

Inside
s Mississippi.....4
s
Columbus.....11
The Lowndes County
Courthouse dominates The Mississippi State Capitol, located in
Columbus’ historic down- downtown Jackson, is the heart of state
town, incorporated in 1821 government and home to the offices of
and host to several noted the governor and both legislative houses.
antebellum homes.

s
West Point.....41
The Howlin’ Wolf Museum, chronicling the
life of the noted bluesman and West Point
native, is among the city’s attractions.

s
s
Starkville.....31
The home of Mississippi State
University, Starkville is also
host to street fairs including
Noxubee
the Starkville Community County..........47
Market and the Cotton The Noxubee County
District Arts Festival. Courthouse sits at the heart
of a county rich in agricul-
About the cover: Amanda tural tradition.
McConnell of Seneca, S.C.,
visits at the Hitching Lot
Farmers Market in
Columbus on a Saturday
morning in August.
McConnell’s brother-in-
law, Glenn Gilmer, is a
West Alabama.....52
Outdoor activities abound in the area
watermelon farmer and a also known as an arts haven.
regular vendor at the mar-
s

ket. Her sister, Jennifer,

raises and sells sunflowers.

2 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009

 FYI
A publication of
THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
P.O. Box 511
Columbus, MS 39703
662-328-2424

Advertising
Felicia Bowen
Ricky Clark
Hye Coleman
Adrian Fields
Connie Harris
Linda Massey
Beth Proffitt
Steven Short
Celsie Staggers
Jackie Taylor
Samantha Williamson

Business Office
Terri Collums
Elbert Ellis
Debbie Foster
Peter Imes
Carol Talley

Circulation
Patricia Brooks
Monica Gardner
Bobby Tingle

Editor/Publisher
Birney Imes

News
Adrian Bohannon
Garthia Elena Burnett
Rhonda Cooper
Kristin Mamrack
Henry Matuszak
Adam Minichino
Steve Mullen
Luisa Porter
Tim Pratt
Laura Sandiford
Danny P. Smith
Jan Swoope
Kelly Tippett
Neal Wagner

Production
Jeffery Barker
Silvia Carr
LaMarcus Davis
Matt Garner
Ronald Gore
Jerry Hayes
Vernon Hedgeman Jr.
Jeff Lipsey
Jamie Morrison
Tina Perry
Larry Smith
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 3
 Mississippi

State facts Waterfowl: Wood duck

Nickname: The Magnolia State
Motto: Virtute et Armis (By Valor and
Arms)
Flower: Magnolia
Bird: Mockingbird
Stone: Petrified wood
Beverage: Milk
Fossil: Prehistoric whale
Land mammal: White-tailed deer
Fish: Largemouth or Black bass
Insect: Honeybee
Shell: Oyster
Water mammal: Bottle-nosed dolphin
Song: “Go Mississippi”
Entered the Union: Dec. 10, 1817
Capital: Jackson
Area: 48,434 square miles
Number of counties: 82
Rank in nation: 31st in population
(2,844,658, 2000 Census)
State officials
All phone numbers for state
officials in Jackson have the 601
area code. The zip code for post
office boxes in Jackson is 39205.
Current state officials were elect-
ed in November 2007. Physical
 MISSISSIPPI
Haley Barbour Phil Bryant
Governor Lieutenant Governor
and mailing addresses differ; call for
more information.
Governor – Haley Barbour, 501 N. West St.,
Woolfolk Building, 15th floor (P.O. Box 139),
Jackson, MS 39205, or call 601-359-3150.
Lieutenant Governor – Phil Bryant, Office of the
Lt. Governor, P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS
39215, or call 601-359-3200.
Secretary of State – Delbert Hosemann, Heber
Ladner Building, 401 Mississippi St., (P.O. Box
136) Jackson, MS 39205, or call 601-359-
1350.
Attorney General – Jim Hood, 550 High St.,
Suite 1200, Jackson, MS 39201, or call 601-
Delbert Hosemann Jim Hood
Secretary of State Attorney General
359-3680.
Treasurer – Tate Reeves, P.O. Box 138,
Jackson, MS 39205, or call 601-359-3600.
State Auditor – Stacey Pickering, Suite 801,
Woolfolk Building, Jackson, MS 39201, or call
800-576-2800.
Agriculture Commissioner – Lester Spell,
Department of Agriculture and Commerce, 121
N. Jefferson St., Jackson, MS 39201, or call
601-359-1100.
Insurance Commissioner – Mike Chaney, State
Department of Insurance, 1001 Woolfolk
Building, 501 N. West St., Jackson, or call
601-359-3569. Mailing address: P.O. Box 79,
Tate Reeves
State Treasurer
Jackson, MS 39205.
Northern District Transportation Commissioner
– Bill Minor, State Highway Department, P.O.
Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39201, or call 359-
7025; Tupelo office: P.O. Box 2060, Tupelo,
MS 38803, 662-842-1122.
Northern District Public Service Commissioner
– Brandon Presley, Public Service Commission,
P.O. Box 1174, Jackson, MS 39201, or call
601-961-5450.
U.S. senators
u Thad Cochran, United States Senate, 113
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington,
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 5
 MISSISSIPPI
Stacey Pickering Lester Spell
State Auditor Dept. of Ag. Comm.
u Roger Wicker, United States Senate, 555
D.C. 20510. Call 202-224-5054.
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington,
D.C. 20510. Call 202-224-6253.
U.S. representatives
u District 1 – Travis W. Childers, U.S. House
of Representatives, 1708 Longworth House
Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Call 202-
225-4306. The Lowndes County local office
u District 2 – Bennie Thompson, U.S. House of
telephone number is 662-327-0748.
Representatives, 2432 Rayburn House
Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Call 202-
6 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Mike Chaney Bill Minor
Insurance Comm. Transportation Comm.
u District 3 – Gregg Harper, U.S. House of
225-5876.
Representatives, 307 Cannon House Building,
Washington, D.C. 20515. Call 202-225-5031.
The Starkville office telephone number is 662-
u District 4 – Gene Taylor, 2269 Rayburn
324-0007.
House Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Call
202-225-5772.
State representatives
To contact a representative during a
session, telephone the House switch-
Brandon Presley
Public Serv. Comm.
u District 20 – Monroe, Lowndes. Jimmy G.
board at 601-359-3770.
Puckett, 508 Eighth St. S., Amory, MS 38821.
u District 21 – Monroe, Itawamba. Donnie
Call 662-256-9423.
Bell, 836 Tucker Road, Fulton, MS 38843. Call
u District 23 – Oktibbeha, Clay, Calhoun,
662-862-3385.
Webster. Jim Beckett, P.O. Box 722, Bruce,
MS 38915. Call 662-983-2451 or 662-983-
u District 35 – Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Grenada,
7358.
Webster. Dannie Reed, 265 College St.,
u District 36 – Clay, Lowndes, Monroe. David
Ackerman, MS 39735. Call 662-285-3769.
Gibbs, 5587 George Walker Road, West Point,
u District 37 – Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha.
MS 39773. Call 662-494-6559.
Gary Chism, P.O. Box 2343, Columbus, MS
u District 38 – Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee,
39704. Call (O) 327-0777 or (H) 328-7769.
Oktibbeha. Tyrone Ellis, P.O. Box 892,
Starkville, MS 39760. Call 662-323-6564 or
u District 39 – Lowndes. Jeffrey C. “Jeff”
662-324-5433.
Smith, P.O. Box 681, Columbus, MS 39703.
u District 41 – Lowndes. Esther Harrison, 924
Call (O) 662-328-2711 or (H) 662-327-0407.
Seventh St. S., Columbus, MS 39701. Call
u District 42 – Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee.
662-327-5294.
Reecy L. Dickson, P.O. Box 293, Macon, MS
39341. Call (O) 662-726-9255 or (H) 662-725-
u District 43 – Noxubee, Kemper, Winston.
4358.
Russ C. Nowell, 4226 N. Columbus Ave.,
Louisville, MS 39339. Call 662-773-4702.
State senators
u District 7 – Itawamba, Lee, Monroe. Hob
Bryan, P.O. Box 75, Amory, MS 38821. Call
u District 15 – Attala, Calhoun, Montgomery,
(O) 662-256-9601 or (H) 662-256-9989.
Choctaw, Winston, Oktibbeha, Webster. Gary
Jackson, 403 S. Depot St., Kilmichael, MS
39747. Call 662-262-9273 or 601-359-3221
u District 16 – Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha,
(O).
Noxubee. Bennie L. Turner, P.O. Drawer 1500,
 MISSISSIPPI

Thad Cochran Roger Wicker Travis Childers Bennie Thompson Greg Harper
U.S. Senator U.S. Senator U.S. Rep. - Dist. 1 U.S. Rep. - Dist. 2 U.S. Rep. - Dist. 3
West Point, MS 39773. Call 662-494-6611 or may be subject to fines if found in viola- certified birth certificate, Social
u District 17 – Lowndes. Terry Brown, 22
601-359-3210. tion of the law. For information, contact Security card and marriage license, if
your county courthouse. applicable.
Hillside Drive, Columbus, MS 39702. Call (H)
Driver’s licenses – These may be An intermediate license will be
662-329-3399, 662-386-6732 or 601-359-
purchased by qualified drivers for a issued for those who are at least 15 1/2
u District 32 – Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee,
3226.
four-year period. Licenses for those years old and who have held a tempo-
Winston. Sampson Jackson II, 450 Jackson under 18 are valid for one year. The fee rary learner’s permit for at least six
Road, Preston, MS 39354. Call 601-677-2305, is $20 in cash. Driver’s licenses are months without any moving violation.
601-743-5900 or 601-359-3172. issued by the Mississippi Highway Applicants must also show proof they
Patrol after the applicant has passed an are enrolled in school. If an intermedi-
General information examination. ate license is granted, the driver is only
Anti-litter laws – Dumping trash or Those who are at least 15 may apply allowed to drive between 6 a.m. and 10
litter on the highways or right-of-ways is for a temporary driving permit; bring p.m. There is a $5 fee.
a misdemeanor offense subject to a
fine.
“Click It or Ticket” – New primary
seat-belt mandate requires that every
front-seat passenger and every passen-
ger 12 and under wear a safety belt.
Boat registration – Boats must be
registered with the Mississippi Wildlife,
Game and Conservation Office in
Jackson. Forms may be obtained at any
sporting goods store or the tax office at
the county courthouse. Mississippi resi-
dents can also renew boat registration
online at www.ms.gov/gf/boating/
index.jsp. Tags for trailers may be pur-
chased at the tax office at the court-
house.
Car tags – Automobile license plates
must be purchased within seven days of
automobile purchase and annually on
the date of renewal. At the time the
license plate is purchased at the court-
house, the state, county and city ad val-
orem taxes and privilege taxes for the
automobile must be paid to the county
tax collector.
A person moving to Mississippi from
another state in which motor license
taxes have been paid may use the vehi-
cle for a period of 30 days, but the vehi-
cle must be registered in Mississippi
after that time, or the vehicle owner
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 7
 MISSISSIPPI

Gene Taylor Jimmy Puckett Donnie Bell Jim Beckett David Gibbs
U.S. Rep. - Dist. 4 Rep. Dist. 20 Rep. Dist. 21 Rep. Dist. 23 Rep. Dist. 36

Gary Chism Tyrone Ellis
Rep. Dist. 37 Rep. Dist. 38
Applicants for a driver’s license must
be at least 16 years of age. Applicants
who are 16 must have six months’ expe-
rience under an intermediate license;
this requirement does not apply to new
residents who have held driver’s licens-
es in another state for at least six
months.
New residents must secure a driver’s
license within 60 days.
Other laws apply; for more informa-
tion, contact the Driver’s License
Bureau at 327-1833.
Hunting and fishing licenses –
Resident hunting and fishing licenses
may be purchased from most local
sporting goods dealers and bait shops.
Mississippi residents can also purchase
their hunting and fishing licenses online
at http://home.mdwfp.com. The per-
sons exempt are residents under age 16
or more than 65 years of age. All others,
including military personnel, must pur-
chase a license before hunting. The
u Freshwater fishing only $8
costs of the various licenses are:
u Three-day freshwater fishing only $3
u Combination hunting and freshwater fishing
license, not archery/primitive weapon hunting
$17
8 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Jeff Smith Esther Harrison
Rep. Dist. 39 Rep. Dist. 41
u Small game hunting $13
u All inclusive sportsman’s license (all game,
all weapons) $32
Fees are in addition to minimal agent
and processing fees.
Marriage licenses – Marriage
licenses are issued by the circuit clerk.
If the female applicant is under age 17
and is a resident of Mississippi, the
application must be made to the clerk of
the county of her residence. A three-day
waiting period is required before the
clerk may issue the marriage license.
Evidence of blood test and proof of age
must also be presented at the filing of
an application for license. The cost of
the marriage license and necessary cer-
tificates is $22; cash is required.
For information, call your county cir-
cuit clerk’s office.
Motor Vehicle Financial
Responsibility Law – Every accident
in which a person is killed or injured or
in which property damage is in excess
of $250 must be reported to the
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
within five days.
If by 20 days after the report has
been received, the Department of
Reecy Dickson
Rep. Dist. 42
Public Safety does not have on file satis-
factory evidence the person is not liable
or has executed an agreement to pay
costs in installments, the department
must determine the amount of security
sufficient to satisfy any judgment for
damages.
Driver’s licenses will be suspended
within 60 days if the security is not
deposited. Security is not required if the
driver of the motor vehicle is covered
by a liability insurance policy of suffi-
cient amount.
All drivers in Mississippi are
required to have proof of insurance
inside their vehicles at all times.
Anyone operating a vehicle without
proof of insurance will be subject to a
fine and suspension of his or her dri-
ver’s license.
Motor Vehicle Inspection Law –
An annual motor vehicle inspection is
required. Licensed garages make the
inspection for which a fee is charged. A
windshield sticker is provided by the
inspector.
Better Business Bureau – The
Better Business Bureau is in place to
protect against irresponsible business
 MISSISSIPPI

Hob Bryan Gary Jackson Bennie L. Turner Terry Brown Sampson Jackson
Sen. Dist. 7 Sen. Dist. 15 Sen. Dist. 16 Sen. Dist. 17 Sen. Dist. 32
and scams of all types. It also lends a helping hand to those
reputable businesses in need. Mississippi information online
u Official Mississippi Web site:
BBB implemented a program in January 1987 called
information is available at
“Customer Care,” which allows businesses to advertise they
u Mississippi State Tax
To find information for residents www.sos.state.ms.us
are members of the bureau.
Under the program, members are allowed to use an arbi- and businesses, links to other key
Commission web site: Download
tration logo in newspapers, periodicals, direct mail, flyers, sites and information, events cal-
tax forms; check the status of
handouts, billboards, posters, radio/TV, letterheads, business endar and fast facts about
income tax returns at
upcoming festivals and other
u Mississippi Department of
cards and invoices. The logo cannot be used in yellow page www.mstc.state.ms.us
activities, and get the latest state
ads in telephone books, annual directories and
u Secretary of State’s Web site:
headlines visit www.ms.gov. Transportation: View online maps,
handbooks/manuals.
For more information about the Better Business Bureau traffic alerts and realtime traffic
Voter registration and election information at www.gomdot.com
and its services, call 800-987-8280.

FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 9

 Columbus
About Columbus
As it approaches the second
centenary of its existence,
Columbus is enjoying an unprece-
dented flurry of industrial devel-
opment. Despite the changes, res-
idents of the “Friendly City” retain
the hospitality for which they are
justly famous, welcoming the new
Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff
while preserving and paying hom-
age to a remarkable past.
European explorer Hernando
de Soto first entered Mississippi
when he crossed the Tombigbee
River near here in 1540. The first
actual trading post along this area
of the Tombigbee was established
not far from Columbus in 1790.
From this trading post, Columbus
earned another nickname,
“Possum Town” — not because of
an abundance of possums, but
because to the area’s native
Indians, the proprietor of the trad-
ing post resembled a possum.
In 1820, Gen. Andrew Jackson
brought his Military Road
Columbus’ Plymouth Bluff Center, 2200 Old
West Point Road, is a 190-acre educational
and recreational facility featuring displays
about the area’s rich fossil history.
 COLUMBUS
Robert Smith Gene Taylor
Mayor Councilman - Ward 1
through the area on the way to New
Orleans. The first steamboat to navigate
the river docked here in 1821, the same
year that Columbus was incorporated.
Mississippi’s first public school,
Franklin Academy, was founded in 1821
in Columbus. Franklin Academy still
operates as an elementary school for
kindergarten through fourth grade on
the original site.
The nation’s first “Decoration Day,”
or Memorial Day, was observed in 1866
when a group of Columbus women dec-
orated the graves of both the
Confederate and Union soldiers at
Friendship Cemetery. The women’s
actions inspired the poem, “The Blue
and the Gray.”
America’s first state-supported col-
lege for women was founded in
Columbus in 1884. Mississippi
University for Women today continues
its tradition of quality education for men
and women.
Columbians are proud of MUW as
well as Columbus Air Force Base, a
pilot training facility and the area’s
largest employer. The influx of military
personnel brings innovative ideas to the
community, and many military retirees
choose this area as their permanent
home.
General information
County – Lowndes
County seat – Columbus
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 23,798 in the city and
59,284 in the county.
Government – City: mayor and city council;
incorporated as a town in 1821 and as a city
in 1884. County: five-member board of supervi-
sors.
Altitude – 211 feet above sea level
Area – 21 square miles (city); 517 square
miles (county)
12 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Joseph Mickens Charlie Box
Councilman - Ward 2 Councilman - Ward 3
Assessed valuation – $574 million county;
$178 million city
City statistics – Total city streets mileage,
141; firefighters, 66; police officers, 63
Climate – Temperature – January average daily
maximum, 51.1; January average daily mini-
mum, 31.2; July average daily maximum, 92.5;
July average daily minimum, 69.5
Major highways – U.S. 45 and 82; state high-
ways 12, 50, 69 and 373.
Industry – Principal manufactured products
include electric motors, chemicals, trousers,
toilet seats, plastics, paper, rubber, clay and
brick products, prefabricated steel buildings,
steel products, furniture and other wood prod-
ucts.
Trade area – Retail trade area has a radius of
50 miles and a population of 250,000.
City government
Columbus has a mayor-city council
type of government.
The mayor is elected every four
years by a majority vote, based on the
votes cast throughout the city in the pri-
mary and general elections. The six
councilmen, also elected every four
years, are elected based on votes in pre-
determined sections, or wards, of the
city.
The present mayor and council were
u Mayor Robert Smith (O) 328-7021,
elected June 2, 2009. They are:
u Ward 1 Gene Taylor (H) 329-1227,
(C) 364-0433, email: rsmith@columbusms.org
(C) 425-1833, e-mail: genetaylor34@bell-
u Ward 2 Joseph Mickens (H) 327-8882,
south.net
(C) 251-8882, e-mail:
u Ward 3 Charlie Box (H) 327-1270,
jemickens90@cableone.net
(C) 889-2165, e-mail:
u Ward 4 Fred Stewart (O) 327-5011,
boxcharles2002@yahoo.com
(C) 364-1013, e-mail: citycouncil@colum-
u Ward 5 Kabir Karriem (H) 241-4067,
busms.org
(C) 549-4314, e-mail: kkarriem19@yahoo.com
Fred Stewart
Councilman - Ward 4
u Ward 6 Bill Gavin (H) 327-3323,
(C) 574-0295, e-mail: bgavin@eastms.edu
The council meets the first and third
Tuesdays of the month at 5 p.m. at the
City Municipal Complex at 1501 Main
St. Meetings are open to the public.
Other major city officials include:
Chief Operating Officer – David Armstrong,
329-5119
Chief of Police – Joseph St. John, 244-3500
Fire Chief – Ken Moore, 329-5128
City Attorney – Jeff Turnage, 245-5130
City Judge – Curtis Austin, 328-6127
City Prosecutor – Tim Hudson, 328-2711
City/County Tax Collector and Registrar – Greg
Andrews, 329-5700
Columbus Action Center – 329-5147, CAC pro-
vides a hotline for people to use to notify city
officials about any municipal issues that need
attention. The office is located on the first floor
of City Hall.
The City Hall and Municipal
Complex hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Monday through Thursday.
County government
The responsibility for administering
the duties of county government falls to
the Lowndes County Board of
Supervisors.
The county is divided into five dis-
tricts, but has operated under the unit
system since January 1989. The officials
are elected to a four-year term of office.
The last election was held in 2007; the
current board will serve through
December 2012.
The current Lowndes County super-
u District 1 Harry Sanders (O) 329-5884, (O)
visors are:
329-5896, (C) 242-0550, e-mail: har-
u District 2 Frank Ferguson (O) 329-5884, (C)
rysanders@bellsouth.net
u District 3 John Holliman (O) 327-6337, (C)
574-3049, e-mail: flferguson2@bellsouth.net
574-5090, e-mail: jeholliman@bellsouth.net
 COLUMBUS

Kabir Karriem Bill Gavin Harry Sanders Frank Ferguson John Holliman
Councilman - Ward 5 Councilman - Ward 6 Supervisor - Dist. 1 Supervisor - Dist. 2 Supervisor - Dist. 3

u District 4 Jeff Smith (O) 244-0775, (C) 386-
u District 5 Leroy Brooks (O) 329-5871, (C)
6923, e-mail: lcjsmith@bellsouth.net
251-8125, e-mail: lclbrooks@bellsouth.net
The Board of Supervisors meets reg-
ularly at least twice a month, in the first
week of the month, around the 15th of
each month and, during some months,
the last week of the month.
Meetings are held at 9 a.m. in the
supervisors’ boardroom in the Lowndes
County Courthouse on Second Avenue
North. Sessions are open to the public.
Other major county officials include:
Sheriff – Butch Howard, 329-5826
Superintendent of Education – Michael Halford,
244-5000
County Attorney – Tim Hudson, 328-2711
Justice Court Judges – Mike Arledge, Chris
Hemphill and Peggy Phillips. The justice court
office is located at 11 Airline Road. Call 329-
5929 or 329-5942 for the judges.
Constables – Willie “Hoot” West, 327-1170;
Joe Ables, 244-0762; and Willie “Sonny”
Sanders, 244-0763
Chancery Clerk – Lisa Younger Neese, 329-
5805
Circuit Clerk – Mahala Salazar, 329-5900
Road Manager – Ronnie Burns, 329-5840
County Administrator – Ralph Billingsley, 329-
5896
Tax Assessor and Collector – Greg Andrews,
329-5700
Coroner – Greg Merchant, 386-0704
County Agent – Jeff Wilson, 328-2111
All emergency services in the county
may be reached by dialing 911.
City, county maps
Maps of the city and county are avail-

FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 13

 COLUMBUS
Jeff Smith Leroy Brooks
Supervisor - Dist. 4 Supervisor - Dist. 5
able to newcomers at the Columbus-
Lowndes Development Link located at
1102 Main St. Call 245-5055 for details.
Permits, licenses
Building permits – City building
permits may be obtained at the
Inspection Department, 1215 Second
Ave. N. Call 328-3463 for information.
Business permits, licenses – In
the city, these may be obtained at the
city municipal building located at 1621
Main St. Call 245-5055 for information.
14 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Joseph St. John Butch Howard
Police Chief Sheriff
In the county, these may obtained at
the Lowndes County Courthouse locat-
ed at 505 Second Ave. N. Call 329-5700
for information.
Postal service
Residents can deposit their mail at a
number of locations throughout the city.
According to postal officials,
Columbus has three stations with win-
dow service and 36 collection boxes on
the streets.
Collection stations having window
service are located at Main Street,
Bluecutt Road and on Highway 182
East. They have window service five
days a week, and the Bluecutt Road
main post office window service oper-
ates on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to
noon.
In addition, those living in apartment
complexes can deposit mail at locations
designated for mail pickup.
Besides the main post offices in
town, there are contract stations located
at Columbus Air Force Base for military
personnel and at Mississippi University
for Women for students.
For those living in the rural areas of
Lowndes County, there are post offices
located in Steens, Crawford and
Caledonia.
Postage stamps may be purchased at
any post office. Those living in rural
areas may buy stamps directly from
their mail carrier and those living in the
city can order stamps through the mail,
by fax or online at www.usps.com.
Mail is picked up daily at all post
office locations.
Last pickup is at 5 p.m. at the down-
town office and U.S. Highway 82 loca-
tions. Those who have mail that must
be posted after that time can deposit it
until 6:25 p.m. at the Bluecutt location.
Ken Moore
Fire Chief
Refuse collection
City – A monthly charge of $11.75 is
included on residential customers’ elec-
tric bills. Trash and garbage are collect-
ed twice weekly.
County – Those residents living in
the county get their garbage picked up
once a week on a prescheduled basis
for each area. The charge is $12.00 per
month.
For information on the schedule for
your area, contact Golden Triangle
Waste Services, 1311 Industrial Park
Road, Columbus, MS 39701. Telephone
662-327-6660. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
weekdays.
Taxes
Personal taxes – State, county and
municipal ad valorem taxes, except on
motor vehicles, must be paid by Feb. 1
of each year. County and city tax mill-
age rates are set prior to Oct. 1 of each
year.
Where to pay taxes – Municipal
taxes are to be paid at Columbus City
Hall, 513 Main St.
County taxes are payable to the
Lowndes County tax assessor, whose
office is in the courthouse. Taxes can
be paid between Dec. 1 and Feb. 1 with-
out penalty. Call 329-5700.
State income tax is payable to the
State Tax Commission located in the
Woolfolk Building in Jackson, by April
15. The State Tax Commission also has
a branch office at 4072 Highway 45 N.
in Columbus. The Internal Revenue
Service office is located at 2209 Fifth St.
N. in Columbus.
Homestead exemption – Persons
moving into Lowndes County must have
their deed recorded by the chancery
clerk by Dec. 31, their home purchased
 COLUMBUS
and deed acknowledged by Jan. 7, 2010,
and file for homestead exemption by
April 1, 2010. The applicant must have
been living in the home on Jan. 1 of the
year for which he or she is filing.
According to Lowndes County Tax
Assessor-Collector Greg Andrews, the
following documents are needed by
first-time filers for homestead exemp-
tion: warranty deed; Social Security
number(s); Lowndes County license tag
numbers on all vehicles; proof of a dis-
ability, if applicable; and cost of home
and amount of down payment.
For more information, contact:
Lowndes County Tax Assessor,
Lowndes County Courthouse,
Columbus, MS 39701. Telephone 662-
329-5700. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday.
Utilities
Electricity
City – To establish service within the
city, newcomers, whether renting or
owning, need to bring two forms of
identification, including one with a
recent photo, to the Columbus Light
and Water Department, 420 Fourth
Ave. S. There is a $25 connection fee,
which is added to the first month’s bill.
Those renting an apartment or
house also need to bring a rent
receipt/lease agreement, three forms of
identification, and must pay a deposit of
$150, which includes water.
Homeowners need to show a homeown-
er’s deed and pay a deposit of $80,
which includes water. For service to a
motor home or trailer, the deposit is
$150.
For more information, contact
Columbus Light and Water, 328-7192,
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
County – Those who are moving
into the 4-County Electric Power
Association area will have to apply for
membership at the EPA’s Columbus
office, 2000 Sixth St. N.
A $25 membership fee and a $25 con-
nection fee are required for residential
connection. The deposit is based on a
credit check and will vary between $0-
$250.
Those who require building a new
line to a new home will also have to
sign a right-of-way easement agree-
ment.
Personnel at the 4-County office will
explain additional services available
through the rural electric cooperative.
Usually, wherever existing service
has been available, 4-County can turn
power on to that location on the same
day an application is completed.
However, in cases of new service at a
new home, it may take three to four
days or longer to get electric service
started.
For more information, contact 4-
County Electric Power Association,
2000 Sixth St. N., or P.O. Box 351,
Columbus, MS 39703-0351, or tele-
phone 328-4821, from 8 a.m. until 4:30
p.m. Monday through Thursday, and
until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Gas
Atmos Energy – Those who require
gas service should take two forms of
identification. A deposit of $65 will be
required of homeowners. Renters pay
an $85 deposit; any mobile home
deposit is $85. For more information,
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 15
 COLUMBUS
Brothers Brandon Gillion, 12, left, Shawn Gillion, 13, of Starkville, throw out a net to hopefully catch fish at the Columbus
Lock and Dam. The Lock and Dam park is a popular site for community gatherings and picnics, and is the location of the
city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
contact Atmos Energy, 1423 Main St.,
Columbus, 328-3521, from 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. weekdays.
Caledonia Natural Gas District –
Serves the entire northeastern quad-
rant of Lowndes County, including the
town of Caledonia. For information, con-
tact Caledonia Natural Gas District, P.O.
Box 220, Caledonia, MS 39740, or 662-
356-4250.
Water
City – City residents needing water
service must contact the Columbus
Light and Water Department. The
deposit for water only is $20 for home-
owners and $50 for renters. The deposit
is $50 for people on city water living
outside the city. For contact informa-
tion, see the listing under “Electricity.”
East Lowndes – Rural water users
who are hooked up to the East
Lowndes Water Association will pay a
$75 deposit and sign a user’s agree-
16 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
ment.
The cost of a new hookup, whereby a
water meter is installed, is $450 mini-
mum, including a deposit.
For more information contact East
Lowndes Water Association, Ridge
Road, Columbus, 327-1651, from 8 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Prairie Land Water Association –
County residents hooked up to the
Prairie Land Water Association will pay
a $50 deposit if they own the home and
a $100 deposit if they are renting.
Additionally, all residents pay a $25
membership fee.
The cost of a new hookup with meter
is $600, including the deposit.
The Lowndes County Water
Association is located at 150 Artesia
Road. For more information, call 245-
1150.
South Lowndes Water
Association – County residents using
South Lowndes Water Association will
pay a $35 deposit if they own the home
Luisa Porter/ Dispatch Staff
and $100 if renting.
The cost of a new hook-up where a
meter is installed is $400.
The South Lowndes Water
Association is located on 2109 O’Leary
Lane. For more information, call 329-
3929. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. week-
days.
Caledonia Water and Sewage –
Caledonia residents hooked up to
Caledonia Water and Sewage will pay a
$40 deposit for homeowners or a $60
deposit for renters.
Caledonia Water and Sewage is locat-
ed at 202 South St. in Caledonia. For
more information, call 356-6993. Hours
are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.
Telephone service
To establish telephone service, call
AT&T at 888-757-6500 Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.; or visit www.att.com.
CableOne is also available for local
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 17
 COLUMBUS
and long distance telephone service at
328-1781.
Wireless providers
Cellular South – 1912 Highway 45 N., 327-
5700
AT&T – 2005 Highway 45 N., 328-7721
Sprint PCS – 435 Wilkins Wise Road, 244-
5610
Verizon Wireless – 1725 Highway 45 N., Suite
2, 328-1160

Voter registration
In order to vote in Mississippi a per-
son must be 18 years old by election
day and must reside in the state. A per-
son must have registered at least 30
days prior to the election with the coun-
ty clerk in order to vote in county, state
and national elections, and with the
Columbus city clerk to vote in munici-
pal elections.
For more information contact
Lowndes County Circuit Clerk Mahala
Salazar, 329-5900, in the Lowndes
County Courthouse, or Columbus city
registrar, 513 Main St., Columbus, MS
39701. Telephone 328-2381.

Accommodations
Hotels/motels
The following hotels and motels

u America’s Best Value Inn – 42 rooms, 329-

serve the area. All area codes are 662.

u Best Western – 73 rooms, 329-2255

8788

u Budget Inn – 55 rooms, 328-2551

u Comfort Inn – 106 rooms, 329-2422
u Days Inn – 329-4545
u Economy Inn – 328-1042
u Gilmer Inn – 75 rooms, 328-0070
u Hampton Inn – 60 rooms, 328-6720
u Heritage Inn – 102 rooms, 328-4405
u Holiday Inn – 115 rooms, 327-7077
u Master Hosts Inn – 56 rooms, 328-5202
u Motel 6 – 52 rooms, 327-4450
u Plaza Motel – 19 rooms, 328-3341
u Plymouth Bluff Center – Conference center
u Wingate Inn – 80 rooms, 327-9999
and 24 guest rooms, 241-6214

u Amzi Love/Lincoln Home – 305 7th St.

Bed and breakfasts

u Backstrom’s Country Bed and Breakfast –

South; 328-5413/574-4275

u Barristers House – 406 Third Ave. North;

4567 Highway 182 East; 328-7213

u Barry House – 506 4th St. South; 574-2036

574-2790

Burnt Oak Lodge and Conference Center –

u Cartney-Hunt House – 408 7th St. South;

1563 Penn Station Road; 272-9550

u Puckett House on the Mississippi University

244-7232

18 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009

 COLUMBUS
for Women campus – 1100 College St.; 329-
u Jackie O. House – 1700 9th St. South; 327-
7296
u Shadowlawn – 1024 College St.; 327-5655
5100
u Lake Lowndes State Park – Four cabins, 50
Cabins, camping
u Town Creek Campground – 100 sites, 494-
RV sites, 328-2110
u Dwayne Hayes Recreation Area – 110 sites,
4885
434-6939
Churches
There are more than 200 churches of
all faiths in Columbus and Lowndes
County. A church directory is printed in
The Commercial Dispatch each Sunday.
Education
General information – Registration
is held in the summer for the fall school
term. Notice of the registration is pub-
lished prior to the time. Kindergarten in
Columbus is available to all students in
both public and private schools.
Students entering the first grade
must be 6 years of age on or before
Sept. 1. A birth certificate and a record
of immunization (Form 121) are
required for registration.
City schools – In the Columbus
Municipal School District, there are five
elementary schools, one intermediate
school, one middle school, one high
school and one vocational school.
More information about the city
school system can be obtained by con-
tacting Columbus Municipal School
District, Superintendent of Schools Del
Phillips, 2630 McArthur Drive,
Columbus, MS 39701, 241-7400; or visit
www.columbuscityschools.org.
County schools – The Lowndes
County School District has three ele-
mentary schools, three middle schools,
three high schools and one vocational
complex.
For more information on the county
school district contact Lowndes County
Superintendent of Education Michael
Halford, 1055 Highway 45 S.,
Columbus, MS 39701, 328-3891; or visit
www.lowndes.k12.ms.us.
Mississippi School for
Mathematics and Science – Located
on the campus of Mississippi University
for Women, MSMS is a residential, pub-
lic high school for juniors and seniors
with a selective admission process.
Telephone 329-7360.
Parochial schools – There are five
parochial schools in the county. These
u Annunciation Catholic School, 223 N.
are:
u Emmaus Elementary School, 1030 Bennett
Browder St., 328-4479
u Immanuel Center for Christian Education,
Ave., 241-7264
u Main Street Christian School, 701 Main St.,
6405 Military Road, Steens 328-7888
u Victory Christian Academy, 374 Mill Road,
328-0240
327-7744
Private schools – There are three
u Children’s House Montessori School, 923
private schools in the county. These are:
u Heritage Academy Elementary, 623
Sixth Ave. N., 327-3913
u Heritage Academy High School, 625
Willowbrook Road, 327-1556
Magnolia, 327-5272
Colleges – Two higher education
facilities are located in Lowndes County.
u Mississippi University for Women, 1100
They are:
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 19
 COLUMBUS
College St. For more information, call 329-
u East Mississippi Community College,
4750 or see www.muw.edu.
Golden Triangle Campus. For more information,
call 243-1900 or see www.emcc.cc.ms.us/.
Classes also available at Columbus Air Force
Base.
Other colleges and universities in
u Mississippi State University in Starkville,
the area include:
u University of Mississippi in Oxford, 90 miles
which is 22 miles west of Columbus.
u East Mississippi Community College at
north of Columbus.
u Northeast Mississippi Community College
Scooba, 52 miles south of Columbus.
u University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, 60
at Booneville, 87 miles north of Columbus.
miles east of Columbus.
Libraries
The main branch of the Columbus-
Lowndes Public Library system, con-
taining more than 100,000 volumes, is
located at 314 Seventh St. N. in
Columbus. It is the main office for the
library system and is housed in a
28,000-square-foot building. There are
branch libraries in Artesia, Caledonia
and Crawford.
20 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Some of the library’s services
include a meeting room for the public
that seats 75, a modern reference
department, conference rooms, geneal-
ogy and local history department, a
story hour for preschoolers, services
for the handicapped and exhibits and
art displays.
Anyone interested in displaying a
collection can contact the library at 329-
5300.
Columbus Public Librar y – Hours
are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. Saturday. Call 329-5300.
Artesia Public Librar y – Librarian
is Susan Edmonds. Hours are Tuesday,
10 a.m.to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 5
p.m.; and Thursday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 272-5255.
Caledonia Public Librar y –
Librarian is Kay Langford. Hours are 9
a.m. to 5 p.m Monday and Wednesday
and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 356-
6384.
Crawford Public Librar y –
Librarian is Fay Richardson. Hours are
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m.to
4 p.m. Wednesday. Call 272-5144.
Media
u The Commercial Dispatch is located at 516
Main St. Call 328-2424 for subscription infor-
mation. Printed Monday through Friday and
Sunday morning. Business office is open week-
days from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mailing address
is P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 30703-0511.
u Local radio stations include WACR 105.3
Visit www.cdispatch.com for more information.
FM; WAJV 98.9 FM; WKBB 100.9 FM; WKOR
94.9 FM; WKOR 980 AM; WLZA 96.1 FM;
WMBC 103.1 FM; WMSU 92.1 FM; WMSV
91.1 FM; WMXU 106.1 FM; WSMS 99.9 FM;
WSSO 1230 AM; WSYE 93.3 FM; WEPA;
u Television stations serving the area include
WWBC; WWKZ and WZBQ 94.1.
WCBI of Columbus, Channel 4 (CBS affiliate);
WTVA of Tupelo, Channel 9 (NBC affiliate);
WLOV of Tupelo, Channel 27 (FOX affiliate) and
u The Columbus Packet is published on
WKDH of Tupelo, Channel 45 (ABC affiliate).
Thursday. The weekly publication’s office is
located at 506 2nd Ave. North. 329-1741.
Medical facilities
u Baptist Memorial Hospital–Golden Triangle,
which was known prior to 1993 as Golden
Triangle Regional Medical Center, is located
 COLUMBUS
just off Highway 45 North at 2520 Fifth Street
u Family Medical Center, 1503 Highway 45
N. Telephone 800-544-8762 or 244-1000.
N., has a doctor on duty Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-
u Lowry Medical Clinic, 362 Park Creek Drive,
5 p.m. Telephone 328-9623.
u Lowndes Medical Clinic, 56 Dutch Lane,
244-8874.
u North Columbus Medical Clinic, 4508
329-3808.
u Pioneer Family Medical of Caledonia, 771
Highway 45 N., 328-9702.
u Urgent Care Columbus, 294 Chubby Drive,
Main Street, 356-4621.
has a doctor on duty Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-9
u Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center
p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 327-2574.
is a hospital located on 1105 Earl Frye Blvd. in
Amory, 35 miles north of Columbus. 256-7111.
Nursing homes
u Aurora Australis Lodge, 310 Emerald Drive,
u Home Place Assisted Living, 2082 Yorkville
327-8021
Rd. E., 329-2772,
u Trinity Place Retirement Community, Airline
www.homeplaceretirement.com.
Road – Healthcare Center, 327-9404; Personal
Care Center, 327-6795; Independent Living,
u Vineyard Court Nursing Center, 2002 Fifth
327-6716
u Windsor Place Nursing and Rehab Center,
St. N., 328-1133
81 Windsor Blvd., 241-5518
Car rentals
u A Plus Car Rental, 327-0809
u Avis Rent A Car, 328-1636
u Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 328-7610
u Hertz Rent-A-Car, 327-5121
u King Van Rentals, 327-4054
Transportation
u Accessible Aviation, training, 244-8434
Airlines
u Delta Airlines, 800-221-1212
u Ratliff Air Service (RAS), charters, training,
u Taloney Air Service, general aviation servic-
rentals, 328-9312
es, 327-6907
u City Wide Cab, 329-2041
Bus lines, cab and limousine services
u Crown Limousine Services, 888-353-5466
u Leo’s Luxury Limos, 329-2940
u Take Me Too bus service, 328-1911
Annual events
African-American Heritage Tour –
Guided tours and dramatic presenta-
tions explore African-American contri-
butions to Columbus and Lowndes
County. A highlight is “Catfish in the
Alley,” an evening of music and food
downtown. The next Heritage Tour will
be Feb. 5-6, 2010. Contact the
Convention and Visitors Bureau, 329-
1191.
Grilling on the River – The Kansas
City Barbecue Championship hosts
cooking teams from around the country
and includes music, food and children’s
activities. The 2010 event is March 19-
20. Call Harvey Myrick, 328-6850.
Annual Pilgrimage – This award-
winning spring celebration of the area’s
history and architectural heritage
includes antebellum home tours, musi-
cal and dramatic performances, period
arts and more. April 5-17, 2010, marks
the 70th annual Pilgrimage. Call the
Columbus Convention and Visitors
Bureau, 329-1191.
Tales From the Cr ypt –
Mississippi School for Mathematics and
Science students combine history and
drama in this nationally-recognized
research project as they portray local
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 21
 COLUMBUS
personalities near their gravesites in
Friendship Cemetery, site of the first
Decoration Day. The event runs on
selected nights during Pilgrimage. Call
the Columbus Convention and Visitors
Bureau, 328-1191.
Decoration Day Re-enactment –
The solemn gesture four Columbus
women performed April 25, 1866,
evolved into the nation’s Memorial Day
and is celebrated annually each April at
Friendship Cemetery. Re-enactors with
the Stephen D. Lee Chapter of the
United Daughters of the Confederacy
lay flowers on graves of fallen soldiers.
Call the Convention and Visitors
Bureau, 329-1191.
Noon Tunes – Join friends for live
music and lunch, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
at the Trotter Convention Center court-
yard and Tennessee Williams Welcome
Center on spring Thursdays to be
announced. Call Main Street Columbus,
328-6305.
Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market –
The Farmers’ Market is open late April
through October, offering freshly-
grown produce, local artisans, live
music and more on Saturdays from 7-10
a.m. Located at Second Avenue and
Second Street North, the community
gathering place is also open Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 6-10 a.m. Call Main
Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Market Street Festival –
Thousands of visitors flock to this
award-winning May festival in down-
town Columbus featuring live music on
multiple stages and more than 200 ven-
dors of fine arts, crafts, food and more.
The 2010 festival is May 7-8. Call Main
Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Juneteenth Celebration – To cele-
brate the Emancipation Proclamation,
this free event held the third Saturday
in June offers food, music and games at
Sim Scott Park, 902 20th St. N. Call
Leroy Brooks, 328-0032 or 329-5871.
Sounds of Summer – Enjoy sum-
mer evenings in June and July with live
music at the Riverwalk in historic down-
town Columbus. Call Main Street
Columbus, 328-6305.
Artesia Days – These community
festivities traditionally held the first
weekend in August include live music,
crafts and food vendors and a school
supply giveaway in downtown Artesia.
For information, call Tresa Sanders at
272-5104.
Roast-n-Boast – Mississippi’s barbe-
22 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
cue cooking championship draws teams
from around the country and offers
music, food vendors and children’s
activities at Columbus Fairgrounds,
Highway 69 South. The next event is
Aug. 28-29, 2009. Call Mike Laws, 549-
5054.
Tennessee Williams Tribute – The
Sept. 7-13, 2009, tribute and tour of
Victorian homes honors one of
America’s most prolific playwrights,
born in Columbus March 26, 1911.
Multiple special events include an
appearance by Academy Award winner
Olympia Dukakis at Rent Auditorium
Sept. 12. Call the Tennessee Williams
Welcome Center, 328-0222 or 800-327-
2686.
Afternoon Tunes – Main Street
Columbus presents free live music on
Thursdays from mid-September
through mid-October at the Riverwalk,
6-8 p.m. Call Main Street Columbus,
328-6305.
Fall Tour of Homes – Many of
Columbus’ most gracious historic
homes will be showcased in day and
candlelight tours Oct. 1-4, 2009.
Interesting loft apartments will also be
on tour. Call the Columbus Convention
and Visitors Bureau, 329-1191.
Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival
– Held the first weekend in October,
this event celebrates the history and
significance of the Seventh Avenue dis-
trict with live music, food vendors and
family activities. Call the Convention
and Visitors Bureau, 329-1191.
Ghosts and Legends – These
hauntingly interesting evening bus
tours Oct. 22-24, 2009, will explore
Columbus’ spirited past. Call the
Convention and Visitors Bureau, 329-
1191.
Columbus Day Celebration – Oct.
10, 2009, 10 a.m.-noon. Call Main Street
Columbus, 328-6305.
Downtown Fall Open House –
Oct. 10, 2009, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call Main
Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Welty Weekend – Sponsored by
Mississippi University for Women Oct.
22-24, 2009, the weekend includes the
Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium and
National Board of Distinguished
Women Forum. The public is invited.
For information, call 329-7119.
Caledonia Day Celebration – This
homecoming event in downtown
Caledonia includes music, vendors,
games, a pet parade and more. The
 COLUMBUS
2009 celebration will be Oct. 17. Call
356-4117.
Christmas Open House – Historic
downtown dresses up for Christmas
and presents open house celebrations
and refreshments at several retail estab-
lishments. Open House 2009 is Nov. 6-8.
Call Main Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Let’s Go Walking Downtown —
Nov. 8, 2009, in downtown Columbus.
Call Main Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Decorative Arts and Preser vation
Forum/Antiques Show and Sale –
This event is highlighted by a reception
and luncheon, free lectures by national
speakers and extensive exhibits. The
2009 Forum is Nov. 5-8. Call the
Columbus Convention and Visitors
Bureau, 329-1191.
Veteran’s Day Parade – Honor area
veterans and servicemen and women
Nov. 7, 2009. Call Main Street
Columbus, 328-6305.
Indoor Holiday Craft Show – This
event features handmade crafts at Lake
Lowndes State Park’s Multi-Sports
Center. Free admission. The 2009 show
is Nov. 28. (State park entrance fee is $3

FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 23

 COLUMBUS
A colorful collage of a guitar hangs for sale at the 2009 Market Street Festival in
downtown Columbus.
per vehicle.) Call the park office, 328-
2110.
City Christmas Tree Lighting –
Join friends and neighbors for this com-
munity event Dec. 4, 2009, at 6 p.m.,
next to the Tennessee Williams
Welcome Center, 300 Main St. Call
Main Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Wassail Fest – Enjoy the wassail
contest and holiday activities down-
town, Dec. 4, 2009, 5-8 p.m.
Call Main Street Columbus, 328-
6305.
Christmas Parade – This festive
downtown event Dec. 7, 2009, is pre-
sented by Main Street Columbus and
features floats, bands, music and more.
Call 328-6305.
New Year’s Eve Block Party – See
the old year out Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-mid-
night, in downtown Columbus. Call
Main Street Columbus, 328-6305.
Fishing
American Bass Anglers Couples
Tournament – Aug. 2-8, Columbus
Lake. Call 329-1191.
Crappie Classic Nation
Tournament – Sept. 28-Oct. 3,
Columbus Lake. Call 329-1191.
Mississippi Bass Federation –
Oct. 9-10, Columbus Lake. Call 329-
1191.
American Bass Anglers
24 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Luisa Porter
Bassmaster Weekend Series – Oct.
11-17, Southern regional championship,
Columbus Lake. Call 329-1191.
Racing
Lucas Oil Late Model Series –
Held in July at Magnolia Motor
Speedway. Call 240-3478.
Southern All Star – Aug. 22, Super
Late Models race at Magnolia Motor
Speedway. Call 240-3478.
NeSmith National Series – Sept. 5,
late model series at Columbus Motor
Speedway. Call 241-5004.
Open Wheel Madness – Sept. 19,
open wheel special event at Magnolia
Motor Speedway. Call 240-3478.
20th Annual Magnolia State 100
– Sept. 25-26, at Columbus Motor
Speedway. Call 241-5004.
Sixth Annual Cotton Pickin 100 –
Oct. 29-31, super late model 100 lap at
Magnolia Motor Speedway, 240-3478.
Ninth Annual Possum Town
Grand Prix – Nov. 26-28, at Columbus
Motor Speedway. Call 241-5004.
Dining
The following list represents the vari-
ety of dining opportunities available in
u AKK’s, 1316 Highway 69 S., 245-0296
the area.
u Applebee’s, Highway 45 N., 327-3348
u Arby’s, 1911 Highway 45 N., 329-2536
u Back Yard Burgers, 1913 Highway 45 N.,
u Bartahatchie Outback, 78 Brickerton St.,
329-9199
u Beans and Cream, 60 Brickerton St., 328-
240-9922
u Big Kahuna’s Beach Club, 201-D Alabama
2003
u Blevin’s Smile-A-While, 2012 14th Ave. N.
St., 793-4800
u Block and Barrel Deli, 229 Main St., 241-
u Bullets, 111 Lehmberg Road, 327-3799
0011
u Buffet City, Highway 45 N., 328-6200
u Burger King, 119 Alabama St., 328-5004
u Cafe on Main, 101 Fifth St. S., 241-0045
u Captain D’s, 506 Alabama St., 328-0357,
u Chili’s, 1407 Highway 45 N., 328-4644
and 1718 Highway 45 N., 329-4005
u China Royal, 1613 Main St., 328-2699
u Church’s Fried Chicken, 1403 Main St.,
u CJ’s Pizza, 507 18th Ave. N., 328-1700
327-4090
u The Courtyard (Holiday Inn), Highway 45 N.,
u Domino’s Pizza, 1510 Main St., 329-3131
328-5202
u Donut Factory, 1214 Highway 45 N., 328-
u Doug and Hazel’s Drive Inn, 224 Tuscaloosa
0546
u Dunkin Donuts, 1725 Highway 45 N., 328-
Road, 241-5437
u El Pargo Corp, 507 18th Ave. N., 327-6833
8203
u Front Door and Back Door Columbus, 400
u Fuhgetaboutit, 115 Fifth St. S., 329-6642
Main St., 329-3693
u Garibaldi’s Mexican Restaurant, 2420
u The Golden Horn, Highway 82 West, 328-
Military Road, 243-2080
u The Green Olive, 441 Wilkins-Wise Road,
4509
u The Grill at Jackson Square, Highway 45 N.,
241-6611
u Hardee’s, East Columbus, 327-0314, or
328-8656
u Harvey’s, 200 Main St., 327-1639
Leigh Mall, 327-5811
u Helen’s Kitchen and Catering, 708 15th St.
u Huck’s Place, 121 Fifth St. S., 327-6500
N., 328-3063
u Huddle House, 2009 Military Road, 327-
u J Broussard’s, 210 Fifth St. S., 243-1480
2323
u Jones Restaurant/Sally’s Cafe, 112 Fourth
u Kentucky Fried Chicken, East Columbus,
St. S., 327-9933
u Kountry Kitchen, Fairlane Shopping Center,
328-8047, or North Columbus, 328-2333
u Krystal, 2121 Highway 45 N., 328-0026
Highway 182 East, 327-9207
u La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, Highway 45
u Little Dooey, 701 Highway 45 N., 327-0088,
North, 327-8007, or East Columbus, 329-4260
u Little Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Highway
or 925 Alabama St., 245-1382
u McAlister’s Deli, 1723 Highway 45 N., 328-
45 North, 244-6030
u McDonald’s, 937 Alabama St., 328-1515 or
3600
 COLUMBUS
u Master Host Inn, Highway 45 North, 328-
Highway 45 North, 328-9444

u Mexican Kitchen, Highway 182 East, 328-

5202

u Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, 1207

4441

u Mississippi Coffee House, 423 Main St.,

Highway 45 N., 327-3396

u Mi Toro Mexican Restaurant, Highway 45

244-6060

North, 329-4099, or 65 South St., Caledonia,

u Old Hickory Steak House, Highway 45 N.,

356-0400

u PJ’s Barbeque, 2225 Highway 45 N., 241-

328-9793

u Papa John’s Pizza, Highway 45 N., 241-

5338

u Peking Chinese Restaurant, Highway 45 N.,

6800

u Pepper’s Deli & Market, 2015 Highway 45

328-9956

u Pizza Hut, East Columbus, 328-1222, or

N., 328-6889

u Popeye’s, 1535 Highway 45 N., 329-1126

North Columbus, 327-4472

u Proffitt’s Porch, Officer’s Lake Road, 327-

u Quizno’s, 1910 Highway 45 N., 241-4782
4485

u Ruben’s Fish House, 171 Moore’s Creek

u Ryan’s, 1201 Highway 45 N., 329-9216
Road, 328-9880

u Santa Fe Cattle Company, 528 18th St. N.,

u Skeet’s Hot Dogs, 2001 14th Ave. N., 327-
327-0772

u Shirley’s Barbeque, 26 Glynis Road, 245-

0755

u Sonic Drive In, East Columbus, 327-6727,

1451

u Subway, East Columbus, 328-6726; North

or North Columbus, 327-5508

Columbus, 327-5508; 64 Brickerton St., 329-

u Taco Bell, 1612 Highway 45., 328-1615, or

8585

u Tampico Bay, 1515 College St., 327-2123

905 Alabama St., 329-1594

u The Pit and Cone, 302 Tuscaloosa Road,

u The Ranch House, 807 Alabama St., 328-
329-1574

u United Deli and Grocery, 212 Tuscaloosa

0784

u Waffle House, Highway 45 North, 328-1408

Road, 328-5105

u Wendy’s, 1903 Highway 45 N., 328-2584,

u Woody’s on the Water, 233 Marina Drive,
or 101 Alabama St., 244-8725

u Zachary’s, 205 Fifth St. N., 240-0101

329-1616

Shopping
The city of Columbus, Lowndes
County and the surrounding area are
served by two malls, many shopping
centers and a downtown business dis-
trict.
Brickerton – (8 a.m.- 6 p.m.)
Intersection of Highway 82 and Military
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 25
 COLUMBUS
Road; restaurant, coffee and ice cream
shop, deli, day spa, florist, gift shops,
ladies and children’s clothing, jewelry,
hair salon, dance studio, hotel, financial
services, real estate office and custom
home improvement.
Downtown – (9 a.m. -5:30 p.m.)
Restaurants, banks, post office, dry
cleaners, tuxedo and formal dress
rentals, consignment store, lounges,
clothing, antique and gift shops, and
yarn store.
The Gateway Shopping Center –
(10 a.m.- 9 p.m.) Highway 182 East,
restaurant, bank, drug and discount
stores, lounge, salon, fast foods, video
rental.
Leigh Mall – (10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Monday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday)
Highway 45 North; jewelry, restaurants,
fast foods, drugstore, bank, record
store, card shop, salon, photo store,
department stores, specialty shops,
boutiques, weekend attractions.
University Mall – (10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Monday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday) Highway 45 North; Belk
department store, specialty store.
26 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Little Woods Shopping Center –
(8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.) Wilkins Wise Road;
florist, salon, specialty stores, restau-
rant and lounge.
Jackson Square Shopping Center
– Highway 45 North; restaurants,
department store, cell phone store, fur-
niture store, specialty discount store.
Leisure activities
Antebellum homes – The
Columbus Historic Foundation spon-
sors daily tours of some of the South’s
finest antebellum mansions. For maps
and schedules, call the Welcome Center
at 328-0222.
Afro-American Culture
Organization – Provides cultural enter-
tainment with an emphasis on black his-
tory. Write for information: 214 12th St.
N., Columbus, 39701
Art Association of Columbus –
Meets monthly September through
May with programs in different areas of
visual arts. Write P.O. Box 781,
Columbus, MS 39703.
Blewett-Harrison-Lee Home and
Museum – Home of one of the early
citizens of Columbus, the museum con-
tains Civil War memorabilia and arti-
facts from the local region. Open Friday
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appoint-
ment. Call 327-8888 for tours.
Columbus Arts Council – The
CAC coordinates and assists in promot-
ing and developing fine and performing
arts. It grants funding assistance for
various projects for civic and communi-
ty groups.
Its publication, “Showcase,” lists and
describes area art-related events. The
Arts Council sponsors the Young
People’s Artist Series, Suzuki Strings
program, Youth Orchestra and Artists
In The Schools. Phone 328-ARTS.
Friendship Cemeter y – Located on
Fourth Street South, this historic ceme-
tery was the site of the first Memorial
Day observance in 1866.
Welcome Center – Playwright
Tennessee Williams’ first home is now
the Welcome Center at 300 Main St.
Open Monday through Saturday, 8:30
a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m., 328-
0222.
Recreation
Those who enjoy recreational sports
will have little trouble finding some-
thing to do in the Golden Triangle area.
From fishing to summer baseball, the
Golden Triangle offers a wide range of
options to its residents.
While the Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway was built for barge traffic, it
also offers great fishing and ample
opportunities for water sports.
Several golf courses in the Golden
Triangle area offer challenges to both
the occasional hacker and the scratch
player.
If tennis is your racket, then both
public and private courts are available.
A variety of habitats also make the
Golden Triangle a hunter’s paradise.
Fishing
Some of the largest bass on record
have been reeled in from the waters of
the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
A pair of bass weighing more than 12
pounds were pulled from the Columbus
area waters, while just to the south,
bass weighing as much as 16 pounds
have been caught.
Several local organizations hold tour-
naments throughout the year to give
anglers a chance to profit from their
 COLUMBUS
favorite pastime. ed at the Columbus-Lowndes cycling. For more information and
Recreational Authority parks, including schedules, call the Columbus-Lowndes
Camping Propst Park which has the largest ten- Recreation Authority at 327-4935.
The Tennessee-Tombigbee nis courts complex. Lake Lowndes Bowling is available at Magnolia
Waterway offers two camping develop- State Park also offers public courts. The Lanes, 122 S. McCrary Road. Call 327-
ments built by the U.S. Army Corps of Magnolia Tennis Club, a private club, 9095 for information.
has 10 courts in Columbus.
u Town Creek, on the Columbus Lake of the
Engineers.
Local parks
Tenn-Tom, is a Class-A facility and is open to
campers all year. There are more than 50
Hunting A wide selection of parks offers
No matter what your favorite game, something for everyone.
campsites, a boat ramp, hiking trails, game the abundance of wildlife in the area
courts, playgrounds and a number of other
Propst Park – Columbus’ largest
offers hunters a variety of challenges. park is Propst Park. Located off
u The Dwayne Hayes Campground, formerly
amenities. Call 327-2142.
Deer season in Mississippi gives Highway 182 East, on the banks of the
known as the Stinson Creek Recreation area, hunters a chance to test their skill as a Luxapalila River, the park has softball
is located on the east side of Columbus Lake still hunter or with dogs. There is also a and baseball fields, tennis courts, com-
on the Tenn-Tom. Also a Class-A facility, bow season and a muzzle-loader season. munity huts and pavilions, a play-
Dwayne Hayes has 110 campsites and offers There are doe days during the sea- ground and an abundance of picnic
playgrounds, hiking trails, fish-cleaning sta- son. tables. The park is a part of the
tions, game courts and other amenities. Call Waterfowl, wild turkey and small Columbus-Lowndes Recreation
327-2142 or Tenn Tom Waterway at 328-3286. game can also be found throughout the Authority, which oversees 12 parks.
Camping opportunities are also avail- region. River walk – A popular attraction
able at Lake Lowndes State Park, 328-
for both residents and visitors to the
2110, Tombigbee RV Park, 328-8655,
and at Brown’s RV Park, 328-1976. Other recreation area, the paved 2-mile Riverwalk walk-
Other recreation activities available ing path winds from downtown
in the Golden Triangle area include Columbus through the woods along
Water sports laser tag, summer baseball and soft- the banks of the Tennessee-
Both skiing and recreational boating ball, miniature golf, bowling, horse- Tombigbee River. The path begins
have become popular activities on the back riding, volleyball, soccer and near the intersection of College Street
waterway.
The waterway offers numerous
places to launch boats, including the
Stennis Lock and Dam, Waverley
Landing and on the west side of the
river at Highway 182.
Lowndes State Park offers both
swimming and boating. Oktibbeha
County Lake offers boating, fishing and
swimming and is located eight miles
northwest of Starkville. Waverley
Recreation Area provides boating and
swimming for the West Point area.

Golf
u The Columbus Country Club – private
There are seven courses in the area.

u Elm Lake golf community – semiprivate resi-

course

u Green Oaks Golf Club – private course

dential golf course

u Lakeside Golf Course – (the Mississippi

u Old Waverley Golf Course – at West Point
State Council), located on Old Highway 82

u The West Point Country Club – private

u Whispering Pines Golf Club – at the
course

Columbus Air Force Base

Tennis
Public tennis courts are available
throughout the Golden Triangle area.
In Columbus, tennis courts are locat-
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 27
 COLUMBUS
and First Street South.
CLRA/Cook Soccer Complex –
Located at Sixth Street North and
Willowbrook Road. Facility includes
nine illuminated soccer fields.
Dwayne Hayes Recreation Area
– Located north of Columbus on
Columbus Lake. Offers camping facili-
ties, hiking trails, sprayground and
more.
East Columbus Gym and
Minipark – Located on Lawrence
Drive, it has a baseball field, gym and
playground.
Fair view School Tennis Courts –
Located on Airline Road.
14th Avenue Minipark – Located
on 14th Avenue and 19th Street North,
it has outdoor basketball courts and a
playground.
Lake Lowndes State Park – This
park has a 150-acre lake, a camp-
ground area and cabins. Features
include a gymnasium, meeting rooms,
tennis courts, swimming marina, soft-
ball fields, picnic areas and a covered
picnic pavilion. Call 328-2110.
Lee Park – Located on Seventh
Street North, the park features a play-
ground, picnic tables, a pavilion and
restrooms.
Luxapalila Creek Park – Large
park off Doughty Road along
Luxapalila Creek, popular for fishing.
Features picnic tables and restrooms.
Sale School Minipark – Located
on Warpath Road, the park has a play-
ground and tennis courts.
Second Street Minipark –
Located on Second Street North at
Frog Bottom, it has a playground and
outdoor basketball court.
Sim Scott Park – Located on 20th
Street North and Eighth Avenue, Sim
Scott has baseball and softball fields, a
picnic area, community hut, play-
ground and basketball courts.
Southside Park – Located on
Seventh Street and 11th Avenue
South, the park has a baseball field,
outdoor basketball courts, a play-
ground and a pavilion.
Townsend Park – Located on
Seventh Avenue South at 11th Street,
the park has a baseball field, gym and
playground.
Sandfield Community Center –
Located at 617 Oak St., facility
includes a community center and
plans for a walking track and play-
ground.
28 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
 Starkville

About Starkville and Chickasaw nations. in Oktibbeha County were

The area of Oktibbeha (pro-
nounced ock-TIB-a-haw) County
was originally a part of the lands
belonging to the Choctaw Indians.
It takes its name from the creek
Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
Oktibbeha, in the Choctaw lan-
guage means “icy water.” It has
been estimated that in 1820, there
were between 1,000 and 1,500
Choctaws living within the coun-
Presbyterian missionaries led by
Cyrus Kingsbury. They developed
the Mayhew Mission in 1820
where Ash Creek flows into
Tibbee Creek in the northeastern

in the northern part of the county ty’s present-day boundaries in part of the county.
which formed a portion of the some five or six settlements. The The first public thoroughfare in
boundary between the Choctaw first whites to settle permanently the county was the Robinson

The Cullis & Gladys Wade Clock Museum, located in

the lobby of the Mississippi State University
Welcome Center at the Cullis Wade Depot, showcas-
es an extensive collection of more than 400 clocks.
 STARKVILLE
Parker Wiseman David Lindley
Mayor Police Chief
Road, built in the early 1820s with both
federal and state funds. It connected
Nashville, Tenn., and Jackson, entering
Oktibbeha at Artesia and extending
southeastward to the Noxubee River.
In 1830, after the Choctaws surren-
dered their claims to the area in the
Treaty of Dancing Rabbit, white settlers
began moving into the area. A number
of these newcomers were attracted to
what is now Starkville by two large
springs and the favorable lay of the
land. A mill southwest of the site of the
30 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Dolph Bryan
Sheriff
city provided the clapboards used in
many of the original buildings. From
this, the settlement came to be called
Boardtown.
Oktibbeha County was formally
organized Dec. 23, 1833. By 1835, the
county seat had been established at
Boardtown, which changed its name to
Starkville in honor of Gen. John Stark, a
hero of the Revolutionary War.
One of the area’s strongest promot-
ers was Col. W.B. Montgomery. Not
only did he revolutionize the agricultur-
al base of the area from cotton to dairy
farming, he was also instrumental in
securing Starkville as the location of the
new state agricultural and mechanical
college, Mississippi A&M, in 1878. The
college would eventually develop into
Mississippi State University and
become the backbone of the local econ-
omy. But Starkville also depends upon
the economic impact of many different
industries, which serve as national sup-
pliers of wood products, clothing, elec-
tronics and industrial cable.
Part of the rapidly growing Golden
Triangle area, Starkville and Oktibbeha
County have enjoyed impressive growth
in the past two decades. Much of that
growth has been rooted in technology
thanks to an increased research empha-
sis at MSU.
General information
County – Oktibbeha
County seat – Starkville
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 24,187 in the city and
43,944 in the county.
Government – City: mayor and board of seven
aldermen; incorporated as a town in 1831 and
as a city in 1837. County: five-member board
of supervisors.
Altitude – 420 feet above sea level
Assessed valuation – City: $155,740,843;
County – $242,065,014
City statistics – Firefighters: 60, police offi-
cers: 52
Climate – January daily average maximum tem-
perature, 51.9; January daily average minimum
temperature, 31.5. July daily average maximum
temperature, 91.3, July daily average minimum
temperature, 70.6
Major highways – U.S. 45 and 82; state high-
ways 12 and 25
City government
Starkville has a mayor-aldermen
form of government. The mayor is
elected every four years by a majority
vote, based on the votes cast through-
out the city in the primary and general
elections. The seven aldermen, also
elected every four years, are elected
based on voters in predetermined
wards of the city.
The present mayor and aldermen
were elected in June 2009, and their
u Mayor Parker Wiseman, City Hall, 323-4583
terms officially expire in 2013.
u Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, (O) 418-4570
Members of the elected board are:
u Ward 2 Alderwoman Sandra Sistrunk, (C)
u Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker, (C) 418-4530
418-4574
 STARKVILLE
u Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey, (C) 694-
u Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas, (C) 418-
0690
u Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins, (H) 323-
4575
u Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn Sr., (H)
5156, (C) 242-7300
323-2004, (C) 769-5049
The board meets on the first and
third Tuesday of every month at 5:30
p.m. in the City Hall board room.
Other major city officials include:
Chief of Police – David Lindley, City Hall, 323-
4134
Fire Chief – Roger Mann, Fire Station 1,
Lampkin Street, 323-2962
City Clerk – Markeeta Outlaw, City Hall, 323-
2525
City Attorney – City Hall, 323-2525
City Prosecuting Attorney – Roy Carpenter,
203 E. Main St., 323-4095
City Judge – Rodney Faver, 101 E. Lampkin St.,
323-2525
City Tax Collector/Assessor – Patricia Kight,
101 E. Main St. No. 103, 323-1273
City Hall is open Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
County government
Governing the five districts of
Oktibbeha County is a five-member
Board of Supervisors. Supervisors hold
office for four-year terms.
Circuit Clerk – Angie B. McGinnis, 323-1356
Tax Assessor/Collector – Pat Kight, 323-1273
Chief Medical Examiner – Michael Hunt, 615-
2675
Oktibbeha County Extension Office, Mississippi
State University – 323-5916
All emergency services in the county
can be reached by dialing 911.
City, county maps
Maps of the city and county are avail-
able at the Greater Starkville
Development Partnership, 200 E. Main
St. Call 323-3322.
Permits, licenses
Building permits – Building per-
mits can be obtained at the Building
Department in City Hall, 101 E.
Lampkin St. Call 323-8012 for more
information.
Business permits and licenses –
These may be obtained from the city
clerk’s office, also in City Hall. Call 323-
4813 for more information.
Postal service
Residents who need to send mail can
deposit it at one of the many drop-off
locations throughout the city. Starkville
has one station with window service at
the main Post Office at 822 Taylor St.,
off Highway 12 West, at Starkville
Crossing, 323-4752. Window service is
also available at Mississippi State
University. For those living in apart-
ment complexes, most can deposit mail
at designated locations for pick-up. For
those living in rural Oktibbeha County,
stamps can be purchased from the mail
carrier. Mail is collected daily at all post
office locations, and the last pick up of
the day is at 5 p.m. at the main post
office at Starkville Crossing. The
Starkville postmaster is Patrick McKee.
Refuse collection
City – Starkville residents do not pay
a deposit for residential trash and
garbage collection. A monthly fee of
$10.50 is added to residents’ electric
bills. Trash is collected twice a week.
For more information, call the sanita-
tion department at 323-2652.
County – County residents can take
advantage of curbside trash pick-up

u District 1 – Carl Clardy

The supervisors are:

u District 2 – Orlando K. Trainer

u District 3 – Marvell Howard
u District 4 – Daniel Jackson
u District 5 – John L. Young Sr., board presi-
dent
The Board of Supervisors meets on
the first Monday of every month at 10
a.m. unless that day is a holiday. In that
case the supervisors meet on the fol-
lowing Tuesday. Meetings are held in
the boardroom on the second floor of
the courthouse, and meetings are open
to the public. The phone number is 323-
1520.

Other county officials include:

Sheriff – Dolph Bryan, 323-2421
Superintendent of Education – James
Covington, 323-1472
County Board Attorney – Jackson Brown, 323-
4126
Justice Court Judges – W. Bernard Crump,
James Mills, Anthony “Tony” Boykin
Constables – Curtis D. Randle, 324-1500;
Jimmy Shurden, 323-9448 and James Lindsey,
465-7507
Chancery Clerk – Monica Banks, 323-5834
County Administrator – Don Posey, 323-1520
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 31
 STARKVILLE
Scott Whitehead, right, sells fruits and vegetables outside of R.S. Antiques on a summer Saturday in Starkville. He is joined
by his daughter, Lesley Whitehead, left, and Lisa Hays, who also helps sell goods in front of the shop on Saturdays.
from Golden Triangle Cooperative
Service District. Residents are given a
garbage can by Golden Triangle
Cooperative Service District, the com-
pany contracted to collect household
garbage, and they pay $13 per month,
which includes can rental and service.
The city and county also operate a
rubbish landfill on Rock Hill Road for
items not collected by Golden Triangle
Cooperative Service District. To begin
service, call the office of the county
administrator at 323-1520.
Taxes
Personal taxes – State, county and
municipal ad valorem taxes, except on
motor vehicles, must be paid by Feb. 1
each year. County and city tax millage
rates are set prior to September of each
year and are effective Oct. 1.
Where to pay taxes – Municipal
taxes are to be paid at the Oktibbeha
County Courthouse. Call 323-1273 for
32 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
information. County taxes and state ad
valorem taxes are payable at the tax col-
lector’s office in the Oktibbeha County
Courthouse. Call 323-1273 for informa-
tion. State income tax is payable to the
State Tax Commission located in the
Woolfolk Building in Jackson by April
15. A tax commissioner’s office is locat-
ed on Highway 45 and can be reached
at 328-3271.
Homestead exemption – City and
county applications for homestead
exemption on property should be filed
each year at the courthouse by April 1.
Residents filing for homestead exemp-
tion for the first time should bring with
them the warranty deed for the proper-
ty, the Oktibbeha County automobile
tag numbers and the Social Security
numbers of all the property owners.
The applicant must have been living in
the home on Jan. 1 of the year in which
he or she is filing. The warranty deed is
to have been recorded by Dec. 31.
If a resident in the city or the county
Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
turns 65, becomes disabled, gets mar-
ried or divorced, loses a spouse in
death, or has a deed change affecting
their homestead during the previous
year, he or she must re-file at the tax
assessor’s office.
For more information, call the tax
assessor’s office at 323-8131.
Utilities
Electricity
City – To establish electric service in
the city limits, go to the Starkville
Electric and Water Department on
Meigs Drive. All applicants must bring
identification showing their Social
Security number. Renters must also
bring a rent receipt or a copy of the
lease agreement. Renters and home-
owners will pay a deposit of $185 - $315
based on their credit history.
Homeowners must bring a copy of
their deed. For more information, call
SEWD at 323-3133.
 STARKVILLE
County – Newcomers who live out-
side the city limits must apply for mem-
bership at the 4-County Electric Power
Association office on Highway 25.
u University Motel, 104 Dr. Martin Luther
be 18 years old by the election date and UNIV or 323-9550
must reside in this state. A person must
register with the Oktibbeha County King Drive W., 323-1421
Circuit Clerk’s Office at least 30 days

u The Cedars, 2173 Oktoc Road, 324-7569

A $25 membership fee and a $25 con- prior to the election to vote in county, Bed and Breakfasts

u Hickory Hill, 1309 Camps Airport Road,

nection fee are required for residential
connection. The deposit is based on a
utility credit check.
Those who require building a new
line to a new home may also have to
sign a right-of-way easement agreement.
Personnel at the 4-County office will
explain additional services available
through the rural electric cooperative.
Usually, wherever existing service
has been available, 4-County can turn
power on to that location on the same
day an application is completed.
However, in cases of new service at a
new home, it may take three to four
days or longer to get electric service
started.
New service may take three to four
days. For more information, call 4-
County at 323-4502 or see www.4coun-
ty.org.
Gas
For gas service, call Atmos Energy at
888-286-6700. Homeowners will pay a
$65 deposit; renters an $85 deposit.
state, national and municipal elections.
For more information, call the circuit
clerk’s office at 323-1356. 324-2695
Accommodations Churches
Eighty-one churches exist in
u America’s Best Value Inn & Suites, 403
Hotels/Motels
Starkville and the Oktibbeha County
area, representing 17 different
u Comfort Suites, 801 Russell St., 324-9595
Highway 12 E., 323-6161
Protestant denominations and one
u Days Inn & Suites, 119 Highway 12 W., Catholic church. For a complete listing
u Hampton Inn, 700 Highway 12 E., 324-1333
324-5555 of churches, call the Greater Starkville
u Hilton Garden Inn, 975 Highway 12 E., 615-
Development Partnership at 323-3322.
u Holiday Inn Express, 110 Highway 12 W.,
9664
Education
u Hotel Chester, 101 N. Jackson St., 323-
324-0076 General information – Notice of
the registration times for the upcoming
u Magnolia Motel, Highway 82 at Clayton
5005 school year at area schools is published
during the summer. Kindergarten is
u Microtel Inn and Suites, 1121 Highway 182
Village, 324-1026
available to all students in the city and
the county, including private schools.
u Regal Inn, 410 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
E., 615-0700
Students entering the first grade must
be 6 years old and those entering
u University Inn, 703 Spring St., 800-475-
E., 323-8251
kindergarten must be 5 years old on or

Water
City – For new service or to transfer
an existing service, call the Starkville
Electric Department at 323-3133. For
maintenance, call the Starkville Water
Department at 323-3505.
County – Rural water users who are
hooked up to one of the water associa-
tions will pay a deposit (each association
differs) and sign a user’s agreement.
Hooking up a new meter costs more
than simply connecting service. For
more information, call the Oktibbeha
County Health Department at 323-4565.

Telephone Service
To establish telephone service, call
AT&T at 888-757-6500 Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.; or visit www.att.com.

Wireless providers
AT&T – 824 Highway 12 W. Suite A, 323-4262
Verizon – 210 Highway 12 W., 800-462-3558

Voter registration
To vote in Mississippi, a person must
be a citizen of the United States, must
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 33
 STARKVILLE
before Sept. 1. A birth certificate and
record of immunization are required for
registration. Contact the school district
or school for more information.
City schools – The Starkville School
District is served by four elementary
schools, one middle school and one
high school, in addition to an alterna-
tive school that serves a four-county
area. The district serves students who
live within Starkville’s corporate limits
and 100 square miles surrounding the
city. For more information, contact
Starkville School District
Superintendent of Education Judy
Couey, 401 Greensboro St., Starkville,
MS, 39759, 324-4050. Or visit
www.starkville.k12.ms.us.
County schools – The Oktibbeha
County School District is served by
three community schools that house
grades K-12, one elementary school for
grades K-8 and one high school for
grades 9-12. For more information, con-
tact Oktibbeha County School District
Superintendent of Education James
Covington, 105 N. Dr. Douglas Conner
Drive, Starkville, MS 39759, 323-1472 or
visit www.oktibbeha.k12.ms.us.
34 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Private schools – Starkville
Academy, a private school in Starkville,
serves grades K-12. For more informa-
tion, call 323-7814.
Colleges
u Mississippi State University is located just
outside the Starkville city limits. A campus
with its own post office and ZIP code, MSU is
the state’s largest university, providing a
wealth of cultural, intellectual and recreational
activities. More than 17,000 students are
enrolled at MSU in arts and sciences, business
and industry, agriculture and home economics,
engineering, forest resources, veterinary medi-
cine and architecture. Call the Office of
University Relations at 325-3442 for more
information.
Other colleges located in the area
u East Mississippi Community College, locat-
include:
u Mississippi University for Women, located
ed 10 miles away in Mayhew, 243-1900
22 miles east of Starkville in Columbus, 329-
4750
Libraries
The Starkville Public Library, con-
taining more than 60,000 volumes, is
located at 326 University Drive. It is the
main office for the Starkville-Oktibbeha
County Library system and is housed in
a 16,000-square-foot facility that was
renovated in 1994. Branch libraries are
located in Maben (263-5619) and
Sturgis (465-7493). Both branch
libraries have meeting rooms available
to the public, and the main library has a
genealogy room where patrons can
research their family trees. Each
branch has a story hour for preschool-
ers, and the main library has two ses-
sions of story hour. The library also
offers summer reading programs.
Collections can be displayed at the main
library by calling 323-2783.
The library director is Virginia
Holtcamp. Hours are Monday through
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday
and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Media
u The Starkville Dispatch. Call 328-2424 for
subscription information. Printed six days a
week, Sunday through Friday. Business hours
are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Starkville Dispatch office is located at 101
S. Lafayette St. On the web:
u The Starkville Daily News, 304 E. Lampkin
www.cdispatch.com.
St. Call 323-1642 for subscription information.
Printed seven days a week. Business hours are
u Radio stations in the area: WKOR 94.9 FM;
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WKOR 980 AM; WLZA 96.1 FM; WMXU 106.1
FM; WSSO 1230 AM; WMSV 91.1 FM; WMSU
92.1 FM; WSMS 99.9 FM; WZBQ 94.1; WMBC
103.1 FM; WAJV 98.9 FM; WACR 103.9 FM;
u Television stations serving the area are
WQNN FM; WKBB 100.9 FM; WSYE 93.3 FM.
WOBV, Channel 5, an independent station
licensed to Starkville; WCBI, Channel 4, a CBS
affiliate in Columbus; WTVA Channel 9, an NBC
affiliate in Tupelo; and WLOV Channel 13, a
FOX affiliate in Tupelo.
Medical facilities
u The Oktibbeha County Hospital, built in
1973, has 96 beds, six in the intensive
care/cardiac unit, 30 on the surgical floor, 30
on the postpartum/pediatric floor and 30 on
the medical floor. Six more beds are located in
the same-day surgery suite, and the hospital
boasts five birthing suites for labor and deliv-
ery. It is located on Hospital Road, along with
u Webster County General Hospital is located
many physicians’ offices. Call 323-4320.
at 500 Highway 9 S., Eupora. Call 258-6221.
Nursing homes
u Cantrell's Personal Care Home, 1279
u Carrington Nursing Center, 307 Reed Road,
Highway 12 W., 323-5948
 STARKVILLE
Night Route – A free transportation
service for Mississippi State University
students looking to patronize business-
es and restaurants downtown.

Annual events
Magnolia Independent Film
Festival – It’s a great time for movie-
goers. This festival in February features
the screening of two dozen
independent films and is open to the
public. Q&A sessions with filmmakers
follow each screening. Call the
Convention and Visitors Bureau at 323-
3322 for information.
International Fiesta – Hosted the
first Saturday of April, this festival cele-
brates the diverse mix of cultures repre-
sented in the community with food,
music and dancing. The event is free to
the public. Call 325-0787 for informa-
tion.
Cotton District Arts Festival –
Adult and children’s art entries are dis-
played during this festival each April.
Also included is the Taste of Starkville,
live music and theater, a street dance
and arts and crafts booths. Call the

Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Jack Dugger, right, and Tim Fox boat and fish at the Noxubee County Wildlife
Refuge on a Wednesday afternoon during the summer.

u Montgomery Gardens, 1351 Old Highway

323-2202 Transportation
Airports – George M. Bryan Airport
u Starkville Manor, 1001 Hospital Road, 323-
12 W., 323-4663
(municipal), Starkville Flying Service
(private) and Golden Triangle Regional
u Vickers Personal Care Home, 114 N.
6360
Airport located 11 miles east
Montgomery St., 323-4617 of Starkville.
Bus ser vice for seniors – Golden
Car rentals Triangle Transportation for Senior
u Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 404 Highway 12 W., Adults provides transportation free to
senior citizens. Bus runs
u Travel Leaders, 500 Russell St., 323-5007
323-3389
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from
u U-Save Auto Rental, 501 Highway 12 W., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please call 324-7860
461-2277 one day in advance for service.
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 35
 STARKVILLE
Starkville Area Arts Council at 324-
3080.
“Little Sturgis” Motorcycle Rally
– This family event each August draws
motorcyclists from across the country
and gains momentum each
year. Participants and onlookers can
enjoy the flashy bikes, games and con-
tests. Call Sturgis City Hall for informa-
tion at 465-7970.
Super Bulldog Weekend –
Mississippi State University hosts this
annual spring homecoming, which
includes a football scrimmage, an SEC
baseball doubleheader, a pig cooking
contest and SEC tennis, among other
events. Call the MSU ticket office at
325-2600 for information.
Old-Fashioned Family Fourth of
July – Fun for the whole family.
Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. at McKee
Park with a bicycle parade,
patriotic entertainment, games, conces-
sions and a fireworks display. Call the
Starkville Chamber of Commerce at
323-5783 for information.
Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’
Festival – Held each fall, this event
commemorates Johnny Cash’s one-
36 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
night stay in the Starkville City Jail in
1965. Cash was arrested for public
drunk and wrote a song about the
ordeal. Live music, artists, vendors and
a 5K race are just some of the
Flower Pickin’ Festival’s offerings. Call
866-978-7704.
Starkville Christmas Parade –
Begin your holiday festivities by joining
the entire community on Main Street
for the annual Christmas Parade
in early December. The parade features
floats, walking groups, walking horses
and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick himself. Call the
CVB at 323-3322 for information.
Attractions
Around town
Greensboro Historic District – A
driving tour of 30 Victorian homes, sev-
eral listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Call 323-3322.
Mississippi Horse Park – This
100-acre facility on Poorhouse Road
hosts events nearly every weekend,
from rodeos, motocross and barrel rac-
ing to livestock shows, garden expos
and instructional clinics. Call 325-9350.
Oktibbeha County Heritage
Museum – Highlights local artifacts
exhibited in a restored GM&O Railroad
Depot. Open Tuesday through
Thursday, 1-4 p.m., or anytime by
appointment. Call 323-0211.
Starkville Community Theater –
Productions presented throughout the
year. Call 323-6855.
At Mississippi State
Chapel of Memories – Built in 1955
from the brick of Old Main Dormitory,
the nation’s largest dormitory under
one roof, is often the site of
weddings and other student gatherings.
Lee Hall – Named for Stephen D.
Lee, the first president of MSU, Lee
Hall was built in 1909 as an academic
building and chapel.
Mitchell Memorial Library –
Houses more than 1.1 million volumes,
including manuscripts, maps and pam-
phlets and four special collections.
The largest in the state in number of
holdings, the library recently under-
went nearly $15 million in renovations
and additions.
Templeton Music Museum – A
tribute to ragtime music and phono-
graphic inventions. Tours by appoint-
ment only.
A.B. McKay Food and Enology
Laborator y – See how grape research
produces quality Mississippi wine, juice
and jellies. Tours for groups by appoint-
ment only. Call 325-2440.
MSU Art Galler y – The MSU Art
Gallery located in McComas Hall fea-
tures monthly exhibitions by students,
faculty and guest artists. Call 325-
2954 for more information.
In the area
Pearl River Resort – Non-stop
action at two casinos: The Silver Star
Hotel and Casino and The Golden
Moon Hotel and Casino. The resort fea-
tures nightly live entertainment, fine
restaurants, more than 500 hotel rooms,
a convention center, spa and salon.
Located on Highway 16 West,
Choctaw. Call 866-447-3275.
Ole Countr y Baker y – When you
visit this traditional Mennonite bakery,
you’ll fall in love with a variety of special
treats from pastries to Po’ Boy sand-
wiches. Open Tuesday through
Saturday in Brooksville. Call 738-5795.
Bulldog Lanes – Enjoy Glow
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 37
 STARKVILLE
Bowling, league play, Blitz Arcade, deli
and billiards. Also available for parties
and banquets. Open Monday
through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.;
Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-2
a.m.; and Sunday, noon-11 p.m. Located
on Highway 12 in Starkville. Call 323-
2892.
Dining
Starkville offers a number of differ-
ent restaurants, each with its own brand
of special cuisine. The following is a
comprehensive list provided by the
Greater Starkville Development
u Abner’s Famous Chicken Tenders, 518 S.
Partnership.
u Applebee’s, 814 Highway 12 W., 324-3459
Montgomery St., 338-0098
u Arby’s, 112 Highway 12 W., 324-4694
u Barnhill’s Buffet, 409 Highway 12 E., 615-
u Barrister's Grill and Bar, 100 E. Main St.,
5491
u Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, 868 Highway 12
324-8422
u Big Daddy's Bar and Grill, 223 Main Street
W., 323-2707
u Bin 612, 612 University Drive, Suite 3, 324-
(attached to Hotel Chester), 323-5005
u Bistro, 217 E. Main St., 324-4900
6126
u Bleeker Street Deli, MSU campus, Colvard
u Brian Michael's Meat Market and Deli,
Student Union, 325-0923
u Book Mart Cafe, 120 Main St., 323-2844
831A Highway 12 W., 323-1990
u Bop's Frozen Custard, 127 Highway 12 W.,
u Burger King, MSU campus, Roberts Hall,
323-5449
u Bulldog Deli, 702 University Drive, 324-
325-0923
u Cappe’s Steak House, 105 Eckford Drive,
3354
u Captain D’s, 306 Highway 12 W., 323-0689
324-1987
u Catfish One, 605 South Jackson St., 324-
u Chick-Fil-A, MSU campus mini mall, 325-
1142
u Chili’s Bar and Grill, 125 Highway 12 W.,
1299
u China Garden, 821A Highway 12 W., Plaza
323-2455
u Christy’s Hamburgers, 446 Highway 12 W.,
2000, 323-8686
u City Bagel Cafe, 511 University Drive, 323-
323-6497
u Cold Stone Creamery, 605 Highway 12 W.,
3663
u Cotton District Grill, 106 Maxwell St., 323-
320-7066
u Dave's Dark Horse Tavern, 410 Highway 82
6062
u Domino’s Pizza, 101 Highway 12 E., 324-
E., 324-3316
2100
38 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
u Down The Hatch Deli, 405 Russell St., 323-
u Richey’s Restaurant, 513 Academy Road,
1014
u Einstein Brothers Bagels, MSU campus,
7499
u Rick’s Cafe American, 319 Highway 82 E.,
324-2737
u El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant, 111
Mitchell Memorial Library, 325-0923
u Rosey Baby's, 100 S. Jackson St., 324-
324-7425
u Fat Rabbits, 511 Academy Road, 324-1640
Eckford Dr.
u Fish Shack 2, 2330 Old West Point Rd., u Ruby Tuesdays, 110 Highway 12 W., 615-
1949
u Garibaldi’s Grill Mexican Restaurant, 500 u Sbarro, MSU campus, Colvard Student
323-1333 4245
u Gordo's Peruvian Restaurant, 108 Martin u Shaherazad’s, 612 University Drive, Suite 1,
Highway 12 E., 338-1868 Union, 325-0923
u Great Wall, 1146 E. Lee Blvd., 324-8298 u Shipley's Donuts, 418 Highway 12 E., 324-
Luther King Jr. Dr., 338-1788 338-1008
u Grumpy's, 105 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.,
u Sonic Drive-In, 302 Highway 12 E., 323-
6003
u Hardee’s, 411 Highway 12 E., 323-8047
323-1132
u Harvey's, 406 Highway 12 E., 323-1669 u Sonic Drive-in 815 Highway 12 W. 324-
3448
u Huddle House, 809 Highway 12 W., 615-
u Starbucks, MSU campus, Colvard Student
6214
u Jean's Cafe, 103C Rue de Grand Fromage,
1313
u Starkville Cafe, 211 Main St., 323-1665
Union, 325-0923
u Kentucky Fried Chicken, 127A Highway 12
615-3882
u State Fountain Bakery, MSU mini mall, 325-
u La Magnolia Mexican Restaurant, 500
W., 323-1944
u Strange Brew, 605 Highway 12 W., 320-
2967
u Little Dooey’s, 100 Fellowship St., 323-
Highway 12 E., 338-1868
u Stromboli’s, 408 University Drive, 615-4080
7022
u Lenny’s Sub Shop, 100 Russell St. Suite 13, u Subway, 911 Highway 12 W., Suite 107A,
6094
u Subway, 210 N. Jackson St., 323-3733
324-6040
u Mac's Meat Market, 209 Martin Luther
323-8008
u Sushi Martini, 700 University Drive.
u Marketplace Restaurant at Perry, MSU
King Jr. Dr., 324-6328
u McAlister’s Deli, 500 Russell St., Suite 7,
campus, 325-2965
u McClesky’s Deli, 400 Highway 12, 323-
324-2565
u McDonald’s, 500 Highway 12 E., 323-1706
2892
u McDonald’s, 817 Highway 12 W., 320-3908
u Mexico Tipico, 123 Highway 12 W., 323-
u Morris' Bar-B-Q & Steakhouse, 1347 16th
2117
u MSU Cafeteria, Darden Avenue at MSU,
Section Rd., 320-6661
u MSU State Fountain, MSU Mini Mall, 325-
325-2965
u Mugshots Grill & Bar, 101 N. Douglas
2967
u Oby’s Deli, 504 Academy Road, 323-0444
Conner St., 324-3965
u Old Venice Pizza Co., 110 East Main St.,
u Papa John’s Pizza, 500 Russell St., 323-
320-6872
u Petty's BBQ, 103 Highway 12 W., 324-
7272
u Pizza Hut East, 211 Highway 12 W., 323-
2363
u Pizza Hut West, 911 Highway 12 W., 324-
8373
u Popeye’s, 814A Highway 12 W., 324-3537
2321
u Quiznos Sub, 409 University Drive, 615-
u Remington Hunt Club Bar and Grill, 400
9971
u Restaurant Tyler, 100 E. Main St., 324-
Highway 12 W., 615-5444
 STARKVILLE
u Sweet Peppers Deli, 904 Highway 12 W., gifts and cards, shoe store, deli, bike Long Street.

u Taco Bell, 207 Highway 12 W., 323-5174

323-0204
u Taste of China, 608 Highway 12 E., 324-
u Three Generations Tea Room, 217 N.
0555
u Umi Japanese Restaurant, 315 Highway 12
Jackson St., 324-1507
shop, real estate agency, flower shop,
travel agency and hair salon.
Several other shopping centers line
Highway 12 and other parts of town.
Local parks
Moncrief Park – This park on
North Jackson Street provides a swim-
ming pool, a ball field, two tennis
courts, a pavilion area and a playground
open to the public.
George Evans Park – Located on

u Up Your Alley Tamales & Margaritas, 701

W., 323-5258 Starkville Sportsplex – Located off Spring Street, George Evans Park has a
Lynn Lane, the Sportsplex features a playground, one tennis court and a bas-
u The Veranda, 208 Lincoln Green, 323-1231
University Dr., Suite 1. new multi-purpose building, which ketball court.
u Wasson's Fish House, 106 Eckford Drive. includes indoor basketball, Josey Park - This park on Josey
u Wendy’s, 102 Highway 12 W., 324-2929 volleyball and racquetball courts. An Avenue features a small playground and
u Zaxby’s, 829 Highway 12 W., 320-9003 indoor walking track also is available,
u Zoca Southwest Grill, MSU campus, Colvard
concrete court.
along with classes, camps and other Oktibbeha County Lake – Five
Student Union, 325-0923 activities. The facility also features ath- miles west of town, the lake is publicly
letic fields. Call 323-2294.
owned and offers fishing, swimming,
Shopping McKee Park – Located near the
boating, water-skiing and picnicking
The city of Starkville and Oktibbeha Sportsplex on Lynn Lane, this park
on 700 acres of land.
County are served by several shopping offers two softball fields, two picnic
pavilions, four tennis courts, a play- The Noxubee National Wildlife
centers and the downtown business dis-
ground, two racquetball courts and bas- Refuge – This area is a man-developed
tricts.
ketball courts. waterfowl refuge that covers 46,000
La Galerie – Located at 500 Russell
St., La Galerie features tux rentals, com- Westside Park – Located on North acres, including two major lakes and
puters and a camera shop. Services Long Street, a swimming pool, ball a 3,225-acre bird sanctuary. Nature
offered include a dentist, travel fields, a picnic pavilion, two practice trails and scenic driving routes are
agency and tanning center. fields, a tennis court, two available. Hunting is permitted in select-
Main Street Shopping Plaza — basketball courts and a playground area ed areas and fishing is permitted in all
This plaza is located on Highway 12 are all available at this park on North refuge waters March 1 to Oct. 31.
near Wal-Mart. It offers an assortment
of businesses including Mexican cui-
sine, coffee, shoes and clothing.
Southdale Shopping Center – This
shopping center is located on Highway
12 and features three restaurants along
with a copying service, a beauty salon
and an MSU specialty store.
Starkville Crossing – Featuring J.C.
Penney, Stage and Kroger, this shop-
ping center also offers more than 10
smaller stores, a loan service and one
restaurant.
Middleton Court – Located at
Highway 12 and Highway 25, this shop-
ping center features a clothing store, an
appliance and furniture store, photogra-
phy studio and an auto parts store.
Super Wal-Mart – Located at 1010
Highway 12 W., Super Wal-Mart offers a
full service grocery store with the
amenities of Wal-Mart. The store
is open 24 hours a day.
University Square Shopping
Center – Also located on Highway 12,
this shopping center offers a grocery
store, a photo and art supply shop,
video store, record store, beauty salon,
Chinese restaurant and loan service.
College Park Shopping Center —
On Russell Street, this shopping center
includes men’s and women’s clothing,
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 39
40 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
 West Point

The facade of the

newly renovated Ritz
Theater, reborn as a
cafe and meeting cen-
ter as well as a the-
ater, greets visitors to
West Point’s down-
town.

About West Point day city during an expedition in architecture — Waverley

Located eight miles north of 1541. De Soto brought new Mansion. The octagonal mansion,
breeds of horses and hogs with built by Col. George Hampton
Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff

Highway 82 on Highway 45
Alternate, West Point is a small
town with lots of Southern charm.
Like nearby Columbus, West
Point lays claim to having Spanish
explorer Hernando de Soto come
close to what is now the modern-
him and in doing so helped estab-
lish a major part of the local econ-
omy — swine farming.
Officially incorporated in 1858,
West Point boasts a unique and
elegant example of antebellum
Young, is a registered historic
landmark and is open for tours on
a regular basis.
The city’s defining moment
came in 1909 when J.C. Bryan Sr.
began selling pork products out of
 WEST POINT
Scott Ross Steve Bingham
Mayor Police Chief
a West Point storefront. Over the follow-
ing decades, Bryan’s sons and grand-
sons made Bryan Foods into one of the
country’s largest producers of pork
products, eventually employing more
than 1,500 employees at the company’s
West Point processing plant.
Although the Bryans sold the busi-
ness to Sara Lee Food and Beverage
Corp. in 1968, Bryan brand foods were
produced in West Point until March
2007 when Sara Lee shut the plant
down and laid more than 1,200 employ-
ees.
While the city is still struggling from
losing its largest employer, West Point
has recently witnessed the expansion of
a number of local businesses such as
Navistar, Ellis Steel, Blazon Tube and
Royal Trucking.
West Point is a certified Main Street
Community and a certified retirement
community. In 2007, the city was certi-
fied as an “Excel by 5” community — a
distinction that indicates West Point is
an excellent place to raise young chil-
dren.
West Point residents are civic-mind-
ed and most Board of Selectmen meet-
ings, held every second Tuesday of the
month at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall’s meet-
ing room, are well attended by the pub-
lic.
For leisure activities, visitors and res-
idents alike have plenty of options. The
Prairie Arts Festival and the Howlin’
Wolf blues festival, both held around
Labor day weekend, attract crowds
from all over the world. Additionally,
the newly revived West Point/Clay
County Community Arts Council hosts
performances at The Civic and at Sally
Kate Winters Park.
Of course, golf lovers would be
remiss not to play Old Waverly — one
42 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Laddie Huffman
Sheriff
of the finest golf courses in the South.
Whether you’re planning on making
a move with your family or just in the
mood to spend a fun day off the beaten
path, West Point is a great place to do it.
General information
County – Clay
County seat – West Point
Population – The U.S. Census estimated a
2008 population of 11,292 in West Point and
20,860 in Clay County.
Government – City: mayor and board of select-
men; incorporated as a city in 1858. County:
five-member board of supervisors.
Altitude – 337 feet above sea level
Area – 4.25 square miles (city); 415 square
miles (county)
Assessed valuation – City: $79 million; county:
$135 million
City statistics – Total street mileage, 65; 18
firefighters; 26 police officers
Climate – January daily average maximum tem-
perature, 51; January daily average minimum
temperature, 31; July daily average maximum
temperature, 92.5; July daily average minimum
temperature, 69.5
Major highways – U.S. 45 Alternate and 82;
state highways 25 and 50.
Industry – Principal manufactured products
include chemicals, needlecraft, steel fabrica-
tion, wood products, poultry processing, toy
making and playground equipment.
City government
West Point has a mayor-selectmen
type of government.
The mayor is elected every four
years by a majority vote, based on the
votes cast throughout the city in the pri-
mary and general elections. The five
selectmen are elected based on voters
in predetermined wards of the city.
The present mayor and selectmen
were elected in 2009, and their terms
u Mayor Scott Ross
will officially expire in 2013.
Members of the elected selectmen
u Ward 1: Rod Bobo
are:
u Ward 2: Homer E. Cannon
u Ward 3: Charles D. Collins
u Ward 4: Keith McBrayer
u Ward 5: Jasper Pittman
The selectmen meet at 5:30 p.m. on
the second Tuesday of every month. All
meetings are open to the public.
Other major city officials include:
Chief of Police – Steve Bingham, 330 W. Broad
St., West Point, MS 39773, 494-1244
Fire Chief – Johnny Littlefield, 400 E. Brame
Ave., West Point, MS 39773, 494-1531
City Attorney – Orlando Richmond, 494-2573
City Judge – Mark Cliett, 494-2573
City Hall’s hours are 8 a.m. until 5
p.m., Monday through Friday. 494-2573
County government
The responsibility for administering
the duties of county government falls to
the Clay County Board of Supervisors.
The county is divided into five dis-
tricts, each overseen by an elected
county supervisor. These officials are
elected to a four-year term.
The current Clay County supervisors
u District 1: Lynn Horton
are:
u District 2: Luke Lummus
u District 3: R.B. Davis
u District 4: Shelton Deanes
u District 5: Floyd McKee
All may be contacted by mail at P.O.
Box 815, West Point, MS 39773, or by
calling 494-3124.
Meetings are held at the Clay
County Courthouse the first Monday,
the following Thursday and fourth
Thursday of every month at 9 a.m.
Other major county officials include:
Sheriff – Laddie Huffman, 218 W. Broad, West
Point, MS 39773, 494-5154
Superintendent of Education – Mae Brewer,
205 Court St., West Point, MS 39773, 494-
2915
Board Attorney – Lee S. Coleman, P.O. Box
851, West Point, MS 39773, 494-3313
Justice Court Judges – Thomas Hampton and
Joseph Taggert, 218 W. Broad St., West Point,
MS 39773, 494-6141
Constables – Sherman Ivy and Lewis Stafford,
494-6140
Chancery Clerk – Robbie Robinson, 205 Court
St., West Point, MS 39773, 494-3124
Circuit Clerk – Robert Harrell, 205 Court St.,
West Point, MS 39773, 494-3384
Tax Assessor and Collector – Teretha Rupert,
205 Court St., West Point, MS 39773, 494-
3432
 WEST POINT
Coroner – Alvin Carter Jr., P.O. Box 851, West
Point, MS 39773, 494-3313
County Director – Donna Cliett, 218 W. Broad,
West Point, MS 39773, 494-5371
All emergency services in the county
may be reached by dialing 911.
City, county maps
Maps of the city and county are avail-
able at the chancery clerk’s office.
Permits, licenses
Building permits – Building per-
mits may be obtained at the building
office in West Point City Hall. Call 494-
6601.
Business permits, licenses –
Business permits and licenses may also
be obtained at City Hall. Call 494-2573.
Postal service
Residents needing to send mail may
deposit their mail in several locations
throughout the city. West Point has one
station with window service at 420
Commerce St. and six collection boxes
on the streets. In addition, some apart-
ment complexes have designated loca-
tions for mail pickup.
For those living in the rural areas of
Clay County, stamps may be purchased
from any mail carrier, who also can
offer residents most services provided
in the mail station in West Point.
The postmaster in West Point is
Patrick McKee; he can be reached at
494-3303. The supervisor is Bobby
Duncan. Mail is picked up daily at the
Commerce Street station and the last
pickup is at 5 p.m.
Refuse collection
City – In the city of West Point,
garbage is collected weekly. The resi-
dential monthly fee is $9.50 and is
included on the utility bill.
County – Those residents living in
the county have garbage pickup once a
week (including all holidays) on a pre-
scheduled basis for each area. There is
a monthly fee of $7. For information on
the schedule for your area, contact the
Clay Sanitation Department, 494-3313.
Taxes
Personal taxes – State, county and
municipal ad valorem taxes, except on
motor vehicles, must be paid by Feb. 1
of each year. County and city tax mill-
age rates are set prior to Oct. 1 (coun- credit check and will vary between $0-
ty) and Aug. 1 (city) of each year. $250.
Where to pay taxes – Municipal Those who require building a new
taxes are to be paid at West Point City line to a new home will also have to
Hall (494-2573). County taxes and state sign a right-of-way easement agree-
ad valorem taxes are payable to the ment.
Clay County tax assessor, whose office Personnel at the 4-County office will
is in the courthouse (494-2274). explain additional services available
State income tax is payable to the through the rural electric cooperative.
State Tax Commission located in the Usually, wherever existing service
Woolfolk Building in Jackson by April has been available, 4-County can turn
15. The state tax commission also has a power on to that location on the same
branch office in the Waters Building in day an application is completed.
Columbus. However, in cases of new service at a
Homestead exemption – City and new home, it may take three to four
county applications for homestead days or longer to get electric service
exemption on property should be filed started.
each year by March 31. A person filing For more information, contact 4-
for homestead exemption for the first County Electric Power Association, 900
time should bring the warranty deed for Industrial Road, 494-1313.
the property, Clay County automobile
tag number(s) and Social Security num-
ber(s). Gas
The applicant must have been living Those who require gas services
in the home on Jan. 1 of the year in should take a driver’s license or Social
which he or she is filing. The warranty Security card to the Atmos Energy Gas
deed is to have been acknowledged by office. A deposit may be required of $65
Dec. 31 and recorded no later than Jan. of home owners and $85 for renters.
7. For more information, contact Atmos
For more information, contact Clay
County Tax Assessor Teretha Rupert at
494-3432.
Utilities
City
Within the city limits, newcomers,
whether renting or owning, need to
bring two forms of identification
(including one with a recent photo and
social security card) to the West Point
Water and Light Department to estab-
lish services.
Deposits will vary for renters and
homeowners, according to usage.
Renters should bring a lease agree-
ment. Residents must pay a deposit of
$30 for inside water service and $40 for
outside water service. For further infor-
mation, contact the West Point Water
and Light Department, 300 East Broad
St., 494-1432.
County
Those who are moving into the rural
area will have to apply for membership
at the 4-County Electric Power
Association office.
A $25 membership fee and a $25 con-
nection fee are required for residential
connection. The deposit is based on a
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 43
 WEST POINT
Sally Kate Winters Park, located next to the downtown area, features fountains, an old-fashioned bandstand, a playground for
children, a gazebo and an “Arbor of Memories.”
Energy Gas, 120 S. Division St., 888-286-
6700.
Water – County
Rural water users who are hooked
up to one of the water associations will
pay a deposit of $60 on the average and
sign a user’s agreement.
The cost of a new hookup, that
requires installation of a water meter,
will be higher. For more information,
contact Water Services at 494-9000.
Telephone services
To establish telephone service, call
AT&T at 888-757-6500 Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.; or visit www.att.com.
Wireless providers
Cellular South – 494-2100
Voter registration
In order to vote in Mississippi, a per-
son must be a citizen of the United
44 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
States, 18 years of age by the election
date and must reside in this state. A
person must have been registered at
least 30 days prior to the election with
the Clay County circuit clerk in order to
vote in the county, state and national
elections and with the West Point city
clerk to vote in municipal elections.
For more information, contact Clay
County Circuit Clerk Robert Harrell at
494-3124.
Accommodations
u Days Inn, U.S. Highway 45 Alternate, next
u Hampton Inn and Suites, 1251 Hwy 45 S.
to Clay County Medical Center. Call 494-1995.
u Holiday Inn Express, U.S. Highway 45
Call 494-7802.
u Old Waverly Golf Club, Old Waverly Road.
Alternate S. Call 494-7090.
u Relax Inn, U.S. Highway 45 Alternate. Call
Call 495-5485.
u Waverly Waters, located on Old Waverly
494-2234.
Road, 14-bed fishing lodge for corporate or
Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff
family gatherings. Call 494-1800.
Churches
There are approximately 56 church-
es in Clay County, 19 of which are in
the city of West Point. The area is
served by nine different Protestant
denominations and one Catholic
church.
Education
General information – Registration
is held each summer for the following
fall term of school. Notice of registra-
tion is published prior to that time.
Kindergarten in West Point is available
to all students in both public and private
schools.
Students entering the first grade
must be 6 years of age and those enter-
ing kindergarten must be 5 years of age
on or before Sept. 1. A birth certificate
and a record of immunization are
required for registration.
WEST POINT

TOP: Children play in a fountain in

downtown West Point’s Sally Kate
Winters Memorial Park.

LEFT: West Point’s annual community-

wide celebration, the Prairie Arts
Festival, features a taste of local music
and food, and items from area artisans
for sale.

FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 45

 WEST POINT
City schools – The West Point
School District superintendent is Steve
Montgomery. To contact the WPSD,
call 494-4242.
County schools – The Clay County
School District superintendent is Mae
W. Brewer. For more information on the
CCSD, call 494-2915.
Parochial schools – There is one
parochial school in the county: Hebron
Christian School, in Pheba, 494-7513.
Private schools – There is one pri-
vate school in the county: Oak Hill
Academy on Old Aberdeen Road, 494-
5043.
FM; WSSO 1230 AM; WMSV 91.1 FM; WMSU Willie King. Call the Growth Alliance,
92.1 FM; WSMS 99.9 FM; WZBQ 94.1; WMBC 494-5121.
103.1 FM; WAJV 98.9 FM; WACR 103.9 FM;
WQNN FM; WKBB 100.9 FM and WSYE 93.3
FM. Dining
u Anthony’s, 116 West Main St., 494-0316
Medical facilities u Cathy’s Restaurant, Highway 45 Alternate,
u North Mississippi Medical Center–West
494-9892
u Chef David’s BBQ, 608 W. Main St., 494-
Point, an acute care hospital, opened in 1985
and has 60 beds. The center, housed in a two-
5944
u Domino’s Pizza, Highway 45 South, 495-
story, 86,184-square-foot building, is affiliated
with Northeast Mississippi Medical Center, the
largest hospital in the state. 0020
u Foodland Cafe, 3388 Highway 50 W., 492-
Located in Tupelo, 50 miles from West Point,
North Mississippi Medical Center provides spe-
0070
u Hardee’s, Highway 45 Alternate, 494-0440
cialty services and advanced technology found

u Hoover’s Bakery, 128 Highway 45 S., 494-

only in a major health care system. Call 495-
2300.
Colleges
u East Mississippi Community College 1442
Nursing homes u Huddle House, 230 Highway 45 S., 494-
u West Point Community Living Center, 1122
(Golden Triangle Campus) is located 10 miles

u Mississippi University for Women is 21

from West Point. 4001
u Kentucky Fried Chicken, 525 Highway 45
u Dugan Memorial Home, 804 East Main St.,
N. Eshman Ave. W., 494-6011

u Mississippi State University is 18 miles

miles away in Columbus. N., 494-2714
u Waverly Care Home, 315 W. Broad St., 494- u La Fiesta Brava Mexican Restaurant,
494-3640
away in Starkville.
u West Point Therapy Department, Old
0074 Highway 45, 495-2484
u Little Dooey’s, Highway 45 N., 327-0088
u Liu’s Garden, Highway 45 South, 494-9720
Library Aberdeen Road, 492-0065
u McDonald’s, Highway 45 Alternate
The public library in Clay County,

u Old Town Grill, 1249 Highway 45 S., 492-

the Bryan Public Library, containing
more than 55,000 volumes, is located at
338 Commerce St.
Some of the special services the
Bryan Library provides include Friends
of The Library, an adult literacy pro-
gram, mail-a-book system, nursing
home service, special services to the
handicapped, a summer reading pro-
gram for youth and a children’s story
hour in the fall, spring and summer.
The library’s director is Mary Helen
Waggoner. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9
a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Call 494-4872 for details.
Media
u The Commercial Dispatch, 516 Main St.,
Columbus; Business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Call 328-2424 for sub-
scription information. Printed Sunday through
u The Daily Times Leader, 227 Court St.
Friday.
Business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Call 494-1353 for subscription
information. Printed Tuesday through Friday
u Television stations serving the area include
and on Saturday.
WLOV (Fox affiliate) of Tupelo; WCBI (CBS
affiliate) of Columbus; and WTVA (NBC affili-
u Radio stations in the area: WKOR 94.9 FM;
ate) of Tupelo.
WKOR 980 AM; WLZA 96.1 FM; WMXU 106.1
46 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Rentals
u Avis Rent-A-Car, 800-331-1212
Cars and vans
u National Car Rental, 800-227-7368
Transportation
Airports – McCharen Airport serves
West Point and is located two miles
from downtown.
Golden Triangle Regional Airport is
11 miles from West Point.
Annual events
Prairie Arts Festival – The
Saturday before Labor Day each year,
area artists and craftsmen display their
work and perform live demonstrations
in West Point’s downtown area. A 5K
run is held in conjunction with the festi-
val. More than 400 exhibitors and thou-
sands of visitors attend the annual festi-
val, designated as one of the top events
in the region by the Southeast Tourism
Society. Call the Growth Alliance, 494-
5121.
Howlin’ Wolf Blues Festival – The
Friday before the Prairie Arts Festival,
this event honors blues legend Howlin’
Wolf, a West Point native. The 2009 fes-
tival Sept. 4 includes Colin Linden, the
Eric Hughes Band, the Bill Abel Band,
Blind Mississippi Morris and will
include a tribute to the late bluesman
4006
u Pizza Hut, Highway 45 North, 494-2404
u Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken and
Biscuits, 226 Highway 45 N., 494-6322
u Ritz Cafe, 121 Commerce St., 494-1800
u Sonic Drive-in, Highway 45 North, 494-8479
u Sopranos Cafe and Billiards, 113 E. Main
St., 494-0520
u Subway Sandwiches, 350 Highway 45 S.,
494-9040
u The Point, 133 Commerce St., 494-8989
u Tin Lizzie Cafe, Highway 45 Alternate, 494-
0006
Local parks
Town Creek Recreation Area –
Offers 100 campsites and a wash house
and is equipped for recreational vehi-
cles. The campground area has a multi-
use shelter and a bike trail, hiking
trails, two children’s play lots and two
multi-use play courts.
Sally Kate Winters Memorial
Park – located next to the downtown
area, features fountains, an old-fash-
ioned bandstand, a playground for chil-
dren, a gazebo and an “Arbor of
Memories.”
 Noxubee
County

About Macon and
Noxubee County
Located in the rolling pasture-
land of Noxubee County, Macon
serves as the center of community
life in a largely rural county.
Founded on Feb. 9, 1833, as
Taladega, the town’s name was
changed to Macon Aug. 10, 1835.
The Jackson Military Road
crossed the Noxubee River, which
runs near the present town, just
west of Macon.
Much of life in Macon revolves
around the land, from cattle graz-
ing to catfish farming.
Noxubee County is also home
to the town of Brooksville, and
both towns have active Mennonite
communities.
General information
County – Noxubee
County seat – Macon
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau
estimated a 2008 population of 2,744 in
Macon and 11,828 in Noxubee County.
Government – City: mayor and board of

Tanner Imes/ Despite the bars on the windows, books, not prisoners, fill the the
Dispatch Staff Noxubee County Library, which is housed in the old county. jail
 NOXUBEE COUNTY
Bob Boykin Petey Freshour
Mayor Police Chief
aldermen; incorporated as a city in 1834.
County: five-member board of supervisors.
Altitude – 210 feet above sea level
Area – 3.5 square miles (city); 694.8 square
miles (county)
City statistics – 22 firefighters; 14 police offi-
cers
Climate – Temperature – January daily average
maximum, 53; January daily average minimum,
31; July daily average maximum, 92; July daily
average minimum, 70
Major highways – U.S. 45
Industry – Barge Forest Products, Boral Bricks,
East Mississippi Pole Co., Land O’ Lakes,
Macon Ready Mix, Outdoor Technologies, Peco
Foods, Penick Forest Products, Shuqualak
Lumber Co., Superior Fish Products, Trailboss
Trailers
City government
Macon has a mayor-aldermen type of
government.
The mayor is elected every four
years by a majority vote, based on the
votes cast throughout the city in the pri-
mary and general elections. Four of the
five aldermen are elected based on
votes in predetermined wards of the
city, while the alderman at large is elect-
ed based on votes from residents
throughout the entire city. The present
mayor and aldermen were elected in
u Mayor Bob Boykin
June 2009.
Members of the elected board of
u Ward 1: Earnest Harmon
aldermen are:
u Ward 2: James Watkins
u Ward 3: Tommy Campbell
u Ward 4: Willie Dixon Jr.
u Alderman at Large: Phillip McGuire
The aldermen meet at 5:30 p.m. on
the first and second Tuesday night of
every month at 105 West Pulaski St.
Other major city officials include:
Chief of Police – Petey Freshour
48 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
Albert Walker
Sheriff
Fire Chief – Billy Whitehead
City Attorney – Roderick D. Walker
City Judge – Timothy Gowan
City Hall’s hours are 8 a.m. until 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday and may
be contacted by calling 726-5847.
County government
The responsibility for administering
the duties of county government falls to
the Noxubee County Board of
Supervisors.
The county is divided into five dis-
tricts, each overseen by an elected
county supervisor. These officials are
elected to a four-year term. Current
county officeholders are subject to
change, based on the results of the Nov.
6 election.
The current Noxubee County super-
visors are:
u District 1: Larry Tate
u District 2: William “Boo” Oliver
u District 3: Sherman Patterson
u District 4: James Eddie Coleman
u District 5: Bruce B. Brooks
All may be contacted by mail at P.O.
Box 147, Macon, MS 39341 or by call-
ing 726-5181 or 726-6047.
Meetings are held at the Noxubee
County Courthouse the first Monday of
every month at 9 a.m. and the following
Friday after the first Monday.
Other major county officials include:
Sheriff – Albert Walker
Superintendent of Education – Kevin Jones
Board Attorney – Christopher Hemphill
Justice Court Judges – Dirk Dickson and
Dorothy Stewart
Constables – Frank Draper and Derone Moseley
Chancery Clerk – Mary R. Shelton Washington
Circuit Clerk – Carl L. Mickens
Tax Assessor and Collector – Emmett Mickens
Coroner – R.L. Calhoun
All emergency services in the county
may be reached by dialing 911.
City, county maps
Maps of the city and county are avail-
able at the Noxubee Alliance/Chamber
of Commerce office, located at 503 S.
Washington St.
Permits, licenses
Building permits – Building per-
mits may be obtained at the building
office in Macon City Hall. Call 726-5847
(F) 662-726-2409.
Business permits, licenses –
Business permits and licenses may also
be obtained at City Hall. Call 726-5847.
Postal service
Macon has one post office with win-
dow service. Two other post offices are
located in Noxubee County.
For those living in the rural areas of
Noxubee County, stamps may be pur-
chased from any mail carrier, who can
also offer residents most services pro-
vided in the mail station in the area.
The postmaster in Macon is Lorenda
Card; she can be reached at 726-5420.
Mail is picked up daily at the three post
offices and the last pickup is at 4:15
p.m.
Refuse collection
City – In the city of Macon, garbage
is collected on Wednesday. The residen-
tial monthly fee is $11 and is included
on the utility bill.
County – Those residents living in
the county have garbage pickup
throughout the week on a pre-sched-
uled basis for each area. There is a $12
monthly fee. For information on the
schedule for your area, contact
Noxubee County Solid Waste at 726-
4710.
Taxes
Personal taxes – State, county and
municipal ad valorem taxes, except on
motor vehicles, must be paid by Feb. 1
of each year. County and city tax mill-
age rates are set prior to Oct. 1 of each
year.
Where to pay taxes – Municipal
taxes, county taxes and state ad val-
orem taxes are payable to the Noxubee
County tax assessor/collector, whose
office is located at 505 S. Jefferson St.
Reach the office at 726-4744. State
 NOXUBEE COUNTY
income tax is payable to the State Tax
Commission in Jackson by April 15.
Homestead exemption – City and
county applications for homestead
exemption on property should be filed
each year by April 1. A person filing for
homestead exemption for the first time
should bring the warranty deed for the
property, Noxubee County automobile
tag number(s) and Social Security num-
ber(s).
The applicant must have been living
in the home on Jan. 1 of the year in
which he or she is filing. The warranty
deed is to have been acknowledged by
Dec. 31 and recorded by Jan. 1.
For more information, contact
Noxubee County Tax Assessor/
Collector Emmett Mickens at 726-4744.
Utilities
City
Within the city limits, newcomers,
whether renting or owning, need to
bring two forms of identification
(including one with a recent photo) to
the Macon Electric & Water
Department to establish services.
Deposits will vary for renters and
homeowners. Renters should bring a
lease agreement. For city renters, elec-
tricity is $150, water is $50 and garbage
is $25 per month. For city homeowners,
electricity is $100, water is $25, and
garbage is $25 per month. All services
require a $20 connection fee; water
deposits inside the city limits are $50.
For inside water connections, the
charge is $13.20 for the first 3,000 gal-
lons; for outside water connections, the
fee is $19.80 for the first 3,000 gallons.
Water hook-up in the county is $70, plus
the $20 connection fee. For further
information, contact the Macon Electric
& Water Department, 726-5251, or stop
by the office at 312 S. Jefferson St.
County
Those who are moving into the rural
area will have to apply for membership
at the 4-County Electric Power
Association office.
A $25 membership fee and a $25 con-
nection fee are required for residential
connection. The deposit is based on a
credit utility check and will vary
between $0-$250.
Those who require building a new
line to a new home will have to sign a
right-of-way easement agreement.
Personnel at the 4-County office will
explain additional services available
through the rural electric cooperative.
Usually, wherever existing service
has been available, 4-County can turn
power on to that location on the same
day an application is completed.
However, in cases of new service at a
new home, it may take three to four
days or longer to get electric service
started.
For more information, contact 4-
County at 1338 Magnolia Drive, 726-
5811.
Gas
Those who require gas services
should take a driver’s license or Social
Security card to the Atmos Energy
office. For more information, contact
Atmos Energy, 203 N. Jefferson St., 800-
863-7749. Dowdle Gas Co. also offers
service in the area. For more informa-
tion, call Dowdle at 726-2430 or stop by
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 49
 NOXUBEE COUNTY

File photos
The Dancing Rabbit Festival in down-
town Macon offers local entertainment,
arts, crafts and fun for all ages.

the office, located at 109 S. Jefferson St.

Water – County
Rural water users who are hooked
up to one of the water associations will
pay $70, plus a $20 connection fee.
The cost of a new hookup, requiring
a new water meter, will be higher. For
more information, contact Macon
Electric & Water Department at 726-
5251.

Telephone services
To establish telephone service, call
an AT&T service representative at 888-
757-6500. You will need an address.
Deposits will vary depending on credit.
Operating hours for home telephone
service are Monday through Friday, 8
50 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
 NOXUBEE COUNTY
a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
Wireless providers
Cellular South – 726-7000
Voter registration
In order to vote in Mississippi, a per-
son must be a citizen of the United
States, 18 years of age by the election
date and must reside in this state. A
person must have been registered at
least 30 days prior to the election with
the Noxubee County circuit clerk in
order to vote in the county, state and
national elections and with the Macon
city clerk to vote in municipal elections.
For more information, contact
Noxubee County Circuit Clerk Carl
Mickens at 726-5737.
Accommodations
u Best Western Oak Tree Inn, 12710 Highway
u Budget Inn, 311 N. Jefferson St., 726-5156
45, 726-4334
Churches
There are approximately 115 church-
es in Noxubee County, 69 of which are
in the city of Macon. The area is served
by 114 different Protestant denomina-
tions and one Catholic church.
Education
General information – Pre-registra-
tion is held each spring for the follow-
ing fall term of school. Registration for
students takes place on the first day of
school. Notice of registration is pub-
lished prior to that time. Kindergarten
in Macon is available to all students in
both public and private schools.
Students entering the first grade
must be 6 years old and those entering
kindergarten must be 5 years old on or
before Sept. 1. A birth certificate and a
record of immunization are required for
registration.
Public schools – Earl Nash
Elementary, Reed Elementary, Wilson
Elementary, B.F. Liddell Middle,
Noxubee County High, Noxubee
County Vocational Tech. The Noxubee
County School District superintendent
is Kevin Jones. Call for more informa-
tion on the NCSD.
Parochial schools – Macon
Mennonite parochial school is located
in the county.
Private schools – Central Academy
is a private school in the county.
Colleges
u Mississippi University for Women, about 30
u Mississippi State University, about 35 miles
miles from Macon, in Columbus.
u Meridian Community College, about 54
from Macon, in Starkville.
u University of Alabama, about 69 miles from
miles from Macon, in Meridian.
u Shelton State Community College, about 72
Macon, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
u Itawamba Community College, about 81
miles from Macon, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
u Holmes Community College, about 94 miles
miles from Macon, in Fulton.
u East Mississippi Community College, about
from Macon, in Goodman.
u University of West Alabama, about 50 miles
30 miles from Macon, in Scooba.
from Macon, in Livingston, Ala.
Library
The public library in Noxubee
County, the Noxubee County Library, is
located at 103 E. King St. The library’s
annual operating income is $143,013
and the facility maintains a collection of
21,572 books, 342 audio materials, 445
video materials and 22 serial subscrip-
tions. The library has 23 public comput-
ers and offers GED classes on Tuesday
and Thursday from noon-3:15 p.m. The
library is planning introductory comput-
er classes for senior citizens.
The library is open from 8 a.m.-6
p.m. Monday through Friday and
closed Wednesday, Saturday and
Sunday. The library’s acting director is
Shemeka Conner. Call 726-5461 for
details.
Media
u The Macon Beacon, 403 S. Jefferson St.,
u The Commercial Dispatch, 516 Main St.,
726-4747
Columbus; business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Call 328-2424 for sub-
scription information. Printed Sunday through
u Television stations serving the area include
Friday.
WLOV (Fox affiliate) of Tupelo; WCBI (CBS
affiliate) of Columbus; WTOK (ABC affiliate) of
u Radio stations in the area: WALN 89.3 FM;
Meridian; and WTVA (NBC affiliate) of Tupelo.
WMAB 89.9 FM; WCSO 90.5 FM; WMSV 91.1
FM; WMSU 92.1 FM; WSYE 93.3 FM; WZBQ
94.1 FM; WKOR 94.9 FM; WAJV 98.9 FM;
WSMS 99.9 FM; WMBC 103.1 FM; WQJB
104.5 FM; WMXU 106.1 FM.
Medical facilities
u Noxubee General Hospital, 606 N. Jefferson
St., 726-4231
Nursing homes
u Noxubee County Nursing Home, 606 N.
u Elderly Care Center, 496 Magnolia Drive,
Jefferson St., Macon, MS 39341
Macon, MS 39341
Transportation
Airports – Macon Municipal
Airport, 105 W. Pulaski St., Box 29,
Macon, MS 39341
Annual events
Dancing Rabbit Festival – This
annual event is held to celebrate
Noxubee County’s heritage. Festivities
include arts/crafts sales, an open mic
session, pony rides, inflatables, games,
a train ride and other fun activities for
small children. The highlight of the fes-
tival is a concert at the courthouse lawn
given by bluegrass and blues singers
and groups. The festival offers a fun-
filled day for the whole family. For infor-
mation contact the Noxubee Alliance/
Chamber of Commerce at 726-4456 or
800-487-0165.
Dining
u Beck’s One Stop, 10821 Highway 145, 726-
u Birdie’s Place, 265 Cedar Creek Rd., 726-
2533
u Bumper’s Drive-In, 605 S. Jefferson St.,
5371
u Eastern China Restaurant, 805 S. Jefferson
726-9555
u Fresh Market Cafe, 128 Frontage Rd., 726-
St., 726-9277
u Hill Top Cafe, 400 East St., 726-2480
9233
u Kentucky Fried Chicken, 14929 Highway
u Mi Ranchito, 13653 Highway 45, 726-1440
45, 726-4351
u Northside Cafe, 523 Prairie St., 726-9345
u Subway, 127 N. Frontage Rd., 726-1063
u Trailboss Cafeteria, 15560 Highway 45,
726-5666
Local parks
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
– This 48,000-acre wildlife refuge offers
visitors opportunities for hiking, hunt-
ing, fishing and bird-watching among
other outdoor activities. The refuge
office and visitor center is open Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hunters wishing to obtain permits
should call 323-5548.
Zach Brooks Golf Course – This
nine-hole golf course can be played
most days of the year. Contact Odie
Jackson at 726-5610.
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 51
 West
Alabama
Pickens County
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau
estimated a 2008 population of 19,524
in Pickens County.
Pickens County Commission mailing
address – Pickens County Commission,
P.O. Box 460, Carrollton, AL 35447
Commission telephone – 205-367-
Dispatch Staff
Tanner Imes/
2020, fax 205-367-2025
Commission office hours – Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Commission meetings – Second and
fourth Tuesdays, 9 a.m.
u District 1 – William Latham, 12457
County officials
County Road 27, Reform, AL 35481;
u District 2 – Earnest Summerville,
375-2171
907 Baptist Road, Aliceville, AL 35442;
373-3114
Kathy Fetters cuts out archaic
words printed on a hand letter
presses at her art studio and
gallery in downtown Gordo, Ala.
u District 3 – C. Sentell Harper, 402
First St. N., Reform, AL 35481; 375-
u District 4 – Willie Colvin, 2417
2359
Sapps Road, Aliceville, AL. 35442;
u District 5 – Ted Ezelle, 416
373-1796
Carrollton Road, Aliceville, AL 35442;
373-8231
County Clerk/Administrator – Cheryl
 WEST ALABAMA
Bowles, P.O. Box 460, Carrollton, AL 35447;
(O) 205-367-2020; Yolanda Smith, assistant
County Attorney – Tim McCool, 100 Phoenix
Ave., Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-
8125, fax 205-367-9255
Board of Education - Dr. Leonard Duff, P.O.
Box 32, Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-
2080, fax 205-367-8404
Board of Registrars – Carla Thomas, P.O. Box
173, Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-2071
Circuit Clerk – Bobby Cowart, (O) 205-367-
2050
Circuit Judge – James Moore, Fayette County
Courthouse, P.O. Box 778, Fayette, AL
35555; (O) 205-932-3169
Coroner – Chad Harless, 167 Foxridge Drive,
Gordo, AL 35466; (O) 205-399-1346,
w w w.aces.edu/Pickens
County Agent – Service Center Building, 155
Reform St., Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-
367-8148; Agent Sam Wiggins
District Attorney – Chris McCool, P.O. Box
520, Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-
9915, fax 205-367-9918
Emergency Management – Ken Gibson, P.O.
Box 459, Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-
2009, (H) 205-373-8101
Industrial Development Authority – Jack
Somerville, P.O. Box 29, Carrollton, AL
35447; (O) 205-367-8149
Juvenile Probation Officer – P.O. Box 426,
Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-2075;
Officers Kathrine Goodman and James Fields
Pickens County Historical Society – Dora
Johnson, chair
Probate Judge – John Paluzzi; P O Box 370,
Carrollton, AL 35447(O) 205-367-2010; fax
205-367-2011
Revenue Commissioner – John A. “Jack”
Somerville, P.O. Box 447, Carrollton, AL
35447; (O) 205-367-2040; fax 205-367-2041.
Sheriff – David Abston, P.O. Box 226,
Carrollton, AL 35447; (O) 205-367-2000; fax
205-367-8333.
Water Authority – James Bridges, superintend-
ent, P.O. Box 338, Carrollton, AL 35447; (O)
205-367-8923, (H) 205-373-6974, fax 205-
367-8401
City of Aliceville
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 2,466 in Aliceville.
City Hall mailing address – City of Aliceville,
419 Memorial Parkway East, Aliceville, AL
35442
City Hall telephone – 205-373-6611, fax 205-
373-3165
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Council meetings – Second and fourth
u Mayor William R. “Billy” McKinzey Jr., 205-
Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
373-2916
u District 1: Patty Fuller
City Council
u District 2: Warren Lavender
u District 3: Marva D. Gipson
u District 4: Robert Wilder
u District 5: J.T. Junkins Jr.
City Clerk – Dineki McCaa, 419 Memorial
Parkway E., 205-373-6611
City Attorney – John Russell, 202 Broad St.,
205-373-8714
Fire Chief – David Jackson, 419 Memorial
Parkway E., 205-373-6631
Police Chief – Tonnie D. Jones, 215 First St.,
Aliceville, AL 35442, 205-373-6631
Housing Authority – Frieda Blakney, director,
P.O. Box 485, Aliceville, AL 35442
Water Clerk – Abis Colvin, 205-373-2365
Water Superintendent – Brian Pearson, 604
Magnolia Lane, Aliceville, AL 35442
Gas Board Manager – Anell Walker, 205-373-
2889
Town of Carrollton
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 929 in Carrollton.
City Hall mailing address – Town of Carrollton,
P.O. Box 169, Carrollton, AL 35447
City Hall telephone – 205-367-8711, fax 205-
367-8952
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
u Mayor John D. Lammers, 205-367-8711
Council meetings – First Thursday, 7 p.m.
u District 1: Mike McCaffert y
City Council
u District 2: Charles McDaniel
u District 3: Tim Strickland
u District 4: Keith Cox
u District 5: Sheman Mayhew
City Clerk – Beth Goodson
City Court Judge – David Pate, 205-367-8711
Fire Chief – Jeff Young
Police Chief – Anthony Durrah, 205-367-8711
Water and Sewer Department – Larry Gilliam,
superintendent, 205-367-8711
Town of Gordo
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 1,557 in Gordo.
City Hall mailing address – Town of Gordo,
P.O. Box 348, Gordo, AL 35466
City Hall telephone – 205-364-7111, fax 205-
364-8295
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
u Mayor Craig Patterson, 205-364-7111
Council meetings – First Monday, 7 p.m.
u District 1: Timothy Washington
City Council
u District 2: Irving Mack Ellis
u District 3: Willie Roger Jaynes
u District 4: Andy Dillard
u District 5: Shawn McDaniel
City Clerk – Kay Perkins, 205-364-7111
Building Inspector – Toby Kelley, 205-364-
7111
City Attorney – Milton Brown, 205-391-0620
City Court Judge – Kathy Marine, 205-364-
7111
Fire Chief – Keith Sharp, 205-364-7111
Housing Authority – Bud Blakeney, director,
205-364-7114
Police Chief – Gerald Todd Hall, 205-364-7111
Street and Sanitation Department – Toby
Kelley, 205-364-7111
Water and Sewer Department – Chris Gray,
chairman, 205-364-7111
City of Reform
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 1,790 in Reform.
City Hall mailing address – City of Reform,
104 Third Ave. S.E., P.O. Box 489, Reform, AL
35481
City Hall telephone – 205-375-6363 or 205-
375-6364, fax 205-375-6371
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Council meetings – First and third Tuesdays, 7
u Mayor Frank Criswell, 205-375-6363
p.m.
u District 1: Percy Matthews
City Council
u District 2: Orman Atkins
u District 3: Bennie Harton
u District 4: Nancy Keasler
u District 5: Willie Littles
City Clerk/Treasurer – Annette Reed, 205-
375-6363
Building Official/License Inspector – Bruce
Skelton, 205-375-6363
City Attorney – Tim McCool, 205-367-8125
City Court Judge – Kathy Marine, 205-367-
8207
Fire Chief – David Richardson, 205-375-6089
Housing Authority – Sheryl Gillons, director,
205-375-6360
Police Chief – Richard Black, 205-375-6363
Water Board – Frank Criswell, superintendent,
205-375-6363
Zoning Board – Melissa Rainer, chair, 205-
375-6261
Lamar County
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 14,295 in Lamar
County.
Courthouse mailing address – Lamar County
Courthouse, P.O. Box 338, Vernon, AL 35592
Probate judge telephone number – 205-695-
9119, fax 205-695-7333
Courthouse office hours – Monday- Friday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.; First Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon
Commission meetings – Second and fourth
Mondays, 9 a.m.
County Commission chairman – Johnny
Rodgers, P.O. Box 338, Vernon, AL 35592. (O)
205-695-7333 or 205-695-9119.
u District 1 – Greg Norton (O) 205-695-7333
County officials
u District 2 – Dewey Carruth, P.O. Box 579,
Sulligent, AL 35586; (O) 205-695-7333, (H)
205-698-9235
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 53
 WEST ALABAMA
u District 3 – Terry Roberts
u District 4 – Gary Beard, P.O. Box 488,
Millport, AL 35576; (H) 205-662-4798
County Clerk/Administrator – Rita Taylor, P.O.
Box 338, Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-
9958, fax 205-695-8522
County Attorney – Strawbridge, Strawbridge,
Strawbridge, 44695 Hwy 17, Vernon, AL
35592; (O) 205- 695-9111
u District 3 – Amye House
u District 4 – Tim Fields
u District 5 – Lane Gilliam
Town Clerk – Lynnette Ogden, MMC, 205-662-
4228
Town Attorney – Justin Williams
Fire Chief – Tim Fields, 205-662-3788
Housing Authority – Debra Graham, director,
205-662-3269
City Hall mailing address – City of Vernon,
P.O. Box 357, Vernon, AL 35592
City Hall telephone – 205-695-7718
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Council meetings – First and third Mondays,
u Mayor – Dupree Pennington, 205-695-7718
6:30 p.m.

u Place 1 – James Morton

County Engineer – Jim Smith, P.O. Box 338, Industrial Development Board – Jeff Newman, City Officials

u Place 2 – Don Thornton

Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-7136
Board of Education – Jeff Newman,
Superintendent, P.O. Box 1379, Vernon, AL
35592; (O) 205-695-7615, fax 205-695-7678
Board of Equalization – Pam Duncan and
Dupree Pennington, 333 Beaver Creek Road,
Vernon, AL 35592; Dupree Pennington, 725
Columbus Ave., Vernon, AL 35592
Board of Registrars – Mary Ruth Edwards,
Chair; Frances Pollard and Janice Hill. Call
205-695-9197
Circuit Clerk – Mary Ann Jones (O) 205-695-
7188
Circuit Judge – James Moore, P.O. Box 338,
Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-932-3169
Coroner – Marshall Guyton, P.O. Box 871,
Sulligent, AL 35586; (O) 205-695-9899
County Agent – Wayne Robinson, P.O. Box
567, Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-7139
District Attorney – Chris McCool, P.O. Box
520, Carrollton, AL 35447, (O) 205-367-9915
District Judge – Alex Brown, P.O. Box 338,
chair, 205-662-4917
Planning & Zoning Board – Icie Wriley, chair,
205-662-4228
Police Chief – Heath Allred, 205-662-4228
Water Superintendent – Larry Leonard, P.O.
Box 365, 205-662-4625 or 205-662-4228
City of Sulligent
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 1,968 in Sulligent.
City Hall mailing address – City of Sulligent,
P.O. Box 365, Sulligent, AL 35586
City Hall telephone – 205-698-9111
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Council meetings – First and third Mondays, 6
u Mayor – Scott Boman, 205-698-9111
p.m.
u Place 1 – Cynthia Summerville
City officials
u Place 2 – Bobby Metcalf
u Place 3 – Thomas Blaylock
u Place 3 – Dana Hester
u Place 4 – Mike Gideon
u Place 5 – Jerry M. Smith
City Clerk – Rebecca Cantrell, 205-695-7718
Building Inspector – Avery Robertson
City Attorney – Strawbridge, Strawbridge,
Strawbridge, 44695 Hwy 17, Vernon,AL
35592- (O)205- 695-9111
City Administrative Assistant – Don Dollar,
205-695-7718
Fire Chief – Larry Dubose, 205-695-9504
Housing Authority – Sheila Rushing, executive
director, 205-695-7122
Industrial Development Board – Larry Huggins,
chairman, 205-695-7141
Police Chief – Ted Collins, 205-695-7022
Water Department – Roger Holloway, 205-
695-9274

u Place 4 – Danny Dillard

Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-9427
Economic Development Authority, Lamar
County – Larry Huggins, Chairman, P.O. Box
309, Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-7141
Emergency Management – Johnny Bigham,
Coordinator, P.O. Box 711, Vernon, AL 35592;
(O) 205-695-7105, (H) 205-273-4416
Probate Judge – Johnny Rogers, P.O. Box 338,
Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-9119
Sheriff – Terry Perkins, P.O. Box 1382,
Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-695-7470
Revenue Commissioner – Donna Holsonback,
P.O. Box 11170, Vernon, AL 35592; (O) 205-
695-9139
Water and Fire Authority – Tracy Merchant,
1318 County Road 9, Vernon, AL 35592; (O)
205-695-7302
Town of Millport
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-
ed a 2008 population of 1,014 in Millport.
City Hall mailing address – Town of Millport,
P.O. Box 365, Millport, AL 35576
City Hall telephone – 205-662-4228, fax 205-
662-4968
City Hall office hours – Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Council meetings – Second and fourth
u Place 5 – Mac Morris Jr.
City Clerk – Gary Mosley, 205-698-9111
City Attorney – Tim Wadsworth, 205-698-
9118
City Prosecutor – Alex Brown, Young & Brown
Attorneys, 205-695-7158
District Court Judge – Alex Brown, 205-695-
9427
Fire Chief – Robbie Ives
Housing Authority – Johnny Hulsey, 205-698-
9482
Industrial Development Board – Camille
Wilson, Chair, P.O. Box 244, Millport, AL
35576
Library Board – Barbara Reeves, Chair, P.O.
Box 215, Sulligent, AL 35586
Park & Recreation Board – Gary Mosley,
Chair, P.O. Box 365, Sulligent, AL 35586
Police Chief – Willis Stanford, P.O. Box 365,
Sulligent, AL 35586; (O) 205-698-9111
Rescue Squad – Casey Baughn, president,
P.O. Box 365, Sulligent, AL 35586
Street Manager – Larry Cox, P.O. Box 365,
Sulligent, AL 35586; (O) 205-698-9111
Water Superintendent – James Guyton, P.O.
Box 365, Sulligent, AL 35586; (O) 205-698-
9111

u Mayor – Waymon Fields, P.O. Box 365,

Mondays, 7 p.m.

Millport, AL 35576; 205-662-4228

City of Vernon
Population – The U.S. Census Bureau estimat-

u District 1 – Barbara Gardner

City officials ed a 2008 population of 1,893 in Vernon. The

u District 2 – Icie Wriley (Mayor Pro Tem)

last census was in 2000; the next census is
in 2010.
54 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH u FYI 2009
FYI 2009 u THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 55
 To To Aberdeen . Caledonia
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45 Ko
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56 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH

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AL AB AM A
MISSISSIPPI

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