Aldermen discuss inspection fines/fees

- The Houston Board of Aldermen, along with Code Enforcement officer, Dewayne Weaver, discussed the feasibility of across the board inspections of rental properties within the city.

Weaver proposed inspecting the properties on an annual basis and working with Natchez Trace EPA to monitor resident changes through changes in metered electricity. Fees for inspection and fines for non-compliance are still under discussion, but Alderman Barry Springer said he wanted to make sure that the fees were enough to compensate Weaver’s time.

“It’s going to be a lot of paper work involved and a lot of moving and running, at least at first to get it going,” Weaver agreed.

Mayor Stacey Parker credited Weaver for researching the potential project before bringing it before the board.

“Dewayne has worked really hard trying to get this information together for the last eight months or so,” Parker said.

No action was taken on the proposal and the board agreed to discuss it further at their next work session on Jan. 15.

In other matters, the board

- Approved BancorpSouth as the city depository.

- Approved a change order for the sewer repair project.

- Approved Tabb Insurance Co. for property and casualty insurance renewal.

MLK breakfast Jan. 19

- Okolona Section of the National Council of Negro Women and Baby Steps, Inc. will sponsor a Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Monday, January 19, 2009 at Calvary Baptist M.B. Church, Okolona, MS at 9 a.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Chester McNairy, Pastor of Jolly Chapel M.B. Church of Okolona.

The public is invited to attend.

4H adds new program

- 4H Archery training is now available from Jay Bullard through the Chickasaw 4H Shooting Sports program. For information about the new archery program, call 456-8920. For more on the annual 4H banquet, see page 8A.