The county has awarded a bid for paving and striping at the new courthouse in Walthall.
Double S. Inc. of Grenada, the only bidder, was awarded the contract on April 30 by the Webster County Board of Supervisors.
The company submitted a base bid of $259,553 to pave the parking lot on the east side only (between the courthouse and Highway 9), with an add alternate to also pave the lot on the south side for an additional $91,025.
The board accepted the base bid and the add-alternate bid to pave both parking lots for a total of $350,578. The paving on the south side will provide 40 additional parking spaces.
County Engineer Karl Grubb said the work could not begin until the building contractor is finished would probably take three-four weeks.
April 15
On April 15, the board approved these motions:
• maintain the driveway of Ted Cole on Cole Road as a school bus turnaround for the remained of the school year per the request of the Webster County School Board.
• approve a request for cash regarding the Appalachian Regional Commission project to extend utilities at the courthouse in the amount of $4,410.35. With the county’s match of $1,890.15, the total is $6,300.50. Of that amount $5,690.50 will be paid to Double S Inc. and $610 will be paid to Willis Engineering.
• hire Denise Perkins as a part-time dispatcher at the sheriff’s office.
• Allow EMA Director Barry Rushing and Assistant Director Richard Love to attend the Mississippi Partnership in Preparedness Summit in Biloxi from May 6-9.
• Allow the District 2 road crew to go upon the property of Bonnie Hollis to fill an abandoned well and to go upon the property of Rana Mitchell on Rock Mountain Road for the width of the road.
April 30
Also on April 30, the board approved motions to:
• authorize Southern Telecommunication to provide internet service for the E-911 Center as soon as possible. The board did so after E-911 Director Jimmy McLemore and David Goodwin of Southern Telecommunication addressed the board concerning the internet service there.
• allow Coroner Steve Wells and Deputy Coroner Scott Dean to attend an associational conference June 18-21 in D’Iberville.
• hire Crystal Chism as a part-time dispatcher at the sheriff’s office.
• instruct Grubb to advertise for construction bids on an Emergency Road and Bridge Repair project on Tomahawk Road. Bids will be opened at 10 a.m. June 7.
The minutes also indicate that James Phillips addressed the board concerning a tax issue, which was tabled until an investigation can be completed.
May 5
On May 5, the board granted five-year ad valorem tax exemption requests to Plymouth Tube Co. and Gun Dog Supply. GDS representatives Bubba Freed, human resources supervisor/general counsel, and Jody Pace, chief financial officer, gave an update to the board.
While primarily a retailer now, Freed said the Mathiston company is making efforts toward manufacturing and has a sewing room. He also said it has acquired a company that makes dog collar bumpers, which keep them from being pushed off.
Freed said GDS now has 55 employees but estimated that number should grow to 70 within five years.
“We’re looking forward to reshaping the company in a positive way,” he said.
Additionally, the board voted to hire attorney Buchanan Meek Jr. as counsel in potential litigation involving plaintiff Felicia Ann Robinson. Her attorney filed a notice of clam in March, which is the first step one takes before filing a lawsuit against a government entity.
As reported March 20, the county is among respondents (defendants) in the case. Ferguson, according to the notice, plans to seek damages for injuries sustained in a Nov. 2 incident involving her husband, Daren Patterson, who was then an inmate at the county jail. Ferguson claims that Patterson, while out on a day pass for his birthday, burned and disfigured her with “Liquid Fire” drain cleaner.
Also on May 5, supervisors directed Chancery Clerk Russ Turner to open two bank accounts for Emergency Road and Bridge Repair funds. They also approved Justice Court Judge Jerry Jones’ attendance at a summer conference in Biloxi from July 13-17.
