Sunday, September 1, 2013

Work continues on the Park in the middle of Nowhere

The Madison County Journal published a progress report on the Sulphur Springs park. Needless to say, the supes are very proud of themselves:

A $2 million 60.05-acre lake project under construction in rural, thinly-populated northern Madison County is being defended by county supervisors as an economic development boon that will help fight obesity and raise property values, despite rising concerns over things like an operating budget.

The 60.05-acre Sulphur Springs Park project off Mississippi 43 between Canton and Camden is "moving forward," Gerald Steen, the president of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, said this week.

Much of the clearing for the lake has been completed and dam construction is expected to begin within 30 days, officials said.

Holly Ivy, whose mother's home is adjacent to the park, says she does not think the park is a good expenditure of taxpayer dollars.

"Why are they building it? That's what I want to know. There's nobody out here. And the people from Madison and Ridgeland are going to go run and hike where they always have - the Reservoir," said Ivy.

Ivy wasn't the only one. Back in January a group of property owners and residents in the area voiced concerns in front of supervisors about the project, to no avail.

Despite the objections, the project is well under way, says County Engineer Rudy Warnock, who is overseeing the project.

"Within the next 30 days we will commence construction of the dam for the lake and conclude all dirt work for phase one," he said.

Warnock says the project has generated six new jobs already, and anticipates more to come.

But staffing the park is also a concern.

County Comptroller Shelton Vance says there's been discussion among supervisors about staffing needs, but nothing has been finalized at this point.

"I am certain that sheriff's deputies will be asked to patrol the area, but I don't know the details at this time," said Vance.

District 5 Supervisor Paul Griffin, the supervisor in whose district the park is located, said security at the park should not be an issue.

"We'll have park hours posted, and we have all the confidence in the world in our sheriff's department," said Griffin.

But where the money is going to come from to pay for the park - and the utilities and services offered therein - remains a mystery.

Griffin says there is no possibility that an admission would ever be charged for entry to the park unless it was for a special event.

Yet, no other source of revenue has been put forth to offset the expenses associated with maintaining a 62-acre park that will feature walking trails, kids' playgrounds, a picnic area and an 18-acre lake.

Vance on the other hand, seemed to think an admission fee to the park was not out of the realm of possibility.

"We haven't discussed an admission fee," said Vance, "but that doesn't mean that one would be opposed."

"If you look back to any city that's built a park, taxpayer money went to build it," said Griffin.

"Long-term goals the park will help with exercise, playground equipment for kids. So you get the kids moving and it will contribute to cutting down on childhood obesity.

"We hope to see an RV park somewhere in the area soon. People are gonna be fishing there and stuff. We're hoping to raise property values. That's what every supervisor hopes. Once people start coming to the area and it looks good, they'll start moving there," Griffin continued.

But Ivy and others disagree.

"Last time I checked, elected officials don't do nice things for people anymore. I have a hard time believing that this project in the middle of nowhere is just to benefit the thousand some-odd people out here that are directly close to it," Ivy said.

"You don't do a project just because somebody agrees to let you do it," she added.

Vance says Sulphur Springs offers a different level of service than one such as Strawberry Park in Madison, for instance.

"I hesitate to call north Madison County the 'middle of nowhere.'

"If you look around the state, many of the most successful parks are not in the most accessible areas of the state," said Vance.

Sulphur Springs Park is expected to open some time in late spring of 2014.


Kingfish note: This is what Madison County residents wanted. They voted for this in 2011. In fact, they kicked D.I. Smith off of the board.  Why shouldn't the supervisors engage in boondoggles such as this one.  The voters told them they could do it.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

So...which campaign contributors, close friends and relatives will be making money and finding ways to give it back?

That's politics in MS.Doesn't matter if the politician is Republican or Democrat or African American or Caucasian.

Maybe we should give Latinos or Asians a shot at being honorable.

Anonymous said...

The only way this park will fight obesity is if people from Ridgeland and Madison are forced to walk there.

Time for the FBI to return to MadCo to see where the money is really going.

Anonymous said...

Land owners in a mile each direction would be interesting and are they will to sell for neighborhood development?

Anonymous said...

One more example of the GREED of the Madison County Board of Supervisors!!! They are bleeding this county dry for self-gain and all those in positions to do anything about it turn blind eyes to the situation!!! An honest individual can no longer be elected to the office of supervisor in Madison County. D. I. Smith is an honest, upstanding individual and we all saw what happened to him. Billy Redd is an honest individual and the sitting board made sure that he would not even get to the point of the election process!! The present board of supervisors might as well be a part of the Nobama administration - their lack of ethics and lack of honesty in government is the same!

Teeter-Totter said...

"Cleanup Aisle Seven" is now sporting a neck chain and goatee.

Anonymous said...

4:26 is your comparison to Hinds and Rankin counties, or all politicians? McCain said on national Tv politicians ranked just below a colonoscopy.

Micah Gober said...

4:40 sounds like Karl Banks.

Anonymous said...

Anyone with an IQ above 70 knows shenanigans are afoot, but what sort exactly?

Maybe I'm late to the party and this already has been hashed out? Who owns the land? Are there Warnock cronies who plan to develop out that way?

I mean, there are only like a half dozen kinds of chicanery it could be. Surely Kingfish can tell us which one.

Anonymous said...

Anything and everything that has happened since the rein of David Richardson has involved Rudy Warnock. Watch for it.

Anonymous said...

Is that really the park's name? Are they relying on no one's thinking what sulfur smells like?

Certainly, something does smell rotten here, and it ain't just sulfur.

Anonymous said...

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Tim Johnson is still controlling things behind the scenes, like the health insurance. He is getting commissions.

Where's Toby? said...

I notice TimElvis is still driving a black Crown Vic with black windows, which is illegal. I assume he 'purchased' the Vic after he had it marked down in value to about two thousand bucks, but the windows are illegal, even for a celebrity.

Anonymous said...

Dumb Bell does what Tim Johnson and Krooked Karl tell him to do.

Anonymous said...

That lake can turn into a lagoon for a housing development like what is on King Ranch Road-A lot of affordable housing money out there--another way to get richer!!!

Anonymous said...

8:18
Is this something of a rumor about Tim getting commissions ?

Do you have any evidence (BCBS commission report)

Anonymous said...

"Integrity" firm. TJ is part owner. they have the insurance.

Anonymous said...

"Last time I checked, elected officials don't do nice things for people anymore. I have a hard time believing that this project in the middle of nowhere is just to benefit the thousand some-odd people out here that are directly close to it."

Ms. Ivy is a very smart individual.

And KF, this is not what ALL residents wanted. Seems to me, there was a little 'Hattiesburg politics' going on.

Anonymous said...

3:30
Debbie Judon is listed as the agent!

Anonymous said...

Oh alright. If someone will post the address/legal description of the property, I can do a quick search and find out who owns what. Y'all, it isn't like it's hard to do. The info is on the interwebs.

Anonymous said...

Elvis gets his kick-back...er commission from a company that offers county employees supplemental insurance..similar to aflac. (Guardian possibly,) The county has had open enrollment the past few weeks.Two weeks ago at an enrollment meeting in the B.O.S. room a couple of employees of the S.D. were inquiring and noticed that said company had ALL their personal and employment info on their computers. The sheriff was summoned, computers confiscated,and the reps were back the next day.The county has made no statement to employees relating to this breach of privacy...Yet

Anonymous said...

Elvis gets his kick-back,err, commission from a supplemental insurance offered to us county employees. Similar to aflac but not as good (Guardian possibly) The county has had open enrollment the last few weeks. During a meeting in the B.O.S. room 2 weeks ago a couple of sheriffs employees were inquiring with said company and noticed they had ALL personal and employment info already on the company computers. The sheriff was called, computers confiscated, and the reps were back the next day !! The county has not mentioned or explained to employees how the private company had this info.This is a serious privacy issue and should be addressed.

Anonymous said...

It got the information from the County, probably the interim administrator.
This is done all the time, there was a confidentially agreement signed to cover the data.

I think there is a problem of accusing someone of getting kickbacks.
Look up what went down in Lafayatte county between the insurance agent and a suoervisor.
Two people went to jail.

Week Three said...

What did John Bell do with all those Colonel Sanders suits? Is there an 'earthen dam' on the property in question? Will the Canton '55' Lagoon be Rudy's construction model? Is Timelvis really under the podium during Board meetings? What will be cost of the tunnel from Lost Rabbit to Fannin Landing? Is Mary now selling jeweled peacocks at her antique store? What about those autopsy results.

Anonymous said...

6:11 a.m.; Kingfish won't touch that last subject with a fourteen foot pole.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.