Happening Around the City
City Update July 2010
Protecting Children and Families
At the July 20th City Council meeting my colleagues and I unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale and distribution of synthetic marijuana, a product known as Spice. This product is unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not for human consumption, as it clearly states on the package. Spice is rolled in the same form as a cigarette or marijuana and is being bought by and marketed to children below the age of 18 (this is evidenced in the Betty Boop-esque cartoon character shown on the front of the package). Spice has already played a role in our community in a very visible way; those charged with the break-in and damage at our new Senior Citizen Center admitted to have used this product prior to their illegal activities.
I want to thank Jackson County District Attorney Tony Lawrence, his staff, the Sheriff's Department and the Narcotics Task Force for helping us research this matter. Thanks to a combination of efforts from those in the law enforcement community and public officials this product will no longer be sold or distributed in our City and County. I expect the state legislature to tackle this topic in the upcoming session which starts in January 2011.
Gusher in the Gulf
I am cautiously optimistic as to the recent news of the cap on the gusher in the Gulf. For the sake of the Gulf Coast, our economy, our environment and many families I pray that the cap holds and the relief wells do the trick in finally stopping this disaster. I had the opportunity to fly over the Gulf in recent weeks to see for myself just exactly what we are facing. The vast amount of crude surrounding the well site hurts your heart. The sooner the gusher is plugged the better. The effects of this disaster may be felt for years but we on the Gulf Coast are a resilient people and we will once again come back stronger and more determined. That's just who we are.
I do not believe that an extended moratorium on offshore drilling in the Gulf region would be beneficial to the City of Pascagoula, Jackson County or the State of Mississippi. Many of our citizens in Pascagoula work on oil rigs in the Gulf and local businesses support, repair, and construct these rigs. To allow this unfortunate accidental disaster to shape our nation's future energy policy in terms of offshore drilling and thus essentially taking the food off the tables of so many in our city, county and state would be an additional tragedy, adding insult to injury.
Projects and Construction
If you've driven around the City then you've probably noticed the numerous projects under construction, road work and other efforts underway to improve and grow our City. Below is only a short list of what all is happening:
· Downtown parking garage and Riverfront development
· Chipley water/sewer and roads
· Round Island Lighthouse moved ashore
· Pascagoula Street and Ingalls Avenue work coming soon
· Beautification and streetscape work throughout downtown
· New Pascagoula beach
· Beach Park concession stand and restrooms
· County's new service complex downtown
· Riverfront Cottage Village
· Numerous street and drainage work throughout the City
· New Senior Citizen Center
· and more.
Please be patient as we work to improve Pascagoula for the future. A little temporary inconvenience today will pay tremendous dividends for us tomorrow.
Property Clean-up
The City is working diligently to continue our efforts to clean-up blighted and derelict properties around the City. These properties include lots that are overgrown, houses that may be falling in, and the like. Please help us keep the City clean by taking care of your property and help us identify troubled properties by letting us know what you're seeing around you. When we all work together we can make a positive difference in Pascagoula.
First Lady Coming to Town
First Lady Michelle Obama will be in Pascagoula this Friday morning (July 23rd) to visit with officials on the ongoing oil spill efforts and to christen another great ship built by the people right here at Pascagoula's Northrop Grumman shipyard. Mrs. Obama will break the bottle on the Coast Guard Cutter to be known as the Stratton. No matter your political ideology or party affiliation it is good to have the First Lady of the United States visit our community and to see for herself the diligent efforts of the hardworking people right here in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
2011 State and County Elections Coming
The 2011 Mississippi county and state elections are around the corner. The rumor mill is starting to turn as people are positioning themselves for a variety of positions from the Governor on down to County Supervisors. As 2011 approaches you will start to see many names tossed around and fundraising invitations will arrive in many mailboxes. 2011 will be a big year for our state with these elections - the possibility of a changing legislature especially in the state House, a new governor, and possibly four ballot initiatives (personhood, eminent domain, healthcare, and vote ID). I encourage you to stay tuned and stay aware as we quickly approach 2011.
Contact Me
I know this hasn't addressed all of your concerns or questions but I wanted to provide a short, informative update of what's happening around the City. If you have specific questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at frank @frankcorder.com or call me at (228) 623.1236.
An active, informed citizenry makes for good local government so please contact me anytime and join with us as we continue to make Pascagoula a truly great place to live, work, worship, and play.
