With our powers combined…
Governor Bob Riley has announced officially a partnership with Mississippi and their Governor Ronnie Musgrove to build a proposed mega-industrial site. The proposed location is in both states, being split down the middle by the Alabama-Mississippi border. The site would be located in east central Mississippi/west central Alabama, resting at the junction of U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate 20/59. The two cities looking to benefit the most, if all goes as proposed, are Meridian, MS and Demopolis, AL. The pros regarding the “merger” seem mostly monetary in nature. There isn’t any reason the site proposed by the two Governors couldn’t just as well work as two separate parks, or is nothing being said that either state is less desirable or less likely to attract industry on it’s own. The reasons set forth are that Alabama and Mississippi can’t afford to pay industry incentives to build in their respective states by themselves, but by combining funds and resources they could. Also, by combining politicians from both states they could move things along in Washington much easier. Of course there are the cons as well. One being any industry that build in the proposed park would only half benefit Alabama, since the money generated from taxes would have to be split between the two states. Then there’s the yet to be attempted job of setting up the paperwork to ensure the two states get their equal share of the loot. When you look at the proposed location, it could be conceivable that you could clock-in in Alabama and go to your desk in Mississippi. Figuring out which state you pay income tax to will be a pain to say the least. If Alabama could just hold out long enough to four-lane 43 and 80 properly, we wouldn’t need Mississippi’s help. The Black Belt would become prime industrial land. It’s discouraging to see Riley “throw in the towel” on the Black Belt. Riley has compared the “merger” with combining the best players from Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Miss. State to form an all-star team that can compete on a national level. What he fails to see, is that AU and UA could combine by themselves and beat any team in the nation.
Points of interest… - Relay for Life is set for April 25th here in Demopolis. The events begin at 6 p.m. at the Demopolis Sports Plex with the Survivors Walk (cancer survivors will do a lap around the track). There are games, music, and other fun for the whole family planned. Proceeds gained will go to cancer research. For more information go to www.cancer.org. There is a need for more entertainment acts. If interested in helping, call Angela Averette at 287-2634 or 295-1610. Once again, luminaries can be purchased (a bag with your loved one’s image, containing a candle to be lit in a ceremony); these can be ordered for $5 each by calling Frances Lackey at 289-0285. There will be different teams competing to see who can raise the most money in the fight against cancer. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
- Schoolfest 2003 activities are planned for Friday, May 2nd. All proceeded earned go to the mini-grants program of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation (www.demopolis.org). Through this program, they have distributed over $370,000 dollars to teachers, librarians, and counselors for equipment that cannot be purchased through the school systems budget. Now, more than ever, we need support from the community as budget cuts come down on our school system. All city public schools are competing against each other to see who raises the most money. Schoolfest t-shirts will be on sale for $12, with this years logo being designed by our own Jimmy “Big Jim” Mayton. For more information, call 289-2226.
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