More than $27,000 was collected in the first day of a program giving court amnesty to citizens who pay outstanding fines, city officials said Tuesday.
The Columbus City Council, at its Tuesday meeting, issued another reminder that the Columbus Police Department Thursday will begin issuing warrants for residents who owe outstanding Municipal Court fines. The program began Monday.
“We”re going to try to clean out our files and get them up to date,” said Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, noting the city currently is offering amnesty to those who voluntarily appear at the Municipal Complex to pay their fines until April 30, but the CPD will begin issuing warrants Thursday and, as of March 1, will have two officers dedicated to serving warrants, until all warrants are served.
“If you come to the court division, you get amnesty,” said CPD Chief Joseph St. John, warning officers may serve warrants on and arrest citizens in their places of employment. “When we come to get you, there is no amnesty.”
During the amnesty period, for those who pay their fines at the Municipal Complex, no costs, beyond the fines owed, will be assessed, said Municipal Court Judge Curtis Austin, noting $27,000 in fines were collected Monday, when the amnesty program began.
“If you plan to come in, to get in here before Thursday would be very wise,” said St. John.
In other matters, the council:
- Received an update from Pastor Darren Leach and Kenneth McFarland on Project LACE Up.
Paid for by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, Project LACE — Linking Achievement, Community and Excellence — is a nationally-recognized after-school initiative which reinforces the belief education is a shared responsibility; the project includes after-school tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring services from community members and enrichment services.
Several dozen participants, in three school buses, attended the council meeting to show their support for the program.
The program is held in connection with the Columbus Municipal School District, the Columbus Apprentice Program, the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority and Mississippi University for Women to “expose youth to opportunities,” said Leach, noting participants have taken several field trips, including trips to the state capitol and to Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Additionally, LACE officials hope to take participants to the nation”s capitol this summer and are planning trips to teaching conventions in Meridian and Nashville, Tenn.
Currently, 120 students and 16 “ambassadors” participate in the program, along with eight “enrichment instructors,” said Leach.
- Was asked to support efforts by the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure an accurate count for the 2010 Census, by spreading the word about the importance of returning Census forms mailed to residents and likely to be received in March.
“The 2010 Census (results) determine the distribution of billions of dollars in government funding and generate jobs,” said Sharon Lewis, chairperson of the Complete Count Census Committee for Lowndes County. “An incomplete count could mean our community misses out.”
The Census Bureau is hiring for the 2010 Census, Lewis noted, adding the Bureau is “looking for people to start working in March, April and May.”
For more information on employment, call 1-866-861-2010.
- Amended the city”s ordinance governing overgrown lots to stipulate lots with grass at a height of 6 inches or more are considered overgrown.
n Agreed to begin the process to hire a city planner. Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem, Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin, Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell and the city”s chief operating officer, David Armstrong, will serve on a search committee for the position, for which a salary has not been set.
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