About 14 months into their new term, members of the Columbus City Council and the mayor reflected on the high and low points of their first year, individually and as a governing body.
“I would say the mayor and the council, overall, is working together, cohesively, for the betterment of our city,” Columbus Mayor Robert Smith said. He cited beautification efforts in the city, lighting the Riverwalk, and the $3.4 million the city received to pave Highway 82 from the Alabama state line to Plymouth Road, as well as other paving projects — like the paving of Seventh Street from 18th Avenue to Willowbrook and Willowbrook from Seventh Street to Hospital Drive — as accomplishments.
“One of the high points, for me, has been seeing a difference in the department heads, mayor and council. I think we have a good relationship and we’ve had a better relationship as a team,” he said.
“From the negative standpoint, some of the problems we’ve had to deal with are financial,” he continued, noting the city likely will issue $3.8 million in general obligation bonds for more paving and the value of a mill has decreased — from $179,000 to $173,000 — in the city. “Citizens are leaving the city and moving to the county. A lot of that has to do with taxes. Also, due to the economy and the recession, we’ve (had) a loss in revenue. But when you compare cities of our size around Mississippi, from a financial standpoint, we’re in good shape.”
Bridge, soccer park projects
The councilmen, several of whom are serving their first term as elected officials, said they were most proud of projects like the city’s efforts to renovate the historic Highway 82 bridge across the Tombigbee River into a pedestrian walkway, a soccer park to be located on 70 acres in the Burns Bottom area, and the council’s passage of a city-wide smoking ban.
The project to renovate the bridge is being funded by a $2 million Mississippi Department of Transportation grant with the city, Lowndes County and the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau each paying a third of a required $400,000 match on the project.
“We’ve made great progress,” said Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor. “We have accomplished a lot of things. In Ward 1, we’re in the process of putting up three houses in the Sandfield area, where citizens were in dire need of homes. We’ve done wonderfully with (cleaning up) dilapidated houses. As far as the streets are concerned, we’ve done a wonderful job with them, as far as filling in potholes. And we’re in the process of finding funds to do some more things.
“We also have new community centers going up next year,” he continued, referring to a neighborhood parks renovation plan being undertaken by the city and county. “The high points have been we’ve been able to assist and to help people. That is my main goal — to be there for the community and for the city of Columbus. The low point is knowing some of the things the city needs and wants, you’re not able to do those things. At the same time, you’re trying to find the funding to make those things happen and knowing that you can’t.”
Smoking ban, focus on drainage problems
“All of us together, I think we’re getting to know one another pretty well,” said Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens. “In my first year, I’ve been trying to understand and get a feel for everyone. Before we can believe in anybody, we have to trust them. Right now, I think we’re developing a good trust in one another. I’m not saying we agree on everything, but we’re trusting one another.”
Mickens cited a recently passed street ordinance, requiring curbs, gutters, sidewalks and bike paths in new developments, and the smoking ban, which took effect in January, as accomplishments.
The smoking ordinance, which is modeled after a Tennessee state law, bans smoking in “all enclosed public places,” including restaurants, but allows smoking in “age-restricted venues” — or bars, restaurants and other establishments which only allow people age 21 or older to enter — and “private clubs,” which restrict access to the general public.
“Overall, I think this council is working pretty well together,” he said, also noting a “drainage problem in East Columbus” has been “solved.” “The things we have done in a year’s time have really stood out. (And) we have made some progress on drainage (problems). We’ve got so much going on in the city and sometimes you have to be patient with these things. I think we have made some progress. I know the drainage problem on Maple Drive is way better than it was. Also, we’ve done drainage work at East Columbus gym.”
Fight between Smith, Karriem ‘low point’
Several of the councilmen cited an early April physical altercation at City Hall, between Smith and Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem, as a low point for the council.
Both men filed charges against each other and turned themselves in to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Each was released on a $250 bond and each agreed to drop charges. Additionally, they both issued public apologies for the altercation, which took place at night in City Hall, reportedly over the use of the MDOT money to renovate the historic bridge.
“The only low point for the council would have to be the (altercation) between the mayor and Councilman Karriem,” Mickens said. “But that’s life. Both of them look like they’ve made up and they’re moving on in a positive direction.”
“Probably one of the main things has been the fiscal responsibility and staying in line with our budget and managing our money,” Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box said of accomplishments within the past year. “It’s been a pretty tough year and we’ve done really good in that regard. A lot of that has to do with (Chief Financial Officer Mike) Bernsen and paying attention to detail.”
Box noted issues in the Masonic subdivision as “critical” in his ward and explained city crews have been installing culverts in the area, as well as underneath Gardner Boulevard to increase the flow of water from the Masonic subdivision.
“The smoking ban was a big, big fight for us,” he added. “Everybody felt like we’d get a lot of flak from that and we haven’t. All the comments I’ve heard from that have been positive. All the business owners I’ve talked to have thanked us for it.”
Paving projects, park renovations ‘positive’
Box also cited the paving of Military Road, from Third Avenue North to 18th Avenue North, as a big accomplishment.
“Military Road paving was a big, big project and we’re glad to get that done,” he said. “And MDOT is doing Highway 82 now, so that’s going to be another big improvement. I suppose getting started on the (historic) bridge you can count as a positive for economic development and we passed a parks (renovation) plan. That’s really big for the city and county. And we’re going to participate in the (soccer complex), which is going to be really awesome. All of those are very positive things.
“There have not really been low points,” he continued. “I get a little frustrated sometimes things don’t move quicker. I think that’s a thing for new councilmen; some of the older guys are used to how things work. In city government, sometimes it takes forever and I have to learn patience in that regard. All of the city councilmen have been very easy to work with. It’s been very harmonious and they’ve bent over backwards to help each other. Everybody seems to want to get along and get good work done. For me, it’s been a good year. I’ve enjoyed it and learned a lot.”
“We accomplished working together, as a group,” said Ward 4 Councilman Fred Stewart. “We have accomplished a lot of things by seeing some issues together. I have a whole lot of confidence in the councilmen I’m working with. Whatever they say they’re going to do, they do. And I hope our relationship gets stronger.”
“I’m a firm believer we have a whole lot of dilapidated properties we need to concentrate on,” Stewart said of his goals for his ward. “I know the energy c
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