CMYK
COLLEGE HOOPS: Western Kentucky has MSU’s attention Sports, Page 1B
THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
JANUARY 5, 2009
© 2009 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
Pipe repair — Columbus Light and Water Department personnel work this morning to repair a sewer pipe on Fifth
Street South. Foreman David Gray said he did not yet know if the section of Fifth Street would be closed.
Dem aide: Obama supports $300M tax cut plan
By Philip Elliott
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON — and couples would be similar to
President-elect Barack Obama,
commencing face to face con-
sultations with congressional
leaders Monday, is embracing
an unexpectedly large tax cut of
up to $300 billion. Obama said
the country faces an “extraordi-
nary economic challenge.”
Besides $500 tax cuts for
most workers and $1,000 for
couples, the Obama proposal
includes more than $100 billion
for businesses, an Obama tran-
sition official said. The total
value of the tax cuts would be
significantly higher than had
been signaled earlier.
“The reason we are here
today is because the people’s
business cannot wait,” Obama
said as he arrived on Capitol
Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
After eight months of rehabilitation, bluff and made a fateful leap, which would
Elizabeth James continues to recover fol- determine the course of the rest of her life.
lowing a jump from a 40-foot cliff into Smith
Lake that left her with a broken back.
Proverbs
By James Brewer
To change one’s
character, we must
begin at the control
center – the heart.
HOME DELIVERY 328-2433, toll free 877 328-2430
www.cdispatch.com
A locally owned newspaper with a mission of service
The Commercial est. 1894, The Dispatch est. 1879, Consolidated March 12, 1922, Columbus, Mississippi
Gerald Herbert/AP
President-elect Barack Obama meets with House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, of California, in her office on
Capitol Hill today in Washington.
Hill in late morning for talks our team so we can shape an
with House Speaker Nancy economic recovery plan and
Pelosi, D-Calif. “The speaker start putting people back to
and her staff have been extraor- work.”
dinarily helpful in working with Obama will be sworn in as Please see OBAMA on Page 5A
Poised, graceful and almost paralyzed
Leap from 40-foot cliff leaves woman with broken back and a long road to recovery
By Wade H. Leonard
wleonard@cdispatch.com
Elizabeth James, 21, is poised and graceful
— both requirements for her job as a formal
dining room server at Woody’s On The Water.
Until recently, there was a question as to
whether she would ever be able to walk again.
On June 15, 2007, Elizabeth and a group of
friends went to Smith Lake in Lowndes County
and thought it might be fun to jump off a 40-
foot cliff into the water. Many of her friends
had done this several times before, but
Elizabeth — who is afraid of heights — never
had.
Summoning her courage, she climbed the
The impact with the water was so great it
broke her back, sending her into months of
TODAY’S DISPATCH
Five questions Weather
1. What U.S. state started hawking its
toll-booth attendants’ gaudy tropical shirts
as souvenirs in 2001? 2. What Rob
Reiner movie chronicles the efforts of
valiant Westley to rescue fair Buttercup?
3. What’s the face value of the 1933 gold
double eagle coin that fetched $6.6 mil-
lion at a 2002 auction? 4. What has two
tiny companions named Phobos and
Deimos? 5. What musclebound slugger
retired in 2002, after spanking 462
homers for seven teams?
Answers: 8B Carla Clemmons, second grade, Stokes-Beard
uu
MONDAY
Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff
the nation’s 44th president in
just over two weeks.
The tax cuts for individuals
the rebate checks sent out last
year by the Bush administration
and Congress in a bid at that
time to boost the slowing econ-
omy. A key difference is that the
tax cuts this time around may be
awarded through withholding
less from worker paychecks.
That provision would cost
about $140-150 billion over
two years.
For businesses, the plan
would allow firms incurring
losses last year up to take a
credit against profits dating
back five years instead of the
two years currently allowed.
Another provision brought
to the negotiations by the
MONDAY PROFILE
recovery.
Now, except for a slight limp in her left leg,
Elizabeth is doing remarkably well.
In the past she has been reticent to share her
experience. She now feels she owes it to peo-
ple in a similar situation to explain how she
managed to find the strength needed to learn to
walk again.
Tell me about the day you got hurt
and the days following.
It was the scariest day of my life. We went
to Smith Lake one weekend; it was just a ran-
dom weekend. It was about 12 of us. We were
out on a boat and decided to go to this cliff,
which everybody else had jumped off before,
and I decided I would do it, too.
Inside
Abby 5B
Classifieds 7-8B
Comics 6B
Obituaries 6A
Opinions/Letters 4A
Weather 2A
ADVERTISING 328-2427 uu CLASSIFIED 328-8484
129TH YEAR, NO. 256 n 25 CENTS
All together now …
Columbus mayor, City Council all
to announce re-election plans Tuesday
The announcement will
come at 10 a.m. Tuesday on
Dispatch Staff Report
Columbus Mayor Robert the steps of City Hall on
Smith and all the members Main Street, and will mark
of the Columbus City the first time the mayor and
Council plan Tuesday to the council have jointly
jointly announce their inten- announced their intentions
tions to seek re-election this to qualify for an election.
year. Please see COUNCIL on Page 5A
LOOKING AHEAD
Cause for optimism
After Bryan Foods closing, West Point
officials opt for fewer eggs in more baskets
ty of the Bryan Foods Plant.
When the plant, which was
By Wade H. Leonard
owned by the Sara Lee
wleonard@cdispatch.com
WEST POINT — To say Corporation, closed its doors in
the least, 2008 has been a March 2007, putting nearly
rough year for the city of West 2,000 people out of work, it
Point. While the city as a looked as if the removal of the
whole came together in economic keystone of the
November to celebrate West community would cause the
Point’s 150th anniversary, the whole machine to come crash-
city’s economic situation has ing down.
been a dark one. However, as “I feel the city and county
2009 makes its way over the government had as much to do
horizon things might be look- with Bryan’s closing as Gov.
ing up for the beleaguered Barbour had to do with
Clay County town of about Hurricane Katrina hitting,”
12,000 people. said West Point Mayor Scott
For decades, West Point’s
fortunes were tied to the vitali- Please see AHEAD on Page 5A
Wade Leonard/Dispatch Staff
West Point Mayor Scott Ross recounts what a rough
year 2008 was for his city and optimistically looks for-
ward to the town’s future successes.
Well, I did it and I landed wrong and broke
my L1 (vertebra in the lower back).
Anyway, they got me into the boat, and they
got me to the marina and they called an ambu-
lance. I was flown to Birmingham, (Ala.), and I
was in the trauma room for about five hours
lying flat on my back.
It was something like you’d see on “ER,”
doctors came running in and out. They stripped
me down, took off my bathing suit, and from
there I was doing MRIs (magnetic resonance
imaging), CAT (computerized tomography)
scans and couldn’t feel from my knees down.
I was laying there by myself when the doc-
tor came in and asked, “Have they told you
anything?”
And I said, “No.”
And he said, “Well, you broke your back.”
He just kind of put it out there just like that,
Please see PROFILE on Page 5A
A grieving
family
John Travolta and
wife Kelly Preston
are “heartbroken”
over their son’s
death. 5B
uu NEWS TIPS 328-2471
8A THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH n MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009
 CMYK THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH n MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009 7A

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6A THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH n MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009 SOUTHERN

Jackson mayor: I’m willing to pay price if it helps city Olive Branch
scheduled to begin today but was post- week, Melton acknowledged “mistakes conference brought a strong rebuke
aldermen to
poned until Feb. 2 due to Melton’s of passion,” but scoffed at the idea of from U.S. District Judge Daniel P.
By Holbrook Mohr
Associated Press Writer
recent heart problems. resigning as part of a deal with federal Jordan III, who said that future infrac- show support
JACKSON — Mayor Frank Melton, Melton and his former police body- prosecutors. tions of the gag order “will lead to pro-
facing three felony charges for the guard are accused of leading a group of “I will pay whatever price I need to ceedings for contempt of court.” for hospital
sledgehammer destruction of a suspect- young men in August 2006 to destroy pay to make this community get back Melton insists he did not break the
the duplex with sticks and sledgeham- on the right footing,” Melton said. “If
ed crack house, says he’s willing to pay law in the duplex destruction. He
mers. Melton believes the ramshackle they would supervise the bad guys like
The Associated Press
the price if his unorthodox crime fight- home in a poor neighborhood was a they supervise me, we would be in claims the apartment’s tenant, 48-year-
OLIVE BRANCH —
ing helps the city. haven for prostitution and drug use. He good shape.” old diagnosed schizophrenic Evans
Olive Branch aldermen will
Melton, an outspoken 59-year-old and a bodyguard, Michael Recio, have It’s not clear if the government has Welch, had asked for help because he vote on a resolution support-
former television executive, is accused pleaded not guilty and insist they did offered Melton a deal. A gag order pro- was being bullied by drug dealers who ing construction of a city hos-
of violating the civil rights of a duplex nothing wrong. hibits both sides from discussing the were using the property as a distribu- pital that state health regula-
owner and her tenant. The trial was During a news conference this past case. And Melton’s remarks at the news tion site, according to court records. tors have targeted for disap-
proval.
Mayor Sam Rikard said the
Alabama-Mississippi search focuses on missing crop-duster resolution will be presented to
lawmakers in support of a bill
GREENVILLE, Ala. — A search for a crop-duster Newton Record from American Publishing Co. in to approve the project.
aircraft that went missing on the way from Alabama to
Miss./Ala. Briefs 1999. Aldermen are expected to take
up the issue Tuesday.
Mississippi has been hampered by bad weather.
Civil Air Patrol Maj. Patricia Mitcham of
Newton Record closes after 107 years Police probe slaying Memphis-based Methodist
Le Bonheur Healthcare has
of Tuscaloosa woman
Huntsville said today the yellow aircraft, with blue NEWTON — The Newton Record will print its
final edition next week. proposed a 100-bed, four-story
markings, was reported missing Friday afternoon on a patient tower on a 20-acre site
flight from Greenville, Ala., to Cleveland. Only the The weekly newspaper will print its last edition TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Police say a 29-year-
on Jan. 14. It has four employees. old Tuscaloosa woman was found shot to death along U.S. Highway 78. The
pilot was on board. proposal calls for the 276,000-
The newspaper began publication in 1901. It is over the weekend.
Mitcham said the air patrol in both states began a owned by Birmingham, Ala.-based Community square-foot facility to be com-
Officers said April Barger was found outside her
search Saturday morning. But a two-day search of Newspaper Holdings Inc. mobile home near Buttermilk Road just after 9 pleted by January 2012.
parts of east Mississippi and west Alabama was sus- Newton Record publisher Robbie Robertson p.m. Saturday. State Health Department
pended Sunday because of bad weather, which also says the paper had a paid circulation of 2,400. He Captain Loyd Baker, commander of the staff have recommended
threatened Monday’s search efforts. says the current recession has caused advertising Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit, said investiga- rejecting the project, citing the
The aircraft was last reported near Livingston, Ala. to slow and the paper was not able to stay afloat. tors are sorting through evidence to learn whether number of vacant beds in the
Mitcham said anyone with information about the plane The first edition of the Newton Record was Barger was targeted or the victim of a random area. The Legislature can
can contact the air patrol at 334-467-0897 in Alabama published on Dec. 5, 1901. crime. No arrests were made. approve a project over Health
or 601-529-1580 in Mississippi. Community Newspaper Holding acquired the — From Wire Reports Department objections.

AreaObituaries
EDITOR’S NOTE: Notices
for inclusion in the obituary
Burns Arthur Brown, 79, died
Jan. 3, 2009, at Hospice of
Masonic Lodge II, Woodman
of the World Camp at
Mr. Ferguson was born
March 15, 1957. He was
In addition to his parents,
he was preceded in death by Lona McCarley
column of The Commercial West Alabama. Carrollton and Gordo Senior retired from working as a his sister, Louise Files Reed. SULLIGENT, Ala. —
Dispatch must be submitted Services are Tuesday at 11 Activity Center. He was a welder at Babcock & Wilcox He is survived by his wife, Lona McCarley, 89, died Jan.
to the newspaper no later a.m. at Glen Echo Free Will retired employee of Partlow Manufacturing, and he was a Helga Herrmann Koch Files of 5, 2009, at Care Center of
than 4 p.m. the day prior for Baptist Church with the Revs. State School, a U.S. Air Force member of Cumberland West Point; daughters, Mary Vernon, Ala.
publication Tuesday through Gary Mullenix, Tony Latham veteran of World War II, and a Baptist Church in Ann and Christina Files, both Arrangements are incom-
Friday; no later than 4 p.m. and Randy Gray officiating. legislator for Pickens County Cumberland. of Nuernberg, Germany; sons,
Oscar Files of Nuernberg, plete and will be announced
Saturday for the Sunday edi- Burial, with full Masonic Rites, for the past six years. He is survived by his wife,
will follow at the church ceme- Robert Koch of West Point by Otts Funeral Home of
tion; and no later than 8:30 In addition to his parents, Sherry Ferguson of Maben;
tery. Visitation is today from 6- and Andreas Koch of New Sulligent.
a.m. for the Monday edition. he was preceded in death by and sister, Gail Laws of
8 p.m. at Skelton Funeral Home his brothers, Marvin, Thomas, Columbus. Orleans; and six grandchil-
Brenda Blanton of Reform, Ala., and the body Cecil and James Brown; and Pallbearers were Bruce dren. Hildrid Northington
will be at the church 30 minutes sister, Nora Shelton. Edwards, Bobby Dexter, Terry Pallbearers will be Tom
Keller, Hunter Thompson, DETROIT, Ala. — Hildrid
Brenda Blanton, 63, died prior to services on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife, Doss, David Fondren, Jim
Mr. Brown was born May Tommy Riddle, Allen Fowler, Northington, 88, died Jan. 3,
Jan. 5, 2009, at Aurora Australis Reva Cameron Burns of McIlwaine, Randy Perkins,
Lodge in Columbus. 14, 1929, in Pickens County, Stephen Young, Patrick 2009, at Gilmore Memorial
Carrollton; daughters, Denise George Simmons, Stanley Sisk Hospital–Amory.
Arrangements are incom- Ala., to the late Virgil and Brown Wilkins of Carrollton and Danny Burney. Culley, Jon Jon Smith and
plete and will be announced by Willie Martin Brown. He was a Memorials may be made to: Richard Coggins. Services are today at 2 p.m.
and Darlene Brown Neenan of
Memorial Funeral Home of 1952 graduate of Carrollton Dothan, Ala.; son, Dale Brown “Catch a Dream,” P.O. Box at Detroit United Methodist
Columbus. High School and a member and of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; sisters, 6280, Mississippi State, MS Donald Hall Church with Bro. Dalton
deacon at Glen Echo Free Will Dora Johnson of Carrollton, 39762; or St. Jude Children’s Eason and Bro. Greg Cook
FAYETTE, Ala. — Donald officiating. Burial will follow
Burns Brown Baptist Church. He was a
member of Pickens County
and Ola McBee of Garden Research Hospital. R. Hall, 53, died Jan. 3, 2009, at Wesley Chapel Cemetery.
City, S.C.; six grandchildren at his residence.
CARROLLTON, Ala. — Camp of the Gideons, Reform and five great-grandchildren. Billy Files Services are Tuesday at 1
The body will be at the church
one hour prior to services
Pallbearers will be William
WEST POINT — Billy Joe p.m. at Bethel Church of
and Glenn Brown, James Christ with Jeff Harvill offici- today. Otts Funeral Home of
Mary Ellen Jaynes Lang, John Johnson, Coby Files, 68, died Jan. 3, 2009, at Sulligent, Ala., is in charge of
ating. Burial will follow at
Neenan, and David, Glen and North Mississippi Medical Liberty Freewill Baptist arrangements.
Mary Ellen Burgess Jaynes, 100 of Ethelsville, AL, Tim Fulgham. Center–West Point. Cemetery in Vernon, Ala. Mr. Northington was born
Memorials may be made to: Services are Tuesday at 11 Visitation is today from 6-8 March 9, 1920, in Lamar
a.m. at Calvert Funeral Home p.m. at Chandler Funeral
passed away January 2, 2009, at Baptist Memorial
Glen Echo Free Will Baptist County, Ala., to the late Bama
Church; Gideons International Chapel in West Point with
Hospital.
Home in Vernon, and the body and Hettie Farr Northington.
Pickens County Camp, P.O. Brother Jerry Allen officiating. will be at the church one hour
He was a member of Detroit
Funeral services will be held at Mineral Springs
Box 287, Carrollton, AL Burial will follow at Memorial prior to services on Tuesday.
United Methodist Church. He
Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 2:00 pm
35447; or Hospice of West Garden Cemetery in West Mr. Hall was born May 6,
Point. Visitation is today from 1955, in Fayette. He was a was a 1938 graduate of
with Bro. Mel Howton officiating and Bro. Jimmy Ray
Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Sulligent High School, and he
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404. 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
assisting. Burial will follow at Ethelsville Community
truck driver. served on several farm-related
Mr. Files was born May 7, He is survived by his wife, boards over the years.
Cemetery in Pickens County. Visitation will be held

Steve Ferguson 1940, in Starkville to the late Nancy Hall of Fayette; son,
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 from 1-2 pm at the church.
Carrie Elizabeth Jackson and In addition to his parents,
James Hall of Fayette; daugh-
he was preceded in death by
Dowdle Funeral Home of Millport, AL is in charge of
MABEN — Steve John William Files. He was a ter, Shree Hall of Mobile, Ala.;
Ferguson, 51, died Dec. 28, mold maker for Miller Paper his wife, Dorothy Northington;
arrangements.
stepsons, William Wolfe of
2008, at Whites Creek Lake in Corp. in Germany for 20 Vernon, David Wolfe of son, Michael Northington; sis-
Mrs. Jaynes was born April 20, 1908, in McShan,
Eupora. years, and he worked as a Florida and Anthony Wolfe of ter, Nettie Mae Barnes; and
AL, and was a lifetime resident of Ethelsville. She and
her husband A.L. Jaynes were self employed on their Services were Friday at 11 mechanic when he returned to Kentucky; adopted daughter, one grandson.
a.m. at Oliver Funeral Home West Point. He was a veteran Brenda Hughes of Winfield, He is survived by his son,
Chapel in Eupora with the of the U.S. Army, having
farm where they raised their children and worked very
Ala.; and 11 grandchildren. Harry Northington of Detroit;
Revs. Ed Newman, Stanley served during the Vietnam sister, Gaila Heim of
hard. She later worked at Seminole Mfg. and later at
Sisk and Terry Doss officiat- War. He was a Catholic. He Edith Hunter Greenville, N.C.; six grand-
Bosch. She was a member of Ethelsville Baptist
Church. She loved her Lord, reading his word, attending ing. Burial followed at was a former member of the children and six great-grand-
Clarkson Cemetery in Webster Boiler Makers Union of West MACON — Edith K.
Hunter, 93, died Jan. 3, 2009, children.
Church, Gospel music, working with flowers, crochet-
County. Point. Pallbearers will be David
at Brooklyn Hall Personal
ing, quilting, and loved cooking delicious meals for
everyone. Her door was always open to relatives and
Care Home in Mathiston. Brooks, Kevin Carter, Wade
Arrangements are incom- Burton, and Hildrid Lyle,
many friends.
Myrtis W. Gordon plete and will be announced Michael Lynn and Thomas
by Cockrell Funeral Home Scott Northington.
Mrs. Jaynes is preceded in death by her mother -

Inc. of Macon.
Dora Frances Burgess and father - William Roland Myrtis Wheeler Gordon, 85 of Searcy, AR passed
Hilda Pendley
Burgess; husband - A.L. Jaynes; two sisters; five broth- away on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at her residence.
ers; her sons - Laverne Jaynes and Boyd Jaynes; and
WEST POINT — Hilda
Graveside Services will be held Monday, January 5,

Pendley, 83, died Jan. 5, 2009,

daughter - Mildred Hortense Lollar. 2009 at 2 PM at Lone Oak Church of Christ Cemetery,
at Dugan Memorial Home in
Mrs. Jaynes is survived by her daughters - Margie Lowndes County, MS with Bro. Glenn Rob officiating
West Point.
Brooks of Ethelsville and Doris Neil (Jerry) Of and Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing.
Birmingham; sons - Charles Jaynes (Ann) Birmingham, Mrs. Gordon was born on May 30, 1923 in Arrangements are incom-
Lewis Jaynes (Vivy) of Columbus and Larry Jaynes Lowndes Co, MS to the late Festus Buren Wheeler and Brenda Blanton plete and will be announced
(Linda) of Ethelsville. Better known as Mammaw by Gunter & Peel Funeral
Home of Columbus.
Tillie Wells Wheeler and was a resident of Searcy, AR -Incomplete-
Jaynes and Grandma to seventeen grandchildren; thirty- for the past four years having moved from Atlanta, GA.
uuu
There is no charge for run-
seven great-grandchildren; twenty-one great-great- She was a homemaker and a member of Downtown
ning an obituary in The
grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews, Church of Christ, Searcy, AR. In addition to her par-
especially faithful was Jr. and Mary Shaw, Annie and ents, Mrs. Gordon is preceded in death by her husband, Commercial Dispatch.
Earl Ponds, Merlene and Owen Cowart and special Lt. Col Anyan Gordon. Obituaries are run as a pub-
friend and caretaker Paralee Tilley and others. Mrs. Gordon is survived by her daughter – Priscilla Memorial lic service, although submis-
sion through a funeral home
is required. There is a $10
Pallbearers will be Mike Jaynes, Jeffrey Jaynes, Gordon (Tom) Parsons, Searcy, AR; sisters – Martha Funeral Home & Crematory

charge if there is a photo-

Chad Jaynes, Ronnie Jaynes, Greg Thompson, and Hal Wheeler Egger, Caledonia, MS; Nell Wheeler (Joe) 716 Second Ave. N. • Columbus

graph.
(662) 328-4432
Newsome. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Flanagin, Robertson, Jackson, MS; grandchildren – Johnanyan www.memorialfuneral.net
J.C. Simpson, Jessie Simpson, Hank Duncan, Doug Hardin Parsons, William Wheeler Parsons, Richard
Duncan, Jr. Shaw, Owen Cowart, Earnie Buston, Joe Stewart Parsons, and Kathryn Ashel Parsons; special
Simson, The Church family of Ethelsville Baptist relatives – Clifton and Emma Wheeler, Aberdeen, MS; When Caring Counts... We Welcome
Church, the staff of Home Health Care of Carrollton Wade and Doris McCrary, Caledonia, MS; and Sally
who lovingly took such good care of her; Dr. Nernez Burroughs, Cottondale, AL; special friend – Hospice/ Existing Burial
and all the nurses and staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital Homecare of Searcy, AR; a host of nieces and nephews. and Pre-Arranged
who took such tender care. Memorials may be sent to Mission Upreach,
FUNERAL HOME
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations Campus View Church of Christ, 196 Alps Road, Suite & CREMATORY Funeral Plans
be made to Ethelsville Baptist Church Building Fund, 2-395, Athens, GA 30606.
230 Main St., Ethelsville, AL 35461.
1131 Lehmberg Rd. Columbus from other
Compliments of 662-328-1808
Paid Obituary - Dowdle Funeral Home Lowndes Funeral Home www.lowndesfuneralhome.net Funeral Homes
www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
 CMYK THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH n MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009 5A

Lowndes County Shrinkdown focuses on promoting a healthier lifestyle

Lowndes County Shrinkdown also includes a
“lunch and learn” program each Friday at Baptist
By Kristin Mamrack

Memorial Hospital–Golden Triangle; the program

kmamrack@cdispatch.com

The YMCA and Leadership Lowndes County
want to help residents live a healthier lifestyle,
Barbara Bigelow, director of community relations
for the YMCA, told the Board of Supervisors this
morning, announcing Lowndes County
Shrinkdown, a cooperative effort between the
YMCA and LLC, a nine-month leadership program
held by the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link.
An eight-week program, Lowndes County
Shrinkdown is designed to “offer residents ways to
achieve a healthier lifestyle,” Bigelow said, noting
the program is free and open to all residents; a
YMCA membership is not required to participate in
the program.
Lowndes County Shrinkdown is a two-fold pro-
gram; incentives are offered for those trying to lose
weight and participation opportunities, including
educational materials and speakers, are available for
those who do not want to lose weight, but wish to
live a healthier life.
Participants will weigh-in each week, Bigelow
said, noting those whose weight is recorded will be
eligible to win weekly prizes.
Additionally, two cash prizes will be given at the
end of the program, recognizing the participant who
has experienced the highest percentage of weight
loss and a person who has “participated the most,”
she added.
features a speaker on a different health topic each
week.
Registration for Lowndes County Shrinkdown
will be held Friday, from noon to 7 p.m., at any of
the county’s four YMCA locations.
Participants must weigh-in each week at the loca-
tion at which they registered for the program,
Bigelow said, noting Board President and District 1
Supervisor Harry Sanders already has committed to
join the program.
“This could be real important,” District 5
Supervisor Leroy Brooks said of Lowndes County
Shrinkdown, instructing County Administrator
Ralph Billingsley to get information on the program
to each county employee.
In other matters, the supervisors:
n Approved a request from Brooks to pay the
$100 registration fee of county employees, includ-
ing Brooks, who plan to attend a Jan. 23 National
Association of Counties conference on metham-
phetamines in Little Rock, Ark.
A 5-member “team of law enforcement and court Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff
personnel” are expected to attend, Brooks said, not- Greg Merchant looks to supervisors as they vote to approve Merchant’s request to
ing NACO will pay for travel mileage, meals and appoint Rochelle Murray, a nurse, as deputy coroner.
hotel stays.
n Approved a request from Coroner Greg n Approved a request from Billingsley to begin seat, soon to be vacated by Dale Tate, is for a four-
Merchant to appoint Rochelle Murray, a nurse at taking applications to fill a seat on the Golden year term. The county will take applications for 15
BMH-GT, as deputy coroner. Triangle Regional Solid Waste Authority Board; the days.

Council
Continued from Page 1A
“We all respect each other, we
support each other and we get
along,” Columbus Vice Mayor
and Ward 5 Councilman Jay
Jordan said this morning. “Since
we are all running, we thought it
would be a good time to show
our unity and the unity in our
community.
“We have a good group of
people in the council right now,
and I would love to see all of
them come back,” Jordan added.
After Tuesday’s announce-
ment, the incumbents will have
Ahead
Continued from Page 1A
Ross.
“But it’s fair to judge him on
his performance after Katrina,
and I think it’s fair to judge us on
how we reacted. And I think the
way we reacted to the closure of
the plant shows how we could
work together as a city and a
county.”
Today, however, the city of
West Point is showing the buds
of growth. Although not substan-
tial, the city’s employment num-
bers are actually a bit higher
today than they were when the
food plant closed. Much of this
growth comes from Navistar
Defense Systems, which builds
armored vehicles for the military.
When the company announced
its plans to locate in West Point
two years ago, it offered the
promise of almost 1,000 jobs. In
October of this year, however,
more than 250 of those people
were laid off.
Lessons learned
Despite what many might see
as more bad news for the com-
munity, Ross says the lessons of
the past do not go unheeded.
“I think what we said a lot
when Bryan closed is we have to
reinvent ourselves,” he said.
“You can’t have all your eggs in
one basket. I’d rather have 10
100-person employers than one
1,000-person employer, just
because of that risk.”
Currently, Navistar’s facility
is leased from Babcock and
Wilcox, which manufactures
industrial boilers and furnaces.
B&W employs about 500 people,
and Ross wants to try and help
broker a deal between the two
companies that will be beneficial
to both in coming years.
“I think we’ve got a great
opportunity to help with the
expansion of Navistar Defense,”
he said. “Our goal is to make sure
they are a permanent presence in
this community. They have a
good workforce; they are putting
out a good product. But they are
leasing their property from
Babcock and Wilcox; and we are
working along with the (West
Point/Clay County Community)
two months to qualify for the
election.
“Right now, we only have one
person qualified for the election,”
Columbus City Registrar Brenda
Williams said this morning, as
she noted the March 6 qualifying
deadline. “And that’s Kenneth
McFarland, who has qualified to
run for councilman, Ward 5.”
Following the qualifying
deadline, the city will hold the
election primary May 5, and the
general election June 2.
If a primary runoff is neces-
sary, it will be held May 19, said
Williams.
After the general election,
those elected will be sworn in
July 6 and will serve until 2013.
ing new businesses and seeing
old businesses expand.
Companies like Navistar,
Ultralight Batteries, Magnolia
Seasoning — formerly
FlavoTech — and Ellis Steel are
all helping shoulder the econom-
ic burden which was once carried
in large part by Bryan Foods.
Ellis Steel, for example, is
working to expand its operation
by locating a subsidiary —
Fabricator Supply — in West
Point. Once the project is fin-
ished at least 30 new jobs will
come to the area. Other econom-
ic increases made in the past year
include the opening of the city’s
Super Wal-Mart and the opening
of a CVB Pharmacy and the
announcement of a new
Hampton Inn coming to the area.
These additions to the city keep
Ross hopeful for the future.
“I believe we are in a position
to grow and bring in some addi-
tional retail development which
I’m confident is about to happen
with restaurants and the hotel sit-
uation, but we’ve got some infra-
structure improvements we need
to make,” he said.
Infrastructure needs
Which leads to perhaps the
most contentious subject to hit
the city over the past few months
— a proposed $2.9 million dollar
bond issue for street repair and
recreational enhancement. Ross,
who supports the issue, says he
does so because at this time it is
possible to issue new bonds with-
out raising taxes.
“The reason we can issue
additional bonds without increas-
ing any taxes is because we’ve
paid off whole bonds,” said Ross.
“There isn’t any rampant spend-
ing, we haven’t done that. But
there are clearly infrastructure
needs that need to be met. For
years, the city has funded those
improvements through bond
issuance. I think it’s a very legiti-
mate use of the public’s funds to
maintain our streets and recre-
ational facilities and our public
buildings.”
This is an election year for
West Point, and Ross, who quali-
fied to run for re-election early
Friday morning, says he’s still
committed to the ideas he pro-
claimed and championed when
he was first elected in 2005.
welcome you to this office. said. and the American dream slipping
Obama Tomorrow we will swear in a House Majority Leader Steny further and further out of reach,”
Continued from Page 1A new Congress and we will hit the Hoyer of Maryland said Sunday he said in his Saturday radio and
ground running on the initiatives he wants the House to approve YouTube address.
Obama team would award a one- ... to ease the pain being felt by the plan by the end of the month, Obama arrived Sunday night
year tax credit costing $40-50 the American people.” sending it to the Senate in time in Washington — a place he
billion to companies that hire Obama had meetings sched- for action before Congress largely has shunned since win-
new workers, and would provide uled later Monday with a broad leaves on its mid-February ning election — just hours after
other incentives for business array of House and Senate break. New Mexico Gov. Bill
Democratic leaders and with a Obama has insisted that bold Richardson withdrew from con-
investment in new equipment.
“We’ve got an extraordinary bipartisan group of key lawmak- and quick action is necessary if sideration as commerce secre-
ers. He had hoped to have the nation is to rebound from the tary amid a grand jury investiga-
economic challenge ahead of
Congress enact the recovery plan greatest economic crisis since tion into how some of his politi-
us,” Obama said. “We’re expect- in time for him to sign when he the Great Depression. He has cal donors won a lucrative state
ing a sobering job report at the takes office Jan. 20. But even his said repeatedly he wants a plan contract.
end of the week.” spokesman, Robert Gibbs, con- that will create 3 million new The Richardson withdrawal
Of Pelosi, Obama said: “I ceded Sunday night that was jobs. marked the first major hiccup in
can’t think of a better partner in “very, very unlikely.” “Economists from across the a smooth transition that saw
doing what is necessary in put- “We don’t anticipate that political spectrum agree that if Obama select his Cabinet in
ting this economy back on Congress will have passed, both we don’t act swiftly and boldly, record time, largely because of
track.” houses, an economic recovery we could see a much deeper eco- the magnitude of the economic
Said Pelosi: “It is a great agreement by the time the inau- nomic downturn that could lead and national security challenges
honor and personal privilege to guration takes place,” Gibbs to double-digit unemployment facing the new administration.
middle. I’m doing good, but I’m not nor-
very quiet and keep to myself, but I’ve
Profile mal. opened up a lot and I stand up for myself
more now. People say I’m different, but I
Continued from Page 1A
How long after you jumped did you know think they like it. I guess there are a lot of
and I freaked out. something wasn’t right? changes, but I’m glad. People will ask me
Afterwards, I got to see some of my As soon as I hit the water. It felt like if I would change anything, and my
family, and they took me to ICU and did hitting concrete. It was a 40-foot jump, answer is, “Yeah, I wish I had not
another CAT scan, and said I would have which is insane. But as soon as I hit the
jumped.” But I like how things have
surgery at 7 the next morning. So it was water I knew something was wrong with turned out.
pretty serious. Before surgery, they had my back. I landed in a sitting position
no idea if I’d be able to walk again. And and kept going under the water. I couldn’t
when they told me that, I really didn’t move my legs, but somehow I managed So, if everyone jumped off a cliff, would
you jump too?
know what to think. So, we’re going to to swim to the surface using only my
do surgery the next morning and the doc- arms. I couldn’t catch my breath. My And see, I’m not that type person at
tor said it would take about five hours. I friends eventually realized something was all. I’ve never jumped off anything. I’m
don’t remember much about going into wrong because I was bobbing in and out really not a daredevil. I’m actually scared
the operating room, but after surgery I of the water. And a guy came and pulled of heights. I just wanted to try, and just
remember saying, “I don’t hurt anymore.” me out. I wouldn’t tell anybody I couldn’t my luck, the first time I try it I get hurt.
There was no pressure whatsoever on my feel from my knees down. I just thought,
back, and I could move my toes. The maybe once I get to the boat I’ll be OK.
Thousands of people suffer injuries
doctors still didn’t know if I was going to They pulled the ladder down and I could similar to yours every year, and many of
be able to walk, but I never really thought see myself kicking the ladder, and I
I’d be paralyzed. I knew I’d be OK. couldn’t feel anything. That’s when I told those people continue to struggle with
After that, I stayed in Birmingham for them there was something really wrong. therapy. What would you say to people
who are in a position like you were in,
eight days and laid flat on my back. I
couldn’t hardly roll over. I couldn’t sit Are you fully recovered? who were thinking about giving up?
up. I couldn’t use the bathroom on my I’m just not like I used to be, and in Don’t give up. I was the second
own. Two days before I left, the physical some ways I don’t think I ever will be. youngest person in rehab in Jackson.
therapist came in and I took a few steps, My foot, my left foot, is still messed up. I Mostly, it was older people, and half of
and that was a lot for me. It was really still have a little limp because that muscle them were paralyzed and had really no
hard, I had no balance whatsoever. Then isn’t working right. My surgeons though, hope of walking or anything again, but
they took me in an ambulance to Jackson. they have great hope someday I’ll be they continue to go to therapy. Therapy is
And I was there for a little over two back to normal. They just told me to keep just amazing; it really did save my life.
weeks at a place called In House Rehab. working at it. I was in rehab here proba-
Even if you are paralyzed, continue to do
This was at the Methodist hospital. bly for eight months at Rehab at Work. I it. There’s that small chance something
I was there from 9 in the morning to 3 would go three days a week for two and a good might happen.
in the afternoon, non-stop. And that’s half hours at a time. It was like a major
There was an older man in therapy
pretty much why I’m doing so well. It workout with a trainer. So, now I’m on
with me, who was paralyzed from the
was hard core, and I cried a lot and was my own and I continue to workout and
waist down, and he couldn’t really move
angry, but I got through it. I don’t know. hope one day I’ll be able to run again,
It was really tough, and some days I ask because it’s my favorite. I can jog some, his hands. He kept me going every day.
He was always in great spirits. On my
myself how I got through it. I don’t but I probably shouldn’t because my
know, I think I’m proof there is a God ankle could roll at any time. last day he was standing up, moving his
and I think maybe I’m a miracle, I think. legs, and that really hit me. It was just
I don’t know. It’s just the toughest thing Other than physically, do you think amazing. I’ve never given up on any-
I’ve ever been through. And the hardest you’ve changed since the accident? thing. I couldn’t give up. I feel like I have
part has been the past few months. I’m Yes. Mentally, it’s been hard, but a lot a duty now to show people anything is
not 100 percent yet, but I’m like in the of good has come out of it, I think. I’m possible.
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Growth Alliance and the Clay
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going to find out with President-
elect Obama, no change happens
immediately,” said Ross. “It takes Bartahatchie Outback
time. Government doesn’t work
nearly as quickly as anyone would
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like for it. You know, I guess if

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4A THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH n MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009 OPINION/LETTERS

THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH

A locally owned newspaper with a mission of service
CONSOLIDATED IN 1922

BIRNEY IMES SR. Editor/Publisher 1922-1947

BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher

TERRI COLLUMS Business Manager HYE COLEMAN Ad Director JEFF LIPSEY Production Manager
BOBBY TINGLE Circulation Manager JERRY HAYES Pressroom Superintendent

OTHER EDITORS
Richardson withdraws
A campaign finance controversy
sinks a cabinet nominee
New Mexico Gov. Bill
Richardson, D made the right call in
withdrawing as President-elect
Barack Obama’s choice for com-
merce secretary. Given the ongoing
grand jury investigation into his
administration’s awarding of state
contracts to a firm whose president
contributed generously to Mr.
Richardson’s political committees,
his confirmation would inevitably
have been delayed and the contro-
versy an unnecessary distraction for
the new Obama administration.
What’s less clear is whether Mr.
Richardson did anything wrong —
he claims that the investigation will
show that “I and my administration
have acted properly in all matters”
— or whether he is simply the vic-
tim of exquisitely bad political tim-
ing, with the pay-to-play scandal
involving Illinois Gov. Rod
Blagojevich, D, making otherwise
survivable questions about Mr.
Richardson’s own fund-raising
activities untenable. It’s also unclear
whether Mr. Obama’s transition
team failed to adequately scrutinize
Mr. Richardson — after all, the
Albuquerque Journal reported the
grand jury probe in August — or
whether the political ground simply
shifted on them in the wake of the
Blagojevich arrest.
In the end, we suspect that the
Richardson nomination will have lit-
tle impact on the incoming adminis-
tration, which will be judged on its
handling of the much larger prob-
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Agrees with columnists
The Imes column (”Lives quietly
lived”) this weekend was right on
the mark. Those mentioned in your
paper previously and in the column
led notable lives and all led by
example. Mr. (Paul) Cockrell was a
real gem of a man and is missed by
many of us in Columbus. Another
notable life that you did not mention
in your recent article was that of
Col. Henry “Pete” Warden. His
lems confronting it. Mr.
Richardson’s withdrawal is an
unpleasant embarrassment, but it’s
an unusual administration that does
not confront some trouble with a
Cabinet nominee, and the trouble
was resolved before it became an
issue. The larger question raised by
the withdrawal is, as with Mr.
Blagojevich, the inevitable problems
created by the unseemly intersection
of large campaign contributions and
even larger government contracts.
In Mr. Richardson’s case, a
California firm, CDR Financial
Products Inc., received consulting
contracts worth $1.48 million with
the New Mexico Finance Authority
for advice on transportation bond
financing. In 2003 and 2004, around
the time the contracts were awarded,
CDR President David Rubin donat-
ed about $100,000 to two political
committees connected to Mr.
Richardson. Both Mr. Richardson
and the company say that the two
transactions are unrelated. Yet it is
nearly impossible to avoid the
stench of pay-to-play politics when
campaign finance laws allow for
large contributions and when those
seeking state business are allowed to
donate. Mr. Richardson’s conduct
may have been entirely legal, but his
predicament underlines how impor-
tant it is to change the flawed sys-
tem of which he has been both bene-
ficiary and victim.
The Washington Post
death this past year brought to light
all of his great accomplishments,
some of which help provide us the
freedom we enjoy every day.
Though I don’t always agree with
Ms. (Adele) Elliott’s column
(”Resolutions”), the one in this
week’s paper was great. It provided
the readers with little ways each of
us can improve our lives both for
ourselves and others.
Robert Voller
Columbus
Israel can’t find peace with bombs
It’s a new year in an — terrorism, homemade caused by this new conflagration
old and bloody world. rockets — are the won’t be limited to the Israelis and
In Israel, politicians weapons of the weak. Palestinians. Israel’s military offen-
jockeying for power Since 2001, Hamas has sive already has sparked outrage
have launched the most fired thousands of and protests throughout the Arab
lethal military assault on unguided Kassam rock- world. The current crisis also may
Palestinian territory in ets at Israel, but the destabilize the more moderate Arab
decades. Israel has justi- rockets have killed only governments in the region — in
fied its bombardment of a handful of Israelis. Egypt, for instance — where leaders
Gaza on the grounds Israel’s military, in now face popular backlash if they
that Hamas broke a contrast, is one of the don’t repudiate Israel.
fragile, temporary most modern and effec- And if you think that none of this
cease-fire. The Israeli tive in the world (thanks really matters for us here in the
government is right to in part to an annual $3
Rosa Brooks
United States, you’re kidding your-
consider Hamas’ rocket billion in U.S. aid). self. Arab and Islamic anger over
attacks on Israeli civilians inexcus- Israel can easily bottle up the tiny
Palestine continues to fuel anti-
able, but the timing of the Israeli Gaza Strip and its 1.5 million peo- Western and anti-U.S. terrorism
military offensive has more to do ple. Saturday, the first day of the
around the globe.
with politics than anything else. offensive, Israeli bombs killed at It’s time for the United States to
Ehud Barak, Israel’s Labor Party least 180 Palestinians. By
wake up from its long slumber and
defense minister, and Tzipi Livni, Wednesday, the Palestinian death re-engage — forcefully — with the
the foreign minister from the cen- toll exceeded 390.
Middle East peace process. Only the
trist Kadima party, are both con- But if there is no reason to doubt United States — Israel’s primary
tenders for prime minister in Israel’s Israel’s ability to pulverize Gaza,
supporter and main financial spon-
Feb. 6 national elections. there’s also no reason to think this
A show of “toughness” against offensive will improve Israeli secu- sor — can push it to make the hard
Hamas could help Labor and/or rity. Destruction of Hamas’ infra- choices necessary for its own long-
Kadima beat back the right-wing structure may temporarily slow term security, as well as the
Likud Party of Benjamin Hamas rocket attacks, but sooner or region’s.
Netanyahu, which has been leading later they’ll resume. In January 2001, the Taba talks
in the polls. Meanwhile, outgoing The Israeli assault may even between Israel and the Palestinian
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who strengthen Hamas in the long run Authority came achingly close to a
faces corruption charges, has just a and weaken its moderate secular final settlement, but talks broke
few weeks to restore his own tat- rival, Fatah. As Israel should know down after Likud’s Ariel Sharon
tered reputation. by now (as we all should know), was elected prime minister Feb. 6,
Adding to the time pressure is dropping bombs in densely populat- 2001. Sharon refused to meet with
U.S. President-elect Barack ed areas is a surefire way to radical- Yasser Arafat, and newly inaugurat-
Obama’s upcoming inauguration. As ize civilians and get them to rally ed Bush had no interest in pushing
long as President George W. Bush around the home team, however Israel toward peace.
was in the White House, Israel flawed. Eight years later, Israel faces
could count on a U.S. administra- Ironically, it’s precisely this psy- another election, and we’re about to
tion that wasn’t merely “supportive” chological phenomenon that Olmert, swear in a new president. When he
takes office, Obama needs to push
of Israel but blindly, mindlessly so. Barak and Livni are counting on
both Israelis and Palestinians to sit
Obama may be less willing to offer among Israelis, but they seem to
Israel blank checks. Thus this New assume it doesn’t exist among back down, with the abandoned
Year’s military offensive, timed for Palestinians. (Or, worse, they’re too Taba agreements as the starting
the crucial window before Israeli cynical to care, as long as they prof- point.
elections and Obama’s swearing-in. it politically.) Here’s to a less bloody 2009.
In a strictly military sense, Israel Israel has no viable political Brooks is a professor at the
will “win” this battle against endgame here: There’s just no clear Georgetown University Law Center.
Hamas. For all its threats and brava- route from bombardment to a sus- E-mail her at
do, Hamas is weak, and its weapons tainable peace. But the damage rbrooks@latimescolumnists.com.

Taking stock of holidays

star suits beside them, to observe the dresses. When the light came up on
there is that its spiritual fervor hasn’t might not be entirely happy. (I sur-
ceremonial first sunrise and to gather diminished in 2,000 years or more; the new year, nearly everyone else vived with just a scar, though the
By Pico Iyer

New Year’s Day is the hardest hol- sacred fire and pure water from the everyone has an acutely keen sense of had to awaken to a country with few driver and the only other passenger
iday to make sense of precisely holy place with which to cook an aus- what he or she believes in. The sor- schools or roads or hospitals or ended up in the hospital.)
because it’s the easiest one to sleep picious first meal. To many in the row of the Old City is that its person-hopes. But my most haunting New Year’s
through; as the most arbitrary of des- Westernized nation, though, one of al enmities do not seem to have abat- Wherever I am, whether Egypt or in recent times — walking through
ignations — New Year’s falls on dif- the most popular shrines to visit on ed much either; everyone knows just Ethiopia, I observe my own the Cambodian jungle at four in the
ferent days in Nepal or Ethiopia or New Year’s Day is Tokyo whom he or she doesn’t trust. makeshift rites on New Year’s Day, as morning, surrounded by Khmer
China or California — it asks us, Disneyland, where priestly duties A new year is a time to reflect on if superstition might be the first step Rouge ghosts and the towers of
even compels us, to find its meaning may be performed by Mickey and toward sacrament. I wake up early Angkor — taught me that the calen-
within ourselves. Hanukkah, Goofy. and compile lists of the cultural dar’s arbitrary markings are really
Christmas, Ramadan, Divali: They all
is
Yet the most crucial rite of what
the most important day of the
A new year is a time to reflect highlights of the year just past.
Then I begin writing out a
just asking you how much you define
yourself by what’s shifting or what’s
follow a larger calendar and come
with their own rites and duties. But year in Japan — even if you begin on change and to see what swelling catalog of all the still.
what to do with a day that, in our it in Tomorrowland — is to go pay endures beyond the flash and moments that moved and aston- This year, as it happens, I plan to
Western culture at least, involves
your respects to Grandma and root
your newness in the old. Like most
grab of the moment. ished me, annual proof that even
the emptiest-seeming year is rich.
mark the new year in California,
wondering how much our fresh
mostly snoozing through the bowl traditional cultures in the world, I take care, as my Japanese young president will draw on the
games and resolving to remember the Japan knows that “new” is not neighbors do, over my first ancestral wisdom of Kansas and
resolutions that you know you’ll for- always the same as “improved” and change and to see what endures thought, my first sentence, my first Kenya to guide him — and us — into
get by next Tuesday? that “old” does not quite translate as beyond the flash and grab of the meal; the day itself is for me like the a new century. You don’t have to
My answer is as arbitrary as any- “outdated.” moment. At the turn of the millenni- folded white paper that the Japanese travel far, my Japanese neighbors
one else’s, but it is to see what “new” I am only a would-be Japanese, um, therefore, I emptied my savings collect from shrines outlining their remind me, to turn a new page in
and “year’s” might really mean, by and more of a global being, so I don’t account to take my mother to Easter future for the year to come. When, your life. The only important thing on
taking myself off to see the grandfa- have any grandparents nearby or a Island, where the 21st century looked four years ago, New Year’s Day New Year’s — I should have remind-
ther cultures of the world. In Japan, local shrine to which I can claim full to be mostly a matter of tall stone found me barreling down a narrow ed my Bolivian taxi driver — is to
where I live — old enough to think allegiance. Thus, last New Year’s statues and ancestral taboos. Four mountain road at 12,000 feet in wake up.
carefully about new beginnings — found me visiting the global village’s years earlier, I spent New Year’s Eve southern Bolivia and then bouncing Iyer is the author, most recently, of
chic girls in kimonos, with stylish elders in Jerusalem, where ancient in Port-au-Prince, seeing the modern and banging around as my taxi rolled “The Open Road: The Global
stoles around their necks, stream passions sob and flare through the globe in miniature: All night long, the over and over — the driver had fallen Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai
through the orange “torii” gates of a thin stone passageways, reminding us Creole elite danced the evening away asleep at the wheel, a victim of New Lama.” His previous book, “Sun
Shinto shrine soon after a bronze bell that constant turmoil is not the same in soigne French restaurants, stunning Year’s Eve — I had the distinct After Dark,” describes New Year’s
tolls in the new year, swains in rock- as change. The beauty of the Old City in that season’s Dior and backless impression that the year that followed Day around the globe.

THE STAFF OF THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH

Advertising Steven Short Business Office Circulation Editor/Publisher Kristin Mamrack Neal Wagner Vernon Hedgeman, Jr.
Felicia Bowen Celsie Staggers Terri Collums Patricia Brooks Birney Imes Henry Matuszak Leigh Yarborough Tanner Imes
Hye Coleman Jackie Taylor Kim Cook Monica Gardner Adam Minichino Jeff Lipsey
Mandy Wells News Tim Pratt Production Jamie Morrison
Adrian Fields Elbert Ellis Margaret Segafredo Silvia Carr
Connie Harris Samantha Williamson Debbie Foster Bobby Tingle Adrian Bohannon Joe Ray Roberson Kevin Parker
Garthia Elena Burnett Danny P. Smith LaMarcus Davis Tina Perry
Linda Massey Carol Talley John Mott Coffey Jan Swoope Ronald Gore
Anthony Minter June Straight Larry Smith
Sandra Gordon Jerry Hayes
Beth Proffitt Wade Leonard Kelly Tippett

The Commercial Dispatch (USPS 142-320)

Published daily except Saturday. Entered at the post office at Columbus, Mississippi. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, MS
POSTMASTER, Send address changes to The Commercial Dispatch, P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703
Published by Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company Inc., 516 Main St., Columbus, MS 39703
 TODAY’S QUOTE: “You can’t have all your eggs in ON THE AGENDA: The Columbus-Lowndes
one basket. I’d rather have 10 100-person
employers than one 1,000-person employer, just
because of that risk.”
—West Point Mayor Scott Ross on the city’s economic past
and future; story on Page 1A PAGE 3
THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH / MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009
Recreation Authority meets today at 6 p.m. in the
CLRA office at Propst Park. The Columbus City
Council meets Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Municipal
Complex.

Council
agenda —
Extreme
treat —
Nine year-
State gas prices
old SOURCE: MISSISSIPPIGASPRICES.COM
City Council meets Ahzandre
Williams
Tuesday at 5 p.m.
in the Municipal
takes
another
bite of his
Highest Lowest
Complex Air Heads SHELL THE COUNTRY
Extremes
I. Call to order and invocation
II. Approve minutes for the
candy dur-
ing the
1.66 856 Beach
Blvd. 1.27 STORE
6528 State and
Pine Springs
Noxubee BILOXI
meeting of Dec. 16
MERIDIAN Road

County-
III. Approve docket of claims McAdams
for Jan. 6
MURPHY USA
girls’ bas-
SHELL

IV. Confirmation of/or amend-

ments to the agenda
ketball
game
1.65 US Highway
45 South 1.30 The Boulevard
Wal-Mart

Saturday
V. Consent agenda:
BROOKSVILLE BROOKHAVEN
at the East
J. St. John: Approve request Oktibbeha
for a lieutenant and a sergeant
SHELL WILLIAMS
Basketball
to attend the “First Responder
Training Program” in Oxford
and approve payment for lodg-
Classic.
Ahzandre,
1.65 Jefferson
Street
1.35 COUNTRY
STORE

a third-
MS Highway 11
MACON
ing and meals for each.
MERIDIAN
grader, is
J. St. John: Approve request the son of
for a patrolman to attend the Derek A.
SHELL SAM’S CLUB
Clan Lab and WMD and Site
Safety Certification School at
the RCTA in Meridian, at no
Williams
and
Katrina
1.64 590 E. Main
Street 1.38 MS Highway 49

cost to the city. LOUISVILLE GULFPORT

Dooley and
J. St. John: Approve request
for a police sergeant to attend the grand-
the “Office Safety, High Risk son of
Operational Skills Level II” Coach A.E. COLUMBUS
course in Meridian, at no cost Williams,
to the city. the (Out of 29 stations reported)
J. St. John: Approve request Noxubee
for an officer and a lieutenant County
High
CHEVRON TINA
to attend the “Analytical
Investigative Techniques
Overview” course at the RCTA
School
girls’
1.59 U.S. Highway
45 N. at
1.54 WATKINS 45
712 Highway

basketball
Caledonia

in Meridian, at no cost to the

HIGHEST LOWEST 45 N.

city. coach.
K. Moore: Approve request Joe Ray Roberson/Dispatch Staff
for a fire captain to attend the
“Fireground Leadership”
course at the Mississippi Fire Monroe County wreck claims lives of two North Mississippi men
Academy and approve payment
for the course fee and meals. year-old Shannon resident Kelvin Neither were wearing seat belts, were injured and were transported to
R. Smith: Approve request Martell Davidson were both pro-
Dispatch Staff Report
Gurley said. the North Mississippi Medical Center
to pay the Mississippi SHANNON — Two men were nounced dead on the scene of multiple
Conference of Black Mayors The wreck happened when the Ford, in Tupelo. The passengers in the truck
killed during a Friday afternoon wreck trauma at about 4:50 p.m. Friday after
Inc. 2009 annual membership driven by Davidson, crashed into a were not injured.
on Highway 45 Alternate near the Lee they were thrown from a 1998 Ford
fee. County-Monroe County line. Taurus traveling south on Highway 45, truck pulling a trailer loaded with bales As of this morning, the wreck inves-
F. Goodman: Approve Calvin Jones, 20, of 430 Highway according to Monroe County Coroner of hay. tigation had been turned over to the
request to refund $233 to an 341 in Vardaman, and his cousin, 30- Alan Gurley. Three other passengers in the Ford Mississippi Highway Patrol.
applicant for the date of July
22.
VI. Reports, proclamations,
recognitions agenda:
R. Smith: General com-
ments from the mayor and
council members.
J. St. John: Recognition of
Officer Tommy Watkins and
Marie Wallace. Place an Ad
D. Armstrong: Board
vacancies: Convention and
this Size in
Visitors’ Bureau, appointment Over 30 Central
can be made today; Zoning
BELK.COM

Board of Adjustment and Mississippi Tuesday,

Appeals, appointment can be
made Jan. 20; City Planning
Commission, appointment can
be made Jan. 20; Columbus
Newspapers
for Only $900.
SeniorDay January 6
Municipal School District, Less than $27
appointment can be made Feb.
3357 W. Locust
SeniorDay
17.
Per Publication!
555-0000 Customers 55 and older

VII. Citizens input agenda:

take an extra
Call MPS
(Please limit to two to five min-
utes)
(601) 981-3060
for Information
%
20off
Bob Morgan: State accredi- on Network
tation
Warner Depriest: Building
Advertising.

the bridge at the Riverwalk

all* sale & clearance

VIII. Policy agenda:

purchases with your

D. Armstrong: A.
Settle IRS P 3.556” x 4” Belk Rewards Card

Discuss/approve resolution for

15% off Home & Shoes

new Mississippi Development

*See below for details.

Authority $5 million line of

with any other form of payment

credit.

Back Taxes
all* sale &

J. St. John: B. Approve

clearance
% purchases

request to hire an applicant as

the property and evidence con-
15 off 10% off
Home & Shoes

trol technician for the crime

lab, contingent on successful
completion of pre-employment
medical examination, drug
for less than what you owe
screen and psychological eval-
uation.
P. Mitchell/J. Turnage: C.
If you qualify we can:
Discuss legal publication bid.
M M M M M

• Stop wage garnishments

G. Irby/K. Stafford: D.
Reject lowest bid and accept
lowest qualifying bid for the
Columbus-Lowndes County
Airport nested T-Hangar addi-
tion.
• Remove bank levies, tax levies, property seizures
• Stop payment plans that get you nowhere
SAU
• Settle state and business payroll tax problems
MPS

American Tax Relief

G. Irby: E. Discuss
*If you’re 55 or older, take an extra 20% off storewide, or 15% off in our home & shoes
departments with your Belk Rewards Card; 15% off storewide, 10% off in our home
• Eliminate penalties,
Get ainterest
Bite charges & tax liens
Riverwalk grant.
& shoes departments with any other form of payment, on your sale & clearance
Plus, Baby Sale purchases for the day. Just show proof of age to any Sales Associate. Only excludes
Red Dot, Earlybirds, Night Owls, Doorbusters, Bonus Buys, Special Buys,

2x4
R. Smith: F.
Cosmetics/Fragrances, Brighton, Coach, Lacoste, St. John, Stuart Weitzman,
going on now Citizens of Humanity, Cole Haan, Columbia, Crocs, Donald J Pliner, Ferragamo,

Discuss/approve employment
Furla, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Kristin Davis, Vineyard Vines, Levi’s, Dockers,
Lilly Pulitzer, Mattel, Merrell, Munro, Seven For all Mankind, Theory, Tommy

status of interim Public Works

Bahama, Trina Turk, Ugg, Hart Schaffner Marx, Austin Reed, Hugo Boss,
30-50% off Hickey Freeman, Joseph Abboud, ladies, men’s & kids designer shoes; fine

director to permanent Public

jewelry clearance, watches, gifts, trunk shows and service plans;
non-merchandise depts., maternity, lease depts. and Belk gift cards. Not valid on
everything for baby prior purchases, phone or special orders. Cannot be redeemed for cash, credit

Works director.
or refund, used in combination with any other discount or coupon offer or on

If you owe over $15,000 in back taxes, call now belk.com. Valid January 06, 2009.

IX. Executive session Tuesday, January 6

FREE consultation
M

earn
KEY WEST Jan. 26-31
$
10 in BonusBucks Earn $10 in Bonus Bucks with every** $50 purchase, including
cosmetics & fragrances. Redeem them January 9-14.

CAJUN Feb. 25-28

No Obligation Confidential **With every $50 total register transaction, you’ll receive a special Bonus Bucks register receipt worth $10. For example: spend $50 and get a $10 Bonus Bucks receipt... spend
$100, get a $20 Bonus Bucks receipt. It’s that simple! Redeem your Bonus Bucks in most departments throughout the store January 9-14, 2009. $50 qualifying purchase is before

NEW YORK Mar. 14-21

1-800-355-9087
taxes. Can be earned but not redeemed in cosmetics & fragrances. Cannot be earned or redeemed in any lease departments, Brighton, non-merchandise departments, in

1-800-569-7951
Belk & Co. Fine Jewelers, custom orders, or on belk.com. Cannot be redeemed for cash, payment on any Belk charge account, a gift card, or additional Bonus Bucks. Not valid
on prior purchases. No phone or special orders. See store for details.

STARKVILLE TOURS AD# 2343 NAME: Senior Day RUN DATE: 01/05/09 SIZE: 30” BW DESIGNER: Bill COPY: Mike
662-324-0474
2A THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH n MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009 CMYK

WEATHER REPORT
FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE AND SURROUNDING AREA
TONIGHT TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Pleasant with Rather cloudy,
Rain and a Partly sunny Mostly sunny
Rain times of clouds breezy and
thunderstorm and breezy and warmer
and sun colder

Low: 47° 56° 43° 51° 36° 62° 38° 60° 41° 49° 32°

ALMANAC DATA MISSISSIPPI WEATHER TOMORROW LOCAL WEATHER WORLD CITIES

Columbus yesterday Shown is tomor- Tue. Wed. Tue. Wed.
row’s weather. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
Temperature 55 Corinth
Temperatures are Baghdad 59/37/s 61/41/s Moscow 10/7/sf 18/1/sn
High temperature ....................... 65° tonight’s lows and 36/45 Beijing 36/19/s 32/14/pc Paris 24/19/c 27/23/s
Low temperature ........................ 52° tomorrow’s highs.
Tunica
Fulton Berlin 22/14/s 24/12/sn Rome 48/42/c 51/41/sh
Normal high ............................... 53° 37/45 Oxford Tupelo Cairo 68/48/s 69/49/pc Seoul 36/18/s 34/14/s
Normal low ................................ 32° 40/42 42/48 46/48 Hong Kong 69/61/pc 70/57/s Sydney 92/72/s 90/68/pc
Tupelo Jerusalem 65/43/s 62/42/s Tel Aviv 66/52/s 68/50/s
Precipitation
London 36/27/pc 37/28/pc Tokyo 48/36/pc 48/36/pc
Yesterday ................................ 0.24" Houston
Month to date ..........................
Normal month to date .............
0.39"
0.74"
Grenada 45/48 NATIONAL CITIES
Greenville 40/48 Aberdeen Tue. Wed. Tue. Wed.
Year to date ............................ 0.39" COLUMBUS
Normal year to date ................ 0.74"
38/40 48/54 Vernon City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
48/56 Atlanta 62/48/c 57/36/pc Los Angeles 66/48/s 70/50/s
West Point Atlantic City 40/36/sn 49/31/r Memphis 44/39/r 51/42/pc
WEATHER HISTORY
ARKANSAS

48/56 Baltimore 38/32/i 44/28/r Miami 81/71/s 82/58/t

When rain falls to the earth and 55 Boston 36/30/pc 36/30/r Minneapolis 26/11/c 19/5/sf
Carthage
freezes on cold objects, it is called 49/52 Chicago 34/21/sn 26/18/sf Nashville 44/39/r 49/36/r
freezing rain. Freezing rain on Jan. 5, Dallas 53/38/s 66/42/s New York City 39/35/pc 44/33/r
1983, tied up morning traffic from Denver 40/21/pc 55/27/pc Oklahoma City 47/27/pc 60/35/s
Starkville COLUMBUS
North Carolina to eastern Meridian Des Moines 34/21/c 34/20/pc Orlando 82/62/pc 74/49/r
47/56 47/56 Detroit 36/27/sn 37/22/sn Philadelphia 38/34/sn 43/29/r
Pennsylvania. 55/64 59
20 Fairbanks -25/-39/s -25/-40/s Phoenix 61/43/pc 67/47/s
Jackson Aliceville Honolulu 81/68/s 81/67/s Raleigh 46/41/r 57/32/r
51/60
SUN AND MOON 50/52 Houston
Jacksonville
52/44/r
81/63/pc
68/51/s
73/41/r
Salt Lake City
Seattle
36/28/sn
47/44/r
39/24/c
49/41/r
Sunrise today ................... 6:59 a.m. Kansas City 42/24/c 47/32/pc Tucson 58/35/s 68/39/s
Macon
Sunset today .................... 5:00 p.m. Natchez Las Vegas 58/37/pc 63/42/s Wash., D.C. 38/35/i 49/34/r
50/52
55 50/60
Moonrise today .............. 11:55 a.m. Brookhaven
59 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
Moonset today ............... 12:57 a.m. 53/58
ALABAMA

r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

Sunrise tomorrow ............. 6:59 a.m. Hattiesburg
Sunset tomorrow .............. 5:01 p.m. RIVER STAGES
Moonrise tomorrow ........ 12:34 p.m.
60/65 NATIONAL WEATHER TOMORROW
Moonset tomorrow ........... 2:05 a.m. Yesterday Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr. -10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s
River stage yest. change
Sunrise Wednesday ......... 6:59 a.m.
Tombigbee
Sunset Wednesday .......... 5:01 p.m. Seattle

Moonrise Wednesday ...... 1:22 p.m. LOUISIANA Biloxi

Amory 20' 12.11' +0.23' 47/44
Bigbee 14' 6.72' +0.33'
Moonset Wednesday ....... 3:17 a.m. Forecasts and graphics provided 61/71 Billings
Fulton 20' 10.14' -0.51' 35/26
Minneapolis
by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2009 26/11
MOON PHASES 10
Gulfport
Tupelo 21' 2.74' +0.03'
Chicago
Black Warrior 34/21
Detroit
Full Last New 62/70
First REGIONAL CITIES Bankhead Dam
San Francisco
36/27
New York
39/35
Tue. Wed. ™
Upper 255' 254.78' +0.26' 55/47 Kansas City Washington
City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W WEATHER TRIVIA Lower 189' 185.97' -0.34' Denver
40/21
42/24 38/35

Baton Rouge 66/45/t 62/44/s Holt Dam

Jan. 10 Jan. 17 Jan. 26 Feb. 2

SOLUNAR TABLES
Biloxi
Birmingham
Greenville
71/49/r
66/46/r
40/38/r
62/51/s
53/37/pc
55/41/s
Q: What does socked in mean? Upper
Lower
Luxapallila
187'
140'
186.27'
125.81'
+0.03'
N.A.
Los Angeles
66/48

El Paso
Atlanta
62/48

According to the Solunar Tables cal- Gulfport 70/48/r 62/43/s poor visibility. A: Columbus 15' 7.11' -0.26' Fronts
57/33

culated for the area, the best times Jackson 52/41/t 54/40/s An airport closed because of
Cold
for hunting and fishing will be in the
coming days.
Meridian
Mobile
64/43/r
75/50/r
55/37/s
62/42/s
LAKE LEVELS Warm
Houston
52/44
Miami

Day a.m. p.m. Monroe 46/39/r 59/43/s UV INDEX TOMORROW Yesterday 7 a.m. 24-Hr. Stationary 81/71
Lake Capacity yest. change
Montgomery 72/51/r 57/37/s
Major Minor Major Minor Natchez 52/40/t 58/44/s 1 1 1 0 Aberdeen Dam 188' 163.68' +0.35'
Tue. 7:14 1:00 7:42 1:28 New Orleans 75/49/t 64/47/s 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. Stennis Dam 166' 137.27' +0.35' Showers T-storms Rain Flurries Snow Ice
Wed. 8:06 1:50 8:36 2:21 Shreveport 45/39/r 68/43/s 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Bevill Dam 136' 136.33' -0.17' Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs
Thu. 9:01 2:45 9:34 3:18 Tupelo 48/41/r 50/38/pc Very high, 11+: Extreme Elevation in feet above sea level. for the day. Forecast high/low temperatures are for selected cities.

What you want. When you want it.

www.
cdispatch.com
NEWS DIGEST
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip
Local News • State & National News
Obituaries • Weather • Sports
Entertainment • Food • Business
Opinion • Advertising 24/7
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Cruise says
Diplomats converge on Israel church helped him
in push for truce overcome dyslexia
Israel consolidated its hold on parts of the MADRID, Spain — U.S.
Gaza Strip today, seizing high-rise buildings actor Tom Cruise said
on the outskirts of the territory’s biggest city Scientology teachings helped
as a stream of world leaders headed for the him overcome childhood dyslex-
region to press for a truce. At least seven ia, a Spanish magazine reported.
Palestinian children were killed, adding to Cruise was quoted by
the growing toll of civilian deaths that has Spanish magazine XL Semanal
caused international outrage. as saying he was diagnosed with
As the bruising campaign against Gaza’s the learning disability when he
Hamas rulers entered its 10th day, the was 7 years old.
Islamic militant group continued to pummel Cruise said he was often anx-
southern Israel with rockets. Ashraf Amra/AP ious, frustrated and bored as a
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wounded Palestinian children arrive for treatment at Shifa Hospital in Gaza youth and couldn’t concentrate
the offensive would continue until Israel City, after an Israeli strike early Monday. in class, the magazine reported Tom Cruise
achieved “peace and tranquility” for resi- on its Web site Sunday.
dents of southern Israel. Militants, defying Burris a rousing send-off Sunday at New Richardson, Obama’s choice for commerce The magazine quoted Cruise debt, which stood at $6.3 million
the attacks, fired more than two dozen rock- Covenant Church on Chicago’s South Side. secretary, withdrawing under pressure of a as saying he was functionally as of last month.
ets by midday, and Hamas’ strongman urged Burris took the stage to a crescendo of federal investigation into how his political illiterate when he graduated The Jan. 15 performance at
Palestinians to “crush” the invading Israeli drums, organ music and applause as hun- donors landed a lucrative transportation con- from school in 1980, but learned Manhattan’s Town Hall is being
forces and target Israeli civilians. dreds of supporters cheered his appointment. tract. to read perfectly as an adult billed as “a final evening in sup-
“We are hoping and praying that they Richardson insisted he would be cleared through Scientology technology. port of Hillary Clinton for
CHICAGO will not be able to deny what the Lord has in a grand jury probe. But he and Obama
ordained,” Burris said. “I am not hesitating. President Debt Relief.” Ticket
said the investigation would have likely dis- prices range from $75 to $1,000.
I am now the junior senator from the state of rupted a timely nomination to a top econom- Bon Jovi to sing
The former first lady and
Burris to visit Capitol Hill
Illinois. Some people may want to question ic post.
that and that is their prerogative.” New York senator has been
at Clinton fundraiser
“I have concluded that the ongoing inves-
as his Senate appointment
NEW YORK — The final working to pay down her debt to
remains in question tigation also would have forced an untenable note of Hillary Rodham
WASHINGTON delay in the confirmation process,” clear the way for confirmation
Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Clinton’s presidential campaign
Burris plans to have a high-stakes show- Richardson said in a statement. “Given the may very well be sung by Jon as President-elect Barack
down on Capitol Hill this week with
Richardson withdraws gravity of the economic situation the nation Bon Jovi. Obama’s secretary of state.
Democratic leaders who continue to say he consideration for commerce is facing, I could not in good conscience ask The musician is performing Federal ethics rules prohibit
won’t be seated in Congress. The Cabinet that President-elect Barack the president-elect and his administration to at a fundraiser for the former Cabinet officials from actively
Dozens of black leaders and ministers Obama picked on a fast track has an unex- delay for one day the important work that presidential candidate as she soliciting campaign contribu-
organized by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush gave pected opening, with New Mexico Gov. Bill needs to be done.” tries to close out her campaign tions.

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