Friday, March 20, 2009

DDT Editorial:

We appreciate the restraint that four Greenville City Council members exhibited last week when they decided to forgo spending the city's money on travel to the Mississippi Municipal League's annual conference in Biloxi in June.

Three will not attend; Ward 1 Councilman Kenny Gines, Ward 3 Councilman Lee Owen, and Ward 5 Councilwoman Ann Hollowell. Ward 2 Councilman Carl McGee will travel at his own expense, although not a huge expense as he explained later.

He has access to housing accommodations there.“There's no halo over my head,” he quipped.

Ward 4 Councilwoman Betty Watkins will attend, but because of her retirement status she already saves the city $6,000 per year, as she explained during the council meeting at which the trip was discussed.

Ward 2 Councilman Errick Simmons was absent from the meeting and his name remained on the list of those attending. Mayor Heather McTeer Hudson also will attend and urged the others to do the same, but they were not swayed.

In this time of tightening budgets, up and down sales tax revenue returns, and economic hardships, it's good to know that our City Council representatives are thinking ahead to a time when they may have to ask city employees to make sacrifices as well. They are leading by example.

It's not as if MML conferences are without merit. Members of city councils and boards of aldermen from around the state attend this conference each year to network, but more important, to educate elected city officials.“The league represents the collective interests of cities and towns to the state legislature, provides timely information on crucial municipal issues, offers certification and training for elected officials and provides valuable networking opportunities,” according to its Web site at http://www.mmlonline.com/.

We recognize the value of this opportunity, but we also are grateful to those who will save the city several thousands of dollars by not attending this year.

Everyone knows that these "conferences" are part work and part vacation; otherwise they wouldn't be held in resort areas. Can you imagine the statewide attendance if the conference were being held in Greenville, which is far more centrally located than Biloxi?

In private organizations, when they need to cut costs on travel, they send one or two representatives to the conference. In return, they are charged with presenting the information attained to the entire leadership group. Most conferences offer free PowerPoint presentations to facilitate the sharing of education provided. You eliminate hotel, travel and meal costs, but still get the training.

The days of "perk" trips are over. If the city can't afford garbage pick-up twice a week, they shouldn't be spending $7,500 on travel/training when there are more cost effective ways to accomplish the same goal. In an economic crisis, everyone needs to cut back a little. I commend the council-members who declined to "feed at the trough". As for our mayor... drop us a postcard!

Forthright

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with the editoral and Forthright....but when it comes to the Mayor...if there is go and travel in the sentence...forgetaboutit...she is gone! She could care less what it costs. I question what wonderous things did she bring back for Greenville for her two trips to Germany and even Spain in the last 14 months??? Anyone notice any new industry, new anything???? Nahhhh....just a bill for her fun is what Greenville got out of it. As usual! Not bad perks for a part time Mayor! Her DC trips?? How many?? Two or three in the last few months??? Time will tell what benefit, if any, those were about. I will not hold my breath in anticipation..that could be deadly!

Anonymous said...

what's the scoop on dr. trinca's upcoming clinic? is it ob/gyn or something else?

Anonymous said...

I don't think he does ob/gyn anymore.

Anonymous said...

will someone just make us a list of the business closings in the past year.. should be scarey to see them all listed at once..
and talk of other businesses closing

Anonymous said...

England Motor company
Pizza Inn
How Joy
KIA auto dealers
Goodys

What else? I am drawing a blank.

Anonymous said...

A&W/Long John Silver

Greenville Lumber co..

Anonymous said...

I did not count the A & W/JS because it will be reopening in the same location with a different menu.

Greenville Lumber Co. closed more than a year ago didn't it?

Another Bean's Auto, but a buyer is supposed to be reopening it, rumor says anyway.

Fermos is on shaky ground gossip says. We lose that place and we surely have very little choices left in reasonably priced dining beyond fast food.

Anonymous said...

Uh oh....the new Sherwin Williamps paint store is up for sale:

http://www.loopnet.com/property/16097602/1668-George-Abraham-Blvd/

Anonymous said...

http://www.loopnet.com/Mississippi/Greenville-Commercial-Real-Estate/


Welcome to the LoopNet.com Greenville Commercial Real Estate page. Find Greenville, Mississippi commercial real estate for sale and for lease on the Internet's largest commercial real estate marketplace online. LoopNet's Greenville listings cover all commercial real estate property types, including Land for Sale, Multifamily Apartments, Retail, Office Space, Industrial Property and much more. Find Greenville commercial real estate brokers, learn about the Greenville commercial real estate market, or find a loan to fund a Greenville, MS commercial real estate purchase all at the leading commercial real estate marketplace - LoopNet.com!

Anonymous said...

Well Sherwin Williams built in a bad spot to start with. Not sure why they put a store right next to another paint store

Anonymous said...

claire's (in the mall)
rex

Anonymous said...

Greenville Motor sports is closing next month due to slow sales

Anonymous said...

Today's DDT:
BMH Technologies has announced plans it will close its Brown Company in Greenville in June.
Brown Company manufacturing plant opened in the fall of 2002 and employs nearly 60 people.

Anonymous said...

Is it true the mayor is out of town this week too ? Geesh what this time ? Maybe it is the Black women who drive Mercedes Convention. Odds are it is a Black something !

Anonymous said...

WHAT is the renovation at the pete and bb's convenience store? i saw people fixing it up recently.

Anonymous said...

She probably had a lunch date in DC with her "BEST FRIEND" Obama!...ROFLMAO!

Anonymous said...

Boy the renovations at the old Pete & BB's looks beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need a planning board and better permit department!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Finally, some good news!

http://www.ddtonline.com/articles/2009/03/25/news/news1.txt
News

Now hiring

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3:28 PM CDT

DARYL BELL darylbell@ddtonline.com

GREENVILLE - Mike Manclark has a challenge for anyone looking for work living in the Delta. If you enjoy hard work, long hours, and a steady paycheck, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. may have a job for you.

Anonymous said...

HOW MANY are they going to hire? 10 people?

kennard said...

Great Dane Trailers left town in a hurry.

Anonymous said...

Textron!!!

Anonymous said...

Paper says he wants to hire 90/100 people by Thursday...that is great. Now we needs thousands more!

Anonymous said...

Tylors bait shop

Anonymous said...

Superior Boat Works (Brent) bites the dust also. Boy when the Brents are in trouble, Greenville is doomed!

Anonymous said...

My guess for Pete and BB's is that it will be the new home for "Taste of Chicago." Love the bright green with the red brick! It's a great location with the new Executive Inn "Box Mall" across the street and if your "wooptie" needs fixin', there's a chop shop right across the street!

Who says Greenville doesn't have new businesses opening?

Anonymous said...

High paying jobs at Leading Edge, did I read $7.00 per hour? Minimum wage will be more than that in a few months! But I guess a job is better than no job. Do they have many immigrants working out there? The facility should have high security working on jets!

Anonymous said...

There is a new business opening up in Leland...we are struggling too you know...although it's not hiring staff it is making tax dollars. Grand Opening this weekend....you should head out. See www.studio61.com for details.

Anonymous said...

$7 and hour and all the over time you want but if you cant spell pain don't come to paint!

They came to the delta looking for cheap labor! Hope they have every thing locked down.

Anonymous said...

Story:
Dry-docked

GREENVILLE - Citing a sagging economy, Superior Boat Works Inc.,
president Collins Brent said the family-owned business has closed its doors for good.

The company, which primarily built and repaired boats, ceased operating Wednesday and its closing affected 45 people.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://www.ddtonline.com/articles/2009/03/27/news/news1.txt

Anonymous said...

is mississippi marine next?

Anonymous said...

Anna Casey's restaurant is no more as of this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Teachers in the GPS are also losing jobs. They are talking of closing schools and revamping the district. The schools were informed of a "Town Meeting" this evening at 6pm at Solomon Jr High.

Anonymous said...

why not go to school all day on wednesday. private schools don't close early every week. cutting out some of the free lunches, breakfasts, and summer food would save money also. if i parent can't afford to feed their own children--then stop having babies! that's a NEW concept.

Anonymous said...

That will never happen. It's profitable to keep pumping out kids.

Anonymous said...

Yes the conference wouldn’t be as popular if held away from resorts. The Mid-Winter Conference held in Jackson has nowhere near the attendees of the Biloxi conference does. Our mayor here in Corinth can’t get any one of the city hall department heads or board of aldermen to go. Come June it is laughable the way even the attendees jump at the chance to go. Here in Corinth, which has to be one of the farthest away, not only is the conference paid for by taxpayers but so is mileage to and from, room and board, and the “kicker”……. They don’t even have to take a day of vacation pay. So then it becomes a paid by taxpayer paid vacation. Just look at the conference events. A Deep sea fishing tournament, a golf tournament and special events for spouses or guests. One of the biggest problems to me is that there is not even mandatory attendance required. Theoretically the attendees could never even step foot on the convention floor and get a free taxpayer paid vacation.

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