Chamber Member Speaks Up

I personally do not want any part of my Chamber Membership dues going to pay for a billboard in CLEVELAND!!

Some Advice for the Chamber: Promote the locally owned businesses that we have now!

Billboard Fuels the Fire!

An anonymous writer comments...

Whats with the "I believe in Greenville" billboard in Cleveland? Is this more of that stupid courthouse issue? Who cares where a federal building is? Why dont we work on improving our city and our streets instead of fighting over stupid buildings. The politicians are going to put it where they want to anyway and nobody else matters.

I did hear on the local news that such a billboard would be posted in Cleveland. And yes, I do believe that its impetus is the Federal Courthouse issue; however, I am less sure of its strategic outcome.

It appears to me that this billboard is more antagonistic than competitive. The federal building's location is hardly the issue. It's the jobs that follow the building that are at the heart of this debate. This billboard is little more than "gang graffiti" intended to raise the ire of the challenger... and it has obviously done that! We all await the final outcome.

Forthright

More on "Haley-Care"...

Forty-three Mississippi hospitals, in conjunction with the Mississippi Hospital Association, today filed a lawsuit in Hinds County Chancery Court against the Office of The Governor and the Division of Medicaid, requesting injunctive relief and asking the court to declare unconstitutional a tax on hospital gross revenues levied by Governor Haley Barbour.

A fundamental principle of the Mississippi Constitution is that only the legislative branch of government can levy taxes. Barbour’s levying of the tax oversteps the constitutional authority of the executive branch. The lawsuit was filed after over four months of lengthy negotiations regarding the many alternatives the state has to fund the program.

The tax, if allowed to go forward, will impose an extreme burden on many Mississippi hospitals. In some instances, the tax will be greater than the total annual operating margin of the hospitals. The Governor’s tax plan allows Medicaid to levy up to a 1% tax on the gross revenue of our state’s hospitals. This represents more than $90 million in additional costs imposed on hospitals. The additional tax burden will require many hospitals to lay off employees and cut valuable services.

"This lawsuit was necessary not only to protect the constitutional rights of Mississippi hospitals, but also to protect the financial integrity of our state’s health care system,” said Sam W. Cameron, President/CEO of the Mississippi Hospital Association.

If you think health care costs are soaring now, just let this legislation pass! This will close the doors on many smaller rural hospitals that are barely surviving now. Hospitals don't get rich serving Medicaid and indigent patients in the Mississippi Delta.

Both public and private hospitals donate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in "free care" to patients that have no payor source. That debt goes right to their bottom line. So Haley's solution to cover the ever-growing Medicaid debt is to simply tax our hospitals to death... literally.

As stated above, the Governor is not granted the power to levy taxes under our state constitution. It is a sad state of affairs when our own health care facilities have to bring suit against the Governor of our state to prevent his wanton misuse of power.

The solution to this problem is not to throw good money after bad, but to seek legitimate reform of the gross waste and corruption that exists in our current Medicaid system. If you feel strongly about this issue, please let your senators and representatives know that "Haley-Care" is not the answer!

Forthright

Rude Deltans

An Anonymous observer writes...

Why are people so rude in Greenville? It is like it hurts them to smile at you when they wait on you. I am from the coast and I can see why our state has a bad rep. It seems like everyone is mad in this town. I don't understand why.

Not everyone is Greenville is rude; however, "customer service" is a concept that is not widely embraced in the Delta.

Minimum wage workers have the entitlement mentality... i.e., I can make just as much not working as I can on this job... and I don't have to smile! Please don't judge Greenville by its service workers. Greenville does have a rich heritage of southern charm... you just won't find it behind the counter of McDonalds.

Forthright

Conspiracy Exposed?

An anonymous writer suspects collusion...

"And how about our neighbors in Cleveland going to our neighbors in Indianola and asking them to gang up on Greenville? What mean-spirited sumbitch came up with that plan? As of today, I am personally boycotting all Cleveland restaurants and retail establishments until this federal building matter is resolved. My money stays in Greenville."

"Local Reflector" challenges this theory...

The courthouse issue is interesting, as is Forthright's comments on socialized Mississippi medical care. I think the blog can handle two lines of thought.

To Anonymous: Would you consider a guest commentary on the issue which builds upon the comments you've posted above? I see nothing wrong with the political maneuvering of Bolivar County to prove it's "hungry" for a new federal courthouse. The building is up for grabs, so why shouldn't there be competition?

If Greenville sits back and "fights" instead of showing why the federal courthouse should remain there, then it deserves its fate. One strategy is proactive, the other is reactive. Proactive strategies lay out the reasons why a federal courthouse is necessary for the Port House - whatever those reasons may be.

And, don't give me the whole angle that it should stay because it's historically been here. That's not a good reason. Reactive strategies suggest whining by local politicians but no real movement or even clout to influence the decision-makers on higher political levels. It's simple, isn't it?Greenville leaders possess an uncanny ability to cry that nothing's "their fault" - that somehow or some way, their victims of phantom recessions and "bad luck." Better yet, unflattering news breaks and they scatter to get away from addressing the issue...

A. Look at the Burn Center closure

B. Look at repeated complaints on street repair

C. Look at brown water

Hinging your political fortunes on one, lower-level, U.S. Representative can open a county or city to be ignored when events happen beyond one person's control.

Greenville's influence problem is showing. Do they still have that lobbyist on a retainer? Also, "law and order" hasn't been the rule, but the exception, in the Port City in a good number of years.

But, Cleveland....at least it appears it's trying.

NOTE: I'm not trying to provoke anger, but the conversation is interesting because I'd like to know why Greenville is superior to Cleveland for a federal courthouse and vice versa.

Forthright: Okay, anonymous... the ball's in your court!

"Haley-Care"

It is certainly not news that Mississippi's Medicaid program is in trouble. Actually, officials predict a $360 million shortfall in state funding for this program alone. The cost of Medicaid has grown dramatically over the past 5 years, as jobs are lost and more families find themselves without basic medical coverage.

So what is the solution to the state's woes? Should we dip into the scared "tobacco trust fund"? The money would be at least be used for health care and it is a safe bet the many of the health problems treated with Medicaid dollars are directly or indirectly linked to tobacco use.

What happened to the gaming panacea that was promised? The only roads that have been improved seem to lead to casinos, and as for education, unless you live in Tunica County, you probably haven't seen any impact.

So, how will we deal with this growing Medicaid debt? The state of Mississippi has come up with a novel solution. It is essentially a Robin Hood approach which promotes taxing the successful health care providers and giving it to the unsuccessful providers... a simple redistribution of wealth proposal, with a hint of socialism.

Mississippi Hospital Association opposes "taxing the rich to pay for the poor" since all hospitals, both public and private would be impacted. However, our Governor, Mr. Barbour, has proposed an alternate plan which would simply tax the private hospitals (these are the one's who currently pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in local property taxes, sales tax, state and federal taxes, etc.) and give it to the publicly owned facilities (like DRMC, which pays NO property taxes, NO sales tax and NO state and federal tax).

Wow, Haley! What a great idea. Let's penalize those hospitals which are fiscally sound, run efficiently, and make a profit for their investors, and funnel their tax dollars into our failing county owned hospitals! That way we can level the quality of care for all Mississippi residents and make sure that "Medicaid" is the standard of care for everyone!

And we wonder why businesses and industry do not want to relocate to Mississippi? If socialized health care is what we aspire to, then let's just do it. At least everyone knows what they have (or don't have) and can then work together toward improving it.

Ray Humphrys, wading through red ink up to his knees, obviously supports the Governor's plan, under which he (DRMC) would profit. I shall not elaborate further on that unholy alliance.

Suffice to say, that Haley Barbour's political grandstanding to get re-elected falls short of representing Mississippi's best interests for health care.

Forthright

Git 'er Dun?

An anonymous contributor asks...

WHY was Washington Avenue destroyed MONTHS AGO, with no further progress made since? Nor any word of such progress published in the local news outlets?

WTF??? Is someone deliberately trying to destroy Greenville? It's been my experience that local leaders have always stepped forward when times were tough. We have plenty of those here. Of the nationally-known variety.

Ambassador Retzer? Sons of Senator Dyer? Chairman Reed? Mr. Cox? Mr. Alexander? Mr. Hafter? BILLY PERCY????? Many others......you have the influence to affect changes in your hometown. PLEASE HELP US NOW.

I am here for the duration. I have no choice. The above-mentioned gentlemen differ in religion and political party affiliation, yet they all call Greenville HOME. DO SOMETHING.QUICK.

"Ambassador"... "Senator"... "Chairman"... but, not "Mayor". I am afraid we have seen a major power shift in the last two decades. I liken it to selling tickets for the Titanic 100 years after it sunk.

Forthright

Blues Quarter or Courthouse?

According to today's editorial in the DDT, it has been 18 months since the announcement of the "Blues Quarter" project and we still don't know much more today, than we did then. We do know that several downtown property owners are adamantly opposed to the eminent domain issue. We also know that several other Delta towns are rapidly competing to "cash in" on the Blues.

I hardly think that the straightening of Washington Avenue is going to have any significant impact of the worth of downtown properties. It seems a rather large waste of taxpayers dollars, albeit, not the first for Greenville.

With the old Stein Mart gone, we have cleared the way for one of two building projects to begin. The Blues Quarter project indicates that this lot will be the hub of the new entertainment district. On the other hand, this same site is reportedly the location of the proposed new Federal Building.

Now, I believe in diversity of interests, but I fail to see the logic behind building a Federal Courthouse in the heart of an entertainment district. Someone needs to choose. Obviously, there is no shortage of property for sale in Greenville, so lack of availability should not be a problem.

I would like to hear from someone in the "know" about both the viability and potential for conflict that these two projects pose. Surely someone knows what is going on in our city hall... and is willing to share with the rest of us.

Forthright

"Stealing" the Courthouse?

Our friend, "Local Reflector" responds:

You can't possibly believe that Cleveland was given the idea of "stealing" the federal courthouse by reading the Delta Democrat Times.

I do believe it's conceivable that the newspaper followed on rumors - or not such rumors - and something came of it. If the DDT has influenced such a momentous change of venue for the federal courthouse, they deserve credit which cannot be measured. These things take too much time to organize. Because Greenville leaders didn't know what was at play - that's just par for the course and reflects more on Washington County's relationship with state/federal leaders than anything.The federal courthouse is NOT the final nail in Greenville's coffin if it leaves, no more than Textron's departure was the "final" nail.

I can't imagine there's a ton of economic "boom" in the federal courthouse's job creating possibilities. There is a ton of "prestige factor" that stands to relocate into Cleveland should it actually move.When an existing casino pulls up anchor and sails away, get worried. That's would be over a million in tax revenue floating away. Monopolized gaming ownership makes this, somewhat, a possibility however unlikely it may be.

Greenville's lost its annual cultural offerings this past year. The medical market is "correcting" after a half-decade of an arms race to see which hospital "wins." So, there are other agenda items which probably stand higher in scope than the Federal Courthouse.

For debate's sake, that's my opinion. There's the disclaimer.The paper was ahead of this issue in media reporting terms. But, the idea that Cleveland would recruit the Federal courthouse is an idea, that I'd bet a million dollars, beat any newspaper headline by at least months.


Forthright: Okay, Stealing might be a rather harsh word. Recruiting seems more appropriate. Anyone who has visited Cleveland lately can certainly see that there are vast differences between Cleveland and Greenville.

Cleveland has a downtown area that is flourishing with quaint shops and restaurants. Residential real estate is difficult to find on the current market and businesses are actually moving into Cleveland. Their public schools are quite good and Cleveland's health care facilities are thriving.

Sure, they have DSU, Baxters and several other prosperous industries, but why do you think these businesses chose Cleveland over Greenville? It has to do with "quality" of life and the community's vision. As a community, Cleveland looks forward in anticipation and growth. Greenville simply looks back with remorse.

Traitors Amoug Us?

I am so over Ray Humphries.

Speak to me about the possible loss of our FRICKIN' FEDERAL BUILDING and the final nail in the coffin for Greenville. And tell me this: did the newspaper or did they not stir up this kettle of bull? It seems to the casual observer that the Suits in Bolivar County didn't get the big idea until the DDT handed it to them in their "newspaper."

And for that matter, I don't recall a challenge to that fact being printed in the DDT, yet Reily felt the need to address the implied finger-pointing. Hmmmmm.

Et tu, Brute?

Five Questions, No Answers

Well, you have to hand it to Ray Humphreys who is quoted in Sunday's DDT as saying, "Debt is a tool commonly utilized in the business world as a means to grow a business." (Delta Regional carries a $25 million debt).

Ray goes on to say that, "DRMC's administration and Board of Trustees regard prudent management of the county's most valuable asset as a very serious responsibility, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to continue to serve the residents of the Delta region."

Okay, let's look at the first quote. It is actually true that debt (management) can be a tool to expand a business, but what have we expanded? We have the same services, the same hospitals, fewer patient beds, fewer doctors, nurses and jobs! More (paying) patients are fleeing Greenville to receive care in Jackson and Memphis. So, where's the growth?

Ray attributes $21 million of the current debt to the purchase of KDH. That would mean that DRMC amassed $4 million in debt either prior to the merger, or since. Ray seems to really believe in this "debt theory" of growth! How much more "growth" can we afford, Ray?

On to Ray's second revelation. If the county's most valuable asset is $25 million in debt due to the "prudent management" of Ray and his current administration, it is not surprising that Ray considers it an "honor and a privilege to continue to serve the residents of the Delta."

If I incurred $25 million in debt for my boss, I would indeed consider it a true honor and a privilege to still have a job. Obviously, no one checked with Hattiesburg prior to entrusting our most valuable asset to Ray. If they had, they would have seen the same pattern of unbridled waste spending that we have now inherited.

So, when will it all end? How much more "growth" will it take for the taxpayers of Washington County to realize that the one thing that we can no longer afford... is Ray Humphreys.

Forthright

Back to "Scoop" Days

Okay, is everyone on vacation? I take a few days off and the entire Delta gets quiet. Let's hear from you. I have made commenting on the Scoop even easier by eliminating the need for a pen name or an email address. All you need to do is send me your ideas, rants, raves or topics for discussion and let's see what develops.

July and August certainly seem to be the months that most Deltan's travel. Whether I visit Destin, Gulf Shores or even NYC, I never fail to meet two or three people from the Delta. For a diverse community, we certainly seem to stick together when it comes to vacations.

So... the kids have gone back to school... so let's get back to Scoop.

Forthright

"L.R." Predicts No Winners

Great point on an area providing "basic medical care." What the community may be experiencing is a situation where DRMC tried everything it could to get over a medical services "hump" and couldn't quite get there. In its failed wake comes reduced hours for employees, etc.

The area is returning to the status of "basic medical care" - which, by the way, isn't a right but a privilege that should be cherished, appreciated and supported within limits of acceptable service on behalf of medical providers.

The KDH takeover, like it or not, guaranteed the DRMC reign is now permanent. No competition will enter the fray for an intra-city battle for medical supremacy. KDH is gone and gone is the competitive fire that makes leaders creative and more efficient. Employees have nowhere to turn should DRMC reduce hours or benefits - especially they're "of the Delta" and can't fathom any better place to call home.

It will be difficult to discern any winners if management changes because the changes will be brought by financial struggles and other maladies whether self-inflicted or not. Someone loses their job...the community sees its only hospital on a shaky foundation (especially with Medicaid reimbursements being scrutinized)...the hospital can only cut back on its services, thus making it anti-competitive with regional medical offerings and county leaders face prospects of using tax money to bail a bucket-full of red ink.

The taxpayer gets it no matter what. I must admit that some clouds have no silver lining.


L.R. is right about DRMC. There will be no winners... not locally anyway. Proprietary health care (privately owned) will boom in the 21st century, as health care costs explode. Public funding sources will quickly run dry and the private investor will be the last salvation of public health care as we know it.

Actually, it's a pretty safe investment. Given the declining health of most Americans, particularly in the South, I can only see the need for more and better health care facilities.

Health care won't be the first industry that turned to private investors for its survival... look at the auto and oil industries. If I had to bet on the security of my investment in one of these three industries, I would surely choose health care. Oil prices fluctuate as do auto sales in proportion, but when was the last time you heard someone predict that the need for, or cost of, health care would be declining.

As for DRMC's future, no one can be certain. As stewards of public funds, the administration must be held accountable and be responsive to the public's wishes. If the winds of change are truly blowing, lets hope they bring the needed changes to our faltering health care facilities.

Forthright

Musings and Mules...

The word on the street is that DRMC may soon be under new ownership, or at least management. Of course, this has been rumored since shortly after the merger of the two hospitals, so who knows where the truth lies. I have many friends who work at DRMC and two have reported that work hours are being cut in an effort to save money. That is a commendable effort, but it may be too little, too late.

If providing cost efficient health care was among DRMC's long range goals, purchasing King's Daughters was not a very wise decision. What happened to the vision of a new hospital? Why are so many local physicians leaving the area? Most hospital mergers are intended to eliminate duplicated services, allowing for new technology and expanded services. So what new or expanded services have we seen as a result of this merger?

Of course it is easy to look down from 40 thousand feet and still miss the big picture... but, I just don't see it. Quality medical care is vital to Greenville's ability to attract industry and jobs. Health care and Education in the Delta share one unfortunate commonality. Both are viewed by citizens as entitlements which should largely be supported by our tax dollars. As tax payers (or not) we should all have access to public education and basic health care... and we do. However, if we expect "quality" and "positive outcomes" in either of these basic services, we must invariably turn to the private sector.

Let's face it, government run programs are generally not noted for their efficiency or effectiveness. I think the recent FEMA debacle proves that. I believe that it was Mr. Twain himself who so aptly stated, "The most efficient way to starve a mule to death is to put a government committee in charge of feeding him. The mule will die quickly and ultimately, there will be no one to blame."

Forthright

"Local Reflector" Speaks Up

Look higher up the social totem pole if we're searching for reasons why the work force isn't strong and why industry recruitment is such a tough job. To lay industrial recruiting efforts solely on the "lazy" gives the "lazy" class credit for working hard enough to actually ruin industrial development.

I'll argue that we should look to those who oppose too much Greenville connection to the proposed I-69 and those who oppose running I-69 through Bolivar County because it will make it more difficult to plow the fields. These are well-regarded families and individuals in the Delta....."visionaries."

The DDT piece on the I-69 disunity leading the interstate to omitting Washington County is more spot-on than readers will imagine. Greenville will continue drying up until that Inter state's built in 15-18 years IF base changes aren't made to leadership's thinking. Then, new infrastructure will only be a piece of the Economic Recovery Pie. The I-69 article was compelling but didn't hit the heart of this highway building issue as it's opposition is local in nature not at the bureaucratic levels.

Another article was the Greenville Public Schools' ten-point plan of action. The wording was vague and its terms are not measurable to any standards. But, it's a step forward from what previous school administrators have done. The people reflect the schools' abilities and vice versa. If you look at workforce issues, consider the training sources your tax dollars mandatorially (is that a word?) support and their effectiveness.

But, we run in circles on these issues and you keep paying an ever-growing tab. Sorry to hear about the balloon festival and air show. It's better to have no event than one that doesn't meet the standards of the organizers. Pretty much every major city event is on ice, isn't it? Besides the sanctimonious Blues Festival - that requires public financing but would fold had it been any other event - is anything standing on its own legs these days besides the Catfish Races?

I hate to break the news L.R., but not even the Blues Festival is flourishing! The first problem is that all of the true Blues artists are dying off. Note that the name has been changed to the "Delta Blues and Heritage Festival"... "heritage" encompassing everything from Rap to Reggae.

It is not the same Blues Fest that began in the '70's on the back of a flatbed trailer. I am a fan of Blues music and appreciate its true art form; but I abandoned the "Festival" years ago as its quality wained.

Surely Greenville's footnote in history will be more significant than "home of the catfish races".

Forthright

"Youth Movement" Responds

Really ??

Greenville can not compete with five dollar a day wages or sweatshops working children in a country that has no Government oversight, No minimum wage, If you loose your hand your just simply out of a job. Wake up !!

Quit blaming Greenville, Its leaders, Its people. Our problems are not unlike most Mississippi towns. I hope the south wind blows you and every negative thinker right out of this town.

I don't think that anyone is suggesting doing away with the minimum wage. Quite the contrary, the national push seems to be in favor of increasing it. After all, you can't even purchase 2 gallons of gas these days for $5.15.

The problem with the local workforce is not how much (or how little) we pay them, but their work ethics. Productivity and profit are the cornerstones of capitalism.

Example: You need someone to rake the leaves in your yard. Two people offer to do the job for you. Worker "A" offers to rake your entire yard for $20.00. Worker "B" says he will do the job for $6.00 per hour. Which offer do you take? Who do you think will finish the job first? Herein lies the question of ethics.

If Worker "A's" goal is to secure a steady income, he will do the job well in minimal time and move on to the next job, increasing his total wage per hour and increase his chance for future income. Conversely, if Worker "B's" goal is to simply "earn" $30 dollars, you can bet that your job will take him 5 hours, and you will probably never see him again.

No one is suggesting that we revert to indentured servitude.... simply an honest day's work, for an honest day's pay. It is our safety net of "entitlement programs" that has lowered the bar of workforce ethics... If I can earn $5.00+ per hour for "hanging out", why would I want to rake leaves?

Forthright

Workforce Woes

NAFTA has little to do with the job situation in Greenville. The problem lies within the community. Industry will move here because it can get cheap labor, only to find out later that the workers are not worth even bothering with. And that hurts the qualified skilled labor force that can actually provide reliable service to an employer.

The whining, welfare workforce in this town will forever make it even less desirable to future investors unless they just want people to push brooms or hire the type that stand in the aisles of Wal-Mart to ignore you.

If the North wind blows in the smell of cooking rice to the city, I wonder what comes through when the South wind passes over the waste water treatment plant?

The writer makes a good point. It is difficult to find people in the Delta who truly want to work. Sure they take the job when offered, but they fail to see the connection between performance and paycheck.

If they pass a pre-employment drug screen, which is a big "if" in the Delta, employees enter a race to see who can do the least for the longest. If you address their performance, you are being discriminatory because "no one else does any more than me"... which in most cases, is true.

They don't care if they are fired because they can then get unemployment, food stamps, TANF, and eventually disability income. Most will qualify for Medicaid which provides the same level of medical care provided through employee benefits, for a mere $3.00 co-pay.

So, what are the incentives for a person to enter the unskilled workforce of the Delta? They are all listed above. You have to have worked to qualify for most of the state and federal assistance programs, so to take a job and then lose it, becomes the only prequalifying event.

What has been created in the Delta is a subculture who is very adept at how to "work the system". The result is that programs intended to be temporary subsistence for the needy have evolved into full time careers for the lazy.

We created this system and have permitted its abuse for years. As I stated before, not until we make working more lucrative than not working, will we attract a workforce that values a job.

Forthright

Bringing Up the Rear

So much for my decoding of cryptic messages... another anonymous writer clues me in on the previous cinema quote...

"IMHO, the other anonymous writer, is speaking in satire. Robert Duvall was standing in the middle of a battlefield with everything being blown up around him when he made the statement.... smells like victory.

Industry in Greenville has been blown to hell and the city still thinks that it is winning in the effort to find jobs. MasterFools is not expanding off it's property. It is actually shrinking it's manpower and support for some of the remaining hourly employees. Any skilled labor that is looking for work in Greenville needs to turn elsewhere. Salaries around here are being evaluated by the wages paid when this town was a cotton king - real cheap.

Greenville and Washington County may hail many laurels in their endeavors to improve business and employment, but everytime I see a company hire in people for the lowest wages that they can, it makes me sick. The Delta is the laughing stock of the nation and Greenville is the handle of the stick. "

"Laughing stock of the nation"... I doubt that we are that important, but the message is clear, you get what you pay for. I believe that it was a Textron manager who coined the phrase "Delta time", which is defined as getting 40 minutes of productivity for 60 minutes of pay. Until we make "working" more lucrative than "not working", we will continue to be at the rear of the pack. As they say in Alaska about sled-dogs, "If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."

Forthright

The Way We Were

While doing a little (late) spring cleaning in my attic, I ran across a very old document entitled 1850 Census by State. For the state of Mississippi, it reported census numbers by county. It was quite interesting, so I thought I would share what our county looked like 156 years ago. I tried to scan the document; however, it was not legible when I tried to post it, so I will simply relate each statistic as recorded in the 1850 Census of Washington County:

White Males: 339
White Females: 207
White Total: 546

Colored Free: 7
Colored Slave: 7,836

All Classes, Male: 4,402
All Classes, Female: 3,987

Total Population 1850: 8,389
Total Population 1840: 7,287

Born out of state (US): 368
Born in Foreign Country: 21

Total Dwellings: 126
Total Families: 126

White Scholars during Year: 53
Whites 5 and under 20 years old: 131
Whites over 20 unable to read & write: 1

Accommodation of Churches (Persons): 300

Doing a little math, it would appear that each "dwelling / family" was comprised of 4.3 people. We can assume that these are white families, since there were only 7 freed slaves at the time. Apparently each "family" had a "dwelling", so we can infer that the concept of the duplex had yet to be invented.

Washington County was 94% black ("colored") which was owned by the other 6% (white). That would allow for each white male to own approximately 23 slaves each (women couldn't own slaves). You have to wonder what those 7 freed slaves were doing.

As for education, we did pretty well. We had 53 Scholars and only one white person over 20 who could not read and write. It should be noted that "Scholars" most likely refers to grammar school graduates since there were no colleges or universities at the time.

It appears that there were adequate church pews for the white population in 1850. I doubt that slaves were allowed to worship in mass.

From 1840 to 1850, Washington County increased its population by 14%, although, my bet would be that slaves accounted for a large part of that figure. It is interesting to step back and see where we were just 150 years ago. Much has changed. It is equally as interesting to project what Washington County, Mississippi, will look like in the next century.

Forthright

Scoop for the "Scoop"?

This cryptic message was submitted by an anonymous writer:

"I love the smell of MasterFoods in the morning. It smells like....industry.
Ha! A fan of Robert Duvall!"

I can only assume that this comment may have something to do with the secret industry that Washington County has been courting. Of course MasterFoods is already in Greenville, but perhaps they are proposing some type of expansion or new product line. This is only speculation on my part, but if true, it would be great news for Greenville.

Perhaps the anonymous author would care to confirm or deny my assumptions.

Forthright