TheRezNews.com

RunStrong Hosts Reservoir Loop Challenge

2020-06-25T22:49:00.003-05:00

On June 6, 2020, RunStrong hosted the second annual Rez Loop Challenge. RunStrong is a local runner’s training/coaching/event facility located at 1909 Spillway Road in Brandon.

The Rez Loop Challenge involves running around the Pelahatchie Bay multipurpose trail as many times as possible in a 12 hour period. Each loop on the trail is approximately 11 miles.

On a hot June morning, more than 46 participants ran over 103 total laps. Brandon Alverson won the event by running 6 laps (67 miles) in just over 11 hours. Maybe it’s not quite the Barkley Marthons, but we all know how hot the Reservoir sun is in June. One loop is a challenge and many ran multiple loops.

Congrats to all the participants and Congrats to my friend, Jeremy at RunStrong for a great event.

If you are interested in running and training, RunStrong is a great group and resources. Check them out here:

@RunStrongms on Facebook

@runstrong.ms on Instagram

www.runstrongshop.com

If Soggy Sweat Was Here Today - Soggy Sweat on Changing the State Flag

2020-06-22T10:27:00.004-05:00

If you're not familiar with Noah "Soggy" Sweat, you are missing a classic pillar of Mississippi history. Mississippi was the last state to end statewide prohibition. Of course, alcohol in Mississippi was and remains very controversial. Soggy captured the nuance and "both sides" of the alcohol debate with a fantastic Mississippi House of Representatives floor speech titled "If by Whiskey" that can be read here.

Since the current state flag is the controversial topic de jour, I thought it appropriate to adapt Rep. Sweat's theory to the question of changing the state flag.

My friends, I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about changing the state flag particularly to remove the canton designed by general P.G.T. Beauregard. All right, this is how I feel about changing the state flag:

If when you say the changing the state flag, you mean capitulating to the northern snowflakes that are offended at everything and their commensurate mob, or judging historical leaders of yesteryear by our standards today, or bowing to outside pressure, sanitizing our history, or removing the flag of those that valiantly defended their way of life from outside aggression, the flag of “states’ rights”, then certainly I am against changing it.

But, if when you say let’s keep the Beauregard flag of Mississippi you mean, the flag containing a canton associated with the Confederacy, a banner placed in service after Reconstruction not to honor the dead but symbolizing the establishment of a systemic system of white supremacy, a flag honoring the greatest attempt to dissolve our state’s union with the United States of America, a flag associated with an armed rebellion that killed American soldiers with the declared purpose of maintaining slavery, a flag adopted by racist, white supremacists that lynch children and assassinate civil rights workers, a banner that divides our state into “us” and “them” and delves us into vitriolic arguments quicker than a hiccup? Then certainly I am for changing it.

This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.

Coalition of Business for Flag Change

2020-06-19T06:14:00.000-05:00

A Mississippi business coalition for changing the state flag has emerged with the stated goal of retiring the state flag with dignity.

Check out their website at Msbusinessforflagchange.com

SuperTalk hosted a radio discussion among leaders of the coalition, which can be heard around the 2:16 mark at SuperTalk.fm

The pressure to move away from the state flag continues to build. Will anything happen?

Flowood's Refuge Conference Center and Hotel Progress

2020-06-18T10:07:00.000-05:00

Dale Partners Architecs, P.A., posted the following progress pictures of the upcoming Flowood Conference Center:

HB1087 May End Prohibition of Possession of Alcoholic Beverages In Rankin County

2020-06-17T09:27:00.002-05:00

Rankin County is a dry county for alcoholic beverages such as wine and liquor.

Accordingly, possession of wine, whiskey, or similar "alcoholic beverages" in the comfort of your own Rankin County home is illegal as noted previously by TheRezNews.com. You have a nice wine cellar or bar at your beautiful Rankin County property? That is technically illegal.

Skeptical? Take a look at HB1087, which seeks to amend the alcoholic beverages law of Mississippi to permit possession of such alcoholic beverages. This bill wouldn't be necessary if possession was already legal.

Of course, you can consume whiskey and wine in certain Rankin County restaurants. For about the last 10 years, Rankin County restaurants and clubs have been permitted to seek "resort status", which allows for the sale of wine, whiskey, and liquor by-the-glass. Rankin County is "wet" for beer and light wine so the possession and sale of beer and light wine are currently legal.

Notably, even if HB1087 becomes law (as of 6/16/20, it appears to have passed Senate and will be returned to House for concurrence with minor amendments) purchasing alcoholic beverages such as wine, whiskey, etc., (except in certain restaurants) will remain illegal in Rankin County.

You want to enjoy a nice bottle of chianti at your Rankin County home? You'll first have to drive over the river to Hinds or Madison County to buy it. Currently, bringing such wine or alcoholic beverages back to Rankin County is illegal. Assuming HB1087 becomes law, such trips will no longer be illegal and Rankin Countians can finally build wine cellars and legally have a small cocktail party at their home. Just don't buy that devil's brew here.

PUT IT UP, MISSISSIPPI!

2020-06-14T22:14:00.000-05:00

Symbols matter, y'all. We need symbols that reflect positively upon our beautiful state that stretches from the Mississippi Delta to the Gulf of Mexico.

Unfortunately, a ubiquitous state symbol simply fails to represent the diversity and reach of our state.

If you've driven on any state highway in Mississippi, you've certainly seen a sign like this:

That is Mississippi's state highway shield; a bland circle that does very little to evoke a sense of pride in our state. This sign is literally the default state route shield pursuant to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Mississippi and only 4 other states use the default, which means 45 of the 50 states seized an opportunity to promote their state to the millions of travelers and residents that hit the road daily. Sure, it's a little detail, but branding and little details make a difference. A circle is woefully inadequate to illustrate Mississippi. Why haven't we moved us into the 21st century and adopted a sign that promotes Mississippi like our neighboring states?

Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and most other states use a much more imaginative design that promotes the state.

It's time, Mississippi. No longer should our beautiful state be associated with a default, bland circle.

Here is a potential replacement sign: Imagine the pride that we could ALL take in seeing this bad boy fly from the delta to the coast.

Potential New Mississippi State Highway Shield - Credit to Josh Carver for design work.

No need for a referendum on that beauty. Changing the standard sign should not require spending additional taxpayer funds or an act of the Legislature. The change could be accomplished over time by installing the new sign as the old signs eventually come down for maintenance, weather, or construction. According to Miss. Code Ann. 63-3-301, the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety has the authority to adopt a manual of traffic-control devices, so this may not require sausage-making in Jackson, but, of course, the Legislature/Governor could certainly require it.

This is such a no brainer, it's time to #putitup, Mississippi.

To make this Reservoir related, perhaps the Bob Anthony Parkway (Spillway Road) should be designated a state route as it is a major arterial street that crosses county lines. This was done to Flowood Drive (HWY 468) and Airport Road is designated as State Highway 475. Imagine that sign in your sight as you cross the beautiful Rez!

Reservoir Independence Day Fireworks and Related Events Canceled

2020-06-04T15:50:00.002-05:00

Media Release - 06042020 Cancellation of Independence Celebration 2020 (1) by TheRezNews.com on Scribd

Rainbow over the Rez!

2020-05-28T08:35:00.001-05:00

A reader sent in the beautiful picture of a full rainbow over the Rez occurring May 27, 2020.

Rainbow over the Rez on May 27, 2020

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth..". Genesis 9:12-13

Flowood Pier1 Closing Soon

2020-05-19T22:33:00.001-05:00

The Flowood (and Jackson metro's only) Pier1 location will be closing soon due [edit: to many factors that have likely been exasperated by] the Coronavirus Pandemic.

As announced on the Pier1 website, Pier1 is seeking an "orderly wind-down" of its retail operations and closing all of its retail locations, which obviously includes Flowood.

Details
Pier 1 announced on May 19, 2020 that it has filed a motion seeking court approval to begin an orderly wind-down of the company’s retail operations as soon as reasonably possible after store locations are able to reopen following mandated closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company expects to continue serving customers in its stores through early fall 2020. Store closing dates will vary by location.

Notably, the Flowood Pier1 location recently paid over $23,000 in annual real property taxes and collected thousands of dollars of sales taxes.

Brick and mortar retail is certainly tough, but American ingenuity and innovation will prevail. With that in mind, a nice midsize building will be available in Dogwood in the coming months.

What's likely to take its place?

PRVWSD Raising Lease Transfer Fee

2020-05-19T11:59:00.000-05:00

Effective June 1, 2020, the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD or PRV) is raising its lease transfer fee from $190 to $250.

The PRVWSD Board took such action at it's April 16, 2020, meeting. PRV Agenda 4.16.2020. According to a PRV spokesperson, this is the first time the fee has been increased since 1990.

For the uninitiated, all PRV property is leased from the PRV. In order to transfer your lease rights to the PRV leasehold property, the transferor/transferee must execute a lease assignment and submit it to the PRV lease department. PRV executes the assignment and then records the assignment in the applicable Chancery Clerk's land records office. This service is not free and currently costs $190. PRV is raising this fee to $250 starting June 1, 2020.

Notably, the recording fees charged by Chancery Clerks for recording land records increased substantially on January 1, 2020. These recording fees are included in the PRV lease transfer fee, so, according to a PRV spokesperson, this increase was requested due to the increase of recording fees and postage rates.

Either way, it's going to be $60 more expensive to transfer PRV property, soon.

Reservoir Parks, Piers to Open May 7, 2020

2020-05-05T22:56:00.001-05:00

PRVWSD issued the following press release:

Tractor Supply Co., Coming to Flowood

2020-05-05T22:44:00.004-05:00

Tractor Supply Co., is building a store in Flowood.

View from Lakeland Drive

The bricks and mortar for the new retail outlet can be seen east of Waffle House on the north side of Lakeland Drive. See the map below:

According to tractorsupply.com, Tractor Supply already has three other locations in the metro area (Canton, Clinton, and Richland), so this development appears to be TSC's latest foray in the Jackson metro centered on the Reservoir area.

An email request to Tractor Supply for further details has not been returned.
UPDATE: 2:00 5/6/2020 - TSC sent the following email:

"... a Tractor Supply will be opening in Flowood in Summer 2020. Tractor Supply is committed to providing our customers with the essential items such as animal feed, pet food and supplies, and cleaning necessities. Other essential items for the rural lifestyle include, pet medicines, agricultural supplies, and heating fuel along with hardware and maintenance supplies. The store will provide about 15 new jobs to the area, with at least half of those being full time positions....The Flowood store is one of more than 80 stores that will open in 2020." About Tractor Supply

Since we're talkin tractors... here is a tribute to Joe Diffy, who unfortunately died recently from COVID-19. RIP.

Reservoir Police vs WLBT CAGE MATCH!

2020-05-04T23:25:00.002-05:00

The official Facebook account for the Reservoir Police took issue with C.J. LeMaster of WLBT's reporting of the boating/sandbar action over the weekend.

Here is CJ's original report posted to Facebook at 1:10 on Sunday, 5/3/2020

Here is the full post for those that don't want to click:

C.J. LeMaster - WLBT
Yesterday at 1:10 PM
RESERVOIR POLICE THANKS 3 ON YOUR SIDE FOR ALERTING THEM TO YESTERDAY'S VIOLATIONS: The Reservoir Police Department hopes to keep a closer eye on the cove area near the Ross Barnett Reservoir Outlook today after photos showed "clear violations" of Gov. Tate Reeves' safer-at-home order by various boaters, according to Bobby Cleveland, liaison officer with the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.
Cleveland confirmed the authenticity of the photos I posted yesterday and said it's his understanding Reservoir Police arrived after most of the boats in the photos had already dispersed.
"Our officers didn't get back there until closer to 4:30 or 5 p.m.," Cleveland said, which would have been 30 minutes to an hour after I took my photos of the area.
Cleveland also thanked 3 On Your Side for the social media posts and coverage because it should deter future behavior going forward.
"We are aware of the problem there from yesterday, and I have to credit you for making us more aware of it," Cleveland said. "They were stacked in there yesterday, it is against the governor's order, and it is our intention to enforce that."
Cleveland said he understands Reservoir Police will have more concentrated enforcement there today, and that officers are trying to disperse rather than cite, but will issue citations if necessary.
He did not have information on how many boaters were cited yesterday.
#COVID19 #SocialDistancing #ReservoirPatrol

The following was posted to the Reservoir Police Department's official Facebook Account about 5 p.m. on 5/4/2020:

Reservoir Police Department
5 hrs
DO WE HAVE MEDIA BIAS IN THE METRO???
The Barnett Reservoir was the target of Media Reports both on social media and television news over the weekend due to violations of social distancing. Please remember the Governor allowed the Barnett to reopen with boat occupancy and social distancing restrictions. At issue was a group at an area off the Natchez Trace Overlook. There were in fact a few violations in an area approximately 150’ x 400’. In one outlets own photos from the same area at the same time showed vessels spaced appropriately.
What I did not see was any reports from the same news outlets on the eight area metro Walmarts, the Metro Kroger and other grocery stores, Sams Clubs or Cosco. These locations have so many customers I won’t go there because of the concentration of people. The local media instead decided to highlight an extremely small area of the 33,000 acre Barnett Reservoir.
Finally, no one from the Reservoir Police Department talked to Mr. LeMaster so assertions he alerted our agency are blatantly false. As was the assertion the Reservoir Police thanked him for his sensational social media piece, again no one from the Police Department has spoken to him. He did have quotes from Bobby Cleveland who is a paid contractor for for the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District but does not speak for the Reservoir Police. Mr. LeMaster did as he intended, he sensationalized a hot topic to generate a media buzz. In my 14 years as Chief this is only my second time to have this type journalism from WLBT. Usually they work hard to get the full story out. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.
https://www.facebook.com/109439719105661/posts/2938165036233101/?d=n

Commentary:

Unfortunately, RPD's response and the comments are emblematic of the state of political discourse and engaging others in a measured, respectful, and open manner. Even when the underlying fact that violations of the social distancing requirements are not in dispute "There were in fact a few violations...", RPD seems to believe it or apparently the Rez patrons are a victim for such facts being reported. RPD [like many of us] would rather point out others' lack of compliance than objectively/humbly acknowledge our own violation. Does the media sensationalize things from time to time? You bet. Does RPD have a legitimate beef about someone speaking for RPD that is apparently not authorized to do so? That sure seems to be the case. Is Facebook the appropriate medium to air such grievances? Probably not. Do violations of social distancing at grocery/home improvement stores excuse violations on the Reservoir? No.

Senior Living Center Coming to Flowood

2020-04-27T07:29:00.004-05:00

You may have noticed the land being cleared on the southwest corner of Lakeland Drive and Cooper Road.

According to publicly available data, Cooperwood Senior Living, LLC, acquired approximately 7 acres at this location and appears to be developing a new senior living center there.

An email to info@cooperwoodseniorliving.com went unreturned.

Looking across Lakeland Drive

Gator on Lakeland Drive

2020-04-09T09:47:00.003-05:00

A friend shared this video of a gator crossing Lakeland Drive in Flowood recently.

Video Credit: Charles and Jenny Lacey

Flowood Closes "Non-Essential" Businesses Due to COVID-19

2020-04-01T07:39:00.000-05:00

Americans: "Salty, Tough SOB's...that will not be defeated"!

2020-03-30T11:36:00.003-05:00

Rep. Brian Mast (FL 18) gave a great floor speech. We will prevail!

Text of Rep. Mast's floor speech:

"I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SEE MY COUNTRY STUMBLE OR FALL. AND BY GOD, I MEAN THAT AND I DON'T THINK I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THIS BODY THAT FEELS THIS WAY. I'M WORRIED THAT AS A RESULT OF A VIRUS THAT WAS BORN IN THE DISGUSTING MARKET IN WUHAN, CHINA, THAT WAS HIDDEN FROM THE WORLD THAT OUR COUNTRY MAY STUMBLE. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT WORRY HAS SUBSIDED QUICKLY FOR ME AS I LOOKED AROUND MY OWN COMMUNITY AND REALIZED AGAIN THAT AMERICANS ARE A SALTY GROUP OF TOUGH S.O.B.'S THAT ARE DEFEATED BY ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THIS ISN'T GOING TO DEFEAT US EITHER. THERE'S PARTS OF THIS BILL THAT I DON'T LIKE BUT I'M PROUD THAT WHEN AMERICANS WAKE UP TOMORROW THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO KNOW THAT WITH WAKE UP HERE NOT AS VICTIMS BUT AS PEOPLE WITH A GREATER OPPORTUNITY THAN ANYBODY ACROSS THE WORLD, 50 STARS, 13 RED AND WHIDE STRIPES, WE GET TO DECIDE FOR OURSELVES THAT TODAY IS BETTER THAN YESTERDAY THIS WEEK IS BETTER THAN NEXT WEEK THIS MONTH IS BETTER THAN LAST MONTH AND NEXT YEAR AND SO ON. NOBODY ELSE GETS TO DECIDE THAT FOR US. THAT HASN'T CHANGED AND WILL NEVER CHANGE. I YIELD BACK."

Covid-19 caused Flowood and PRVWSD to Close Parks

2020-03-16T13:16:00.004-05:00

Flowood Police Department posted that Winner's Circle Park and the Nature Park are closed until further notice.

PRVWSD has also closed several parks to VEHICULAR TRAFFIC until further notice. This presumes that those that are able to walk to/in the park are able. Perhaps this is the approach Flowood should take at least with the nature park.

PRVWSD issued the following press release:

Rankin County, Pearl, and Madison Schools Closed through March 27, 2020 Due to Coronavirus

2020-03-14T15:55:00.000-05:00

RCSD: https://www.rcsd.ms/district-resources/coronavirus-information

Madison County: https://www.madison-schools.com/cms/lib/MS01001041/Centricity/Domain/1960/School%20Closure.pdf

Pearl:https://www.pearlk12.com/cms/lib/MS01810570/Centricity/Domain/8/PPSD%20Notice%20-%20Coronavirus-Covid-19.pdf

Mississippi Department of Education - School Closing Tracker
https://www.mdek12.org/OSOS/School-Closures

House Votes For Alternative Medical Marijuana Initiative Proposal

2020-03-11T00:38:00.000-05:00

A ballot initiative to allow the use of Medical Marijuana will be on the November 2020 ballot.

According to the Secretary of State's website, the initiative can be summarized as follows:

Proposed Ballot Title:

Should Mississippi allow qualified patients with debilitating medical conditions, as certified by Mississippi licensed physicians, to use medical marijuana?

Proposed Ballot Summary:

Initiative Measure No. 65 proposes to amend the Mississippi Constitution to allow qualified patients with debilitating medical conditions, as certified by Mississippi licensed physicians, to use medical marijuana. This amendment would allow medical marijuana to be provided only by licensed treatment centers. The Mississippi State Department of Health would regulate and enforce the provisions of this amendment.

Getting an initiative on the ballot in Mississippi is very difficult and basically requires thousands of certified signatures of voters evenly distributed across the state's congressional districts. Mississippians for Compassionate Care, the group behind Medical Marijuana in Mississippi, met these stringent requirements and the noted ballot initiative will be on 2020 ballot.

Despite meeting the stringent hurdles to actually get an initiative on the ballot, promotors must still contend with the Legislature's right to propose alternatives to any ballot initiative. This Legislative alternative was previously employed in the Initiative 42 debate a few years ago. Notably, both initiatives 42 and 42A (the Legislative alternative) failed according to Ballotopedia.com.

The Mississippi House of Representatives passed an alternative to the Medical Marijuana ballot initiative.

Reservoir area Representatives voted as follows:

Powell (Rankin)- Y
Yancey (Rankin)- Y
Miles (Eastern Rankin) - Y
Bomgar (Madison Area)- N
Shanda Yates (NE Jackson Area)- No

A yes vote favors the alternative, a no vote would allow the ballot initiative to proceed without an alternative. The alternative ballot measure passed the House 72-49 and now goes to the Senate.

Assuming that the alternative passes the Senate and makes it on the ballot, the ballot will likely pose two questions to voters (following the initiative 42 template). The first question will ask voters to vote for approval of either initiative (the original/alternative) or against both. The second question would present the original initiative and the Legislature's alternative. Only if the first question receives a majority, then the option receiving the most votes would become binding. Clear as Mississippi mud!

Here is a video of an exchange between Joel Bomgar (Madison) a proponent of the original initiative and Trey Lamar, the sponsor of the legislative alternative measure.

The 2020 fight over medical marijuana in Mississippi has begun.

Rep. Trey Lamar, who’s sponsored alternative language proposal to go on November ballot, and Rep. Joel Bomgar, who sponsored the actual ballot initiative, are going at it. #msleg pic.twitter.com/nbgBXuW53e
— Adam Ganucheau (@GanucheauAdam) March 10, 2020

Bomgar has props for final speech on the bill. #msleg pic.twitter.com/pBUff7BWTH

— Adam Ganucheau (@GanucheauAdam) March 10, 2020

Vote Today - Primary Elections for Federal Office

2020-03-10T09:00:00.002-05:00

Vote today in the primary races for Congress and President.

Rankin County Sample Ballot 3.10.2020 Primary Races by TheRezNews.com on Scribd

Here is a link to the Rankin County sample ballot, which should be the same for all of the Reservoir Area.

Races to watch:

Congress - Republican Primary - MS3 (Reservoir Area and Some Parts of Madison County)

James Tulp
Michael Guest

Democratic Presidential Primary

Bernie Sanders
Joe Biden

You can only vote in one party's primary. For example, you cannot vote for Rep. Guest and Joe Biden because they will appear on different ballots.

Prediction: Chalk advances across the board.

Sell and Ship Wine to Mississippi - Face the Long Arm of the Law and Get Sued In Mississippi

2020-03-06T23:57:00.000-06:00

The Mississippi Supreme Court recently held that an out-of-state retailer that ships wine to customers in Mississippi is subject to the personal jurisdiction of Mississippi courts. This means that a retailer can be forced into a Mississippi court for permitting the shipment of wine, purchased on the retailer's website, to a Mississippi address. There is some nuance here, but if you found a wine club that will ship you a hard-to-find bottle of wine or bourbon, the retailer risks getting sued in Mississippi court when it allows you to ship the wine to your address in the Sip. In short, most retailers are simply not going to ship their devil's brew to Mississippi.

Based on the Complaint, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) of the Department of Revenue (DOR) conducted an investigation by purchasing wine on various websites for shipment to locations around the state. After the retailers shipped wine into the state, DOR brought suit in Rankin County Chancery Court seeking an injunction to terminate the shipments of the out-of-state retailers into Mississippi. The Complaint is below. The Rankin County Chancellor ruled that no personal jurisdiction over the defendants exists (DOR lost initially but won the appeal).

The Mississippi Supreme Court opinion ruling in favor of DOR and holding that personal jurisdiction exists largely focuses on legal and jurisdictional concepts that probably don't mean much to your average Reservoirian unless you're also a first-year law school student. One interesting point is that the wine retailers defended the suit by claiming that the buyer is actually shipping wine into Mississippi because ownership of the wine transferred to the buyer at purchase. In other words, the purchaser owns the wine and is responsible for shipping the wine to Mississippi, not the retailers. TSCOM did not buy this argument noting that one retailer would replace wine damaged in shipment at the retailer's expense.

The case is a red light reminder that Mississippi allocates valuable state resources to ensure that we are simply not allowed to freely contract for the purchase of certain alcoholic beverages, unless, the state itself serves as a wholesaler and gets a cut of the action. It's also a reminder that possession of wine, whiskey, bourbon, rum, vodka, and similar alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Rankin County. Does this make economic development more or less likely in Rankin County?

Ultimately, this is our state, so if this policy of prohibition is not something you support, you should let your state representative and senator know. The court, of course, simply calls balls and strikes.

ABC Complaint against Wine Express et al by TheRezNews.com on Scribd

Mississippi Supreme Court Opinion - Wine Express by TheRezNews.com on Scribd

Your Vote, Your Government

2020-02-29T08:23:00.001-06:00

Daniel Cross, the Rankin County Supervisor for District 2, represents the vast majority of Rankin County Reservoir area residents for Rankin County matters (District 2 is shaded blue above). Accordingly, Mr. Cross seems to provide the most information and also receive the most attention of all the supervisors regarding the construction work at the Spillway Road, Northshore Drive, Old Fannin Road intersection.

However, it's important to note that there are 4 other county supervisor positions, and the actions/inactions of your specific supervisor/representatives are ultimately what matters. At least one other County Supervisor (District 5, light blue/green) represents some Reservoir area residents and District 5 actually includes a corner of the Spillway Road, Northshore Drive, Old Fannin Road intersection. Specifically, several residences west of Old Fannin Road including Barnett Bend subdivision are represented by District 5 Supervisor, Jay Bishop. District 4 (shaded red above) Supervisor, Steve Gaines represents all residents west of Lakeland Drive, such as all the development on Holly Bush Road and Baker Lane. Presumably, some of these residents travel through this particular construction zone daily. You can see your specific supervisor district with this online map.

Additionally, as noted by the Supervisor Cross, the Fannin/Spillway/Northshore project is lead by MDOT. MDOT is governed by a three member transportation commision with each district equivalent to the Mississippi Supreme Court Districts (Map Here). All Rankin and Madison Country residents are represented by the central district MDOT Transportation Commissioner, Willie Simmons.

The point of this post is not to deflect or direct blame of the construction project (or any other project) from or to any particular supervisor or representative, but to highlight the difficulty in connecting voters to their supervisors/representatives that can actually influence policy. Voters have one vote based on their residence. So, a voter that is upset about the action/inaction of a representative of another district has very little leverage with that representative. However, voters that are engaged and use their potential vote to influence their actual representative certainly help things get done.

At TheRezNews.com, we want to help you cut through the layers of government and various representative districts to help you hold your specific representative accountable.

Follow TheRezNews.com by dropping your email address in the box to the right.

Update: The title of this article has been updated.

Saturday Morning Chuckles

2020-02-29T06:12:00.001-06:00

Have you ever seen the resemblance between the shape of the state of Mississippi and Bart Simpson?

Back to regularly scheduled programming soon.

Flowood Sombra Closing

2020-02-25T05:41:00.004-06:00

Sombra Mexican Kitchen - Flowood will be closing February 29th according to the following post on its Facebook page: