10,428 Circulation; 34,412 Readership www.northsidesun.com the weekly Home delivery as low as $8 a year Call 957-1542 For 44 Years, Covering Northeastnorthside Jackson, Madison and Ridgeland Vol. 44, No. 12 Two Sections,sun 28 Pages, Thursday, January 6, 2011 Whitwell, Ward Increases seek Ward One Jackson water rates nearly double in 20 year period spot vacated By ANTHONY WARREN 1. maintain its high water and sewer bond Sun Staff Writer The board voted 6-0 to have the rate rating and to retire its current bond debt. by Jeff Weill TWENTY YEARS ago, Jackson resi- hikes take effect on December 1, but be- Right now, Jackson has $148 million in dents paid about 13 cents to take a 10- cause all seven members were not present, outstanding principal. It is expected to pay THE RACE FOR Jackson Ward One coun- minute shower. the increases won’t be effective until Janu- $13.5 million in principal and interest this cilman is heating up, with two Northsiders Beginning on January 1, a 10-minute ary, said Director of Communications fiscal year. throwing their hats in the race: Quentin shower that uses 40 gallons of water will Chris Mims. The city is facing millions more in need- Whitwell and Marcus Ward. cost a person living in the city limits about The increase will amount to roughly $52 ed repairs and upgrades and is planning to The two are vying for the seat vacated by 24 cents. a year for typical residential users. It’s the spend about $29 million during the 2010- Jeff Weill. The Northside attorney stepped On November 30, the Jackson City first increase that the capital city’s water 11 fiscal year to address a problem out- down on January 4 when he was sworn in as Council voted 5-1 to raise the water rates and sewer customers will experience since lined by the Mississippi Department of Hinds County circuit judge, District Seven, by 13 percent and sewer rates by six per- 2004. Environmental Quality. Sub-District 7-1. cent. Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said In all, water rates were increased from Officials in the Jackson city clerk’s office The increase will take effect on January the increase was needed to help the city See Water Rates, Page 9A said the council was expected to set a date for a special election the same day. Anyone interested in seeking the position must pick up a petition from the city clerk’s office and obtain signatures from 50 registered voters in the ward. The race is non-partisan, meaning that no party primaries will occur. FAME The deadline to submit the petition is 20 days prior to the election. Both Ward and Whitwell say that address- ing crime and repairing infrastructure are top priorities. Ward, who previously served as chief of staff and intergovernmental affairs officer for former Mayor Frank Melton, said his experi- ence would allow him to hit the ground run- ning. He pointed to some of his work in the Melton administration. “In 2007, we traveled to Washington, D.C., and got a $25 million congressional authorization for water and sew- er repairs,” he said. “I’ve got the experience no one else has.” He also worked with Weill to help the city use budget savings to pave over 100 miles of city roadway. Whitwell points to his experience in both the public and private sectors. Whitwell believes his background as an at- torney and lobbyist will give him the ability to build bridges and work with city officials and council members to get things accomplished for Northeast Jackson. “I have an understanding of the political cli- mate in Ward One and have an understanding of city, state and federal government. I believe Prep Applause to present concert I’ll be able to roll up my sleeves and build re- FAME, Friends of the Arts Musical Experience, will present For tickets call 769-798-9500. REVEILLON, the 43-member lationships that will make a difference,” he an evening featuring Broadway stars Tim and Jonathan showchoir, will perform a medley from “Phantom of the said. Shew of New York City, and Jackson Prep’s award winning Opera” with Tim and Jonathan. Shown are (from left, back) Both candidates have extensive political ex- showchoir, REVEILLON. The event is hosted by Jackson John-David Polk, Emily Evans, Mosa Molapo, Helen House, perience heading into the race. Prep’s Applause, an organization of students, family, friends, Wilson Hays; (front) Joy Waller, Zack Watson, Lexie Griffen, Whitwell was a staff intern for former U.S. and community leaders committed to advancing the arts. Scotty Wofford. Rep. Roger Wicker; served on the presidential The event will be held at The South January 20, at 6 p.m. See Ward One, Page 11A Photos by Beth Buckley Remodeling SESSION BILL DENNY SHARES GOALS FOR 2011 LEGISLATIVE TERM A PROPOSAL by one Northside repre- that would consolidate the state’s public have run out. sentative would give the children of ser- school districts. “Because I serve as a member on the vicemen and women killed in action one As for the bill to waive tuition, Denny Appropriations Committee, a great deal of less thing to worry about. believes it will pass. “We have 27 veterans my focus will be on how to deal with our The 2011 legislative session began this on the floor and I believe all will support continuing revenue shortfall and what week, and District 64 Rep. Bill Denny has it,” he said. The longtime representative steps will be necessary ... in order to have again filed a bill that would waive college said the bill should pass, even in the diffi- a balanced budget,” he wrote. tuition for students whose parents were cult budget year. Denny is also proposing a measure to killed in the line of duty or as a result of a “It will have a minimal impact on the amend state statute to address attempted Remodeling is under way at the McDonald’s service-related injury. state revenue,” he said. murders. “We do not have a statute for at- restaurant on Beasley Road at I-55. The exterior The measure is one of seven that Denny An e-mail from Denny stated that the tempted murder. That’s what I’m trying to will be stone and stucco, and interior changes pre-filed for lawmakers to consider. Addi- state faces a $600 million structural create,” he said. will include new flooring and brighter lighting. tionally, Denny has filed a bill that would deficit. The problem is compounded by Right now, Denny said those who at- Completion is expected in mid-January ac- provide stiffer penalties for those convict- the fact that the federal stimulus funds that tempt to murder an individual are typical- cording to owner Al Joyner. ed of attempted murder, and another one helped the state through fiscal year 2011 See Bill Denny, Page 7A Page 2A Thursday, January 6, 2011 Colony Park area approved Hoy Road widening as improvement district in beginning stages ENGINEERS say construction is still a ways off for the Hoy Road Widening Project. By ANTHONY WARREN Documents provided by the city show that the For the thousands of motorists who travel the road each day, that means Sun Staff Writer PID is located on approximately 124 acres bor- that traffic congestion will continue to be a part of their morning and after- BUSINESSES along Highland Colony Parkway dered by Old Agency Road, I-55 and the center noon commutes. will soon be giving more money to the tax collec- line of Steed Road. All of the district is located About four months after having an informal public hearing to discuss the tor. within the Ridgeland corporate boundaries. project, engineers with Neel-Schaffer say they have their draft environmental And local business leaders said they’re glad to be The petition submitted to city leaders for consid- document ready to submit to the Mississippi Department of Transportation doing it, because it could mean higher property eration stated that all 22 parcel owners agreed to (MDOT) and expect it to be approved in the spring. values in the future. be part of the district. Senior Engineer Manager Mark Bailey said that once the state signs off on The Ridgeland mayor and board of aldermen The document states that the PID will acquire that document, a formal public hearing will be held and a final proposal for recently approved a request from H.C. Bailey and funds to construct public improvements such as the project will be drawn up. other business leaders in the Colony Park area to lighting, multi-use trails, pedestrian crossings, That will then be submitted to MDOT for final approval. Once state trans- form the Colony Park Public Improvement District underground utilities, water retention facilities, portation officials sign off on that, then the actual work can begin, such as (PID). observation decks, mail kiosks and other infra- obtaining right-of-way and relocating utilities. As part of the district, businesses will pay a spe- structure. Bailey said construction, if everything goes as planned, could get under cial assessment along with their regular property Funds will also be used to boost security, way in late 2012. taxes to help cover the costs of public improve- improve landscaping and add signage where it’s Plans call for adding an additional west-bound and east-bound lane along ments that would not normally be covered by the needed. Hoy from U.S. 51 to just east of Honeysuckle Drive.