First Ward 4 Dialogue A Success

          The first Ward 4 Dialogue was held at Lighthouse Baptist Church (Ward 4's voting precinct) last night.  It was a successful venture into bringing the business of the city to the people.  Approximately 45 people attended this first event which promises to grow over time as I seek to engage even more of you in the process of city government.  After my brief presentation of various city projects and highlighting what I personally have been working on both for Ward 4 and the city as a whole, the audience asked questions and shared their concerns and suggestions with me.  I truly enjoyed the exchange.  Being able to answer your questions and hear your concerns only serves to help me do my job better as your councilman.

          I thought I would share with you who read this blog some of the concerns that were mentioned last night at the Dialogue as well as my response.  The you know, the less you will be frustrated by the process, and believe me, government;s slow pace is extremely frustrating at times.  Helping you catch the vision and easing your concerns will only serve to help move Pascagoula forward.

          Here are a few questions that were raised last night:

-  Why does it take so long to clean-up a piece of property that is derelict and rundown? 

          The process for property clean-up is quite extensive and frustrating for local officials and city staff.  Currently, the city code enforcement office has approximately 375 trouble properties identified that need action.  Due to slim staffing, lack of funding, and a process that is outlined by state law regulating this issue, the process for clean-up of these eyesores is extremely slow.  I along with other councilman and city staff are looking into promoting a change in state law that would allow us to address these ills in a more productive and on-going manner than we are able to currently.  When the regulation is eased, we as a city can make more of a difference.

-  What can be done to help reduce speeders through neighborhoods and cars being allowed to park on the side of the street?

          I will be talking with the police department to notify them of these concerns and see what applicable remedy we as a city can offer.  Monitoring areas that are more prone to speeding and parked vehicles more readily is an easy starting place but to effectively manage the issue will require further study and implementation. 

-  What can be done about the litter problem around town?

          Recently, fellow councilman George Wolverton (ward 2) and I attended a Mississippi Municipal League meeting in Vicksburg and took note of how clean their city was, even after a very stormy evening.  We passed this observation on to our city manager and we discovered that many non-violent offenders were sentenced to community service, specifically litter detail, to assist the city in litter control.  We are pursuing doing a similar program here going forward to assist in this effort.  In addition, more emphasis on large trucks and garbage trucks covering their loads needs to be pursued and I will be looking into this as well in an effort to highlight this on-going problem.

-  How can we get the bulkheads replaced?

          Bulkheads are starting to be a major problem around town for many who live on an inlet or bayou.  Going forward, there needs to be a partnership between the county, the cities, and the private residence owners to address these concerns.  I hope to begin this discussion in the coming months with the county and those residents who are affected by this ever increasing problem.

-  Where does the jail/ADC stand at this point?

          With the defeat of the bond issue, the county can now finance the construction at a local bank (perceivably at a higher rate of interest than the bond was for) or they can attempt to put forth another vote on a bond issue at some juncture.  Recently, the city council voted unanimously to ask our local state legislative delegation to work towards a local and private bill to would locate the jail outside the city limits of Pascagoula.  The city has no say at this point over what happens next - the county and state delegation does.  If you are concerned about this item, I would encourage you to speak with your county supervisor (Mangum, Harris, Barton, McKay, or Broadnax) and your state representatives and senators.

-  What is the process of moving the FEMA/MEMA cottages and trailers out come the March 2009 deadline? And what is happening on the cottage village being constructed on the riverfront?

          The occupants of these cottages and trailers are being notified by the agencies of their short timeline to vacate these structures.  The city council has unanimously voted to have these structures removed by this deadline and I see no reason why that timeframe should or will be amended.  As to the cottage village - this is still in the conceptual stage and nothing has been finalized to date.  If and when it is, this endeavor will not be permanent as the plans for the riverfront redevelopment call for numerous retail, housing and recreational options.  This program will assist in providing structured and monitored workforce housing as well as be used as a small business incubator for business that are trying to make Pascagoula their home.

-  What can be done to help solve the underlying problems that seem to be mounting within our school district?

          As most of you know, the city council appoints 3 of 5 school board members.  And while we hold the authority of appointment, we do not hold the authority to oversee or remove these individuals during their term.  The city council's role in relation to the school board is only an appointing and recommending body.  Legally, the school board is its own entity apart from the appointments.  Any concerns you have dealing with the school system should be addressed to the school board or if you do not feel comfortable doing so, you can contact your councilman with your concerns and have him/her relay it to the appropriate board.  I encourage anyone who has a concern to let me know and I will be glad to engage the appropriate people to help remedy or clarify a matter.  Our schools are the biggest economic development tool we have as we strive to redevelop our great city.

-  What's happening at the old high school?

          You cannot tell it on the outside, but work has begun stripping the interior to make way for development by the property owner. 

          Here also are a few comments made last night:

-  Demolishing homes in an established neighborhood does no one any good.  It only harms the area.

          I would much rather repair an existing structure than tear it down, especially in an established neighborhood.  We all need to encourage our neighbors with these troubled properties to make a plan and stick to it in regards to keeping their properties clean.

-  The city contractor that mows the right of ways and medians does an outstanding job.

          Turfmasters (owned by Steve Jordan, a ward 4 resident himself) does an outstanding job, often times going above and beyond to ensure the city looks good.

-  The noise ordinance was a great idea but needs to be enforced more around Beach Park and in terms of construction at night.

          I am very proud of the noise ordinance that the city council passed a few months ago.  When I was campaigning I heard from many of you about the troublesome boomboxes and boomcars and once I was elected I began researching ways to amend our noise ordinance to offer a better level of enforcement while making it easy on our officers.  I am proud to say that after helping to draft and present this ordinance, it was passed unanimously.  As to the Beach Park, I will be glad to pass this along to the police department so they will know of the disturbance going forward.

-  The city looks better now than it has ever looked.

          Thanks to many organizations (Pascagoula Pride, Rotary, Garden Club, Main Street, etc.) and the city staff and contractors (specifically City Landscape Specialist Kevin Hall and Turfmasters) our city does look better than it has in the past.  The planting of flowers, the manicuring of lawns and right of ways, and other efforts only adds to the sense of place that we need to promote here in Pascagoula.

          I truly hope this exchange was beneficial and I am looking forward to the next such Dialogue.  Fact is that most people will never attend a city council meeting unless they have business before the council, such as a variance or a complaint.  I see it as my job as your local elected official to engage you in the business of the city so you too will be educated and informed on what is happening. I trust our next such meeting will be even better attended and I trust that much of the concerns and questions that were put forth will be handled in some form or fashion. 

          I appreciate the opportunity to serve you and our great city.  I awake each day humbled by the trust and responsibility you the people of Pascagoula have placed on me.  Always feel free to contact me with your comments, questions, criticisms, complaints and praises.  I look forward to seeing and hearing from you soon.

Frank Corder

Pascagoula City Councilman - Ward 4