Thursday Jan. 3,
2013
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 3
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 14 pages • 1 Section
City, county oust tourism board Aldermen, supervisors vote 9-1 to terminate members, citing budget concerns BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Citing concerns about overspending of the budget, city aldermen and county supervisors ousted the entire board of directors of the Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in a joint special meeting Wednesday morning. Ward 1 Alderman Andrew Labas made the motion after say-
ing he no longer has confidence in the board because it has not adhered to the tourism budget that was written by the city and the county after the two boards rejected the proposed tourism budget for fiscal 2013. The joint board approved the motion in a 9-1 vote. The ousted board members are John Ross Jr. (county appointee), Pauline Sorrell (city
appointee), and joint appointees Phil Little, Luke Doehner, Rickey Marecle, Chris Porterfield and Glennan Grady. Sorrell and Little were appointed in November. “I think that the intentional overspending that has been done by the current board of directors of the tourism board is basically a breach of the duties of care and responsibility
that any board member should have,” said Labas. Ward 2 Alderman Ben Albarracin cast the lone “no” vote. In addition to Labas, voting in favor were Aldermen Chip Wood, J.C. Hill, Michael McFall and Mike Hopkins, and Supervisors Lowell Hinton, Tim Mitchell, Gary Ross and Jimmy Tate Waldon. Mitchell seconded the motion. Second District Super-
visor Dal Nelms was absent. Labas said a new board might be selected in about a week and a half. “The local and private legislation provides for the removal of a board member under certain circumstances,” said Bill Davis, board attorney for the supervisors, and the process for filling Please see BOARD | 2
Corinth decides on liquor ordinance City will request ABC variation to allow Sunday restaurant sales BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
The Corinth Board of Aldermen on Wednesday adopted a liquor ordinance mirroring the regulations of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control division but will petition for approval of a couple of variations regarding by-the-drink sales in restaurants on Sunday and the hours of package stores. A date for the beginning of legal sales of alcoholic beverages is still unclear. City Attorney Wendell Trapp said an ordinance typically becomes effective 30 days after legal
publication in the newspaper. It is also unknown how long the ABC will take to consider the city’s requests for exceptions to the rules. The ABC regulations do not include Sunday sales at restaurants, but cities may petition the ABC to allow it. Ward 1 Alderman Andrew Labas made a motion to petition the ABC to allow by-thedrink sales on Sunday between the hours of 1 and 10 p.m. and to close package stores at 9 p.m. Monday through SaturPlease see ORDINANCE | 2
Aaron’s General Manager Greg Christian is given a tour of the Hope Dream Center by board president Annie Saffore.
Business helps provide Hope BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Greg Christian heard about the need on the radio. The Aaron’s general manager then took action to help. Christian made a $1,500 donation to the Hope Dream Center on Wednesday as part of Aaron’s Community OutReach Program. ACORP is dedicated to supporting worthy charitable causes both locally and nationally. “The center is something that is much needed these days,” said Christian. “I don’t want to see anyone homeless, especially this time of year.” The Hope Dream Center -- located in the old Tate Baptist Church at 1223 Tate Street -- has had to overcome many obstacles in its bid to help those who are homeless. The major
hurdle was the installation of a sprinkler system to meet city building ordinances. Aaron’s donation is going to payoff the remaining balance of the sprinkler system which cost the center about $26,000. “I’m glad to be a small part of a place like this,” said Christian as he toured the facility. “I like getting out and helping charities … this won’t be the last time we help the center.” Board president Annie Saffore told Christian the facility has already provided a place to stay for six individuals recently. “They were so nice and appreciative,” said Saffore. Individuals eligible for the center will fill out an application good for 28 days. If a longer stay is needed, another 28day form will have to be filled out.
Woman and children will receive meals, a warm bed and lodging with clean bathrooms. They will be counseled to determine their needs as well as how to avoid repeating their circumstances. “People can come here and feel at ease,” said Christian after taking the tour. “I would like to see it get going full-fledged … the room is here, all they need is people.” The Hope Dream Center will have over 20 rooms once completed. At this point, Saffore said organizers are trying to get showers and tubs installed. There is also a need for plumbers and electricians to donate time to help with renovations. “God has really blessed us as we try to help those homeless,” said Saffore. “This is not for any of us, it’s for the homeless.”
Northeast replacing critical administrators BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
Northeast Mississippi Community College is seeing a personnel shuffle at its highest levels as a pair of key administrators have announced plans to leave the school. NEMCC Executive Vicepresident Dr. Larry Nabors was recently named the president of Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead. He will assume his new position in February. Northeast President Dr. Johnny Allen said he’s grateful for Nabor’s long dedication to the school and the key leadership role he’s played in its growth and success and he wishes him well in his new position.
A successor for Nabors has not been named. Allen said he expects to make an announcement soon. NEMCC Dean of Instruction Dr. Charles Barnett also recently announced his retirement from the school. Allen said he is appreciative of Barnett’s service to the college and thankful for all of his dedication to the students at Northeast. Allen said Barnett’s position will be filled with the promotion of Dr. Rilla Jones. Jones will move into the dean’s position from her current post as director of institutional research and effectiveness. A search is currently underway to fill her former position.
Franks, 53, leaves own legacy of community volunteerism BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Joe Franks never met a stranger. The community-minded 53-year-old treated everyone as his best friend. Those who knew the Office Pro co-owner remember him as a man of faith who showed kindness to all he came in contact. Franks passed away Monday at his home following a battle with cancer. “Our community and our world have been made better because Joe Franks lived,” said his Office Pro business partner, John D. Mercier. “Our lives will be a little less now that he’s gone home.” Franks and Mercier started Office Pro on June 1, 1992.
“Everyone loved Joe. He was a great volunteer and there isn’t one bad thing you can say about him … he had a great knowledge for helping downtown that can’t be replaced.” Brent Lipford Main Street Board president “He was the nicest and kindest person I have ever met,” said Mercier. “Joe was a man of great faith in God and a community volunteer without equal.” Born June 5, 1959, Franks was a 1977 graduate of Corinth High School and an electrician for IBEW local 852. Known for his volunteerism, he served on
many boards, including Main Street Corinth, serving on the board and lining up the entertainment for the Slugburger and Hog Wild Festivals. He recently received the Jim Bynum Award for outstanding service to Main Street Corinth. “Joe was always a pleasant individual to serve with,” said Brian McCullen, who served
Index Stocks........7 Classified...... 12 Comics...... 11 Wisdom...... 10
Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports........8
with Franks on the Main Street Board and in Kiwanis. “He was a positive person who was not only community-minded for Corinth, but also for surrounding communities … everyone he met was his friend.” “Everyone loved Joe,” added Main Street Board President Brent Lipford. “He was a great volunteer and there isn’t one bad thing you can say about him … he had a great knowledge for helping downtown that can’t be replaced.” A member of the Kiwanis Club, Franks was appointed to the Crossroads Arena Board this past August. “In only a short time, he was a key contributor,” said Alva DalPlease see LEGACY | 2
Joe Franks
On this day in history 150 years ago There is sporadic fighting around Murfreesboro, Tenn., but Gen. Bragg has determined to withdraw from the battlefield he came so close to taking. The Confederate army begins a slow retreat in the direction of Tullahoma.