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Opinion

  • Strange bedfellows

     The public hearing this week on a proposal to establish minimum standards for rental housing in New Albany was an interesting evening.

    Lots of folks showed up at the hearing, some in favor of minimum standards and others, including a number of rental property owners, who are opposed to any standards.

  • Finally, a spray park

     The children’s spray park at the New Albany Sportsplex is finally open for summer fun, two years after it was approved by the Board of Aldermen.

    What was to have been a three-month project was plagued by construction delays, problems with the contractor and then this spring, by the flood that inundated the spray park.

  • Turning the dirt

     The Mississippi Department of Transportation finally has set the date for breaking ground on the reconstruction of Highway 15 in New Albany.

    The first dirt will be turned next Tuesday on the project to make Highway 15 a modern five-lane highway from King’s Creek south of  U.S. 78 (Interstate 22) north to North Haven on the outskirts of town.

  • Relay for Life event

     One of the most emotional events each year in Union County is coming up next month. We’re, of course, talking about the Relay for Life event at the New Albany Sportsplex.

    The 12th annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life will held beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, June 11, at the Sportsplex. The opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m.

  • Statewide competition

     The designation of the Down From the Hills Heritage Music and Fiddling Festival as the official state competition is an important milestone in making the event into a major community festival.

    What started a few years ago as a forum for area musicians to display their talent has become an event that draws competitors from several surrounding states to New Albany.

  • Beer sales and revenue

     Nearly a month has passed since the sale of beer and light wine became legal in New Albany.

    So, what has happened during that time? Not a whole lot, according to police and city officials.

  • Down From the Hills

     The Down From the Hills Heritage Music and State Fiddling Festival is on the verge of becoming one of the community’s major annual events. With your help, it can become just that.

    What started a few years ago as a forum for area musicians to display their talent has become an event that draws competitors from several surrounding states to New Albany.

  • Summer reading

     The New Albany School District has decided to require all high school students to do summer homework.

    The homework is in the form of a summer reading and writing assignment that will be due the second day of school in August and will count as a major grade in English.

  • Adding to the treasure

     The announcement Thursday that the Union County Museum has received a major collection of William Faulkner books, poems, short stories, and other materials is exciting news for our area.

    Jill Smith, director of the museum, made the announcement at the 2010 annual meeting of the Union County Historical Society. The lunch meeting was at the First United Methodist Church in New Albany.

  • More time for school

     The New Albany School District is putting together a plan, which if approved by the Board of Trustees, would lengthen the school day for city school students.

    Part of the impetus for the plan comes from Lisa Mitchell, principal New Albany Middle School, where a few minutes already have been added to the school day twice a week and the results have been positive.

  • Saturday cleanup

     The annual effort to get our town and our county looking a little better by cleaning the place up takes place Saturday.

    Called the Keep America Beautiful “Great American Cleanup,” this annual event puts a focus on everything from roadside litter to getting rid of stuff that is cluttering up private property in the city and county.

  • Union gets a Station

     New Albany’s hospitality industry got another boost this week with the opening of  Union Station, a restaurant near Lowe’s on Park Plaza Drive.

    The restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner except on Sunday night, seats more than 260 people and has an enticing menu ranging from sandwiches and salads to barbecue and steaks.

  • Political posturing

     Whether the state of Mississippi is out of money and needs to cut  education, mental health and most other state budgets apparently depends on which Governor Barbour is at the podium.

    Is it the one who has been singing the blues for months about the lack of money for essential state services and whacking education budgets, forcing schools to cut teaching positions for the coming year?

  • Industrial zoning

     Industrial zoning has become such a sensitive issue in New Albany that the Board of Aldermen has delayed approving a revised comprehensive plan for the city to discuss further the industrial zoning topic.

    We think that was the right move. The proposed comprehensive plan maps earmark some areas for industrial use, but do not define what kind of industry is suitable in which areas.

  • Time to be counted

     Every 10 years it’s time to be counted. And it’s that time again.

    The U.S. Census count is underway and most people with residential addresses will be getting a Census form in the mail next week to complete.

  • Bizarre and unfortunate

     The scenario that led to the dismissal of Bobby Carter as the attorney for the city of New Albany is both bizarre and unfortunate.

  • Animal cruelty bill

     Efforts to get Mississippi out of the bottom group of states in yet another national ranking got a boost last week in the state Senate.

    The Senate passed 47-1 and sent to the House bill that would make it a felony to maliciously “torture, mutilate, maim, burn, starve, disfigure or kill any domesticated dog or cat.”

  • Hurting our schools

     The state Senate has passed legislation to permit an unlimited number of so-called “charter schools” throughout the state, which would be funded with our tax money.

    Hopefully, state House members will exercise better judgment and let the proposal die in the House Education Committee.

  • Sportsplex financing

     The New Albany Board of Aldermen has taken bids for site preparation for the expansion of the Sportsplex to the north side of U.S. Highway 78.

    The bids range from $403,417 to $666,814, and Mendrop-Wages, the engineering firm handling the project, is analyzing the bids and expects to have a recommendation for the board, perhaps as soon as its next meeting Monday.

  • New signals at Exit 61

     The installation of traffic signals for the ramps at Exit 61 on U.S. Highway 78 (future Interstate 22) should go a long way toward improving traffic flow and safety in the area.

    Motorists will no longer have to take the “hold your heart and go” approach in trying to exit the ramps onto State Highway 30.

Copyright © 2013

The New Albany Gazette is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in New Albany and the surrounding area.