Lumberton Informer

Today has been designated as Memorial Day. A day set aside to recognize those that paid the ultimate price for us to enjoy our freedom. I would urge you to take a moment to give thanks to those that are serving in the military (active duty, retired, etc.) and honor them for the contributions they have made for the freedom of this country. Today is not just about beer, barbeque, and a day off. The death toll in Afghanistan has reached the 1000 mark. Brave soliders that gave their lives so that we can enjoy this day.

Yesterday, while driving around Lumberton, I noticed several dead animals in the road. Generally, I am not driving around early enough to see the city workers in the morning, but this was a different day. I saw the city workers heading to work, and then at 7:00 a.m. I saw them head out in their trucks. For the next 45 minutes, they drove around the City of Lumberton, and I thought for certain that they would get the dead animals out of the roads since there were traveling the same route I had traveled, and I knew they saw the same dead animals I had seen. But I guess logic is not a recommended job requirement for a Lumberton city worker. I called city hall to report the dead animals that were scattered across our city streets, and I was told that the workers will not pick up any dead animals unless a resident reports the matter, then they will have someone come out and get the dead vermit out of the road. This was just hard for me to phatom. They drive around the city, they see ...

At 1:00 p.m., News 7 came to meet with Mayor Holder and members of the Planning and Zoning Committee. The team at News 7 stated that they have been receiving a lot of phone calls about the vast number of trailers that are being stored in Lumberton, and they wanted to know what the City of Lumberton was doing to rectify this situation. Well, today, I found out that there was a request for a water connection on the land that is next to Church of the Way. In a previous posting, I stated that the water request was made by Benjamin Winston, but I stand corrected, the request was submitted by Benjamin Winston on behalf of Winston Enterprise. I searched the Mississippi Secreatry of State's website and it listed Winston Enterprises as being owned by Stara A. Winston, 1423 Woody Drive, Jackson MS, 39212. Also, there were questions about who actually owned the property where the trailers are being stored. After the meeting with WDAM, I went to the Lamar County Courthouse to get informa...

When Rebecca Hale was elected to serve as Alderwoman for Ward 2, I was hopeful that we were going to actually see some change in the way business was conducted at City Hall. Well, it's almost been a year, and I am saddened by the lack of unity among the board members. This lack of unity does not rest soley on the shoulders of Rebecca, but of all the newly elected officials, she seems to be overwhelmed by the political process. She never seems to be on the same page as the other alderpersons, and whenever they emerge from the exhastive executive sessions, she seems to be an emotional wreck. At the last two meetings, there were executive sessions, and Rebecca would look like she just lost the battle of her life. She would look like she had been crying, and wouldn't have much to say. Several times she would just exit the building after an executive session. I don't know what is going on, but I think this group needs to set aside their personal agendas and do what is best...

Lamar County's District 2 Supervisor, Benjamin Winston. I was headed to the Lamar County Court House to get information about the ownership of the land that is housing all of those trailers, and I was informed by Pastor Curtis Merritt that the person that owned the land, has applied for a water/sewage connection. So, I saved myself a trip to Purvis and went to City Hall and found out that the person that paid for the water/sewage hook up was none other than Ben Winston. This doesn't prove that he is the owner, but who other than the owner would pay for a water/sewage connection on a lot of land. Also, this explains the highly secretive nature of Paul "The Opportunitst" Ockmond. I attend a LEDC meeting on Friday, and Paul Ockmond was giving this diatribe about how he loved this city, and how he wanted to see this city grow, and so on and so on. He talked about the lack of direction of the board members, and he talked about the dilapidated buildings, neglected pro...

When I was a member of the Lumberton Planning and Zoning Committee, we were told that you do not allow the placement of storage buildings on a main street, and that you make sure the entrance to your city is appealing to those traveling through the area. Anyone that has the gift of sight has seen the large number of dilapidated trailers that are located at both entrances into this city. I recently attended a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, and no was notified that the City of Lumberton would be used as a trailer burial ground. Apparently, someone thought they could forgo the proper procedures and take it upon themselves to do what they want to do without regard to Lumberton's Comprehensive Plan. I have heard that the trailers are being staged and will be sold at a later date. So, you too can own one of these battered, sightly toxic vehicles! No one is publically claming ownership of the property or of the trailers. The last time I checked, the land was owned by Paul Oc...

The meaning of chaos can be defined by the end of the academic school year. There are only a few days of school left, and I have yet to see more police officers. Those of us that live in Lumberton know how OUR kids get during the summer months. There are those that are in denial about the way their children behave, but it is evident that there is a lack of parental structure in the lives of many of these individuals. For the first time in years, we have a dedicated group of certified officers, but we need more officers on the duty roster before the end of the school year. I think our chief is doing an excellent job, and I also think that Franklin, Cassandra, and Elsie are assets to our police department. I mentioned them by name becasue I have interacted with them, and I think they are very professional in the performance of their duties. I did not mention all the officers because I do not know all the officers, but that does not mean they are not doing a good job. I would also ...