The Itta Bena Race will be held May 28, but the location of the event for the city’s youth is still up in the air.
After hearing from organizer Keidra Smith Ross, the Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday to approve the date but not Ross’ suggested location of the park on Dorothy Street.
Mayor Reginald Freeman asked that Ross move the event to Sunflower Park. He was concerned that the space in Dorothy Park is not adequate for the amount of people who will attend and traffic will become too congested in the area.
Ross responded that Sunflower Road Park is not as usable.
“There aren’t any hoops for people to use. It’s not well taken care of. It’s just grassland,” she said.
The board then discussed concerns about security for the event. Ward 4 Alderman Jerry Crockett told Ross that it would have to patrolled by bonded security. He said this “takes the load off the city” because the Police Department is already stretched thin.
Crockett brought up the risk of gunfire as well, but Ross said shootings, “while unfortunate, cannot be anticipated.”
The board tabled the matter to discuss it further and make plans to prepare for the gathering.
Also Tuesday, T.W. Cooper appeared before the board to follow up on some concerns about his rental property at 601 Schley St.
Cooper approached the city about what he alleges was flooding under the rental property caused by the city’s Public Works Department Feb. 6-7.
He said the water released by the city to relieve pressure from a water main that had burst stayed under his rental house and has contributed to repair issues with the property and the loss of a potential tenant.
Freeman told Cooper that the city’s public works director, Steve Harris, said no water went under the rental house. Freeman had previously told the Commonwealth that Cooper had been made aware of a leak coming from the house’s own plumbing. He repeated on Tuesday that the city had the water main fixed by the time Cooper says his property flooded.
Cooper replied that he has pictures and video evidence to the contrary. “I’m not blaming anybody. I’m just saying the damage is done,” he said.
Freeman told Cooper to file a report with City Clerk Barbara Applon and complete documentation to file a claim on the city’s insurance.
In other business, the board entered executive session to discuss possible litigation and interview a potential city employee. The board took no action on the litigation and hired a part-time investigator for the Itta Bena Police Department.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
