David Jordan, who has served on the Greenwood City Council for 36 years, attended his last meeting as a council member Tuesday.
The council, led by Ward 1’s Johnny Jennings, opened the meeting with a toast to Jordan, who represents Ward 6. Jennings suggested that members celebrate Jordan’s “lifting up and opening doors” in the community during his tenure.
Jordan, who continues to serve as state senator representing Leflore County, spearheaded the effort to change Greenwood’s form of government from mayor-commissioner, and following a referendum and special election, was elected to serve on the first council in 1985.
“I think the wheels of government have turned for the better in Greenwood since we have had the mayor-city council form of government,” Jordan acknowledged.
Jordan will be presented with a commemorative plaque highlighting his service to the city of Greenwood at a future City Council meeting.
The council also looked at the problem of illegal dumping and decided to examine whether code adjustments are needed to deal with household junk being discarded outdoors in piles after people move from a residence.
Jennings said that he has seen old furniture and other household appliances being dumped into ditches and stopping them up across the city.
Mayor Carolyn McAdams said a city ordinance will possibly need to be implemented to address the problem.
In her regular report to the council, McAdams mentioned that sales tax allocations to the city have risen significantly.
According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s figures for May, the city’s share of the sales tax was $496,593, a 30% increase over the same month the year before.
For the year, according to McAdams, sales tax numbers for the city total $3.4 million, a 9% increase.
The mayor also addressed the recent lifting of the mask mandate, which occurred at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Ward 4’s Charles McCoy added that people should still be cognizant of social distancing to continue to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. He also urged them to wear masks inside businesses that continue to post signs saying they are required.
Jennings, the council’s vice president, conducted the meeting in the absence of Ronnie Stevenson, the council’s president. Also absent were Andrew Powell of Ward 5 and Carl Palmer of Ward 7.
- Contact Drew Richardson at 581-7233 or drichardson@gwcommonwealth.com.
