A Greenwood contractor, bidding on two home rehabilitation projects in the city, asked the Greenwood City Council for help in getting answers on why his bids were rejected.
Alonzo Evans, owner of AIA Builders LLC, said he submitted two bids for home renovation under the Mississippi Development Authority’s HOME program, which is administered in Greenwood by Gregory & Associates, a city-planning firm owned by Tommy Gregory.
Evans said when Gregory opened the bids, he was the lowest bidder on both projects.
“He told me that there is a law that you have to take the bids at face value,” Evans said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “I was the lowest bidder. He didn’t tell me that I didn’t win when we left the bid opening.”
City Attorney Don Brock said the bid process on the homes was being reviewed by Mississippi Development Authority.
“Until they give us an answer as to what their investigation shows, it is premature for the council to do anything,” he said.
Evans said he doesn’t object if he isn’t the lowest bidder. He said he was asking only that the council provide him a copy of the law that he said Gregory cited in ruling out his bid.
Brock said there may have been some confusion or errors on the bid form regarding the lowest bid and alternate bid items — additional improvements on the homes — which also must be included in the lowest bid figure.
The council also heard a complaint from resident Maxine Williams, who was arrested for simple assault in a domestic violence case on March 4.
Williams alleged that officers were engaging in inappropriate behavior and smoking in a police vehicle during her arrest and processing.
When asked by Mayor Carolyn McAdams if Williams had filed a complaint, Williams said she had not. Once provided the form at the meeting, Williams talked privately with Acting Police Chief Ray Moore.
The council also got a farewell visit from Paige Hunt, executive director of the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Beginning April 1, Hunt will be advertising and communications bureau manager for Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division in Jackson.
“It’s been my honor and my privilege and my pleasure to promote this culturally rich, amazing community as a tourist destination for the past seven years,” she said.
“Even though Leflore County is losing a resident, as soon as our house sells, you are gaining what we all know is very important — you’re gaining another tourist,” Hunt said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
