The city of Greenwood’s proposed ward boundaries for the 2013 municipal elections have been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.
On Wednesday, Greenwood attorney Billy Bowman, who drew up the new ward lines, told the Greenwood City Council that the department found no issues with the planned changes.
The council approved a resolution acknowledging receipt of the department’s letter.
Now, the council members must work to ensure that voters know which ward they are in before the May 2013 elections.
Ward 1’s Johnny Jennings suggested that small color maps might be included in Greenwood Utilities bills.
Also Wednesday, the council approved:
• The donation of $1,000 from Mayor Carolyn McAdams to help Jacerous Stanciel, an 11th-grader from Greenwood High School, participate in the West Central Conference Track and Field Team at the 13th annual Down Under International Games on the Gold Coast of Australia in June 2013. Stanciel, who competes in the long jump, needs to raise $4,500 by January to attend the games.
• A special use exception to the C-2 Community Commercial District to allow for the Cobra Cycle Club headquarters at 115 W. Johnson St., to be used for special occasions.
• A resolution requesting the introduction and passage of a bill titled the “Citizens for Economic Development Act” in the state Legislature. The measure, which is backed by the Mississippi Municipal League, would provide for local option taxes to be submitted to voters without the Legislature’s approval.
The council denied the following:
• A special use exception to allow for the operation of an adult day care center at 601 River Road. The proposal failed before the Greenwood Planning Commission. The property is in City Council President Ronnie Stevenson’s ward. When Stevenson moved to deny the exception, he was backed unanimously by the council.
• A special use exception to allow for a bingo hall at 607 George St. in Ward 5. Ward 5’s Tennill Cannon said he had received complaints for local residents about the possibility of a bingo hall. The council unanimously voted against the measure.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
