Leflore County supervisors have rejected a collection agency’s proposal that the county increase uncollected Justice Court fines by 25 percent.
Gene Newman of Mississippi Warrant Network on Monday appeared before supervisors for a second time to pitch his company’s services collecting delinquent fines.
He asked supervisors to pass a resolution increasing existing fines by 25 percent, an amount that would then be paid to his company in exchange for all fines collected.
District 2 Supervisor Robert Moore expressed concern over adding to the amount already owed and basically increasing the amount of uncollected fines.
District 4 Supervisor Wayne Self said he “couldn’t see adding more to what they’re al-ready struggling to pay” and emphasized to the board that the increased fine would come from the board, not from the collection agency.
District 1 Supervisor Sam Abraham moved to approve Newman’s proposal and Board President Anjuan Brown seconded, but Self, Moore and District 5 Supervisor Robert Collins voted against the proposal, causing it to fail.
Also on Monday, County Attorney Joyce Chiles read a letter from the Mississippi Department of Transportation addressed to the Board of Supervisors, regarding concerns about intersections on U.S. 82 at Itta Bena.
In particular, the letter addressed concerns about the intersection of 82 with Mississippi 7 at the “Home in the Woods” sign entering Itta Bena.
Apparently MDOT’s crash data confirmed that travelers turning left onto Mississippi 7 from 82 and travelers turning left onto 82 from 7 are at risk, and MDOT announced it is taking action to remedy the problem. MDOT cited “evening sun” as an aggravating problem at that spot.
An Intelligent Conflict Warning System (ICWS) will be placed on both roads around that intersection, according to MDOT.
Warnings will include flashing lights triggered by road sensors, using equipment MDOT said it is purchasing now, along with necessary electronic components.
Additionally, the letter said, improvements for visibility will be added, including larger “yield” signs, restriping of the road, flashing lights and the removal of a stand of trees.
In other county business:
nSupervisors approved a 20-year lease agreement with Golden Age Inc. for land the nursing home leases from the county.
nSupervisors discussed the possibility of imposing a refundable deposit for use of Little Round Park for large events. Details will be ironed out by Chiles and County Administrator Christine Lymon before a vote is taken.
nCounty Fire Coordinator Bobby Norwood told supervisors that volunteer firefighters have participated in emergency medical training sessions in coordination with MedStat emergency medical service. Currently a number of them are waiting on new medical kits to be fully operational, but the trainings are completed.
Supervisors asked Norwood what could be done to attract more volunteers to the county’s fire departments, and Norwood said volunteer retention is difficult, but he is constantly working on it.
Word of mouth and good publicity, emphasizing the important work volunteers do, is important to that effort, he said.
•Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
