Mississippi Gulf News

City of Leakesville officials hosted a meeting with state officials last Tuesday to discuss the many needs of the city along with ways to meet those needs. Leakesville Mayor David West said it was a good meeting, and our elected officials are working hard for the community. The mayor and other city officials escorted the delegation to view several sites in and around the city during the meeting.

"This was the second in a series of meetings with senior state and federal officials to continue to seek help with projects such as transportation and safety upgrades, safe sidewalks and lighting for our residents, along with economic development initiatives,” West said. “As a town with limited resources, we will continue to seek state and federal assistance through grants and other funding resources. I ran for mayor to help guide Leakesville in a new direction of growth and safety, and I remain committed to that pledge.”

West said the city recently learned it did not receive the $1.3 million asked for from the legislature appropriations, which included $687,000 to repay loans associated with Hurricane Zeta cleanup. The rest of the money, West said, would have helped the city with the purchase of road repair equipment. Although that funding will not be available, West said he is determined to find another way to start making progress.

“We wanted to have equipment to do better road repairs and repave streets,” West said. “And we had a few miscellaneous items the city needs. That money would have been used for that, but we are looking at other ways.”

West said the appropriations funding wasn’t the only economical boost for the county that has been denied recently. The state had recently approached city officials in talks about the City of Leakesville taking over the water treatment services for the prison, which would have infused the town with money. West said an outside company would have to come in to run the system, however, the multimillion dollar project would have been a big economic benefit for the city.

“Everybody in Jackson was for it (prison water project),” West said. “It didn’t go through. It would have been a great shot in the arm for Leakesville to grow, and it would have brought revenue.”

Although the city’s request for funding was denied, West said he still is thankful for all the help and support our elected officials have given in Jackson. He noted several officials that have been at bat for the city. West said he isn’t giving up yet, and he will keep working with state officials to find a way to work toward the city’s goals.

“I’d like to thank Congressman Mike Ezell and his attention to Leakesville,” West said. “He has not forgotten us or our situation. Dane Maxwell is trying to help as much as he can, too.”

“I sat in on committee meetings and heard Rep. Dale Goodin push for Leakesville. It passed (funding) the House side but not the Senate.”

West touted the help of state officials by noting that Stephen Strickler of Congressman Ezell’s office got to work right away after last Tuesday’s meeting to help ensure the city could get a new fire truck, and he succeeded.

“That evening, Stephen Strickler talked to others and got us in line to get a fire truck from Biloxi. He called me at about 6 that evening. It was a good meeting.”

Those in attendance included Stephen Strickler from Congressman Ezell’s office, Win Ellington from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s office and Chris Vignes was there representing Senator Roger Wicker. 

Original source can be found here.