Dear editor,

On behalf of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg, I would like to send a special and heartfelt thank you to everyone who was involved in the planning of the homecoming parade and ceremony for our Hometown Hero, Malcolm CB Butler. So many hours of thoughtful participation were spent by individuals whose only goal was to ensure that Malcolm CB Butler and his family were given the celebration that they truly deserve.

Malcolm inspired so many people in our community to showcase their incredible skills and talents. Malcolm never gave up on his dreams, and he proved that through hard work and a strong faith in God, anything in life can be accomplished. His dedication and determination has guided him to be the successful individual that he is today.

My sincerest gratitude goes out to all the sponsors, local officials, law enforcement officers, committee members, and parade participants who gave of their time, energy, and resources to help make this event a success. Once again, the entire community of Vicksburg came together as I knew they would, and showed that the citizens of Vicksburg are truly a family who support their own. The best is yet to come!

George Flaggs, Jr. 

Mayor, City of Vicksburg

 

Dear editor,

It is apparent by the recent quotes made by city officials in the Vicksburg Post, that the Fisher Ferry land owned by the city is the choice location to build the much talked about sports complex if access can be gained through Highway 61 South.

Access through Highway 61 South has been and still remains a major problem with this property because the whole area, including part of the Fisher Ferry site itself, lies in a flood plain.

When Joe Loviza was mayor, the taxpayers of Vicksburg paid $160,000 to an engineering firm in Jackson, for a study to determine whether or not such a road could be built, the effect of said road on flooding and how it would need to be built. The result of the study was that building access would be cost prohibitive because any access built would have to be elevated on stilts or pylons, essentially a bridge, in order to prevent more flooding to residents of Hamilton Heights, Marion Park and the surrounding areas. A road just mounded up would cause even more flooding to the area.

The taxpayers of Vicksburg in recent months spent $28,000 on another study with a different engineering firm to study this question of access yet again. The access, if built correctly, would cost more than the projected sports complex itself and would still not prevent the site itself from flooding when it rains. Now we learn that yet a third study is going to be ordered according to an article in The Post.

The problem is that Hatcher Bayou floods that entire bottom area all the way to Highway 61 South and beyond …. all the way to the Mississippi River into which it flows. The U.S. government has said no houses could be built in parts of Hamilton Heights because of the flooding from Hatcher Bayou. If the U.S. government can figure out that this area is not suited for building, I feel certain that our local officials can come to the same conclusion and not throw more good money after bad.

Kemper B. Ehrhardt

Vicksburg

 

Dear editor,

The organizers of “A Walk for Peace” would like to thank everyone for their participation to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A special thank you to Mistress of Ceremony Hannah Hopkins, North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield, Jonathon Walker, South Ward Alderman Willis Thompson, The Voice of Goodwill Ministry Ray Magee, CEO and chairman of Hardge Investments Lawrence Hardge, Yolande Robbins, Karen Lanier and Angelia Rader.

Sylvester Walker

Vicksburg