Judge Nelson hosts lunch for county mayors

By REVIS BLAYLOCK

NEA Town Courier

Mississippi County Judge John A. Nelson kicked off the 2023 year with a mayor’s luncheon at the newly renovated courthouse in Blytheville.

Judge Nelson welcomed the mayors and other guests including Penny Toombs, director of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home and Southern Tenant Farmers Museum. Before Covid, the County Judge and mayors met quarterly and Judge Nelson said he is pleased to be able to resume the meetings this year.

There are six new mayors in Mississippi County. Mayors present were Bo McCollum, Etowah; Rick Creecy, Keiser; Ken Gillmore, Dyess; Jason Taylor, Gosnell; Melisa Logan, Blytheville; Ronnie Johnson, Birdsong; Rodney Robertson, Leachville; Lee Charles Brown, Luxora; Michelle Williams, Joiner; and Danny Moody, Dell. Also attending was Judy Brown of Luxora.

“There is a lot going on in Mississippi County and we are very excited,” Judge Nelson said. “I’ve had three meetings with investors just in January. Every city in the county has something to offer. The people who are coming in are not targeting any town. Mississippi County has been mentioned in the Arkansas Business Magazine and was one of the top three stories.”

He went on to talk about the industry expansions and other businesses coming to the county.

Judge Nelson introduced Toombs and she spoke briefly about the upcoming events, sponsorship program and more at the Johnny Cash Home in Dyess. She said there will be activities for students, a song writer retreat and an Arkansas Roots Festival and more activities.

“The site has been listed on the Travel Channel and has been called the most famous house in Arkansas,”she said. “There is a Johnny Cash Festival in Scotland. We are bringing in National and International guests. It is up for a hospitality award. It is pulling people into Mississippi County.”

The newly elected assessor, Brannah Bibbs, also spoke briefly. She had been with the assessors office for four years. She said she is looking forward to working with the mayors. She said it is a state law that the equipment for all businesses be assessed each year. The tax goes back to the county and the cities. She said if they will contact her with the names and addresses of any new business. The deadline to assess each year is May 31.

Judge Nelson informed the mayors that they are working with two lobbyist firms, one in Washington, DC and one in Little Rock.

Mayor Brown of Luxora talked about the grant his town received for a water project. He said they received $3.5 million of the $4.4 million project.

“It took a lot of work and even with the lobbyists involved, it took a year,” Judge Nelson said. “We are going back to DC next month.”

He said when he first took office he thought the clean up at the north end of the Aeroplex would be an easy project but he found out due to asbestos it was not going to be an easy fix. He said they did end with money to start the project.

He went on to say the lobbyists have groups that will work with them on healthcare, equipment, Cold War Center destination, infrastructure, and more needs.

Judge Nelson encourages the mayors to contact his office and they will work with them on needed projects.

Tom Henry, county public affairs director, said the second round of water funding is going to be available. He encouraged them to email him for information.

Etowah Mayor Bo Collum shared with them some of the FEMA Firefighter grants they had received.

Judge Nelson said he wanted the six new mayors in the county to know they are not out there on their own.

“Mississippi County was well represented at the Governor’s inauguration,” Judge Nelson said. “I am looking forward to working with the new Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

“Clearly, it is a great day in Mississippi County. Mississippi County is getting attention.”

He talked briefly about the work at the courthouses. He said the work at the Blytheville Courthouse came in under budget and plans are to move that to the renovations of the Osceola Courthouse. $1.2 million was spent on the Osceola Courthouse and more will be spent.

“Each community is unique,” Henry said. “We are one family, pulling one rope in one direction. We are 40,685 residents with 920 square miles.”

Judge Nelson said the county is fortunate to have their own landfill and said it is in good shape. He also said when houses are condemned and removed, they do allow the towns to bring the debris to the landfill at cost.

The mayors shared some of their needs and concerns which included broadband at the south end of the county, water projects, and county animal shelter.

After the meeting, the mayors toured the newly renovated courthouse.

The next meeting will be held in Dyess.