COPIAH COUNTY SUPERVISORS: Citizens air grievances, seek resolution

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By Leah Roberson

Citizen Robert Cawthorn attended the June 10 meeting of Copiah County supervisors to alert the board of issues he has had with the Sheriff’s Office in the past 10 months. After two separate incidents of theft, Cawthorn stated that while attempting to file a police report, he had felt harassed when he wouldn’t produce his license. Cawthorn claimed the deputy he spoke with was aggressive, rude, and would not give his name when asked.

In response, Cawthorn filed two freedom of information acts to ascertain the deputy’s name but has yet to receive a response to date. He has also filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office and Ethics Committee. Cawthorn argued that as a law-abiding citizen, he is held accountable to the law and expects our government to be held to the same standards.

Citizen Essie Byrd Sims asked the board for a letter to present to a Hinds County judge after she received a ticket for not having a car tag. She did not have a car tag because she was unable to purchase one due to unpaid garbage fees to the county.

Sims argued that she did not dispose of trash and felt she should be exempt from paying for a service she didn’t use. Board Attorney Elise Munn notified her that supervisors are bound by state law and are unable to exempt anyone from paying solid waste fees unless they have a legal alternative for disposal. She did however agree to honor Sims’ request to write a letter to the court outlining the state statute and Sims’ refusal to pay it.

Katrina Castilaw, director of Copiah-Jefferson Regional Libraries, introduced herself to the board and asked for their recommendations to fill three empty seats on the library board. She was happy to report that our local library system is financially sound and experiencing good attendance from local patrons.

Castilaw also shared new hours of operation for county libraries, which are as follows: Crystal Springs, Hazlehurst, Wesson, and Georgetown are open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The Crystal Springs and Hazlehurst branches are also open from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Friday and Saturday.

Sheriff Byron Swilley reported that the meal count for May was 5,220 and that there were 61 inmates in the detention center, comprised of 54 males and seven females.

He received approval to accept the resignation of Deputy John Brent and was authorized to enter a one-year insurance contract with the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Insurance Trust for inmates’ health care at the detention center.

County Engineer Ron McMaster Jr. reported that although the overlay project is finished, the company will continue to correct punch list items on problem areas. He also stated that since the deadline for the State Aid Striping Project has passed, liquidated damages will be charged to the contractor to have it completed.

McMaster also said striping for courthouse parking would take place the weekend of June 14 and had three bridge programs approved to execute them. The bridge programs include the New Hope and West Gallatin bridges, which are LSRP projects, and the Terry-Gatesville Bridge, which is a State Aid project.

Tax Assessor Todd Mooney received approval on a 2023 homestead correction with an associated reduction, a 2024 exemption with reduction, and an over 65 homestead correction due to the wrong social security number. He was also authorized to remove penalties on a mobile home due to death.

Upon Road Manager Richard Izard’s request, bids for bridge and culvert work will be reopened and advertised to complete several projects around the county. He was also approved to transfer Garrick Williams from a tractor driver to a truck driver and to hire Larry Allen as a tractor driver at the South Barn.

In additional business, the City of Hazlehurst’s request for assistance from the county to fix water runoff problems on Longie Dale Drive was approved.

Circuit Clerk Derrick Cubit was approved to contract with Pharos Consulting to assist with municipality redistricting at a cost of $960.

Emergency Management Services Director Rick Stevens got approval to pay two $25 structure-fire fees for service calls by the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department.

Frances Taylor was approved for registration, room, meals, and mileage for the election commissioners to attend their annual conference in Philadelphia Aug. 21-22.

Administrator Ronnie Barlow got approval to accept Gov. Tate Reeves’ declaration to observe July 5 as an extension of the July 4 holiday.

No action was taken in an executive session, and claims in the amount of $1,352,330.07 were approved.

The board adjourned until 9 a.m., July 1.