Aldermen discuss enforcing dog ordinance

The Choctaw Plaindealer

Citizens in the Town of Ackerman want the town to strictly enforce the town's dog ordinance. In the May 5, Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Dick Cain said that a petition was submitted with signatures from all over town, asking the town to enforce their ordinance.

Cain said that Kosciusko said Ackerman could impound dogs in their animal shelter for $7 by the town doesn't have a way of catching the dogs.

The board discussed ways of catching dogs and who would be responsible for that.

"I'd hate for us to be down there (catching dogs) and somebody rob the bank," said George Rooks, Ward 3 alderman.

Dale Reid, Ward 4 alderman, said it would be expensive to hire someone to travel to Kosciusko to place the dogs in their animal shelter.

"Not an easy answer to the question, I have two (dogs) myself," said Reid.

The board agreed that they do not want to destroy people's pets for breaking the ordinance.

Rooks said he needed more time to think about a solution. Reid suggested printing the ordinance to give the citizens a fair warning of the rules.

Cain suggested tabling the matter to next month and in the meantime, he will check with other cities to see what they do about loose dogs and the expenses of it.

Another problem the town is experiencing, is seeing many household items, such as mattresses and couches being left on the streets.

Mike Brasher, Public Works director, talked with Choctaw County, and the county agreed to allow the town to dump for free at the landfill.

After as discussion, the board agreed to allow Brasher to either set up a dumpsite or pick up items such as couches, refrigerators and mattresses from people in town and to dump them at the county's landfill.

Alderman at large Barney Phelps reminded Brasher that if rules were not made, then the Public Works crew would be picking up item everyday.

In the board meeting, Traci Monegon, a concerned citizen asked the board to consider not adding fluoride to the town's water because it may cause health problems.

She researched affects of fluoride in water and gave the board a copy of her research.

Monegon said people already receive small amounts of fluoride from foods and drinks. She said a few of the health risks could cause hyperactivity, cancer, birth defects and diabetes.

"I'm not an expert or going to tell you that it will happen to you or not," said Monegon.

She said many states and towns have rejected fluoride in the water because it may cause harm to their citizens.

"It's something to think about," said Monegon.

Later in the meeting, the board approved a bid for the fluoridation system from Hemphill Construction of Florence for $50,300, which includes a one-year supply of the fluoride chemical.

Brasher said the Town previously was approved for the 100 percent fluoridation grant from the Mississippi Department of Health.

"MDH does recommend to the tune of $50,000 to have fluoride in the water," said Brasher.

In another discussion, the board talked about creating rules for the town's walking track.

Cain said they have received complaints about skateboards being used on the track/

He said the track was built with funds for multi-use and suggested creating rules to what can and cannot be used on the track.

The board decided to talk about this more next month.

In department head reports, Brasher said the Public Works crews have been busy cutting grass and working on the grant application for the sewer system.

Police Chief Rickey Thornton said the APD wrote 15 tickets and completed the COPS grant application.

Thornton reminded everyone that no 4-wheelers or golf carts are allowed in the streets and if they are seen citations will be issued.

Before closing the meeting, Joe Griffin, board attorney, asked for an executive session to confer about the election commissioners ruling being appealed to Circuit Court. Tim Rogers, mayoral candidate, previously appealed to the election commissioners challenging Mayor Dick Cain's signatures on his qualification petition, the election commission ruled that Cain did have 50 qualified signatures.

In executive session, the aldermen approve to hire Rodney Favor to represent the town and election commissioners in the Circuit Court case brought by Rogers.

In other board business the aldermen approved:

¥ A fee charge of $25 per hour and $1 copy per page.

¥ To move the June board meeting date to June 9 because the normal monthly date is on Election Day. The board will meet June 9 at 6 p.m. in the boardroom at Town Hall.

¥ Part-time summer help at minimum wage, as needed.

¥ The 2006 IC Building Codes, to start implementing as the Town's building codes.

¥ The utilization of the Gov. Haley Barbour approved House Bill 728 that aides in cleaning up property.

¥ Purchase a used truck for the Water and Sewer department within budget. Cain said $16,000 was budgeted to purchase the truck.

¥ Application for a 2009 CDBG grant for $450,000 to clean the sewer system and resolution stating Ackerman can apply to the state of Mississippi for the grant.

¥ Mutual aid agreement between the Town of Ackerman and Louisville for communication purposes.

¥ Purchase of a bushhog from Malone Equipment in Carthage for $17,040.

¥ Travel for Thornton to a police seminar in Biloxi June 9.

¥ Annual $2,000 donation to JuneFest.

¥ Purchase of three ads for $45 in the AHS band calendar.