The Choctaw Plaindealer

The new Choctaw County Medical Center ambulance went into service about the same time the 2004 van ambulance was taken out of service for repairs.

Edwin Mitchell new, CCMC director of EMS, told the supervisors, in the Dec. 22 board meeting, that the 2004 van ambulance needs $1,800 of body work done from earlier accident and needs $1,600 to fix two alternators and vacuum pump plus the emergency lights pull to much power.

Mitchell said the only qualified manufacturers to repair the ambulance were located in Kentucky.

"Thank you for your support and for this new ambulance," said Mitchell.

He added that the citizens will appreciate it and it has many amenities in it.

The board decided to talk with Steve Montgomery, Choctaw County Emergency Management director, about the problems with the ambulance.

Marty Crowder, county engineer, attended the board meeting and answered questions about the Airport Project of the runway protection zone.

The FFA funds 95 percent for this project and now they told Crowder they do not want to spend money purchasing easements instead of purchasing land to clear the runway.

Crowder said the FFA previously told them they would fund the easements from landowners.

District 4 Supervisor and board president Thomas Higgins said the county may be better purchasing the easements compared to how much money the county receives from FFA.

The board discussed options of purchasing easements or purchasing land from the landowners.

Don Threadgill, Chancery clerk, asked Crowder want he envisions in the future for the airport.

Crowder said the Airport board would like to build a hanger to park planes and a fuel farm to fuel planes. He said both additions would create more business and interest to the Choctaw County Airport but the safety issues have to be done first.

The board took no action but discussed options of easements, purchasing land and funding for either option.

Another discussion in the board meeting was about whether to join North Mississippi EMS organization or not.

District 3 Supervisor Chris McIntire said he was worried about who would keep up with training records and when volunteer firefighters needed recertification if they did not join NM EMS.

The board discussed who they believe should be responsible for keeping up with the records.

McIntire suggested having the 911 dispatchers keep up with a list of when each firefighter needs training and submit that list to Montgomery once a month.

The board discussed options of how they would or would not work and decided that McIntire would discuss it with Montgomery.

In other business the board approved:

€ The amended list of school bus turnarounds and repairs.

€ Inventory deletion list.

€ Reduction and increase of land assessments submitted by Lynn Ray, tax collector/assessor.

€ Prices for temporary uses of four and six yard dumpsters.

€ Fully executed the Solid Waste competitive grant that was previously accepted for $15,000 to clean illegal dumpsites.

€ Terminated contract with LMII, a software support company on scanning equipment.

€ Hired Mary Beth Maness as deputy Circuit clerk by recommendation of Peggy Miller, Circuit clerk, to fill vacancy by Ethel Frazier's retirement.