Report To The People

Former Governor Winter Honored For Service On Archives and History Board

By Tommy Reynolds

Last week, the House of Representatives passed by an overwhelming vote, a resolution commending former Governor, William F. Winter, on his service as a Trustee of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Governor Winter retired from the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History in January of this year, and the Resolution honors his service.

I very much appreciated the work that Governor Winter helped with, including funding for preservation of historic courthouses in Yalobusha County. Over $700,00 was distributed to Yalobusha County by the Department of Archives and History, under the leadership of Governor Winter, for renovation of the Water Valley and Coffeeville courthouses. I supported for the passage of the legislative funding provided for these improvements.

The Resolution set out that the Legislature commended Governor Winter’s work as an outstanding leader “in his role as President of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, where he made it possible for future generations to have the ability to reflect on the rich history of this great state.”

The House of Representatives, this last week, passed its version of Senate Bill 2929, which greatly strengthens penalties on copper, aluminum and other metal theft, and provides for methods to assist law enforcement in determining whether metal attempted to be sold, is stolen or not. This Bill comes in response to a rash of metal thievery, and is supported by the Manufacturers Association and the State Farm Bureau. Violators of the Act can be punished by imprisonment for up to 10 years, and a fine of not more than $10,000. In addition, any person found guilty of stealing metal property or receiving stolen metal property, shall be ordered to make full restitution to the victims, including restitution for property damage resulting from the theft of a persons property.

The House of Representatives voted to amend Senate Bill 2910, to provide for an Early Voting Pilot Program in five counties of the State, one of which is Lafayette County. Under this Pilot Program, individuals would be allowed to go to the Circuit Clerk‚s Office and cast a ballot, not more than 25 days prior to an election, nor more than 4 days before the election. Early voting is used in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, and many other states in our area, and a great many states in the Country utilize this procedure.

The purpose of the Pilot Program is to develop a system which can be safe and effective, that can be properly administered for the needs of our State.

If I can be of any assistance to you please call on me. My phone number in Jackson during the session is (601) 359-3365. The phone number in my Charleston office is (662) 647-3203, and my residence phone number is (662) 473-2571. I can also be contacted by writing me at my home address of 15 CR 429, Water Valley, MS 38965, or at my office address of P.O. Box 220, Charleston, MS 38921.