Despite Tough Times, Hart Reports The Valley Is Vibrant

Asphalt paving began last Friday at the Crawford Sports Complex and continues this week on the City streets. About a half mile of work is scheduled for four or five different streets, according to Street Department Supervisor Mike Scroggins. – Photo by Jack Gurner

By Jack Gurner
Reporter

WATER VALLEY – The City is financially sound, Mayor Larry Hart said during a brief state of the City address at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet last Thursday.

“We’re not rolling in the bread,” he said. “But, we are comfortable. Even to the point that we’ve decided to start putting down a little asphalt.”

Hart said that paving was to begin the next day. “That’s pretty expensive stuff,” the Mayor explained. “Use to you could put down twice as much asphalt for the same money today.”

“We’re going to do it each year as we did in the past and try to get our streets back in shape and looking good.”

Hart said that people were also concerned about the City’s water and sewer infrastructure. “It’s a perpetual situation and each administration has to battle that each four-year term.”

City officials are trying to secure about $600,000 for a major sewer project, according to Hart.

“Then everybody likes to know about jobs,” he continued. “I personally believe that job growth over the next couple of years is going to come from existing industry.”

“We’ve very blessed here in Water Valley to have some good industry.”

Hart said that he had been at the BorgWarner plant and the plant manager had given him some negative news for 2012. “But, then right on top of that we’ve got some good positive things coming along.”

“We may lose the Ford line in 2012. But, we’ve got our fingers crossed and our prayers offered up that we’re going to get a good GM contract that will offset that loss and increase employment there.”

“The poultry plant is still doing pretty good. They employ about 125 or 130 people,” said Hart. “We’re working with them right now on an expansion that could take them up another 30 employees or so.”

“Ultimately we hope to reach a plateau of cooking in that operation that, when it is all said and done, will employ about 350 people.”

Hart said that he was also excited about the Main Street Association. “We have some real exciting things in the near future in relation to our Main Street effort and the improvement of Main Street, the beautification of Main Street.”

“We see trees down town. We see refurbished buildings. Some of that is already going on,” the Mayor said. “I’m really excited about what Mickey Howley and his group are doing and we as a City are looking forward to working with them.”

The Mayor said that the most exciting thing for him personally was to acknowledge the beautiful energy that is in our community. “All the organizations…lot of things buzzing…lot of things going on.”

“Our civic organizations are doing great work. I mention Main Street. I mention Chamber of Commerce here. I just sense a very, very high spirit of pride. So many people wanting to see our City improve and grow and beautify.

“And, we can do that,” Hart concluded.