Letters To Editor – June 28, 2012

To the Editor:
This letter is in response to an article written in the Herald last Thursday, June 21. The article, by reporter Jack Gurner, which covered the meeting held by the director of Asset Develop-ment of the Mississippi Development Authority, was very informative.
Water Valley is on the verge of economic growth and job opportunity that has not been seen in years. It is so important, and even vital, that our elected officials participate in this process. It saddens me that Supervisor Lee McMinn was the only representative of our local government in attendance.
This city has a number of great assets and I firmly believe that by working together, Water Valley can again be the prosperous and vibrant city that it once was.
Sincerely,
J. Clayton Peacock

Dear Editor,
  Sid Salter, in an editorial in the June 20th Clarion Ledger, described in clear mathematical detail the stronghold gas prices have on the Mississippi economy. He pointed out that using an average gas price of $3.19 per gallon (40 to 50 cents a gallon lower than Yalobusha County gas prices have been until the last few weeks) the average Mississippi family is paying 11.8 percent of their total income for gasoline.
  Even though several other states he mentioned had higher gas prices, because of higher incomes, lower percentages of family income were going for gas. For example, Alaska, 5.2 percent; California, 7.1 percent; and Connecticut only 2.5 percent.
  Since average gas prices locally have been much higher than $3.19 (until the last few days), then obviously a higher percentage of family income has gone for gas than 11.8 percent.
  Salter, also stated that Mississippi, being largely rural, requires many of its workers to have to drive greater distances to work, requiring usage of even more gasoline.
  By now it should become clear to the reader that if a larger percent of family income is being spent just for transportation then less can be used for necessities (forget the luxuries) and every local business takes the hit.
  Joe Lowe

Letter to the Editor:
    I moved to Water Valley in 1945 and we stayed in the Blackmur Hotel for a week. Miss Kate was working there and Mr. Grooves had his barber shop in the back. Next door was the Blackmur Cafe run by the Stamolis brothers, John and Nick, John’s wife was the cashier.
    Next door to the cafe was French’s Drug Store. Dewitt French was the son of Dr. French and he was the pharmacist. Dr. French had an office behind the drug store and I think it was in 1946. Dr. Ben Evans opened an office beside the drug store and I think it was in 1946.
    Dr. Ben Evans opened an office beside Dr. French. I worked at the drug store for two years and I enjoyed every minute, especially all that free ice cream.
    Margie Williamson