Selected
Article:
68th
meeting of Delta Council centered on economics, leadership
Event
held at DSU continues to be highlight of the year
BY
ALLEN ROARK
DBJ Contributing Writer.
In a
ritual of Spring, the Delta Council presented its annual
report to members, associates and friends of the economic
development group, on May 9 on the campus of Delta State
University. This year’s event—the 68th—
featured a keynote address by Secretary of the Treasury
John Snow, a political “update” by Washington
analyst and insider, Stu Rothenberg.
Dan Branton, Leland farmer, was named the 2003-2004 President
of Delta Council, succeeding outgoing president, Bryan Jones
of Yazoo City. The announcement came before the 2,000-plus
attendees, comprised of a veritable Delta’s Who’s
Who, gathered inside the Bologna Performing Arts Center
to hear Snow’s keynote speech.
“I can think of no other person more suitable than
Dan Branton to lead Delta Council over the next year,”
said Jones. “He not only has a working knowledge of
the diverse and complex issues that the Delta faces, but
also possesses the wherewithal to pull the right people
together to address them.”
Serving with Branton for the 2003-2004 term will be: Yazoo
City Supervisor Cobie Collins; Cleveland Marketing Executive
and Delta Business Journal Publisher, Scott Coopwood; Coahoma
County farmer John McKee; Sunflower County Supervisor Carver
Randle; Leflore County businessman Ronnie Robertson and
agricultural supply dealer Mike Sanders. Anguilla banker,
Fred Miller, will serve a second term as Treasurer. Sherry
Smythe of Leland was named the Delta Council’s “Good
Middling Lady”.
Also at the meeting, over 70 of the top high school students
in the Delta were honored in the 2003 Salute to Delta Honor
Graduates ceremony. Lt. Governor Amy Tuck and the Delta’s
top business, educational and agricultural leaders greeted
the students and parents. Each student was presented with
a special certificate of recognition for having achieved
the distinguished honor.
“Having served as an educator myself, I realize the
importance of recognizing those students who have beyond
the call of duty,” Tuck said in her address. “The
Salute to Delta Honor Graduates is one way for the top leadership
in the Delta and our state to say congratulations. Also,
we hope that these students will return to the Delta upon
completion of their formal education.”
Secretary Snow, in his keynote addresses, placed special
emphasis on President Bush’s tax cut plan. “It
will put more money in people’s pockets,” Snow
said. “They will be inclined to spend it. As they
do so, it expands businesses around the country. As they
see their cash flow go up, they’re inclined to expand.”
Sponsors for the Delta Council’s 68th Annual Meeting
this year were: BankPlus, Delta Regional Medical Center,
Land Banks of Mississippi, KBH, Morgan Keegan, WABG-TV.
The Delta Council is an economic development organization
dedicated to improving agriculture, flood control and drainage,
and manufacturing in the region. DBJ
