BY Jack Criss
DBJ Executive Editor
Senator Trent Lott is a happy man.
With Republicans in control of both chambers of Congress and the White House
after a dramatic November 6 election result, Senator Lott resumes his position
of Majority Leader, a role he had held from June, 1996 to May of last year.
Needless to say, Lott was buoyant about the historical opportunity before
him and his party. In his Washington office, already working earnestly the
day after the election, Senator Lott spoke to DBJ Publisher Scott Coopwood.
“A lot of people don’t get a second chance in life,” Lott
says, “and I’m fortunate to be back in this leadership position.
I’m very humbled. Of course, I’m obviously excited and we’re
ready to get to work to do some things for Mississippi and for the country.”
BY Andy Ellis
DBJ Editor
The Mid-Delta Regional Airport located in Greenville, Mississippi, recently
announced the opening of the Greenville Air Force Base Museum. The museum
highlights the rich history of the Airport and contains numerous aircraft
related artifacts from throughout the years.
“The project began several years ago,” says Airport Director
Darrell Forman. “We had many people who were interested in the history
of the Airport, and this inquiry spurred the mayor to form a committee.
This committee’s goal was to develop the museum.” Forman also
credits committee chairman Ben Nelkin for much of the initial and ongoing
work involved in establishing the museum. Forman continues, “We
also received a great deal of input from men and women who served on the
base.” In addition Forman says many corporate sponsors including
MDEZA (Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance Inc.) contributed a great deal
towards the formation of the museum.
BY Lana Draper
DBJ Contributing Writer
In 1973, when Greenville native Dr. Robert Elliott founded the Elliott Mastology
Center in Baton Rouge, LA, (now called the Elliott-Hailey-Head Breast Cancer
Research and Treatment Center), his dream was to create the finest place in
the world for breast health care. His unique approach to breast health has
been to provide comprehensive, all-inclusive care, from routine breast exams
and early detection with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and procedures,
to in-depth scientific research and the development of innovative treatments
for breast disease, all under one roof. It is Dr. Elliott’s longterm
commitment to breast cancer research that has now attracted the attention
of one of the world’s most prestigious breast cancer research centers,
the Norwegian Radium Hospital.
In October of this year, the Elliott-Hailey-Head Breast Cancer Research and
Treatment Center (and its Breast and Prostate Foundations) signed a memorandum
of understanding to cooperate in cancer vaccine research with the Norwegian
Radium Hospital, the largest cancer treatment and research facility in all
of northern Europe. They will share their already accumulated research data,
and collaborate closely in the development of new cancer treatments.
BY Andy Ellis
DBJ Editor
The Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance Inc. (MDEZA) recently appointed John
C. Greer as executive director of the organization. MDEZA, which has become
the subject of much controversy due to dwindling financial resources, has
hired Greer to help put things back on the right track. Greer is the fifth
executive director for MDEZA since its inception.
MDEZA began as part of the Empowerment Zone program, which started under the
Clinton Administration in 1993. The goal of the organization is to bring new
growth to the poorer regions and communities of the Delta with the help of
funding for education and economic development. Of the $40 million original
dollars allotted to MDEZA, less than one million is remaining today, and to
date, little has been done to rejuvenate funds.
BY Jeff Pesilli
Special to the DBJ
In October, Tunica County held an official groundbreaking for its new airport,
one of several capital improvement projects being built to enhance and diversify
the area’s growing tourism economy.
For the past year, work has been quietly underway to make the tiny Tunica
Airport one of the largest in the state of Mississippi. By the time the
$38 million project is completed, the airport will be tied as Mississippi’s
fourth largest and will be able to handle medium-bodied commercial jets,
such as Boeing 747s. It will initially serve the gaming industry but is
designed to encourage the development of aviation-related businesses around
the facility.
BY Jeff Pesilli
Special to the DBJ
Cellular South, a Mississippi-based wireless company, has upgraded its
Mississippi network with installation of third generation (3G) digital
wireless technology. The improvements provide increased network capacity
for voice traffic, allowing Cellular South to continue offering competitive
calling plans, such as its new unlimited plan. Called Code-Division Multiple
Access 1XRTT (CDMA 1X), the new technology also will act as a platform
for future expansion of wireless data services.
“The CDMA 1X network helps support our high growth rate in usage
minutes,” says Hu Meena, Cellular South president. “Simply
put, our customers are using their wireless phones more. As their usage
increases, advanced technology allows us to operate more efficiently and
economically, and lets us maintain affordable rates even as wireless voice
and data traffic escalates.”
BY Brian Perry
Executive Editor
Stunned disbelief gripped Democrats. Amazed exuberance filled Republicans.
This was the 2002 Election, a historic win by the GOP.
The failure of the Democratic Party was a failure in campaign message.
Republicans campaigned with a popular president urging voters to elect
a legislature to pass his agenda. The Democrats could only muster criticism
based on the country’s economic status.
Traditionally, the “team” message Republicans used hasn’t
resonated with voters, while the economy has been a political Holy Grail.
This year, voters made the two-step connection and sent Bush the Republican
Congress he wanted, while refusing to blame his party for the nation’s
economy.
This may signal voters are becoming more sophisticated, or more entertained.
Several million viewers a night tune to Fox News, MSNBC and CNN. Add millions
of talk radio listeners and the constant focus on political news by talking
heads and witness the impact on the electoral culture. Vote tendencies
still shift during poor economic times, but citizens may be intellectually
ready to withhold blame or reward based solely on the uncontrollable tide
of economic success and failure.
By: Mary Ellen Powell
DBJ Contributing Writertor
In 1854, the founder of Clarksdale, John Clark, and his wife, Eliza,
dreamed of building an elegant two-story mansion on a ridge near the Sunflower
River. Their dream became a reality when construction began on the house
in 1859. Now, almost 150 years later, the Clark’s dream home still
stands in what is now known as Clarksdale, Mississippi, where it has been
returned to its original grace and elegance by Billy and Lillie Strohm.
The house is prominently located in the heart of downtown Clarksdale and
has always been of interest to the Strohms, long-time Delta residents
and local business owners of Gator Mills, Inc., a manufacturer of sporting
goods apparel. When it came up for sale in 2000, they saw the potential
of the home and wanted to see an important part of Clarksdale’s
heritage preserved.
Upon buying the house, they set out to painstakingly restore all of its
many historical details. Billy Strohm has overseen the restorations for
well over a year while Lillie has traveled to Paris to find just the right
furnishings.
“The home was in great need of restoration when we bought it and
we have been working on it for a year and three months,” explains
Lillie. “We began by leveling the foundation and have worked our
way up from there. There is not a single board on the house that has not
been reworked.”
By: Mary Ellen Powell
DBJ Contributing Writer
In an effort to increase archaeological and historical awareness in the Mississippi Delta, the Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC) along with the Greenville/Washington County CVB, recently presented the DSU Delta Center for Culture with a copy of the Historic and Archaeological Inventory of Mississippi’s Great River Road. This reference tool, funded by the Mississippi Department of Transportation and produced by the Social Science Research Center at MSU, sites details all of the historic and cultural site found along the Mississippi portion of the Great River Road. This inventory was designed as a resource for communities to use in developing their portion of the Great River Road in an effort to preserve their local history and derive economic benefits from their preservation efforts. The Great River Road, which falls under the auspices of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, passes through 12 counties and numerous towns along the 350-mile corridor encompassing all of Highway 1 and portions of Highway 61.
By: Mary Ellen Powell
DBJ Contributing Writer
A Biloxi family builds new possibilities at Delta State University with
a seven figure gift to theUniversity. Since their first visit to campus,
Billy and Patty Dorgan, Sr., owners of Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation
Biloxi/Gulfport, have considered themselves a part of the Delta State
University family. Their son, Billy, Jr, is a recent Delta State graduate.
“Billy’s story is an example of a student being provided an
opportunity to achieve academically and athletically.” says Billy
Dorgan, Sr., “We want to help make available to all students the
very best education and we think that is at Delta State University.”
The Dorgan’s feel very strongly about the opportunities here at
Delta State. In fact the family has given the university a $1 million
dollar gift. “We are deeply grateful to the Dorgan family for this
remarkable gift,” says Dr. David Potter, Delta State’s President,
“We are especially pleased the gift expresses their appreciation
for the educational experience provided their son by Delta State University.”
The Dorgan’s generosity will fund a new Athletic Complex. The Dorgan’s
have given special consideration to the new facility, “It is important
to us that the facility contains space that will enhance the academic
aspects of all student-athletes.” The facility will include academic
support classrooms for tutoring, research, and other intellectual pursuits.
Offices and meeting rooms necessary to the student-athlete programs will
also be included. The Dorgan’s have high hopes for the new facility.
They hope the university is able to uses the facility as a recruiting
tool for Mississippi students, as well as across the nation. Through the
entire planning stages, the student has come first, “The facility
is designed to meet student needs both academically and athletically to
make them competitive on the field and in the classroom,” says Billy
Dorgan, Sr.
By: Mary Ellen Powell
Special to the DBJ
Businesses and industries located in parts of Mississippi could receive thousands of dollars in tax credits under a new Federal program available in Mississippi. In January, the state received one of only 12 Rural Renewal Community (RC) designations given nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development. The program allows businesses and industries in the designated area to receive valuable tax credits and incentives that will provide the business with immediate tax relief. The RC program began January 1, 2002 and continues through December 31, 2009. Mississippi’s designated area includes portions of the 13 counties and 30 municipalities located in the central part of the state.
By: Mary Ellen Powell
DBJ Contributing Writer
Genesis Gallery of Fine Art in Yazoo City brings talent from around
the state and the country right into the Delta’s own backyard
Heading north on Highway 49 around Yazoo City, travelers enter the Delta
proper. Just the name “Delta” conjures up images crops,
combines, and . . . canvases? Perhaps works of art do not immediately
come to mind when thinking of the Delta, but the owner of the Genesis
Gallery of Fine Art in Yazoo City hopes that that will change.
Opening an art gallery in the Delta may not seem like an obvious choice,
but the area abounds with talented artists who have historically had
few outlets for their work.
Gallery owner Tina Bradford says, “There are very few galleries
north of Jackson and almost none in the Delta, but there are so many
artists and there is a need for a place to display their work.
“We have the work of over 50 artists in the gallery and 43 are
from within our state. When the gallery opened, artists came asking
us to exhibit their work. I was amazed at the large number of wonderful
artists that we have right here in the Delta.”
By: Denise Jones
DBJ Contributing Writer
Many famous chefs from around the country recently participated in the
annual James Beard Foundation dinner at KC’s Restaurant in Cleveland
to raise money for culinary arts.
The James Beard Foundation celebrates the country’s culinary artists
by providing scholarships, educational opportunities and by serving as
a resource for people in the culinary industry,
“This was our eighth year to have the dinner and it was a sell out,”
Wally Joe, KC’s famous chef and part owner says. “All proceeds
went straight to the foundation,” he adds.
Joe became a member of the James Beard Foundation eight years ago when
he was invited to present a meal at the Beard House in New York.
By: Eva Ann Dorris
Special to the DBJ
A ride through the Mississippi Delta in mid November revealed an unusual
and alarming site. Field after field of cotton was still white with the
glow of an unharvested bounty. Up to 20 inches of rain in September and
October pushed Mississippi's cotton harvest weeks behind schedule and
robbed many cotton growers of what could have been the crop of a lifetime.
When cotton harvest began in earnest in early September, yields in the
Delta were nothing short of phenomenal. Yields of up to three bales to
the acre were common as gins geared up for a season that promised to put
the industry back on track.
BY Scott Coopwood
DBJ Publisher
As the end of the year quickly approaches and as we publish this December issue of the DBJ, I have been thinking a lot about what took place in my life during 2002. The holidays are always a great family time and this year Cindy and I will celebrate a very extra special Christmas as on December 23, our only daughter, Travis, will celebrate her first birthday. This time last year we were worried about what kind of Christmas the boys (Thomas 8, Jordan 6) would have since Cindy was actually due on December 25. As it turned out, Cindy was able to come home on December 24 and with her mother¹s help, the boys had a great Christmas.
BY Jack Criss
Executive Editor
The recent elections proved to be a huge victory for the
Republican Party, the media’s bellyaching notwithstanding.
While the 2002 “mandate” is not quite as strong
or as ideologically driven as the 1994 revolution, the GOP
still has much to be excited about. Unfortunately, I don’t
see that same excitement carrying over to the voters.
I commented to my wife the day after the election that I
saw the Republican triumph as more of an endorsement of
President Bush than of any major swing to the right. A majority
of this country’s citizens are, I believe, tired of
the American-apologists and business bashers who have taken
over the Democratic Party. In the aftermath of September
11, I think that most people in this country are behind
Bush; consequently, they voted Republican.