What would you do?

[Tully Mars]

Okay, I may be setting myself up for a fall here but lets give this a try.

Political leanings aside, given the various issues and challenges that Hattiesburg currently faces (That are not unique to Hattiesburg by any means) put yourself in the decision making position. How would you address the challenges that this city faces such as:


Maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure including roads, water, wastewater, etc.
Dealing with the issues of somewhat one-sided (geographically speaking) growth.
Law enforcement
Employee morale
Budgetary challenges
Public relations
Environmental issues
Let's try to be a bit more inventive than solutions such as impeaching DuPree (Which is not possible under MS law anyway) or firing Wynn or whatever. Feel free to tackle any of the issues listed above or one or more of your choosing.

It is entirely possible that with the diverse brain-trust that is the membership of this site, some creative solutions might come to bear that could truly benefit the city.

[2002usmgrad]

I'll take a swing at this, sounds fun.


For the infrastructure and budgetary concerns I would bring in some nationally know consultants to assess the problems that we have. If there is a problem that we could not fix the problems with the money already coming in, I would take a look at a possible bond issue, but only the minimal amount we would need. I would hold several open forums with local business leaders and citizens to discuss they're concerns of a proposed bond bill before submitting it for approval. I would also explain in full detail what the bond bill will cover and the time it which these items should be finalized.

Under law enforcement I would instruct a full investigation by an outside firm that has no ties to the city. I would release the results of their investigation for the public and figure out the quickest solution to the problem.

For employee moral I would have yet another open forum (notice I'm big on open communication) to hear what exactly there problems are. If only select people know of the problems nothing will ever get done.
As far as public relations, I would have weekly, or every other week, press confrences with every media that wants to come and update them on the progress of our city. One of the most important things for the overall image of the city is to let the citizens know what's going on, even if it is something undesirable, this way they know how you are fixing the problem.

This may all sound general, but I feel that open communication is the best solution for government, that way every department is held accountable, and doesn't everyone work a little bit better when they are going to be held accountable for their actions.

[Tully Mars]

Way to go to both of you. Those are great responses and I would love to hear more.

[ynotme297]

i too liked all the above responces, but if we bring outside help figgure out what we need to do, bring them in from outside, and not use u.s.m.

[2002usmgrad]

i too liked all the above responces, but if we bring outside help figgure out what we need to do, bring them in from outside, and not use u.s.m.

I agree. It would have to be people other than from USM. As much as I love Southern, if someone other than a USM staff member was to say that the city does need to support the University, then the public I feel would be more apt to accept the deal.

[wilebill]

Dealing with the issues of somewhat one-sided (geographically speaking) growth.


Hattiesburg needs some water recreation. A theme park would be good too.


With the recent Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain and economic development, I'd buy most of east Hattiesburg and dig a big hole beside the Leaf River on the Hattiesburg side, in the city limits. A really long, big hole, and create a giant water park and theme park. People from all over the state would come and the tax revenues would far outweigh what little property taxes are now being paid.


What's left of east Hattiesburg would then be a big money-maker, on par with west Hattiesburg.

[2002usmgrad]

Here's an idea, what about a huge overpass between Old Hwy 11 and somewhere downtown, with only two exits, that way there is no traffic for those who need to get from one side of the town to the other. I wonder how much that would cost? hmmmm. :) :) :)

[HubCityMan1912]

"Here's an idea, what about a huge overpass between Old Hwy 11 and somewhere downtown, with only two exits, that way there is no traffic for those who need to get from one side of the town to the other. I wonder how much that would cost? hmmmm." :) :) :) [Quote--via 2002usmgrad]

2002USMgrad: According to [City Engineer] Bennie Sellers--about $7 million (that was in 1991 or '92)...The "3RD Bridge to Petal" [so called, in addition to the existing two "connectors" of East Hardy St/South Main Leaf River bridge and the 42/11 Bypass bridge over the Leaf] was first proposed by H'burg's first--and only--Republican Mayor, Paul Grady, in 1968, with the intent for H'burg to annex then-unincorporated Petal. (This met with unexpected [and of course some expected] opposition from all sides and was dropped.)...

The idea was next proposed by then-Ward 4 Councilman Scott Farris and publicly supported by then-Petal Mayor Jack Gay (with prominent coverage via HA), but the "Metropolitan Planning Organization" (MPO) did not support it (nor the Morgan Administration), and that was that...

Actually--[Ripley's?] believe it or not--that 1 or 2 mile stretch of Hwy 11, where it doglegs north in the left turn from East Front St onto Bouie St and then over the 42 Bypass Leaf River Bridge and on northeast past the entrance to Central Ave (Hwy 42) in Petal, is the ONLY "gap" in that Federal Highway (completed in 1939) from New Orleans to at least Chatanooga where it does NOT follow/parallel within 100 to 200 yards the right-of-way of the New Orleans & Northeastern (now Norfolk Southern) RR [opened in 1883]...Which in, in effect, has all these years deprived Petal of a direct connection to Downtown Hattiesburg (in years when that would have been much more important) and of course vice versa--to the detriment of both...The justifiable and long-awaited Gandy Parkway will partially address this 65+ year "gap" (i.e. crucial access to the Interstate and West Hattiesburg), but does nothing for Downtown, East, or Central Hattiesburg. (On the contrary, the Gandy Parkway alone--without the Downtown "Third Bridge"--"hurts" these parts of H'burg.)...

Always wondered what the "politics"/vested interests, etc., of late 1930's Hattiesburg were that routed that one and only critical part of Hwy 11 around and away from the railroad R-O-W like that? Anybody old enough to know? (Or who have researched the time period?...I know that on the other end of town [at that time], there was considerable debate pro & con as to whether the "new" Hwy 11 would enter H'burg from the southwest via Hardy St or Pine St. [Obviously, the Pine Street interests won out.])

[2002usmgrad]

wow, that's a whole lot more than I think I wanted to know, and dude, I was talking about a bridge from Old Hwy 11, you know, in Oak Grove, to downtown Hattiesburg, not Petal (you need like a passport to get there, haha)

[HubCityMan1912]

2002USmgrad: With all due respect, that road in "Oak Grove" that you mistakenly refer to as "Old Hwy 11" is misnamed due to ignorance/apathy...That stretch is properly named "Norton Road" and was NEVER part of the original "Old"/"Old" ORIGINAL Hwy 11 of 1920's "T-Model" fame. (i.e. The route that predated the "New" Hwy 11 route of 1939.)...Old/Old Hwy 11 turned east onto present-day "Oak Grove Road" where it conjoined with "Old Hwy 24" [the predecessor of "new" and present-day Hwy 98]...

By whatever name, your idea of an "expressway" linking east and west Metro Hattiesburg roughly parallel to Hardy St ("Old Hwy 24" and "Old Hwy 98" [now 198]), is a good and valid one that has come up in various circles--although not publicly to my knowledge--in just the last several years...I hope it--and the "3RD Bridge to Petal"--eventually become a reality, but please: Do NOT hold your breath!

[HubCityMan1912]

Sorry Queenie--just a pet peeve of mine that well-intentioned people dont know (or seem to care much about) their important local history/heritage/tradition...I strongly believe that such knowledge/interest gives needed perspective and positively informs/influences the present and future..."Knowledge is Power!"

[King Kong]

Ok here is what I would do if the apes were in charge.

(Budgetary challenges) I would kidnap that Tully brain and make him construct the world’s largest jungle gym. This would surely be a huge attraction for our city and I would make everyone pay $100,000,000.00 each to enter. (Environmental & Roads) Then I would do away with all of the roads and I would plant trees everywhere. Then everyone could just swing from vine to vine to get where they need to go.

Law enforcement would be headed up by the biggest and ugliest ape, So ok the chief would still keep his job, but I promise you in this new Hattiesburg he would work out great.

Next, employee moral, everyone who worked for the city would receive a bushel of bananas a month. They would all feel great because they would be getting the potassium they need for strong bodies.

Last would be East Vs. West in a Ultimate Cage Match Challenge. The best of the best fighters from both sides get to duke it out and the last one standing gets to be mayor.

Planet of The Apes all over again! :monkey: :monkey: :monkey:

[Tully Mars]

(Budgetary challenges) I would kidnap that Tully brain and make him construct the world’s largest jungle gym.


I've already done that once. Please don't make me do it again.:grin:

[jmack]

Law enforcement would be headed up by the biggest and ugliest ape, So ok the chief would still keep his job, but I promise you in this new Hattiesburg he would work out great.

:monkey: :monkey: :monkey:



Hmmm, justWynn and Reverand might find this post offensive. I think the deacons may be gathering up as we speak.:icon_smas

[King Kong]

It was just a joke jmack! But hey why not just blow it up in quotes and bring it to everyone’s attention. :icon_blac