By Billy Davis

Sardis Mayor Rusty Dye asked county supervisors Monday to join him in a trip to Washington, D.C. in coming weeks to discuss the transfer of federal-owned property at Sardis Lake

The City of Sardis is seeking ownership of 1,000 acres it currently leases, and also seeks a second 1,000 acres that adjoins it, in order to develop the property for a resort area.

The transfer could be completed by September, the mayor told supervisors.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker confirmed in February, when queried by The Panolian, that he is discussing the property transfer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Sardis Lake Marina is located on a portion of the 1,000-acre site, and a developer is eyeing the nearby property for construction of a hotel and conference center, golf course, and condominiums.

The city currently holds a 25-year lease for the 1,000 acres, and the developer is seeking more property, or a 99-year lease, or both.

Sardis officials have not disclosed the name of the potential developer. Nor have the ongoing negotiations been made public until The Panolian story was published February 6.

The Panolian sought to confirm the private negotiations when Sardis Lake residents, after hearing about a possible land development, contacted the newspaper.

A spokesman for Wicker said at the time that no legislation had been introduced related to the property transfer.

Dye’s reason for seeking county involvement was not made clear Monday, but he has said the economic impact could be an economic boon to the county.

The development would be a “shot in the arm for Panola County and surrounding areas,” he told The Panolian in February.

Board of Supervisors president Gary Thompson, reached after the board meeting, said the current board has not been involved in the property transfer.

Dye expressed urgency for a face-to-face meeting in Washington, possibly by July 1.

“They’re hot after it right now,” he said of Mississippi’s congressional delegation.

The Sardis Board of Aldermen has already approved his trip, he said.

The Sardis mayor also told supervisors the development could employ 900 people. He restated that figure to a reporter when asked if the job numbers had been stated correctly.

“Those are permanent jobs,” he said.

In addition to Dye’s visit, supervisors were also visited by the mayor of Como and the mayor-elect of Crenshaw.

Como Mayor Judy Sumner, when recognized by the board, said she would be more visible at future meetings.

Sumner had served about two years of a four-year term when voters returned her to office on May 2, giving her a first full term.

“You will be seeing a lot of me,” Sumner told supervisors. “I got my feet wet. Now I’m up to my knees.”

Crenshaw Mayor-elect Oscar Barlow introduced himself to supervisors and said the town government was committed to cooperating with county government.

Barlow had served as mayor before losing in 2005 to Sylvester Reed. Barlow defeated Reed on May 2 to return to office.

Barlow told supervisors he had met with County Administrator Kelley Magee to “work on some things” but did not elaborate.

The town of Crenshaw owes thousands of past-due dollars to the county’s solid waste department and to the county jail for housing inmates.

Barlow has said he would work to pay down those debts if voters return him to office.