By Rupert Howell
Supervisors authorized Road Manager Bean to replace 71’ of culvert that go through the property of William McNutt on Waldrip Road during last Monday’s board meeting in Batesville.
 Bean sought the authorization stating that culverts transfer water from a bayou into county road ditches through McNutt’s property and will cause damage if not replaced while stating the pipes were “almost stopped up.”

Another culvert nearby on county right-of-way also needs replacing. Bean explained that culvert would also be replaced but did not require board action as it was on county property.
District Three supervisor John Thomas and Bean also said the transport of large pipes on that road by the local gas transmission station is causing damage to the road and the water lines beneath them.

“It’s going to ruin that road,” Supervisor Thomas stated.

In other business Monday, Panola Partnership Director Sonny Simmons asked supervisors to pass a resolution seeking assistance with the “Missing Link,”, to get Highway 6/278 four laned between Batesville and  Clarksdale. Supervisors and aldermen from the respective towns and counties involved are passing similar resolutions.

Simmons said Senator Roger Wicker has introduced a bill that would provide $100 million for highways in north Mississippi through the Appalachain Regional Commission, but it was yet to pass.

“It would be a starting place. You’ve got to start somewhere,” Simmons said.

Simmons also discussed local officials including Batesville elected officials and county supervisors gathering monthly with Partnership board members for a breakfast meeting to discuss interests, goals and ambitions of the collective groups.

That meeting is tentatively scheduled for the second Monday of each month.