By Jeremy Weldon

The Batesville Rotary Club had Mayor Jerry Autrey speak to the group for an “end of the year” update at its regular lunch meeting Tuesday at the Panola Country Club. Autrey took the opportunity to encourage club members to continue supporting the city and efforts local officials are making to improve quality of life for its residents.

“I know you people and the Rotary Club is always known for being active and being involved in whatever things we have going on,” Autrey said. “We need you to keep participating and being involved in our projects. That’s the only way we are going to make it is if we work together.”

Autrey said the board of aldermen have several challenges in the coming year, mainly dealing with infrastructure problems that can’t be put off much longer. “It’s all underground and we can’t see it, but it’s a vital part of Batesville. We have a good water and sewer system now, but with new federal regulations coming down about wastewater and treatment plants we are going to have to spend some money to do some upgrades.”

He said the board is working closely with recently appointed Public Works Director David Karr  to find grants and low interest loans that will help the city complete the needed infrastructure repairs. Karr, longtime superintendent with the city’s wastewater department, now oversees all departments and reports to aldermen.

“David’s made a big difference already in getting our plans together for what the city needs to be doing and we are going to be doing a lot more in the next year,” Autrey said. “We are getting lots of help from TVEPA and everybody has been doing their part to improve the city. We just can’t let up because there’s people who want to move in here from the Delta and other places and sell dope and we aren’t going to allow it.”

“We have to stay ahead of the game,” he said. “We are surrounded by the Delta and some other detrimental things, but we aren’t going to let that stop our progress. We can’t do that. We have to continue to hold our own.”

Autrey also took the opportunity to push for support of Panola Medical Center. Too many people, he said, automatically look to other cities when seeking healthcare, leaving the Batesville hospital in dire straights.

“When businesses and industry look at a place to expand they study the schools and the hospital. We just won’t make it as a city without a good hospital and I believe we have one of the best. We are all going to have to make up our mind to support it,” he said.

“I’m asking you to each one help me keep Batesville moving forward. We have everything it takes, including a very good police and fire department,” he said. “We are bombarded on all sides, but I know we can hold our own.”

Autrey did enjoy some light moments with the Rotarians, especially when asked about his future plans for political office. “I’m always running, I run every day,” he joked when asked about the next election.

“I’m going to build a wall,” he said when asked about his plans to keep Batesville safe, bringing laughter from across the room.

“Seriously, I wanted to speak with the Rotary Club at this last meeting of the year and tell you that the mayor and the board of aldermen appreciate what you do for our city and ask you to please keep it up,” Autrey said.