Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 15

DEATHS 2 JACK SUNN 3 MONDAY MONEY 4 MONDAY MONEY '-'THE CLARION-LEDGER JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI p. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1994 BEGINS ON PAGE 4B 15) ED vj I I DANNY f--- Mckenzie Columnist I The Clarion-Ledger i- 4 A Jl I i mm! hi Ti'l ffy-L'yTsarei'arTeirTg Morris provides -insight as speaker as welfas writer Canton offers right touch for Welty ETV film Hospital closing lamented Shutting South Mississippi State Hospital termed "gross mistake." By Ksvin Cray Special to The Clarion-Ledgef LAUREL Five years after it closed its doors, South Mississippi State Hospital sits with shuttered windows and an empty operating room, and some physicians say the people it once served suffer inadequate health care. The hospital's former medical director, Dr. J.U. Morrison, and several local leaders said thousands of area residents are not getting the quality care they had prior to the hospital's June 1989 closing.

"The hospital's old patients and new ones go to the other hospital across town and they swamp the emergency room," said Morrison, who now operates the Laurel Fam-' Observations, opinions and other stuff. was a sname more people weren't at the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts i program a couple of weeks ago. i They would have heard several wonderful speeches and wry comments, but the most moving remarks came, not unexpectedly, from I Willie Morris, the benevolent author, editor and native of Yazoo City, who was presented the Artist's Achievement Award. By Toni Williams Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer hhi i i i mill -mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmHcrs I Cf i --f i i-- i NNsw 1- ylr I 1 CANTON It was February a white-skied cool Sunday in the early morning when a director maneuvered his cast in Canton. That's a bit removed from the bright, frozen December day Eudora Welty described in her classic American short story, A Worn Path, set in Natchez.

But it was similar enough for Bruce Schwartz of Palos Verdes, to try to capture in sights and sounds a story that changed his life. "This story is so inspirational because it demonstrates a woman's fight against the His spoken words at the ceremony sponsored "I by the Mississippi Arts Commission were as y. powerful as his written words, and, all these days later, bear repeating. Morris swallowed hard several times and concluded his comments with words about his beloved and tormented home state, then made it clear why the arts are or should be so "5 very important to us all: "Today, let us uphold anew that 'other '4 sissippi' as recognized by the historian David ily Health Clinic. "It has caused tremendous prob lems.

"It was a gross mistake to just environment and her mind," said Schwartz, director and screenplay writer of A Worn Path. Schwartz, a literature professor at Marymount College in California, is spending the 1993-94 academic year on sabbatical to transform the Jackson Try literary tradition, not of ignominy but of nobil-r ity, not of nihilism and injustice but of human-fityand charity. "We must work for and affirm these finer im-pulses of our character most of all for our proge--c ny, for those children of all races still unborn must someday share the complex, in-V dwelling destiny of this state. "Any society which has given the nation and the world its profound and abiding lineage of art, music and writing a literature suffused with its immense feeling and compassion and imagination and courage could yet, in the declining years of this century, set an example for the larger American civilization. "For in the heart of us as Mississippi people our stories and memories, through old times our hard-earned and enduring literature that we may heed it." And we thought he was just a writer Jordan on Jefferson Speaking of speaking: Dan Jordan, a native of Philadelphia and Ole Miss alumnus and the executive director of the Tom RosterThe Clarion-Ladger On the set of the film A Worn Path, ac- les talks to Michael Stevens, 7, of Jack-tress Cora Lee Day, 72, (left) of Los Ange- son, who plays a paper boy in the film.

Petty writer's story into a 30- minute movie tor Mississippi ETV. The production should air before the end of this year, he said. The cast and crew of the production are in Canton to film more than 80 percent of the show's scenes, Schwartz said. Filming began last Wednesday and continues through this Wednesday. "Time and place are crucial to the plot of this story," he said.

"The character and charm of a town like Canton just can't be duplicated on a set in Hollywood." A Worn Path is about a 95-year-old black Adams County woman, Phoenix Jackson; who must hike alone 10 miles to Natchez to get medicine for her sick grandson. The film stars Cora Lee Day of Los Angeles as Jackson and features Jane Reid Petty, an actress and director of the New Stage Theater. Day drew on a character she portrayed 10 years ago to help create Jackson's character. "Mama Sweets is the name I give all elderly black women I play," Day said. "She is from the musical Selma and I draw on her strength to play Phoenix." Petty said she was honored to take part in the filming of a story many people grow up reading.

"Eudora Welty has proven to be an inspiration to us all in the visual and performing arts as a writer and photographer." Schwartz said he chose Canton for filming because, he said, it still has that "old-time flavor" Welty created in the story published about 1940. 0 4 I rf taS I' I ril" It i If Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello in Charlottesville, will speak at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the large rehearsal hall at the Mississippi Arts Center at 201 E.PascagoulaSt rim: A Vf 1 riostea Dy tne uaiiery I I Guild, a support organization I I for the Mississippi Museum Jordan of Art, Jordan speech and slide presentation is entitled close it," Morrison said. "It costs the patients more to get treated and it costs somebody twice as much to treat them. The former state hospital, a three-story wood-frame structure built nearly 100 years ago, has become unfit to be a medical center because it no longer meets building codes, including requirements that it be made out of concrete.

The old medical facility was one of three state charity hospitals shut down in 1989, when then-Gov. Ray Mabus vetoed their funding, redirecting nearly $7 million to expand the state Medicaid program. Federal and state investigations, which had detailed deficiencies at the hospitals that threatened patient safety, sped the demise of all three facilities, including Kuhn Memorial Hospital in Vicksburg and Matty Hersee Hospital in Meridian. Melton Saul, a member of the Jones County Board of Supervisors, said he understood the concerns that led to the hospital's closing but regretted its loss. The closing has left Laurel's South Central Regional Medical to care for thousands of residents in rural Jones, Waynesboro, Covington, Jasper and Perry counties.

"They've all suffered a good bit," Saul said. "It's been a tremendous burden on everyone." Though local officials had hoped another medical group would take up the burden when it was purchased in 1992 by the We Care Associates Inc. in Hattiesburg, the old charity hospital remains abandoned. Frank McKenzie, former attorney for the City of Laurel, said We Care Associates bought the building, including an adjacent nursing center and 36 acres, for $135,000 on June 5, 1992. Since then, nothing has been done with the property.

Attempts to reach We Care Associates and their attorneys were unsuccessful. Local officials say they haven't received any proposals or information on the property. Meanwhile, Jerome Wyatt, president of the Jones County Board, of Supervisors, said that he hopes for a solution soon. "You can't put a hospital in that building," Wyatt said. "It just doesn't meet the standards.

But we don't have the money and the resources to provide adequate medical care for this indigent i IHrni i mn Tom RosterThe Clarion-Ledger Extras, dressed in early 1940s wardrobe, form a line during a Sunday casting call. Hoop-la abounds in councilmen-teen faceoff Blackburn Middle School takes on city leaders to raise funds for Washington trip. By Grace Simmons Clarion-Ladger Staff Writer "The Jefferson Moment," and focuses on the 1993 year-long commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Jefferson's birth. Jordan is also the "scholar in residence" at the University of Virginia. He earned his lor's degree in English and history and master's in history at Ole Miss, and a doctorate in history at Virginia.

A little more than a year ago, Jordan and his wife, the former Lewellyn Schmelzer, were hosts to the Clintons and Gores on their pre-in-augural tour of Monticello. Tickets are $5 each and will be available at the door. It's (on) Showtime Speaking of experts: Assault at West Point, scheduled to appear Feb. 27 on the cable-TV network Showtime is based on a book written in 1972 by Mississippi State history professor John Marszalek. The book is entitled Court Martial: Black Man in America and is about Johnson taker, one of the first black cadets at West Point, who in 1880 was found tied to his bed with his head shaved and his ears slashed and a sign telling him to "Get the hell out of West Point." Whitaker, a South Carolinian, was court-martialed after being accused of setting up the whole episode because he feared he was about to "wash out" of the academy.

Danny McKenzle's column appears day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call him at 961-7065. "We're going to whip them like they stole a mule from the government." Louis Armstrong, 43 "We're going to whip them bad. They might be intimidated, but we're not." Francis Dillon, 14 Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes, 38, and Ward 4 Councilman Credell Calhoun, 48, admit playing basketball hasn't been on their personal agendas for a long time. Nevertheless, they said they intend to help their colleagues make a good showing against the youths.

"I am going to slam dunk about two or three times," said Stokes, 38, who played basketball during his junior year at Lanier High School. "They always say fat men can't jump. I am going to show them that fat men can dunk." Added Stokes, "I hope we have a lot of substitutes and oxygen because when I run up and down that court about two or three times, they will probably have to take me to the university hospital." Council President Foster said he would like to see Stokes play center. As for him, Foster, 55, said he would be willing to "play whatever needed to be played. I probably need to do more of the coaching." Foster said Councilwomen Marcia Weaver of Ward 6 and Margaret Barrett of Ward 7 See BASKETBALL, 3B They can't write an ordinance to get them out of this one.

And time is not on their side. Jackson's male City Council members will have to rely on their bodies, or perhaps an intimidating presence, when they take on Blackburn Middle School's boys basketball team Tuesday. The game is to help raise money to send 25-40 students to Washington March 14-18, the week of spring break. And it already has politicians and players talking tough. "I don't expect my city fathers to defeat my Jaguars," Blackburn Principal William Re-vies said.

Neither do teammates guard Francis Dillon, 14, and forward Darmario Sumler, 14. "We're going to whip them bad," said Dillon, the leading scorer for the Jaguars, who have a 5-5 season record. "I'm not going to score too bad on them. They might be intimidated, but we're not." Said 33-year-old Ward 1 Councilman Dent Anglin: "I'll be ready to sky." "Oh, we're going to whip them like they stole a mule from the government," said Ward 2 Councilman Louis Armstrong, 43. "When you steal something owned by the government you are really in trouble." MISSISSIPPI VOICES THIS CORNER YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES Twenty-six Japanese ships and more than 250 enemy planes were destroyed or damaged by the U.S.

sea and air armada at Truk Islands. Thousands of dollars in jewels and guns was taken from a Greenwood home. Missing items included two large South Sea pearls, several cultured pearls and a gold bracelet with black opal setting. State's 20th casino taking bets TUNICA The Southern Belle Casino opened Saturday, making it the 20th dockside casino in the state. The casino is a sister facility of the Biloxi Belle Casino Resort on the Mississippi Coast.

"With the opening of the Southern Belle, we have elevated dockside casino gaming in Mississippi to a level of elegance on a par with any land-based facility," said Chris Gibase, senior executive vice president. The casino boasts three restaurants, 1,350 slot machines, 75 table games and a poker parlor. The casino also has a River Bend Event Center, which will be used for live entertainment and sporting events. On Sunday, the casino closed for a state audit. It will reopen Wednesday.

What do you think of tho Legislature's plan to ranovata stata parks and build public golf coursas at two of tham? What alaa do you think our parks naad? GAUTIER "I think it's good they're spending money on parks. I think it promotes family activities, family togetherness. I camp myself. For what else they need, I would say more camping sites more pads to park on and more sewer hookups and water hookups." Rax Foster, 43, insurance agent. LAKE "I think it's a good idea." Travis Usry, 59, restaurant owner.

McCOMB "I'm for it. The only beef I have is, I'm local and I go to Percy Quin Park, and you pay taxes all year long, yet they charge the locals to get in. My wife and I just like to go to the park on a Sunday afternoon and drive around. But yes, they need to update the parks. It would draw more tourists.

Most of the money at Percy Quin comes from Louisiana. I think the parks are a better investment than the casinos." Dwayns Staala, 41, salesman. To participate In Mississippi Voices, call 352-28 to and follow Instructions. jMcComb LI Gautier The Mississippi Private School Association says enrollment is up in member schools despite two closings. Director Don Souder said statewide enrollment is about 37,000, up about 1 ,000 from a year ago.

Compiled by ataft librarian Susan Garcia.