Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 1

VjfftfPT, MickeV and frlends t0 glide through f-i Collegiate Bags and MoreJ S' 1 ohnue tnriau tn SunHax In 1 A GANNETT COMPANY Thursday, November 17, 201 1 clarionledger.com u--r Ml H- -n I I I dfHVfipl vehicles. The Corolla hasn't been built domestically since a joint ToyotaGeneral Motors plant in California closed in 2010. The Blue Springs plant is expected to employ more than 1,500 by the end of the year and, eventually, 2,000. It will operate on a single Monday-Friday shift through the end of the year, followed by a second shift in spring 2012. But the plant's economic impact goes well beyond its employees and their spending power.

Seven suppliers that have set up shop in Mississippi to provide parts and components to the plant will create at least 1,000 collective jobs themselves, says David Rum-barger, presidentCEO of the Community Development Foundation of TupeloLee County. One supplier each in Alabama and Tennessee also See TOYOTA, 10A Production starts today at Toyota's Blue Springs plant By Jeff Ayres Jeff.ayresjack son.gannett.com The small town of Blue Springs today will celebrate a moment years in the making. The first Mississippi-built Toyota Corolla will roll off the assembly line at the automaker's newest plant, located in the hamlet of 228 people near Tupelo. It will not only officially usher in the start of production at the plant but also could be the beginning of a significant, far-reaching economic transformation in an area known for traditional blue-collar manufacturing. "It's not just the city that will be changed, but all of north Mississippi," said Blue Springs Mayor David Boland.

The $1.3 billion facility can produce up to 150,000 Corollas per year and will mark restored U.S. pro- initvate mm 1 1 mat Election showed African Americans made up the majority of his support base. Reflecting on 2011 duction of one of Toyota's flagship black. "With the percentage of African-American population that the state has, we should have a much greater presence." And it's not for a lack of trying. In addition to DuPree, African Americans have run for agriculture commissioner, lieutenant governor, insurance commissioner and treasurer in recent years.

Barbara Blackmon, who had served more than a decade in the state Senate, lost a 2003 bid for lieutenant governor to Amy Tuck. Blackmon would not comment for this story. Gary Anderson, who had served in top financial positions in state government under both Democratic and Republican administrations, lost a 2003 bid for treasurer to Tate Reeves and a 2007 run for insurance commis-See ELECTION, 4A By Elizabeth Crisp eSzabeth.cfispclarionledger.com Most people were not surprised that Republican Phil Bryant won the governor's race last week. But Bryant's landslide victory over Democrat Johnny DuPree may have been another surprise. DuPree carried just 39 percent of the vote to Bryant's 61 percent.

"I thought he could have gotten 47 percent," said state Rep. George Flaggs.D-Vicksburg. While neither DuPree, the state's first African-American major party candidate for governor, nor Bryant, who is white, made an issue of race during this year's gubernatorial election, the Nov. 8 returns suggest it still may have been on voters' minds. The 22 counties DuPree won have majority black populations, and polls the election, DuPree, 57, mayor of Hattiesburg, says he's happy he ran and he's thankful for the support he built while traveling across the state.

"I don't know if we could have done anything differently," he said. Mississippi has more African Americans per capita and a higher rate of black elected officials than any other state, but the state has not elected an African American to statewide office since Reconstruction. "We really have not lived up to our political potential," said Leslie B. McLemore, a retired Jackson State political science professor who is The Corolla, one of Toyota's flagship vehicles, rolls off the assembly line today in Blue Springs. Health officials taking another shot at smoking ban Hospitality Restaurant Association, said their organization continues to nnnnsp such a 27 other states.

Last year's bill passed the Mississippi Senate, but got no further. Health more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, homicides and suicides combined. In Mississippi, smok sippi affiliates of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. Since 1998, the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi has pushed for smoke-free legislation and sought to persuade teens to avoid smoking. In 2000, Mississippi schools went smoke-free, said Executive Director Sandra Shelson.

"A lot of kids in our program helped to get the change passed." Supporters acknowledge they face an uphill battle. "A chance? Yes," said state Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, who supported the legislation. "They clearly didn't have the votes last time. We'll see this time." Cashion said the legislation isn't needed.

See SMOKING, 4A By Jerry Mitchell Jmltchellclarionledger.com Mississippi health officials are hoping the second time is the charm, seeking again to pass a state law that would make public places and workplaces smoke-free. "It's an idea whose time has come," said Dr. Luke Lamp-ton of Magnolia, chairman of the state Board of Health. Mike Cashion, executive director for the Mississippi Bryan Cashion smoking ban, Lampton "primarily on the grounds this is an issue for private business that government doesn't need to get involved in." Nationwide, smoking kills Department officials say they're optimistic lawmakers will pass the legislation in 2012. Backers include the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Missis ing costs taxpayers a reported $719 million $259 million of that coming from Medicaid.

If the state does pass the smoke-free bill, it would join lllllllll! II no an aH Business 10B MetroState 1B Classified 1E Opinion MA Comics 12-15D Sports 1C Crosswords 13D Weekend 1D INDEX Volume 1741 No. 272 Copyright 20 11 60 HIGH 31 LOW COOLER Mostly sunny, chilly tonight. Weather, 4A CORRECTIONS If The Clarion-Ledger publishes an error, we will correct it. To report an Correction 10A 01 0" "409 I 75 cents 'W 1.00 state 4A for pricing details. 6B TV listings 18D See Page CBJ3 This could be the start cf something small.

When you're ready to lose the extra weight, our team of medical professionals can help. We'll discuss weight loss options (surgical and nonsurgical), customize a nutrition program and give you the support you need to keep the pounds off. THE OBESITY CENTER at RIVER OAKS HOSPITAL Riverchase Medical Suites 2550 Flowood Suite 403 Flowood, MS 39232 ObesityCenterRiver0aks.com.