The Greenwood Commonwealth from Greenwood, Mississippi • 1

I i-iii ju 66UM, ZL2. 9Cih YearNo. 254 Greenwood, October 24, 1936 25t olution sought to conflict of interest SI II 'f ii I 01 I Legislature. He said the public wants to make certain that public officials don't use their offices for gain, but also recognizes that many officials are honest and efficient and these "should have our respect." The task force was created after voters twice rejected proposed changes in the constitution to relax a ban against officials having even an indirect interest in matters coming before them. The revision move began after the state Ethics Commission held that a strict interpretation of the current constitutional ban would force many officials Emmerich said the commission will attempt to "come up with a valid refinement and compromise solution" to the law that, if interpreted rigidly, could prevent thousands of Mississippians from holding public office.

The task force elected attorney Ed Brunini Sr. of Jackson as the other co-chairman of the organization and Walter Washington, Alcorn State University president, as secretary. Brunini said Dye and Newman had "made it absolutely clear this group was to be independent in every way, shape and form" in drafting recommendations the 1987 From Staff and Wire Reports A 25-MEMBER citizen task force, charged with studying the state's conflict-of-interest law and making recommendations to the Legislature, elected Commonwealth Editor and Publisher John Emmerich as co-chairman at its organizational meeting in Jackson Thursday. Lt. Gov.

Brad Dye and House Speaker C.B. Newman appointed the task force to develop alternatives to the conflict-of-interest section of the constitution, which some contend keeps many good people from serving office. out of office. The casualties would include a teacher's spouse who served in the Legislature or on a local governing board. "There is a strong body of opinion that suggests that (such a rigid interpretation) is not what the people really want," said Emmerich.

"The ammendments failed because they did not provide a proper compromise to the satisfaction of the people." Brunini noted that a Hinds County Chancery Court ethics case, which upheld the strict interpretation, was being appealed to the state Supreme Court, and arguments were scheduled Nov. 18. Member Jerome Hafter, a Greenville attorney, suggested that members also consider what kinds of conduct should and should not be allowed in the state. Emmerich said a black city councilman in Greenwood commented that the constitutional fuss hadn't begun until blacks began holding elective positions and the "whole discussion is racially motivated. I told him this was not my understanding.

The Ethics Commission is kind of an offshoot of Watergate." WW I George JOL ovneconrim Officials sign loan to Medart ga City officials and Medart executives signed final agreements Thursday for the city's $404,000 Community Development Block Grant loan to the corporation. In a special meeting at City Hall, Medart President Mike Murray penned his name on documents that state Medart will provide 110 new jobs in Greenwood in return for the low-intere6t rate loaa "It's a pleasrre for the city of Greenwood to be able to participate in funding endeavors for the benefit of Medart," said Mayor Louis Fancher. "We hope that by helping them much benefit can come to this community from them providing employment." Medart will use the money to relocate its Nashville subsidiary, Jake's Manufacturing, to Greenwood. "We expect physical relocation by January 1987," said Murray. Murray said Medart opted to move Jake's to acquire closer control its operation.

The CDBG loan is the first ever by the city for the purpose of economic development, said Assistant City Attorney Preston "Bo" Rideout Jr. The money is loaned to Greenwood through the Governor's Office Federal-State Programs; Greenwood will, in turn, loan the money to Medart at a 74 percent interest rate. City Attorney A. Lee Abraham Jr. said the money should be turned over to the corporation shortly.

If Medart fails to keep up its end of the bargain by not providing the new jobs, the interest rate on the loan will jump to two percent above the prune rate, said Rideout. Greenwood obtained the $404,000 CDBG on its second application to the state office. Murray explained that the state reviews applications by Mississippi cities and rates them. "The ones that rate the highest get loans," said Murray. The state looks for "more bang for the buck." 1 -4 v- Vi 4N.

cvJ Sale of radio station permit awaits approval studio on Browning Road. Edmonds Rigdon Broadcasting is a Mississippi company owned by Robert Hugh Edmonds of Cen-terville, who has purchased the 50 percent share of Ben David Rigdon, listed in public notices as half-owner. Steve Alderman Marcia Kirkwood, Jennifer Stancil, Rachel Meeks, Anna Stokes and Charlene Liddell. J.Z. George High School will hold its homecoming festivities during halftime of tonight's football game against Motley.

Pictured from left are, Jeannie Winters, County sanitarian wins award from state By MIKE McNEILL Managing Editor THE SALE of WSWG-FM and transfer of the permit to build AM station WKXG should be completed soon. Keith Worrell, of Greenwood, who is the majority stockholder of a group Leflore-Dixie, Inc.) that holds WKXG's construction permit, said the sale of the permit to Edmonds Rigdon Broadcasting Co. awaits approval by the Federal Communications Commission. Donald Grantham of Philadelphia, trustee for the heirs of the late station owner, Ron J. Grantham, said Thursday that FCC approval of WSWG's sale is expected by Nov.

1. Edmonds Rigdon Broadcasting proposes to buy WSWG-FM and build Greenwood's fourth radio station, WKXG-AM, as a sister station with daytime power of 1,000 watts on a frequency of 1540 kilohertz. The stations would continue to operate from WSWG's authority to condemn houses. "As prescribed by law, all we can do is check to see if a house has water and sewer," he said. "As far as garbage being in a house, we can tell the occupants that it's a health hazard to them, butthat's all.

The sanitation department used to have authority over open dumps but no longer has that responsibility. According Course, complaints about open dumps should go to the Mississippi Department of Natural stores and restaurants; collecting milk samples from local distributors; and collecting water samples from community and non-community water supplies. Course's department has the authority to issue permits and license child-care facilities. It also has the authority to request milk distributors to pull their products if the milk does not meet the standards set by the state Department of Health. His department does not have the has served as one of the county's two sanitarians since 1975.

There are eight sanitarians in the district. This is the second time Course has been nominated to receive the award. He said although he did not win Sanitarian of the Year in 1983, "just being nominated made me feel good about myself to know my peers and co-workers thought I was doing a good enough job." The sanitarian's job includes overseeing conditions in food establishments, including grocery By MARGARET DEAN Staff Writer LEFLORE COUNTY sanitarian Edward Course was named the 1986 Sanitarian of the Year at the annual Mississippi Public Health Association convention in September. More than 100 sanitarians from across the state had been nominated to receive the award. Course, a 1973 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, EDWARD COURSE Wins state award Insido Today Agency helps visually impaired 7 Community Calendar Page 3 Church News.

Page 6 2 Editorials Page 4 About People. Page 2 Sports Page 8 5 Classified Ads Page 9 Weather government gives up to $4. About $24,000 was allocated to the six counties for July 1, to Dec. 1, 1986. Mrs.

Barnes used to travel to the counties twice a month, but because of legislative budget cuts, she travels to each county once a month. The program offers employers incentive for hiring the blind, by offering on-the-job training which pays minimum wage for a six-to-eight week period. Taxpaying industries are eligible for up to $4,500 in tax credits. CLIENTS MAY be referred by an eye specialist or come directly to the agency. Mrs.

Barnes can meet See AGENCY, Page 2 persons in Leflore, Tallahatchie, Sunflower, Carroll, Holmes and Humphreys counties. About 20 persons in Leflore County and 45 from all the six counties are being served. The services can range from having an eye examination, rehabilitation or surgery. The agency does not provide funds for those who need glasses only. "What we do depends upon the individual.

Each case is different," Mrs. Barnes said. A client must have problems in both eyes in order to be served except in the case of glaucoma. Until recently, the center only served those who were employable. But a grant from the U.S.

Depart ment of Education allows older blind or visually impaired individuals- to participate in the program. Assistance is also provided for homemakers. But the guidelines are strict, Mrs. Barnes said. Anyone who takes care of a sick husband and children, etc.

who have visible problems can likely receive help. MRS. BARNES said all services are provided pending funds are available. Some expenses are paid for clients who attend college in the state. These students must maintain good grades.

The agency will help find employment for clients who do not attend college. Funding is provided by the state and federal government For every $1 given by the state, the federal By PATRICIA ROBERTSON Staff Writer ASSISTANCE for the blind and visually-impaired can likely be found at the Vocational Rehauilitation For the Blind. The agency helps those who have a serious eye problem that prevents them from finding a job or from holding the one they already have and those persons aged 55 or older who ha feasible independent living goals. "We try -to keep persons from depending on -the government checks," said Barbara Barnes, the agency's counselor. The agency, located at 713 U.S.

Highway 82, has been in Greenwood since the early 1970s and serves There is a 70 percent chance of rain in the Delta tonight Low 60 to 85. South winds 10 mph. A SO percent chance of rain Saturday. High 65 to 70. North winds 10 mph.

BARBARA BARNES Counselor for agency P9 composition by Tern Boqqan.