October 11, 2006 - During the past year, Lexington's city government has been aggressively working to improve the community for all her citizens.
The current government administration of the City of Lexington includes Mayor Robin McCrory, Ward 1 Alderman and Mayor Pro-Tempore David Rule, Ward 2 Alderman Robert Brown, Ward 3 Alderman Franky McCain, Ward 4 Alderwoman Ella Weese Edwards, and Alderman-at-large Clinton Cobbins.
In April 2006 Lexington received confirmation of being awarded an Airport Improvement Project grant for the upgrade of the general aviation at the Lexington airport, Moore Field. The monies from this grant are for airport fencing and land acquisition, which are needed for the Lexington Airport to be in compliance with Homeland Security protocols. The fencing will be adequate to keep wildlife off the runway and tarmac, and the land acquisition will provide a runway protection zone. This $222,375 grant is due for completion in mid-October, 2006. The Airport Improvement Program is 95% federally funded, 2 ½ % State of MS funded, and 2 ½% locally funded.
In July 2006 Lexington was awarded the Small Government Public Facilities Funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This $203,719 grant, approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, will be used for the rehabilitation and replacement of the existing sewer system in the Pecan Grove area of Lexington. The City of Lexington competed with over sixty other communities across the State of Mississippi for these funds. The City of Lexington has completed the required Environmental Study and is now awaiting the contracts from MDA. Once the contracts are let, it is hoped the project will be completed in less than 15 months. This grant is 100% funded by CDBG. Governor Haley Barbour stated, "Through this application for funding, the city of Lexington has demonstrated local commitment in addressing the community development needs of Mississippi. I commend you for this initiative and for helping to improve the quality of life in your community."
In 2006 the City of Lexington was awarded a $30,000 Homeland Security Grant for the purchase of one 50HP/140KW portable generator for operating Well #3 located on Bowling Green Road. This generator will ensure that water is available for the entire City of Lexington during a catastrophe such as the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Currently the City of Lexington is conducting a citywide survey as part of the eligibility process to receive a higher percentage of USDA funding, which may be used for a wide variety of public needs: new police cars, new fire trucks and/or equipment, the resurfacing of city streets, the improvement of the city's infrastructure (sewer/water), the rehabilitation of City Hall, etc. USDA grants provide 75% of a project's cost in communities identified by the census as low to moderate income, with the city matching the other 25%. Currently Lexington must pay 65% of the costs with the USDA funding paying 35%. Lexington's census information will be re-evaluated once the approved surveys being conducted are completed.
Grant applications pending for the City of Lexington include the Transportation Enhancement Grant through the Mississippi Department of Transportation and will be used to rework the rock islands on the Courthouse Square (a partnership project with Lexington Main Street Association) and the Small Municipalities & Limited Population County Grant program for a $150,000 grant to be used for the rehabilitation of the former National Guard Armory property to be used as a community multi-purpose facility. Both of these grants are currently under review.
The City of Lexington annually sponsors the Summer Youth Program, an educational and recreational program held at Lexington Elementary School, as well as, the Community Easter Egg Hunt and the Fourth of July Fireworks display, both of which are held on the Armory grounds. At Halloween, costumed children from Lexington Elementary School, Saints Academy, Ambrose Headstart, and Central Holmes Christian School received bagged treats in conjunction with a tour of City Hall.
During the past year, Lexington received donations for lighting and wiring for the baseball field and adjacent parking lot in the Pecan Grove neighborhood of Lexington.
In the fall of 2005, the city purchased new holiday banners, which were installed on the Courthouse Square and on Yazoo Street. Through local donations, the wiring and bulbs of the perimeter lighting on the buildings around the Courthouse Square were replaced or refurbished.
In December 2005, Lexington hosted, in partnership with the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, the "Christmas of Hope" Christmas Parade. The City of Lexington float carried coastal evacuees who had settled in Lexington. Bay St. Louis Mayor Mr. Eddie Farve was the Grand Marshall. The City of Lexington officially adopted Bay St. Louis as her sister city during the recovery process in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Mayor Farve was also presented a Key to the City of Lexington.
The City of Lexington received the first place award for Best Civic Decoration in the Lexington Christmas Lighting Contest. The Magnolia Garden Club of Lexington sponsors this annual event.
In November 2005, the City of Lexington and Holmes County entered into an inter-local agreement for the development of Lexington Homes, an industrial manufactured housing plant, in Lexington, MS. The results of this agreement provided over 200 new jobs for Holmes County residents.
On April 7, 2006, Lexington hosted a Town Meeting with Leland Speed (MS Development Authority Director) and Dick Hall (MS State Highway Commissioner of the Central District). Mr. Speed spoke to an overflow crowd in regard to Lexington's economic growth and development potential and its recent inclusion in the Gulf Opportunity Zone (GOZone). Mr. Hall addressed the traffic woes and transportation improvement needs of the city, as well as, Mississippi's litter problems and awareness campaigns.
On April 8, 2006, The City of Lexington in partnership with several community organizations hosted the "Riches in the Ditches" anti-litter project in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup. This event drew more than 200 men, women, and children to help with the beautification and cleanup of Lexington. The volunteers collected over 30 cubic yards of trash, debris, and litter.
The City received its permit in July 2006 to establish a rubbish dumpsite for limbs, leaves, and other natural materials. The permit process took just over a year, with application having begun in July 2005.
During the past year, the city government has adopted a Flood Plain Ordinance in compliance with the National Flood Insurance program. If there is a flood in Lexington in the future, flood insurance policy holders will now be eligible to have their claims compensated.
In a separate project, Lexington entered into an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers on the Black Creek Flood Project to acquire easements for the construction of levees along the Black Creek Drainage area in order to better control flooding in Lexington.
The Lexington Mayor and Board of Aldermen are aggressively pursuing the cleanup of derelict and neglected properties within the city limits. This is being done to both beautify Lexington and improve the public health and safety of its residents. Junk cars are being removed from properties, neglected lots are being cleaned up, and derelict buildings are being either demolished or improved.
The Board of Aldermen has approved the installation of new historic lighting on Yazoo Street. This is a result of a recommendation by Lexington Main Street Association (LMS) as part of the LMS Yazoo Street Revitalization Project, which will include the installation of additional brick planters, the addition of banners unique to the history of Yazoo Street, and the installation of a "Welcome to Lexington" sign at the south Yazoo Street entrance corridor into Lexington.
In addition to their extensive day-to-day duties, Public Works Director Danny Johnson and his staff have also overseen the cleanup and repair of city sidewalks, the cleanup and mulching of the landscaping at the Lexington Public Library, the painting of the city's fire hydrants, the painting of the Courthouse Square curbing and parking spaces, and the twice weekly mosquito spraying.
Chancery Clerk Jean Ford-Smith and the Holmes County Board of Supervisors have had the grounds of the Holmes County Courthouse landscaped. This site is an architectural gem in the center of Lexington's historic Courthouse Square. The Courthouse Square is the heart of Lexington's Historic District, with over 229 Lexington structures being included on the National Historic Register.
In partnership with Lexington Main Street Association (LMS), the City of Lexington has received "Now Entering a Certified MS Main Street Community" sign-age. Lexington was among the first five Main Street communities in MS to have the signage installed. In the past year, LMS has purchased and had installed new patriotic banners on the Courthouse Square, on Yazoo Street, and on Depot Street. Fourteen new brick planters have been built by LMS on the Courthouse Square and two on Yazoo Street, each containing a Foster Holly and a variety of seasonal plantings.
A radio program featuring Lexington is broadcast once a month on radio station WFCA. These "Hometown Spotlight" features include information about Lexington's history, current events, community improvement projects, and local community organizations.
On July 25, 2006, Mayor McCrory, Alderman Rule, Alderwoman Edwards, Alderman Cobbins, and Lexington Court Clerk Rose Gamble attended the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) Conference in Tunica, MS. For the first time, the newly designed Lexington City Flag was displayed by flag bearer Rule during the MML Parade of Flags. The City of Lexington flag logo mirrors the logo on the newly designed letterhead used for all city correspondence. Mayor McCrory is currently serving in her second year on the MML Board of Directors in her second year on the Legislative Committee of the League. On Wednesday, August 23, 2006, the milling was begun on Lexington's historic Court Square and Highway 12 East, with the resurfacing of these thoroughfares to follow. |
