Tis the season for a cooperative spirit between the City of Clarksdale and Clarksdale Public Utilities as the two entities have recently teamed up on two projects within the city limits.
CPU provided the power and hookup devices for the Sky Cop camera the city has installed at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Garfield Street.
The city hopes to purchase 50 cameras, which would cost some $250,000. City officials believe the cameras will help deter crime and help lead to convictions when criminals are caught on camera.
Also, the city and CPU are working to install lighting at four viaducts around the city. These would be on Carolina, Madison, Desoto and Isaqueena.
City resident Milton Gardner had appeared at a meeting in October asking for the city to consider lighting the viaducts.
“It would bring a whole lot of attention and enhance the appearance of our city,” said Gardner, who noted it would also help reduce crime. “I feel real positive about what the city is doing in working with CPU to enhance our city.”
Gardner worked with Clarksdale businessman Bubba O’Keefe on the viaduct project and approached both boards for their help and assistance.
Clarksdale mayor Chuck Espy echoed Gardner’s comments after a meeting held Wednesday, Dec. 19 at City Hall.
“This is a good example of two groups making a good-faith effort and moving forward together into 2019,” Espy said. “This is all in the spirit of working together and we’re doing it.”
He also praised the cooperative spirit shown by Gardner and O’Keefe in seeing a need in the community and working together on a solution.
“An idea generated from two gentlemen in the community will help Clarksdale look better and function better,” Espy said during the earlier meeting.
In others news from the Dec. 19 meeting, the board:
* Went into executive session for the purpose of interviewing six candidates for the city attorney’s position. Bill Gresham is currently serving as the interim city attorney after Margarette Meeks’ resignation earlier in the fall.
* Unanimously agreed to accept the resignation of Margaret Whitehead as a dispatcher in the city police department and agreed to post the job listing.
* Gave its approval to Assistant Chief Vince Ramirez to attend the Chiefs of Police Conference in Jackson on Jan. 7-11.
* Granted permission to City Clerk Cathy Clark to seek quotes for various insurance offerings, including workers comp, auto and general liability.
