by Hunter Dawkins
With an ongoing outcry about violations of a lagoon in a county subdivision north of the interstate near Highway 49, Harrison County District 2 Supervisor Angel Kibler Middleton expressed problems that more homes should not be built in the area at Mondays meeting in the Biloxi Courthouse. Middleton expressed that potential drainage leaks could fall into Turkey Creek because these wetlands are connected. Turkey Creek is a portion of historical wetlands in the city of Gulfport, which often floods the local area.
President of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors (BOS) Dr. Marlin Ladner from District 3 asked the Board Attorney Tim Holleman if Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) had been notified of the problems with this sewage project, S14. Holleman responded that MDEQ were disclosed about the concerns, but there was no legal avenue the BOS could take except regulation from the county zoning department.
According to Middleton, this project should have been completed before this subdivision was allowed to keep building houses. Ladner claimed of a need for resolution with this problem and he wants to set a meeting with MDEQ.
Beginning the meeting, Mississippi Coast Coliseum Executive Director Matt McDonnell requested the BOS allow him to use funds to bid the arena roof project. After discussing this along with a use of county equipment for three events, the BOS unanimously authorized the appeal.
Beautification Commission Director Kelly Hartfield Griffin updated the BOS on four upcoming projects, including one associated with the Harrison County Utility Authority (HCUA). Following the address, the BOS unanimously acknowledged the receipt of the $15,000 yearly appropriation from the HCUA to the permanent Household Hazardous Waste Site.
In other actions, the BOS unanimously denied two auto claims seeking damages, as both were presented.
Finally, Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson reported having a total of 813 people being housed in the County Adult Detention Center with 129 being misdemeanors and 66 federal inmates. After this, the Board authorized Dr. Ladner to execute the quarterly report for Senate 2002, which was the state funding provided for the Sheriff’s law enforcement academy.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 22. Supervisors of District 1 Beverly Martin and District 4 Kent Jones were absent.
