County buys land for new 911 tower

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
May 6, 2003
Lauderdale County supervisors voted Monday to purchase 8.5 acres of land for a new 911 tower behind the Lockheed-Martin plant in the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Industrial Park.
Craig Hitt of District 3 and Joe Norwood of District 4 voted to buy the land for $45,000; Ray Boswell of District 5 voted no. Jimmie Smith of District 2 was not at the meeting, while Hank Florey of District 1 left early.
He also took exception to part of the purchase contract that states Lockheed-Martin will have the option to buy back the property if it isn't used for the stated purpose, according to Rick Barry, attorney for the board of supervisors.
Boswell asked if the county would be prevented from using the property for anything other than the 450-foot tower, a project that requires about 3 acres of land.
Hitt said he doesn't think Lockheed-Martin will restrict the county from using the property within reason, adding that the county is pressed for time to find a new tower location.
The existing 911 tower, southwest of Bonita Lakes and south of Highway 45, has been condemned and has to be taken down.
Hitt said the site at the industrial park was "highly recommended" by contractors with ComSouth, based in Hattiesburg, because it would give the best countywide coverage for emergency responders.
Boswell asked if ComSouth will build the tower and who will ultimately own it. Hitt said those are details that must be worked out by the county 911 commission and the board of supervisors.
The total cost of building the tower has been estimated at about $140,000.
IN OTHER MATTERS
Lauderdale County supervisors voted Monday to send Mississippi State University a letter acknowledging its request for more money for the Riley Education and Performing Arts Center project.
At the supervisors' work session Thursday, MSU representatives asked the county for $2 million in addition to $3 million the board approved for the project more than a year ago.
The county has not yet sold bonds for the $3 million.
Supervisor Craig Hitt, who represents District 3 and also serves as president of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, said the letter would be from him to university representatives letting them know there will be a response to their request in the future.
Steve Gillespie