MISSISSIPPI MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT WEEK — JANUARY 14-20
Each year, Mississippi Municipal Government Week draws attention to the critical role local government plays in our communities. To take a closer look at what goes into those efforts behind the scenes, The Star-Herald spoke with the mayors of Ethel and Kosciusko.
Gwen Sims, who just took office as Ethel mayor last July, is simultaneously learning how to do some parts of her job while trying to grow Ethel into a more livable community.
“I just took office this year, so I’m still just learning the ropes, but I’m getting used to it. There is a lot more to this job that people realize,” she said in an interview last week. Part of that “getting used to it” is attending training sessions offered by the Mississippi Municipal League this week in Jackson.
But Sims has not held off on pursuing ideas she hopes will help Ethel survive and prosper while she develops all the knowledge her job requires. She does not believe there is time to waste.
“The town has gone on the same way for so long. I was surprised at how hard it is to get people to look at new ideas,” she said of her early months in the job. “If you don’t move forward, you die. And this town is dying. I want to make sure my little town doesn’t die.”
Sims said she is heartened by the many residents who seem to share her passion for getting Ethel back on track.
“I’ve been surprised at how open people were to come up and speak to me. Everybody seems interested in doing something,” Sims said. “I hope that bodes well for the future and getting done some of the things we want to get done.”
On the list of things to do are efforts both small and large.
Sims is looking into what it would cost to add children’s playground equipment near the pavilion, which has a walking track for adults, but nothing to amuse children. She is also contacting fellow area officials to learn about potential liability before getting too deep into the effort.
While the town doesn’t have funds for these improvements, she hopes community fundraisers could raise enough to makethe park more family-friendly.
“We’re a small town. We can’t afford a lot, but I want to get the whole community involved,” she said. “We need to get the younger people in the community involved. If we can do that, Ethel is going to come back.”
Larger efforts would increase the Ethel business base while making living in town more convenient, particularly for older folks.
“I’m still trying to get some small business here on Main Street, but people are still iffy about where the economy is going to go,” she said of the prospects.
Retail-type businesses would not just make Ethel more livable. They would also make up for the loss of property tax revenue as the town population ages and becomes increasingly entitled to age-based property tax reductions.
“I would like to see a small, full-service grocery store. We have Dollar General — and it’s great — but you can’t go in and buy a small roast or a couple of pork chops – or even a bag of potatoes – in town,” she said.
A small café would also be very welcome, she said, as would having a local police presence. While she praised the efforts of the Attala County Sherriff’s Department, Sims thinks that a town police officer would enhance protection in the town. She’s looking into getting a used low-cost or donated cruiser.
She’s also like to see a new cafe and bank branch in town.
“There was a great café when I came here in 1982. We need someplace you can sit down and eat a meal. Loggers and line workers come through here and there is no place for them to eat. It could be a place where coffee drinkers could gather in the mornings and jaw about whatever it is they jaw about,” said the Mayor. “I also wouldn’t mind having a small bank branch here, even just a drive-thru.”
Sims even already has a lot in mind at the corner of Main and Post streets. It is long, but not wide, offering plenty of room for a drive-thru.
“These would benefit the whole community, not just this group or that group,” Sims said.
The big challenge in drawing businesses to Ethel is available real estate.
Although the city has two old town halls that could be made to suit businesses, they each would need between $40,000 and $60,000 in renovations to make them tenant-ready. Sims said she will be looking for grants to fund those renovations.
If the buildings can be made habitable, the town could offer prospective tenants reduced rent to give them time to establish themselves. The city could also serve as a liaison, introducing potential businesses to appropriate local property owners.
Sims realizes progress is likely to be slow, but nothing will improve efforts aren’t made.
“We’re moving ahead little by little. I’d like to see one small business back on Main Street within the next year,” she said. “Daddy used to say you can only do what you’ve got enough to do with.”
