Comcast to operate in Marshall County

Ronnie Colvin, senior director for external affairs with Comcast, met with the Marshall County Board of Supervisors at the March 18 meeting to ask for approval to run fiberoptic cable through Marshall County. The line will come out of Memphis, Tenn., and connect with fiber running the length of the state.

Colvin said Comcast started out in Tupelo in 1963 and has been in Marshall County since 1983. It operates in the state from Tupelo, to West Point, to Okolona and also in DeSoto County.

The fiberoptic line, built in Memphis, traverses the entire state, he said.

Marshall County is a possible growth area for the franchise, he said.

“It is a 10-year nonexclusive franchise, that just allows us to operate in the right-of-way – the basic model,” Colvin said.

Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith said she sees no problem with the contract.

“Make sure it does not exclude other providers,” said county administrator Tim Powell. “It will be in the public right-of-way.”

District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor wanted to be assured if the county damages the line the county will not have to pay for repairs.

Colvin said Comcast will pay for any damage. The company is going to go aerial and has a pole agreement with the City of Holly Springs. Comcast prefers aerial, he said.

Services offered will be video service, Internet, phone, cellular service and security service. Comcast offers services tailored for businesses, Colvin said.

Comcast will build a backbone fiberoptic line and then connect service the last mile using coaxial cable. Lowincome brackets will be offered Internet Essentials, a subsidized service, for $9.95 monthly.

Colvin thinks the company can complete the project this year.

“Are you going county-wide eventually?” asked District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett.

Colvin said the project is designed to provide service to sparse areas. The company has applied for grants in most counties where it operates.

The supervisors approved drawing up a contract with Comcast by unanimous vote of the board.

Second Chance

District 1 supervisor Charles Terry brought up a prior recommendation that the county start a Second Chance program for individuals who have been incarcerated.

“I changed the name to Reentry Program,” Terry said.

Reentry Programs provide job support for ex-felons.

Second Chance employment can prevent recidivism and benefit employers and job seekers.

The program would provide jobs picking up litter on county roads.

Terry recommended the program start with three people. He said the program would help individuals return to become productive citizens.

“It’s something that needs to be done,” he said, “for reentry to the workforce.” Bennett agreed. “Everybody deserves a second chance and litter in this county is horrible,” Bennett said. Taylor said the county has hired people who have been released from the county jail.

District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker wanted to know who would oversee the program.

Terry said a full-time county employee with a crew truck would be used.

The board approved the measure by unanimous vote of the board.

Other matters

Terry then made a motion for the county to help repair the shoulder on the road in front of the county jail. The city would provide the materials and pipe and the county road crew would replace the pipe and fill.

Smith said the county has done work with the city under a memorandum of understanding in the past.

“You definitely need a board order principle of mutual aid,” she said.

The board approved a motion to enter a mutual aid agreement because the road where the hole has developed on the shoulder is located in front of the county justice court, 911 offices, and the jail.

Terry proposed the county post NO TRUCK signs on Red Banks Road to stop 18-wheeler traffic from cutting through the county road endangering citizens.

“They are going through there and 311,” Walker said.

The board approved the measure.

Chancery clerk Nicole Phelps advised the board that Christopher Liddy has resigned from the board of Communicare. Melanie Madaris, executive director of Communicare, recommended that Liddy be replaced by Smith as Marshall County’s representative.

“It will benefit Marshall County and Communicare as a whole,” Phelps said.

The board approved the measure and Smith said she is willing to serve.

Claims came to $696,112.

The board discussed leasing open land behind the Fairgrounds property.

Bennett said the hay crop should be leased for three or four years so bidders could lime and fertilize the hayfield to improve harvest. Lime applications typically rotate every fourth year.

Powell, in his report, asked for travel to the MASIT (Mississippi Association of Supervisors Insurance Trust) conference in Hattiesburg. Travel for himself, Phelps and the county comptroller to attend the Chancery Clerk Association conference in Ridgeland was approved.

A solid waste agreement was ready to be signed. And a Homeland Security Grant is available for application through Northeast Mississippi Planning and Development District. The grant will be used to apply for radios or turnouts for the rural fire departments.

The board approved travel and application for grants.

Powell presented two quotes for flooring material to remodel the 911 office. Signature Flooring won the quote at $6,389. Quality Carpet bid $7,308.

Taylor asked if the county has a list of local contractors who could be contacted to submit bids.

“A lot of folks work out of their trucks,” Taylor said. “If they pay taxes, we should do our best to get the word out.”

Taylor asked to advertise for quotes for spraying county roadsides with herbicide to manage growth.