The Petal Journal from Petal, Mississippi • 1

3 Feb. 23, 1995 Vol. XXI, No. 8 1 News Briefs Grant will give city funds for additional cop Shane Tapper day proclaimed by city Mayor Jack Gay and the Board gram of the U.S. Department of Justice.

COPS FAST is part of President Bill Clinton's crime bill, but Murphy said debate over the crime bill makes him wonder if Petal really will get funds to put another cop on the streets, or if the funds will be issued as a block grant that the city could use in another way. "We're in limbo," Murphy said. The three-year grant would pay 75 percent of the patrolman's salary and benefits the first year, but would decrease the second and third years. The city would pay 25 percent of the salary and benefits the first year, increasing to 100 percent when the grant runs out. A Petal policeman's starting salary is $16,500, increasing to $17,000 upon completion of training academy.

"COPS FAST, along with the other COPS initiatives, has been designed to simplify the task of applying for and receiving a federal grant," said Joseph E. Brann, director of the COPS requested," Brann said. "In the next fiscal year we hope to fund those who were not granted their full request to the highest possible level, and at this present we do not expect any additional application will be required." Petal's request was for just one officer. The grant packet Murphy is awaiting will include a Community Policing and Budget Summary which Murphy must fill out and submit before grant funds can be accessed. By ROBYN JACKSON JOURNAL Editor Petal has been selected to receive a grant from the federal government to hire an additional police officer.

But city officials are not celebrating just yet. "I'm waiting for the grant packet to come so I can fill out the paperwork. They said that should come in two weeks," said Police Chief Wayne Murphy. The grant will be made through the COPS FAST pro (Community Oriented Policing Services) division of the Department of Justice, in a letter to Mayor Jack Gay announcing Petal's selection. More than 7,000 law enforcement agencies responded to the COPS FAST application, requesting more than 18,000 officers at a cost exceeding $1 billion.

Deadline for applying was Dec. 31. "Because of this high level of response, many jurisdictions who were selected receive fewer than the total number of officers they of Aldermen have proclaimed March 6 as "Spirit of America Day" in Petal, in honor of Shane Rockwell Tapper, a Petal High School junior. The Spirit of America Day, sponsored by the non-profit America's Foundation, begins each first Monday in March at the Smith Park Rally across from jin i i Panthers open season with double-header rc- rr11 H-Xwdvv 4 A JOURNAL photo by Mark Jenkins BATTER SWING: Shane Kelly takes his best shot during an inter-squad game last weekend. The Panthers open their season Saturday with two five-inning games at Petal City Park.

doubt about that. We've got a good nucleus returning from last year's team." Pierce (8-2) and Odom (10-1) accounted for 18 of the 1994 team's 27 wins. "There are some big losses from last year's team. We lost the number one and two pitchers from last year. That's a big concern.

It's going to be a challenge for some of these other kids to step in there on our pitching staff," Watkins said. The coach is counting on returning seniors Cliff Wren (5-0 last year), Jason Walters (2-3 with five saves) and Lee Draughn (who batted .288 and had four homers and 23 RBIs) to lead the bullpen, with help from left-handed juniors Corey Carpenter and Jay Lewis. The other returning senior starter is Nate Rolison, who plays first base and right field. "He will probably start at right field," Watkins said. "He's already signed early with the University of Miami.

He's been listed in several publications as a preseason All-American." Rolison hit .390 with nine By ROBYN JACKSON JOURNAL Editor Larry Watkins refuses to make predictions about the 1995 baseball season, but his Petal High School Panthers are looking good in pre-season play. "We've got some potential there to have a good team this year. We've got several players back that started last year on the team that was runner-up in the state," Watkins said. The Panthers finished second in Division 7 Class 4A action last year, with a 27-6 record. Graduation took six seniors center fielder Michael Draughn, right fielder Glennie Thompson; pitcher and third baseman Brian Pierce; pitcher Donnie Odom and non-starters Jody Young and Michael Bullock but Watkins' returning players are eager for Saturday's season-opener five-inning game against McComb, followed by a game with Pearl.

"We've got a lot of experienced players back," Watkins said. "We've got real good depth. The practices- have been real competitive. But the depth is going to be a strong point for us, there's no DAY Sat Sat, Mon. Frl Sat.

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22 m7 OPPONENT swJPUACLylwVAR. McComb SSU if 1:00 Pearl w. lhomJm. Tournament i.TBA South Jones Home 5:00, .7:00 North Forrest Away 5:00 Catholic, Baton Rouge burg ..,1:30 George County Home i'i 7:00 Hattiesburg Tourn Away TBA Stone County Away 5:00 7:00 Columbia Home, .5:00 ,,.,7:00 Hattiesburg- Home 11:00 1:00 Oak Grove 5:00 ,7:00 Purvis Home 5:00 A 7:00 Greene County v. Away 3:00 South Jones Away 5:00 7:00 George Cpunty 4 11:00 ,1:00 Stone County Home 5:00 7:00 Columbia Home ,5:00 7:00 lberville Home Oak Grove mf Away 5:00 7:00 Greene County Home 5:00 7:00 Purvis Away 5:00 7:00 Sm South State 'also at 3:30 Tues Fn Sat- Thurs.

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jp-. home runs and 50 runs-batted-in. Wren, who also plays third base and catches, hit .330, with four homers and 31 RBIs. Other seniors are Michael Kinkopf, third base; Chris We-strope, second base and shortstop; Jeremy Joyce, first base; and Danny Human, right field. Junior returning starters will be left fielder Mark Curtis, who batted second baseman Chris Eavenson, who batted and shortstop Jeremy Mixon, who batted .356.

Other juniors are Corey Carpenter, first base and pitcher; Shane Tapper, center field; Jay Lewis, pitcher and first base; Shane Kelly, catcher; Patrick Mc-Crory, left field; Jason Kelly, pitcher and shortstop; Craig Bullock, outfield and center field; Chris Causey, third base; and Sammy Burch, center field. Sophomores will be Tootie Myers, center field and shortstop; Jud Watkins, first base; Drew Thomas, center field; Clint Graham, right field and catcher; Andy Davis, second base; Zane Bastine, left field; Jeff Morgan, pitcher and shortstop; Billy Hill-man, pitcher and catcher and Craig Routon, left field. "These kids have worked real hard in the off-season with the strength and conditioning program. We're just excited to get the season underway," Watkins said. Season tickets are $20 for 10 games and will go on sale next week at the Central Office.

Single game admission is $3. the Governors Mansion in Jackson, as outstanding high school athletes, citizens and leaders of the year are presented to the nation. Each fall, fans, players and coaches submit nominations to the Board of Awards, which is made up of standout players from many sports fields. The Board selects the honorees. The Spirit of America Day recognizes achievement, gives added exposure to college and community college prospects and encourages honorees to continue as exemplary All-Americans.

Tapper, 16, is quarterback of the Petal Panthers and plays center-field on the PHS baseball team, batting .333 last year. He is active in the Bible Club, Let-terman Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has been named "Player of the Week" three times by the Hattiesburg American and a "Top Performer" twice by the Jackson Clarion Ledger. He lead the football team to a 7-4 season, completing 118 passes for 2,158 yards and 15 touchdowns. GED classes begin at Parent Center A new session of GED classes is scheduled to begin March 7 at the Petal Parent Center, 617 South Main St.

The classes are held each Tuesday and Thursday night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. If you are interested in taking these classes to prepare for the GED test, please call 584-4704 or come by the Parent Center. The program is supported by the Mississippi State Department of Education, Mississippi State Board of Community and Junior Colleges, Pearl River Community College and Petal School District. The Parent Center is also conducting adult literacy classes. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from Individuals desiring to learn to read or to improve their reading skills are encouraged to call 584-4704 for more information or to register for classes.

The Parent Center will be closed for spring break (March 13-17), but you may leave a message on the answering machine and phone calls will be returned. Softball tryouts will be Saturday Petal Girls Softball Association will hold try outslate registration Saturday at Petal Middle School. Times are: 5-8 years a.m. 9-10 years a.m. 11-12 years 11:30.

13-14 years p.m. 15-18 years For. more information, contact Guy Doty at 583-4026. High school students check out computers Parents of high school students may now sign up for a check-out computer through the Petal School District's Parenting Center. Various subject areas are included in the software: algebra, pre-algebra, calculus, human anatomy, speed reading, as well as ACT review.

Word Perfect is also installed for word processing. Computers will be checked out for a 3-week period. Parents must attend a brief session on use and care of computers and may call 584-4704 to sign up for the program or may come by the Parent Center at 617 S. Main St. The check-out program for K-8 students is Btill in operation and parents may call or come by the Parent Center to sign up for this program as well.

Forty computers are checked out each month to families who have signed up for a check-out computer. South State Sat. South State Finals Apr: 26-28 May 2-6 May9-13 May 16-20 STATE FINALS HEADCOACH ASCOAcTlES Kevin Britt "3 Knsti SherrardPelal Journal JOURNAL photo by Mark Jenkins COLLISION COURSE: Tootie Myers slides into home plate as catcher Lee Draughn awaits the throw during an inter-squad game Saturday at Petal City Park. Aldermen table vote on subdivision code changes CITY OFFICIALS Mayor: Jack Gay Jr. Alderman, Ward 1: W.H.

"Dub" Campbell. Alderman, Ward 2: Ray Brandle. Alderman, Ward 3: Shelby Tims. Alderman, Ward 4: Leroy Scott. Alderman-at-Large: Reuben Clepper.

Call City Hall: 545-1776. Water Association meeting March 9-10 in Jackson, and Chief Wayne Murphy and Capt. Mike Smith to attend COPS Teleconference. Recommended hiring of accounting clerk Jean Marie Ishee. Designated lane off South Main Street to be named Durham Drive for 911 purposes.

Took under advisement a request from Quentin Lee to convert a storage room next to his Lynn Ray Road home into a doctor's office. Approved addition to Circle Western Store on Old Richton Road. Approved construction of David Underwood's small engine repair shop on Miss. 42. Approved list of contractors from Neel-Schaffer to be approved for Community Development Block Grant houses, including Eddie D.

Loper of Petal; Hay-ward Cantrelle, Lee Construction, Hattiesburg Building Contractors and Bell Contractors of Hattiesburg; Salters Construction of Purvis; and Walker Brothers of New Hebron. planners during their Feb. 14 meeting was to regulate subdivision growth, but the wording of Section 202.02, as presented to them Tuesday, also limited the number of times ownership of a lot or parcel could be transferred. "To limit transfer of ownership creates a 'difficult enforcement problem," said City Attorney Thomas Tyner. He suggested deleting the transfer of ownership line.

Deborah Sills of Petal, who lives next to the disputed Garden Place subdivision, asked if there was supposed to be a public hearing before changes could be made to the regulations. Clepper said he had a copy of the state law, and the board is abiding by it. He said there would be a public hearing on the matter after the board accepted the changes. During public comments, Jenny King of Petal, a real estate agent, said public bickering about Garden Place subdivision is driving potential homebuyers away from Petal. "I'm distressed at some of the ruary.

The general fund will receive the sewer bond and interest fund will receive $24,807.87 and the library fund will receive $1,210.14. In other action, the board: Accepted the resignation of City Hall employee Carolyn Merrill, effective Feb. 21. Tabled action on a trailer replacement for Sheila Humphrey on Kelly Rose Lane. Set March 21 hearing date on properties owned by Ruth Crowson and John D.

Bell. Crow-son's hearing will be at 6:30 p.m., with Bell's at 6:45. Their properties were cited for conditions such as unsafe structure, unsanitary conditions or other violations, said Dan Tolbert, building inspector. Approved raising travel reimbursement from 25 cents to 30 cents a mile for city employees using their personal vehicles on city business, as per change in the law effective Jan. 1.

Approved seminar requests for Ralph Eddlemon and Gay to attend the Mississippi Rural By ROBYN JACKSON JOURNAL Editor Petal's Board of Aldermen tabled action Tuesday on proposed changes to the city's "Subdivision Regulations" until their March 7 meeting. Mayor Jack Gay and the aldermen met with members of the city's Planning Committee Feb. 14 to fine-tune the changes, which the committee had submitted to the aldermen at their Feb. 7 meeting. Because of some questions about the wording of the changes, aldermen requested to meet with the planning committee Feb.

14, to clarify things. The revised changes were submitted during the regular Tuesday night board meeting, but Alderman Reuben Clepper raised questions about the wording of Section 202-Scope, which would limit the number of times a lot or parcel of three acres or less may be divided without going through the "Subdivision Regulations." The intent of the aldermen and V1 things 1 see happening," King said. "Petal has an opportunity in the next five years. I'm just kind of distressed we're not encouraging people to come here." Garden Place neighbors claim the subdivision violates a number of the city's subdivision rules. The aldermen said they want time to study the changes before voting on them.

They received the newly-typed revisions during Tuesday night's meeting. City Clerk. Priscilla Daniel announced that $60,507 in gas storage prior year taxes from Warren Petroleum would be deposited into city funds at the end of Feb.