POPLARVILLE —
Times are different today than when I was a child many years ago. Children today are likely more tuned into the national election than ever before. With local and national news channels on cable and satellite, coupled with the World Wide Web, national politics is almost unavoidable; and we are not in a swing state where most of the advertising dollars (TV commercials) are expended. So while our national news is mostly dominated by campaign numbers and pollster predictions, at least locally our TV commercials are not. Which brings up another very important point altogether, being that Obama and Romney have raised (and will spend!) approximately $1.5 billion; most of which will be spent in swing states such as Ohio, Fla. and Vir. Mississippi’s predictability at the polls ultimately removes us from gaining any of the major campaign expenditures.
However, that predictability does not mean that we have anything to gain in this election. This provides a great teaching moment for our youth. I know that my son’s elementary teachers have begun to educate him and his classmates in US and political history; we often discuss George Washington and Abe Lincoln on our ride home from school. Understanding the history of our great nation, and how we earned the freedoms that we enjoy is absolutely imperative. Voting is one of these freedoms, or privileges.
With that said, once again this campaign year, as I have in done in the past couple of elections, my son and I went to the polls together. With the electronic voting system, the process is very much in tune with the stimuli that seems to garner his attention (i.e. electronic touch screen) than when I first voted way back in the mid 1980’s. The paper booklets and the push pins that were utilized when I first voted were quite clumsy. Outside of actually casting our vote, a most important thing is that my son gained first-hand knowledge of the voting process itself. Of course, as we waited in the long line this morning, our conversation centered mostly on Executive Branch (Presidential) elections, but we did discuss the other offices on the ballot.
This was the ultimate “teachable moment” for him on the election process and citizen’s responsiblitles that come with it. No matter the outcome, he will always remember the part we played in this election together.
Business
Kids, voting and creating the teachable moment
- Business
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- Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing Program available at PRCC Some students possess the maturity level and academic wherewithal to begin studying toward a fruitful career path while still in high school. It is no secret that many earn most of the necessary credits towards a high school diploma by the completion of the junior year of school; thus, requiring the student to attend high school for part of the school day during their senior year. Many students have jobs or extracurricular school activities, such as band or athletics, to help round out the day. However, those not in falling into these categories often ended up with a lot of free time; fortunately policy makers in Mississippi are finding ways to assist these students.
- Senators Burks Hill and Smith along with Representative Frierson panelists for Chamber Business Review The Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Review for the business community, at Char Southern Steakhouse, Monday at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included State Senator District 40 Angela Burks Hill, State Senator District 47 Tony Smith, and State Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville. All are Republican. They spoke on the past session and bills they either authored or helped pass which impact local and state businesses.
- Investing in the community one building at a time There is a bit of a renaissance occurring in Pearl River County. This is happening one building at a time. It seems to be happening rather quietly, but the end results are going to help shape the future of the county and the cities located here.
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Medical Group gives back to community
, Children’s International Medical Group is proud to announce the opening of their pediatric clinic in Picayune.
The clinic is one of many throughout La. and Miss. which brings compassionate care centered around pediatric patients and the community in which they live.
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Charter Bank names Westfall as VP
Charter Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Rich Westfall as vice president of business development and marketing. His responsibilities will be to lead business and community development and oversee all marketing efforts for the bank.
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Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US stocks
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Thursday after Oracle’s weak sales results weighed down big U.S. technology companies. Traders also worried about Cyprus running out of time to avoid bankruptcy.
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Mississippi REALTORS® hold annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
On Feb.7, 2013 Pearl River County REALTORS® joined more than 120 Mississippi REALTORS® at the Mississippi State Capitol to take part in REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
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More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing. -
HORNE LLP welcomes Picayune native as spring accounting intern
HORNE LLP, one of the top accounting and business advisory firms in the nation, recently welcomed Melissa Pigott of Picayune, Miss., as a spring accounting intern. A total of 26 accounting students were selected for the highly competitive internship program.
Pigott is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and is completing her internship in assurance services in the Ridgeland, Miss., office location. -
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 1
By Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
The Senate Education Committee passed Bill 2141 recently. The bill is championed by local Senator Tony Smith. While the bill would not affect Pearl River Central Schools, it would change the Picayune and Poplarville School Districts from a mix of appointed and elected board members, to all elected. An amendment was put in the bill to require board members to have at least one year of college. - More Business Headlines
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