MELINDA BOWMAN
POPLARVILLE — For the last meeting of 2009, Mayor Billy Spiers and the Poplarville Board of Aldermen were treated to a Christmas performance by the Poplarville High School Ladies’ Pop Quartet under the direction of choral director Janet Kennedy.
The quartet — Alexandra Kennedy, Mollie Toomer, Meaghan Stanford and Miranda Buckley — sang and did choreography to four Christmas favorites. They also donated three of their own stuffed animals and their “Smiley Face” mascot to a local program that will benefit children in crisis.
Poplarville Fire Chief Kris Foster accepted the stuffed animals on behalf of law enforcement and fire and emergency personnel who carry the animals with them to give to children during times of crisis as a means of comfort.
Earlier this month, the board voted to execute an agreement with AT&T; for bringing in its U-Verse Internet protocol-based television service into the community. The service, already in 22 states, will be another option for consumers who use local cable or a satellite television service.
Kathleen Shaunessy of AT&T; said her company would mirror cable offerings. She said the company will use its existing copper and fiber underground cables to bring the service into consumers’ homes. She said for people who like to bundle their services, it will be another option for existing AT&T; customers.
Shaunessy said her company will give a financial incentive of three percent of its gross sales back to the city, just as Galaxy Cable does, for agreeing to allow the new service.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the Mayor handed out a 20-year comprehensive plan he had received from Bridge and Watson, an Oxford-based community planning and development firm.
Although the mayor and aldermen did not discuss the lengthy plan, Spiers did speak favorably of its contents. Aldermen will read it and discuss whether or not it will adopt the plan early in 2010.
