Gunshots around Vicksburg discussed at City Board Meeting

At today’s meeting of the Mayor and Board of Alderman, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. announced that the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the City of Vicksburg are about to “ink a deal” on the long discussed South Frontage Road extension. The extension has been under discussion for more than two decades.

In other business, a public budget meeting will be held on Thursday evening at 5:30. The public is invited to attend at the Robert Walker Annex Building.

Alderman Mayfield brought up the issue of gunshots being fired throughout the city. He added that people have complained that the police are not responding. “We know everything about the police vehicle and where it is,” Mayfield said, saying that police not showing up is a “myth.”

Flaggs later added “It is incumbent on us to provide a safe environment for the community.”

Public opinion on lawlessness has become a hot topic around town the past few weeks. Business owner Daryl Hollingsworth blasted the mayor, who is also the police commissioner, and Vicksburg Police Chief Milton Moore for “grandstanding” the crime issue instead of effectively addressing it.

Alderman Alex Monsour spoke on the successful economic development in our community. “We got great things to come yet in the City of Vicksburg,” he said.

Sally Sheffield was recognized for being chosen as one of 50 Leading Business Women by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Laura Beth Strickland with the Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that revenue was down over the summer months. All indicators point to the Great Backwater Flood as the culprit. Year-to-date revenue, though, is up almost 10 percent despite the historic flooding.