Mayor Thwarts Beautification Efforts
Mayor Reggie Goldsby ordered the Chamber to move the planters from
the downtown district or have them removed by city workers, according
to Fran Kraus, Chamber President, after a phone call from Pris Gallagher,
Asst. Administrator to the Mayor. This must action is a result of recent
business owner complaints or how many were received. Forty-seven metal
planters were placed by the Chamber in April 2004 after getting approval
from Ms. Gallagher, who conferred with the Mayor. The Chamber had submitted
pictures prior to commencing the project.
One day after placing them along Oak St. and Central Ave., the Mayor
threatened to remove them if the Chamber did not paint them "green
or something". Kraus felt that a painted surface would be harder
to maintain. After some negotiation, the Mayor agreed to give the planters
a chance. The subject was not broached again during that election year.
Not long ago the Chamber decided to soften the shininess of the metal
with "antiquing" effect. However, due to poor weather, it
has not been done. Also, since the plants had gotten off to an unhealthy
start with an unreliable maintenance firm, the Chamber planned to use
additional Spring plantings to revitalize the bedraggled planters. "It
takes patience, persistence and loving care to make things grow",
Kraus said. "Not everyone has the vision to see what things could
be."
After suggesting a regrouping of the planters, Ms. Gallagher told Ms.
Kraus that Mayor Goldsby would "give it a try" to place them
only on Central Ave. and on Mulberry St.. However, "due to the
fickle nature of the Mayor, I feel it's best to sell as many as possible,"
said Kraus. "It's a shame. We were waiting for the final frost,
ordering additional flowers...and the 'Cleanest City' judges loved them
so last year. This is just one more reason why people don't want to
come to Amite," Kraus said.
