The Winona Board of Aldermen accepted a $16,000 bid to purchase an iron bridge from Rolling Barge Company to complete the walking trail around the Winona Recreational Park.
The bridge will tie the trail together over a large drainage ditch and is paid for through grant funds from Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, which funded the entire project. The decking on the bridge will have to be purchased seperately, according to City Clerk June Williams, who explained that it would cost more to ship the decking than to purchase it at a local store.
Currently, the deadline to complete the walking trail grant is April 1, but the board voted to request an extension to September 1, 2020, to properly complete the bridge installation.
In other business:
• The board voted to support Marcy’s Law, a law that will ensure victims receive the same rights as the accused.
Marcy’s Law was created in memory of a California student who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
“I’m 100 percent behind them,” said Chief of Police Tommy Bibbs.
• The board accepted the resignation of Cordaris Gholston. They unanimously hired Jarquez Evans, a certified police officer who is coming from the Grenada Police Department. He graduated the Mississippi Police Academy on November 14.
• Winona Mayor Jerry Flowers informed the board of a Homeland Security Training in active shooter preparedness for the general public on March 28 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Moore Memorial United Methodist Church. From 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., a training will be held to educate local churches in the event of an active shooter.
“I will provide more information on the class soon,” Flowers said.
• Winona Animal Control Officer Arlin Pearson reported that since the last meeting of the Winona Board of Aldermen, he has picked up 26 dogs, many of which were dumped inside the Winona City Limits. He said the public does not realize dumping animals is a crime.
Pearson said so far he has transported seven dogs up north to find homes, but the community still needs to be vigilent about having their pets spayed or neutered.
• The board approved Seth Kent from WONA to volunteer to clean the sidewalks on Front Street as a community service project for the radio station.
