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City wins nursing home battle Joy Health and Rehab will remain open after supreme court declines to hear appeal By Shana O'Malley After a long legal battle, Bolivar County will keep 75 nursing home beds at Joy Health and Rehab in Cleveland. “We were elated to hear the outcome and we are glad that the center will remain in Cleveland,” said Bolivar County Administrator Will Hooker. “The facility is a value to our entire county.” The battle over the facility began in 2007 when Mid South Associates, who own the beds, wanted to close the nursing home, which was then called Bolivar Health and Rehab, and open a new facility in DeSoto County. “There is a finite amount of nursing home beds in the state of Mississippi so when they (Mid South) decided that they wanted to open a new facility in DeSoto County, they wanted to close this facility in Cleveland and move those beds to DeSoto County,” explained city attorney Jamie Jacks. Mid South filed a Certificate of Need with the State Department of Health to move the beds to the other county but the city of Cleveland decided to oppose the removal. Cleveland City Administrator John Lindsey explained that the removal of the beds would have been a blow to both the residents of the facility as well as the city’s health care economy. “The beds represent a substantial number of jobs here and those jobs provide benefits to the city and our surrounding community,” he explained. “It would also have been a loss to one element of our health care environment.” The Mississippi Department of Health, an administration judge and the State Health Officer, heard the arguments and sided with the city of Cleveland. At the hearings, family members of the nursing home patients testified about the effects of having to move their family members. “My mother is 97 years old, she has lived there for 10 years and she loves it there,” explained Carolyn Lucas, daughter of JHR resident Mattie Cousin. “They know her and she knows them and it would have been a very difficult adjustment for her and my family.” After the rulings in favor of the city, Mid South decided to appeal the outcome to the chancery court in DeSoto County where the chancellor claimed that Bolivar County had an overflow of beds while DeSoto County was underserved. The city of Cleveland appealed the decision to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, arguing that the chancellor had counted de-activated beds in Shelby. “The city argued that these beds should not be counted because there was no guarantee the Shelby nursing home would ever seek to re-activate the beds within the State system or that the State would approve their re-activation,” Jacks explained. When the Mississippi Court of Appeals sided with the city of Cleveland, Mid South appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Last month, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, upholding the Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the city of Cleveland. “It was a good victory for the city and well worth the fight,” Jacks added. |
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Study shows salaries higher DSU administrators over national median By Michael Simmons On Friday, Gov. Haley Barbour announced a fourth round of state cuts as January revenues showed a seventeenth straight month of lower-than-expected revenues. This cut was for $21 million and was spread across the board. The amount of money cut from the state’s universities has totaled 8.1 percent, roughly $64 million. On Jan. 29, Delta State University announced that due to the budget cuts 13 positions have currently been affected — seven of which were filled and subsequently resulted in layoffs. The university has had more than eight percent of their budget cut. With the budget cuts beginning to affect filled positions, The Cleveland Current conducted a study on administrative salaries and it reveals that DSU administrators’ salaries are higher than the national median when comparing to universities with similar budgets. According to the 2008-2009 figures from CUPA-HR (College and University Professional Association for Human Resources), 11 senior level positions have salaries above the national median. According to a representative from CUPA-HR, the 2008-2009 figures are the latest. He added, “We always use medians because you can often get extreme highs and lows that bias the average.” According to DSU’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget, President Dr. John Hilpert makes $221,813, compared to the national median of $213,730. Provost Ann Lotven’s salary is $168,713, compared to the national median of $138,000. Greg Redlin, DSU chief financial officer, has a salary of $128,958, compared to the national median of $113,104. The findings also show that DSU’s academic deans also make above the national median. Each dean received a five percent raise this year, amounting to $6,000. The dean of arts and sciences makes $115,443, with the national median $104,093. The dean of business also makes $115,443, and the national median is $104,000. The dean of education makes $115,669, compared to the national of $98,689. The dean of graduate programs makes $116,896, compared to the national of $101,066. The dean of library sciences makes $92,539, compared to $83,200. And, the dean of nursing makes $114,896, compared to the national of $96,096. The only senior level position that was below the national median was athletic director. That amount is $76,538, compared to the national median of $80,000. For this fiscal year, DSU began with an operating budget of $44,104,705 and was compared to universities with budgets of $32.6-$70.4 million. |
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Relay For Life teams begin for April event Proceeds of fundraiser go towards ACS By Taylor Mitchell The date has been set. On April 23, the fight against cancer will have its next battlefield in Cleveland when Relay For Life’s cancer walk comes to town. “So that no one has to hear the words ‘you have cancer’ again,” co-chairman Nancy Nassar said about the importance of the event. The event will be held at Delta State University, in the parking lots located between Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field and Travis E. Parker Field. While teams are already beginning to raise money and finish the paperwork, other teams are still being accepted. The deadline for a team to register is April 1. Each team will be allowed one booth, at an assigned location, and can have its own theme and music. Teams with the best booths, among other things, will be awarded with prizes that include a television, laptop and a gas grill. The theme of this year’s event will be “Dance for a Cure.” Team members of the 40 teams to participate in the Relay For Life are asked to fundraise $100 each. The fundraising goal for this year has yet to be determined exactly, but according to Nassar the goal will be around $85,000. “And all of the money goes straight to Relay For Life,” Nassar, who is in her last year as chairman of Bolivar county’s Relay for Life organization, said. “But, you don’t have to be on a team to participate. You can just show up at the walk and sign up, but we do ask for some kind of donation.” Every county in the state of Mississippi has a Relay For Life event and hundreds more will occur nationwide. Food and children’s activities will be present at the walk. The evening’s events are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Nassar and co-chair Michelle Fuquay will be holding meetings once a month at the Cleveland School District Central Office until the event so anyone interested in participating can contact The Cleveland Current at (662) 843-2700 and your inquiry will be passed along. |
The goal for this year’s Relay is Taylor Mitchell /The Cleveland Current |
It’s a bird, it’s a plane... It’s a squirrel Charlie Brown becomes newest member of floral shop By Keith Wood Cleveland Flower Shop and Commissary has a most unique employee who has been with them for the last year. His name is Charlie Brown, and he is tamiasciurus hudsonicus. In other words, he is a red squirrel. Shop owner Kathy Daniels has taken Charlie under her wing and provided him a home. “Charlie was brought to me on March 17, 2009, when he was extremely tiny,” she said. “He had fallen out of the nest and a cat had gotten to him and taken him inside a building. One of the workers found him and brought him to me to see if I could help nurse him back to health. He was in pretty bad shape.” Daniels began offering Charlie aid in the form of food. “I got some formula and a baby bottle and began feeding him from it every two hours,” she recalled. “I would place him on warming mats to help him stay warm. I worked with him day and night. For two weeks I would bring him home with me in the evenings and take him back to work with me in the morning.” Charlie developed a taste for riding around in Daniels’ hoodie top and he continued to be with her constantly for the next four months. “Now, he is pretty much full-grown,” she said. “He loves to hang out at the shop and play. He is just a blast.” Charlie’s diet consists of peanuts, pecans and all sorts of fruits like apples, oranges and bananas. “He also loves to eat all sorts of greens like lettuce and cucumber,” she added. Daniels said, “Charlie Brown is strictly an inside squirrel. Since he was raised indoors, he is a bit overwhelmed outside. I have noticed that the noises and sounds outdoors frighten him, so he enjoys the good life, living inside.” Charlie also enjoys quite the squirrel mansion. “We took a large, three-door cooler and completely removed all the mechanical parts and things on the inside,” said Daniels. “We painted the interior of the cooler in an outdoor theme. I put carpet on all the walls and put two trees in it. He also has two separate perches inside, as well as two beds and a dirt box inside. We removed the doors from the front and put wire up in the space so he has adequate ventilation. We painted the cooler black and blue and put ‘Charlie Brown’ on it. So, he’s got his own place named after him. “Charlie Brown does all sorts of things to show his affection,” Daniels continued. “He loves to give me kisses, shake my hand and ride around on my shoulder. Another thing he likes to do is to get up close to my face when I am on the telephone. For some reason he likes that. He also has an affinity for chewing on my fingernails, if I will let him. He was able to attend school last year when I took him to visit the kindergartners at Parks Elementary. He will give a little bark at you if you don’t give him enough attention.” Charlie’s transformation is evident over the past year. “It’s really remarkable to see the difference in him now, compared to his condition when I got him,” said Daniels. “We were lucky that we were able to nurse him back to good health. His birthday is coming up in March and I’ll probably celebrate for him in some way.” |
Charlie’s responsibilities include tasting the flowers and riding around in hoodies. Matthew Wood/The Cleveland Current |
Fleming Lumber Co. Storied business has deep roots and continues to build region By Keith Wood D.M. Fleming Sr. and his wife Louise founded Fleming Lumber Co. in 1929. Marion Jordan, granddaughter of Fleming, is now the matriarch of the family business. “When it first started out, it was just a small mom and pop type of store,” she said. “Originally it was named Fleming Feed, Seed & Coal because those were the main bulk of the items sold.” Later, when Fleming’s son, D.M. Fleming Jr. came on board he decided that the company should expand its products to include lumber supplies and goods. “There was a market for lumber back then,” said Jordan. “My dad was always looking for a way to grow bigger and appeal to more diverse market needs. He thought there would be more opportunities available to the store by adding a line of lumber.” Since then, Fleming Lumber Co. has flourished and become a full-fledged lumber and hardware outlet. They offer a full line of almost every type of construction, home improvement and do-it-yourself materials that can be imagined. Jordan noted, “We sell everything from countertops to tile and everything related to building supplies.” Those seeking lumber will have no problem finding it at Fleming. That or any other supply needed for a home repair, remodeling or building. “We have just about completed our new showroom,” said Jordan. “It is something we have been working on over the past year and will allow us to showcase different items a bit better that way.” Fleming Lumber Co. carries complete lines of ceiling fans, plumbing supplies, electrical products, countertops, cabinets, lighting fixtures, tools, paint and supplies, nails, screws, nuts, bolts, wiring, window and door samples and endless other products. “We can special order almost anything,” Jordan said. “We work in conjunction with as many local contractors and construction companies as we can. We try to stay as diverse as we can be. Some may not know it, but we also provide some construction services as well. We have been doing that for the past 10-15 years. Our construction services have included everything from handyman home repair to commercial and residential construction. We have recently been involved in the building and renovating of the Medical Mall out on Highway 8.” Currently Fleming employs 22 people. “We have carpenters, tool specialists, salesmen and customer service employees, as well as those that work in the lumberyard and warehouse. Also we have a licensed locksmith and can perform 24/7 service in that area,” Jordan stated. “We deliver lumber to construction sites or homes on a case-by-case basis. So, if you can’t come to us, we can come to you.” Fleming Lumber Company is located at 711 N. Davis Ave. and can be reached at (662) 843-2728. Give them a visit the next time you see construction or home repair duties in your future. |
BUILDING BLOCKS: Fleming Lumber Co. has grown from a small store to a full-service lumber supplier, complete with contractors. Matthew Wood/The Cleveland Current
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Helena Chemical Helping grow the world This chemical, fertilizer and seed distributor employs By Chance Wright What began as a small, privately owned distributing company in 1957, Helena Chemical Co. has blossomed into one of the nation’s largest formulators and distributors of agriculture chemicals, fertilizers and seed in the farming industry. While based out of Helena, Ark., this company built upon its modest beginnings of regional support to local farmers to where it is today — serving the agriculture needs of farmers in all 48 continental states, as well as many markets overseas. The company employs over 3,000 of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. “We are here to offer support to our local farmers on the entire scale of their operations,” said Scott Holder, branch manager for Helena’s Bolivar County office. “We have been in this same location on Laughlin Road since 1974 and committed to helping farmers by providing support and information, along with the best products in the industry throughout the farming season.” One of the things that really standout about Helena is that all of their local offices are built with the local farmers in mind. The staff at the Cleveland office is compiled of a group of local people who know what the needs and concerns of our area farmers are and therefore more than capable to help them weed through the tough decisions. “Our staff here is great, starting with the office personnel — including the sales representatives — and moving all the way through the warehouse operations and loading docks. This is what makes us different,” added Holder. Efficiency and excellent service to the farmer is what Helena has built their reputation on. “We are more than happy to come to a farmer’s location and sort out the many different scenarios with them to find the right products and services to increase productivity and enhance his crop yields,” said Holder. “We are here to find the correct combination of products and services for each customer’s unique situation.” As the technology continues to grow and give producers more and more options, Helena Chemical continues to expand to keep up with the changing times. While they still offer the existing chemistries of insecticide, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizer that are the foundation of the Helena name, they are not lacking in the new technologies and services. Helena is committed to providing services like custom seed treating, plant tissue and soil testing services, field mapping, financial services and agronomic consultations and advice in addition to all chemical needs of the producer. Holder added that the Cleveland branch of Helena Chemical is open to any farmer to call or come in for more information. “We are dedicated to our Bolivar County farmers and the important role that they play in our area. Whether it is an existing customer, a potential customer or just a producer looking for some advice, our doors are always open.” |
CHEMICAL COWBOYS/COWGIRLS: Kim Brown, Ben Wooten, Malcolm Dye and Dave McCool keep Helena Chemical running on a daily basis, whether it is assisting a farmer with a purchase or treating bags of seed with the latest fungicides. Taylor Mitchell/The Cleveland Current |
Neil Wareing From the Mississippi Delta to the African plains Professional hunter guides Deltans on African hunting safari By Shana O'Malley Beyond the thick twines of brush, a giant beast shakes the earth with each step it takes. In the distance, herds of buffalo roam more than a million acres of green plains. Crocodiles hide in the marsh peering at the waters edge for their next unsuspecting meal and a lion pierces the air with his ferocious roar. This unfamiliar land is Africa, and over the years more than a dozen Delta hunters have taken the journey halfway around the world for the experience of a lifetime. The man behind the great adventures is Neil Wareing, a professional hunter and native of South Africa. Wareing has been coming to the United States for more than 20 years to recruit hunting enthusiasts to go on African hunting safaris. Locals such as Alan Wilson, Don Blackwood and David Crowe are just a few Delta natives who have taken excursions to the exotic continent. Whether it’s their first trip or fiftieth, Wareing said he loves taking his Delta friends to the African plains because each time brings out an anxious and exciting desire to hunt new game. “They can’t believe the amount of game they see and their finger is just itching as soon as they get there, so I have to say ‘hold on, hold on we will see plenty more,’” he joked. “It’s just the experience that they can’t believe and that there is so much game to be offered.” Wareing said he typically starts a new hunter out with plain game and then works up to his favorite animal — the buffalo. “Going after a buffalo just gets your blood going and it requires a lot of skills for trackers following the buffalo,” he explained. “Sometimes you can be on a track for half an hour and run in to them, and then sometimes you can track them for four hours and not find one.” Once you’ve found the heard, Wareing said the next challenge is finding a suitable bull that is in good shooting range. With excellent senses and a bad temper, Wareing said the massive animal has given him a few close calls over the years. “A buffalo cow came at us last year and we managed to drop her right at our feet,” he said. “We discovered that she had an old poacher’s bullet in her and that’s what caused her to charge at us we didn’t provoke her at all but that’s how it is.” Wareing explained that any animal can be dangerous depending on the situation and he reminds hunters to always keep a lookout so they don’t become the prey. “You can’t just go hanging around the waters’ edge or a crocodile will come up and get you! You’ve got to keep your eyes open and don’t start wandering around at night because the hippos will be out eating grass nearby and something could happen,” he warned. Professional hunters go through training and licensing and some also do an apprenticeship. Professional hunters also make sure that visitors have a safe, fulfilling and legal hunt by making sure they have the proper paperwork and tags from the country they are hunting in. Wareing said he is thankful for the opportunity to guide so many Delta hunters and hopes to see new and returning faces on future trips. For more information, e-mail Wareing at wareing@telkomsa.net. |
GUIDED GREATS: David Crowe (right) and Dr. Don Blackwood (left) pose with a hippo harvested on a recent safari guided by acclaimed outdoorsman Neil Wareing (middle).
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