Cleveland School District modifies '10-’11 plans

Monday vote will move sixth graders

By Michael Simmons
The Cleveland Current Editor

The Cleveland School District Board of Trustees is expected to vote at tomorrow’s regular monthly meeting to modify recently announced changes that will affect the 2010-2011 school year.

Board President Dr. Harvey Jackson said that the board has taken into consideration concerns from the community, as well as following up with administrators on the logistics of the proposed changes that would have merged both junior high school campuses with the high schools.

Instead of combining the campuses, the board is expected to approve enlarging the junior high schools by adding the sixth graders, which will free enough room in the elementary schools for the children who

would normally attend H.M. Nailor Elementary. The board is adamant about closing the old wing of the school due to its dilapidated conditions.

“We are scheduled to vote on combining sixth, seventh and eighth graders and leave them at D.M. Smith Middle School and Margaret Green Junior High,” Jackson explained. “That will give us some room on the elementary level for those Nailor students.

Our elementary schools will just be going to the fifth grade,” he continued. “We think that will free up some room at Parks, Pearman and Cypress Parks because they won’t have to accommodate the sixth graders.”

He said there is plenty of room at both junior high schools to accommodate the increase in enrollment there.

The board’s decision to turn Bell Elementary into a magnet school remains the same, as they hope to raise academic levels by mirroring the success at Hayes Cooper Center.

Jackson said this addresses concerns of parents that have been brought to the board, and he said that the academic issues are the current challenge.

“The community’s biggest concern was in terms of safety,” Jackson said. “This eliminates that concern. We have some more work we need to do on the classroom side and we will be addressing them.”

In addition, Jackson said the board is considering plans to address the open concept in the district, but

they are waiting to see what future budget cuts will be incurred.

“We plan to look at what we can do to eliminate the open concept in our district, period,” he said. “That’s on the agenda. We’re just waiting to see what resources we will have coming in to work with.”

February’s regular meeting was filled with parents and community members, as well as children, demanding information on the upcoming changes. Some went as far as demanding consolidation of the high schools and junior high schools, calling for an economic boycott during Easter weekend. After that meeting the board met with representatives of the school PSTOs and asked for recommendations.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Cleveland School District Central Office.

Wayne Cobb remembered for service

Former Cleveland Police chief had 35 years with dept.

By Michael Simmons
The Cleveland Current Editor

Officers with the Cleveland Police Department are wearing a black ribbon over their badges to mourn the loss of former Police Chief Wayne Cobb, who served the city in one law enforcement capacity or another for 35 years.

Cobb began with the city in 1967 and rose quickly in the ranks before a long stint as assistant police chief. In 1993, he was named chief — a position he held until he retired in 2002 and embarked on a new career path with the U.S. District Court in Greenville as a court security officer.

Chief Charles “Buster” Bingham said Cobb’s death is a sad time for the Cleveland Police Department.

“When I started in 1988 he was the assistant chief. He was my assistant chief and chief until he retired,” he reminisced. “You know, not only was he a boss, he was a friend. We went fishing together. We hunted a couple of times together. He loved playing spades and we would play spades together. He was that type of person that I enjoyed working for.”

Bingham added that not many on the force today had the pleasure of working for Cobb.

“A lot of the officers that are here now never got to work for him or work with him, but those who did all have different memories of different things that happened while he worked here,” he explained. “He was a person who if you didn’t want his opinion, you didn’t ask, because he would give you his opinion. He wasn’t ugly about it. But, you always knew where you stood with him.”

Alderman Paul Janoush, who chairs the city’s police committee, said that Cobb was dedicated to moving Cleveland along and helping it grow.

“Wayne was a dedicated employee of the city and the police department,” he said.

“He was very concerned about the city and ran a very good department. Besides that, he was a very good citizen of the city.

“I remember seeing him walk that big dog of his every day down Fifth Avenue and he was always quick to wave and smile at you,” he continued. “On behalf of the board and myself, our sympathies go out to his family.”

Bingham said that despite his retirement from the city, he would often times check back in to make sure everything was running smoothly.

“Even after he retired from the department and went to work for the U.S. Marshal Service, he would still come by and check in,” he said. “He would talk to all the officers he knew and he was just a person you could turn to if you needed anything.

I saw him about two weeks ago and he came by the station and we talked over some coffee. Just about every time I saw him he had a cup of coffee in his hands.

And, he always had time to sit down and talk to people.”

A choked-up Bingham added, “I’m truly going to miss him.”

Needle Specialty Products

Boyle business supplies intricate creations to the world

By Keith Wood
The Cleveland Current Senior Writer

Many may not be aware, but in the small town of Boyle, in an unassuming building, a contract medical device manufacturer produces needle products that are put into use all around the world.

Harry S. Myers originally founded Needle Specialty Products in 1987. Myers had extensive experience in the needle industry, and formerly worked for 20 years as a needle manufacturing supervisor for Baxter Healthcare in Cleveland. He built his business from the ground up, starting in his own back yard. His focus on detail, exceptional quality and superior service has served the company well for the last 23 years.

Michael Belenchia, plant general manager, has been with NSP since 1993. “Currently, we have approximately 140 employees,” he said. “We operate two 10-hour shifts, four days a week.”

A soft tissue core biopsy needle is the company’s largest selling needle product.

“This kind of needle is used for taking biopsies of things like the liver, breast or kidneys,” Belenchia commented. “We also produce a number of other products — such as blank cannula, prostate seed implant needles, aspirating needles, bone marrow biopsy needles and peritoneal needles.”

The production of these delicate needles is not performed utilizing an automated assembly line. Each set, down to the individual pieces, are put through multiple, manual processing steps that individual employees perform.

“I don’t think people realize just how talented our employees are and have to be,” said Belenchia. “These needles are usually pretty small, comparatively to other types of metal works, and require a special hands-on approach.”

Belenchia then produced a very short and thin hollow tube with a tiny hole that was very difficult to see, blown into only one side of the tube, but not through the other side. “The precision required has to be exact. It takes a special type of person to be able to perform this processing step with such small and tight tolerances on a consistent basis,” he added. “Our employees are people with hands and fingers that can perform delicate and intricate tasks, with a special attention to quality control.”

The FDA requires companies that manufacture medical devices to have and maintain a very detailed and elaborate quality system. NSP is required to meet FDA requirements. NSP is also audited by its customers and bi-annually by an impartial, qualified group to ensure quality.

“We are a contract manufacturer,” Belenchia noted. “Clients can come to us with their design and requirements, and we will work with them to produce a device that meets their standards, as well as the FDA’s, and NSP’s. Once the product has been approved by the client, the parts are made here, and then shipped to their specified locations. The biopsy product is made and assembled here, then shipped in bulk to Reynosa, Mexico, where they are packaged and labeled by the C.R. Bard Company, who owns and distributes the product worldwide.

“I think that the secret to NSP’s success is the employees that we have, both in the manufacturing, QA, support, and administrative areas,” Belenchia continued. “Brad Roberts, director of facilities and maintenance has been here since 1992. Director of Quality Assurance and Engineering Kyle Smith has multiple years of experience in his field. Denyse Ferguson, quality and support operations manager has been with the company since day one. Everyone, from steel processing and molding, to cleanliness and maintenance and office support play a critical part in our business.

These people are extremely talented and have high standards, and I am proud to work with them.”

Though space prohibits explanation of every aspect of their processes and the talented people that perform them, NSP is often overlooked for one of its main contributions to the Delta — economic impact.

“I think that since we are relatively small, we often get forgotten when it comes to the economic viability our services bring to the area,” Belenchia said. “We are the only company of our type, which I know about, in this area. Our products are shipped and put into use worldwide. I think that speaks for itself.”

For more information about Needle Specialty Products, visit their Web site at www.needlespecialty.com.

In depth: prescription card

Will Hooker explains new discount plan

Will there be a cost or tax increase to participate?
No. The plan is at no cost and tax free for Bolivar County citizens. All cards and promotional materials are provided by Caremark. The Board of Supervisors recognizes the economic climate we’re in and we felt that this was a creative solution to increase a needed service without increasing expense

When will cards be made available?
The official launched date is scheduled for March 9, 2010. Currently we are formulating our distribution channels. However, we will only be using existing networks. Currently we will utilize the library and human services department and other public entities that are willing to assist.

Who can use the discount card?
Everyone is eligible. All Bolivar County citizens:
• No age or income restrictions
• Uninsured
• Underinsured
• Medicare Part D participants
can use the Bolivar County prescription discount card any time their prescription is not covered by insurance. The working class citizens who have insurance that is inadequate in covering their prescription needs, will benefit. They may have catastrophic coverage, benefit limits or no spousal coverage. These citizens represent the underinsured.

Will I always save 20 percent?
The Bolivar County Prescription Discount Card provides an average savings of 20 percent off the pharmacy’s regular retail price. Savings will vary by drug and pharmacy.

Will I always receive the lowest price?
Yes. You will receive the best price available to you through this program at the pharmacy. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate provided by the card. An example of this would be if there are any promotions. If that occurs, you will receive the lower price.

Can I really use the card for pet prescriptions?
Yes, prescriptions that are prescribed for human conditions -— as well as for pets — can be purchased through this program. Ask your veterinarian for a prescription to present with your card at a participating pharmacy.

Can I use my prescription discount card with my current insurance benefits to reduce my costs?
Your card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurances. However, you are able to use your card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by those plans — including drugs not covered by a Medicare Part D Plan.

How is this prescription discount program different from traditional prescription insurance?
This plan is not insurance; it is a prescription discount program. The card provides immediate discounts at the pharmacy. Upon presenting your card to the pharmacist, you will pay the lower of a discounted price or the pharmacy’s regular retail price. There are no claim forms to fill out and no limit to the number of times you can use the card. These discounts are available only at participating retail pharmacies or through the Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy.

Can I use my card to get discounts on over-the-counter products and non-prescription medications?
Not usually. However, discounts are available for many diabetes supplies. The best practice is to try and see.

Does the plan provide mail service?
Yes. Use mail service for prescription medicine delivered to your door. Call toll-free 1-877-321-2652 and ask for the FastStart service to get started over the phone

When I receive a card can I use it right away?
Yes, use your card to start saving immediately. Present your prescription discount card at a participating retail pharmacy when you fill or refill your prescriptions.

Why partner with Caremark?
Caremark has been chosen to be the plan administrator. Caremark has been in the consumer card business since 1993. They are one of the largest Prescription Benefit Managers (PBM) in the industry. One in every four Americans is serviced by Caremark and there are over 57,000 participating retail pharmacies. They have an effective and solid reputation with retailers since 1969.

What local Pharmacies accept the card?
There are 11 local pharmacies currently accepting the card — Buckley’s, Lewis Drug Store, Medical Arts, Delta Health Center, Shelby Drug Company, Fred’s, South Street, Haire Drug, Walgreens, Kroger, and Wal-Mart.

Where can I go for more information?
Call toll-free 1-877-321-2652.

Resident pleads guilty to theft from Viking

Mason Joy sentenced to probation, ordered to pay hefty restitution

By Michael Simmons
The Cleveland Current Editor

Mason Joy of Bolivar County was sentenced in U. S. Federal Court, Northern District of Mississippi, on March 3 and given three years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to Viking Range Corporation for conspiracy to defraud the United States.

According to federal court records, Joy was employed in the IT department at Viking and between January 2006-September 2007 conspired to obtain “approximately $50,000 in money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretenses…”

Documents state that Joy and others were using company credit cards to purchase personal items.

“In furtherance of the conspiracy, Joy and his co-conspirators would and did create fictitious electronic receipts which falsely depicted that numerous items purchased by Joy and his co-conspirators were for official Viking Range Corporation use, when in truth and fact, as Joy and his co-conspirators then well knew, the items were purchased for their own personal use,” records state.

The items, according to records, included “clothing, computers, books, televisions, DVDs, jewelry and numerous other items.”

On Sept. 10, 2009, Joy waived his right to prosecution by indictment, wherein a grand jury receives evidence and decides whether or not an indictment is handed down. He, instead, agreed to prosecution by the information authorities had.

VFW Patty Rice Post 4800

Veterans stick together for community service

By Keith Wood
The Cleveland Current Senior Writer

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, along with its Auxiliaries, have approximately 2.2 million members at 8,100 posts around the world. The VFW’s mission statement is to “honor the dead by helping the living.”

They achieve this through veterans’ service, community service, a strong national defense and national security.

Originally formed in the early 1900s by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Phillipine Insurrection, local organizations were founded to help secure rights and benefits of servicemen. By 1915, VFW membership was 5,000, and by 1936, enrollment numbers reached almost 200,000.

In Cleveland, the Patty Rice Post 4800, is headed currently by Post Commander Billy Fly.

“At this time, we have approximately 100 members,” said Fly. “We are a charitable organization and donate services and funds to many causes, like veterans assistance and the Mississippi Firefighters Burn Center. We are also assisted with the elderly at various nursing homes by the Lady’s Auxiliary.”

Elsie Carrol of the Lady’s Auxiliary stated, “We have nursing home bingo parties on the second Sunday of every month. We have eight of them in the area and try to visit them all at least once per year. We take and serve refreshments and offer $50 prizes at the bingo games.”

The VFW also sponsors and supports the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. “We have six Eagle Scouts in our troop that will be up for the honor court on March 7, 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Cleveland,” Fly said.

Carrol added, “It’s so interesting and exciting to watch these young men grow. They started out here, and every year the VFW sponsors their banquet. A $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year to the Scout of the Year. The VFW also contributes funds to local baseball and bowling teams.”

Operation Uplink is one of the programs the VFW is currently involved in. “In 1996, the VFW began the program, which provides free phone time to active-duty military personnel and hospitalized veterans,” Fly explained.

According to VFW information, the program originally provided calling cards to deployed and hospitalized troops. Due to the popularity of the program, on Mother’s Day, 2006, the program was able to begin hosting “Free Call Days,” with help from corporate sponsors like Sport Clips and the United Auto Workers-General Motors. Once per month, on a designated day, deployed service members placing calls to the U.S. from their local Morale Welfare and Recreation Center are greeted by a recording that informs them that their calls will be free courtesy of Operation Uplink. Currently, the program is offered at over 866 locations.

In 2008, the VFW got the GI Bill for the 21st Century passed. This bill expanded educational benefits to active-duty service members and members of the National Guard and reserves who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We also are involved in sponsoring the Voice of Democracy competition,” Fly said. “It is an audio essay competition that is held every year. It covers students from grades 9-12, with the first place winner receiving a $30,000 scholarship. Also, there is the Patriot’s Pen competition, which is annually awarded to 7th and 8th graders in a written essay contest. The first place winner for that event receives a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond.”

Other programs supported by the VFW include the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service, which annually donates over one million hours of service at VA medical facilities. They also average a donation of $100,000 to the March of Dimes. The Military Assistance Program (MAP) receives benefit information, family assistance and employment guidance from VFW National Headquarters.

“We also are involved with the Buddy Poppy Program,” Fly commented. “It began as disabled veterans assembling the artificial red flowers, then the flowers were distributed, with a suggested donation price of $1. The funds are designated for Post relief funds to help veterans in need and to help maintain the VFW National Home for Children, which is located in Michigan.” VFW statistics show that since 1922, the Buddy Poppy Program has distributed over 1 billion flowers.

“We just want the community to know that we are here to support our veterans,” Fly continued. “We may be able to assist them or their families in ways that they may not know about. All they need to do is contact us, and we will give them any aid that we can.”

Freedom is not free, nor is the task of taking care of service personnel. The next time you see a VFW sponsored event, or any event concerning our military members, please remember that the money you make is made possible only from the services of our current and former veterans that keep America free.

Farm Bureau

Giving a voice to farmers across the state

The MFBF fights for ag legislations on both the state and federal level,

while providing an array of services to growers.

By Chance Wright
The Cleveland Current Sports Editor

Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation might have said it best, “Americans enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families.”

The Farm Bureau name and logo are well known in farming circles around the Delta for providing assistance to local producers, however, for those outside the agricultural world there is minimal understanding to what being a member of the Mississippi and American Farm Bureau Federations really mean for the economy of Bolivar County.

“Farm Bureau has been an integral part of the agricultural business in Bolivar County since the 1930s,” said Liberty Cash Jr., branch manager for the Bolivar County Farm Bureau office. By 1943, BCFB had the largest county Farm Bureau membership in the nation at 7,794.

“The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation dates back to 1922 and has been providing rural farmers with a voice in both Mississippi and Federal legislation over the years. With membership numbers currently exceeding 200,000 families representing all 82 counties across the state, the Federation has grown to become the largest general farm organization in the state,” he added.

Roughly 144 families are fed for a year on the growing efforts of a single American farmer. Agriculture is

the No. 1 industry in the state of Mississippi and Farm Bureau is the “Voice of Mississippi Agriculture.” With that being said, there is more to offer than just farm insurance.

“As we continued to grow over the years, we found that there was a need for us to begin offering other forms of insurance policies and offer them to the public in areas other than agriculture,” Cash said. “While our primary goal was to make sure that local farmers could get insurance, over the years we evolved to where we could write policies to anyone in the county. Some of the coverages we provide are; fire insurance, property and casual insurance, life insurance and just about any other coverage that anyone would need.”

A $40 annual membership fee to the Farm Bureau Foundation is required for all property and causality policyholders, but becoming a member has its benefits.

“It’s like having a paid lobbyist on both the state and national levels for $40 a year,” added Cash. “It also comes with other benefits as well like; an accidental death benefit of $3,000, discounts from various nationally known companies, a subscription to Mississippi Farm County magazine, a voice in Farm Bureau’s policies and programs, as well as any insurance services here at the local office.”

Another benefit from the $40 membership fee is that a substantial part of this money stays in Bolivar County.

“The membership fees have a lot of uses,” added Cash. “First, we use them in case there is a legislative bill that our members want to address and need the lobbyists to step in and help getting our voice heard.

These fees also provide us with a means to pay for the building, utilities and other day-to-day operations of this office including salaries for the secretaries. A percentage then goes to Jackson to support the Mississippi Federation, but a big chunk stays here for the use of the Bolivar County Farm Bureau Federation.”

To find out more about memberships in to the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation or legislative issues being supported and opposed by the Federation, contact the Bolivar County Farm Bureau offices at (662) 843-4061.

Liberty Cash keeps up with farm news across the country so he can best inform those in the ag industry on the latest developments.

Larry Pace

Capturing Delta wildlife one snapshot at a time

By Shana O'Malley
The Cleveland Current

Larry Pace grew up hunting and fishing like every other Deltan. He spent his boyhood in the town of Pace, where he toted around a gun and shot at squirrels and small game.

When Pace joined the Navy in the early ‘70s, he made a purchase that allowed him see wildlife through a new lens.

“I bought a little 35-milometer camera for fairly cheap at one of the base exchanges so I just started taking pictures,” he explained.

Although he loved the hobby, he gave it up after his time in the service for a career with the U.S. Postal Service, and has only recently gotten back into it.

“I had to give it up because I just didn’t have time,” he said. “I just picked it back up two years ago when I retired.”

In the 30-plus years that Pace has been away from the hobby, he said photo technology changed drastically and he had to relearn a few things.

“The biggest quandary I had was whether to use a 35-milometer film camera or switch to the digital camera. A lot of folks said I would be making a mistake if I stuck with the film and they were correct,” he said. “It’s much easier and cheaper with the digital because you don’t have to worry about sending the film off and your unlimited in the pictures you can take.”

With his Cannon 50-D digital camera in hand, Pace frequents the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, and refuges in Yazoo and Hillside where he seeks out some of the Delta’s rarest creatures.

Pace mainly shoots photos of birds, and even though there are hundreds of different bird species living in the Delta, he already has an admirable snapshot collection.

“I’ve got a couple of pictures of the painted bunting, which is the Holy Grail of the bird watchers around here. It’s a currant colored bird that migrates through here in the spring,” he said, “I’ve got a couple of pictures of some cranes and things like that which are fairly good photos.”

To get the best pictures, Pace said you have got to know your subject and master the skill of patients.

“You have to have a lot of patience, particularly when you do birds and anything that’s going to move,” he explained. “Just like any hunter who sits in a stand waiting for deer, it’s the same thing with a camera.”

He also wears camouflage and builds natural blinds to mask himself from the creatures.

Pace said he is building his photo collection slowly but hopes to have a public display of his work someday.

“I do want to frame some of them and maybe have a show sometime down the road or something like that,” he added.

Pace also works with local bird watchers and the Friends of Dahomey group.

“Part of the reason I want to do these pictures is so I can share then with the refuges,” he said, “Its more of a public service thing than anything else.”

ANIMAL APERTURE: Larry Pace spends

his days at the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, as well as refuges in Yazoo and Hillside, where he patiently waits for

his next shot.