MPA/MPS Press Releases

For more information contact:
Jennifer Hall, Executive Director
Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association
601.939.8820

The Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association(MMHA), the voice of the
factory built housing industry for the state of Mississippi, strongly
supports the efforts of the Mississippi Center for Justice in protecting
the victims of Hurricane Katrina. These individuals who have received a
Mississippi Cottage from MEMA after losing their homes, should have the
right to choose these cottages as their permanent homes, if they are
properly installed to FEMA floodplain guidelines.

MMHA stands behind the constructional safety of our industry’s product,
in this case, it is the Mississippi Cottage. “These cottages absolutely
should be allowed as a source of permanent housing. The facts prove that
these cottages meet the IBC/IRC ( International Building Code) standards
and housing is a critical need on the Gulf Coast for so many Mississippi
residents”, stated Jennifer Hall, MMHA Executive Director. “ Why would
local government ignore these facts and deny these residents the
opportunity to live in a safe and permanent environment?”

These Mississippi Cottages were planned, designed and built to modern
construction methods and with materials that meet the International
Residential Code(IRC) of 2003. In Mississippi, the State Fire Marshal’s
Office has the regulatory authority to approve and issue modular
certification for all modular homes transported into our state to be
used as permanent habitation. Therefore, these Mississippi Cottages were
properly approved and labeled prior to delivery in each county of our
state.

These units are categorized by our industry as on frame modular homes.
In industry terms, that means the home structure is built to the IRC
standard and attached to a HUD code undercarriage. These structures are
identical to a site built home and can withstand winds up to 150mph.
“ They are probably one of the safest forms of housing available on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast”, stated Gene Rogers, VP of Lexington Homes,
Inc., manufacturer of some of the Mississippi Cottages.

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For More Information Contact: Tina Bruno@210-559-5277

Will Save School District Money

As school districts are scrambling to find ways to cut budgets, without impacting student programs, one lawmaker has proposed legislation that will do just that.

Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Hewes (R-Harrison) has filed a bill that would require all K-12 public schools to begin student instruction no earlier than the forth Monday in August.

Data from other states that have adopted similar laws show dramatic savings in cooling costs, increases in academic performance and students more energized to return to school in August.

“Besides the obvious benefits,” said Tina Bruno spokesperson for the grassroots, parent organization Save Mississippi Summers, “the later school start date is extremely popular with voters.”  Bruno said other states have conducted formal polling on the subject and normally the uniform, late-August school start date has around 75 – 80 percent support.

According to the National Climatic Data Center it costs twice as much to cool Mississippi schools in August than May.

A report in the Houston Chronicle showed Texas schools saw lower August electric bills after the state legislature mandated a school start date no earlier than the forth Monday in August.  Savings was seen during the period even though the cost of energy skyrocketed during that time.

Tulsa, Oklahoma schools also saw a savings of almost $500,000 by pushing back the start of the school year in 2003 from mid-August to post-Labor Day.

While advocates agree the savings won’t equal that being cut, every little bit helps.

“Every dollar saved in non-instructional costs means another dollar we can put into our children and teachers,” said Bruno. “Districts in other states have estimated each August school week eliminated would save one teaching position.”

Eleven other states have school start date laws on the books and eleven more states have legislation filed.  Most recently, Florida, Texas and South Carolina passed laws limiting how early the school year can begin.  All three states reported an increase in standardized test scores and college entrance exam scores the year following the passage of the law.

“I wouldn’t say the later school start date had anything to do with academic performance,’ said Bruno, “But the continued increase in test scores shows starting later won’t cause any academic hardships.”

The proposal comes on the heals of the Governor announcing cuts to the K-12 education budget of $87.8 million.

Bruno said anyone interested in the issue should contact their state senator and state representative and urge them to support Senate Bill 2356.

If you don’t know how to reach your elected officials, simply log onto www.SaveMississippiSummers.org and click on the “Contact your Legislator” link.

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Editor’s Note:   Save Mississippi Summers is a grassroots coalition of parents, teachers, students and school administrators concerned about the ever-earlier start to the school year.

For Release: Immediately
Contact:
Mara Hartmann
601-969-2520 (office)
601-594-9042 (cell)
mhartma@entergy.com

Crews working to restore power in the wake of winter ice storm

Jackson, Miss. – Entergy Mississippi, Inc. has sent an additional 75 workers to Arkansas today to help restore service to Entergy Arkansas, Inc. customers who lost power as a result of a winter storm that struck the state early Tuesday. These workers will team up with the 92 workers Entergy Mississippi sent yesterday, for a total Mississippi work force of 167.

These crews include 109 tool workers (linemen and distribution workers), 22 scouts and 36 workers in management and logistics support.

The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for northern Arkansas that began Monday night and lasted through today. NWS removed all winter warnings and advisories from the Entergy service area Wednesday morning as the long period of icing finally came to an end.

Entergy Mississippi crews are expected to be in Arkansas for about a week.
“We are glad to do our part in helping restore power for Entergy customers affected by the winter storm in Arkansas,” said Rick Riley, director of distribution operations for Entergy Mississippi, Inc. “Entergy Arkansas has come to the aid of our customers many times over the years, most recently after Hurricane Gustav, and we are glad to be able to help their customers now. One of the benefits of being part of the Entergy family is that we can help each other in times of need. Our employees take great pride in safely getting the lights back on as quickly as possible.”

Entergy’s utility companies participate in mutual assistance agreements with utility companies across the country. When Entergy companies need assistance after storms, restoration workers are sent to help safely restore power to customers. The Mississippi crews heading to Arkansas were drawn from work groups across the state, leaving enough personnel in Mississippi to manage routine day-to-day work.

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 433,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.6 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
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Entergy Mississippi’s online address is www.entergy-mississippi.com.

CONTACT: Lori Mayhall
(256) 551-0112

Philadelphia, Mississippi – Thomasson Company’s Board of Directors names current Executive Vice President Brent Gray as its President.  Gray is a native of Philadelphia.

Thomasson Company, a respected and well recognized leader in southern yellow pine utility poles serving the entire southeastern United States, was incorporated in 1972 by the late Hugh Thomasson who recruited and mentored Gray upon his joining the Thomasson team in 1982.

Over the years, Gray climbed the ranks from sales representative to Sales Manager, Transportation Coordinator, General Manager, Executive Vice President, and now President.   Brent attributes the company’s success to Hugh Thomasson and his unparalled standard of business ethics and his philosophy that the customers needs were always the first priority, to deliver what they needed and when.

Thomasson Company is known for its responsiveness, integrity and innovation in pioneering the utility pole consignment model that is used today industry wide.   This model was designed to provide the capabilities of expediting shipments of utility poles while minimizing customer freight costs.  This model allowed Thomasson Company to successfully expedite the delivery of thousands of poles to various hard hit areas affected by the disasters throughout the United States which included Hurricane’s Katrina, Rita, Ike, Gustav, as well as ice and other weather related disasters.

CEO Patricia Thomasson comments, “Brent was the clear choice for the position because of his level of commitment and dedication to carry out the legacy of customer service and industry innovation that my father, Hugh Thomasson, began over 30 years ago.   I am humbled to have the privilege to experience the level of loyalty, professionalism, and dedication that our entire team exhibits on a day in and day out basis. Many of them began their careers here at Thomasson and have played a vital role in our success.
Together, Thomasson is committed to be the company of choice for pole distribution and manufacturing.”

Brent has served the local community through various organizations such as the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Municipal Airport Authority, the United Way of Neshoba County, the local Seratoma club and more.
#     #     #

For more information or to coordinate an interview, please contact Lori Mayhall at 256-551-0112 or email publicrelations@barcofirm.com. Any media exposure pertaining to this information would be greatly appreciated.

Press release prepared and provided by The BARCO Firm
256-551-0112 office ~ 256-551-0994 fax
©2008 The BARCO Firm

For More Information:
Brett Berg 251.208.6852
bberg@exploreum.com
Kristen Dreaper 251.208.6851
kdreaper@exploreum.com
Exploreum and Infirmary Health System’s interactive health gallery addresses regional health concerns

MOBILE, Ala. – Joining in the region-wide battle against obesity, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and Infirmary Health System will dish up a perfectly portioned plate of entertainment and education with the January 19 opening of the science center’s newest exhibit gallery, My BodyWorks.
My BodyWorks is an innovative, permanent gallery featuring more than 50 health-related interactive exhibits. Children and adults as well as seniors with emerging health issues will have fun learning about sensible eating, the importance of daily physical activity, innovative surgical techniques, and the causes and effects of heart disease, stroke and diabetes — the most pressing health concerns in the region.

“The goal of the Infirmary Foundation in partnering with the Exploreum is to showcase the state-of-the-art health care technologies available in our region, as well as to educate the public about the opportunities they have to manage their own health and wellness. We also see this exhibit as an incredible workforce development tool by inspiring young people to pursue careers in health care and medicine,” said Mark Nix, president and CEO of Infirmary Health System.

“This gallery is unlike any other in the Exploreum and is just about the first of its kind in the country,” said Michael Sullivan, Exploreum executive director. All of the exhibits have been custom-designed and almost half of the exhibits in the 6,500 square-foot gallery use the latest advances in high-definition, touch screen and virtual reality technologies. “We expect other science centers across the country to adopt and adapt many of these new health educational tools to create exciting experiences for their visitors.”
My BodyWorks is presented by the Infirmary Foundation on behalf of Infirmary Health System, in conjunction with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Ernest G. DeBakey Charitable Foundation and the Coca-Cola Foundation.

With gleaming metallic-finish exhibits designed with sinuous curves and accented by colors that mimic the food rainbow, the appearance of My BodyWorks is futuristic and appealing. And the exhibit technology lives up to the custom design with one-of-a-kind software and programs developed especially for fun!

“Many of the exhibits feature virtual reality, but the augmented reality kiosks are one of the knock-your-socks-off components of the gallery,” said Peter Feher, My BodyWorks exhibit designer. Instead of simulating reality, augmented reality combines computer technology with real world images for a truly stunning educational experience. The Exploreum’s AR exhibit demonstrates cardiac blood flow and oxygenation — 3D images of a beating heart seem to jump from the screen and into your hands.

But you’ll only notice the augmented reality kiosks after laying eyes upon My Beating Heart, 12-foot-tall, realistic beating cardiac muscle with LED illuminated veins and arteries. A few times each hour a wail of sirens and flash of lights indicate the “patient” is in distress and requires immediate medical attention.

The centerpiece of the gallery is the Ernest G. DeBakey Virtual Surgery, where visitors perform virtual heart bypass surgery and knee replacement surgery. Visitors can also simulate the complex hand-eye coordination required of endoscopic surgeons and learn about careers in health care.
Eleven BeHealthy activity stations were designed to promote health concepts and emphasize that fitness is key to healthy living. Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, these exhibits allow visitors to record their fitness levels — they test muscle endurance, BMI, reaction time, pulse, high-jump ability and more — and receive a personalized score card to review at home or compare on their next visit.

The gallery also houses the BioLab, a learning center where visitors participate in a variety of experiments and activities that apply biological concepts to every day life. Audiovisual equipment and audience-centered design guarantees each participant VIP seating in the middle of the educational action. Exploreum educational staff and guest health educators will create dynamic programming that will change every two months, insuring audiences a unique experience each visit.

“Reversing trends in heart disease, stroke and diabetes requires awareness,” said Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, Mobile County public health officer. “The Exploreum’s ability to creatively reach citizens, particularly children and adolescents forming life patterns, with fun and memorable educational messages can literally save lives and reduce the spiraling costs of health care in the region.”

The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a not-for-profit, community-owned organization created to promote science education along the Gulf Coast. The Exploreum was named Alabama’s 2008 Attraction of the Year by the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel and is the seventh most visited attraction in the state. For more information, please contact 251.208.6873 or visit Exploreum.com.

Photo available upon request.

Contact
Mara M. Hartmann
(601) 969-2520 (office)
(601) 594-9042 (cell)
mhartma@entergy.com

Jackson, Miss. – Dorman Davis, manager of regulatory affairs for Entergy Mississippi, Inc., today stated that the company has filed a formal response to the Mississippi Public Service Commission as it committed to do in its letter to the commission dated January 8, 2009.
In the response, Entergy Mississippi informs the MPSC of two things: that beginning in 2005, some energy generated with gas from the Evangeline long-term gas contract was sold through the Entergy System Exchange to other operating companies, including Entergy Mississippi; and, that the amount of this energy was relatively small, about one percent of the total Entergy Mississippi load in megawatt hours used between 2005 and 2008.  This energy provides valuable firm and flexible capacity to the Entergy System.
Due to the highly complex and time consuming process required to calculate the effects on Entergy Mississippi’s costs, Entergy Mississippi estimates that it will be the end of March when these calculations will be completed and the full financial information can be provided.
“This is a complex process and we want to make sure we provide the MPSC with the correct information,” said Davis.  “However, our preliminary calculations show that the amount of energy from this contract that was used by Entergy Mississippi was relatively small.”
“I would like to note that the filings we made show that the attorney general has mischaracterized our good faith efforts to provide accurate information to the MPSC,” Davis continued.
It is still not known if there was any negative financial impact to Mississippi customers as a result of receiving energy generated with this gas.
Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 433,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.
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Entergy Mississippi’s online address is www.entergy-mississippi.com.

For more information
Contact: Jason Thompson
601.898.7194
jason.thompson@healthy-miss.org

L.E.A.D. 2009 Conference Registration Is Open to Youth Across the State

(January 7, 2009) The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi (Generation FREE) and The American Lung Association of Mississippi (Teens Against Tobacco Use) are working together to provide Mississippi youth with an opportunity to enhance their leadership and activism skills at one of three mini-conferences to be held across the state.

L.E.A.D. 2009 (Leadership, Engagement, and Activism Development) will focus on equipping middle school and high school students with the tools needed to continue the creation of sustainable change in their communities. The one-day conferences will be held April 1-3, 2009 from 9AM to 2PM in Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Oxford, respectively. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Youth will also receive a free t-shirt for attending the conference.

For more information on L.E.A.D. 2009, contact Jason Thompson of The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi at 601.898.7194 or jason.thompson@healthy-miss.org.  To register for the conference nearest you, contact Leah Pylate of the American Lung Association at 601.206.5810 (toll free: 1.800.586.4872) or lpylate@alams.org.

Generation FREE and T.A.T.U. are programs funded by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

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First-term Mississippi Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant will be the latest state public official to be skewered by the state’s newspaper corps during the Mississippi Press Association Education Foundation Celebrity Roast in January.

The event will be held Jan. 29, 7 p.m., at the Jackson Marriott Downtown. It will be preceded by a 6 p.m. reception.

Bryant was elected Mississippi’s lieutenant governor in November 2007 after serving two terms as state auditor. He was first appointed to auditor’s position by the late Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1996 and subsequently won the office outright in two elections.

He was chosen as the “honoree” of the MPAEF annual roast for his support of Sunshine laws and passage of legislation in the 2008 term of the Mississippi Legislature of a bill clarifying law enforcement reports as public records.

The son of a diesel mechanic and a homemaker, Bryant is the married father of two. He is an author and recipient of the Statesmen of the Year from American Family Radio. He is Honorary Chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association and is past president of the Mississippi Republican Elected Officials Association.

Sid Salter, longtime roastmaster for MPAEF, and Perspective Editor of The Clarion-Ledger, will again serve as emcee for the event. Confirmed “roasters” include Hinds County Sheriff and Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillan, University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Martha Saunders, former state Sen. Charlie Ross, and Clarion-Ledger editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey.

Founded in 1983, the MPA Education Foundation provides internships to aspiring journalists and grants for journalism education programs at the collegiate level. The Mississippi Press Association, the sixth oldest association of its kind in the United States, was founded in 1866 and represents the interests of 108 member newspapers statewide.

Tickets for the event are available from MPA. For more information, contact MPAEF member services manager Beth Boone at 601-981-3060, or email bboone@mspress.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tony Sims
601-919-4200

Chairman Thomas W. Colbert recently celebrated his 40th year with Community Bank. At the time he joined Community Bank, it consisted of one office and $6 million in assets in Forest, Mississippi. Today, Community Bancshares, Inc. consists of $2.15 billion in assets, 37 offices, and 650 Community Bank staff members in four states. At the November board meeting, the Community Bancshares, Inc. Board of Directors adopted a resolution honoring Thomas Colbert’s achievements which was presented by Board Member and Clarion-Ledger Perspective Editor Sid Salter. “Thomas is always quick to deflect attention away from himself and credit other people for the bank’s success, but there is no denying in whose image this bank is fashioned. His character and principle of putting others first have become engrained in the fabric of Community Bank and proved important to its prosperity over the years,” says Freddie J. Bagley, President and CEO. “His work has not only led to career opportunities for our staff, but invaluable support for our customers’ endeavors and dreams; advocacy and energy for the success of the communities we serve; and millions in contributions to charities large and small,” he added. Community Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Community Banks across the Southeast, is one of the South’s fastest-growing financial institutions with $2.15 billion in assets and six banks in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama. Community Bank has been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as a “Fast 40” business and as one of the “Best Places to Work in Mississippi” for the past three consecutive years. ###

(photo available upon request) Sid Salter presenting resolution to Thomas W. Colbert)

Jackson, Miss. – January 9, 2009 - Baptist Health Systems in Jackson, Miss. has created an easy way to keep up with medications, doctor’s appointments, procedures and much more. The online program is free and password protected.

Your Health-E Life, available on Baptist’s website, allows users to create accounts where they can manage their health information and access special web-based services available through Baptist. People can login at www.yourhealthelife.com or through Baptist’s website at www.mbhs.org.

“Because of today’s technology, many people assume that all their medical information is kept in one place,” said Baptist Public Relation Coordinator Rhonda McRae. “The truth is, all those records are not connected and most people’s information is scattered across several physicians’ offices, hospitals and pharmacies.”

Your Health-E Life includes sections for storing information about medical history; medications; surgeries and other medical procedures and screenings; drug allergies; cholesterol history; blood pressure; blood sugar levels; weight history; and immunizations. It also allows users to store and update information about insurance providers and preferred pharmacies.

“Once you’ve created your account, you can update it at any time. And because it’s web based, you can access your health records from anywhere in the world you have Internet access,” McRae added. “Think how helpful that could be if a family member got sick or injured when you were away from home. You could print the entire record on one document that you could then take with you to the doctor’s office.”

The program also includes a feature called “Health-E Reminders.” Users can login and create reminders for physician appointments or any other important information. Your Health-E Life will send an e-mail to the user on the date he or she selects to be reminded.

McRae added, “If you are a caregiver for an older adult, it gives you a great way to keep up with medical history, medications and doctor’s appointments. Or if you have young kids, it can help you remember when it’s time for check-ups and shots. It’s health management for your entire family.”

In the future, McRae would like to see users of Your Health-E Life receive email notices with coupons for special offers, advance notice of screenings, physician’s seminars and other services available at Baptist.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.yourhealthelife.com or call the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262.

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