TUPELO - The lights went out for a few moments at City Hall chambers Tuesday night as neighborhood association leaders pressed for Tupelo housing improvements.
That didn't dim their drive or enthusiasm to keep plugging to end blight in some areas of town, curb crime problems and promote affordable housing.
"We've got to bring pride back to our city," Joyner Neighborhood Association President Desha Cruse told city leaders. "We are truly at a crossroads."
Cruse represented about a dozen neighborhood associations with a crowd of about 75 visitors giving her comments a spirited round of applause.
There was no action Tuesday as the council awaits recommendations from Mayor Ed Neelly's housing task force. Councilman Thomas Bonds of Ward 2 chairs a separate panel enforcement on code enforcement. Both groups should issue reports by the fall, said Council President Dick Hill.
For city leaders, "it is essential to take a more proactive approach than complaint driven," Cruse said.
In the middle of her report, somebody accidentally bumped the light switch to temporarily put visitors and live cable TV viewers in the dark.
Once the snickers died down, Cruse calmly proceeded with recommendations such as more housing inspectors and tougher enforcement of codes; more effective communications among police, the courts and city planners on housing violations; and action to clean-up litter and correct problems with signs.
At the Gloster Creek Village earlier in the day, Tupelo residents say housing must be a major focus.
"The more we expand, the more we are going to need it," said Tupelo Middle School parent Jessica Walker. "We need more affordable housing so people can stay here."
A Lee County librarian, Jill Williams said people will continue to move to Saltillo, Guntown and Blue Springs if Tupelo cannot provide moderately priced homes.
Said insurance agent Chris Sanford, who's lived in Tupelo for a decade: "I believe in fixing up neighborhoods. We need a clean welcoming community."
