Mississippi News
Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks director retiring after 29 years
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks director retiring after nearly 30 years
Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Director Sam Polles, the longest tenured director in the agency's history, has announced his retirement after 29 years.
“The department is one of a very few agencies that touches the lives of citizens all across this state every single day,” Polles said in a message to MDWFP employees on Monday.
Polles, appointed by Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1992, has served under five governors.
In his message, Polles said: “Our Wildlife Management Areas now offer the sporting public high quality hunting opportunities unlike any in the Southeast, and our state lakes system and other public waterways provide anglers with storied fishing experiences which no doubt will be shared with families and friends for generations.”
Polles said his resignation is effective Tuesday.
Deputy Director Lynn Posey said that he will temporarily oversee agency operations until an interim — then permanent — director is named.
“This is an end of an era over here,” Posey said of Polles' retirement. “I think he's done an excellent job.”
MDWFP is governed by a five-member commission, with members appointed by the governor. When choosing a director, the commission sends a list of three people to the governor, who chooses one, subject to approval by the state Senate.
Commissioner Leonard Bentz said: “Dr. Polles has been a great leader for that department over the last 29 years. He brought that department to the professional organization it is today because of his leadership.”
Polles' accomplishments with the agency include expanding wildlife management areas and state lakes system providing more hunting and fishing opportunities, implementing new systems for purchase of licenses and registrations, and construction of the new Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and MDWFP state headquarters.
But not everyone was pleased with his leadership. Mississippi Sierra Club Director Louie Miller said, “Sadly under Dr. Polles' tenure, state parks have been allowed to deteriorate from what was once a showcase for Mississippi, into the dilapidated condition they are currently in.”
READ MORE: Lawmakers consider privatizing Mississippi's dilapidated, underfunded state parks
“To add insult to injury, while Mississippians were celebrating the Christmas holiday, Dr. Polles was busy executing plans to hand over our state parks to private, out-of-state, for-profit corporations for the next 30 years … We hope the next Director will serve the public's best interest in managing our cherished natural resources rather than yielding to special interests.”
READ MORE: Move to privatize state parks halted – for now – amid heated debate
MDWFP recently put out a request for proposals for private companies to manage operations of Hugh White, John Kyle, John P. Cossar and Wall Doxey state parks. Miller and other opponents of this move said it is ill timed because the state has billions of dollars in federal stimulus money that could be used to improve the state's dilapidated parks.
MDWFP has faced budget cuts over many years and said it didn't have the money to maintain and upgrade the state's 25 parks.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Shopping trips ends with shoplifting charges for Lee County women
SUMMARY: Two Lee County women, Marie Thomas and Brandy Allred, were arrested in Tupelo for a substantial shoplifting case where they took over $1,000 worth of merchandise. Thomas was charged with felony shoplifting and her bond was set at $5,000, while Allred was also identified as a suspect in two grand larceny cases and was charged with felony shoplifting and two counts of grand larceny, with a bond set at $50,000. The incident occurred in February at a business on South Green Street in Tupelo. Follow WCBI on Facebook for continuous news updates.
The post Shopping trips ends with shoplifting charges for Lee County women appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Man wanted for hitting woman in face, stealing purse in Jackson
SUMMARY: Jackson police are searching for a man who assaulted a woman and stole her purse in the 6300 block of Ridgewood Court. The suspect, described as a Black male, pushed the victim to the ground, hit her in the face, and fled with her purse. He later used her bank card to get gas. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them. The incident occurred on Monday, April 29. Detective Tommie Brown is leading the investigation. The suspect's whereabouts are unknown, and police are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help solve the case.
The post Man wanted for hitting woman in face, stealing purse in Jackson appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Grads take part in Mag Chain ceremony
SUMMARY: Students at Mississippi University for Women took part in the Magnolia Chain Ceremony, a tradition dating back to the late 1800s on the Columbus campus. The ceremony serves as a bridge between student life and becoming an alum of the university, connecting graduates to the “Long Blue Line” of past alumni. Each student received a live magnolia flower, where the leaves symbolize strength and the blossoms represent prosperity, as they move on to the next stage of their lives. The W also held two graduation ceremonies to cap off the event. The tradition of Mag Chain is a meaningful way for graduates to stay connected even as they go their separate ways.
The post Grads take part in Mag Chain ceremony appeared first on www.wcbi.com
-
Mississippi Today5 days ago
On this day in 1951
-
SuperTalk FM1 day ago
Driver’s education set to become mandatory in Mississippi as bill passes
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
Festival merger in Leland sets up one major event for Mississippi Delta
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
PERS bill set to phase in employer rate increase heads to governor’s desk
-
Mississippi Business2 days ago
Geartek expanding operations in Alcorn County
-
Mississippi News3 days ago
Two women accused of shoplifting across southeast captured in Mississippi
-
SuperTalk FM7 days ago
Investigation underway after gun found in backpack of Ridgeland High School student