Mayor Ed Pinero speaks to members of the community at Coffee with the Mayor.
Photo by Jodi Marze

Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero recapped the busy community schedule for the past three months at Friday’s “Coffee with the Mayor” hosted by the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce.

Pinero was just back from a trip to Washington, D.C., and discussed the city’s beautification progress and Thursday’s scheduled parade for the State Champion Picayune Maroon Tide football team.

“We have had between 6 to 7,000 children through here since Halloween activities began, meaning even more people flowed through our area. That translates into more sales at our local shops and a boost to our local economy because 68 cents of every dollar spent here stays in the county.”

Pinero said economic development will continue to be the focus, including 5K races and other tourism-driven events that give the community exposure and an economic boost. He encouraged those in attendance to support clubs and groups that hold such events.

“Tourism is working great — people are planning for these events,” Pinero said.

The mayor gave a brief recap of the meetings he and County Supervisor Patrick Lee attended with Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, and with U.S. Rep Steven Palazzo on economic development, flood insurance and grants for Pearl River County.

“Flood insurance is going to bring some changes to everyone,” Pinero said. “But it’s not going to be the doom and gloom for us that it will be for others in the southern three counties. With Biggert-Waters, coastal counties and parishes will be affected the most. Those who are living in B zones will be hit hard.”

“Right now, in the southern counties, there are 41,000 homes who have their last owners living in them,” said Lee.

Pinero said that he would be speaking to different groups on the topic in upcoming weeks to inform them how the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 will affect the county. He said that with rates being much better than in coastal areas, the county should be a good relocation alternative.

Grants for the county courthouse and upgraded communications for the volunteer fire departments also appear to be in good shape.

The mayor commended the city for moving forward with improvements on downtown projects such as additional parking, lighting and beautification. With the demolition of Crosby Memorial Hospital almost complete, the mayor suggested people bring ideas for use of the five-acre green space that will compliment existing structures to future Coffees with the Mayor.

Before closing, Pinero encouraged everyone to attend and to be part of the Football Championship parade set for 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Let’s celebrate and eat some Funyuns,” Pinero said.