During the past few weeks the City Board passed a resolutionauthorizing the issuance of bonds for the purpose of purchasingland for the proposed the Industrial Park. This is a joint effortbetween the city, county and Industrial development Foundation ofthe Chamber of Commerce. Hopefully, this will allow us to be moreaggressive in attracting industry to Brookhaven and LincolnCounty.

The city and county have recently conducted public hearings onthe the tax increment financing (TIF) issue in an attempt to getvarious viewpoints. I know that both boards will make every effortto make a sound decision. If this project moves forward, the TIFfunds will be used for infrastructure needs such as streets, water,sewer and drainage and not for buildings or parking lots.

Representatives of the city and county have a trip planned inmid-October to meet with our congressional delegation. We’ll beasking for their assistance in helping us obtain grant funds forseveral major projects. I’ll report more on these after ourmeeting.

I’m pleased to report that the city and chamber are workingtogether to purchase Christmas lights for the downtown area. Thisyear will only be the first of four phases, so don’t bedisappointed with what gets put up, as we hope to be expanding thisyearly.

The funds for the downtown paving project were released Sept.30, but I’ve learned not to speculate on when the work willactually be done. I do hope that bids can be let in November wherethe work can be done before Christmas. MDOT will also begin pavingMonticello Street soon.

The Multi-Modal project has been put on hold for the time beingas several matters are yet to be resolved. I will keep you postedon how this is progressing.

We have asked MDOT to put Brookhaven on the list for clusterlighting at each interstate interchange. We have been led tobelieve that this can be done but have been unable to find out”when.” We will keep working on this.

Oct. 19 is being declared as the Brookhaven Tree of Life Day, atwhich time we will recognize the value of being an organ donor. Atree-planting ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. at Kid’s Kingdom onthe 19th and it would be great if you could come out and show yoursupport.

I met with a representative of Waste Management concerning theirholiday schedule. The only day they will take off this fourthquarter is Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day). They will collectgarbage all other days.

We have received numerous calls regarding “Trick or Treat.” Theboard encourages you to do this on Saturday, Oct. 30 rather thanSunday.

I look forward to keeping you posted on various things going onwith the city and will be reporting back again in the nearfuture.

Robert V. “Bob” Massengill is mayor of the city ofBrookhaven.