A move to recognize the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority on a sign for the county's greenways project sparked a debate Tuesday over the Utility Authority's role in the greenways effort.

Larry Jarrett, coordinator of the DeSoto County Greenways project, appeared during the Utility Authority board meeting and, in addition to being grilled about the greenways initiative, generated some controversy over the sign.

The board ultimately voted to allow the Utility Authority's name to be placed on a sign marking the beginning of the proposed Johnson Creek Trail near U.S. 61.

Plans call for the trail for hikers and horseback riders to begin near U.S. 61 and follow Johnson Creek through Walls and up to Horn Lake, basically using the route used by Entergy and the Utility Authority for their infrastructure.

Jarrett explained the sign would recognize landowners who had granted conservation easements for the project, including Utility Authority executive director Bill Austin, and entities that were making the project possible, such as Entergy, the DeSoto County Supervisors and the North Mississippi Landtrust.

"We are in the sewer business, period," board member Barry Bridgeforth said. "This greenway project is just a byproduct of that, and we have nothing to do with it."

Bridgeforth feared that having the Utility Authority associated with the greenways project could cause problems.

"It could interfere in our negotiations with a landowner that agrees with the construction of a sewer line but not the development of the greenway." Bridgeforth said.

But board president B.J. Paige said he felt it was a good public relations move to place the Utility Authority on the greenways sign as a cooperative partner.

Ray Denison, who represents Walls on the board, said he strongly disagreed with Bridgeforth's position that it could be problem, and Denison moved to allow Jarrett to place the Utility Authority on the sign.

After a long silence, just as it appeared there would be no second for the motion, Horn Lake representative Spencer "Penny" Shields seconded it.

The motion passed, with Bridgeforth casting the lone dissenting vote.

During questioning, board member Joe Frank Lauderdale asked Jarrett how construction and maintenance of Johnson Creek Trail would be funded.

Jarrett said funds would still have to be raised, but he was optimistic they would be raised - though it would be quite some time before any action could be taken.

"We really can't do any work, even designing or engineering, until all of DCRUA's construction is done along Johnson Creek," Jarrett said. "We have some ideas of where we might like some parking lots and trail heads, but that's all way off in the future."

- Mark Crum: (662) 996-1421

Originally published by Mark Crum crum@desotoappeal.com .

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