Calhoun County Supervisors approved a resolution supporting the naming of a stretch of Hwy. 9 just south of Pittsboro be named for the late Spencer Glenn Beckley Sr.
The resolution was presented to the board by Steven Woodruff of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Woodruff said the request for Beckley was among five the agency were seeking around the state to remember MBN agents who were killed in the line of duty.
Beckley, of Bruce, joined MBN in 1986 where he was assigned to the undercover team in Jackson.
“He traveled the state working undercover and developed a reputation as one of the best undercover agents in the history of the agency,” Senate Resolution 585 reads.
Beckley was returning home from duty in Jackson when he was killed on Dec. 23, 1989 in an auto accident just outside Calhoun City on Hwy. 8. Beckley was 27 years old at the time of his death. He was buried at Branch Chapel Church Cemetery in Pittsboro.
The designation would be on Hwy. 9 from Academy Road to the Pittsboro Park road near the health department. The Legislature will have to give final approval.
In other news, Circuit Clerk Carlton Baker asked the board to help set up the precincts for the Nov. 25 circuit judge runoff election between Shirley Byers and Kelly Luther.
Baker also said he’s been notified that the state is not going to be maintaining the county’s voting machines and equipment in the future. Baker said the county would have to pickup those costs of approximately $3,300 annually if it was wanted. Baker said the 39 machines cost approximately $500 each to replace. The board took no action.
County Engineer Chodie Myers told the board the county currently has $220,000 in State Aid money.
“I’ll have to look and see what (projects)come up next and make a recommendation on that money,” Myers said.
The board authorized 911 director Wayne Stone to proceed with the purchase of new radio consoles for the 911 dispatch center at a cost of $145,000.
Stone explained the current consoles were purchased in 2004 on a grant and are now full, meaning no new radios can be added to the system.
The board approved the upgrade but are still reviewing financing options to pay for it.
Other items approved by board:
•travel for election commissioners to training in Philadelphia.
•appointed Carla Orr as jury commissioner for four year term.
•agreed to advertise for engineering services per FAA regulations.
•hired Cody Shankle as part time jailer.
•approved for board to attend midwinter conference in January and NaCo conference in February.
