08/21/2026
Board of Alderman to Take Action on Abandoned or Dilapidated Property
By Trish Barnes, One Voice Online News
The Port Gibson Mayor and Board of Alderman took action at their second meeting of the month on Wednesday to collect addresses of abandoned or dilapidated property in each district in the city.
Once the addresses are received and property identified, the city will notify the property owners of measures needed to be taken. They will have two weeks to bring the property into compliance with city ordinances and state statutes.
If the property is not brought into compliance, the city will do the work to bring it into compliance. Whatever the cost, it will be tacked onto the property owners tax bill.
There has been a rash of complaints of dilapidated and unattended property.
The worst was a woman who complained her yard is full of snakes traveling from unattended property next to her home. She said the snakes gather on her steps at night and are a nuisance. She also complained there are more rodents at her home due to collapsing and overgrown foliage. She said she has been bothered for years and the city has done nothing to rectify the situation.
The issue was referred to the city attorney. Now the paperwork is in order for the city to take action.
As soon as the addresses are turned in from each district, the letters will be sent to homeowners.
In other action:
- Board voted to rent the Meyer Marx Building to the county for use by the Justice Court for hearings. The county will be charged by the day.
- Transferred $100,000 from the Utility Fund to the General Fund. Before the transfer there is $330,000 in the Utility Fund which is a collection arm for payments on Water/Sewer and gas bills.
- Approved a monthly invoice from the city attorney for services rendered , $3,300 per the contract.
Chelshe Archie had several agenda items added including:
- Requesting the city street crew spruce up downtown; she said there is grass growing in the cracks of the sidewalk and the Myrtles need to be trimmed.
- She requested the water and gas department be considerate when the workers see the homeowner could have a leak. She asked a notice be placed on the door notifying them of a suspected leak. Mayor Willie White said notification of a potential leak is already being placed on door handles. Mayor White said this is done as a courtesy, not as a requirement.
- Archie asked that consideration be given to assign two parking spots for each business downtown. She said parking has become a problem. In discussion, board members said there are no handicapped parking spots downtown either. It was brought up that if employees park in assigned spots, there are none for people wanting to do business downtown. No action was taken.
- Archie reminded everyone of the Christmas Parade scheduled for December 12/5/26 and the theme is “A Holly Jolly Christmas!!”
The board learned that the Pearl Police Department has given the Port Gibson Police Department 12 tasers.
The board approved an Internship Collaboration for a Criminal Justice Student to be assigned to the Port Gibson Police through the end of the year.
Quotes for repair and purchase of cameras for the water/department and the street department were approved on two separate motions.
