Reily's ramblings

Because it’s in the latter part of the Americas

Ross Reily — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:47:04 +0000

For the purposes of this blog post, we will call him Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith was a history professor at my high school back in the mid-1980s. Really, he was a nice enough guy, never seemed to have any ill-will toward anyone that I know of. But he was the worst teacher I ever had.
Someone once asked him, “Mr. Smith, why do they call Latin America, Latin America?”
“Because,” Mr. Smith responded as serious as he could be, “It’s in the latter part of the Americas.”
And the stories about Mr. Smith are endless. At a high school reunion, a group of us sat around for hours telling Mr. Smith stories.
Mine?
I gave a current events report in which I made up a country in eastern Europe that was embroiled in a civil war. I went on forever, it seemed. But the gist of it was that the poor people of this country were storming the capital city with tractors and crop dusters.
Mr. Smith asked me my source for the story.
“The NBC Evening News with Tom Brokaw,” I responded.
“Hmm,” Mr. Smith said. “Must of missed that one.”
I received an ‘A’.
It all seemed pretty funny at the time, and when I’m around old high school friends, it’s still pretty funny.
But the sad part is by the time I went to college, I had very little base of history to prepare me for what I needed at the next level.
More increasingly, we are learning that teachers are the key to our country having a better and more important educational system.
There are great teachers in the world. I wouldn’t have made it through high school without folks like Mary Dalton and Jimmy Warren.
And we must reward those who are pulling their weight.
But those that aren’t, like Mr. Smith, need to be held accountable.
In a survey given by the Mississippi Economic Council, 70-plus percent of business leaders believe the the No.1 business issue in Mississippi is education.
If, indeed, that is the case, we have got to have better teachers to lead our children.
Teachers have a great job, maybe the most important job in the world, and there should be a system of checks and balances that regulates them.
If they are good or great, like my former shop teacher Arthur Holbrook, they should be rewarded with pay raises and job advancement.
But we don’t like to admit that there are too many Mr. Smiths in the world, and without accountability they are going to continue to hold us back as a state and a country.

Contact Mississippi Business Journal editor Ross Reily at ross.reily@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1018.

New Delta industry not what it is purported

Ross Reily — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:26:56 +0000

I hate to be the fly in the punch bowl here, but the continued talk about new industry in the Delta changing the way of life there is truly nauseating.
As a Delta native, I continue to be amazed at how folks like to associate with the Delta in order to makes themselves seem like they are helping a third world country.
Don’t get me wrong, the fact that a German company broke ground on a $300-million pipe manufacturing plant last week in Tunica County is a great opportunity for jobs in the area.
But what area?
The Mississippi Delta comprises many counties from the Tennessee line all the way down to northern Warren County near Vicksburg. It runs from the Mississippi River to near Grenada and Batesville in the East.
And, yes, Tunica County is part of the mix.
But where the plant will be located in Northeast Tunica County, the vast majority of the up-to-500 jobs will likely go to a ever growing DeSoto County population.
And no one is thumbing their nose at jobs for those folks in Desoto County.
However, it’s disingenuous, at best, for Gov. Haley Barbour and the powers that be in Tunica County to proclaim this, and many other projects to be giant victories for the most downtrodden region in the United States.
It was not so long ago when a new manufacturing plant launched in the City of Batesville.
Parts of Panola County are in the Delta, true enough. But when the effort was announced, it was put forth in a manner that made it sound like Deltans were going to get the lions share of the jobs.
In that instance, like the plant in Tunica County, most of the new jobs for the Batesville plant will go to those 20 miles east in Oxford rather than 20 miles west in Marks.
Again, good for those that are getting the jobs. We are in an economy where everyone who can get a job deserves it.
My concern is that we are telling the rest of the state a little white lie when new industry opens in fringe Delta counties.
Because what happens is the next time someone from Meridian hears about the plight of the Delta, they will think, “Well, they just had two companies with 1,000 jobs open. They can’t be too bad off.”
The fact is the new plant in Tunica County will have only a mild effect on the Delta’s jobless population. That shouldn’t be overlooked.

Follow us on Twitter

Ross Reily — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:54:34 +0000

The addition of Twitter to our collection of ways to reach readers has been a great success. Despite only having an account for just a few months, we have garnered more than 1,160 followers.

It has allowed us to branch out in ways that we might not have been able to do. Twitter, combined with our Facebook fan page is the basis for our social media strategy, which has worked well for us.

From a reader perspective, following us on Twitter and Facebook is a great way to keep up with the latest statewide and national business news throughout the day.

Please follow us on Twitter at www.twitter/mbjournal.

Sen. Flowers always thinking about recruiting industry to Mississippi

Ross Reily — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:07:41 +0000

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was vilified nationwide after he suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right thigh in a New York City nightclub from a pistol he was carrying in the waistband of his jeans.

Now Burress is serving time in prison for criminal possession of a handgun.

Maybe Burress should have waited a while and come to Mississippi, where he might could have carried his Glock where ever he wanted.

Mississippi senators recently voted to join Tennessee in allowing handgun-permit holders to carry their guns in most Mississippi parks, as well as restaurants and other locations, like bars and saloons.

The National Rifle Association-backed legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Southaven, originally covered only parks but was amended to let permit holders carry their guns in restaurants, bars and unsecured government buildings unless the owners of those facilities post notices barring guns.

What a great idea.

Maybe Mississippi could use this law a recruiting tool.

Under this law, Gilbert Arenas and Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton could have legally carried their guns into the lockerroom. Instead, both face years of legal wrangling.

So, think about it. Mississippi could lure the Wizards to move its franchise to Jackson. The team could play its games in the Mississippi Coliseum.

And best of all, the team could go back to its original name, The Bullets.

Great forward thinking Sen. Flowers. You are an intellectual giant.

Miracle Margaret

Ross Reily — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:12:37 +0000

Everyone believes their children are the most wonderful kids on the planet.

This proud papa is no different. So, I have to tell you a story.

I grew up in a sports family. If there was a game played, we were either playing in it or we really cared about who was playing in it.

That said, I settled into rooting for three teams as I grew up — The Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Saints.

Other than a brief period in the early 80s with the Celtics, life as a sports fan has been tough.

In 2003, I got married.

Thirteen months later, my first child was born, Sarah Parker. Four months after that, the unthinkable happened — the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. We took pictures of my child with Red Sox garb on as we were sure she had been the lucky charm to put the forlorned franchise over the top.

Then Sam was born. The next basketball season, the Celtics won their first NBA title since 1986.

Wow, we were pretty good at this baby thing. I wasn’t sure if they would grow up to be good citizens, but we could sure spur pro sports franchises to good times.

Finally, Margaret Louise was born this past June. I joked soon after that this had to be the year of the Saints.

Who knew?

Who dat?

Until the final play from victory formation by Drew Brees was completed Sunday night, my almost 8-month-old watched with the rest of the family the Miracle in Miami as the Saints won the first Super Bowl in the team’s history.

And while Brees credited his newborn son as the lucky charm for New Orleans, I know the real story.

Three favorite teams, three kids, three titles.

Seems my work is done.

I know my wife believes that.

Saving money versus educating children

Ross Reily — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:24:07 +0000

In a poll on the MBJ Web site last week about 80 percent of the respondents said Mississippi should shorten the school year to save money for the schools and make money for transportation.

This came after we reported on a story that stated if school began at the end of August, a study by Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation finds the state could generate millions in tourism dollars and school districts could save money on utilities.

Currently, most districts begin holding class the first or second week in August. The study looked at starting at the end of August or the first week of September.

While the study does not advocate a position, the study does point out that if school started later and summer was extended, the state could make more than $150 million from in-state and out-of-state tourists. The study also says school districts could save between $1 million and $3 million a year on utilities.

Most other studies believe that children should be goig to school on into the summer, not shortening the school year. Many of those studies believe the only way to improve the American business model is for our children to be more immersed in studies.

So, I guess the question comes down to whether we want to save dollars today or make money in the future.

I’m not sure the study takes that into account.

Does Toyota spokesperson believe what she is putting out to the media?

Ross Reily — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:10:28 +0000

UPDATE — Then the news comes out last night that Toyota has been hit by more than 100 complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems with the Prius. … Maybe the Toyota spokesperson has something else to say today.

FROM FEB. 2 …

I was reading our intrepid reporter Clay Chandler’s blog about Toyota’s recent troubles, which has focused on how the company will rebound from having to suspend sales of eight of its models, including the Camry, traditionally one of its best sellers.

Clay talked with spokesperson Barbara McDaniel about Toyota’s plans for Blue Springs.

“Totally unrelated” is how McDaniel characterized to Magnolia Marketplace the recall and the question of when the facility in North Mississippi will start production.

Is she serious?

Toyota has already put on hold the opening of the Blue Springs plant near Tupelo because of poor world-wide sales. If this latest snafu causes more folks to steer away from the company, the date of the Blue Springs opening could get pushed further and further away.

Consumer confidence in Toyota is totally related to how quickly the plant in Blue Springs opens.

MUW name needs to be changed; Legislature full of knotheads

Ross Reily — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:41:05 +0000

When I read this week that the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee took no vote on the bill that would have given the state College Board the authority to rename Mississippi University for Women, it made me wonder why the committee exists.

If this committee can’t take some type of action regarding an issue of changing the name of one of our universities, they should all resign their post.

Just make a decision, and don’t use a bunch of political dance steps to get around making a decision.

What a bunch of knotheads.

Outgoing MUW President Claudia Limbert announced in August that a new name — Reneau University — had been chosen for the Columbus campus.

Supporters of the change have said it’s needed to keep MUW viable.

Opponents of the bill have said marketing techniques — not the name — need to be changed.

Those opinions are both worthwhile.

Mine is that it is time for MUW’s name to change.

Mine is also that the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee should be emptied of personnel and restocked with people who can take up the business of the state’s universities and committees.

If a new group decides that MUW should keep its name, then fine.

But at least the body would have been doing its job.

Saints underdogs again, but we are used to it

Ross Reily — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:17:20 +0000

There is a photo of me when I was five or six years old at an art show holding a rock.
The photo actually appeared on the front page of the Commercial Appeal in Memphis.
What’s so special about a kid with a wry grin, cutting his eyes at the camera while holding a rock?
On the rock was painted, “Our Archie, That’s Who!”
I don’t remember exactly when I first started watching the New Orleans Saints, but when I look back at that photo, I know it was a long, long time ago.
And in those days, it seems all we had was hope.
Being a Saints fans in this part of the country is akin to being a Red Sox fan in New England. The difference being the Red Sox have actually won seven World Series titles.
While the Saints are being called America’s team these days, they have always been Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama’s team.
I can remember back when my father would take the family out on Sunday drives through the Delta.
My mom would fix a cooler full of sandwiches and chips and drinks, and we would ride the roads of the flat land and listen to the Saints games on a Drew (Archie’s hometown) radio station.
Those were the days of Archie and Chuck Muncie and Tony Galbreath and Wes Chandler.
Later, it was the Dome Patrol of linebackers Ricky Jackson, Vaughn Jackson, Sam Mills and Pat Swilling.
Yeah, the Saints were bad a lot of times, but there were times when there was real hope.
When Archie was QB, there was the season back in the late ‘70s when the team went 8-8 and just missed out on the playoffs. The team had four or five near misses and could easily have been one of the two or three best teams in te NFC. Manning was also the offensive Player of the Year that season.
While they never went to the Super Bowl, for a wide-eyed Delta boy that lived and died with every snap of the ball, Archie and Saints were a thrill a minute. And we had hope.
So, this week, as the current edition of the Saints make their maiden voyage into the Super Bowl against Archie’s boy, my mind’s eye takes me back to my youth when winning would have been great, but the experience of being a fan with hope was just as good.
Yes there will be a winner and loser this week, and our Saints are underdogs as they have been for their 43-year history.
But, from where I am sitting, that’s not such a bad place. It’s a place we are familiar with. And we have hope.

Contact Mississippi Business Journal editor Ross Reily at ross.reily@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1018.

A look at bamboo and labeling for fish products

Ross Reily — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:20:31 +0000

Labeling for catfish and seafood products is a no-brainer.
The Mississippi Legislature this year is likely to debate a bill that would require Mississippi restaurants to notify customers of the country of origin of their seafood.
Steve Bosarge of Pascagoula, a commission member and shrimper, said the menu labeling requirement would help shrimpers expand the market for their catch.
It wasn’t so long ago that we were talking about country of origin labeling for catfish not produced in the United States.
We should require restaurants to either have a sign posted stating that the catfish or seafood served there is U.S. farm-raised catfish or, if the restaurant serves imported catfish, it must state on its menu which country the catfish was grown and processed in.
There have been growing concerns over the last couple of years about catfish imported from China, Vietnam and Cambodia. The poor water quality where catfish are grown prompts growers in those countires to use antibiotics in production, but some of those drugs are not approved for use in the United States.
Growers in the United States follow stricter standards than catfish producers in Asia, Whittington said, and U.S. consumers should know what they’re getting when they eat catfish at a restaurant. Grocery stores already are required to label catfish products with country of origin, and we believe that no less should be expected of Mississippi restaurants.
Mississippi catfish growers have taken a huge financial hit from the import of catfish products, according to statistics from U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Any bill for labeling protects not only consumers but producers by forcing restaurants to let customers know where they are getting their product.
The bamboo state?
It appears bamboo fields could start popping up all across Mississippi, beginning this spring.
Just a year or so ago, Ed Johnson at the Delta Economic Development Center was touting bamboo as a possible source of income in the Delta.
In a recent conversation with Johnson, he believes the first plants could be in the ground in 8 to 12 weeks.
There are literally thousands of products that can be made from bamboo and while the United States can’t compete with fart east countries on labor costs, Mississippi can win on fuel and shipping costs.
The main markets for bamboo are:
• Hard goods – flooring, cabinetry, fencing
• Pulp and paper
• Textiles – clothing, bedding, towels
• Bio-mass – bamboo could make an excellent candidate for fuels due to it’s low moisture content, and low ash/chlorine contents.
• Carbon credit opportunities – moso bamboo is the largest carbon sequestering plant in the world
• Eco-tourism – where folks could tour groves of 75 feet tall grasses?
There is still a lot of work to do. However, what appeared to many to be a pipe dream just 15 months ago looks like it is going to become a reality.

Contact Mississippi Business Journal editor Ross Reily at ross.reily@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1018.