Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:40 pm Thursday, February 8, 2001

Senate approves art center

By Staff
From staff reports
Feb. 8, 2001
The state Senate passed legislation Wednesday to officially designate Meridian as the site of a proposed Southern Arts and Entertainment Center.
The bill, S2666 which still faces action in the House was approved by senators without opposition on a procedure known as "morning roll call." While the bill did not provide any state funding, Senate approval was hailed as a "significant step" for the project, which would be built at Bonita Lakes.
State Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, said the bill could come up in the House in about three weeks. If it passes there, the "Legislature would be saying it wants the center and it needs to be in Meridian," he said.
The Senate action, and expected final legislative action in the House later this session, lifts the proposal to another level of credibility, and could make it easier to attract private funding from foundations, corporations and individuals, Snowden said. In addition, the possibility of state funding in the future has not been ruled out.
Under terms of the bill, the center would fall under supervision of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
It would consist of a conference center, performing arts theater, amphitheater and artists' village. The center would also conduct ongoing events, such as induction into an arts and entertainment hall of fame, seminars, workshops and demonstrations by guest artists.
Both Carmichael and Snowden lauded the support of Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck as instrumental in Senate passage. Traditionally, the morning roll call is reserved for a vote on non-controversial items that would be expected to pass easily. Technically, some kind of objection could be raised in today's Senate session, but that didn't appear likely, observers said.
Carmichael and Snowden hailed the solidarity of the Lauderdale County area legislative delegation on the proposed center.
The Lauderdale County delegation includes six representatives and three senators whose districts touch the county, including Rep. Tommy Horne, I-Meridian; Rep. Charles Young, D-Meridian; Rep. Eric Robinson, R-Quitman; Rep. Reecy Dickson, D-Macon; Rep. Billy Nicholson, D-Little Rock; and Snowden; and Sen. Terry Burton, D-Newton; Sen. Sampson Jackson, D-DeKalb; and Carmichael.
Under the measure, the center would provide an educational, entertaining and interactive facility to illustrate the unique culture of the state of Mississippi or other southern states. It would also illustrate the outstanding contributions of Mississippians to the fields of arts and entertainment, and provide family-oriented attractions in the delivery of an educational experience to citizens and visitors to Mississippi.
The legislation, which would allow the center to acquire land, would also create in the state Treasury a fund for construction and administration.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025