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NEW MAYOR AND WIFE
May statistics released
The total value and number of building permits issued in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties and municipalities for the month of May has been released by the Mississippi Research and Development Center In Bay St. Louis,for May, there were two residential permits for $55,000; nine alterations, additions or repairs for a total of $13,650. The totals were 11 permits for $68,650. For the same period last year, the totals were $2,022,868, as compared to $461,843 thus far this year.
Waveland issued three residential permits for $95,500; 10 for alterations, additions or repairs for $20,670. For a total of 13 for $116,170. Compared with the same month in 1976, Waveland has totaled $578,943 todate to $1,079,662 in ’76.
Pass Christian issued four residential permits in May for $95,630; eight alterations, additions or repairs for $18,220 and a total of 12 for $113,850. For the year, they have $946,530 to $739,312 in ’76.
the beach in Gulfport.
LaFontaine reportedly fell overboard from a shrimp boat on Wednesday while his boat was having engine trouble approximately one mile southeast of the Pass Christian Small Boat Harbor.
His body was located about 5:15 p.m. Friday at the foot of Broad Avenue by a woman walking her dog along the beach.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin LaFontaine of DeLisle. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time Saturday.
Tides
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS
MAX BERNS, EMCEE
DAY	HIGH... LOW	
	WEEK OF 7-3-	•77
Sun.	2:04p.m.	12:41a.m.
Mon.	2:09p.m.	1:16a.m.
Tues.	3:04p.m.	1:31a.m.
Wed.	2:42p.m.	1:20a.m.
Thurs.	8:40a.m.	12:37a.m.
		10:59p.m.
Fri.	8:16a.m,	8:41p.m.
Sat.	8:30a .m,	8:23p.m.
Sun.	8:56a.m.	8:46p.m.
Carver, Kidd look at city’s accomplishments
by JERRY WHITTLE
Monday, July 4th will be the first official day in office for the new mayor and city council of Bay St. Louis and the final term for present mayor, Warren Carver, and Utilities Commissioner Lucien Kidd, both of whom ran unsuccessfully for the mayor’s post during the recent city election.
In a Friday interview with the ECHO,
Census count may not reach ^ county hopes
by JAKE JACOB
The special census, expected to be completed by the first week in July, is not showing the increases expected by most political entities, according to Bill Lytall, special census supervisor.
While declining to give any estimate of increase Lytal said Friday that while the overall headcount seems to be up slightly it does not appear the oft quoted figure of 20 to 22,000 or higher, will be realized.
The 1970 census figure was 17,387, garnered at a time when many considered the negative impact of Hurricane Camille in 1969 was still very evident.
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the two city officials reflected back on their days in office and some of the accomplishments of the past.
Mayor Carver favored the new form of government and sought to serve another term as its mayor. He was defeated in his bid for another term by present commissioner Larry Bennett, who won in a runoff and later defeated Russell Elliott, an Independent candidate. Mayor Carver took the defeat as a true gentleman and pledged to work with the new council by offering his
CARVER
help if called on in the future.
In recalling a few of the programs and accomplishments of the past, Mayor Carver said he received great satisfaction from the Main Street Project (which has just received final bids). This project will include widing of Main Street, plus underground drainage, sidewalk improvements, paving, etc. He noted he has hopes that this project will later be expanded to include the remainder of the area, all the way to the beach.
He also noted the improvements, with the help of the Federal Government, to the city’s parks system, including the parks at Commagere and Washington.
Drainage, which he labeled “a very expensive proposition”, was also improved within the city.
A improvement in the fire insurance rates was also accomplished during the Carver administration, with the dty receiving an eight rating, down from the previous seven. In connection with this, the official said the dty’s fire department was increased from three to nine full time firemen, adding although it upped expenses, it resulted in the lower insurance rating.
The fire and police departments combined the dispatching duties which resulted in several thousands of dollars in savings each year.
A number of Blacks were appointed to various dty boards, induding the school board, housing authority, parks and playground, zoning and planning
and board of adjustment. Bay St. Louis also has a Black Chief of Police, Douglas Williams.
Mayor Carver was most thankful to the dtizens of Bay St. Louis for allowing him the opportunity to serve as their mayor for the past several years. Leaving a job that he loves does not mean retirement for the polite gentleman. On the future, Mayor Carver stated, “I don’t want to retire. I’m considering several possibilities at the present time. I may go back in the plumbing business, but I’m just not sure at this time.”
Kidd mentioned a number of items as accomplishments during his term in office. Some of these included:
The local school system-the system was some $70,000 in debt...it is now debtfree; reevaluation increased from approximately $65,000 to some $106,000 to aid in removing the debt; sewage was installed at the football field; a playground was built at North Bay Elementary; plans were started for an overpass on Highway 90 which will become a reality in the near future.
The workings of the utilities department have undergone a number of changes at a savings to the city. As of today, the city’s gas system meets all federal requirements and a survey completed during Kidd’s term, which was done with dty labor and no outside contracts, upgraded the system and saved the city approximately $60,000. All large gas meters have been
recalibrated and checked for accuracy for the first time since 1939. Small gas meters have been changed, some 650 new water meters have been bought which has resulted in a more functional utilities system.
The water and sewage systems have been extended to annexed areas and the insurance rate has dropped from an eight rating to a seven.
Kidd also purchased three pickups and a dump truck which has saved the
KIDD
dty money due to costly repair bills on old equipment. An equipment shed was built to house the city’s thousands of dollars of equipment, which had been sitting outside unprotected. A communications system was established so that Kidd can be in touch with each of his vehicles. Operation and maintance of the vehicles, including gas and disesel fuel, is less than $10,000 a year.
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Boat vandalized; reward is offered
A boat, which became tangled in a fishing net and left overnight in the back Bay of St. Louis, was reportedly vandalized of approxiately $500 worth of equipment, according to the owner.
Charles H. Chappell told the ECHO he was traveling juk east of the old Pine Hills Hotel when his boat became entangled in a net. Unable to free the boat, Chappell said he left it overnight, but when he returned someone had kicked in a door and stole the equipment.
The stolen equipment induded two marine radios,valued at $125, a CB radio, a 25 foot Maronivich trawl and other items.
Chappell said the boat was left Monday night and the theft occured between then and Wednesday. He is offering a $100 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft.