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THE VOICE OF THE SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST"
Bay St. Louis - Waveland - Diamondhead - Pass Christian - Long Beach
VOL. 85. NO. 3
BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI 39520 SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 1976
SINGLE COPY 10*
Crowd braves chill
Waller leads Buccaneer dedication
By DAN BARBER
Gov. William Waller, speaking at dedication ceremonies Friday for Buccaneer State Park, told a chilled crowd of approximately. 300 their presence was evidence of the importance Hancock County poeple placed on the improvement of their community.
“I’m impressed that Perry Gibson (member of the state Park Commission and Bay St. Louis resident) has so many friends,” the Governor said jokingly.
Despite the chilly temperatures for the park dedication, almost every politician from Hancock County could be found at the 2 p.m. program at the park as well as an impressive number
of organized school groups, senior citizens, and the general public.
“The only time the temperature went up,” Waller continued in a humorous vein, “was when all those politicians arrived and released all that hot air in the park.”
The general good humor of the governor was reflected in all of the dignitaries present as they all took their turn to express the mcrrentousness of the occasion:
Most gave Waller the overriding' credit for the successful completion of the park which was created out of a 1972 act of the Mississippi Legislature approving $25 million for state park improvements. Included in that grant was $3 million for creation of a Gulf Coast park, the first built on the coast since the late 1930’s.
Waller reminded the audience of that long state drought on parks Friday.
“This is the first state park to be opened on the Gulf Coast since the days of the CCC,” Waller told the audience, “and undoubtedly the first park here in the South in the memory of a lot of you. It is a great honor to dedicate it.”
“I hope,” Waller added that you will invite Gov.-elect Cliff Finch and the Jackson legislators down here and tell them “we want $2 million more to improve on it.”
This is a regional park, Waller continued, with visitors coming from Mobile, Jackson, New Orleans and all over.
“Make them want to stay here and
of the town.
After delivering the dedication address for Buccaneer, Waller was surprised with a presentation from the people of the Republic of Honduras for
“Mississippi’s splendid work in helping Honduras reconstruct after Hurricane Fifi.” The award was given to Waller by Paul White, a member of the Governor’s special emissary team sent to render aid to the Hondurans.
Other dignitaries present for the dedication were State Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Buck Ross, State Senator Martin Smith, Hancock County State Representative J.P. Compretta, chairman of the Mississippi Park Commission Larry Broadhead, and executive director of the park commission Dr. Jim W. Meredith.
Waller was introduced by Circuit Judge J. Ruble Griffin. Master of ceremonies for the occasion was Waveland attorney Lucien Gex Jr.
In Pass Christian
39320
DRESS RIGHT . Flotilla 35 members snao to attention
Bicentennial buffs brave weather to witness historic reenactment
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Jim Buck Ross
By CAROLE LANGE Freezing temperatures and a brisk wind failed to daunt the spirits of approximately 200 Bicentennial buffs who turned out Friday to witness a reenactment of the first raising of the U. S. flag on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The event, sponsored by the
interest was conducted. Stops on the tour included Ballymere, home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Klumpp; Trinity Episcopal Church; the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Frierson; and the Pass Christian Public Library.
Special guests at the ceremonies and preceding luncheon were Omer Claiborne, direct descendant of Gov. Claiborne and William Reeves, director, New Orleans American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.