About the Debates....

It's time to catch-up before the next debate on ?? May 2015 at GW.  The start time is 6p.

At the first debate candidate Evada Bullock stated that she would not debate.  I'm taking this quote from the 27 Mar 2015 issue of the Tunica Times because neither Bob nor I got the quote correct.  Bullock stated: "I'm not here for a debate today.  When things get better with the community and the board of supervisors, maybe we can be ready or a debate in July - July 27th.  Today, I'm not ready.  Thank you."

WOW! In my opinion, if you are not ready to debate the day you declare for office you are not ready to be elected.  What does "When things get better with the community and the board of supervisors" even mean?

At the second debate held at the Dundee Community Center, candidate Billy Pegram sent a message to attendees by way of Rev. Roman Fullilove.  Pegram declined the invitation and stated "voters already know what I stand for."***

WOW AGAIN.  Let's recap what Tunica County citizens recently learned about our financial problems:

1996:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Henderson, Battle, Tucker, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $2,211,929
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

1997:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Henderson, Battle, Tucker, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $2,600,728
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

1998:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Henderson, Battle, Tucker, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $16,543,018
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

1999:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, Tucker, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $22,736,974
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2000:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, Jackson, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $23,486,930
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2001:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, Jackson, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $29,539,787
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0
Arena Bond: $30,000,000  Note: No feasibility study.
Tunica Museum Bond: $3,000,000 Note: No feasibility study.

2002:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, Jackson, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $29,446,067
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2003:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, Jackson, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $28,996,696
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0
Airport Expansion Bond: $15,000,000 Note: No feasibility study.

2004:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B. Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $31,083,290
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0
Tunica River Park and Museum Bond: $26,000,000 Note: No feasibility study.
Tunica National Golf Course Bond: $17,000,000 Note: No feasibility study.

2005:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $30,691,108
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2006:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $33,166,315
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2007:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $32,873,895
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2008:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $30,757,057
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2009:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $27,764117
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2010:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $24,935,465
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

2011:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, Battle III, B.Williams, Pegram
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $22,060,202
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0
*May 2011: Flood closes casinos for approximately 3 weeks. Gaming revenue already in a decline.

2012:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, P. Williams, Nickson, Daley
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $22,505,411
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 0

14 Aug 2012: Transparency Committee, NAACP, and Concerned Citizens for a Better Tunica County requested an Independent Audit of our Tunica County Government.  P. Williams, Nickson and Daley voted yes.  Dunn and Burnett voted no.

17 Sep 2012 P. Williams, Nickson and Daley voted to increase our millage for debt service from zero to 15.77.

2013:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, P. Williams, Nickson, Daley
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $20,577,025
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 15.77

2014:
Supervisors are: Dunn, Burnett, P. Williams, Nickson, Daley
Gaming Revenue for the General County Fund is: $18,485,914
General Obligation Sinking Fund Millage: 17.00

Anyone want to go dig up the property values for each of these years so we can add them to this post?  My recollection is that property values have been declining for a good bit of time and our essential government services have been funded from gaming and not taxes.  People: We have no control over gaming revenue.  Our essential government services need to be funded by taxes not gaming.  This whole thing is set up wrong.  Arghh.....

In conclusion, we can see what has happened to our County financially when those we voted into office either didn't recognize the ramifications of their decisions or they ... quite frankly, I don't know what they were thinking. 

However, we do know this, we are over built and deep in debt.  Whoever helped put us in this position does not deserve another term in office.  We have learned our lesson.






















***As quoted in the 17 Apr 2015 issue of the Tunica Times and from notes taken by Bob Tuchel.