Photo by Brant Sappington
Award recipients at the 2009 Alliance Annual Meeting included
(from left) Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Volunteer
of the Year Zack Steen; Spirit of Service Service to the Community
winner Barbara Barrett; Main Street Corinth Jack Hora Award winner
Steve Knight; Spirit of Service Lifetime Achievement recipient Herman
Gray; Spirit of Service Youth Leadership Award recipient Sara Windham;
and Spirit of Service Service to The Alliance winner Clayton Stanley.
Alliance
annual meeting
honors volunteers
Published
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
By
Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
One of Corinth's most distinguished native sons joined The Alliance
in honoring its accomplishments over the past year during the organization's
annual meeting.
U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi
Neal Biggers Jr., a native of Corinth, shared his views of the important
role played by the legal system in the American economy.
Biggers said there has always been a tension between government regulation
and free enterprise. The U.S. Constitution was in large part an outgrowth
of economic problems caused by the lack of a strong central government.
Prior to the adoption of the constitution, individual states were
printing their own money, levying tariffs on products from other states
and refusing to enforce contracts signed outside their borders. The
drafters of the constitution included specific language establishing
economic order that would help insure a function economy.
"This decision by our founders to recognize the necessity for
a government favorable to economic development and the protection
of private property has made the economy of this country the beacon
of economic life that it is," said Biggers.
The judge said the history of economic regulation in America is the
story of the ongoing struggle for the legislature and the courts to
balance the tension between those who desire a stronger role for the
central government and those who believe less government intervention
will best promote economic success.
"As we look at the issues that are debated today in our nation,
we see that this clash of interests between those economic interests
is still going on," said Biggers.
Describing several key court cases related to economic development,
Biggers said he believes the true wealth of a nation comes from the
support of the government for economic development and the establishment
of a clear framework of laws that allows the economy to prosper.
Looking back on 2009, outgoing Alliance CEO Robert Williams said the
area has struggled economically along with the rest of the nation
but has been fortunate not to have been affected as seriously as many
other regions. He said The Alliance has continued to work to position
Corinth and Alcorn County for economic growth as the economy improves
by working with existing industries, improving potential industrial
sites and forging an alliance with surrounding counties.
"We're disappointed in the economy, but not in our year and the
position Corinth and Alcorn county is going to be in as, hopefully,
this economy turns in 2010," said Williams.
Incoming CEO John D. Mercier pledged the organization's continued
commitment to economic development and said he's looking forward to
a more successful and prosperous year.
The evening also included the annual presentation of awards honoring
community service. The Alliance Spirit of Service Award for Lifetime
Achievement was presented to Herman Gray for his long-term efforts
to make a difference in the community, including service on numerous
area boards and volunteer work with a wide variety of organizations
and groups.
Longtime Alliance supporter Clayton Stanley was honored with the Spirit
of Service Award for Service to the Alliance. Stanley has served on
numerous Alliance councils and also served a term as CEO of the organization.
The Spirit of Service Award for Service to the Community was presented
to Barbara Barrett in recognition of her numerous volunteer efforts
including tutoring work with local young people, service as chairperson
for the Mississippi Scholars Committee and her establishment and continuing
work with LINK.
Sara Windham received the Youth Leadership Award. Windham has completed
Junior Leadership Alcorn, volunteers with several community organizations,
is a member of numerous school clubs and has helped lead several community
service projects.
Steve Knight was honored with the Jack Hora Award for service to Main
Street Corinth in recognition of his service on the organization's
board and his leadership and volunteer efforts with the group.
Zack Steen was recognized as the Corinth Area Convention and Visitors
Bureau Volunteer of the Year for his work as a founding member of
the Green Market Committee, membership on the arts and culture committee
and commitment to volunteer work with the bureau.
Brittany Burress received the award for Alliance Ambassador of the
Year for her dedication to the organization's community ambassador
program. The event was followed by the annual Taste of Corinth, featuring
signature dishes from local restaurants.
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