Commuter van story

sports • B1 hoops split the winner is... VHS boys, WC girls win rivalry games Baylor’s Griffin wins Heisman Trophy sUN DAY, D e ce m B e r 11, 2011 • $1.50 www.v ick sBUrgp ost.com ever Y DAY si Nc e 1883 topic The government crocoDiles ride Endangered species thriving near Sharp W. Banks Jr. Banks, nuclear plants c1 ‘father of weAther Today: mostly sunny; high of 53 county tonight: mostly clear; low of 27 Mississippi River: 37.0 feet schools’ Rose: 0.6 foot Flood stage: 43 feet A9• O.D. Brown DeAths• Sharp W. Banks Jr.• Charles T. Ervin Sr. dies at 87 By Pamela Hitchins• Dr. Andrew W. Garcia phitchins@vicksburgpost.com• Raymond Smith A9 Once called “the father of the county schools,” Sharp W. Banks this week in Jr. gave 38 years to the old Warren the civil wAr County Public Schools district, serving as coach, teacher, princi- Charleston fire: pal, public address announcer and In April 1861, the Civil elected superintendent, and steer-War’s first shots were fired ing the schools through the chal-in Charleston, S.C. Anoth- lenges of enrollment growth in theer tumultuous event be- eli baylis•The Vicksburg PosT 1960s and integration in the 1970s.falls Charleston on Dec. 11, Lt. Col. Jonathan Howell drives a van to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Devel- Banks died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at1861, when a fire sweeps opment Center. Lakeview Regional Medical Centera wide swath of its down- in Mandeville, La. He was 87. corps workers commuting via vanstown. The cause of the fire “He not only put his heart intois never determined and his family, he put his heart into theThe Mercury of Charleston school system and into the qual-reports a low-tide impeded ity of education in Warren County,”easy access to coastal wa- By Danny Barrett Jr. said his daughter, the Rev. Tereters to douse the flames. dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com Banks.When the fast-moving fire “He really built the Warrenfinally is put out, about a When Lt. Col. Jonathan Howell County school system when hethird of the city is in ashes. signed on as deputy com- spearheaded the effort to consoli- Early months of war saw mander of the U.S. Army Engi- date the three county high schoolsill-trained, raw volunteers neer Research and Development and build Warren Central (Highfrom the North go off to Center in 2009, he jumped into School),” said Donald Oakes,fight green and poorly three months of intense house- former superintendent of the shopping in Vicksburg, Monroe Vicksburg Warren School District,equipped Confederate ri- and Jackson. formed in 1987 when the city andvals. It was a time when “There was no on-post hous- county schools merged. “He wasmany expected a short con- ing at ERDC available when I was recognized across the state as anflict. But the bloodshed at assigned,” said Howell, a third- excellent superintendent.”the First Battle of Bull Run generation military man who was Banks was the first recipient ofin the summer of 1861 hint-ed at the bigger, deadlier used to riding a bicycle to and See Banks, Page A6.battles to come. The Union, from his on-post quarters at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.seeking to raise a profes- A commuter van picks up riders at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Loss of drone The family — wife, Irena, daugh-sional fighting force, an- District offices on East Clay Street. ter Naomi, 8, and mother-in-nounces this week that ap- law, Natasha — landed in Clin- peels back layerpointed superintendents eral employees do the same. requirements,” said Howell of his ton, about a half-hour east ofwill oversee recruiting, Vicksburg. “There were no rental options, decision to live in Clinton.organizing and drilling of and the purchase options were all The van pool is a concept borne in US-Iran spying Now, Howell arrives at work byUnion soldiers. way of a van pool funded through either well beyond our price range of the energy crises of the 1970s inDeX federal government vouchers. or did not have the features to About 180 Vicksburg-bound fed- accommodate our extended family See Vans, Page A9.Business ............................... B9 By The Associated PressPuzzles .................................. B8Dear Abby ........................... B7Editorial ................................A4 Census shows fewer on the road to city WASHINGTON — The loss to Iran of the CIA’s surveillancePeople/TV ............................ B7 By Danny Barrett Jr. In the ACS’ five-year survey for come packets with housing and drone bristling with advanced spy contAct Us dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com 2005-09, commuters made up 11.2 demographic profiles, including technology is more than a propa- ganda coup and intelligence wind- percent of a labor force of 21,017. the Chamber’s Images magazine, Call us Fewer people are commuting to The local work force stood at and the real estate guide pub- fall for the Tehran government.Advertising ...601-636-4545 work in Warren County. 21,280 in October, down 1.5 per- lished by the Vicksburg-Warren The plane’s capture has peeled About 10.4 percent of 21,194 cent from September, according County Board of REALTORS. back another layer of secrecyClassifieds ...... 601-636-SELL workers 16 years and older were to the Mississippi Department of “The housing market is strong- from expanding U.S. operationsCirculation .....601-636-4545 counted as commuters in a five- Employment Security. Employ- er than the rental market,” said against Iran’s nuclear and militaryNews................601-636-4545 programs. year look at population, demo- ment updates for November are executive director Christi Kilroy, E-mail us graphic and housing statistics in expected later this month. adding word of mouth outpaces Just as the Soviet Union’s down-See A2 for e-mail addresses an American Community Survey New residents who stop by the such web-based resources as ing of the American U-2 spy plane revealed a hidden aspect of the online estimate. The survey covers 2006 Vicksburg-Warren County Cham- Cold War, Iran’s recovery of the through 2010. ber of Commerce still receive wel-www.vicksburgpost.com See Commuters, Page A9. See Drone, Page A6. VOLUME 129 NUMBER 345 3 SECTIONS

The Vicksburg Post Sunday, December 11, 2011 A9Conference Van “I think there may be some commuters that will drop the East Clay Street district base. “Clinton is a centrally PRECISION FORECASTapproves out of the program if out-of- located point between Jack- Continued from Page A1. pocket costs get too high,” son, where my wife works, BY CHIEF METEOROLOGIST and is commonplace in busy ERDC, the Vicksburg District said Tim Lewis, van pool and Vicksburg, where I BARBIE BASSSETTclimate deal urban centers. Since 2000, the Mass Transportation and Vanpool Transporta- headquarters and the 412th Theater Engineer Command, with 16 daily routes out of coordinator at ERDC and the 412th. Lewis credited the stimulus for ERDC’s pool work.” Cori Shiers, 26, a Vicksburg native and Flowood resident, TODAY TONIGHT DURBAN, South Africa growing to 15 vans through rode a van from Clinton to tion Fringe Benefit Program, Clinton. This month, the(AP) — A U.N. climate con-ference reached a hard-fought an anti-pollution directive by President Bill Clinton to company’s routes declined to six, all to and from the Dis- November, up from two in 2008. Lewis said ERDC’s rid- her job with the District as an environmental special- 53° 27°agreement early this morning cut the number of vehicles trict, after ERDC inked a new ership alone makes up about ist until last week, when she Mostly sunny with a high inon a complex and far-reach- 140 of the Corps’ local van- received her own van line — the lower 50s and a low in on the road, has enabled the deal with a similar serviceing program meant to set a poolers. dubbed Cori’s Group. It’s an the upper 20s Department of Transporta- offered by Enterprise Rent-new course for the global fight For loyal van-poolers such arrangement she sees lasting tion to issue vouchers for A-Car.against climate change for the fuel, maintenance and other The option has proved as Patrice Creel of Byram, a while. WEATHERcoming decades. coming up with an extra “It’s a stress reliever,” costs for federal employees. cost-effective and a morale- The 194-party conference $50 to $100 a month to ride Shiers said. “I’ve met many This weather package is The 2009 American Recovery builder, said Howell, 39.agreed to start negotiations on a van versus several fill- new people on it.” compiled from historical and Reinvestment Act raised “It keeps you on a rigor-a new accord that would put ups a month at gas stations I “grew up in Vicksburg records and information the pre-tax benefit for mass ous schedule,” he said. “It’sall countries under the same is easier on a budget that and wanted to try some- provided by the U.S. Army commuters everywhere from enjoyable to ride to worklegal regime enforcing com- includes her husband, Willie, where new,” she said. $120 a month to $230. among a fellow group of Corps of Engineers, themitments to control green- and son, Samuel, 17. “Depending on my employ- That extra money faded in friends.” City of Vicksburg and Thehouse gases. It would take “I knew it once I got the ment, I will possibly move November, ahead of many Van-poolers train as alter- Associated Press.effect by 2020 at the latest. Chevron bill,” Creel said back to Vicksburg in the such stimulants in the 2009 nate drivers after records are The deal also set up the of her decision last winter future.” American Recovery and checked by the service pro-bodies that will collect, govern Reinvestment Act that will vider. Costs to ride include to ride the 7:30 a.m. van to Mass transit cut congestion LOCAL FORECASTand distribute tens of billions her new public affairs job at on the nation’s major com- expire by year’s end. Quar- state sales taxes and fuel,of dollars a year to poor coun- terly vouchers for van-pool- and total about $1,500 for a ERDC from her hometown of muter arteries and elimi- monday-wednesdaytries to help them adapt to 21 years. nated nearly 8,000 pounds Partly cloudy; highs in the ing in 2012 will be cut to $125 six-passenger van and aboutchanging climate conditions The decision to van pool of carbon dioxide emissions mid-60s; lows in the mid- a month, the Internal Reve- $2,000 for a full-sized, 15-pas-and to move toward low-car- started at home for Jackson- per person while 850,000 nue Service decided Nov. 7. senger van. 40sbon economic growth. area suburbanites who work commuters nationwide have Twenty van pools rode Before last month, per- Currently, only industrial at ERDC and the District. used the tax-free commutercountries have legally bind- to and from work between person costs on a small van “Costs would have to go benefits, according to a 2010 STATE FORECAST metro Jackson and Vicks- with six riders broke downing emissions targets under up substantially for me to report by New York-based burg through November, to about $250. Costs on the Todaythe 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Those stop,” said Lamar Rutland, TransitCenter Inc. according to the website of larger vans were betweencommitments expire next 28, of Clinton, an engineer Mostly sunny; highs in the VPSI Inc., a Michigan-based $130 and $200, depending onyear, but they will be extended van pool operator. All went to capacity. for Northern Projects at lower 50s; lows in the up-for another five years. per 20sCommuters monday-wednesday Partly cloudy; highs in theContinued from Page A1. mid-60s; lows in the mid- 40sCraigslist. A check of the list- during the first half of 2011, positives, she said. to two of the district’s 541.5 based on author Stephening service showed 58 items to $134,815 from $135,966 “We have to improve our full-time teachers not having Covey’s books on effectiveposted since Oct. 23 that during 2010. label, and we’ve done that proper certification to teach leadership habits, is primed ALmAnACdetail homes for sale, rental “It always comes back to this year,” Swinford said, core subjects. This year’s to “unleash the potential” ofunits available or rental the same conversation — pointing to 16 who have report showed a 34.9 percent students at Bowmar, Bovina HigHs and Lowsarrangements sought. how do we improve hous- earned GEDs this year. The dropout rate for the district, and Dana Road elementary High/past 24 hours............. 51º Kilroy used rental property ing and how do we improve VWSD said 21 received the a figure Swinford expects to schools, which have agreed Low/past 24 hours .............. 35ºowned by her husband as an schools,” Kilroy said. certificate during the 2010-11 be “dramatically reduced” to participate, Swinford said. Average temperature ........ 43ºexample. Vicksburg Warren School school year. next year. Statewide, the A presentation on the initia- Normal this date .................. 50º “Jay and I have never District Superintendent Dr. The district maintained a dropout rate was 17 percent. tive is planned Wednesday Record low .............18º in 1995advertised,” Kilroy said. Elizabeth Duran Swinford lowered “Advised” accredi- “We didn’t get here over- at a Chamber of Commerce“Word of mouth is popular.” said there’s good news. tation status on an annual night — it took a series of luncheon. Record high ...........80º in 2007 Industry listing services An education initiative of report for 2011 issued in years,” Swinford said. “I hope “Every child has leadershipshowed median home prices the Chamber and the VWSD, October by the Mississippi to get two to four more years capacities,” Swinford said. RainfaLLfor most of Vicksburg and as well as the pace of general Department of Education, to improve it.” Recorded at theWarren County had fallen equivalency diplomas are the which Swinford chalked up The Leader In Me program, Vicksburg Water Plant Past 24 hours........................N/A DEATHS This month .............1.47 inches Total/year............. 38.44 inches Sharp W. Banks, Jr. the service will be the Rev. Tere Banks. Madison Parish Sheriff’s Department. Garcia of Tampa; two sis- ters, Sharon Oleson (Donald three brothers, James Smith (Karen), of Higden, Ark., Don Normal/month .....2.02 inches Normal/year ....... 48.44 inches PHILADELPHIA, Miss. — In lieu of flowers, memorial Oleson) of Brandon, Fla., and Smith (Denise), of Dallas,Sharp W. Banks Jr. passed O.D. Brown donations can be sent to the Cleo Bechtold of Tampa; and and Carl Smith of Garland, soLunaR TabLeaway Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in American Cancer Society. nephews, Mathew Bechtold Texas; his aunt, Billye H.Mandeville, La. He was 87 O.D. Brown died Tuesday, and Paul Thompson, both of Dallas of Jackson, Miss.; and Most active times for fishyears old. Nov. 8, 2011, at his home. He was 78. Dr. Andrew W. Garcia Tampa. several nieces and nephews. and wildlife Monday: He served as Superinten- Dr. Garcia was preceded He was preceded in death A.M. Active ........................... 5:56dent of the Warren County Mr. Brown was a retired Dr. Andrew W. Garcia died in death by his father, Capt. by his father, D. B. Smith. A.M. Most active ...................NRSchools in Vicksburg for 38 construction worker. in Canberra, Australia, on Justo M. Garcia. Graveside services will be He was preceded in death Nov. 16, 2011. He was 69. P.M. Active ............................ 6:21years and was known as “the Visitation will be Monday, at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Cedar by his parents, Culla Morgan He was born in Roatan, P.M. Most active ...............12:09father of the county schools.” Dec. 12, 2011, from 4 until 6 Hill Cemetery, with the Rev.The honors he received were and Hammon Ross. Honduras, Oct. 31, 1942, and p.m. at Riles Funeral Home. Craig Barnard officiating.numerous but probably the He is survived by three moved to Tampa, Fla., in Memorials may be made to Visitation will be at Riles sunRise/sunseTone he treasured most was sons, Anthony Qualls, Ray 1946. Dr. Garcia received a Heifer International at www. Funeral Home Tuesday from Sunset today ....................... 4:58the Golden Lamp Award Qualls and Willie Qualls, Bachelor of Arts degree in heifer.org, or to a charity of 9:30 a.m. until the hour of Sunset tomorrow .............. 4:58given by the state’s School all of Vicksburg; and three physics from the University choice. service. Sunrise tomorrow ............. 6:54Superintendents Association daughters, Earnestine Ross, of South Florida and served Memorials may be made toto the outstanding admin- Dorothy Qualls and Ann Qualls, all of Vicksburg. in the Army before enter- ing Texas A&M University, Raymond Smith the American Heart Associa- RIVER DATAistrator. He was the first tion, P.O. Box 16808, Jackson,recipient. Services will be at 1 p.m. where he received a masters Raymond “Ray” Smith died MS 39236-6808, and to chari- Tuesday at Holly Grove M.B. degree in physical oceanog- Friday, Dec, 9, 2011, at his res- sTages He was always visible in ties of choice.the community, serving on Church. Visitation will be at raphy. He received a Doctor idence. He was 58. Mississippi Riverthe Board of the YMCA and the church from 11 a.m. until of Philosophy degree in Born in Memphis, Tenn., he at Vicksburgworking with the Optimist the hour of service. Burial meteorology from Purdue had been a resident of Vicks- Current: 37.0 | Change: 0.6Club, the Chamber of Com- will follow at Cedar Hill University. burg since 1967. Mr. Smith Flood: 43 feetmerce, the Historical Society Cemetery. Flowers may be Dr. Garcia worked for the was a graduate of Mississippi Yazoo River at Greenwoodand the Country Club. He sent to the church Tuesday U.S. Army Corps of Engi- State University. He was an Current: 22.3 | Change: NCtaught the Men’s Bible Class morning. neers in Vicksburg for 39 avid hunter and outdoors- years. man. He owned and oper- Flood: 35 feetat Gibson Memorial Method-ist Church in Vicksburg for Charles T. Ervin Sr. Andrew is survived by his ated Terra Verde Services. Yazoo River at Yazoo City20 years. Those who didn’t wife, Heather Burns Garcia Mr. Smith was a member Current: 21.0 | Change: 0.4 TALLULAH, La. — Charles of Vicksburg; daughter, of Crawford Street United Flood: 29 feetknow him in person knew T. “Tommie” Ervin Sr. died Fawn Burns Anderson (Scott Methodist Church.his voice from the press Yazoo River at Belzoni Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at his David Anderson) of Danvers, He is survived by hisbox announcing the football Current: 20.8 | Change: 0.2 home. He was 77. Mass.; granddaughter, Emma mother, Elizabeth H. Smithgames in Warren County for Flood: 34 feet Mr. Ervin was born in Crys- Garcia Anderson of Dan- of Ridgeland; his fiancée,35 years. tal Springs, Miss. He lived vers; mother, Annie Ducker Elizabeth J. Ivy of Vicksburg; Big Black River at West Mr. Banks served in the in Tallulah for more than 70 Current: 3.8 | Change: -0.1Navy in World War II as years. He was a retired sales- Flood: 12 feeta Radarman Third Class, man for Cotton Bakeries and Big Black River at Bovinareceiving numerous com- a member of First Baptistmendations including the Current: 7.1 | Change: NC Church. He was a U.S. ArmyAsiatic Pacific Ribbon with Flood: 28 feet Ranger from 1957 to 1959.four stars. Survivors include his wife, He is survived by his wife, Emily Ruth Ervin of Tallulah; sTeeLe bayouWinnie Rogers Banks; chil- one son, Chuck Ervin of West Land ...................................84.4dren, Tere Banks of Colum- Monroe, La.; one daughter, River ...................................84.2bus, Ohio, Paula Glen Tiffany Anne Steers of Syla-DeTrafford (Shelden) ofWalker, La., Tina Henson cauga, Ala.; one brother, Ira Hugh Ervin of Tallulah; and mISSISSIPPI RIVER(David) of Mandeville, and three grandchildren. FORECASTGeorge Banks (Pam) of Mon- Services will be at 3 p.m.tesano, Wash.; grandchil- Cairo, Ill. today at First Baptist Churchdren, Elisabeth Huffman Monday ................................. 43.8 in Tallulah with the Rev.and Kathryn Luther, both of Tuesday ................................. 43.5 Crawford Williams officiat-Columbus, Rebecca Ramseyof Walker, Amy Ganucheau ing. Visitation will be at the Wednesday .......................... 42.8 church from 2 p.m. until the Memphisof Baton Rouge, La., and hour of service. Burial will Monday ................................. 26.6Melissa Banks of Montesano; follow at Silver Cross Cem-and great-grandchildren Tuesday ................................. 26.7 etery under the direction ofAnson, Chase and Alyssa Wednesday .......................... 26.8 Crothers-Glenwood FuneralHuffman and Sophie Andres. Greenville Home. Visitation will be Tuesday Monday ................................. 42.4 Pallbearers will be Hollis E.at 11 a.m., with the funeralservice following at 2 p.m. in Ervin III, Richard Thomas, Tuesday ................................. 42.5 Ira Archie Ervin, David Hugh Wednesday .......................... 42.7the chapel of McClain-Hays Ervin, Sammie Byrd and Eric VicksburgFuneral Home, 1002 E. Main Givens.St., Philadelphia, Miss. Inter- Monday ................................. 36.9 Honorary pallbearers willment will follow at Cedar- Tuesday ................................. 37.0 be Logan Steers, Tristonlawn Cemetery. Officiating Wednesday .......................... 37.2 Ervin, Larry Cox and the

Commuter van story

by Shelley Tingle

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