Published: August 19, 2007 12:31 am            

Village of Pachuta has a mayor with a vision

On July 4th I was invited by Mayor Alton Lightsey to participate in the Village of Pachuta’s celebration of the 231st birthday of our nation as well as giving special recognition to all the veterans who have served our nation during times of war and peace. It was a great honor and privilege to be asked to deliver the main message on that historic occasion.

I reminded those attending that the citizens of Pachuta have always stepped forward without hesitation to serve our country. That they had made many sacrifices throughout the history of this community to protect and defend the freedoms that so many now seem to take for granted in our country.

During many generations, several young men left to serve in the cause of freedom for people they never knew and with a culture much different from which they came. They left during the flower of their lives and never returned! We still cherish the memories of the great sacrifices they made in giving their last full measure of devotion for our country.

This historic occasion gave the citizens an opportunity to reflect on the many sacrifices our forebears who founded our country had made by having “mutually pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor” and who had endured eight long years of war for independence, so that we could freely assemble together that day and enjoy “the blessings of liberty!”

In my closing remarks, I stressed that if anyone should doubt our nation’s resolve; love of country and the willingness to bear any price or burden to defend liberty, let them come to Pachuta! Here, like thousands of communities throughout our great county, one will find the real heart and soul of America in the lives of its citizens!

It also afforded me an opportunity to renew old friendships and revive fond memories of having spent my teen age years living in that once vibrant community that will always hold a special place in my heart.

During my visit I had an opportunity to spend some time with their current Mayor Alton Lightsey.

I found Mayor Lightsey to be a man of vision and determination to improve the quality of life and level of living for all the citizens of Pachuta. In that regard, he is working tirelessly and sometimes around the clock 24/7 with a sense of duty and purpose of achieving goals he has set for his administration.

Talmadge “Sonny” Atwood, long time Fire Chief, describes Mayor Lightsey as being “the best mayor Pachuta has ever had.”

Being a lifetime resident, “Sonny” has a wealth of knowledge about Pachuta. He is also one of the best story tellers about characters who have lived in Pachuta during his lifetime. “Sonny” describes several as equal if not better than those who appeared in the old Andy Griffith Mayberry TV show. “Sonny” could easily compare with the late Jerry Clower for his ability to share and sometimes embellish stories a bit about individuals who have touched his and the lives of Pachuta residents over the years.

One cannot help but be impressed with some of the progressive things Mayor Lightsey is doing to revive this once vibrant community that was adversely affected by the Interstate Highway located nearby; the loss of passenger rail service, loss of many business establishments and the long ago loss of the Pachuta High School and Elementary School that left a big void in the community.

His late dad, Louis Lightsey, once operated a small grocery store in the center of the community. This building has long since been replaced and stands alongside other businesses that have long ago closed for business. As a result, the community has become more of a live-in commuter and retirement one.

However, it does have potential for revival. Mayor Lightsey is forceful, vigilant and committed in seizing every opportunity for growth. He has high hopes, dreams and aspirations that he is vigorously pursuing as the leader of his community!

A real asset in the efforts of Mayor Lightsey and the Board of Aldermen for Pachuta for attracting new businesses is the location of Lake Eddins nearby.

Nestled in a natural pine and hardwood setting overlooking a spacious lake with great fishing are 500 beautifully built majestic and elegant houses; including boat launching ramps and piers. Wild deer and other non-threatening wild animals can be seen roaming and grazing surrounding the houses and lake without fear from the inhabitants. Beautiful Lake Eddins was developed by one of my high school friends, Wallace Eddins. It is a natural draw for people who wish to live in a peaceful and natural setting with the protection of a gated community.

Wallace has plans currently underway for building a beautifully landscaped championship 18 hole golf course comparable to some of the best in the country. Included will be lighted driving and putting greens located on the north end of the 2,200 acre community. Nine holes are near completion and will be ready for play in the next several months.

Mayor Lightsey sees this as a magnet for attracting businesses to come to Pachuta. Already he has taken action with the support of the Board of Aldermen to expand the city limits to the Interstate Highway.

He is also currently working to improve the water and sewage systems in Pachuta.

He is focused like a laser beam on restoring Pachuta to a community that is close enough to Meridian, Laurel and Hattiesburg and Quitman that people will want to purchase property and build houses so as to live in a relative quiet, peaceful and crime-free community.

In addition, he has plans to improve fire protection; establish a monument dedicated to the veterans of Pachuta; and has other progressive ideas.

With his dedication, determination and zeal for seeing the Village of Pachuta become a more vibrant and active community, Mayor Alton Lightsey will likely see his labor bear positive social, economic and spiritual good fruit. His dream is to see a revival of “a community spirit of pride” and one that will result in a more progressive and active community, which he foresees as inevitable.



E. Harold Keyes is Professor Emeritus, MSU-Meridian Campus. Email address: ehklbm@comcast.net

        

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