The director of the Small Business Development Center touted the free
services of the Center to the Vardaman Chamber of Commerce last
Thursday. Don Fischer, director of the Center which is housed at Ole Miss, says
SBA focuses on three groups of people– existing businesses, businesses
in trouble and new businesses.The Ole Miss Center serves 17 counties in north Mississippi and counseled 420 clients last year.

“Those already in business want to re-invent their businesses, grow
their businesses or find new markets,” Fischer said to the group of
almost 30 at the meeting.

Many of the clients they saw, he said, were businesses in trouble, but 50% of the group was starting a new business. Fischer said that 50% of new businesses will fail within the first year due to a lack of management skills. SBA clients get basic management skills through training workshops and counseling. One of their prime services, he said, was to help clients develop a business plan.

“If you go to a bank to borrow money, they will send you to us first,” he said. “We’ll help coach you through the process.”

He said that businesses should surround themselves with six best
friends– a lawyer, an accountant, a banker, an insurance agent, the
local Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center. Fischer left workshop materials, including CDs, with the Vardaman Chamber for anyone interested to use. The Chamber meets the third Thursday of every month at the Masonic Lodge north of the City Hall in Vardaman.

Calhoun City Chamber Secretary Quay Wolfe resigned Tuesday at the organization’s monthly meeting.Wolfe has served the organization as its secretary for 13 years.
“I just feel like it’s time for me to move on,” Wolfe said.

She advised the chamber they would need to find someone new to take over effective July 1. Chamber Vice President Joey Hawkins thanked Wolfe for her years of
service, and she received a round of applause from those in attendance. The bulk of the meeting, prior to Wolfe’s announcement, was spent discussing the 2nd Annual Ace Cannon Festival May 30-31.
Hawkins said this year’s festival will include a car show and a small carnival sponsored by Excel.

The festival will open with a concert by country music entertainer Jake Owen on the square Friday night. A 5K run, arts and crafts, carnival and other attractions will take place around the walk path near the high school on Saturday. The festival will conclude with an Ace Cannon concert on the CCHS football field Saturday night with a $10 admission.

Theresa Dye told the Calhoun County Board of Supervisors last Friday
that she can’t walk to her mailbox or put her garbage out due to the
number of “vicious” dogs roaming around her neighborhood north of Bruce.
Kimberly Ruth, of Calhoun City, shared similar stories as the two spoke
on behalf of a group urging the board to consider adopting a countywide
dog ordinance.
“Kids should be able to go out and play without fearing for their safety,” Ruth said.
Ruth, Dye and several others outlined several recent instances around
the county of “vicious” dogs killing other pets and chasing people into
their homes or vehicles.
“We have a problem with ferocious dogs,” Ruth said. “This is ridiculous.”

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Former longtime Bruce Alderman Robert Edward Oakley is the first
qualifier to run for mayor in Bruce in the May 6 special election.
Oakley served the city for 24 years as an alderman in ward five.
Qualifying continues through next Wednesday, April 16 at 5 p.m.
Qualifiers must obtain signatures from 50 registered voters from within the city limits to qualify.
Thus far former Alderman Richard Freelon has picked up a petition to
obtain signatures, as well as one-time Mayor Chick Hensley, but neither
of them have returned their petitions as of yet with the required 50
signatures.