Shame and government cheese in the headlines

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, March 9, 2016

There’s no common theme in this week’s installment of yesterday’s papers. There’s public shaming, government cheese, reactions to Rodney King’s police brutality case in Los Angeles and more. These excerpts are from 2013, 2009, 2002, 1991 and 1982.

March 8, 2013

Cameras catch unflattering images

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Tate Patrick Moore installed cameras in 2008 after opening Square Pizza on Van Buren Avenue when a bumper sticker was stolen off his wall.

The cameras worked, because the next person who stole had his photo put up all over town and he brought the poster back, apologetic and embarrassed.

That scenario happened again with another theft, vandalism, stolen money from the tip jar, and even a guy saying he paid, when he really didn’t.

He will continue his public “floggings” as long as people respond to it and it is a successful marketing tool.

March 9, 2009

Emergency coordinator resigns from county

Just days after the city of Oxford pulled out of an interlocal agreement that combined the city and Lafayette County’s emergency management operations, the coordinator for the county resigned and became interim coordinator for the city.

Jimmy Algood went before the county board of supervisors on Friday and said he resigned, effective immediately. During a special meeting later that day, the Oxford Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to hire him with the city.

His salary would remain about the same, around $42,400.

March 11, 2002

Emerson stalls first round of layoffs after workers quit early, production orders rise

Emerson Electric Co. was forced to delay its first round of layoffs at its Oxford plant due to an increase in production orders and a decrease in employees.

About 50 employees already left the plant since the Jan. 7 announcement that it would close by the end of 2002. Original plans called for the first layoff of 65 employees last Friday, but now that round has been extended until March 22.

Officials said the plan, however, still remains to close by December.

March 8, 1991

Local officials respond to LA police beating

Oxford area law enforcement officials are concerned about the high-speed chase and police beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles and issued statements.

Lafayette County Sheriff Buddy East said: “I don’t condone brutality. None of us stand for that.”

Ole Miss Police Chief Mike Stewart said: “It’s not professional or reputable.”

Water Valley Polic Chief Mike King said: “It didn’t look good.”

Oxford Police Administrative Assistant Steve Bramlett said it “was uncalled for. I don’t see any excuse for it.”

March 10, 1982

Local cheese giveaway set March 17

Mississippi has received another shipment of surplus cheese from the federal government, and it’s two times more than the first allotment distributed in February.

Officials say there is enough cheese for 85 percent of the state’s food stamp recipients if they show up to claim it.

Households with five people or less are eligible for a five-pound block. Households with six or more people are eligible for two five-pound blocks.