Magnolia Needs Longterm Plan For Further Growth

A hearing was held Monday in the Pike County Chancery Court to hear statements on the proposed Magnolia annexation. Hearing the case was Judge Debbie Halford. If approved, the annexation will take in 1239 acres and 344 people. It will extend along Quinlivan Road north to the Fernwood-Airport Road. This annexation should be approved and would be a good thing not only for Magnolia but also for the South Pike area.
Mayor Melvin Harris and the Magnolia board are to be commended for their efforts to extend the city limits of our fair town in a logical and planned manner, following its natural growth and develpment. For too long, Magnolia failed to expand where the city naturally expanded. Justice Department apporval upsetting the city's split racial balance, resistance from the areas that were to be incorporated, and the city's financial burden of new services all kept Magnolia leaders from incorporating areas which long ago should have been a part of Magnolia's city limits. We hope the board's move is not done as a "one time" or final action, but rather as part of a considered, longterm plan to expand Magnolia as it needs to expand.
Looking at Magnolia geographically, from the air as seen from satellites and airplanes, Magnolia's natural growth extends from the Fernwood exit south to the Pike County Speedway at the southern Magnolia/Gillsburg exit on I-55. The city should also make plans for future expansion to included areas west of I-55 and east of the railroad on Highway 48 to at least the Patriot (at the fork to Tylertown and Progress). However, magnolia' leaders need to continue to improve city services, such as police, fire, street care, and sewerage, so those in Magnolia's natural growth aeea will want to be a part of our great city, rather than fight it. The Gazette congratulates Mayor Harris on his vision of Magnolia's future growth!