[06/13/01] Nissan’s plant in Madison County will help manufacturing employment in Warren County, state Rep. George Flaggs said in a wide-ranging interview Tuesday.

“I know for a fact, without a doubt, that Warren County will derive an indirect benefit from the Nissan plant through manufacturing and employment,” the Vicksburg Democrat said.

Flaggs, who works as a Youth Court counselor for Warren County and the City of Vicksburg, opened his office to constituents as part of a series of sessions he has each year. No constituents attended, but Flaggs took questions on several topics.

Ceres Research and Industrial Interplex at Flowers is the most likely Warren County site for support firms for Nissan when production starts in 2003, Flaggs said. Ceres, off Interstate 20 at Flowers, was developed by the Warren County Port Commission 12 years ago and has in operation Tyson Foods, Simpson Dura-Vent and Union Corrugated plants and a Mississippi National Guard facility under construction.

Nissan, expected to employ 4,000 at its billion-dollar plant making light trucks, will have regional firms making components to be shipped to the assembly facility.

The Vicksburg branch of Hinds Community College could also offer job training for the new plant, Flaggs said.

On another topic, Flaggs said a Warren County grand jury’s criticism of how Vicksburg Warren School District administrators have handled the Center for Alternative Programs is being addressed.

Flaggs said he talked to Superintendent Donald Oakes about the grand jurors’ report and the school board is making changes in the alternative school for the school year that begins Aug. 14, he said.

The report, issued May 11, cited alcohol abuse by teachers during and before school hours and on-campus drug use by students.

The school district has declined to make any public statement about the report other than Oakes’ initial statement downplaying the accusation.

Flaggs, a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that will be meeting in September to plan 2003 spending, repeated his position that he believes revenue problems are being overstated.

“I don’t think the revenue shortfall is going to be as bad as we predicted,” Flaggs said.

As the five-year plan to increase teacher pay continues, Flaggs said the $22 million budget for the year starting July 1 will be followed by more for the next two fiscal years.

“The state will also give a total commitment,” Flaggs said. The pay legislation, when passed in 2000, contained a trigger requiring 5 percent growth in state revenue before any raises would be paid. That trigger was ignored this year, and Flaggs predicted it will be removed.

As for other state employees, Flaggs said he wants to see a pay raise of $1,000 across the board for one year or a basic $1,500 raise. This may be budgeted for the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.

“It will not only help boost morale but also help to stimulate the economy by offsetting the rising cost of health care and gasoline prices,” Flaggs said.

Another beneficial economic impact for the state is the possible acquisition of the New Orleans Saints football team.

“I think there is a serious possibility that Mississippi could get the Saints if the state of Louisiana does not build a stadium,” Flaggs said.

A possible site for the football team is already prepared in Hancock County, he said.

Saints owner Tom Benson has discussed moving the Saints from New Orleans because of the Superdome’s disrepair and age.

Flaggs said he plans to meet with Vicksburg’s newly elected officials to see how the state can assist in the city government transition next month.