Avoid Greenville at all costs (Jackson, Benoit: how much, neighborhoods, public school)

[dandersonf102]

I'll be traveling to Greenville this weekend to visit my mother who still lives there. I'll try and remember to post an update of the condition of things as soon as I get back. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get her to move from Greenville to Tupelo after all these years. Tupelo is (in my opinion) one of the best cities to live in if you plan to live in Mississippi. More on that later.

[sohappyIleft]

I can give you an update and haven't sat foot back in Gville for over a year.....same old same old. One sect battling the other. Ill managed government and community unrest. I still talk to friends left there and according to 1st hand reports nothing has changed. I agree Tupelo is heads and shoulders above the delta towns.

[rush196]

Originally Posted by sohappyIleft

And I forgot Brown's Delish Shop! They had the best brownies ever made.

this is to let sohappyileft know Browns bakerery had the best brownies ,,, Browns Delish Shoppe had the best cafiteria style meals i know this because it was owned by mother and father

[rush196]

I am so gald people remember Browns !!!! my mother and father owed it. I still see some of the people that came in there. with the resturant and lounge it was like i had 50 aunts and uncles growing up.
My brother is working on a recipe book and I am going to work with him on it since i help in the kitchen since i was 10

[sohappyIleft]

The brownies made at Browns were delicious brownies with thick dark fudge icing. I have and will always compare every brownie I've ever ate to those darn things! If only I could walk back in that shop but once again!!!

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by dandersonf102

Tupelo is (in my opinion) one of the best cities to live in if you plan to live in Mississippi.

I would have to second that. If gas weren't $4 a gallon, I would live in Tupelo and commute to my job in the "Golden Triangle".

[small town person]

I just ran across this forum and am currently thinking about relocating to Greenville due to a possible job transfer. I have been assigned to Greenville, MS for the last three months March 17-June 14. During that time I stayed at the Comfort Inn (Old Fairfield) in downtown Greenville and I had no real negative issues. I did notice the boarded up shops, etc. downtown but did notice some new opened businesses. (This is a problem throughout the US!) I worked late during my stay and had no problem walking from my hotel to the reastaurants and bars in the area. I was able to get a sit-down meal instead of having to run to a burger place. My wife joined me this past weekend and we toured the area. I see growth and have met some great people. I even ran into a old friend a police officer that I worked with over 20 years ago at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant. I ran into her by accident as I was trying to locate the Chamber of Commerce. (You need signs for your current location). I currently live in a very small rural town where we have a very limited supply of places to eat. We have a Sonic, Subway, a pizza place and some service stations that have chicken and hamburgers. We do have a new restuarant that has just opened up that is great. However, as it opened another one closed. I believe that Greenville is a great community and though is has its issues and problems, it does offer a great deal. You make it what you want it to be! The very small and dying comuunity I live in has tried to survive but again people of all races are giving up. I have tried to help out as much as I can by volunteering where needed along with my wife. She serves on Main Street as well as the Chamber while I serve on another non-profit organization where I serve on the board of directors. It takes time and it will take its toll on you unless you can get others to volunteer their time and efforts.

I travel a great deal with my current job and have seen towns and communities throughout the US that are struggliing as well. It is not limited to the small Delta towns of Mississippi!

I am excited about the possibility of moving to Greenville. We no longer have school age children and are empty nesters looking for a smaller house and yard, but for a community where there is hope and I do see that in Greenville. You have a lot of good people in Greenville and a great life and more potential than you give yourself credit for. I look forward to the possibilty of sharing it with you!

[cmiss]

Originally Posted by jsherman9901

You know, this whole "Sunday morning is the most segregated time during the week" nonsense is just something cooked up by the race baiters and the media in an attempt to stir up problems and to make Christianity look bad (especially the Southern variety). In my 45-plus years as a Christian, I've NEVER seen a "black church" or a "white church" where people of other races were not welcomed and made to feel at home.

The fact that there are "black" churches and "white" churches in the 21st century has absolutely nothing to do with racism or segregation, and everything to do with worship style. Most white Christians prefer a more subdued worship experience, while blacks generally prefer a more animated worship service, with lots of clapping, shouting and dancing around (and there's nothing wrong with either style). In fact, if you go to just about any Pentecostal, Assembly of God, or "charismatic" church, you will find more of a mixed-race environment that attracts blacks as well as white people who enjoy a more lively service.

Hmm, nope as someone who has tried to find churches to attend in the Mississippi Delta, this is actually a problem. I live in Cleveland currently, but I've spent a little time in Greenville, also.

Pros:
1)Great places to eat out if you know where to go
2)Lots of hard working people
3)Mayor has good intentions
4)Casinos (entertainment, revenues, major employer)
5)Scenic areas (lake, etc)
6)Some blacks and whites have seemed to find ways to work and go to school together without incident and enjoy the benefits of diversity
7)Greenville Higher Education Center (houses 3 or 4 college branches that offer courses - great opportunity that isn't hasn't been fully realized. If the city doesn't wake up - this may not be around for long.)
8)Small Airport
9)Housing (You can buy more house here for less than you would in a larger city)
10)Churches - there are many

Cons:
1)Crime is awful in some places
2)They seem to have a difficult time bringing in solid industry
3)Lots of unworking people
4)Mayor lacks political will, support, advisory expertise to get the job done
5)Schools seem to be in a state of decline
6)Casinos (crime related issues)
7)Gangs
8)Not a lot of options for shopping
9)Some whites and blacks have allowed racial animosity to stifle their creativity and rather than figure out a way to work together to improve their city, they (both races) whine, leave, and complain and the city is left with the thugs as the real winners (ultimately, the citizenry has given the city over to them - except for the few real fighters (of both races) whose numbers are smaller by the day)
10)It's a really small airport
11)Housing prices may be deflated because of crime rates, schools. Some prices may be higher than the "local" market can pay. If the city doesn't improve you may be stuck with a house you can't sell.
Churches - they are segregated. Perhaps more because people want to go to churches where their race is the majority, or this is where their family attended. However if you're coming in from another area (that figured diversity out long ago) you'll find it a little odd. Now, if you're coming from another segregated area, you'll be fine.
12)Housing is fairly well segregated also. Much of this could be by choice, also. Cleveland still gets away with "steering", so there could be some of this as well.

I think the right now the area has more cons than pros. But, I really think its because there are more whiners and complainers than there are people who are willing to roll up their sleeves to do the hard work that is required to get this city moving. The city has more pros than I've put here. It takes more than a mayor to turn around a city. You need people in numbers willing to sit in on EVERY city meeting. You need a LOT of planning. And, right now. It just isn't happening. So, overall, the city seems to be in a steady state of decline. If the faithful few are ever able to amass a rebirth, it'll be something to watch.

[southernfried]

Amen!!!!!!

[dandersonf102]

Well, sorry it's been so long since I promised an update on my last visit to Greenville. I went to see my mother (who still lives in G'ville) about 3 weeks ago. As I promised, I'll give you my own observations. One evening, I went downtown to attend a ceremony involving the local Boy Scout troop #50 at the old Veteran's Memorial. The ceremony was a moving experience which was highlighted by the proper disposal of old worn-out American flags. (Believe it or not, the proper way to dispose of an American flag is by burning it, but in a respectful way, of course.) I was rather dissapointed to count only about 15 people including some elderly veterans and the Mayor. I was also disappointed to see the Boy Scouts wearing blue jeans with their uniforms. (When I was in Scouts, we had to wear the full uniform with matching shirt and pants)
The downtown area is in quite a shambles since there is so much road work being done (or rather not being done). Over the years, Washington Avenue had been reworked in order to give the downtown a park-like appearance. (A straight road altered to make a rather curvy path) Well, now, it's being straightened out again, or so I have been told. Most of the downtown stores have been boarded up, except for some banks, churches and pawn shops - maybe a night club or two. The parts of town next to the levee are primped up nice for the casino crowd. Yes, the casinos are there in all their "glory".
I'm still wondering where all that casino money has gone over the years. It was supposed to be "earmarked" for education. You can look at the condition of the city schools and know that the money ain't goin' there!
It's a shame, really. I can remember Greenville as it used to be years ago. As a child, I would go with my folks to the (now demolished) Paramount Theater to see John Wayne movies like "The Green Beret". When I was in my teens, I had a part-time job at Farnsworth's Jewelry Store. I never worried about crime, unless I left a bicycle outside after dark. It was sure to be gone the next day. Forgive me for rambling, but I never have worried about leaving my girls' bicycles outside while living in Tupelo.
I'm not saying Tupelo is the perfect place to live. Far from it! However it's a world of difference from Greenville. I'm glad to be back here in northeast Mississippi.