The Board of Aldermen decided to hit the problem of clusterlighting at exit 40 head-on at Tuesday night’s meeting, saying itis time for Brookhaven to stop being one of the only cities alongthe Interstate 55 corridor that does not have its exits lit.

Mayor Bob Massengill read excerpts of a letter from MississippiDepartment of Transportation Southern District Director Wayne H.Brown which expressed his inability to do anything to help push theproject to fruition.

Brown’s letter said it is not possible at this time “to erect,maintain or power” the lights at exit 40 through MDOT funds. Hesaid the only way possible would be if Brookhaven could pay theelectricity and maintenance on the lights.

Massengill said that could still be another three or four yearsin coming.

He said Brookhaven and Lincoln County face two choices. They cancontinue to do research on federal funding, which has proventroublesome especially after the power swing in Washington scaledback on earmarks, or determining what the city and county caninvest, and possibly putting the lights up in phases.

“We were disappointed in the answers we were given,” hesaid.

Alderman-at-large Les Bumgarner pointed out that even thevillage of Pope, which had 241 people as of the 2000 census, haslighting at its intersection.

“Wayne Brown could say today if he wanted this, and we’d haveit,” said Bumgarner. “I don’t think Southwest Mississippi is beingrepresented as we should be. We need to put pressure on him orelect someone else.”

Massengill said about three years ago, city officials were toldthe cluster lighting project would not even be on the radar foranother three years, and contrasted it with the fact that now Brownis telling the city it could be another three years.

The board decided to explore its options on funding, as well astalking to the county.

“The city and the county agree that this project is veryimportant,” said Massengill.