Plans for a new, improved farmers’ market downtown and the state of lights on the Iuka highway interchange were discussed at the Tuesday night meeting of the Iuka Board of Aldermen.

New improved Farmers Market

Deb Daniel and Lori Wahlstrom of IDEA, and local growers Alicia Hester and Maddie Potts represented the newly reorganized Tishomingo County Farmers Market and pitched their plans to the board, who said they would discuss how the city could contribute in a working session.

The Farmers Market is proposed to be each Friday night June through October in Jaybird Park from 3 -7 p.m. in hopes of making it an event locals, lake folks and tourists will want to attend. The regular time and day will help people know what to expect, committee members explained. Along with sales of locally grown (the tri-state area) produce, they have talked to a meat market vendor, and also hope to have some cottage food producers like honey, jams and jelly, and soap makers come out. Themes and special focus nights, along with music are also planned. 

Jaybird Park, they said, located in Downtown Iuka, is ideal because on Fridays in the summer, Iuka sees a lot of traffic from families coming to the lake for the weekend. But they stress that they want growers from all of Tishomingo County and beyond to come be a part. Friday nights means that vendors who regularly attend Saturday markets in other towns can be a part of Iuka’s, explained organizers.

Key to potential success is the number of groups and agencies behind it, including the MSU Extension Service, the state department of agriculture, IDEA, Tishomingo County Tourism Board, the county board of supervisors, the Tishomingo Arts Council, and a dedicated market manager, Kelly Milligan and his wife, Stacy who will be on the ground each week to help organize.

They plan an organizational meeting at the end of March for growers, but urge local farmers and gardeners to plan now to plant something extra and plan to be a part of at least a few of the weekly events. 

The city is already in the process of adding more electrical service to Jaybird Park for all the events Downtown Iuka hosts throughout the year. Public Works Director Brad Hollon explained they are putting in more power services in the coming weeks, after the board approved the quote from a supplier of the materials to do the job.

Light it up

Tammy Bonds addressed the board on the lack of streetlights along Highway 72 at the Iuka exit. The east side of the interchange has light poles but none are lit. They have most all been disconnected to save money in years past, according to the city. Bonds has talked to MDOT and others, concerned about the lack of light and lack of road markings on the exit ramps, saying she has run off the road a couple times during her regular commute home from the Shoals.

Aldermen Kenny Carson and Emily Bell said they have also inquired about this, and will look into it again.

Brad Hollon said he was present when the lights were disconnected maybe 10-15 years ago, and they may have to be replaced at this point. Board members indicated there may be few funds for this, but that the highway department may be the answer.

Little league insurance

Wesley Stricklen addressed the board about the lack of insurance on the Iuka Baseball complex. Investigation showed the facility where hundreds of children play ball each year is not insured, and needs to be. The Iuka Baseball board would probably be willing to pay the estimated $1,000 policy, but it needs to be under the umbrella of the City. Mayor Joel Robertson said that an agreement could be drawn up similar to other facilities like that in the city, and tasked attorney Nathaniel Clark with getting that started.

The board approved some proposed hirings and raises, including one at the Iuka Library. Library workers were present and excited to announce they would have Summer Reading Programming in the Library again this year – the first time since Covid.

Food Truck Festival v 2.0 approved!

The board voted 3-2 to approve plans to hold a second annual Food Truck Festival June 9th in Jaybird Park to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club. Organizer Liz Cummings was present to answer any questions, but the event was so popular and successful last year, it was a quick approval. Alderwoman Nancy Stripling pointed out she was in support of the food truck part, but against the beer part, and that’s why she voted against it.

Cummings said they were selling many more tickets this year, because of all the people they had to turn away last year. One hundred people from age 21 to 81 attended last year for great music and food, and it raised more than $7,000 for Boys and Girls Club.

Mayor Robertson announced that The Station church had purchased the old Ford building and parking lot.

Need Indian Creek easements

The city is asking all property owners who border Indian Creek through town to contact the public works department to sign an easement to allow access to Indian Creek for cleanout by the Tennessee Tombigbee Water Management District. They have been trying to get easements signed, but have had trouble finding landowners to sign.

The board authorized the attorney to proceed with legal action against someone who has a $106,779 outstanding debt to the city.

The board briefly discussed the problem/mess that is the Iuka Motel on Highway 172. The owner is supposed to be rehabilitating it, but clearly is not. They discussed having water and power disconnected if no one is living there, as reported.

Alderwoman Emily Bell said Great American Cleanup Day is March 25th, and Keep Iuka Beautiful teams are being organized to handle different areas of Iuka to clean up. She also said she had attended the Keep Mississippi Beautiful/Keep Alabama Beautiful conference recently where Keep Iuka Beautiful was recognized.