Nearly seven years ago when two young friends got together to throw a party, they never imagined that bash would be the launch of a business.  Larry Franklin and Quentin Harris, both 2002 Rosa Fort High School graduates, were college students looking for fun in 2007 when they pooled money from their personal funds and incidentally hosted the first event organized by S&G/Fly Boy Entertainment.

“We were roommates at the time,” Harris said.  “We actually thought about just having a little party.”

That little party turned into a big eye opener for the two and eventually steered them in the path of entrepreneurship.  It steered them for several reasons, including the fact that they didn’t profit a dime that night, they said.

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‘Biggest Loser’ sought

The Town of Tunica kicks off a 20-week “Tunica’s Biggest Loser” contest next week, with bragging rights and a cash award in the balance.

Mayor Chuck Cariker announced the initiative at last week’s town Board meeting. Tunica Main Street is helping to promote the event, and Cariker said he believed a sponsor would be on board by the kick-off.

“Other communities have done this, and it’s very popular,” Cariker said. “It’s part of a push in Mississippi for a more healthy lifestyle for all our citizens.”

The contest begins Tuesday, February 18, and ends July 4th with an announcement of the winner at the town’s Independence Day Parade and Picnic. Participant pay a $20 fee to enter, which becomes part of the winner’s “pot.”

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Every week hundreds of people visit the Tunica Museum.  Through the years we have recorded visitors from every state in the union and many foreign countries.  Even before the bright lights of the casinos drew people here, there were notable people who for one reason or another passed through Tunica County.

The first “tourist” to spend time here was undoubtedly Hernando DeSoto. Certainly there was no tourism infrastructure in 1541, but our history books would tell us that DeSoto was impressed enough with this area that he spent considerable time here before he wore out his welcome.

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[Editor’s note: This letter was prepared prior to last week’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting and read aloud at that meeting. County administrator Michael Thompson requested that this address be printed in its entirety in The Tunica Times.]

Dear Supervisors,

The excessive expenditure mentality that has been pervasive in Tunica County since the inception of gaming must come to an end. We must become fiscally responsible with our resources, which begins with doing the most basic job of governing...operating from and adhering to a balanced budget. Simply stated, expenditures should be in line with revenues.

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