Mississippi News
Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks director retiring after 29 years
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks director retiring after nearly 30 years
Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Director Sam Polles, the longest tenured director in the agency’s history, has announced his retirement after 29 years.
“The department is one of a very few agencies that touches the lives of citizens all across this state every single day,” Polles said in a message to MDWFP employees on Monday.

Polles, appointed by Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1992, has served under five governors.
In his message, Polles said: “Our Wildlife Management Areas now offer the sporting public high quality hunting opportunities unlike any in the Southeast, and our state lakes system and other public waterways provide anglers with storied fishing experiences which no doubt will be shared with families and friends for generations.”
Polles said his resignation is effective Tuesday.
Deputy Director Lynn Posey said that he will temporarily oversee agency operations until an interim — then permanent — director is named.
“This is an end of an era over here,” Posey said of Polles’ retirement. “I think he’s done an excellent job.”
MDWFP is governed by a five-member commission, with members appointed by the governor. When choosing a director, the commission sends a list of three people to the governor, who chooses one, subject to approval by the state Senate.
Commissioner Leonard Bentz said: “Dr. Polles has been a great leader for that department over the last 29 years. He brought that department to the professional organization it is today because of his leadership.”
Polles’ accomplishments with the agency include expanding wildlife management areas and state lakes system providing more hunting and fishing opportunities, implementing new systems for purchase of licenses and registrations, and construction of the new Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and MDWFP state headquarters.
But not everyone was pleased with his leadership. Mississippi Sierra Club Director Louie Miller said, “Sadly under Dr. Polles’ tenure, state parks have been allowed to deteriorate from what was once a showcase for Mississippi, into the dilapidated condition they are currently in.”
READ MORE: Lawmakers consider privatizing Mississippi’s dilapidated, underfunded state parks
“To add insult to injury, while Mississippians were celebrating the Christmas holiday, Dr. Polles was busy executing plans to hand over our state parks to private, out-of-state, for-profit corporations for the next 30 years … We hope the next Director will serve the public’s best interest in managing our cherished natural resources rather than yielding to special interests.”
READ MORE: Move to privatize state parks halted – for now – amid heated debate
MDWFP recently put out a request for proposals for private companies to manage operations of Hugh White, John Kyle, John P. Cossar and Wall Doxey state parks. Miller and other opponents of this move said it is ill timed because the state has billions of dollars in federal stimulus money that could be used to improve the state’s dilapidated parks.
MDWFP has faced budget cuts over many years and said it didn’t have the money to maintain and upgrade the state’s 25 parks.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 25-27
SUMMARY: This weekend in Mississippi (April 25-27) features a variety of events across Central and Pine Belt regions. Highlights include MiraGotSoul at Vibe Studio in Jackson, a community Dinner and Movie in Clinton, and the Natchez Kite Festival. Enjoy live performances with Sweet Lizzy Project in Natchez and the New Bourbon Street Jazz Band in Clinton. Family-friendly activities include the Native Plant Fest and Community Farmers Market in Jackson. In Hattiesburg, catch the Henry Cho tour and the Downtown Crawfish Jam Music Festival. Overall, it’s a weekend full of entertainment, culture, and fun activities for all ages.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 25-27 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 18-20
SUMMARY: This weekend (April 18-20), Mississippi offers a variety of events for all ages. In Jackson, enjoy Food Truck Friday, a jazz concert, free outdoor movie screenings, and multiple exhibitions including “Of Salt and Spirit” and “Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers.” For family fun, there’s an Easter Egg Hunt at the Ag Museum and “Bunnies & Butterflies” at MCM. Natchez features the Spring Pilgrimage, Lafayette’s 200th anniversary celebration, and a farmers market. In the Pine Belt, highlights include Live at Five, a Spring Candle-Making Workshop, and Easter events at the Hattiesburg Zoo. Don’t miss the Bluff City Block Party and more!
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 18-20 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 11-13
SUMMARY: This weekend in Mississippi (April 11-13), enjoy a variety of events across the state. Highlights include the Eudora Welty Birthday Bash in Jackson, Trivia Night at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and Boots & Bling Fundraiser in Natchez. For family fun, check out the Bunny Bonanza in Jackson or the Easter Egg Hunt in Clinton. The Natchez Concours d’Elegance Car Show and Stranger Than Fiction Film Festival offer cultural experiences, while the 12th Annual Dragon Boat Regatta in Ridgeland and the Hub City Classic Car Show in Hattiesburg provide exciting activities for all ages.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 11-13 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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