FERRIDAY &045;&045; In conjunction with Ferriday’s downtown revitalization, Mayor Glen McGlothin introduced an ordinance to the board of aldermen Thursday night to establish a certified local government.

This designation is much like a Main Street program, McGlothin said, and would allow the town to dictate what can be built downtown and what can be done when owners remodel buildings. The plan also fits into Ferriday’s 15-year master plan.

Town Attorney Anna Ferguson said the designation, certified local government, would allow the town to do many things, such as &uot;protect the architectural integrity of the building … fine individuals who let the buildings in this historic district deteriorate.&uot;

McGlothin said it would force owners to do something with their buildings instead of allowing them to dilapidate.

The board will vote on the ordinance at next month’s meeting.

Other parts of the plan include youth programs, downtown revitalization and developing businesses. People or organizations participating in these programs can receive funds to match.

Also Thursday night, the board heard McGlothin’s recommendations for a recreation director &045;&045; Rydell Turner. Technically, the board did not have to approve the appointment but McGlothin said he wanted their input. The board voted to place Turner in charge of recreation for a six-month trial period. Once the program is started, the town can apply for grants but there must be a program many times to apply for the funds.

In two other appointments Thursday night, Alan &uot;Bud&uot; Cupit was sworn in to replace Billy Rucker as alderman of District A. Also in Rucker’s resignation, the board needed to appoint a new Mayor-Pro-Tem and unanimously approved Dorothy Johnson. The Mayor-Pro-Tem serves in the absence of the mayor. The meeting this month was moved because McGlothin was out of town and the board did not have a mayor pro tem to run the meeting.

In other business, the board:

4 Approved finding a building for the Volunteers of America to operate. The VOA asked to be located in the bottom of the gym across from town hall but Alderman Jerome Harris and Johnson said the organization should locate in the Ferriday Education Center.

4 Approved police officers and firefights raises paid for by the public safety millage. The raises take effect March 1.

4 Notified the public of cable rate increases. Charter Communications, through FCC fees, is raising rates by about $4.

4 Approved a work order to try to improve drainage on Cannon and Stone streets. McGlothin said the town has applied for $500,000 in capital outlay funds to help remedy drainage problems in town.