Amid well-wishers wearing “Thanks, Haley” stickers, Haley Barbour made his last appearance as governor at the Neshoba County Fair last week. He used it to reflect on accomplishments.
“The response of Mississippians to Katrina’s devastation did more to improve Mississippi’s image, including with job creators, than anything that has happened in my lifetime,” he said. Barbour sees this as the greatest triumph of his governorship.
Later he told a group of East Mississippi journalists, “25 years from now, people may see expansion of the State Port at Gulfport as the greatest.” Under Barbour’s guidance plus $500 million in Katrina funds, the port is undergoing massive expansion. “We can have the No. 1 container port on the Gulf of Mexico,” Barbour said.
Bill Crawford
8/2/11
Magnolia Tribune
