Hello all!

I've had a busy day so far, let me tell you about it a little bit.  I've already updated you all on breakfast this morning with Mayor Dupree and Ms. Dennard.  The two trolleys are now on their way to East Lansing and Mayor Dupree has $17 million for city-wide projects.

Well, I went to Poplarville (PRCC) to see Ms. Askew.  We met in the Union, and had a short conversation.  I could immediately tell that she is not ready to divulge the details of her interactions with SFT.  I completely understand, I'm coming to understand just how far SFT's tentacles reach out in this State, at least in the Southern part of it.  On my way out of the Union she did shout to me: "Mr Cooley, (I turned around to listen) . . . you can tell everyone this about Dr. Thames . . . he's just another two minute brother...."

I immediately raced back to Hattiesburg to have lunch with Mr. Chain and Carl Nicholson.  Robbie Ward was meeting us downtown.  Just as I arrived in Hattiesburg I got a cell phone call from my risk manager.  He said to meet him at the USM rose garden ASAP.  I got there shortly, and found my risk manager, his associate, and Jack Hanbury in the middle of a discussion.  I called Bobby and told him to leave a message for Robbie Ward to stay at the restaurant, but for him (Bobby) to get to USM as soon as possible.

Bobby arrived shortly and we each had a separate talk with Mr. Hanbury.  We informed him that Friday's memo was the beginning of the end for him, and that things could get really nasty for him if he stayed on.  My risk manager can be especially useful in these situations [I will tell you all tonight what separates my risk manager from two-bit risk managers like Hanbury].  Hanbury was shaking in his shoes.  Bobby Chain called Jim Hood and said just two words --- "It's done."  I sensed that Bobby had already been working behind the scenes.

Just one more thing, I picked several pretty roses to send back to my wife in East Lansing.  I looked at Hanbury and told him to tell SFT what I had done when he got back over to the dome to clean out his office.  I wanted him [SFT] to know we were in town and meant business.

I'll have more later.  I'm moving around campus now, talking to faculty and staff.

Thomas Cooley