Amphibious excavator

[Wildfowler]

Does anyone have a referral of any individual or company offering amphibious excavation service in Mississippi? Belzoni area.

Thanks.

[dukluk]

None of my bizness, but make sure you aren't disturbing a wetland.....EPA can be harsh to deal with.....seen that happen to a few folks.

[Wildfowler]

Good point. Thanks.

[DanP]

What are you trying to do? I deal with that kind of stuff every day. Pete Twiner in belzoni will walk a track hoe in 4 ft water as long as the bottom is solid.

[SB]

The MDWFP rented one out of LA over 12 years ago. I was involved with that process. It was our responsibility to transport it from LA to MS and back to LA. That was the only downside to the whole project other than dealing with the NO police. Dealing with the NO police created a lifelong memory.

[Wildfowler]

[SB]

I will try my best to tell the story in a clear and concise fashion.

We (MDWFP) drove to NO to pick up this amphibious excavator. The caravan consisted of two game warden trucks to be used as escort vehicles and a truck and low boy to transport the over-width amphibious excavator.

We get to the place of business in NO not long after the business opens. The machine gets loaded on the low boy. The business owner tells me we will have to pay $150 to the NO police for an escort. I say, "We got the escort covered. Got two trucks with blue lights ready." He said, "You don't understand. You will need to pay for the escort no matter what."

Keep in mind this is state government. Quotes for the machine was obtain and a purchased order was issued. At no time did he mention the cost of a NO police escort, so I go into problem solving mode to get this done. I ask the business owner could he just make a check out to the "NO Police Dept." and we reimburse him for the expense? He said they only take CASH, and it is given to the officer. Cash payment - Red Flag! I ask the business owner if he can pay the escort fee and add it to our bill. A NO police officer pulls up, steps out in pajamas, takes the cash and heads out escorting. He doesn't even stay with us to the city limits. He pulls off at the first exit.

There was no way what I just experienced was legal on many fronts. After this event a couple of people told me that is normal for NO. I had heard LA was the most corrupt state in the nation. I hate to label them with that, but there is at least one NO police officer that hurt their reputation.

[peewee]

[merlebo05]

I was at a friend of a friends house down in La in a town just outside NO at a party.. Officer pulls up and I know there is weed at this party (and I'm pretty sure no telling what all other drugs) because people are out smoking it in plain site.. Well officer pulls up, I am freaking out thinking I am headed to jail for just being around the stuff, you know guilty by association.. Next thing I know the cop starts smoking a joint with the party goers… Shortly there after he jumps in his patrol car chasing somebody that had just spun their tires on the road right in front of the house we were all at. I couldn't get out of La fast enough!!!