Over the past few decades, Allen Flint has cemented his place as a cornerstone of Petal as its most prominent surveyor and one of its longest-running and most influential businessmen, with a hand in numerous developments and projects throughout the Friendly City.
This legacy was honored on August 24, , when officials unveiled Flint’s name on the facade of the city’s building department at West 8th Avenue and South Main Street. Henceforth, the building is known as the Allen “Big Al” Flint Building.
“(Flint) is a special person to all of us,” said Mayor Tony Docker at the unveiling ceremony. “He used to call me many times and say, ‘How are you, my friend?'” I’ve never met Elaine and I didn’t feel better after that.
“Every time he dealt with a matter, you knew he wanted to do it right. Allen always did what he said he would do. We have a huge hole in our hearts and we have a huge hole in our city (with his death). I feel like every city in this country She should have Aline Flint, and I feel in many ways we were special because we had Aline Flint.
Flint — who with his wife Rhonda co-ownership of the A&R Flynt Development on Old Richton Road in Petal — died in February after a long illness. He was 70 years old.
Flint is survived by Rhonda, their daughter Carrie, and their son Adam.
“It doesn’t matter what time of day it is—if I go into his office, he stops what he was doing…and I say, ‘Allen, that’s the problem,’ and he says, ‘Okay,’” said DeMaris Lee, who is executive director of Petal Kids. He is a lifelong friend of Flint’s: “Okay, let’s work it out.” “Every time I had a question or anything, Allen was always there to help me out.
We have tried to watch the city grow; We wanted the best for Petal, and that’s all Allen wanted to do, is make Petel the best place in the world. He did, and you can see how many people really enjoyed what he was doing. we will miss him; I miss him every day.”
Flint, a resident of the Shorouk community, has lived in the Petlah area since the fourth grade. He founded Flynt & Associates – specializing in surveys of all kinds, including roads, buildings and subsections – in 1980, moving the business to the city limits in 1989.
Over the years, his business has grown from two employees to 25 employees.
Flint served twice as president of the Petal District Chamber of Commerce and served on the organization’s board of directors for several years.
“Over the past two years, Allen Flint and I have had a wonderful relationship,” said local businessman Justin Powell. “I first walked into his office to take a survey, and (now) I feel like an honorary grandson. What I’m starting to learn is that no matter where I go, anyone knows him, that’s how he feels — he made everyone feel special.
“We all know Mr. Flint to be a brilliant businessman and pioneer and leader of this society, but what I have come to find out about him is that he was a builder. Not of the developments and surveying he did; he was a builder of people, and that was far more important than what he could have done with buildings and space.” .»
The decision to name the building department Flynt was formally made at the June 20 meeting of the Petal Board of Aldermen. The Building Department, run by Amy Heath, is responsible for building inspections and permitting, code enforcement, planning commission, zoning, electrical and plumbing panels.
Anyone who knows Flint knows he deserves the award, said Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce.
“He’s been active for years in every aspect of Petal – the schools, the chamber, city government, the development of our city,” Wilson said after the announcement. “He is another Petal Ambassador, and I can think of no one else receiving this year’s inaugural Spirit of Petal Business Award.
“For me, it sets the standard for what we hope each winner will be; He is the epitome of bringing our community together, and he works more for the community than for himself.