STARKVILLE — Following a light turnout Tuesday for the bond referendum information fair at City Hall, Starkville Police Chief David Lindley doesn”t have a feel for how the votes will shake out on Sept. 27.
Lindley has hosted three tours of the police station, including one Tuesday, in the last two months. During the tours, people have told him they”re surprised the SPD works in such cramped conditions and marveled at the deteriorating condition of the building.
“Most people don”t realize what it”s like to work in the facility until they see it themselves,” Lindley said.
The proposed $8.45 million police station received little, if any, negative feedback from residents, who will vote for a 3.49 millage increase in a citywide bond referendum in two weeks.
Still, Lindley remembers how hopeful he and city officials were in 2006 when a $6.4 million police station project failed at the polls by 22 votes, less than 1 percent. Bond referendums require a 60-percent yes vote; the complex had 59.23 percent of the voters backing it in the September 2006 election.
Other citywide referendums have passed since that time, including a $27.5 million bond to renovate OCH Regional Medical Center in 2009 and a $26 million bond issue for Starkville School District in 2007.
The Sept. 27 referendum will be the city”s first since 2006.
“I”m glad, though, that we have such an open system this time to really go further than we have before to make sure the public is given all the information we have,” Lindley said. “I have no feeling one way or the other about if it will pass, but we”ve had quite an elaborate effort to put it all together.”
Tuesday, representatives from the Starkville Main Street Association and the municipal complex committee were on hand to answer questions about the charrette team”s recommendations to revitalize downtown Starkville and the plans for the new police station. Members of the election commission had up-to-date information about voting precincts.
“Basically, anybody involved was here tonight,” Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman said. “I”m optimistic that this is something that the community knows is essential to our future as a city. And one of the most fundamental aspects of a productive city is public safety. I really do feel optimistic about the support.”
Wiseman has stumped for the “yes” votes in the referendum during recent speaking engagements at local civic clubs. Last week, Wiseman spoke to the Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club. He”ll speak to the Pilot Club later this week. Tuesday, Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey spoke at the Starkville Young Professionals social. The municipal complex committee also has a TV ad detailing the need for a new police station and reminded people to vote on Sept. 27. Wiseman said advertising for the bond referendum will increase leading up to Sept. 27.
“I”ll continue doing speaking engagements for anyone interested in hearing me,” Wiseman said. “We”re doing everything we can to get people informed.”
In other news, Lindley announced the new police station will have a retention pond that will be part of the landscape. Lindley said the retention pond, required by law, will be made possible through a significant land depression at the proposed location at the corner of Highway 389 and Highway 182.
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