STARKVILLE -- In the minds of some Starkville residents, the last four years in City Hall have been as contentious as any in recent memory.

The Board of Aldermen appeared to split up into factions; Mayor Dan Camp was often seen as a polarizing figure; and tensions at City Hall seemed to rise often.

But in Camp's mind, the last four years shouldn't be remembered as a city divided. After all, the Board of Aldermen unanimously passed roughly 90 percent of the policies and ordinances brought to the table, he said.

Instead, Camp sees the last four years as some of the most progressive in city history.

"We got more done in the last four years than we did in the previous 40," Camp said.

Doing work

During his time as mayor, Camp has been instrumental in a number of projects that have reshaped the city, including the $3 million bond issue for infrastructure improvements recently passed by the Board of Aldermen. Camp pushed for a $12 million plan, which called for $3 million worth of improvements in each of the next four years, but the Board ultimately passed the $3 million plan with an option to issue up to $3 million more for improvements in 2010.

If the board would have passed the $12 million plan, Camp said Friday he might not have run for re-election. Instead, the board passed the $3 million plan and Camp lost in his quest for another term.

Camp also introduced sweep accounts to the city's budget, which he estimates have earned the city several hundred thousand dollars over the past four years. The sweep account process transfers city funds into an interest-bearing account at the end of each work day, then transfers the funds back to the city's primary account the following morning.

Among other initiatives spearheaded by Camp was a refined health insurance policy for city employees, which he predicts over the next two or three years will save the city $200,000 to $300,000 a year.

Under Camp's watch, the city also instituted a No Smoking ordinance. And the city passed a sustainability policy last summer, which, among other things, requires all new city-owned buildings more than 3,000-square-feet meet standards set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. The new Starkville Electric Building, now under construction downtown, will meet LEED standards.

The city also passed a curbside recycling program under Camp's tutelage, built a new Sportsplex building, and has worked with developers of the proposed CottonMill Marketplace project.

"Regardless of what people say, we got things done," Camp said. "Look around Starkville today and compare it to what it was four years ago. Look at downtown today and look at it four years ago. You can't even find a parking spot downtown these days."

He sees the city heading in an upward direction, but feels a "tough" financial situation could await aldermen within the next few years because sales tax receipts are down.

Criticism

One of the criticisms facing Camp has been his seemingly gruff demeanor. He also has been the face of the failed plan to build a new municipal complex.

The issue came up for a referendum during Camp's term, but failed when voters went to the polls.

The need for a new City Hall and police station was still on the minds of voters this election season, as evidenced by repeated questions about the issue during candidate forums and events.

Yet, despite the failed municipal complex plans, and a failed bid for re-election, Camp is proud of the four years he spent in office. And he's looking forward to seeing what Parker Wiseman and the new Board of Aldermen will do when they take office in July.

"We've got a good group coming in," Camp said.

Wiseman will be joined by five new aldermen in Ben Carver, Sandra Sistrunk, Eric Parker, Jeremiah Dumas and Henry Vaughn Sr.

The only returning aldermen are Roy A. Perkins in Ward 6 and Richard Corey in Ward 4.