A rose to the clergy who stood with members of the LGBT community in its fight against the Starkville Board of Aldermen’s decision to rescind the city’s anti-discrimination policy, a policy enacted last year which included LGBT people as a protected group. While some clergy stood with those who would deny the basic humanity of LGBT people, a trio of clergy — Rev. J. Lee Winter of Resurrection Episcopal Church in Starkville, Rev. Bert Montgomery of University Baptist Church in Starkville and Rabbi Seth Oppenheimer of B’nai Israel in Columbus — spoke eloquently on behalf of justice, a position consistent with the Scripture found in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
A rose of remembrance to Coach John Dickerson, a Columbus native who shaped young lives and played a quiet but important role in integration during his career as a coach and educator. Dickerson died Monday at the age of 86. His coaching career including stops at Lee High, Hunt High, West Amory High and what is now known as Mississippi Valley State University, succeeding at every stop. His record alone does not provide the full measure of his contributions to the community and the young men who played for him and learned from his example. “You’re talking about a class individual,” said former Lee High and Ole Miss coach Billy Brewer, who coached with Dickerson at Lee High.
A rose to those who serve us under what can be the most emotionally troubling circumstances. This group includes law enforcement, EMTs, coroners and others who were called to duty Monday when 4-year-old Brayden Barksdale was shot to death at his home in Lowndes County. While working these kinds of tragic incidents always take an emotional toll, it is particularly troubling when the victim is an innocent child. Even so, those who were called to the scene conducted their work with great professionalism and compassion. We thank them for a job few of us would ever want to do.
A rose to Rep. Gary Chism (R, Columbus) who refused a request from Columbus City Attorney Jeff Turnage to sponsor bills that would change the wording of the state’s Open Meetings Act, a move that if successful would give city government officials cart blanche to conduct public business in private. Chism said not only would he not sponsor such legislation, but would not vote for it should it come to a vote in the current legislative session. We urge all our legislators to follow Chism’s lead on this matter.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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