A rose to Neil Carter, who on Tuesday engineered a flash mob — maybe the Golden Triangle’s first — using the WHEREhouse Dance Company dancers at the Riverwalk to propose to Denene Thomason of West Point. Not only do we appreciate Carter’s audacity and creativity, we like the idea of impromptu performances by dancers, musicians and buskers in public spaces. Hear, hear, let’s have more of it. Congratulations and kudos to all who had a hand in this delightful diversion. Oh, and in case you wondered, Denene said, yes.
A rose to the West Point Selectmen, who in an extraordinary move, voted 4-1 to cut their own pay from $18,000 to $14,500. Typically, when city governments consider the matter of pay, it is almost always a discussion of how much more money they want.
The Selectmen made the rare move after discussion on a study from the John C. Stennis Institute of Government, which reported the income of all city governments. The Selectmen felt that, based on the pay of comparable cities, the pay cut was justified. This move sends a strong message to West Point residents: The decision is a wonderful illustration of public service in its highest form.
A rose to Columbus’ own Deborah Johnson, who was honored with the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, presented by the University of Alabama. The award acknowledges Johnson for her acclaimed novel, “The Secret of Magic,” a story of the battle for racial equality in the Jim Crow South as told from the perspective of a young black female lawyer from Thurgood Marshall’s New York firm. The Harper Lee Prize was established five years ago to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lee’s classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The prize is given to the author of a book-length work of fiction which portrays lawyers’ role in society and the power they have to effect change. Johnson finds her self in prestigious company: John Grisham and Michael Connelly are among the previous winners of the award.
A rose to the groups whose collaboration has created “Little Libraries” at several Housing Authority complexes in city of Columbus. These libraries provide a variety of books for children who might not otherwise have access to books by bringing them into the neighborhoods where these children live. This is a joint project of the Columbus-Lowndes Library, The Housing Authority, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Mississippi Library Commission.
A rose to the Columbus Arts Council, which honored much-loved cartoonist Robert “Uncle Bunky” Williams with its inaugural “Great American” award. The new award was presented Thursday during the opening of its July exhibit. Plans call for the award to be given each July as we celebrate Independence Day. Williams, diagnosed with cancer, has chosen not to pursue treatment. While his health prevented him from attending the event, well-wishers drew pictures and put together video greetings at the reception, which was held at the CAC’s Rosenzweig Arts Center. This month’s exhibit features the paintings by Clarksdale native Bradley Gordon.
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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