A thorn to the Starkville aldermen for some needless confusion regarding a potential retail development in the city. When a major sporting goods/outdoor retailer showed interest in building a 65,000 square foot outlet in the city with the assistance of the Golden Triangle Regional Development LINK, the process was needlessly delayed when aldermen said they would not discuss the potential of a TIF agreement with the company in executive session.
Vice-mayor Roy A. Perkins, the senior member of the board of aldermen, sent out an email that said such discussions were not permitted in executive session.
In fact, these kinds of discussion are routine and permitted by law as long as no vote is taken. Perkins should have known this, given his long tenure on the board. Three other members of the board said they did not realize the proposal had the blessing and support of the LINK, which again shows an alarming breakdown in communication. Whether it is wise to provide TIF funding is one thing; not even having the discussion is quite another.
The aldermen need to get on the ball and better inform themselves before an embarrassment turns into a lost opportunity.
A rose to Kabir Karriem, whose six-year tenure as Ward 5 Columbus City Councilman ended Tuesday. Karriem is leaving the council for the Legislature after winning the District 41 House of Representative election in November.
He will be sworn into office next month, taking the seat formerly occupied by the late Esther Harrison.
It has been encouraging to watch Karriem’s evolution during his time on the council as he matured from a sometimes self-serving and impulsive newcomer to a thoughtful and fair-minded policy-maker. Just as he grew into the council job, we believe Karriem will likewise learn and grow in his new position in the Legislature. Godspeed to him in this important new role.
A rose to the Lowndes County School District “Teachers of the Year,” including the overall teacher of the year, Jennifer Allen, who teaches French at Caledonia High School. The announcement was made this week. Other teachers to earn the distinction are Leah Gunter, first grade, Caledonia Elementary; Melissa Holly, ICTII and Webmaster, Caledonia Middle; Lisa Grant, fifth grade, New Hope Elementary; Tracy Davis, science, New Hope Middle; Tracy Doyle, engineering and robotics, New Hope High; Katetria Harris, third grade, West Lowndes Elementary; and Yolanda Breaux, librarian and English literature, West Lowndes High. Great teachers such as these have a profound impact on young minds. Their value, in fact, is invaluable and the district is indeed fortunate to have so many fine teachers of this caliber.
A rose to the Columbus mayor and city council for approving recommendations from an ad hoc committee for changes in policy for the city’s police department.
The committee, made up of both public officials and citizens, met twice to review police procedures in the wake of the officer-involved shooting death of Ricky Ball on Oct. 16. The suggestions focused heavily on strengthening the city’s policies/procedures for body cameras and greatly increased the punishment for violations of those policies.
The committee also recommended the creation of a citizens’ advisory committee to serve as a liaison between the police department and the community. We feel all of these measures will not only serve the interest of public safety but improve relations between the police department and the community it is sworn to both protect and serve. This is an important step forward for our city.
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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