A rose to the community schools, churches and civic organizations for their programs honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the holiday set aside to remember the civil rights leader. While we believe these events serve King’s memory well, one thing has been lacking since the MLK Dream365 program ended two years ago. That program put a heavy emphasis on service, but we noted that no such “day of service” events are planned for our communities this year.
We see this as a great opportunity for schools and civic groups to adopt. One of the greatest ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy is by helping others. We are hopeful that when MLK Day rolls around next year, we will find ways to come together to serve others through organized service opportunities built around the holiday.
A rose to the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, who have chosen to listen first, then decide. Tuesday evening at 5:30, county residents will be given an opportunity to share their opinions as the board considers a proposal to remove the state flag from county property. City governments in Starkville and Columbus voted last year to remove the flag from city property, but the supervisors have gone the extra mile by making sure there is a forum of residents to speak on the subject. No matter what the supervisors ultimately choose to do, the decision they reach will have been greatly aided by hearing from their constituents. That, after all, is how local government should work.
A rose to Mississippi University for Women alumna, Connie Kossen and her husband, Tom, whose $400,000 gift to MUW will be used to create the Kossen Teaching and Learning Endowment. The endowment will support faculty and innovative teaching approaches at Mississippi University for Women. The Kossens’ gift was announced Monday at the Spring 2016 Faculty/Staff Convocation by MUW President Jim Borsig. “The Kossens have been extraordinarily generous in their gifts of time, talents and resources,” Borsig said. The CTL promotes teaching excellence at The W. All instructors from senior tenured professors to adjuncts are eligible to benefit from the center’s resources.
A rose to the Army Corps of Engineers for its role in making the best of a difficult situation. When two runaway barges crashed into the east bank of the John C. Stennis Lock & Dam on Dec. 26, the Corps found itself not only with the task in aiding the salvage operations, but managing what became something of a tourist attraction. Hundreds of folks descended on the scene of the accident, which was cleared last week, 19 days after the accident. We commend the Corps for allowing visitors access to the area by establishing a large enough perimeter to ensure public safety and not impede salvage operations, but not so big that visitors were prevented from getting a good look at the work. While no one suggests that the accident was a good thing, the steady procession of visitors may have helped raise awareness of what a great facility we have here in the Lock & Dam.
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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