A rose to those who went to the polls on Tuesday for the Ward 5 special election. Twenty-seven percent (856) of the ward’s 3,175 registered voters chose from among four candidates seeking to fill the unexpired term of Kabir Karriem, who resigned from the city council in December after he won a seat in the state house of representatives.
The turnout was high for a special election, where turnouts are generally in the mid-teens. The voters’ work is not finished, though. A runoff to determine the winner between the two highest vote-getters — Marthalie Porter and Stephen Jones — is set for March 1. Again, we urge all registered voters to fulfill their civic duty through voting in that runoff.
A rose to organizers of Thursday’s “Drones 101” seminar held Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The seminar is timely, given the explosion of drones we see today, most of them owned by hobbyists. Airport, military, industry and education officials participated in the seminar, which focused on the public safety issues the increased popularity of drones has created. To date, there have been no incidents where our commercial, private or military aircraft have collided with drones. Making sure the public is aware of the rules and responsibilities governing drones is a step toward ensuring that no such tragedy occurs.
A rose to the Mississippi Senate for the one piece of proposed legislation it has passed that may actually help public education in our state.
Last week, the Senate passed a bill that will require all school district superintendents be appointed rather than elected. Although many superintendents in our state are appointed, the bill would bring uniformity to the way superintendents are chosen. Appointed superintendents means a deeper pool of qualified candidates. This would be particularly true in our less populous counties, where those with the need educational and administrative background are likely to be few. Elected school boards ensure citizens have a voice and appointed superintendents make for better schools.
A rose to the city of Columbus for its decision to hire Joe Dillon as public relations coordinator. The city council approved the measure last week.
Dillon will work on a contract basis for a salary of $24,000 annually to provide public relations assistance for the city. Dillon, who has a background in journalism and PR, had been providing his services to the city since shortly after the Oct. 16 Ricky Ball shooting. At the time, he saw the city struggling to get information to the public and was moved to help.
He plans to develop a more accessible, interactive website for the city as well as open a city Twitter account similar to that of the Columbus Police Department. City officials have acknowledge the need to be more transparent with residents. Dillon’s arrival is the most tangible evidence of that commitment.
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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