CAO situation underscores salary disparity

As the drama unfolds over the future of Starkville Chief Administrative Officer Lynn Spruill’s firing by the board, officials have asked a common question: If aldermen do override a promised veto, how will the city fill the position with a candidate as strong as the former Addison, Texas mayor?

Spruill’s firing contradicts previous board action

Three aldermen who chose to fire Chief Administrative Officer Lynn Spruill Tuesday voted to reappoint her and 12 other key city positions back to their jobs with three-month review periods in 2009, city minutes show.

Barnetts hope to preserve lake’s beauty with investment

Like many county residents, John Barnett spent many of his younger days at the Oktibbeha County Lake.

He grew up down the road from the body of water and learned to ski at the lake. Over time, Barnett said, the elements began overtaking the lake, transforming the once-beautiful landmark.

Meeting needed to identify potential county land uses

Supervisors will hold a special meeting July 22 to begin identifying and classifying areas for future land-use designations, a key step in developing a comprehensive plan for Oktibbeha County.

Aldermen name 3 Parks reps as another resigns

Despite aldermen naming three residents to the Starkville Parks Commission, the board will have to deal with one more open seat as Ward 3 representative Ray Berryhill resigned his position effective Wednesday, city officials announced Tuesday.

Fireworks show set for tonight at Sportsplex

Local residents and visitors will be treated to an annual fireworks show tonight at the Sportsplex.

Aldermen fire Spruill, Wiseman promises veto

The Starkville Board of Aldermen Tuesday voted 5-2 Tuesday to fire Chief Administrative Officer Lynn Spruill without holding any public discussion on her job performance.

Mayor Parker Wiseman said he will veto the board’s resolution as soon as possible, but aldermen can override his action with the same 5-2 vote which yielded Spruill’s termination.

Aldermen to deal with next round of dilapidated structures

The Starkville Board of Aldermen could declare five Ward 7 properties as public health, safety and welfare hazards, thereby opening the door for their demolition.

Key city, board positions up for appointment Tuesday

Many of Starkville’s primary department heads are up for reappointment Tuesday as the incoming board of aldermen takes control of local governance.

EMCC expansion gains support

East Mississippi Community College President Rick Young said Friday he’s received verbal commitments from Clay and Kemper counties’ representatives to help fund a two-phase, $34 million expansion project.

Democrats remove Isaac, Neal from executive committee

Oktibbeha County Democratic Party Executive Committee members Dorothy Isaac and Kennedy Neal were removed from the board in separate votes Tuesday after they were found in violation of the state party’s constitution and bylaws by their peers.

EMCC continues push for money to expand

East Mississippi Community College representatives say construction projects are needed to help with an expected influx of students and workforce trainees associated with Golden Triangle industrial developments.

Supervisors may pick interim prosecutor tonight

Supervisors could name an interim replacement for retiring county prosecutor Roy Carpenter Jr. at its 5:30 p.m. meeting today.

The board is expected to take action soon – either today or by July’s first monthly meeting – as Carpenter ends an almost 30-year career as Starkville and Oktibbeha County’s prosecutor.

Judge Williamson to oversee Ward 4 election review proceedings

Mississippi 10th Circuit District Judge Lester F. Williamson Jr. will oversee alderman candidate John Gaskin’s request for an election review, counsel confirmed Friday.

Officials point to workforce retraining as Navistar idles

Ten years ago, Alan Nunnelee faced a similar situation now looming over about 80 employees at West Point’s Navistar Defense plant: job loss at no fault of their own.

Second power outage scheduled for Sunday

Starkville’s lights will go dark Sunday for the second time since May as Tennessee Valley Authority workers wrap up a project which will improve the city’s power grid.

Aldermen pass issues on to new board

Although Tuesday marked the last official meeting for current Starkville board of aldermen, city officials declined to take action on numerous issues, leaving them for the new board to deal with when it convenes for the first time in July.

Board approves two of three historic districts

Starkville aldermen established the Greensboro and Nash Street Historic Districts Tuesday but declined to create the Overstreet Historic District after Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey said that specific area’s boundaries could be redrawn in the future to alleviate issues.

Gaskin challenges election in circuit court

Attorneys for alderman candidate John Gaskin filed a petition for judicial review for the Ward 4 Democratic Primary with the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, documents show.

The complaint lists the Starkville Municipal Democratic Executive Committee and incoming Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker as defendants.

Aldermen consider redevelopment district Tuesday

Starkville officials are hopeful a proposed redevelopment district for a portion of the Miss. Highway 182 corridor will help spur growth and investments, thereby broadening the city’s tax base in the future.