Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
Roses and thorns: 6-27-21
A rose to the Mississippi State University Student Association and its partners as it prepares for the return of one of the most popular events
Our View: Buried talent
On Monday, the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors delayed a vote on the sale of the former East Oktibbeha High School building, which has been vacant since county and Starkville school districts consolidated in 2015.
Our View: A downtown liability becomes an asset
Normally when taxpayers take a 38-percent bath on a real estate deal, there’s little cause for optimism.
Roses and thorns: 6/20/21
A rose to all the fathers out there on the day set aside to recognize the unique role dads play in the lives of our
The Verdict: Circuit court rundown for May 3-21
Judge Jim Kitchens • Brian Douglas Baughman, grand larceny, 10 years MDOC, four to serve, six suspended, two other counts, one count possession/receiving stolen property
Our View: Bulldogs bound for ‘Starkville North’
On the eve of the NCAA baseball regionals two weeks ago, Larry Buckley, who played baseball at Mississippi State in the early 1970s, was spotted in Starkville wearing an interesting T-shirt. The shirt featured the outline of Nebraska, with a star designating Omaha’s location. Instead of Omaha, however, the star on the map was labeled “Starkville North.”
Roses and thorns: 6-13-21
A rose to all those who have raised the tone of discourse as we await the final results of the Columbus mayoral race. While election
Our View: Columbus’ prolonged election decision is not cause for concern
We will not know the official outcome of Tuesday’s mayoral race until next week, after as many as 53 mail-in absentee ballots postmarked on election day are added to the official count. With a current lead of 40 votes, Independent challenger Keith Gaskin appears well on his way to victory over incumbent mayor Robert Smith, who has held the position since 2007.
Our View: Of the people, by the people, for the people
Our nation’s form of government is called a Constitutional Federal Republic which means we are governed by a supreme law of the land (Constitution) that all 50 states adhere to (federal). Lincoln defined the “Republic” in simple terms – government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Our View: Dispatch endorses Keith Gaskin for mayor
The Dispatch generally does not endorse candidates in local races. It hasn’t happened since 2009, when we endorsed Robert Smith, then seeking his first full term as mayor.
Roses and thorns: 6-6-21
A rose to our public libraries for providing summer activities for school children during their break from traditional learning. The Starkville Public Library is hosting
Our View: Focus on Issues: A reason for hope
This week, we have devoted our editorials to issues facing the city of Columbus as Tuesday’s municipal election approaches. We have discussed the challenges our city faces with crime, infrastructure and the city budget. Taken together, these editorials may paint a grim picture of our city. That’s often the case when serious challenges are confronted.
Our View: Focus on Issues: City finances
One of the most important duties performed by our mayor and city council is to plan and manage the taxpayer money set aside to provide city services.
Our View: Focus on Issues: Infrastructure
Some campaign issues are elusive to quantify and difficult to grasp.
Our view: Focus on the Issues: Crime
There are few issues that animate public opinion during an election cycle more than crime, so the recent uptick in violent crime in Columbus is an issue that cannot be ignored.
Roses and thorns: 5-30-21
A rose on this Memorial Day weekend to all those who died in military service to our nation. Of the three days set aside to
Our View: If only all our elections were like Caledonia’s
Elections on any level can be bruising affairs, so it’s a nice change of pace to see a campaign without accusations, allegations and attacks.
Our View: Lemonade Day is fun opportunity to teach kids entrepreneurship
There are some subjects we don’t teach our children at a young age for fear that they may not be able to properly process the information. We don’t give driving lessons to 4-year-olds, after all.
Our View: Better communication on violent crimes is needed
Real crime is not like an episode of “Law and Order,” where all the details fall quickly, logically into place. Often, it takes a considerable amount of investigation to unravel crimes in a way that can be easily understood and shared with the public.
Roses and thorns: 5/23/21
A rose to the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors which expressed some interest is providing some of its Recovery Act funds to expand and improve
