The Greater Starkville Development Board of Directors is asking Starkville aldermen and Oktibbeha County supervisors to issue resolutions calling upon lawmakers to redesign the Mississippi state flag.
The GSDP board unanimously passed a resolution last month requesting a redesign occur “to provide a more welcoming environment for residents, economic development projects and tourists alike.”
It is unknown when local leaders will take up the request.
The board of aldermen meets 5:30 p.m. today at City Hall. Supervisors are not scheduled to meet for two weeks.
A call to GSDP Board of Directors Chairman Richard Hilton, who signed the two requests headed to local officials, went unreturned Monday.
“Perception is critical as it relates to tourism and economic development,” said GSDP CEO Jennifer Gregory. “The GSDP’s mission is to foster an environment in which both tourism and economic development are priorities, and equality and acceptance are paramount to both. I’m very proud that the GSDP Board of Directors prepared this resolution to strongly encourage our state leaders to consider a flag redesign to promote a more unified Mississippi.”
The future of the state flag has become a divisive issue for many since the June murders of African-American churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina.
Many cities, including Starkville and Columbus, have voted to not fly the flag over government-owned property since it contains a Confederate symbol.
District 5 Supervisor Joe Williams called upon fellow county board members last month to take up the issue this term and vote to lower the flag. Supervisors have not yet taken action on the matter.
Also in September, Mississippi State University Student Association Senate voted 20-4 to support changing the state’s banner, while the MSU Faculty Senate passed a similar measure a month prior with a 37-1 vote.
MSUFS previously supported the 2001 state flag design voters ultimate defeated in that year’s election.
A majority of Oktibbeha County voters supported the 2001 flag redesign measure.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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