STARKVILLE — A Republican candidate has announced he will run for Ward 4 alderman.
Austin Check, 36, filed qualifying paperwork with the city clerk’s office Wednesday. He is the second candidate to qualify for the seat, joining Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Mike Brooks, who is running as a Democrat.
Both are vying to replace Democrat Jason Walker, who opted not to run for a third term.
Check began working in May as Mississippi State University’s technical licensing coordinator and government compliance manager in the office of technology. Before that, he worked five years in the university’s human resources department.
He has served in various capacities in public safety for nearly 20 years, as well, currently as an adjunct instructor with the State Fire Academy, training officer for Oktibbeha County Fire Services and as assistant chief for the county’s District 5 Volunteer Fire Department.
“Running for alderman is kind of a natural progression for me,” Check said. “I like public service. I’ve dedicated most of my life to it. But I also like problem-solving, and I have the tenacity to find a problem and see through (fixing it) to the end.”
One challenge Check said Starkville faces is what he called an ongoing debate “between wants and needs.”
His ward, for example, includes the Cotton District, which is heavily populated by MSU students and businesses that target them, as well as a host of single-family residential neighborhoods. He feels the needs of the latter — such as drainage and street quality — aren’t being prioritized as highly as they should.
“We’ve spent so much time and energy as a city on the wants — entertainment and things like that. That’s fine and those things have their place, but if you’re talking about what’s really important to permanent residents … the city isn’t really addressing those needs.”
He also wants to see the city be more proactive in creating and facilitating opportunities for high school graduates to become thriving members of the economy. One example he gave is offering free public transportation for Starkville residents who may not have their own mode to attend classes at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity on Highway 82 in Lowndes County, a school that focuses on manufacturing training.
“We already have a route to the (Golden Triangle Regional) airport, which is nearby,” he said. “Why can’t we have one to the Communiversity?”
Party primaries for city races are April 6, and the general election is June 8.
Qualifying deadline for candidates is Feb. 5.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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