STARKVILLE — In recent months, Starkville Beautification Committee member Jeremy Murdock thought members had started to work past project and communication issues.
But five of 11 members Monday and Tuesday tendered resignations to city hall, leaving the Board of Aldermen advisory group due to a lack of city involvement, allocation of funds and unclear focus of the committee. Members, who serve a four-year term, were Milo Burnham, Jane Loveless, Jim McKell, Richard Mullenax and Clyde Williams.
“At the October meeting, frustrations were voiced and opinions were heard,” Murdock said. “I thought we got over a big hurdle, then they all resign.”
Williams said he left the committee due to a lack of time and “not thinking my time was being used wisely.” Williams said projects like the painting of murals on several city buildings, which he said has been in the works for more than 15 months, were pushed to the back burner to focus on revamping Main Street.
“I’m sorry if people were taken back (by his resignation),” Williams said, “but I don’t think anyone ever proposed anything other than downtown. For the last year and a half, I haven’t heard any other plans.”
Loveless declined comment, while McKell, Burnham and Mullenax didn’t return messages left Friday.
Mullenax voiced similar feelings to Williams, telling the Starkville Daily News, “the Starkville Beautification Committee has evolved into the Main Street beautification committee, and I think my efforts could be better directed elsewhere.”
Williams said he was disappointed in the city’s declined involvement with the group. The committee, which started five years ago under former mayor Dan Camp, used to receive $15,000 in matching funds each year. The group, which also receives from the Starkville Kiwanis Club and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, isn’t receiving funding from the city for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Williams also bemoaned the lack of involvement with city officials, noting Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Lye and Chief Administrative Officer Lynn Sprawl were once regulars at monthly meetings.
“Not being able to hear from working officials, the committee began to lose effectiveness after that,” Williams said. “I’m not exactly sure why it happened. Before, there were a lot of positive things that happened. We added a littering ordinance, and the street sweepers came through more often.”
Committee member and Starkville Greater Development Partnership Tourism Vice President Jennifer Gregory said long-standing issues between the former members — some noted gardeners and horticulturists in the area — led to decreased attendance at meetings.
Gregory said that any acceptance of cash, earmarked by the donor or not, and accompanying project lists were voted on and approved by the committee. Some of the members weren’t present to vote.
Gregory said there were issues over maple trees being planted downtown and the selection of flowers to be planted there in the spring.
“I’d say maybe four or five of us attended regularly,” Gregory said. “Throughout the entire process, no other project was suggested by any other members outside of the Main Street area. But it’s evident that these members were dissatisfied.
“I really think the accusations are false and misrepresent the work we’ve done.”
Murdock said the committee chose to focus on Main Street a year ago because it’s a high-traffic area and there were no current plans to spruce up the area. He and Gregory also wanted to show the city the impact it could have with its matching funds.
Murdock also dismissed the notion that other areas of Starkville were ignored in favor of Main Street, noting the Holes Creek landscaping improvements and way-finding signs project throughout town.
Gregory and Murdock are unsure of when new committee members will be appointed by the Board of Aldermen.
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