Community members looking to discuss ways to better the city have a fun-filled opportunity to do so next weekend.
The Memphis Town Community Builders and the Federation of Democratic Women will host the MS Derby Tea Social at Hunt Museum on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The tea social is a chance to discuss ways to improve the community in a friendly environment, according to Tiffany Sturdivant, one of the event’s organizers. The event includes a 45-minute presentation on community goings-on and ideas for improvement from Sturdivant, as well as an opportunity for people to voice their concerns and ask questions. The conversation will center around many of the same topics that recent public meetings organized by the Columbus Police Department have addressed, such as educating the citizens on issues like the town curfew and police patrols. Sturdivant hopes the more relaxed atmosphere will draw more people out, and encourage a more positive discourse.
“Everybody wants to stand in line and give their complaint but when it comes to the resolve, we don’t have as many people working toward that, I think,” Sturdivant said. “And so the tea social is an idea to get everybody together to allow them to talk and socialize and also to introduce ideas … to improve the community.”
Sturdivant compared the event to a public meeting held at Columbus High School on Jan. 14 during which members of the CPD and community leaders spoke about ways to combat crime in the city. Attendees also had the chance to ask questions or make suggestions. Sturdivant said that while the meeting had a lot of good information, not nearly enough people attended.
“Maybe about 30 citizens showed up,” she said. “But that was a great means to find out what’s going on. At that meeting they talked about enforcing the curfew. They talked about beefing up patrol. And I’m pretty sure (citizens) probably got that information off of WCBI. But had they been there, they could have made their needs known.”
Members of the community will provide tea cakes and other treats at the tea social as event-goers enjoy music by Keith and Margie. Local online bakery Sweet Dreamz Delivered will also provide refreshments.
Sturdivant is also promoting a Kentucky Derby theme. It’s not required, she said, but she’s encouraging attendees to wear hats and other Derby attire.
The Federation of Democratic Women will also register people to vote at the meeting, Sturdivant said.
“I’m excited about it,” Sturdivant said. “We’ve had a lot of tragedy around town and I think this would be great if we could get together and celebrate life and just move forward. We do not want to dwell on the past. Let’s use the past as a learning tool and move forward.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
