STARKVILLE – Christine Williams has long been aware of the frustrations of Mississippi State University parents and students when it comes to towing services in Starkville, often following along through social media.
“I’ve watched it, I’ve paid attention, and it wasn’t until recently when it became my own child who was towed that I realized now it’s personal,” Williams told aldermen on Tuesday. “But also, it really is an unfavorable practice and it does target the students.”
Williams was one of three residents who spoke in favor of the city’s proposed towing ordinance during the board’s regular meeting at City Hall.
The proposed ordinance would establish strict regulations for all towing companies operating within Starkville to prevent “predatory towing,” particularly in apartment complexes, Mayor Lynn Spruill previously told The Dispatch.
Under the proposal, towing fees would be capped at $250 with storage fees limited to $45 per day. Companies would be required to maintain standard hours for vehicle release seven days a week. The ordinance also would also require visible signage in private parking lots where towing is enforced.
Tuesday’s session marked the first of the two public hearings on the measure.
Williams said her daughter’s vehicle was towed after parking near visitor spaces in a dimly lit lot with “poor” signage. Because of the company’s limited business hours, she said, she could not retrieve the vehicle the same day without paying an additional $100 after-hours fee on top of the $300 towing charge.
Williams said three other students towed from the same lot were quoted different cash prices to reclaim their cars. She has since heard from other out-of-state parents whose children attend MSU, many of whom have written the board in support of the ordinance.
“I think it’s a very good policy for us to get into and does better to protect the citizens of Starkville and the individuals who come to the university who help make Starkville what Starkville actually is, which is a thriving city of more than just local residents,” she said.
Ben Shurden, owner of Apex Towing, spoke on both what he sees as the proposal’s merits and his concerns. While he agreed that clearer rules are necessary, he emphasized that private property owners, like apartment complexes, set their own parking regulations.
“I do believe that the people need to be protected to a certain extent,” Shurden said. “In regard to private property towing, there needs to be clear rules and outlines that all the companies need to follow.”
Shurden said Apex Towing already takes steps to ensure transparency, including photographing every vehicle before towing and requiring drivers to wear body cameras.
“All we’ve done over the years is to adapt to our surroundings,” he told the board. “Social media has expressed their opinions, but the facts are we are in compliance. We’re going above and beyond to make sure that we stay within compliance and our knowledge of business, the cameras and extensive documentation.”
Shurden submitted proposed changes to the ordinance in writing to aldermen but did not have time to present them verbally.
The board had no discussion and took no action following the hearing. The second public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Lifesaver awards
Also during the meeting, Lt. Greg Cochran and firefighter Morgan Fishel with the Starkville Fire Department received lifesaver awards for rescuing a man from a burning building last month.
Fire Chief Dewayne Davis said firefighters responded at about 9 p.m. Sept. 12 to 110 Logan Drive to find the apartment was already engulfed in smoke and flames.
“Amid the chaos, it was discovered that a victim was still trapped inside,” Davis told the board. “Without hesitation, our firefighters pressed forward, entering into extreme danger with one mission in mind: to save a life.”
Cochran and Fishel pulled an unconscious Ronald Prather from the second floor to safety. Davis said Prather is expected to make a full recovery.
Fishel, who has been with the department for only 10 months, said the experience was “intense.”
“I wasn’t on that shift, so I wasn’t supposed to be there,” he told The Dispatch after the meeting. “… It was pretty wild. … I don’t know if scary is the right word, but it was intense.”
Davis said Cochran has been with the department for more than 20 years.
Other business:
In other business, the board:
■ approved appointing Kirby Mills to the Starkville airport board for a term ending in December 2027, approved reappointing George Lindley to the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum Board for a three-year term ending March 2, 2028, and approved reappointing both William Gillespie and Loren Bell to the city’s housing authority for terms ending Oct. 31, 2030;
■ accepted a $956,400 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to help fund the regional emergency response center at George M. Bryan Airport; and
■ advised residents of Starkville Utilities’ energy workshops, the first of which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Griffin Chapel Methodist Church at 213 W. Main St.
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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.
