A pre-emptive thorn to the Columbus voters who won”t participate in city elections this year. Turnout is expected to be low, and more disheartening is an apparent lack of interest in running for local office: The number of candidates running for mayor and council posts is half of what it was in the last election.
While some say the apparent low interest is due to confidence in our current leaders, we can”t help but fear apathy has taken hold. Amid recent calls to “take back America,” we wish there was more interest in our system of actually taking things back — standing up to lead, and casting a ballot.
Here”s hoping voters wake up and turn this thorn into a rose come May 5, the date of the primary election.
A rose to local and regional law enforcement, who did a little “spring cleaning” on Thursday — arresting more than two dozen suspected drug dealers during a daylong sweep.
As of Friday afternoon, Operation Spring Cleaning had landed more than 30 of the 48 targeted suspects behind bars. The arrests came after long hours of undercover operations and planning.
A rose to Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women, both of whom pulled off stellar events in the Golden Triangle this weekend. At The W, alumnae flocked to Columbus for Homecoming, reuniting with classmates and gathering for food, music and ceremonies on Campus. Starkville was awash in Bulldog maroon, even more than usual, for Bulldog Weekend events.
A rose to local industries and agencies American Eurocopter, Severstal, Weyerhaeuser, Southern Ionics, Three Rivers Planning and Development, and 4-County Electric Power Association. The firms were recipients of awards at East Mississippi Community College”s annual ceremony honoring local industries for their presence, and efforts, in the community.
A rose to the Columbus city churches and volunteers participating in the community “Day of Service” to clean up Friendship Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. Judging by the number of filled trash bags along cemetery lanes late Saturday afternoon, this group did a yeoman”s job. Friendship is one of our local treasures; the more of this kind of loving care it receives, the better.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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