A rose to alderman Hamp Beatty for his tireless work in advocating for recycling in Starkville. When curbside recycling in the city was abandoned due to low participation, Beatty helped design the Think Green program, which established a central recycling drop-off location. Now, with the help of master of business administration students from Mississippi State University, Beatty is seeking to further refine the efforts by asking residents what they want from a recycling program. Starkville isn’t the only city to struggle with launching a viable recycling program. That the city, led by Beatty, is continually trying to refine their efforts should be celebrated.
A rose to outgoing Golden Triangle Development LINK COO Macaulay Whitaker for her work at the regional industrial economic development group. Whitaker has long been an professional, important voice within the LINK, particularly in the realms of education and workforce development. With regards to The Dispatch and other media, she was always available to give a quote or context to an economic development story. Whitaker is moving into the private sector, as Vice President of Talent and Culture at Burns Dirt. We wish her the best in her new endeavor.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
