A rose to everyone on this Christmas Day! America’s favorite holiday has come to symbolize the warmth and comfort of family and friends as we gather in celebration. That warmth we associate with Christmas takes on additional meaning this year, likely the coldest Christmas in memory. In both the temporal and spiritual, we are driven to seek warmth, shelter and safety among family and friends, especially at Christmas. We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and thank those for whom Christmas may require them to be away from home and hearth – first responders, medical workers, plumbers, HVAC technicians and others. No matter how (or when) you celebrate Christmas, we wish you happiness, health and, yes, warmth.
A rose to Chris Latimer, who is stepping down as Starkvile city attorney at year’s end after 13 years in the role. Mayor Lynn Spruill and the aldermen used Tuesday’s board meeting, the final meeting of the year, to thank Latimer for his service. Over the past 13 years, Latimer, who grew up in Starkville, has provided the board and aldermen with solid legal advice. His calm demeanor and patience in explaining often complicated and nuanced legal matters related to the business before mayor and aldermen proved to be of great service, not only to the city officials but to his hometown. Now relocated with his family to Oxford, Latimer will certainly be missed and his service to the city long remembered.
A rose to Apex Ammunition, whose plans to expand bucks a long trend in Columbus. Apex reached an agreement to purchase the old Maxxim Medical building owned by Lowndes County and the city of Columbus last week with plans to expand its operations. For years now, industries have been moving out of the city limits for a variety of reasons, including lower tax obligations and easier transportation. So the decision for Apex to move within the city limits is a welcome change of pace, one that benefits the city and its residents. We also applaud Apex for easing concerns in the community that naturally arise with a company using explosives to manufacture its products. Apex officials are going above and beyond the basic safety requirements to provide a safe working environment. We wish Apex success as it proceeds with its plans.
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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