A rose to the Columbus Arts Council and its new executive director, Jan Miller. The CAC announced the hiring Wednesday, about a year after the resignation of Lynn Brown from the position. Miller, who comes to the CAC from her role as director of field services for the Mississippi Main Street Association, is a familiar name in Columbus, having worked at numerous non-profits in Columbus for almost 30 years. Her institutional knowledge of Columbus and Lowndes County, along with her experience in non-profits, makes her a “home run” hire. We also acknowledge the contributions of CAC program manager Beverly Norris, whose presence as interim director allowed the CAC to conduct a thorough search for a permanent director. The CAC’s track record of bringing a diverse offering of outstanding arts programs will only be enhanced by Miller’s presence.
A thorn to Rep. Jeff Smith (R, Columbus) who told an audience Thursday, “I don’t care if you like me or not. It doesn’t make any difference at this point. You’re stuck with me right now.” That remark stunned Columbus Exchange Club members, who invited Smith, along with his Republican primary challenger Dana Underwood McLean, to make their cases. The statement, even if dismissed as a misstep, hints at an arrogant, indifferent attitude toward voters. Granted, people aren’t elected to be popular, in some cases- tough decisions can breed discontent – but every elected official should maintain an attitude of gratitude and respect for those who put them in office. It is the voters who will ultimately decide if they are, indeed, stuck with him.
A rose to the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors – and residents who kept the issue alive for almost 25 years – for accepting a bid for paving Longview Road. The almost four-miles of unpaved road that links Highway 25 and Highway 12 just outside the Starkville city limits is long overdue. After years of waiting for federal matching funds that never materialized, the county was able to convince Mississippi’s State Aid Roads department to reclassify the project and open up state funding to complete the $2.2 million project. For 25 years, residents on the road continued to bring this issue before the supervisors. There is no question that their persistence was a key factor in getting the project moving. We applaud the supervisors for being open to the needs of the residents and finding a way to get this project off the ground at long last.
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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