A rose to organizers of two Lowndes County candidates forums. The first forum, Tiffany’s Tea, will be 4-6 p.m. today at Genesis Church on 23rd Street North and is a collaboration between Columbus-Lowndes Federation of Democratic Women and the Memphistown Community Builders. The second, scheduled to be held 6-7:30 p.m. Monday at Columbus Municipal Complex, is put on by the nonpartisan group, Columbus-Lowndes County League of Voters. The election is Nov. 5 and includes competitive races for sheriff, chancery clerk, county prosecutor, county supervisors for Districts 1, 2, 3 and 5 and constables for Districts 1 and 2. Unlike state and national races, candidates for these county offices rarely have the resources to get their message out to the public on a broad scale, which makes these forums especially important. It’s a great opportunity for the candidates, but an even greater opportunity for voters, allowing them the chance to become better acquainted with the candidates and more informed when they enter the voting booth.
A rose to those who worked together to make Friday’s free concert at the Columbus Riverwalk possible. Columbus Air Force Base, which brought the Air Force’s rock band, “Top Flight,” for its annual ball on Saturday, generously offered to put on a free concert for the public on Friday and the city, working through Main Street Columbus, who quickly pulled the logistics together. “Top Flight” entertained a large audience and came off without a hitch. The concert was a great gesture by CAFB, another example of the strong bonds that exist between the base and the community. It was, indeed, a “Top Flight” event.
A rose to Ethel Taylor Stewart and Liz Terry, who emerged from a field of nine candidates to qualify for the Oct. 15 special election run-off for Columbus Ward 1 city council. Taylor led the way in Tuesday’s election with 188 votes, followed by Terry with 124. Since neither candidate received a majority of the votes, the top two finishers will meet in the runoff. We also congratulate the other seven candidates, for whom the campaign now ends. Finally, we encourage Ward 1 voters to do something they failed to do Tuesday – show up. Just 609 ballots were cast in a ward where there are roughly 2,700 registered voters. So, step up Ward 1 voters and get to the polls for this important election.
A rose to residents in the wake of the current drought conditions in the state, which have led to 13 “burn bans” in 13 Mississippi counties. Clay County was added to the list on Friday by the Mississippi Forest Commission. While none of the other Golden Triangle counties have burn bans at this point, it’s probably a good idea to act as if they are in place. With weeks of hot, dry weather the prospects for serious fires that could endanger property and even lives, some restraint is in order. Even in those counties with a burn ban, enforcement is difficult. It’s up to residents to self-enforce to help prevent tragic fire events. We know you’ll take that responsibility seriously.
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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