June 30 will be a sad day for me and many in our Oktibbeha community because we are losing a true gem. The Horse Park opened in 1999 along an unpaved Poor House Road and only one house in Sunnyland Estates subdivision.  In 2000, Bricklee Miller became the director of the Mississippi Horse Park, a meager facility compared to today’s facilities. Miller was the first woman to become director of such a facility and currently the only woman today. It has been reported that under her leadership near 1.5 million people have attended events that generated an economic benefit of $63 million for Oktibbeha County.  The Horse Park is relatively small when compared to other parks across the country. She didn’t let size stop her from outperforming bigger parks as her team raked in numerous national awards.

Regardless of Ms. Miller’s accomplishments she felt she had more to give our community. So, in 2014 she was elected to the Board of Supervisors where she represented District 4 from 2015 to 2023. This “fireball” hit the ground running and on her very first day she requested a motion to apply for a sidewalk grant. This led to a partnered cost sharing agreement to share the cost of the Locksley Way and Lynn Lane projects. Miller was also a major player in helping get CSpire interested in expanding fiber service in Oktibbeha County. This, in turn, helped stimulate further expansion in our county.

Both of these speak well to her desires to improve our county.  Her best attributes are her honesty and integrity. In 2022 as board president, she was presented grant letters requesting repair funds for the county dam and anyone reading these could clearly determine they weren’t factual. Miller refused to sign the letter. Miller took a lot of heat for this decision, but she knew “The Guys” wouldn’t like her position. She again stood alone.

During the June 18, 2024 alderman meeting, Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins gave a tremendous overview of her service and was quoted in the paper saying, “Our city has benefitted from your leadership, your service, your commitment and your dedication enormously.” Mayor Lynn Sprull agreed with Perkins’ remarks and added how the city and county has reaped economic benefits from the Horse Park. The entire board gave Ms. Miller a standing ovation. I want to request everyone to join me in a standing ovation for her accomplishments for our county. A reception honoring Miller will be held at Harvey’s in Starkville on Thursday from 4-6 p.m.   

Ms. Miller, as you depart, may your days ahead be full of sunshine and also your fish basket stays full!

George Sills

Starkville