A rose to all those who have made the decision to serve their communities by running for municipal offices throughout the Golden Triangle. The field of candidates ranges from very familiar (Starkville, where only three of eight positions are being contested) to robust (Columbus, where all but one elected position has multiple candidates with a total field of at least 20 going into Friday’s qualifying deadline). Putting yourself up for election is not an easy decision because it represents no small sacrifice. It means opening yourself up to criticism and second-guessing and sometimes making unpopular choices. It’s an often thankless, but always important job. Residents entrust city business to these elected officials. Their success or failure in those efforts shape their community’s future. We thank all of those who are seeking office for their sincere effort to serve and wish them well in their campaigns.
A thorn to the Columbus city council, which appears poised to require the local Boys and Girls Club to change the name of an adult fundraising event before they will approve the use of the Hitch Lot as the location for the event. Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle CEO Ron Thornton appeared at the council’s Thursday work session to seek permission for its “Brews and Blues” event to include a beer garden. Council members Rusty Greene, Joseph Mickens and Ethel Stewart expressed their concerns about approving an event benefiting children that referenced alcohol in its title. Hopefully, one of those three councilmen will alert St. Jude that it’s inappropriate to name one of its fundraisers “Courses and Cocktails.” They certainly shouldn’t forget to tell the Boys and Girls Club in Newnan, Georgia that their fundraiser “Beer, Bourbon and Wine Tasting” is out of line. The city council should set broad policy for the use of its facilities, but micromanaging the way a nonprofit markets itself and raises funds is the business of the nonprofit’s board, not our city councilmen.
A rose to organizers, volunteers and participants who celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Starkville Frostbite races. Hundreds of runners participated in last Saturday’s event’s half marathon, 10K and 5K races. Brad Jones, co-race director for the Frostbite, said this was the largest number of runners the Frostbite races have ever drawn. In addition to bringing running enthusiasts together for a top-rate event, the races also provide a portion of the proceeds to a different local charity each year. This year those funds were donated to Starkville Strong, a nonprofit that focuses on building a support system for some of the most vulnerable in the community. It’s a big shot in the arm for the nonprofit, which has provided much needed services for people in the Starkville area for five years now.
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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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
