A rose to Columbus city councilmen Stephen Jones and Rusty Greene for their efforts to find a way to complete the Terry Brown Amphitheater. The pair were on opposite sides of the question of whether to move quickly to complete the project or wait until more funding was available. But after meeting with city CFO Jim Brigham and engineer Kevin Stafford, they agreed on a tentative plan to use a variety of funding sources that could enable the project to be completed. The plan uses a $1 million appropriation from the legislature earmarked for the project, another $1 million from the city’s capital improvement fund (the first money the city would commit to the work), a $500,000 grant yet-to-be-awarded and whatever the Lowndes County supervisors and Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau can be convinced to contribute. Any remaining funds needed would come from a loan or downsizing the scope of remaining work. Whatever one thinks about the plan, there are two things to be commended in this process. It proved city council splits can be resolved through working together, and it offers a real plan to get moving on the completion of the amphitheater. This is how city government should work.

A rose to the 10 Columbus city council candidates who participated in Tuesday’s Democratic candidates forum, presented by the Lowndes County Federation of Democratic Women. Attending were incumbent Ward 1 incumbent Ethel Stewart and her opponent Tommie Smith, Ward 2 challenger Roderick Smith, Ward 4 challengers Lavonne Harris and Marty Turner, and Ward 5 candidates Cequeila Clark, Sedrick Fenster and Gary Jefferson. Incumbent Joseph Mickens and Laisha “Ms. She She” O’Neal, both running for Ward 2, skipped the forum. Republicans and independents weren’t invited to participate. The council candidates shared the stage with mayoral candidates Leroy Brooks and Stephen Jones and their deportment was in stark contrast to mayoral hopefuls’ combative styles. Every candidate stated his/her own case and didn’t attack their opponents, instead speaking of their own goals, which included building youth programs, reducing crime, cleaning up blight and improving drainage. We believe the mayor’s race could benefit from their example of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead instead of personal attacks. Give the voters something to vote for, as demonstrated by the council candidates.

A rose to organizers of what will likely go down as the least challenging race in Columbus history. This afternoon, weather permitting, Zachary’s Restaurant and Munson and Brothers team up to present the inaugural 0.5K St. Patrick’s Day Fun Run between the two downtown restaurants. This is not a  typo. The run distance is actually a half kilometer (three-tenths of a mile) rather than the usual 5K distance. There will be a rest station halfway between Zachary’s (where the race begins) and Munson and Brothers, because, well, why not? Participants will be provided a free beer or other beverage as they reach the halfway mark. Pre-race nonsense begins at 3 at Zachary’s with the race set for 5 p.m. with live music, drinks and other surprises awaiting the participants. Winners will be shunned as over-acheivers. Folks are invited to wear costumes and dogs are encouraged. Behind all the silliness and revelry is a worthy cause. The $40 entry fee goes to the Munson Community Charity Fund. So if you’ve ever dreamed of not running a race, here’s your chance.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.