A rose to organizers, volunteers, vendors and visitors of the 28th Market Street Festival. The festival, which includes more than 200 arts, crafts and food vendors spanning 12 city blocks, kicked off Friday evening with a Jimmy Buffet tribute concert, which had been postponed due to rain by our press time. The band was intended to keep with the event’s “Market-ritaville” theme. The festival continues to thrive, bringing as many as 40,000 visitors. It has become the city’s biggest celebration, boosting the local economy, promoting tourism and supporting the work of dozens of artists and craftsmen. It is also an opportunity for all residents to come together in a food and friendly atmosphere. Rain or shine, Market Street festival has become synonymous with Spring in our community. We urge everyone to join the fun.
A thorn to a practice that introduces politics in the federally-mandated redistricting process. During a Thursday work session, Chris Watson, owner of the Bridge and Watson consulting firm in Oxford, suggested one-on-one private meetings with city council members before approving a redistricting plan. “Sometimes the politics associated with wanting a certain area or not wanting a certain area is something some people choose not to reveal,” Watson said in suggestion the private one-on-one meetings with council members. Words cannot properly convey our disgust that part of the redistricting process allows for political gerrymandering made in a back-room deal and without the public’s knowledge. We believe federal regulations — and only federal regulations — should dictate how ward boundaries are drawn and urge the city council to reject these private meetings and the appearance of setting boundaries based on creating political advantages. Whatever discussions there are about redistricting should held in public. That’s the way good government does business.
A rose to organizers, spectators and participants in the Starkville Derby, which is set to have its second running Saturday morning. While the horse-racing world turns its attention to the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, in Starkville, Bulldog Country becomes Dachshund Country for a single day as 200 of the lovably neurotic, hopelessly manic and comically-constructed breed race – or not race, depending a whim – in a series of 40 heats that ultimately leads to a champion. To say this event has captured the hearts of the area is an understatement. Last year, the inaugural event drew an estimated 20,000 visitors and this year it’s likely to draw even more, with plans calling for a flyover by Circle S Aviation, a performance of the national anthem by the Trebull Dawgs, and a bugler calling racers to their posts. Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State men’s basketball guard and the derby’s grand marshal, will help to kick off the races. Viewers who don’t get a good viewing spot along the 100-foot racecourse will be able to watch the action this year through a 20-foot wide “weenie vision” Jumbotron. It’s a great, family-friendly event and a boon to downtown businesses, as well.
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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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 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
