A rose to the arrival of high school football. Friday, area private schools began their seasons, getting a one-week headstart on our public school teams. Heritage Academy got the season off to a good start with a huge win Friday, but our other area teams — Starkville Academy, Oak Hill Academy, Columbus Christian Academy and Hebron Christian — came out on the losing end. Starkville Academy, the first area team to begin play, opened its season last week with a win, but fell to 1-1 with a tough overtime loss to Jackson Academy Friday. Although our teams didn’t fare well as a whole on Friday, the arrival of the season is cause for enthusiasm. High school football brings students, parents and the community together in a way nothing else quite provides. It’s not only the opening of the season for the players, but also the cheer squads and bands who have been working hard through the summer to prepare for the season. We wish all involved safe, fun and successful seasons.
A thorn to 16th Circuit Judge candidate Chuck Easley for his inflammatory comments during a candidate’s forum Thursday in West Point. Easley is taking on incumbent Jim Kitchens for the Place 1 court, which is chosen by voters in Lowndes County. The election will be held on Nov. 8. Noting the serious issue of violent crime, Easley told the audience that “Columbus is nothing but a war zone.” That assessment is not only inflammatory, but insulting. Easley has practiced law in Columbus for four decades. That he would speak of the city in such terms is disturbing. While we have no objection to candidates expressing their views candidly, we also expect them to avoid extremist rhetoric. It is true that violent crime is an issue in Columbus. That’s true in the county, too. It’s true in Starkville and Oktibbeha County. It’s true in West Point and Clay County. In fact, violent crime is an issue on the national and state level, too. To single out Columbus and portray in such terms is a sign of disdain. We call on Easley to apologize to the citizens of Columbus for his comments.
A rose to Columbus Young Professionals, which is emerging from COVID-19 dormancy with a new board chairman, Tyler Farnham, and an expanded mission. The Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce started the CYP to provide social and networking opportunities for young business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals in 2014. The program has been largely dormant since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, so this year represents a new start for CYP, which has also changed its mission to focus more of its attention to community service. CYP will still provide area professionals opportunities to socialize and build networking relationships, but its higher purpose in serving the community will hopefully boost the organization’s membership. It’s a chance to make a difference. The new CYP will hold its first event — a public interest meeting geared toward boosting membership — on Sept. 8 at the Lofts at Lee at 1815 Military Road. We encourage our bright young professionals to join CYP, not only for what it can offer them, but for what it can mean to our community.
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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