A rose to the Golden Triangle Development LINK executive committee for its responsiveness to the public regarding the termination of CEO Joe Max Higgins. Initially, the board’s Sunday announcement described the action as a “leadership transition,” sparking public demand for more information given Higgins’ 22 years of unprecedented success in recruiting industry. On Wednesday, the board clarified its decision, stating the decision was due to sustained workplace behavior and speech. The statement emphasized that Higgins’ conduct “goes well beyond profanity, and, if known, would harm every member of this community.” The board’s willingness to provide more information, despite the sensitive nature of the situation, is admirable and sets an example for other organizations in their communications with the public.
A rose to all those expatriate Louisianans and Coastal Mississippians who fled to the Golden Triangle to escape the destruction of Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago and chose to stay and make their homes here. There are no precise figures on how many people moved to our area permanently in the wake of the hurricane, but Cindy Lawrence, who was in her first year as Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency director, said there were more than 2,000 storm refugees in Columbus alone. While most of those people eventually returned to their homes in Louisiana and the Mississippi Coast, many stayed, as evidenced by the increase of about 200 students in local school districts in the ensuing years. They have become valued friends and neighbors, contributing to their “new” communities in so many ways. Many of those who chose to remain did so at least in part because of the outpouring of help they received from the community, proving once again why the Golden Triangle is such a great place to live.
A rose to high school football, which kicked into high gear with season-openers across the Golden Triangle on Friday. While West Point will be gunning for its third straight state title (while pushing its record of most championships to 14), excitement abounds for all our local teams, some of which will have new coaches and will play in new regions and classifications. In our part of the world, football season goes beyond the coaches and players to include bands and cheerleader squads. The opening game of the football season is a much-anticipated event for them as well, something they have been preparing for in the weeks leading up to the season-openers. We encourage the community to come out and support and encourage these students. High school football provides a great setting for coming together as a community.
A rose to Prairie Arts Festival, which returns today (Saturday) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., in downtown West Point. The festival will feature 200 vendors offering a wide variety of fine arts, crafts and foods during the festivities. Through the efforts of the festival’s organizers, sponsors and donors,
Prairie Arts Festival has been recognized as one of the South’s Top 10 events every year since 1979. It has become not only a much-loved West Point tradition, but an event that attracts visitors from throughout the Golden Triangle and beyond. The Prairie Arts Festival is perhaps the best-known Labor Day tradition in the region. We encourage everyone to make a visit to the festival as part of their holiday weekend.
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 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
