Aldermen trim budget committee to three members
Starkville aldermen approved shrinking its seven-person budget and audit committee to three board members, thereby easing schedule restraints and beginning long-range planning initiatives, but at least two aldermen say they feel left out of the process guiding the city’s approximately $18 million budget.
Merger committee finalizes consolidation report
The long, arduous and sometimes contentious task of the Commission on Starkville Consolidated School District Structure came to a conclusion Tuesday as members agreed upon merger recommendations that the state department of education will soon pass on to lawmakers.
GSDP execs delivering new letter of support for Gregory
The Greater Starkville Development Partnership is expected this week to deliver to Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn a letter supporting CEO Jennifer Gregory and the organization’s previous push for a transparent, non-partisan ordinance review committee, sources close to the situation have confirmed.
Hilton: GSDP execs backed Gregory’s plea for review
Richard Hilton, Greater Starkville Development Partnership Executive Committee chairman, said he and other board members authorized and support a letter commissioned by GSDP CEO Jennifer Gregory urging aldermen to create a transparent, community-involved ordinance review committee after she was verbally scolded by Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn on Tuesday.
Walker’s ordinance review committee proposal fails
Despite Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker’s pleas for openness and transparency on an impending sidewalk and ordinance review process, his proposal creating a seven-person review committee and shaping its goals died in a 5-2 vote Tuesday.
Walker calling for ordinance review committee
Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker will propose creating a seven-person review committee Tuesday to handle the board-requested analysis of Starkville’s sidewalk and landscaping ordinance.
Island group wants LINK involvement
A committee of city and county officials formed earlier this year to discuss development possibilities for the Island wants to bring the Golden Triangle Development Link to the table.
County education building in limbo
As consolidation committee members turn their attention to forming a unified school district’s structure for students, the fate of the county’s education building remains an unsettled issue.
Republicans depart House immigration group
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan House group that’s been working in secret to write a comprehensive immigration bill splintered Friday with the departure of two Republicans,
MSU may be partner in consolidated school district
Oktibbeha County consolidation efforts could yield a long-discussed partnership with Mississippi State University to establish a demonstration school, or at least a more-rigorous partnership, which will help the university engage in rural renewal efforts on an educational level.
Island committee still weighing options
Committee members selected to brainstorm economic development ideas for the Island are forming a clearer picture of how to proceed, but they also want to hear from the public.
NAACP preparing to search for new CEO
WASHINGTON — The NAACP’s board is forming a search committee to find the next president and CEO for the nation’s largest civil rights organization, its
Officials unveil Catfish Alley memorial
Lifelong Lowndes County resident Charlie Smith, now in his 70s, admits he’s forgotten a few things about visiting Catfish Alley during his youth.
On Thursday, city officials unveiled a monument commemorating the area’s rich history as a commercial and cultural hub for African-Americans and a gathering place for all races. The sides of the monument list the names of those who ran restaurants, barber shops, dentist offices, drug stores and entertainment venues during the area’s peak eras in popularity and success.
Hospital fund committee to narrow firm search
Twelve financial firms that submitted proposals to manage Lowndes County’s $30 million hospital trust fund will be narrowed to three this week.
GSDP to nominate new board members
At its July 25 meeting, the GSDP board unanimously approved a nominating committee that will be tasked with replacing six board members whose terms are expiring.
Island advisory group solicits public input
Before the committee formed to brainstorm ideas for redevelopment of the Island met Thursday, committee member and county supervisor Leroy Brooks told of a conversation he had with Robert Williams, known by some in Columbus as “Uncle Bunky” from a local children’s television show he used to host.
Catfish Alley ceremony pushed to August
The finishing touches are being applied to an overhaul of Catfish Alley, and a ceremony to unveil a monument which honors the history of the street is tentatively planned for late August, city planner Christina Berry said.
Island committee finalized
A team of city officials, county officials and developers has been formed to explore community development in the area known locally as the Island.
It was announced previously that Lowndes County supervisors Leroy Brooks and Jeff Smith as well as Columbus councilmen Gene Taylor and Kabir Karriem would serve on the committee.
Democrats remove Isaac, Neal from executive committee
Oktibbeha County Democratic Party Executive Committee members Dorothy Isaac and Kennedy Neal were removed from the board in separate votes Tuesday after they were found in violation of the state party’s constitution and bylaws by their peers.
Committee meets to explore redevelopment strategy
Discussions on revitalization in Columbus continued Thursday as developers and city officials involved with a redevelopment authority steering committee held its first meeting.