Aldermen Perkins really doesn’t like alcohol. He doesn’t want to see it, smell it or be near it when he attends church on Sundays. (Can’t say that I blame him). But to take the logic further and suggest that every place of worship is in danger of have a wet bar set up inside the front door is a little ridiculous. City Planner Ben Griffith’s attempt to clean up the maze of zoning issues is admirable. He didn’t deserve a sermon or questioning of his “motives” last night when Perkins (and the Jim Mills) went on a verbal journey through worst case scenarios. Listening to the Aldermen, you would think that passage of the new ordinances after a public hearing would be tantamount to each church in town being issued a liquor license.

PS Mayor Camp: If you really want to beautify the city, get the trash picked up in the Cotton District before Monday AM. The District, while on the list of cool things in Starkville, attracts liter faster than a Ole Miss football player snatches pillows. That would go a long way toward beautifying town- much further than a grudge match over a billboard.

According to the SDN, GDSP head David Thornell “says officials have made contacts with two automotive-related industries and are continuing to work with a warehouse project.” In the same article, he mentions working with MSU to establish predetermined industrial sites ranging from 200 to 2000 acres. Why has it taken so long? When can we lead in economic development for the area instead of following the Link?

Rumor on the street is that some big economic development “announcement” is heading this way today or tomorrow. Any info or feedback can be sent to RCoblentz(at)gmail.com.

1) Bring a book, snack and pillow. You might be there a long time.

2) The current Board has to clean up a lot of problems left over from past boards and administrations.

3) P&Z are bound by 2 factors in considering zoning- a past error was made in the zoning or the area around the parcel in question has changed to allow a new zoning.

4) Dan Moreland’s billboard situation at the new Green Oaks Plaza is going to get sticky and probably cost the city some $$$ in legal fees.

5) Beer and light wine aren’t considered alcohol by the state ABC.

6) Have your ducks in a row when you head to present or you might be tabled until next month (see #1 above).

7) Don’t rely on a verbal agreement with the city or it’s agents when you request a rezoning. Have a paper trail of your own because the city might not have kept records.

Why would anyone chose to attend unless they had to be there?

Office Depot confirmation from City Planner Ben Griffith at yesterday’s Power Breakfast. CP issued a few days ago with materials sitting in the parking lot ready to go. Hopefully this will be the start of retail flocking in.

Rumor also is the Hilton has run into some design issues that require minor modifications which has delayed some construction. The Belfry supposedly is close to starting construction with the majority of their 1 bedroom units almost sold out. The other major condo projects have sort of dropped off the radar.

The ill fated new city entrance signs at 12, 82 and 25 are getting an early life face lift. The Hwy 12 sign is going to be the pilot project with the other two following.

Kudos to Robbie Ward. Not for helping pull off the Cash festival, but for facing down the BOA and asking for what had already been promised. Is there any better use for the 2 percent tax than to promote an INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FESTIVAL?

Do you like the idea of cameras perched to catch your every miscue? Is it just me, but does it scream “ticket trap” and “1984″ all over? We can’t build a justice complex, but we can make sure you are recorded whenever you are at a red light.

It just might work if the revenue from the new tickets went to a fund for the justice complex. Or is that a way to skirt a bond issue?

Are you more optimistic or less about the direction of the city, county and state? Will the change in County Ed Super improve the school system? Will the bungling by the GSDP toward consolidation open a dialog? Will we finally see some retail and industrial development that is located in the county?