We may have the start of a fun legal drama. OCH’s Sonny Kelly says that the Board of Supervisor’s doesn’t have the authority to sell OCH.

Can the Supes sell it since it is a county owned hospital? Should they sell? I had a local physician tell me in the last day or two “the county shouldn’t be in the hospital business.” I tend to agree.

Starkville Aldermen approved a downtown street market at their Tuesday night meeting where they also handled an economc development tax issue and reviewed beautificatoin needs.

The Board of Alderman approved the Starkville Community Market, with the first one set for June 14. The market will run every Saturday from June until October 25 in downtown Starkville on South Lafayette Street between Main Street and Lampkin Street. The street will close every Saturday morning from 5 a.m. until 12 p.m. to allow vendors to set up for the event and shoppers to converge.

The Board agreed to provide police support, close the street and remain patient as the market expands. The market will showcase local produce, arts and crafts. It is starting with seven vendors, but organizers hope it will grow. For more information, visit http://www.starkvillecommunitymarket.com

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved a Tax Increment Financing for the Middleton Marketplace Project, on the corner of highways 12 and 25. The vote was 6-1 with Ward 6 Alderman Roy Perkins voting against. A public meeting will be held June 17 for presentation and questions about the Middleton Marketplace Project. The public is invited to ask questions at that meeting.

Starkville’s Beautification Committee “reminded” the B.O.A. of some ideas they had to improve Starkville. Those recommendations included: making a list of streets that need to be resurfaced; putting utility lines underground; restriping main thoroughfares; making a sidewalk on MLK Drive; starting a citywide recycling program; and giving a set amount of money for art work, fountains and other aesthetic enhancements.

Mayor Dan Camp said many of these things are already being assessed. Milo Burnham said the Beautification Committee just wanted to remind the board, and they would continue to do so.

The Board also agreed to match 5 percent of a $200,000 grant that will provide emergency outdoor sirens and generators for important buildings around the city. Things got heated when the Board did not approve the Claims Docket because of technicalities.

Starkville Board of Alderman approved the Starkville Community Market and Tax Increment Financing for the Middleton Marketplace Project. The first Community Market is set for this Saturday, June 14. A public meeting will be held at June 17th B.O.A. meeting for presentation and questions about the Middleton Marketplace Project.

Seems some of the Supes are interested in selling OCH rather than see a bond/vanity issue pass this November. The opponents bring up the point that you lose local services while the proponents will point to the Lowndes County sale to Baptist as how it can work.

It also looks like Middleton Market is gaining some traction. This development, taking in both the State Shopping Center and the old Coke plant, could rival Cotton Mills. A one poster noted, it os good to see optimism in investing in Starkville. The developers want to Supes to consider a TIF district from the county’s portion of taxes.

BOA is looking to give the same TIF status to the newly dubbed “Middleton Market” (former State Shopping Center, a la Brewski Plaza) as they have Cotton Mills.

How dare they! That would be progress. And we still haven’t built a Justice Complex or a dog house or paved all Roy Perkins’ streets. How will a new retail center help everyone?

I’m calling it now. Perkins will dissent while re-reading his notes from the last TIF discussion. 5-2 in favor of.