In this election season, as in most, there has been plenty of talk about candidates but little analysis and comparison. With only two candidates left for the citizens of Starkville to choose from it is past time we take a closer look at these individuals and the skills they have to lead this city.

The authors of this letter have no connection to either candidate personally or professionally. Our views are crafted only from information that is public knowledge. We have spoken to both candidates about their views individually and attended the forums sponsored by Starkville Daily News and Starkville Young Professionals.

Experience:
Parker Wiseman has practical experience in city government. He has worked with cities in North Carolina and Mississippi as a graduate student, intern, and consultant. His life has been devoted to the study of city government and has continually sought opportunities to hone his skills in this area. He has also grown up in a home that “bleeds” city government and politics so he learned that language at a very young age.
Marnita Henderson has lived in Starkville for a very long time and has been a part of “everyday life” in Starkville for years. Her claim to fame is her long time attendance at Planning and Zoning meetings and Board of Alderman meetings. This is definitely admirable and more citizens should follow her lead to be more active at the meetings.
In addition to BoA and P&Z meetings Mrs. Henderson also may have attended almost every MSU home football game since 1950, but that doesn’t mean that she is ready to coach. Only one candidate has experience of actually dealing with local government issues. Only one candidate has shown to have the necessary tools to lead a city government. That candidate is Parker Wiseman.

Leadership:
Parker Wiseman obviously has some tremendous leadership skills. That he has made it to this point in the election as a perceived newcomer speaks to his leadership ability. His campaign also shows his ability to plan, organize, and execute. Some have made the argument that his experience as student body President and/or Vice President does not relate to the mayoral position. Being elected student body President is no easy task, even at his hometown university. For Mr. Wiseman to reach that position multiple times and at three different universities is amazing. Just think, how easy could it have been for a Bulldog to become president of his law school class at Ole Miss? How easy was it for a small town Mississippian to be elected Vice President of the Graduate Student Body at the University of North Carolina? Obviously he has ability to lead and build consensus.

Some have argued that he is seeking the position of mayor only as a stepping stone for greater future endeavors. I do not know Mr. Wisemanyt well enough to speak on subject. I do know two things are true if this is the case, first he will only receive the opportunity to seek higher office if he first performs well as mayor, second if he is to attain higher office then having a hometown boy serve in our state or federal government will likely prove beneficial to the city.

(This space reserved for Marnita Henderson’s leadership record)

Mrs. Henderson has long been involved in Starkville, and yet we have seen no indication that she has lead anything other than her election campaign. Mrs. Henderson should be commended for taking action in her community. Frustrated with how our community has been led over the past few years, she has decided to have her voice heard. However, it is well known that her attendance at various city meeting, which she cites as experience, has been largely to voice opposition at every turn to plans and progress put forth by previous administrations. She claims she wants to bring change and unity to city hall, yet has continually been the voice of dissension. This is not a mind-set that will be capable of building consensus. It certainly sounds more like the same small minded governance we have been saddled with to date. Mr. Wiseman, on the other hand, has well documented examples of leadership and he has tremendous passion for his hometown. He has a vested interest in the success of our community and he too has taken action to enhance the great qualities of Starkville. Parker Wiseman’s prior experience has borne fruit consistent with the type of leadership we need to move Starkville forward.

Knowledge:
Unquestionably, knowledge of how to run city government is one of Parker Wiseman’s greatest strengths. Mr. Wiseman has had more training and formal education in city government than any of the mayoral or alderman candidates combined. City government has obviously been his passion for a very long time and he has been working towards this goal for years. He knows and understands how a city should work and he knows the elements that create a successful city. He understands the nuts and bolts of government and has strong opinions about Starkville’s strengths and shortfalls. He understands the importance of having a plan and governing based on that plan rather than managing by crisis or the will of certain individuals. He is willing to examine other successful cities and try to learn from their successes and mistakes. He has a vision for this community, and he has the training to move it forward. His understanding of long range planning and the city budgeting process will result in better use of our tax dollars and increase economic development. This in turn will produce a higher quality of life for all citizens and help reduce our individual tax burden.

Marnita Henderson has a nursing background and has no formal training in city government. She sees a slice of community issues at the grassroots level, but lacks training and experience in city management. Mrs. Henderson has only peripheral knowledge of past issues that have been before the Board of Aldermen and the Planning and Zoning Commission through her attendance at the meetings. She has proven herself after multiple opportunities to be ignorant of the issues and opportunities faced by the mayor. She has no training in long range planning or our budgeting process. As a result, an administration led by Mrs. Henderson will continue to promote policies that produce wasteful spending and management by crisis. This will lead to stifling growth and either higher taxes or continued deterioration of our neglected infrastructure.

Only one candidate has the knowledge and experience to understand the role of the mayor in our form of city government and how that office can best be used to direct policy and build consensus to move Starkville forward. That candidate is Parker Wiseman. Mrs. Henderson’s public position for not needing a Chief Administrative Officer is by itself telling enough that she has no understanding of the duties of Mayor and/or those of the CAO. It will not matter the number of impossible hours Mrs. Henderson actually spends, as she has promised, working as mayor if she does not understand her job. Further, it is disturbing that so many citizens downplay Mr. Wiseman’s education. If Starkville needed to build a bridge, would we hire a recently-graduated civil engineer or simply someone that has driven across many bridges in their long life?

Both candidates have campaigned very hard. Both have strengths, but based on experience, leadership, and knowledge; Parker Wiseman is the only qualified candidate to lead Starkville.

Jeremy Murdock – Starkville
Jim Gafford – Starkville

On June 2, Starkville citizens will elect either Marnita Henderson or Parker Wiseman as their mayor. I know neither personally, though I met Ms. Henderson after the last forum and sent her a small campaign contribution. Most of what I know about them I learned from the forum, TV, newspapers, and internet sites.

Parker Wiseman appears to be an exceptionally bright young man, who has worked hard preparing himself for a political career. I’m reasonably sure he will have a successful one, but not right now, I hope. Mr. Wiseman’s credentials are impressive, but they are the credentials of a student. I’d rather not give the reins of my city to a 28 year old, who was absent from Starkville for several years before his recent return.

Marnita Henderson does not have Mr. Wiseman’s fine educational background, but she is otherwise prepared for the job. She is a former Starkville public health nurse who has been an active participant in meetings of the Starkville Board of Aldermen for the past 10 years. That experience plus her 45 years as a Starkville resident has made her intimately familiar with the problems Starkville has experienced over the years and how they have been handled or mishandled. She knows the city, and her knowledge of its government, its history, and what has worked and what hasn’t is a distinct advantage for her.

I see Ms. Henderson as the Mama Bear, protecting the finances, property rights, and well-being of her Starkville family. I see Mr. Wiseman as the bear cub, full of vigor and promise, but as yet, unlicked. I came to Starkville almost 29 years ago and have witnessed an unbroken line of bald-headed men preside over this city. Let’s give a woman, Marnita Henderson, a chance – for a change.

Eric Villavaso
Starkville, MS 39759

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I am a Republican that endorsed Parker Wiseman for mayor early on in the Democratic Primary. I proudly continue to support him through the general election. I made my decision to support Parker early on because of his vision to lead Starkville forward. Parker’s platform that he has put in place is built around making the City of Starkville the best it can be. Parker’s land-use policy will ensure Starkville’s undeveloped land develops in a way that is attractive and economically friendly. Parker also has a plan in place to improve our streets and keep them in good condition and not just maintain them in the deteriorating condition they are in now. Parker has made a commitment to public safety by saying enough is enough and stop talking about building a new municipal complex and get it done. I agree with Parker’s long term plan to ensure city services accommodate the growth of our city. I also agree with his recognition that growing our tax base will be the keystone to our future success as a city.

I am and will remain a devoted member of the Republican Party. My support for Parker is based on one thing and one thing only – he is the most qualified person to do the job of Mayor of Starkville. When Parker talks about land-use planning and capital planning, it’s not just because it sounds good. It’s because he knows implementing such practices are the building blocks to allowing Starkville to reach its potential. He understands that because he was bold enough to travel 600 miles and spend two years at the University of North Carolina School of Government learning what it takes to run a city well. We are blessed to have one of our own who has gone out and trained in the innovative practices proven to make local government work better. Furthermore, we are blessed that he cares enough about his hometown to bring us the world class skill set that he worked hard to develop.

On Tuesday, June 2nd, I’m putting person over party. I’m voting for Parker Wiseman because he is the most qualified candidate to lead our city forward.

Sincerely,

Ricky Bishop
413B Santa Anita Dr
Starkville, MS 39759
Rickybishop00@gmail.com