Should the current Mayor and Board abolish the Parks and Recreation Commission?
* Yes
* No- let the next Mayor and Board handle it
Our Turn: It’s the end of Parks and Rec as we know it, and I don’t feel fine.
June 26, 2009 By 4 Comments
Robbie Coblentz
Starkville-Now.com
That’s great, it starts with an ordinance, lame ducks and snakes, a Sportsplex and Dan Moreland is not afraid.
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn – mayor serves his own needs…
….It’s the end of Parks and Rec as we know it, and I don’t feel fine.
( with apologies to REM)
Traditionally, elected officials lay low the last few weeks of their terms. Those who were re-elected get to act on their agenda once the new term is underway. Those not coming back typically have the decency to not try to fill their last few days with sweeping changes that could resonate for years.
Guess what our soon-to-be-former-mayor is doing?
Tuesday, less than a week before their term is up, the current Mayor and Board of Alderman will take up a motion to abolish the Parks and Recreation Commission and create an advisory board to replace it.
Did I mention this is less than a week before their term is up?
The proposed ordinance that would create the advisory board states that this is “necessary for the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to have sufficient oversight to insure (sic) the harmonious and efficient operation for all of the functions and employees of the City of Starkville.”
The mayor is trying to take one of the best-run municipal services and place it under the direct control of the Board of Alderman. The aldermen are already responsible for the oversight of day-to-day activities of many departments; why add another one, especially one that seems to be operating so well. If it aint’ broke …
Did I mention this is less than a week before their term is up?
The next proposed ordinance goes a step further and abolishes the existing parks and rec commission and ends the term of all commissioners, including chairman Dan Moreland .
Actual wording: “The City of Starkville Ordinance 2008-5 and the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article VIII. Establishing a Park Commission of the City of Starkville are hereby abolished.”
The Parks Commission is one of the things we do right in Starkville. Thousands of kids and their parents pack the parks around the city to swim or play soccer, baseball or basketball. This department just opened a first-class facility for expanded programs at the Sportsplex.
That the aldermen are being asked to consider this is bad enough, but the fact that our out-going mayor has even brought it up less that a week before he leaves office is reprehensible.
If Parks and Rec is in such bad shape — which it is not — let the next Mayor and Board address it.
Why do this at all? Why now? What is the real reason?
Please contact your Alderman and let him or her know that the board has no business enacting such legislation when their term is this close to ending.
The city of Starkville deserves better. So does the next Mayor and Board.
Robbie Coblentz is the managing editor of Starkville-Now.com He can be reached at robbie@starkvillenow.com.
Stuff To Do: SYP events
June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
From SYP president Grady Dixon
SYPers
It is hard to believe, but June is almost over and we are approximately half way to the return of students and traffic. Oh
well, in the meantime, here are some SYP events taking place in the month of July.
Saturday, July 4th…The Bistro at State Theater, along with help from City Bagel, will be constructing an attempt to break the world record
for the largest BBQ sandwich. Representatives from Guinness Book of World Records will be present. The event will begin at 5 pm on the
Friday before, and the weigh-in will take place at NOON on Saturday.
Afterward, the sandwich will be cut up and sold for $8 per plate with all proceeds going to support the Starkville Police Department. We
encourage all SYP members to attend, but we are also looking for volunteers to help collect money, serve food, etc. If you are
interested in helping with this, please email me directly (gradydixon@gmail.com).
Friday, July 10th…Applications for the SYP Leadership Forum Scholarship are due. For more information, visit this website:
<http://starkvilleyoungprofessionals.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/leadership-forum-scholarship>
Tuesday, July 14th…SYP July Social at Bulldog Lanes. $10 gets you 2 hours of bowling with the highest score of the night earning a cash
prize. As usual, the beer cart will be available and Bulldog Lanes has agreed to put out some appetizers for everyone.
Saturday, July 25th…Downtown Starkville Christmas in July, hosted by the Downtown Business Association. At this event, we will have a tent
set up to advertise The Festival of Trees, which was a huge success last year (raised over $20,000 for charity). We are looking for some
people to volunteer their time to help run the tent. Please contact Grady Dixon or Regina Byrne (reginabyrne@hotmail.com).
Finally, if you have any events or announcements that might be of interest to the group, feel free to pass them along. We hear from a
lot of SYPers that want some fun events in addition to monthly socials. Well, if you are planning something fun and have room for
more people, let us know about it. It can be a pick-up softball game, a bike ride, an out-of-town trip, etc. The SYP board does not have a
monopoly on initiating SYP functions.
Have a great weekend
Grady Dixon
CD: Paccar plant delays opening a year
June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
June 26, 2009
Neal Wagner
Adverse economic conditions and a decrease in demand have delayed the expected opening date of the more than 400,000-square-foot Paccar engine plant near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, according to company officials.
Although the Lowndes County Paccar plant originally was scheduled to begin operations late this year, the facility likely will not open until “late in 2010,” said Alan Treasure, director of marketing at the company’s Bellevue, Wash., office.
“We will have to delay the opening until there is an improvement in economic conditions and demand,” Treasure said Friday morning. “The plant is scheduled to open late in 2010.”
The delay announcement came a few months after Paccar reported first-quarter earnings down nearly $266 million from 2008. According to a financial report released April 28, the company earned $26.3 million during the first quarter of 2009, compared to $292.3 million during the first quarter of 2008.
“Paccar’s results reflect the impact of a slower economy on freight shipments and truck purchases worldwide,” Paccar Chief Executive Officer Mark Pigott wrote in a press release. “The difficult recession continues to affect our business in North America and Europe as truck markets remain weak.”
Read complete article from the Commercial Dispatch.
CD: Summer slowdown? It’s not so bad, business owners say
June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
JUNE 26, 2009
JORDAN NOVET
STARKVILLE — The double-whammy of a deep recession and an annual population drop would put businesses here on edge this summer, but many believe they’ll do just fine.
Some business owners talk about summers in this college town like a necessary evil — you’ve got to expect them and take preventive steps to guarantee survival. When students leave for the summer, much of a company’s business can suddenly disappear.
“They’re sorely missed,” said Dean O’Neal, owner of The Shoe Box on Main Street. “I think the students are a vital part of Starkville’s economy. We’ll definitely see an increase in traffic and sales when they get back.”
But not every business owner is so eager to see students returning to town. Some say summer business here is not as slow as one might think, and even the economic slump does not have them worried.
By the numbers
It’s hard to know how many students linger around town over the summer, whether to work, attend summer classes or to just take it easy after graduation, in order to ride out a 12-month lease.
Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.
CD: Eat Wish Us Group boycotts Canadian seafood
June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
JUNE 26, 2009
TIM PRATT
A local restaurant group has joined businesses all over the world in a boycott of Canadian seafood.
The Humane Society of the United States announced this week the Eat With Us Group, which is based out of Columbus, is boycotting Canadian seafood in response to the country’s annual commercial seal hunt. The Eat With Us Group is made up of 26 restaurants, including Sweet Peppers Deli, Bulldog Deli, Cotton District Grill, Fairpark Grill, Jackson Square Grill, Harvey’s and Park Heights.
Eat Wish Us Marketing Director Arma Salazar on Thursday said the company joined the movement because it’s a “good cause.”
“It was an easy decision to change our purchasing habits in order to protect baby seals,” said Eat With Us Executive Chef Gregg Frazer in a release. “Hopefully our participation will strengthen the pressures on the Canadian fishing industry to stop the slaughter of seal pups in favor of a more humane, professional endeavor.”
Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.
WLOX: Teachers try their hand at building ships at Northrop
June 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
By Trang Pham-Bui
PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) – “This is a washing tip here,” an instructor told a group of teachers, as he pointed to a small device.
Welding is certainly not in their field of expertise. But 44 teachers are donning hard hats, safety goggles, and work boots and they’re getting a crash course on the shipbuilding industry.
“I was a little intimidated by the fire, but it’s pretty exciting,” said Bay St. Louis teacher Marietta Murray.
“It’s a real challenge, but I guess I’m doing pretty good for a first timer,” said Chad Majeske, a teacher from Pocatello, Idaho.
The educators are spending a week at Northrop Grumman, learning about every facet of the shipbuilding industry. This is the ninth year that the Pascagoula shipyard has participated in the Industry Education Partnerships Program, hosted by Mississippi State University.
Read complete story from WLOX.com.
Wiseman/Aldermen inauguration plans
June 25, 2009 By 21 Comments
The Committee for the Inauguration of Mayor-Elect Parker Young Wiseman and Board of Aldermen-Elect Announces Inauguration Plans
STARKVILLE— The Committee for the Inauguration for Mayor-Elect Parker Young Wiseman and Board of Alderman-Elect announces plans for a day-long inauguration celebration on July 2, 2009. The Committee hopes Starkville residents will come out and join the new city leaders as they prepare to take office and move Starkville forward.
The Inauguration schedule of activities:
9 a.m. Prayer Service
First United Methodist Church, 200 West Lampkin Street
10:30 a.m. Swearing-in Ceremony
Starkville City Hall (front steps), 101 Lampkin Street
**Immediately following ceremony, reception in the Council Chamber
7 p.m. Inaugural Gala
State Theater, 217 East Main Street
**Cash Bar
All inaugural events are free and open to the public. For more information on the inaugural activities visit www.parkerwisemanformayor.com.
Inaugural Prayer Service
July 2, 2009
First United Methodist Church
200 W Lampkin St
Starkville, MS 39759-2812
9:00am
Invocation – Rev. Joey Sherrard
Welcome
Musical Selection
Prayer for the City of Starkville – Rev. Lee Brand
Prayer for the New City Administration – Dr. Danny Rowland
Musical Selection
Word of encouragement – Elder Eddie Lee Jones
Benediction – Dr. Charlie Barnes
Inauguration Ceremony
July 2, 2009
City Hall (Front Steps)
101 Lampkin Street
10:30 am
Order of Service
Invocation
Flag Ceremony
Oath of Office – Aldermen
Oath of Office – Mayor
Mayor’s Address
National Anthems
Benediction
REFRESHMENTS SERVED IN CITY HALL COURT ROOM
The Committee for the Inauguration of Mayor-Elect Parker Young Wiseman and Board of Aldermen-Elect
Cordially invite you and your guests to an
Inaugural Gala
Thursday, July 2, 2009
7:00 p.m. – until
State Theater
217 East Main Street
Attire: Cocktail
CD: MSU picks one of its own new dean of students
June 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
JUNE 25, 2009
TIM PRATT
STARKVILLE — Despite a nationwide search for a new dean of students, Mississippi State University has selected one of its own to fill the position.
The university announced Wednesday it has selected Associate Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois to replace former Dean of Students Mike White, who recently retired after a nearly 40-year student affairs career. The selection still must be approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next dean of students at Mississippi State University,” Bourgeois said Wednesday afternoon. “I look forward to continuing the legacy that has been left by the former leaders who have held this position. I embrace the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead and will continue to be a voice and advocate for all members of the MSU family, especially students.”
Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs, commended Bourgeois in a statement released by the university.
“Dr. Bourgeois was selected after a national search that drew extensive interest from a highly qualified and diverse candidate pool,” Kibler said. “He has excellent experience and skills, and he is uniquely qualified to fill this position.”
Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.
SDN CottonMills followup
June 25, 2009 By 2 Comments
SDN talks with CottonMills officials about the possibilty of a new anchor store and the progress of the project.
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