August 19, 2009

by Erin Kourkounis

Starkville residents packed out City Hall’s courtroom and overflowed into the hallway Tuesday as they waited to finally hear the fate of the city’s much-debated alcohol ordinance.

In a 4-3 decision, the Starkville Board of Aldermen passed ordinance amendments that will make alcohol sales legal on Sundays between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Also, the distance between alcohol-selling establishments and schools, churches, day care centers and funeral homes will be measured by property lines, rather than the distance between the buildings.

Ward 4 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas said an amended ordinance will benefit community growth. “We aren’t to where we need to be. We haven’t reached our potential,” he said. “Right now it’s difficult to make assumptions about what will happen.”

Those for the motion included Dumas, Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk, Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker and Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey. Against it were Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, Ward 6 Alderman Roy Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn.

Ward 6 Alderman Roy Perkins cited religious reasons to explain his opposition of Sunday sales.

“I wish we could pass a law that would require people to go to church on Sundays,” he said, as people cheered and applauded.

Before the board voted, he said this ordinance would not be a progressive change and that it’s fine the way it is.

“The law that we have is not archaic,” he said. “It’s not broke and we don’t need to fix it.”

AUGUST 18, 2009 10:44:00 AM

NEAL WAGNER

Columbus officials tonight may take a step towards solidifying a funding instrument to aid a proposed two-hotel development near the intersection of Highway 82 and 18th Avenue North.

The Columbus City Council tonight is expected to discuss a tax increment financing plan to aid local developer Mark Castleberry in completing the nearly 200-room hotel development.

After discussing the bond issue, the council likely will decide if the city will enter into an interlocal agreement with Lowndes County to support the TIF bond issue.

If the council votes to support the interlocal agreement, the issue likely will be taken up by the county Board of Supervisors during its Aug. 31 meeting, said Lowndes County District 1 Supervisor and Board President Harry Sanders.

If the plan is approved by the city and county, Castleberry could have access to the bond funds as he begins construction of a 95-room Fairfield Inn and a 103-room Courtyard by Marriott in the now-vacant lot.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

AUGUST 18, 2009 10:44:00 AM

TIM PRATT

The Starkville Park Commission is calling on residents to help name a popular city park.

The park is located at the corner of Avenue of Patriots and Whitfield Street, just off Highway 12. It consists of a playground and pavilion area.

Plans are in the works to complete fencing around the park, upgrade the flower bed and add a sign with the park’s new name, whatever it may be. Long-range plans include a water fountain and restrooms.

The Park Commission is allowing residents to pick from three name choices or to submit their own ideas. The choices are Green Oaks Community Park, People’s Park and Green Park. Residents can vote by calling the Park Commission at 662-323-2294.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

AUGUST 18, 2009 10:44:00 AM

DISPATCH STARKVILLE BUREAU

The Starkville Board of Aldermen is expected to vote tonight on proposed amendments to the city’s alcohol ordinance after it holds a second public hearing on the matter.

Amendments to the ordinance have been revised since Aug. 4 when aldermen held the first public hearing. Citizens at the Aug. 4 hearing were concerned because the amendments not only would have allowed alcohol sales on Sundays, but also extended the hours businesses would have been able to sell alcohol by two hours on weeknights, from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m., and one hour on Friday and Saturday nights, from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.