Ricky Bishop
Guest Columnist
After reading Councilman Dumas’s article on StarkvilleNow.com it reminded me of past conversations that I have had and opinions that I have portrayed on the very issue his article touches on. Anyone that knows me or has read articles that I have written knows that I am an unabashed passionate Republican and will fight to get Republican candidates elected whenever I have the opportunity. That being said, I supported, helped, and voted for Parker Wiseman, who happens to be a Democrat, in the last mayoral election. I know that it sounds like I am contradicting myself with the two previous statements, but that is not the case at all and I will explain.
Early on when campaigning was just beginning in the last mayoral election, even before the primaries, I took a serious look at all the candidates, Republican and Democrat, who were running for mayor of Starkville. I focused on their background and what they were saying early on about where we are as a city and the direction we need to take in order to move forward. One candidate stood out above all the rest to me and that candidate was Parker Wiseman. I went on to setup a meeting with Parker and was even more impressed with what he had to say, but the question that I had to answer for myself was could I support, for the first time in my life, a Democrat. After considering it carefully I determined I should not have to make that choice because there is no reason for partisan politics to play any role in who is a better fit to run a city like Starkville. I further determined that I would be supporting Parker because he did not bring partisan politics into his platform; he kept his platform focused on local issues that would improve and grow our city. It is time to toss out partisan politics in city elections and let everyone run as an Independent and elect the candidates that have the best platform to improve our city.
Madison, Mississippi, comes to mind as a beautiful city that follows strict regulations with regards to development to insure the city keeps a level of beauty and provides certain services for its citizens around the community. Oxford, Mississippi, is another beautiful city that follows similar guidelines when it comes to development. The difference between the two is that the city of Madison has a Republican administration and the city of Oxford has a Democratic administration. Again, in each of these two cities, partisan politics makes very little difference when it comes to development in their cities.
I believe we should put partisan politics aside and build Starkville into a community we can all be proud of. Yes, it does make sense to have sidewalks in all new neighborhoods. It is safer and healthier for our citizens. No, it does not make sense to build the new neighborhoods without any sense of definition such as trees, shrubs, and lighting. Yes, it is a good idea to have parking lots built with added decor, such as trees for shade. These ideas are not partisan, they are practical, and as Councilman Dumas stated, “IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID, YOU WILL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT,” and I, for one, do not want that.
Ricky Bishop
Starkville, MS
Co-author, The Friendly Fire Blog
http://www.thefriendlyfire.info
His column does not reflect the views of Starkville-Now.com.
Many of the opinion pieces on Starkville-Now lately have dealt with creating a better Starkville community. What will create a better community? I believe many of the things we have been discussing (trees, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, etc) will contribute to a better Starkville. Yet, the article that SNEditor wrote, “Should Rogers had talked?” brings up a point that I would like to integrate into this discussion. If our “leadership” doesn’t speak out about “why” a business or family didn’t relocate to our community, how will we know what to change or what to do differently? Are we focusing on the correct areas that will create a better Starkville? So, we are back to the “if you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.”
Our leadership in Starkville should communicate the aspects that impress businesses and the aspects of Starkville that lose businesses and families to other communities. This kind of information will help us “make smarter choices for the city of Starkville.” So we are back to this current article.
If you look at Oxford and Madison and what makes them a successful community, is it trees? Or is it the total package that includes businesses, growth, appropriate property regulations, beautification and high achieving public schools?
Ricky, Thanks and I couldn’t agree more.
KO, I think you are spot on and have hit the nail square on the head. The Project Coyote process has taught us many things and it is my hope that the lessons learned will be put to action so that we holistically improve to meet the wants, demands, needs, etc of people and industry looking at Starkville.
One thing that would help all concerned in this discussion is understanding that the board is not saying you can’t cut trees only that it must be approved. (That is my understanding correct me if I am wrong) Many find this distinction helpful and determine that they agree with it. I still have a lot of heart burn with more government intrusion into our lives regardless whether it is local, state or federal. Its an ideological argument for me and I will always land of the side of less government not more; however I do understand the frustration and the attractiveness of passing an ordinance to cure a problem. I think there are better ways to accomplish the same goals. It has been my experience if you want to create problems and stalemates in a community put a committee together to make the decisions and give them a little power and the ability for the board of alderman to override that authority and you have the making for a perfect mess. I do agree with Ricky that this should not be a partisan infused argument however if you really do think we have too much government intrusion this is just another step in the wrong direction. I am sure that Jeremiah did not intend to become the poster child for some of these arguments and I will commend him for having the guts to say what he feels is right, there are not too many people willing to do that these days. I think we can have some disagreements about a lot of things but I would caution us all to be respectful of each others right to opine them. It would seem some of us forget that everyone’s got an opinion and I will stand up for any one’s right to express it with out being called silly names. Alderman Dumas and I will probably agree to disagree about this particular ordinance along with several others that have been passed recently but I would bet we can find a few things we can agree on. Thanks All.
I would like to chastise Alderman Dumas for posting to this ridiculous site. Engaging the uneducated citizens of Starkville that might frequent this board is just dumb.
Kate, you visited this website and posted to it as well, just like the rest of us. So you are “chastising” someone for doing the same thing you have done. Come on!