JULY 3, 2009

TIM PRATT

It was Thursday morning, just after 10:30, and Lindsey Wiseman had that look on her face again. She looked like something big was about to happen.

Wiseman smiled, her eyes wide with excitement. She clenched her hands in her lap as she sat in a chair in front of City Hall. In front of her stood her husband, Parker, the incoming mayor of Starkville.

Parker Wiseman and the new seven-member Board of Aldermen were sworn in Thursday morning during the ceremony, and when the city’s next mayor addressed the crowd gathered before him, his gaze eventually fell back on Lindsey, just as it did six months ago when he announced his candidacy for mayor from the same location.

“Lindsey has that look on her face again,” Parker Wiseman said with a smile. “Indeed, she’s right. Something big is about to happen.”

Wiseman and the new board officially take office July 6 at 12:01 a.m. Their first meeting is July 7 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.

Wiseman will be joined by Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk, Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker, Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey, Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas, Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn Sr. Corey and Perkins are the only two returning aldermen.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

Apparently Mayor Camp decided it would be better to resign and leave office on his own terms.

From the SDN:

But Camp’s veto notice has no effect on the change sincehe (sic) officially retired from office Wednesday.

I do agree with him that the neutered Lynn Lane Project is fairly useless.

But., why leave office early? Does the end of the fiscal year and how it might affect retirement calculation have anything to do with it?

JUNE 29, 2009

DISPATCH STAFF REPORT

STARKVILLE — The city of Starkville will swear in its new mayor and Board of Aldermen Thursday morning in front of City Hall.

Incoming Mayor Parker Wiseman will join Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk, Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker, Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey, Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas, Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins, and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn Sr.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

The long election season is over. I have to say this was one of the best in recent memory.

One of the things that pleased me most was the involvement of the under 45 crowd in running and campaigning. Starkville has made a change from from the “bald-headed old men” crowd (as one poster put it) to a new group of leaders.

Mayor Parker Wiseman

Aldermen
Ward 1 Ben Carver (R)
Ward 2 Sandra Sistrunk (D)
Ward 3 Richard Corey (D -I)
Ward 4 Eric Parker (R)
Ward 5 Jeremiah Dumas (D)
Ward 6 Roy Perkins (D -I)
Ward 7 Henry Vaughn

A few quick observations.

I would say Sunday sales is a slam dunk. I count 4 yeas with a “no veto” from Wiseman.

Sandra Sistrunk ran a heck of a campaign against Rodney Lincoln.

The Republican’s gained 2 seats but lost an incumbent. Any life in the local party left?

The Democratic party/Wiseman campaign built a heck of a machine.

Thanks to all who followed via Twitter and SN.com.

Affidavit ballots per ward left:

Ward 1 4
Ward 2 1
Ward 3 5
Ward 4 10
Ward 5 4
Ward 6 0
Ward 7 4

Beath Lane votes at the Sportsplex mid-morning

Please place you time/Ward/votes tally here.

Thanks!

We’ll open an article tomorrow to allow folks to post voter turnout around town.
Please pay attention to your number when you vote and report it, along with time and ward back here tomorrow. Several folks did it impromptu last time ’round.

Thanks.