By CARL SMITH

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors began discussion Tuesday for possibly developing projects to facilitate future economic and community growth.
While the board took no action, District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer said he will develop a list of potential projects in the coming weeks. The board agreed a work session should be held in the future, but one was not officially scheduled Tuesday.
Trainer told board members now is the time to act on community projects, which includes road work and recreational opportunities, so the tangible, finished product would be completed by the end of the board term. Developing projects to match county growth could be a “signature move” for the board, he said.
“We need to get the ball rolling now … and have something we can be proud of,” Trainer said.
District supervisors, Trainer said, need flexible project money which can be assigned to a variety of district-specific projects. County road quality is a need Trainer said he wants to address with projects in his and other districts.
“I think we need to have the best roads in the state of Mississippi,” Trainer said. “The sky is the limit.”
District 5 Supervisor Joe Williams agreed with the need for improved road quality.
“My constituents want better roads. The present course to pave roads isn’t getting it done,” Williams said. “I pretty much shed tears (while campaigning) for people who say they’ve been on a rock road all of their life. (The county) can fund the hospital but not roads. We need to look into possibilities.”
Project funding could come in a variety of ways. Instead of seeking a bond issue, Trainer said he believes the county can borrow money without increasing the millage rate or find funding by realigning its current budget.
“I’m about giving people choices,” Trainer said. “We get what we pay for.”
Board Attorney Jack Brown said supervisors might have to seek special legislation from state government for flexible funds. Brown advised the board to develop project ideas and then seek proper legislation if so needed.
The board also scheduled a public hearing in February for a potential name change to Redbud Road.
If approved, the road would be renamed St. Matthews Church Road after the church located east of Artesia. A church representative approached the board with the request and signatures from local land owners and congregation members.

Read complete article at Starkville Daily News.

By NATHAN GREGORY

The Starkville Board of Aldermen voted to select Golden Triangle Planning and Development District to assist in the city redistricting process Tuesday. The vote passed 4-3 with Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk, Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey and Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas opposing the ordinance.
The board also approved the ordinance amending the city’s chart of permitted uses as well as the implementation of form-based codes as an amendment to the city’s zoning map. Both motions passed by a 5-2 vote with Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn opposing.
Additionally, a motion to add the Northside Drive ditch to the drainage improvements for capital improvement projects for 2012 failed, while the board voted to create a selection committee to evaluate request for proposals for public-private partnership for municipal city projects. The capital improvement ordinance failed 3-4 with Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker, Sistrunk and Dumas being opposed.
Carver initially moved to have GTPDD selected to assist the city in redistricting in an amount not to exceed $10,000. A motion by Sistrunk to amend Carver’s proposal to have GTPDD provide three maps from which the board would select one failed.
Despite the measure’s passing, Dumas said he initially moved to table discussion on the requests for qualifications submissions because he felt the need to further discuss legalities.
“I still think there’s some question as to what legal service we need as far as getting this thing through to the Department of Justice. On top of that, how does that integrate with the demography as far as projects we’ve gotten proposals for?” Dumas said. “There are two moving parts. There is the map-producing side and there is the legal side of actually getting this thing approved. I think we’re somewhat ill-prepared by some of the proposals of handling the legal side. I saw no legal expertise on the proposal … I’m more concerned not with producing the maps but making sure we hit all the legal requirements in this process as we go forward with the Department of Justice.”
Perkins said he opposed Sistrunk’s proposed amendment because it would tell GTPDD how to conduct the redistricting process.
“I think it’s very intrusive for us to tell an expert how many maps they need to give us. Once we select a firm we can get it here and decide what we want to do. It is presumptuous at this time for us to tell them what to do and not to do,” Perkins said. “If the board passes this motion, let that group decide how many maps they want to bring in. GTPDD does not need to be told how many maps they need to draw. We are not the experts; they are.”
Corey said he voted for Sistrunk’s proposed amendment because it kept the board’s options open.

Read complete article at Starkville Daily News.

By STEVEN NALLEY

Mississippi State University announced Jan. 11 it had named Gregory Dunaway as the new associate dean of academic affairs in its college of arts and sciences.
Formerly head of MSU’s sociology department, Dunaway was instrumental in creating what remains the state’s only criminology degree program. He succeeds David Breaux, who recently became the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s graduate school dean.
However, Breaux said Dunaway actually has experience as academic affairs associate dean which predates his own. Dunaway spent a year as interim associate dean before Breaux was hired, he said.
“He’s very qualified for the position,” Breaux said. “In terms of the direct process of filling the position, I did not play a role… (but) when it became known I was taking a job elsewhere, (Arts and Sciences Dean) Gary Myers and I had a discussion about a list of sort of potential individuals who could fill the position. Obviously, Greg’s name was at the top of that list … because he had done the job already.”
Dunaway said he was excited and honored to hear the news. While his interim experience with the job was about four and a half years ago, he said he believes the experience will help him keep the college of arts and sciences moving forward.
“It’s given me a good understanding of the various tasks that need to be done in our office in the capacity of associate dean,” Dunaway said. “It gave me the experience to be familiar with a lot of the networks that are very crucial to our students and our college. It’s given me a good idea of how our college and its programs fit within the larger academic mission of our university, and it’s given me good experience in terms of knowing the different sorts of offices we interface with, including the provost’s office, the registrar’s office, the office of admissions — things like that.”
Dunaway’s new responsibilities include coordinating curriculum issues, student advising and awards, scholarships and all other aspects of undergraduate programs. Dunaway said his top priority is to learn as much as possible about individual departments.

Read complete article at Starkville Daily News.

By CARL SMITH

Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors Vice President Orlando Trainer says it’s time the county looks outside the box for ideas and funding to facilitate economic and community development, road work and recreational opportunities.
Trainer is scheduled to discuss a possible bond issue with the county’s other four supervisors during the board’s 5:30 p.m. meeting today at the county courthouse.
Supervisors, Trainer said, typically lack funding options to do district-specific projects. Having flexible sources of funding for supervisors would allow representatives to accomplish area-specific projects which fit their district’s characteristics and needs, he said, and, in turn, benefit the county.
“One of the things we as elected officials face is that you never have funds dedicated specifically toward doing what you want to do — everything is board-driven. Each supervisor needs to have some funds at their discretion that could benefit the county as a whole but would be outside of the box. All of our districts are different and have different compositions, interests and needs,” Trainer said. “Now is the time to start strong discussions about doing those things. We need to start off on the ground level and work our way up. There’s a lot we can accomplish in the next four years. We’ve got some major decisions we need to look strongly at and put all of our agendas aside and look at them for face value.”
While Trainer said bonds are likely needed to accomplish most county projects, he is hopeful existing revenue can be aligned to pay for some needs without impacting the county’s millage rate.
“You can look at (county needs and development) from three different options: you can do nothing; you can use our existing capacity and not add on extra millage by possibly using existing tax dollars coming into the county — not necessarily cut but reorganizing; you can look for extra money,” he said. “We could leverage the county’s borrowing capacity to do multiple things based on public input and direction. If the public doesn’t want to do anything, then the community has spoken. People in my district always call me with concerns about a better quality of life. If we can present projects aimed at improving that, I think the community will be receptive.”
Trainer said potential improvement projects could target a multitude of areas from infrastructure and sewer developments to programs aimed at wellness and crime prevention. Improvement projects, he said, will help the county as it continues to grow.
“I think my district has been a hidden jewel as far as growth because I have an area outside of Starkville bringing in a substantial tax base and also some sales tax. Infrastructure and sewage extensions will have a positive impact on the growth of our tax base. I also believe recreation and quality of life have a strong correlation,” he said. “Our county is unique because we have resources and people here with high expectations. There are things we have to do now because of our current growth. Maybe if we start talking about these things it will get the community engaged.”
The board will not take action to secure new bonds before weighing the issue, holding public hearings and voting on the matter, Trainer said.
“The only thing we could possibly do right now is pass a resolution for intent and then you have to give the public an opportunity to weigh in on the matter,” Trainer said. “I know our old and new supervisors have a lot of things they want to see done in Oktibbeha County.”

Read complete article at Starkville Daily News.

By ANGIE CARNATHAN

Groups from throughout the community gathered to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday.
Mississippi State University held the 18th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Breakfast in the Colvard Student Union Ballroom. The event was hosted by MSU President Mark Keenum, the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs and the President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities.
Moderator Michael V. Williams, assistant professor of history and African studies at MSU, opened the program by thanking everyone for their attendance, especially those who brought their children with them.
“This is just wonderful to see so many young people in the audience,” Williams said. “You are all helping to set a great example for the youth in our community.”
After the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the MSU Army ROTC Color Guard, MSU mathematics and statistics professor Seth Oppenheimer gave the invocation. Oppenheimer spoke of King’s sacrifice in the battle for racial equality.
Keenum then took the podium to welcome the crowd and thank them for their participation what he called an important day.
“We are glad you are joining us to commemorate the historic contributions of Martin Luther King Jr., and it is appropriate that we assemble on the university campus, for he was an ardent proponent of education,” Keenum said.
Keenum then read aloud one of his favorite quotes of King’s.
“Dr. King once remarked that ‘The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically; intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education,’” Keenum said.
He said the quote mirrored an important part of MSU’s mission to not only prepare students to earn a good living, but to lead a life of leadership and service to others.
Keenum also presented the morning’s keynote speaker, former Gov. William Winter, with a special award –– he made Winter an honorary Bulldog — and gave Winter, whom Keenum called a personal hero, with a plaque and his very own MSU cowbell.
Winter, who led Mississippi from 1980-1984, is remembered best for his passion for education reform and racial equality during his tenure. When Winter became governor, there was no state-funded kindergarten. In 1982, Winter succeeded against strong opposition in passing the most sweeping education reform in the state’s history, which established kindergarten for all Mississippians. Winter went on to be named a member of former President Clinton’s National Advisory Board on Race and played an integral part in the founding of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi.
Winter recalled during his keynote address when the MSU men’s basketball team won the SEC tournament three times in the early 1960s, but were denied access to compete in the NCAA basketball tournament because it had African-American players. The president of MSU at the time, Dean W. Colvard, for whom the union was named, fought against public outrage to allow the players access to the tournament. Winter praised MSU for taking a stand for racial equality during the tumultuous Civil Rights era.
After a special presentation by Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman, Donald Shaffer, assistant professor of English and African American studies, recognized three local students for the essay writing competition. First place was given to Leah Gibson, daughter of Kelvin and Tamara Gibson and a junior at Starkville High School; second place was awarded to Elsie Madison, a senior at Starkville High School and an active member of Rock Hill United Methodist Church; third place went to Ryan Lawrence, son of Mark and Jenny Lawrence, who attends Starkville Christian School and plans to enter his freshman year at MSU this fall as a history major. Honorable mentions were awarded to Kory Willis and Shawna Brownlee, both of whom are seniors at West Oktibbeha County High School.

Read complete article at Starkville Daily News.

By NATHAN GREGORY

In an effort to continue restoration in problem areas of McKee Park where bare soil gave way to erosion, Starkville Parks Director Matthew Rye is asking the community to continue bringing bagged leaves to use as mulch for the areas through the end of January.
Rye said since the project to restore the condition of the oak tree grove areas began more than two years ago, much progress has been made, and the areas where bare soil once was are now much healthier and continuing to improve due to community contributions.
“This is our third year in the program, and we’ve had increased participation from citizens each year,” he said. “We sought to target areas with erosion issues, and the leaves people have left have brought much nutrition to those areas. I want to thank everyone for their participation and let them know about the areas we’ve seen improvement in and let them know they can continue to bring in leaves until the end of the month.”
Rye said the amount of shade provided by the trees was so much it kept the areas of concern from receiving the proper amount of sunlight necessary for the soil to be healthy.
“The oak tree grove consisted of deep shade created by the trees and a ground plane composed of bare soil. The soil was eroding and sediment was being moved from the tree grove to the creek west of the site. The sediment eventually contributed to the increase in suspended solids in the creek which hampered light from moving through the water column, thereby affecting the growth of algae,” Rye said in a release. “The depth of erosion around the trees was 2 to 4 inches in depth … Rainfall was compacting soil pores necessary for the transport of air, water and nutrients to the trees, and these conditions were causing stress … The tops of the trees were dying back due to reduced nutrients, air and moisture availability.”
Rye said the use of leaves and pine straw as mulch over time has helped make the area much more park-like in appearance.

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By STEVEN NALLEY

Inside the Starkville Convention and Visitors’ Bureau’s new spring campaign, the CVB marketing team has hidden a subtle response to a few unsubtle tweets.
The area of the site explaining the campaign carries a classroom motif: “Grab your seat in our State’s study hall of culture,” “Savor Our South events are required attendance” and “Class is now in session.”
Jennifer Gregory, vice president for tourism development with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, said the word “class” has a double meaning.
“There’s been a lot on Twitter, a lot of hate from around our friends up north,” Gregory said. “(They say,) ‘Starkville doesn’t have any class,’ (or,) ‘We’re the Old South.’ Well, we are the New South; we do have class.”
Wednesday, the CVB unveiled the Savor Our South campaign, promoting local events running through late winter and early spring.
The campaign is the successor to the Dog Days of Summer and New South Weekends seasonal campaigns, the latter of which tied in local events such as Bulldog Bash and Pumpkinpalooza with Mississippi State University home football games. While Savor Our South prominently features MSU basketball and baseball events, including Super Bulldog Weekend, Gregory said the focus is distinct from New South Weekends.
“The New South Weekends are very collegiate, very football-oriented,” Gregory said. “The Savor Our South series is basically very cultural. There are a lot of cultural events that take place in the spring. There will be six weekends we market as part of the official series, but then other events will be promoted as well.”
Gregory said the CVB website’s Savor Our South schedule will be updated with extra events within and outside the six weekends. She said she was happy with the way the campaign turned out, crediting the marketing team.
“It was a total group effort,” Gregory said.

Read complete article at Starkville Daily News.