A rose to voters in the Lowndes County School District, who narrowly passed a $44 million bond to finance additions and improvements throughout the district. Because bond issues require 60-percent approval for passage (a similar bond failed to get that vote in August), bond issues can be a tough sell.
While confusion certainly damaged the district’s efforts in that initial appeal to voters, the new bond issue passed once voters were reassured that passing the bond would mean no tax increase. When you consider that passage will allow the district to begin work immediately – a new high school at New Hope and a centralized vocational training center — voters acted wisely in giving their approval. We urge the district to act prudently as the work commences on this project, which would be the best way the district could thank the voters for approving these projects.
A rose to the Starkville police and fire departments, along with the hundreds who turned out to give a hero’s welcome to one of the two Hattiesburg police officers, who were shot and killed in the line of duty on May 9.
That officer, 25-year-old Liquori Tate, was buried at Fox Cemetery on Blackjack Road. An honor guard, along with officers from police departments from throughout the state, escorted his body from the funeral service in Hattiesburg to Starkville late Saturday afternoon, with hundreds of citizens lining the route through Starkville to the cemetery. It was an impressive show of respect for the fallen officer. We commend all who participated.
A rose to the Mississippi State University and its athletic department for staging the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on the MSU campus this weekend. For track and field fans, this was a rare and special opportunity to watch some of the nation’s finest athletes — in fact some of the world’s finest athletes — compete. No doubt, some athletes who competed at MSU this weekend will go on to the Olympics and some will go on to Olympic glory. A few short years ago, the idea that Mississippi State could host an event of this magnitude would have been considered laughable. But thanks to wise planning and excellent leadership, the university had built the kinds of quality facilities that events such as this require. It is, indeed, a feather in the cap for MSU and a source of great pleasure to the track and field enthusiasts in our community.
A rose to the Bread of Life Pantry, which recently reached its one-year anniversary. The pantry, open two days per month at Columbus Church of Christ on Seventh Street North, provides food for an estimated 350 to 400 people each month. It is the brainchild of church members Bobby and Marie Polk, who say the pantry is their calling. The Polks deserve much credit for the success of the project, but it is very much a collaborative effort.
The church and local businesses have been very supportive, along with a group of 12 to 15 volunteers, who help organize and distribute the food.
The pantry has proven to be an important resource for those who find themselves in need but do not qualify for other programs or find the assistance they do receive is not sufficient. At least one-fourth of the pantry’s clients are over 50, many living on meager amounts. “So many people don’t realize how critical the help is for some of these people,” Marie Polk stressed. We commend everyone at Bread of Life for their compassion and service to so many of our vulnerable citizens.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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