A rose to all those for whom the holidays were “business as usual.” While most of us enjoyed time off during the holiday season, there are those whose work is essential to the public’s health and welfare, which meant working on Christmas and New Year’s. These “essential” employees perform a wide variety of critical “24/7” services. We want to especially acknowledge those who we rely on most under difficult circumstances – police, fire, hospital workers. Thanks for keeping our holidays safe!
A rose to the Mississippi State and Ole Miss football teams, which capped their 2015 seasons with impressive bowl victories. Ole Miss notched its 10th win of the season with an impressive 48-20 win over Oklahoma State in Friday’s Sugar Bowl, the Rebels’ first appearance in that bowl in 36 years. Two days earlier, MSU picked up its ninth win of the season with an equally impressive 51-28 win over North Carolina State in the Belk Bowl. In the super-competitive world of SEC football, seasons are marked by ups and downs. For both the Rebels and the Bulldogs, the 2015 season featured more of the former than the latter. We congratulate both programs on their success. It was a ton of fun. We can hardly wait for the 2016 season.
A rose to the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, who continued to show a commitment to fiscal responsibility. As we have noted previously, the supervisors are to be commended for their foresight and careful management of the county’s hospital trust fund, which continues to grow even as the county withdraws profits used to fund almost $3 million in capital projects in the county.
It doesn’t stop there, though. At its last meeting, the supervisors refinanced the $10 million balance of a $13 million 2011 USDA loan, dropping the interests rate and shortening the term of the loan from 30 years to 15 years. That move will save the county at least $2.5 million in interest payments. That move is merely the latest example of the supervisors’ careful use of taxpayer funds.
In almost every case, where the county is faced with expenses, there is a serious discussion among the supervisors to find a way to reduce the cost as much as possible. Our tax dollars are in good hands.
A rose to the City of Columbus and the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau for staging the second annual Christmas Tree Bonfire at the Riverwalk near the foot on the Old Highway 82 pedestrian bridge. Last year’s inaugural event was a charmer, and we are certain that this year’s bonfire – to be held Monday at 6 – will be even better. The CVB will provide refreshments – hot chocolate – for those who come out to watch the bonfire made from the Christmas trees collected from city residents. It’s a fun, festive way to celebrate the new year and represents a far better use of the old trees than simply sending them off to the landfill. See you at the Riverwalk Monday evening!
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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