A rose to the organizers of Thursday’s “United Against Hate” interfaith service. The service, organized in the wake of the horrific nightclub shootings in Orlando, was held at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Starkville.
We believe this kind of unified front takes the best from all faith groups and provides people of faith, and even those who profess no faith, an opportunity to focus on those things which unite us as Americans rather than divide us.
There is far, far too much of the latter, so finding common ground is not only an escape from bitter division, but an outlet for hope and optimism.
A rose to the Columbus Fire Department, which held a training exhibition in the parking lot of Kroger on Friday, demonstrating how the department employs some of its life-saving equipment, including “jaws of life” equipment used to remove passengers from crashed vehicles.
By staging this demonstration in a public place, firefighters not only had an opportunity to improve their skills, but also provide residents with an up-close look at what they do. It’s always good when taxpayers can see how the equipment they pay for is used.
A rose the city of Starkville, Oktibbeha County and Mississippi State University for their joint efforts in attaining a federal grant which will be used to all residents to easily walk or bike from the McKee Park area to the MSU campus. The Mississippi Transportation Commission awarded a Federal Transportation Alternative Program grant of up to $795,360 at its May meeting that, along with a 20 percent local match, will connect recently completed bike and pedestrian pathways along South Montgomery Street to new trails running along Locksley Way and Blackjack Road, connecting to campus at Stone Boulevard.
Sidewalks and walking/running paths promote a healthy lifestyle and provide a sense of community. It’s a great way to really see and engage in the neighborhood in a way you can’t experience when you’re flying by in an automobile. Cars get you from A to B.
Walking, biking, jogging gets you to all points in between.
A rose to Lowndes County Supervisor Leroy Brooks and organizers of this weekend’s Juneteenth Festival. Although an early-evening thunderstorm made things tricky as the event opened Friday evening at Sim Scott Park, clear skies greeted visitors for the second of the two-day event that celebrates a key moment in history — Union Maj. General Gordon Granger’s arrival in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 — with word that the Civil War was over and slaves were free.
This year’s event, which featured live music, games and music, is the 20th anniversary of the Columbus event. While there is no official count, Brooks said he expected 10,000 to 12,000 visitors this year.
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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